The First Apology

To Emperor Titus Ælius Adrianus Antoninus Pius Augustus Cæsar, to his son Verissimus the Philosopher, and to Lucius the Philosopher, the natural son of Cæsar and the adopted son of Pius, a lover of learning, and to the sacred Senate with the entire Roman People, I, Justin, the son of Priscus and grandson of Bacchius, natives of Flavia Neapolis in Palestine, present this address and petition on behalf of those from all nations who are unjustly hated and wantonly abused, myself included.

REASON GUIDES THOSE WHO ARE TRULY PIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL TO HONOR AND LOVE ONLY WHAT IS TRUE: avoiding traditional opinions if they lack value. For not only does sound reason direct us to reject the guidance of those who did or taught anything wrong, but it is essential for the lover of truth to, by all means, and even if faced with death, choose to do and say what is right before their own life. Therefore, since you are called pious and philosophers, guardians of justice and lovers of learning, pay close attention and listen to my address; and if you truly are such, it will be evident. For we have come, not to flatter you with this writing or to please you with our address, but to request that you pass judgment after a thorough and in-depth investigation, not swayed by prejudice or a desire to please superstitious people, nor influenced by irrational impulses or harmful rumors that have long been widespread, to make a decision that will ultimately be against your own interests. As for us, we believe that no harm can come to us unless we are found guilty as wrongdoers or proven to be wicked men; and while you can kill us, you cannot truly harm us.

TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM THINKING THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE AND RECKLESS STATEMENT: we ask that the charges against the Christians be investigated. If these charges are proven, they should be punished as they deserve; [or rather, we will punish them ourselves.] But if no one can prove us guilty of anything, true reason forbids you from wronging innocent men for the sake of a wicked rumor, harming yourselves by choosing to conduct affairs based on passion rather than judgment. Every sensible person will agree that the only fair and just approach is for subjects to provide a clear account of their life and beliefs, while rulers make decisions guided not by violence and tyranny, but by piety and philosophy. In this way, both rulers and subjects would benefit. As one of the ancients said, "Unless both rulers and ruled philosophize, it is impossible to make states blessed." It is our responsibility to give everyone the opportunity to examine our life and teachings, so we do not suffer the consequences of those who are ignorant of our affairs; and it is your duty, when you listen to us, to be good judges, as reason requires. For if, once you have learned the truth, you do not act justly, you will be without excuse before God.

BY SIMPLY USING A NAME: nothing is decided, whether good or evil, apart from the actions suggested by the name; and indeed, as far as one can judge from the name we are accused of, we are very good people.

But just as we do not think it right to ask for acquittal based solely on the name, if we are guilty of wrongdoing, so, on the other hand, if we are found not to have committed any offense, either in naming ourselves or in our behavior as citizens, it is your duty to be very careful not to face just punishment by unfairly punishing those who are not proven guilty.

For neither praise nor punishment should logically arise from a name alone, unless some excellent or base action is proven. Among your own people, you do not punish those accused before they are convicted; but in our case, you accept the name as evidence against us, even though you should actually punish our accusers based on the name. We are accused of being Christians, and it is unjust to hate what is excellent (Chrestian).

Moreover, if any of the accused deny the name and say they are not Christian, you acquit them, as there is no evidence against them as wrongdoers; but if anyone acknowledges being a Christian, you punish them for admitting it.

Justice requires that you look into the life of both those who confess and those who deny, so that through their actions it becomes clear what kind of person each is. Just as some who have been taught by the Master, Christ, to not deny Him, encourage others when questioned, likely those who lead wicked lives cause others to unjustly accuse all Christians of impiety and wickedness. This is also unfair. For in philosophy, too, some adopt the name and appearance without acting worthy of their profession; and you know well that even though the opinions and teachings of ancient philosophers differed greatly, they are all still called philosophers.

Some of these taught atheism; and poets among you have mocked the immorality of Jupiter with his own children. Those who now embrace such teachings are not stopped by you; instead, you award prizes and honors to those who skillfully insult the gods.

WHY: then, should this be the case? For us, who commit to doing no wickedness and do not hold these atheistic beliefs, you do not investigate the accusations made against us. Instead, driven by unreasoning passion and the influence of evil demons, you punish us without consideration or judgment. For the truth must be told: since ancient times, these evil demons, creating apparitions of themselves, defiled women, corrupted boys, and showed such terrifying sights to men that those who did not use reason to judge their actions were struck with terror. Carried away by fear and unaware that these were demons, they called them gods and gave each demon the name it chose for itself. When Socrates tried, through true reason and examination, to expose these truths and free men from the demons, the demons themselves, using men who delighted in iniquity, orchestrated his death, branding him an atheist and a profane person on the charge that "he was introducing new divinities." In our case, they show similar intent. For not only among the Greeks did reason (Logos) prevail to condemn these things through Socrates, but also among the Barbarians were they condemned by Reason (or the Word, the Logos) Himself, who took shape, became man, and was called Jesus Christ. In obedience to Him, we not only deny that those who did such things are gods but affirm that they are wicked and impious demons, whose actions cannot even compare with those of men aspiring to virtue.

THIS IS WHY WE ARE CALLED ATHEISTS: And we admit that we are atheists regarding gods of this type, but not in relation to the most true God, the Father of righteousness, temperance, and the other virtues, who is free from all impurity. But we worship and adore both Him, and the Son (who came from Him and taught us these things, along with the host of other good angels who follow and are made like Him), and the prophetic Spirit, knowing them through reason and truth, and willingly sharing with everyone who wishes to learn, as we have been taught.

BUT SOMEONE MIGHT SAY: some have already been arrested and convicted as evildoers. For you often condemn many individuals after investigating the life of each accused person separately, but not due to the things we have mentioned. And we acknowledge this: just as among the Greeks, those who teach whatever theories they like are all called "Philosophers," even though their teachings differ, so too among the Barbarians, this name on which accusations are heaped is commonly used for both the wise and those who merely appear wise. For all are called Christians. Therefore, we demand that the actions of all those accused before you be judged, so that each person who is convicted may be punished as an evildoer and not as a Christian; and if it is clear that someone is blameless, that they may be acquitted, since simply being a Christian does no wrong. For we will not ask that you punish our accusers; they are sufficiently punished by their current wickedness and ignorance of what is right.

And do you think that it is for your benefit we have been saying these things? For it is within our power, when we are questioned, to deny that we are Christians; but we would not live by telling a lie. Driven by the desire for eternal and pure life, we seek the place that is with God, the Father and Creator of all, and hurry to confess our faith, persuaded and convinced as we are that those who have shown God through their actions that they followed Him and loved to be with Him where there is no sin to cause disturbance, can achieve these things. This, in short, is what we expect and have learned from Christ, and teach. Similarly, Plato used to say that Rhadamanthus and Minos would punish the wicked who came before them; and we say that the same thing will be done, but by Christ, and upon the wicked in the same bodies reunited with their spirits, which are now to face everlasting punishment, and not only, as Plato said, for a period of a thousand years. And if anyone says that this is unbelievable or impossible, this mistake of ours is one that concerns only ourselves, and no one else, as long as you cannot prove we are causing any harm.

