Early Christian Beliefs About Politics and the Kingdom of God

Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching

if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is My kingdom not from hence.

John 18:36 Direct teaching

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Romans 14:17 Direct teaching

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 6:33 Direct teaching

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 17:21 Direct teaching

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:20 Direct teaching

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Matthew 6:10 Direct teaching

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

and after that, the kingdom of God is preached, and all press to enter it: Matthew 11:12b and they that exert themselves 6, 7 snatch it away.

Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching

by saying, My kingdom is not of this world;

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching

But the kingdom of God is within you.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

Daniel 2:44 Direct teaching

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

That the kingdom of God was neither new nor unheard of, He in this way affirmed, while at the same time He bids them announce that it was near at hand.

Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? Supporting witness

Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Cyprian, Connection to Romans 14:17 Supporting witness

Also to the Romans: "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to 1 Corinthians 4:20 Supporting witness

It is better for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not to be one. "The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."

Philippians 3:20 Supporting witness

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

... they were not baptized by him. Matthew 11:12a And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is snatched away by violence. Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John. After that, the kingdom of God is preached, and all press to enter it. Matthew 11:12b And those who exert themselves snatch it away. Matthew 11:13 All the prophets and the law until John prophesied. Matthew 11:14 And if you are willing, then receive it, that he is Elijah, who is to come. Matthew 11:15 Whoever has ears that hear, let him hear. Luke 16:17 It is easier for heaven and earth to perish than for one point of the law to pass away. Luke 7:31 To whom then shall I liken the people of this generation, and to whom are they like? Luke 7:32 They are like children sitting in the market, calling to their companions and saying, "We sang to you, and you did not dance. We wailed to you, and you did not weep." Luke 7:33 John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you said, "He has demons." Luke 7:34 And the Son of man came eating and drinking, and you said, "Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drinker of wine, and an associate of publicans and sinners!" Luke 7:35 And

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...or these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, earthquakes, and pestilences in every place. But all these things are the beginnings of travailings. Then they will deliver you up into affliction and will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and will deceive many. And because wickedness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout all the world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. “When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, let him who reads understand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything from the house. And let him who is in the field not return back to carry away his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing chil

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

... which I warn you, as I have warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Thus, he explains to his listeners more explicitly what he means by "Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God." For those who do these things, since they indeed walk after the flesh, do not have the power of living unto God. He then tells us the spiritual actions that give life, which is the engrafting of the Spirit; saying, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, kindness, faith, meekness, self-control, chastity: against these there is no law." Therefore, he who has progressed to better things and has brought forth the fruit of the Spirit is saved completely because of the communion of the Spirit; likewise, he who has persisted in the aforementioned works of the flesh, being truly regarded as carnal, because he did not receive the Spirit of God, shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. The same apostle also testifies, saying to the Corinthians, "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be mistaken," he says: "neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...children would have been distinctly different from each other: one sending people into the Father’s kingdom, and the other into eternal fire. But since one and the same Lord has indicated that the whole human race will be divided at the judgment, "as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats," and that to some He will say, "Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you," but to others, "Depart from me, cursed, into everlasting fire, which My Father has prepared for the devil and his angels," it is clearly shown that there is one and the same Father "making peace and creating evil things," preparing appropriate things for both. There is also one Judge sending both into a suitable place, as the Lord explains in the parable of the tares and the wheat, where He says, "As the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather from His kingdom everything that causes sin and those who do iniquity, and will send them into a furnace of fire: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the just will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Therefore, the Father

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

Therefore I say unto you, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” By these words He clearly points out to His disciples one and the same Householder—that is, one God the Father, who made all things by Himself;

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

And when you hear that we look for a kingdom, you suppose, without making any inquiry, that we speak of a human kingdom;

Luke 20:25 Direct teaching

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Theophilus of Antioch, Connection to 1 Timothy 2:2 Supporting witness

Moreover, concerning subjection to authorities and powers, and prayer for them, the divine word gives us instructions, in order that "we may lead a quiet and peaceable life."

Didache, Connection to 1 Timothy 2:2 Supporting witness

Let us pray "for kings and those in authority," that they may be peaceable toward us, "that so we may have and lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

For the things of Cæsar belong to Cæsar, and the things of God to God.

Cyprian, Treatises Background

...gyptian monsters, not deities, who certainly, if they had any power, would have protected their own kingdoms and the kingdoms of their people. Certainly there are also among the Romans the conquered Penates, whom the fugitive Aeneas brought there. There is also Venus the Bald, far more dishonored by being bald in Rome than by being wounded in Homer.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background

Of politics, he says there are two kinds — the department of law, and that of politics, strictly so called.

Lactantius, On the Anger of God Background

For this earthly kingdom and government, unless guarded by fear, is broken down.

Tertullian, Apology Background

...an obstinate refusal to offer sacrifices, he found in their religious services nothing but meetings early in the morning for singing hymns to Christ and God, and sealing their way of life by a united pledge to remain faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty, and other crimes. In reply, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be sought out. But if they were brought before him, they should be punished. O miserable deliverance. Under the necessities of the case, it is a self-contradiction. It forbids them to be sought out, as innocent, and it commands them to be punished, as guilty. It is at once merciful and cruel. It passes by, and it punishes. Why do you play this game of evasion with yourself, O Judgment? If you condemn, why do you not also inquire? If you do not inquire, why do you not also absolve? Military stations are set throughout all the provinces for tracking robbers. Against traitors and public enemies every man is a soldier. Search is made even for their confederates and accessories. The Christian alone must not be sought, though he may be brought and accused before the judge, as if a search had any other end than that! And so

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Background

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background

...erial involved. In the case of weapons and fighting animals, the ruling power is the soul and mind, using both living and nonliving means. And in the case of the passions of the soul, which we master by virtue, reason is the ruling power. It does this by setting on them the seal of continence and self-restraint, together with holiness, and sound knowledge joined with truth, so that the result of the whole ends in piety toward God. For wisdom is what governs in those who practice virtue in this way. Divine things are ordered by wisdom, and human affairs by politics, all things by the kingly power. He, then, is a king who governs according to the laws and has the skill to lead willing subjects. Such is the Lord, who receives all who believe in Him and through Him. For the Father has handed over and subjected all things to Christ our King, so that at the name of Jesus every knee may bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Background

...so necessarily foolish. Therefore, after he had divided justice into two parts, saying that one was civil and the other natural, he overthrew both. For the civil part is wisdom, but not justice; while the natural part is justice, but not wisdom. These arguments are altogether subtle and sharp, and Marcus Tullius was unable to refute them. For when he presents Laelius as replying to Furius and speaking on behalf of justice, he passed over these arguments as though they were a trap, without answering them. So the same Laelius seems not to have defended natural justice, which had been charged with foolishness, but civil justice, which Furius had admitted to be wisdom, though not just.

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Background

...ayer to the gods of my country. But, as they did not respond, I called upon those among us known as Christians. Upon investigation, I found a great number and multitude of them and initially acted against them, which was quite inappropriate, as I later understood their power. They began the battle, not with weapons, armor, or bugles, as such preparations are detestable to them because of the God they carry in their conscience. Therefore, it appears that those we think are atheists have God as their guiding force entrenched in their conscience. Throwing themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me but for the entire army, that we might be saved from the current thirst and hunger. We had been without water for five days because there was none, being deep in Germany, in enemy territory. Simultaneously as they threw themselves on the ground and prayed to God (a God unknown to me), water poured from the sky, refreshingly cool upon us but as withering hail upon Rome's enemies. Immediately we acknowledged the presence of God following their prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Based on this, let us pardon such individuals who are Christians, lest they pray for and ac

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Background

...onomy 5. And so on. These things must be kept, along with whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. And by Isaiah He commands us: "Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean. Put away wickedness from your souls before my eyes. Learn to do good. Seek judgment. Rescue the wronged. Judge for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason together," says the Lord. And we will find many examples in other places also. For example, about prayer, Scripture says, "Good works are an acceptable prayer to the Lord." And the manner of prayer is described: "If you see the naked, cover him, and do not overlook those who belong to your own seed. Then your light shall break forth early, and your healing shall spring up quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you." What, then, is the fruit of such prayer? "Then you shall call, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking, He will say, 'I am here.'"

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching

...here. If Christ is only man, how does He say, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world"? But if every man is of this world, and Christ is in this world for that reason, is He only man? God forbid! But consider what He says: "I am not of this world." Does He then speak falsely when He says He is not of this world, if He is only man? Or if He does not speak falsely, then He is not of this world. Therefore He is not man only, because He is not of this world. But so that it should not be hidden who He was, He declared where He was from. "I am from above," He said, that is, from heaven, where man cannot come from, for man was not made in heaven. Therefore He is God who is from above, and therefore He is not of this world; although, in a certain way, He is also of this world. Therefore Christ is not God only, but man also. For just as He is not of this world according to the divinity of the Word, so He is of this world according to the frailty of the body that He has taken upon Himself. For man is joined with God, and God is linked with man. But for that reason Christ here laid more stress on the one aspect of His divinity, because the blindn

Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Direct teaching

and Christians dwell in the world, yet are not of the world.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...here. If Christ is only man, how does He say, “You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world”? But if every man is of this world, and Christ is for that reason in this world, is He only man? God forbid! But consider what He says: “I am not of this world.” Does He then speak falsely when He says that He is not of this world, if He is only man? Or if He does not speak falsely, He is not of this world. Therefore He is not man only, because He is not of this world. But so that it should not be hidden who He was, He declared from where He was. “I,” He said, “am from above,” that is, from heaven, from where man cannot come, for he was not made in heaven. He is God, therefore, who is from above, and therefore He is not of this world; although, moreover, in a certain manner He is of this world. Therefore Christ is not God only, but man also. For just as He is not of this world according to the divinity of the Word, so He is of this world according to the frailty of the body that He has taken upon Himself. For man is joined with God, and God is linked with man. But for that reason Christ here laid more stress on the one aspect of His divinity alone, b

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

for they thought that He had His conversation (citizenship) on earth only.

Hermas, Connection to Hebrews 13:14 Supporting witness

He says to me, "You know that you who are the servants of God dwell in a strange land; for your city is far away from this one.

Tertullian, De Corona Supporting witness

Our citizenship, the apostle says, is in heaven.

Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Supporting witness

They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh.

Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Supporting witness

They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Background

...rupted and profaned, and to the other group the discipline of rule. And so the only-begotten Son of God, who was the Word and the Wisdom of the Father, when He was in possession of that glory with the Father which He had before the world existed, laid it aside and, taking the form of a servant, became obedient unto death, so that He might teach obedience to those who could not obtain salvation except by obedience. He also restored the laws of rule and government that had been corrupted, by bringing all enemies under His feet, so that in this way, for it was necessary that He should reign until He had put all enemies under His feet and destroyed the last enemy, death, He might teach rulers themselves moderation in their government. Since He had come, then, to restore the discipline not only of government but also of obedience, as we have said, accomplishing in Himself first what He desired to be accomplished by others, He became obedient to the Father, not only to the death of the cross, but also, at the end of the world, by embracing in Himself all whom He subjects to the Father, and who through Him come to salvation. He Himself also, along with them and in them, is said to be s