WE ALSO DO NOT HONOR WITH MANY SACRIFICES AND GARLANDS OF FLOWERS THE DEITIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE MADE AND PLACED IN SHRINES: calling them gods. We understand these are soulless and dead and do not have the form of God (for we do not believe that God has a form that some claim to imitate in His honor), but rather have the names and forms of those wicked demons that have appeared. Why should we explain to you, who already know, into what forms craftsmen, through carving, cutting, casting, and hammering, shape the materials? Often, from objects of dishonor, simply by changing the form and creating an image of the desired shape, they make what they call a god. We find this not only senseless but also insulting to God, who, possessing ineffable glory and form, has His name attached to things that are corruptible and require constant service. You know very well that the makers of these are both intemperate and skilled in every vice, without detailing further; they even corrupt their own women who work with them. What madness! Dissolute men are said to create and fashion gods for your worship, and yet you appoint them as guardians of the temples where these gods are enshrined, not realizing that it is improper even to think or say that men are the guardians of gods.

BUT WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT GOD DOES NOT NEED THE MATERIAL OFFERINGS PEOPLE CAN GIVE: since He Himself provides everything. We have been taught, are convinced, and truly believe that He accepts only those who imitate the virtues inherent in Him, such as temperance, justice, philanthropy, and all the virtues that are unique to a God who is not known by any specific name. We have been taught that in the beginning, He, out of His goodness and for the sake of humanity, created everything from unformed matter.

If people prove themselves worthy of this purpose through their actions, they are considered worthy to reign alongside Him, freed from corruption and suffering. Just as He created us when we did not yet exist, we believe that those who choose what pleases Him are, because of their choice, considered worthy of incorruption and fellowship with Him. Our initial existence was not in our control; however, we are encouraged to pursue what pleases Him by using the rational faculties He has given us.

He persuades us and leads us to faith. We believe it is beneficial for all people not to be hindered from learning these things, but rather encouraged to do so. While human laws could not impose such restraint, the Word, being divine, would have accomplished it, were it not for the wicked demons. These demons, aligning themselves with the lust for wickedness inherent in every person, draw individuals toward all sorts of vices and spread many false and profane accusations, none of which apply to us.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT WE SEEK A KINGDOM: you assume, without asking, that we mean a human kingdom; however, we speak of the one that is with God, as shown by the faith confessed by those accused of being Christians, even though they know death is the punishment for confessing. If we sought a human kingdom, we would deny our Christ to avoid being killed, and we would try to avoid detection to achieve what we want. But since our minds are not set on the present, we are not troubled when people kill us, since death is a debt that must eventually be paid.

MORE THAN ANY OTHER PEOPLE: we are your helpers and allies in promoting peace, because we believe it is impossible for the wicked, the covetous, the conspirators, and even the virtuous to escape God's notice. Each person faces everlasting punishment or salvation based on their actions. If everyone knew this, no one would choose wickedness, even briefly, knowing they'd face everlasting punishment in fire. Instead, they would strive to control themselves and embrace virtue to receive the good gifts of God and avoid punishment.

Those who try to avoid detection when they offend because of your laws and punishments—assuming they can escape your notice since you are just humans—would, if they understood that nothing, whether done or intended, escapes God's knowledge, choose to live decently because of the threatened penalties, as you would also admit. Yet, you seem to fear that if everyone became righteous, you would have no one to punish. This concern might be fitting for executioners but not for good leaders.

As we said before, we believe these fears come from evil spirits seeking sacrifices and service even from unreasonable individuals.

However, we hope that you, striving for a reputation of piety and philosophy, will not act unreasonably.

But if, like the foolish, you prefer custom over truth, do what you have the power to do. Rulers who value opinion over truth have no more authority than robbers in the wilderness. Your success seems unlikely, as declared by the Word, than whom, after God who birthed Him, there is no ruler more just and kingly.

Just as people avoid inheriting the poverty or suffering or obscurity of their fathers, whatever the Word forbids us to choose, a wise person will not choose. All these things were foretold by our Teacher, who is both the Son and Apostle of God the Father of all and the Ruler, Jesus Christ; from Him, we are called Christians. We are more assured of all He taught because everything He foretold is now visibly coming to pass, and it is the work of God to declare events before they happen and then to fulfill them.

It would be possible to stop here, believing we ask for what is just and true, but knowing it's not easy to change a mind clouded by ignorance suddenly, we will add a few points to persuade those who love the truth, understanding that ignorance can be dispelled by presenting the truth.

WHAT RATIONAL PERSON: then, will not acknowledge that we are not atheists, since we worship the Maker of this universe and declare, as we have been taught, that He does not need streams of blood, libations, or incense? We praise Him to the best of our ability through prayer and thanksgiving for all the things we are given, having been taught that the only honor worthy of Him is not to burn what He has created for our sustenance, but to use it for ourselves and those in need, while expressing gratitude to Him with thanks through invocations and hymns for our creation, for all the means of health, for the diverse qualities of different things, and for the changing seasons. We present petitions to Him for our existence in incorruption through faith in Him. Our teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who was born for this purpose and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea, during the time of Tiberius Caesar. We reasonably worship Him, having learned that He is the Son of the true God, placing Him second, and the prophetic Spirit third, which we will prove. They claim our madness lies in giving a crucified man a position second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all; for they do not understand the mystery within this, and as we explain it to you, we ask you to pay attention.

WE WARN YOU TO BE CAUTIOUS: so that the demons we have been accusing won't deceive you and stop you from reading and understanding our message. They try to keep you as their slaves and servants, using dreams and magical tricks to control those who do not actively work for their salvation. Since we were persuaded by the Word, we have distanced ourselves from them (the demons) and follow the only unbegotten God through His Son. We who once delighted in fornication now embrace only chastity; we who practiced magical arts now dedicate ourselves to the good and unbegotten God; we once prioritized wealth and possessions, but now we share what we have with those in need. We who hated and destroyed one another and refused to live with those of different tribes now, since the coming of Christ, live closely with them and pray for our enemies, trying to convince those who unjustly hate us to follow the good teachings of Christ. This way, they too can share in the joyful hope of a reward from God, the ruler of all. We want to avoid seeming like we're using clever arguments, so before explaining further, we'll share some teachings given by Christ Himself. As powerful rulers, it's your duty to investigate whether we have truly learned and taught these things. Christ spoke briefly and concisely, for He was no sophist; His words were the power of God.

CONCERNING CHASTITY: He expressed these views: “Whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart before God.” And, “If your right eye causes you to sin, remove it; for it is better for you to enter the kingdom of heaven with one eye than, having two eyes, to be cast into everlasting fire.” And, “Whoever marries a woman who is divorced from another husband commits adultery.” And, “There are some who have been made eunuchs by others, some who were born eunuchs, and some who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake; but not everyone can accept this saying.” Therefore, all who, by human law, marry twice are deemed sinners in the eyes of our Master, as well as those who look at a woman to lust after her.

For He rejects not only those who commit adultery in action but also those who desire to commit adultery: since both our deeds and our thoughts are open before God. Many, both men and women, who have followed Christ from childhood, remain pure even at the age of sixty or seventy; and I boast that I could find such individuals from every race. What shall I say of the countless number of those who have reformed from intemperate habits and learned these principles? For Christ did not call the just or the chaste to repentance, but the ungodly, the licentious, and the unjust; His words being, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” For the heavenly Father desires the repentance of the sinner more than their punishment.

Regarding our love for all, He taught, “If you love those who love you, what new thing are you doing? Even fornicators do this.

But I say to you, Pray for your enemies, and love those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” He also said that we should give to the needy and do nothing for glory: “Give to him who asks, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow; for if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what new thing are you doing? Even the tax collectors do this.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where robbers break in; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for it? Lay up treasure, therefore, in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt.” And, “Be kind and merciful, as your Father is kind and merciful, and makes His sun rise on sinners, the righteous, and the wicked.

Do not worry about what you shall eat, or what you shall wear: are you not better than the birds and the beasts? And God feeds them.

Therefore, do not worry about what you shall eat, or what you shall wear; for your heavenly Father knows that you need these things.

But seek the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added to you. For where your treasure is, there also is the mind of a man.” And, “Do not do these things to be seen by others; otherwise, you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

REGARDING OUR PATIENCE WITH INJURIES: willingness to serve everyone, and being free from anger, this is what He said: "To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well; and do not stop someone who takes away your cloak or coat. Whoever is angry is in danger of the fire. And anyone who forces you to go a mile with him, go two. Let your good deeds shine before others, so that when they see them, they may glorify your Father in heaven." We should not argue; neither has He wanted us to imitate wicked people, but He has encouraged us to lead all people away from shame and the love of evil through patience and gentleness. This is shown in the case of many who once shared your views but have changed their violent and oppressive ways, being influenced either by the consistent integrity they saw in their neighbors' lives, the remarkable patience observed in their fellow travelers when wronged, or the honesty of those with whom they conducted business.

REGARDING OUR REFUSAL TO SWEAR AND OUR COMMITMENT TO SPEAKING THE TRUTH: He instructed us: “Do not swear at all; but let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no; for anything more than this comes from evil.” He also encouraged us to worship God alone: “The greatest commandment is, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve, with all your heart, and with all your strength, the Lord God who made you.” When a man approached Him saying, “Good Master,” He replied, “There is none good but God only, who made all things.”

Let those who do not live as He taught be recognized not as Christians, even if they verbally profess the teachings of Christ; for it is not those who merely profess, but those who act, who shall be saved, according to His words: “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. For whoever hears Me and obeys My teachings, hears Him who sent Me. Many will say to Me, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk in Your name, and done wonders? And then I will say to them, Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth, when the righteous shine as the sun, and the wicked are sent into everlasting fire. Many will come in My name, appearing outwardly as sheep, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their works, you shall know them. Every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Concerning those who are not living in accordance with His teachings and are Christians in name only, we request that such individuals be disciplined by you.

AND EVERYWHERE: more readily than all others, we strive to pay the taxes, both regular and extraordinary, to those appointed by you, as we have been taught by Him. For at that time, some approached Him and asked if one ought to pay taxes to Caesar. He replied, “Tell Me, whose image is on the coin?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then He responded, “Give therefore to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Thus, we worship God alone, but in other matters, we gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that with your kingly power, you may also be found to possess sound judgment. However, if you disregard our prayers and honest explanations, we shall not suffer any loss, since we believe (or rather, are convinced) that every person will suffer punishment in eternal fire according to the merit of their deeds and will give an account according to the power they have received from God, as Christ indicated when He said, “To whom God has given more, of them shall more be required.”

CONSIDER HOW EACH OF THE PREVIOUS KINGS MET A COMMON DEATH: If death led to insensitivity, it would be a blessing to all the wicked. But since all who have ever lived retain sensation, and eternal punishment awaits the wicked, make sure you are convinced and believe that these things are true. Let even necromancy, the divinations you perform with pure children, the summoning of departed human souls, and the magi, Dream-senders and Assistant-spirits (Familiars), and all such practices persuade you that souls have sensation after death. Consider those possessed by the spirits of the dead, known as dæmoniacs or madmen, and the oracles you respect, like those of Amphilochus, Dodona, Pytho, and others. Think of the views of authors like Empedocles, Pythagoras, Plato, and Socrates, the abyss of Homer, Ulysses’ descent to observe these matters, and everything similar that has been expressed. Give the same consideration to us, who believe in God not less, but more firmly, expecting to reclaim our bodies even when they have died and returned to the earth, for we believe that with God, nothing is impossible.

TO ANY THOUGHTFUL PERSON: is anything more incredible than if we were not in the body, and someone said it was possible that from a small drop of human seed, bones, sinews, and flesh could form into the shape we see? Let's consider this hypothetically: if you were not as you are now, and born of such parents, and someone showed you human seed and a picture of a man, claiming confidently that such a being could be produced from such a substance, would you believe it before seeing the actual production? No one would dare deny that such a statement would be beyond belief.

Similarly, you are now incredulous because you have never seen a dead man rise again.

But just as you would not have initially believed it possible for such persons to be produced from a small drop, and now see them produced, judge also that it is not impossible for the bodies of men, after they have been dissolved and like seeds returned to earth, to rise again in God’s appointed time and put on incorruption. We cannot comprehend what power worthy of God those who claim that everything returns to its origin and that beyond this not even God can do anything, imagine.

Yet, we clearly see that they would not have believed it possible for themselves, and the whole world, to become what they now see, produced from such materials. We have learned that it is better to believe even what seems impossible to our nature and to humanity than to be unbelieving like the rest of the world, for we know that our Master Jesus Christ said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God,” and, “Do not fear those who kill you and afterward can do no more; rather fear Him who, after death, can cast both soul and body into hell.” Hell is a place where those who have lived wickedly, and who do not believe that what God has taught us through Christ will come to pass, are to be punished.

THE SIBYL AND HYSTASPES SAID THAT THERE WILL BE A DESTRUCTION BY GOD OF CORRUPTIBLE THINGS: The philosophers known as Stoics teach that even God Himself will transform into fire, and they say the world will be created anew by this change. However, we believe that God, the Creator of everything, is beyond the things that are to be transformed. Therefore, if in some aspects we teach the same things as the poets and philosophers you honor, and in others provide a deeper and more divine teaching, and if we alone provide evidence for what we claim, why are we unjustly hated more than everyone else? For when we say that everything has been created and arranged into a world by God, we seem to express Plato's doctrine; and when we say that there will be a complete burning, we represent the Stoics' doctrine. And when we affirm that the souls of the wicked, having sensation even after death, are punished, and the souls of the good, freed from punishment, enjoy a blessed existence, we seem to agree with the poets and philosophers. And when we maintain that people should not worship the works of their own hands, we echo what the comic poet Menander and similar writers have said, for they proclaimed that the creator is greater than the creation.

AND WHEN WE ALSO SAY THAT THE WORD: who is the first-born of God, was produced without sexual union, and that He, Jesus Christ, our Teacher, was crucified, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, we propose nothing different from what you believe about those you regard as sons of Jupiter. For you know how many sons your esteemed writers attributed to Jupiter: Mercury, the interpreting word and teacher of all; Æsculapius, who, although he was a great physician, was struck by a thunderbolt and thus ascended to heaven; and Bacchus too, after he was torn limb from limb, and Hercules, when he committed himself to the flames to escape his toils; and the sons of Leda, the Dioscuri; and Perseus, son of Danae; and Bellerophon, who, although born from mortals, rose to heaven on the horse Pegasus.

For what shall I say of Ariadne, and those like her, who have been declared to be set among the stars? And what of the emperors who die among you, whom you deem worthy of deification, and for whom you present someone who swears he has seen the burning Caesar rise to heaven from the funeral pyre? And what kind of deeds are recorded of each of these reputed sons of Jupiter, it is unnecessary to tell to those who already know.

This shall only be said, that they are written for the advantage and encouragement of young scholars, for all consider it honorable to imitate the gods.

But may such thoughts concerning the gods be far from any well-conditioned soul, like the belief that Jupiter himself, the governor and creator of all things, was both a parricide and the son of a parricide, and that, overcome by the love of base and shameful pleasures, he approached Ganymede and the many women he violated, and that his sons did similar actions.

But, as we said earlier, wicked devils committed these acts. And we have learned that only those who have lived near to God in holiness and virtue are deified; and we believe that those who live wickedly and do not repent are punished in everlasting fire.

MOREOVER: the Son of God, Jesus, even if He were just a man of natural birth, is still worthy to be called the Son of God because of His wisdom; for all writers refer to God as the Father of men and gods. And if we claim that the Word of God was born of God in a unique way, different from ordinary birth, this should not be surprising to you, since you say that Mercury is the divine word of God. And if someone objects that He was crucified, remember that this is similar to those you consider sons of Jupiter, who also suffered as we have described. Their sufferings at death are noted to be diverse, not the same, so His unique sufferings do not make Him lesser than them; rather, as we stated earlier, we will now prove Him superior—or perhaps we have already done so—because His superiority is demonstrated by His actions. And if we say He was born of a virgin, accept this just as you accept the story of Perseus. And in saying that He healed the lame, the paralyzed, and those born blind, we appear to speak of deeds similar to those attributed to Æsculapius.

TO MAKE THIS CLEAR TO YOU: firstly, everything we claim aligns with what Christ taught us and the prophets before Him, and these truths predate all other writers. We seek acknowledgment not just because we share the same messages as those writers, but because we speak the truth. Secondly, Jesus Christ is the only true Son begotten by God, being His Word, first-begotten, and power; and He became man according to God's will to teach us for the conversion and restoration of humanity. Thirdly, before He became a man, some, influenced by the aforementioned demons, used poets to describe these events as if they truly occurred, crafting stories they invented, just as they have fabricated false reports against us of scandalous and wicked actions without any witness or proof. We will provide the following proof.

FIRSTLY: we provide evidence because, although we express ideas similar to what the Greeks express, we are hated only because of the name of Christ. Even though we do no wrong, we are executed as sinners, while people in other regions worship trees, rivers, mice, cats, crocodiles, and many irrational animals. Not all people regard the same animals as sacred; in one place one animal is worshipped, and in another place a different one is, leading to them viewing each other as profane due to not worshipping the same objects. The sole accusation you bring against us is that we do not honor the same gods as you, nor do we offer to the dead libations, the aroma of fat, crowns for their statues, or sacrifices. You know very well that the same animals are considered gods by some, wild beasts by others, and sacrificial victims by yet others.

AND: secondly, because we—who, from every race of people, used to worship Bacchus the son of Semele, and Apollo the son of Latona (who in their loves with humans did things too shameful to mention), and Proserpine and Venus (who were infatuated with love for Adonis, and whose mysteries you also celebrate), or Æsculapius, or some other of those who are called gods—have now, through Jesus Christ, learned to reject these, even under threat of death, and have dedicated ourselves to the unbegotten and impossible God; of whom we are convinced that he was never driven by lust for Antiope, or other women, or for Ganymede, nor was he rescued by that hundred-handed giant whose help was secured through Thetis, nor was he concerned that her son Achilles should destroy many of the Greeks because of his concubine Briseis. We pity those who believe these things, and we know those who invented them to be devils.

THIRDLY: after Christ's ascension into heaven, the devils influenced certain men who claimed to be gods. Not only were they not persecuted by you, but they were even honored. There was a Samaritan named Simon, from a village called Gitto, who, during the reign of Claudius Caesar, performed mighty acts of magic in your royal city of Rome, through the influence of devils working in him. He was regarded as a god and honored by you with a statue, which was erected on the River Tiber between the two bridges, bearing this inscription in the Roman language: "Simoni Deo Sancto," meaning "To Simon the holy God." Almost all the Samaritans and even a few people from other nations worship him and acknowledge him as the first god.

A woman named Helena, who traveled with him at that time and was formerly a prostitute, is said to be the first idea generated by him. A man named Menander, also a Samaritan from the town of Capparetæa and a disciple of Simon, was inspired by devils and is known to have deceived many in Antioch with his magical arts. He convinced his followers that they would never die, and even now some people still hold his beliefs. Marcion, a man from Pontus, is alive today and teaches his disciples to believe in a god greater than the Creator.

With the help of devils, he has led many from every nation to blaspheme and deny that God is the maker of this universe, claiming that another being greater than Him has done greater works. All those who adopt these men's views are, as we mentioned before, called Christians, just like those who do not agree with philosophers' doctrines are still commonly called philosophers. Whether they commit the disgraceful acts attributed to them, like turning out the lamp for promiscuous intercourse or eating human flesh, we do not know, but we do know that they are neither persecuted nor executed by you for their beliefs.

I have a treatise against all the heresies that have existed, which I can provide if you wish to read it.

BUT AS FOR US: we have learned that exposing newborn children is the behavior of wicked men; and this we have learned to avoid harming anyone and sinning against God. First, because we see that almost all exposed children (not just the girls, but also the boys) end up in prostitution. And just as the ancients are said to have raised herds of oxen, goats, sheep, or grazing horses, so now we see you raising children for this disgraceful purpose. As a result of this corruption, many females and hermaphrodites, as well as those committing unspeakable iniquities, are present in every nation. You collect payment, duties, and taxes from them, whom you ought to remove from your realm. Anyone who engages with such persons, besides the godless and shameful impurities, might unknowingly be involved with their own child, relative, or sibling. There are some who even prostitute their own children and wives, and some are openly mutilated for the purpose of sodomy; these acts are attributed to the mother of the gods, and with each deity you honor, there is depicted a serpent, symbolizing a great secret and mystery. Indeed, the things you do openly and celebrate, as if divine light were overturned and extinguished, you accuse us of; but in truth, this does not harm us, who refuse to do such things, but only those who commit them and bear false witness against us.

AMONG US: the leader of the wicked spirits is called the serpent, Satan, and the devil, as you can learn by looking into our writings. Christ foretold that he would be sent into the fire with his followers, and they would be punished endlessly. God has delayed this because of His regard for humanity. He foreknows that some will be saved through repentance, even some who are not yet born. Initially, He made the human race with the ability to think, choose the truth, and do what is right, so that all people are without excuse before God, having been born rational and contemplative. If anyone doubts that God cares for these matters, they will either imply that God does not exist or claim that, though He exists, He delights in vice or is as indifferent as a stone, suggesting that virtue and vice are nothing more than human opinions. This is the greatest profanity and wickedness.

AND AGAIN: we are afraid to expose children, in case some of them are not picked up and die, making us murderers. Whether we marry, it is only to raise children; or if we abstain from marriage, we live with self-control. To show that promiscuous intercourse is not one of our beliefs, one of us recently submitted a petition to Felix, the governor in Alexandria, asking for permission for a surgeon to make him a eunuch. The surgeons there claimed they were not allowed to do this without the governor's permission. When Felix refused to grant such permission, the young man decided to remain single and was content with his own clear conscience and the approval of those who shared his views. It is also relevant, we think, to mention Antinous, who was recently alive and whom everyone was quick to worship as a god out of fear, even though they knew who he was and where he came from.

BUT IN CASE ANYONE SHOULD QUESTION US: asking what stops the one we call Christ, a man born of men, from performing what we call His mighty works through magic, and thus seeming to be the Son of God, we will now provide proof. We do not rely on mere assertions, but are necessarily convinced by those who prophesied about Him before these events occurred, for we see with our own eyes things that have happened and are happening just as they were predicted; and this, we believe, will appear to you as the strongest and truest evidence.

AMONG THE JEWS: there were certain men who were prophets of God, through whom the prophetic Spirit revealed things that were going to happen before they actually did. These prophecies, as they were spoken and when they were announced, were carefully kept by the kings who were ruling among the Jews at various times. The prophets themselves arranged them into books in their own Hebrew language. When Ptolemy, the king of Egypt, established a library and attempted to gather the writings of all men, he also learned about these prophets and sent a request to Herod, who was king of the Jews at that time, asking that the books of the prophets be sent to him.

King Herod did send them, written in the mentioned Hebrew language. When their contents proved to be unintelligible to the Egyptians, Ptolemy again sent a request for men to be assigned to translate them into Greek. Once this was done, the books remained with the Egyptians, where they still are to this day. They are also in the possession of all Jews throughout the world; but they, although they read, do not understand what is written and consider us foes and enemies.

Like you, they kill and punish us whenever they have the power, as you can well believe. For in the recent Jewish war, Barchochebas, the leader of the Jewish revolt, ordered that only Christians should be subjected to cruel punishments unless they denied Jesus Christ and shouted blasphemies. In these prophetic books, we found that Jesus our Christ was foretold as coming, being born of a virgin, growing up to adulthood, healing every disease and sickness, raising the dead, being hated and unrecognized, crucified, dying, rising again, ascending into heaven, and being called the Son of God.

It is also predicted that certain people would be sent by Him to every nation to announce these things, and that people would believe in Him more among the Gentiles than among the Jews. He was predicted before He appeared, first 5000 years before, then 3000, then 2000, then 1000, and again 800 years before; for through the generations, prophets arose one after another.

MOSES: the first of the prophets, spoke these words: "The scepter shall not leave Judah, nor a ruler from between his feet, until He comes for whom it is reserved; and He shall be the desire of the nations, binding His foal to the vine, washing His robe in the blood of the grape." It is your duty to inquire thoroughly and determine until when the Jews had their own ruler and king. Up until the time of Jesus Christ, who taught us and clarified the prophecies that were not yet understood, they had a ruler, as foretold by the holy and divine Spirit of prophecy through Moses, "that a ruler would not fail the Jews until He comes for whom the kingdom was reserved" (for Judah was the ancestor of the Jews, who are named after him); and after Christ appeared, you began to govern the Jews and took possession of all their land.

The prophecy, "He shall be the expectation of the nations," indicated that people from all nations would look for Him to come again. This you can see for yourselves and be convinced by the facts. For among all races of people, there are some who look for Him who was crucified in Judea, and after whose crucifixion, the land was promptly handed over to you as spoils of war. The prophecy, "binding His foal to the vine and washing His robe in the blood of the grape," symbolized what would happen to Christ and what He would do.

For a foal was bound to a vine at a village's entrance, and He instructed His acquaintances to bring it to Him; when it was brought, He mounted it and entered Jerusalem, where the grand temple of the Jews was, which was later destroyed by you. Following this, He was crucified to fulfill the rest of the prophecy. "Washing His robe in the blood of the grape" predicted the suffering He would endure, cleansing by His blood those who believe in Him.

For "His robe," as called by the Divine Spirit through the prophet, refers to those who believe in Him, within whom the seed of God, the Word, dwells. "The blood of the grape" signifies that He who would appear would have blood, though not from human lineage, but from the power of God. The first power after God the Father and Lord of all is the Word, who is also the Son; we will soon describe how He took flesh and became man.

Just as man did not make the blood of the vine, but God did, it intimated that the blood would not be of human origin, but of divine power, as mentioned before. Isaiah, another prophet, foretelling the same events in different words, said: "A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a flower shall spring from the root of Jesse; and His arm shall the nations trust." A star of light has risen, and a flower has emerged from the root of Jesse—this is Christ.

By the power of God, He was conceived by a virgin of the seed of Jacob, who was the father of Judah, who, as shown, was the father of the Jews; Jesse was His ancestor according to prophecy, and He was the son of Jacob and Judah by direct descent.

Listen again to how Isaiah explicitly foretold that He would be born of a virgin; for he spoke this way: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son, and they shall call His name, ‘God with us.’” For things that were incredible and seemed impossible to people, these God predicted by the Spirit of prophecy as events that would happen, so that when they did happen, there would be no disbelief, but faith, because of their prediction.

BUT LEST SOME: not understanding the prophecy now referenced, accuse us of the very things we have accused the poets of, who say that Jupiter approached women through lust, let us try to explain the words.

This, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive,” means that a virgin would conceive without intercourse. For if she had been with anyone, she would no longer be a virgin; but the power of God came upon the virgin, overshadowed her, and caused her to conceive while still a virgin. And the angel of God who was sent to the same virgin at that time brought her the good news, saying, “Behold, you shall conceive by the Holy Ghost, and you shall bear a Son, and He will be called the Son of the Highest, and you shall call His name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins,”—as those who recorded everything concerning our Savior Jesus Christ have taught, whom we believed, since Isaiah also, whom we have now referenced, declared by the Spirit of prophecy that He would be born as we mentioned before.

It is incorrect, therefore, to understand the Spirit and the power of God as anything other than the Word, who is also the firstborn of God, as the aforementioned prophet Moses declared; and it was this Word that, when it came upon the virgin and overshadowed her, caused her to conceive, not by intercourse, but by power. And the name Jesus in the Hebrew language means (Savior) in Greek.

Therefore, the angel told the virgin, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” And that the prophets are inspired by none other than the Divine Word, even you, I presume, will agree.

HEAR IN WHICH PART OF THE EARTH HE WAS TO BE BORN: as another prophet, Micah, foretold. He spoke this way: "And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a Governor, who shall lead My people." Now there is a village in the land of the Jews, thirty-five stadia from Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ was born, as you can verify from the records of the census taken under Cyrenius, your first procurator in Judea.

AND HOW CHRIST: after He was born, was to remain unnoticed by others until He reached adulthood, which indeed happened, listen to what was foretold about this. Here are the predictions: "A child is born to us, a young man is given to us, and the government shall be upon His shoulders." This signifies the power of the cross, for when He was crucified, He bore it on His shoulders, as will be explained more clearly in the upcoming discourse.

The same prophet Isaiah, inspired by the prophetic Spirit, also said, "I have spread out my hands to a disobedient and contradictory people, to those who walk in a way that is not good. They now ask me for judgment and dare to draw near to God." In other words, through another prophet, He says, "They pierced My hands and My feet, and for My clothing they cast lots." David, the king and prophet who spoke these words, did not suffer these things himself, but Jesus Christ did, stretching out His hands, being crucified by the Jews who spoke against Him and denied that He was the Christ.

Just as the prophet said, they tormented Him, set Him on the judgment seat, and said, "Judge us." The phrase "They pierced my hands and my feet" refers to the nails of the cross that were driven into His hands and feet. After He was crucified, they cast lots for His clothing, dividing it among themselves. You can verify these events from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. We'll also quote the prophetic words of another prophet, Zephaniah, who foretold that He would sit on the foal of a donkey and enter Jerusalem.

The words are these: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey."

WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS SPOKEN AS IF DIRECTLY: you must not think that they are spoken by the inspired individuals themselves, but by the Divine Word who moves them. Sometimes He declares future events, as one who predicts the future; sometimes He speaks as if from the voice of God, the Lord and Father of all; sometimes as from the perspective of Christ; sometimes as from the perspective of the people responding to the Lord or His Father, much like you can see in your own writers, where one person is the author of the whole, but introduces different characters who speak. The Jews who had the books of the prophets did not understand this, and therefore did not recognize Christ even when He came. They even hate us who say that He has come and who prove that, as was foretold, He was crucified by them.

TO MAKE THIS CLEAR TO YOU: the following words were spoken by the Father through Isaiah the prophet: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, and My people have not understood. Woe, sinful nation, a people full of sins, a wicked offspring, children who are transgressors, you have forsaken the Lord.” And in another place, when the same prophet speaks similarly from the Father's perspective, “What is the house that you will build for Me? says the Lord. The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.” And again, in another passage, “Your new moons and your sabbaths My soul hates; and the great day of fasting and ceasing from labor I cannot endure; nor, if you come to be seen by Me, will I listen to you: your hands are full of blood; and if you bring fine flour, incense, it is an abomination to Me: the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls I do not desire. For who has required this from you? But loosen every bond of wickedness, tear apart the tight knots of violent contracts, cover the homeless and the naked, share your bread with the hungry.” You can now understand what kinds of things are taught through the prophets from God.

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY SPEAKS FROM THE PERSON OF CHRIST: the words are like this: “I have spread out My hands to a disobedient and rebellious people, to those who walk in a way that is not good.” And again: “I gave My back to the scourges, and My cheeks to the beatings; I did not turn away My face from the shame of spitting; and the Lord was My helper: therefore, I was not disgraced: but I set My face as a firm rock; and I knew that I would not be ashamed, for He is near who justifies Me.” And again, when He says, “They cast lots upon My clothing, and pierced My hands and My feet. And I lay down and slept, and rose again, because the Lord sustained Me.” And again, when He says, “They spoke with their lips, they wagged their heads, saying, Let Him deliver Himself.” And you can confirm that all these things happened to Christ at the hands of the Jews. For when He was crucified, they did shoot out the lip, and wagged their heads, saying, “Let Him who raised the dead save Himself.”

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY SPEAKS OF FUTURE EVENTS: it speaks in this manner: “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” We can prove this has indeed happened. From Jerusalem, twelve men went out into the world. These men were uneducated and not skilled in speaking, but by the power of God, they proclaimed to every nation that they were sent by Christ to teach the word of God to all. We who once killed one another not only refrain from warring against our enemies, but we also willingly die confessing Christ, so we won't lie or deceive our judges. We might imitate the saying, “The tongue has sworn, but the mind is unsworn,” in this matter. But if the soldiers you enlist, who have taken the military oath, prefer their duty over their own life, family, country, and kin, even though you offer them nothing imperishable, it would be truly absurd if we, who passionately seek incorruption, did not endure everything to obtain what we desire from Him who can grant it.

AND HEAR HOW IT WAS FORETOLD ABOUT THOSE WHO SHARED HIS TEACHINGS AND ANNOUNCED HIS ARRIVAL: as the prophet and king mentioned earlier spoke by the Spirit of prophecy: "Day after day pours out speech, and night after night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. He has set His tabernacle in the sun, and like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, he rejoices like a giant to run his course." We believe it is right and relevant to mention some other prophetic words of David in addition to these, from which you can learn how the Spirit of prophecy encourages people to live, and how He foretold the plot that was formed against Christ by Herod, the king of the Jews, and the Jews themselves, and Pilate, who was your governor among them, with his soldiers; and how He would be believed in by people of every nation; and how God calls Him His Son and has declared that He will subdue all His enemies under Him; and how the devils, as much as they can, strive to escape the power of God the Father and Lord of all, and the power of Christ Himself; and how God calls everyone to repentance before the day of judgment comes.

These things were spoken thus: "Blessed is the person who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the path of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful: but his delight is in the law of the Lord; and he will meditate on His law day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which shall yield its fruit in its season; and its leaf shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Why do the nations rage, and the people imagine new things? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break their bonds apart, and cast their yoke from us.

He who dwells in the heavens shall laugh at them, and the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and trouble them in His deep displeasure.

Yet I have been set by Him a King on Zion His holy hill, declaring the decree of the Lord. The Lord said to Me, You are My Son; this day I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession.

You shall rule them with a rod of iron; like the vessels of a potter You shall dash them in pieces. Be wise now, therefore, O kings; be instructed, all you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Embrace instruction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the right way, when His wrath has been suddenly kindled. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him."

AND AGAIN: in another prophecy, the Spirit of prophecy, through the same David, hinted that Christ, after He had been crucified, would reign, and spoke as follows: “Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and day by day declare His salvation. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, to be feared above all the gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols of devils, but God made the heavens. Glory and praise are before His face, strength and glory are in the abode of His holiness. Give Glory to the Lord, the everlasting Father. Receive grace, and enter His presence, and worship in His holy courts. Let all the earth fear before His face; let it be established, and not shaken. Let them rejoice among the nations. The Lord has reigned from the tree.”

But when the Spirit of prophecy speaks of things that are about to happen as if they have already taken place—as can be seen even in the passages I have already mentioned—this should not be used as an excuse by readers to misinterpret them. We will make this clear as well. The things that the Spirit absolutely knows will happen, He predicts as if they have already occurred. You will understand that the statements should be received this way if you pay attention to them. The words cited earlier were spoken by David 1500 years before Christ became a man and was crucified; and none of those who lived before Him, nor any of His contemporaries, brought joy to the Gentiles by being crucified. But our Jesus Christ, being crucified and dead, rose again, and having ascended to heaven, reigned; and because of the things that were proclaimed in His name among all nations by the apostles, there is joy for those who expect the immortality promised by Him.

To clarify what we've said and to prevent misunderstandings, we affirm that we do not claim everything happens out of a fatal necessity because it is foreseen. We have learned from the prophets and believe that punishments, chastisements, and rewards are given based on the merit of each person’s actions. If this were not true, and everything occurred because of fate, then nothing would be within our control.

FOR EXAMPLE: if it were destined that one person be good and another evil, the first would not be deserving of praise nor the second deserving of blame.

Furthermore, if humanity did not have the power to avoid evil and choose good through free will, they would not be responsible for their actions. We demonstrate that both virtuous and flawed actions are made by free choice. We observe people switching between good and bad behaviors. If it were destined for someone to be either good or bad, they would not be capable of such changes.

Moreover, not everyone would be good or bad, as this would make fate responsible for evil and contradict itself; or it would imply that neither virtue nor vice truly exists, and that things are considered good or evil merely by opinion, which the truth reveals as the greatest impiety and wickedness.

However, we assert that it is inevitable fate that those who choose good receive worthy rewards, and those who choose the opposite receive due consequences. Unlike trees or animals that cannot act by choice, God created humans with the ability to choose.

Thus, a person is deserving of reward or praise for freely choosing good, and is deserving of punishment for being evil by their own choice, rather than being inherently incapable of anything other than what they were made to be.

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY TAUGHT US THIS: telling us through Moses that God spoke to the first man created: “Look, before you are good and evil: choose the good.” And again, through the prophet Isaiah, it was said as if from God the Father and Lord of all: “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove evils from your souls; learn to do good; defend the orphan, and speak for the widow: and come and let us reason together, says the Lord: And if your sins are as scarlet, I will make them white as wool; and if they are red like crimson, I will make them white as snow. And if you are willing and obey Me, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you do not obey Me, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

That expression, “The sword shall devour you,” does not mean that the disobedient will be slain by the sword, but the sword of God is fire, of which those who choose to do wickedly become the fuel. Therefore He says, “The sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.” If He had referred to a sword that cuts and kills immediately, He would not have said, shall devour. Similarly, when Plato says, “The blame is his who chooses, and God is blameless,” he drew this from the prophet Moses and expressed it. For Moses is more ancient than all Greek writers. Whenever philosophers and poets speak of the immortality of the soul, or punishments after death, or contemplation of heavenly things, or other such doctrines, they have been influenced by the prophets, which has helped them understand and explain these matters. Therefore, there appear to be seeds of truth among all people; but they are charged with not understanding [the truth] accurately when they assert contradictions.

So when we talk about future events being foretold, we do not mean they happen by a fatal necessity; rather, God, knowing in advance all that will be done by all people, and having decreed that the future actions of people will be recompensed based on their value, foretells through the Spirit of prophecy that He will bestow appropriate rewards according to the merit of the actions done, always urging humanity to effort and reflection, showing that He cares for and provides for people. However, through the actions of devils, death has been decreed against those who read the books of Hystaspes, or of the Sibyl, or of the prophets, to instill fear and prevent readers from gaining knowledge of the good, keeping them in bondage; which, however, they have not always achieved. For not only do we read them fearlessly, but, as you see, we present them for your review, knowing that their contents will be pleasing to all. And if we persuade even a few, our gain will be very great; for, as good farmers, we shall receive the reward from the Master.

AND THAT GOD THE FATHER OF ALL WOULD BRING CHRIST TO HEAVEN AFTER HE HAD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD: and would keep Him there until He has subdued His enemies, the devils, and until the number of those foreknown by Him as good and virtuous is complete, for whom He has still delayed the completion—listen to what was said by the prophet David. These are his words: “The Lord said to My Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool. The Lord will send to You the rod of power out of Jerusalem; and rule in the midst of Your enemies. With You is the government in the day of Your power, in the beauties of Your saints: from the womb of morning have I begotten You.” What he means by, “He will send to You the rod of power out of Jerusalem,” predicts the mighty word, which His apostles, going forth from Jerusalem, preached everywhere; and even though death is decreed against those who teach or at all confess the name of Christ, we both embrace and teach it everywhere. And if you also interpret these words with hostility, you can do no more, as I said before, than kill us; which indeed does no harm to us, but brings eternal punishment by fire to you and all who unjustly hate us and do not repent.

BUT SO THAT SOME MAY NOT: without reason and to distort what we teach, claim that we say Christ was born one hundred and fifty years ago during the time of Cyrenius and later, in the time of Pontius Pilate, taught what we say He taught, and accuse us as if all men born before Him were irresponsible—let us address and resolve this issue. We have been taught that Christ is the first-born of God, and we have stated earlier that He is the Word shared by every race of men; those who lived reasonably are Christians, even if they have been considered atheists; such as, among the Greeks, Socrates and Heraclitus, and men like them; and among the barbarians, Abraham, Ananias, Azarias, Mishael, Elias, and many others whose actions and names we will not list now, because we know it would be tedious. Therefore, even those who lived before Christ and lived without reason were wicked and hostile to Christ, and killed those who lived reasonably. But anyone can understand, through the power of the Word, according to the will of God the Father and Lord of all, that He was born of a virgin as a man, was named Jesus, was crucified, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, based on what has already been said extensively. And we, since proving this point is less necessary now, will move on for the moment to prove those things which are urgent.

LISTEN TO WHAT WAS SAID BY THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY ABOUT THE LAND OF THE JEWS BEING LAID WASTE: The words spoken are from the perspective of the people amazed at what has happened. They are: “Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. The house of our sanctuary has become a curse, and the glory our ancestors blessed is burned with fire, and all its glorious things are laid waste; and You hold back at these things, and have been silent, and have humbled us greatly.” And you are convinced that Jerusalem has been laid waste as predicted. Regarding its desolation and that no one should be permitted to live there, there was a prophecy by Isaiah: “Their land is desolate, their enemies consume it before them, and none of them shall live there.” And you know very well that it is guarded by you so no one lives there, and that death is decreed against any Jew caught entering it.

AND IT WAS PREDICTED THAT OUR CHRIST WOULD HEAL ALL DISEASES AND RAISE THE DEAD: hear what was said. There are these words: “At His coming the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the stammerer will speak clearly: the blind will see, and the lepers will be cleansed; and the dead will rise, and walk around.” And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. And how it was predicted by the Spirit of prophecy that He and those who hoped in Him would be slain, hear what was said by Isaiah. These are the words: “Behold now the righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; and just men are taken away, and no one considers. From the presence of wickedness, the righteous man is taken, and his burial will be in peace: he is taken from our midst.”

AND AGAIN: as Isaiah said, the Gentile nations, who were not looking for Him, would worship Him, but the Jews, who always expected Him, would not recognize Him when He came. The words are spoken as if from the perspective of Christ; they are: “I was revealed to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here I am,' to a nation that did not call on My name. I spread out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people, to those who walked in a way that is not good, but followed their own sins; a people that provoked Me to anger to My face.” For the Jews, having the prophecies and always expecting the Christ to come, did not recognize Him; and not only that, they also treated Him shamefully. But the Gentiles, who had never heard anything about Christ until the apostles set out from Jerusalem and preached about Him, and gave them the prophecies, were filled with joy and faith, cast away their idols, and dedicated themselves to the Unbegotten God through Christ. And that it was foreknown that these infamous things would be spoken against those who confessed Christ, and that those who slandered Him, and said it was right to preserve the ancient traditions, would be miserable, hear what Isaiah briefly said: “Woe to those who call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet.”

BUT THAT: having become man for our sakes, He endured suffering and dishonor, and that He shall come again with glory, listen to the prophecies related to this; they are these: “Because they delivered His soul to death, and He was counted among the transgressors, He has borne the sin of many and shall intercede for the transgressors. For, behold, My Servant shall act wisely, and shall be exalted, and shall be greatly praised. As many were astonished at You, so marred shall Your form be before men, and so hidden from them Your glory; so shall many nations be amazed, and kings shall shut their mouths at Him.

For those who were not told about Him, and those who have not heard, shall understand. O Lord, who has believed our message? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We declared before Him as a child, as a root in a dry ground. He had no form, nor glory; and we saw Him, and there was no form nor splendor: but His form was dishonored and marred more than the sons of men. A man under suffering, and knowing how to bear infirmity, because His face was turned away: He was despised, and of no reputation.

It is He who bears our sins, and is afflicted for us; yet we considered Him smitten, stricken, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the punishment for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; each has wandered in his own way. And He delivered Him for our sins; and He did not open His mouth for all His affliction.

He was brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away.” Accordingly, after He was crucified, even all His acquaintances abandoned Him, having denied Him; and afterwards, when He had risen from the dead and appeared to them, and had taught them to read the prophecies where all these things were foretold as coming to pass, and when they had seen Him ascending into heaven, and had believed, and had received power sent from there by Him upon them, they went to every race of men, they taught these things, and were called apostles.

AND TO SHOW US THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY THAT HE WHO SUFFERS THESE THINGS HAS AN INDESCRIBABLE ORIGIN AND RULES HIS ENEMIES: He said: “Who can describe His generation? Because His life is cut off from the earth: for their transgressions He comes to death. And I will give the wicked for His burial, and the rich for His death; because He did no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. And the Lord is pleased to cleanse Him from the stripe.

If He is given for sin, your soul shall see His seed prolonged in days. And the Lord is pleased to deliver His soul from grief, to show Him light, and to form Him with knowledge, to justify the righteous who richly serves many. And He shall bear our iniquities.

Therefore, He shall inherit many, and He shall divide the spoil of the strong; because His soul was delivered to death: and He was counted with the transgressors; and He bore the sins of many, and He was delivered up for their transgressions.” Listen also to how He was to ascend into heaven according to prophecy.

It was spoken like this: “Lift up the gates of heaven; be opened, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty.” And hear also how He should come again out of heaven with glory, as the prophet Jeremiah spoke about this. His words are: “Behold, as the Son of man He comes in the clouds of heaven, and His angels with Him.”

SINCE WE PROVE THAT EVERYTHING WHICH HAS ALREADY HAPPENED WAS PREDICTED BY THE PROPHETS BEFORE IT OCCURRED: we must also believe that those things which are similarly predicted but have yet to occur will certainly happen. Just as the things that have already taken place happened as foretold, even though unknown, so too will the things that remain, even though they are unknown and disbelieved, come to pass. The prophets have proclaimed two advents of His: the first, which is already past, when He came as a dishonored and suffering Man; and the second, when, according to prophecy, He will come from heaven with glory, accompanied by His angelic host.

At that time, He will raise the bodies of all people who have lived, clothe those deemed worthy with immortality, and send the wicked, with eternal consciousness, into everlasting fire with the wicked devils. These things have also been foretold as yet to happen, and we will prove this. Ezekiel the prophet said: "Joint will be joined to joint, and bone to bone, and flesh will grow again; and every knee will bow to the Lord, and every tongue will confess Him." Regarding the sensation and punishment the wicked are to experience, hear what was similarly said about this: "Their worm shall not rest, and their fire shall not be quenched;" and then they will repent, when it is of no benefit to them.

What the people of the Jews will say and do when they see Him coming in glory has been predicted by Zechariah the prophet: "I will command the four winds to gather the scattered children; I will command the north wind to bring them, and the south wind, that it keep not back. In Jerusalem there will be great lamentation, not the lamentation of mouths or lips, but the lamentation of the heart; they will rend not their garments, but their hearts.

Tribe by tribe they will mourn, and then they will look on Him whom they have pierced; and they will say, Why, O Lord, have You made us stray from Your way? The glory which our fathers blessed has turned into shame for us."

ALTHOUGH WE COULD PRESENT MANY OTHER PROPHECIES: we refrain, believing these are enough to convince those who have the ears to hear and understand.

Additionally, we acknowledge that these individuals can see that we do not make mere claims without presenting proof, unlike the fables told about the so-called sons of Jupiter. For what reason would we believe that a crucified man is the firstborn of the unbegotten God and will judge the whole human race, unless we found testimonies about Him published before He came and was born as a man, and unless we saw these things happen accordingly—the destruction of the land of the Jews, and people of every race persuaded by His teachings through the apostles, and rejecting their old practices, in which they were deceived? Yes, seeing ourselves and realizing that the Christians from among the Gentiles are both more numerous and more genuine than those from among the Jews and Samaritans? For all other human races are called Gentiles by the Spirit of prophecy, but the Jewish and Samaritan races are called the tribe of Israel and the house of Jacob.

The prophecy predicted that there would be more believers from the Gentiles than from the Jews and Samaritans, and it goes like this: “Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear; break forth and shout, you who do not travail, because many more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.” For all the Gentiles were “desolate” of the true God, serving the works of their hands; but the Jews and Samaritans, having the word of God delivered by the prophets and always expecting the Christ, did not recognize Him when He came, except for a few, whom the Spirit of prophecy by Isaiah predicted would be saved.

He spoke from their perspective: “Except the Lord had left us a seed, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.” Sodom and Gomorrah are related by Moses to have been cities of ungodly men, which God burned with fire and brimstone and overthrew, with none of their inhabitants saved except for a certain stranger, a Chaldean by birth, named Lot, with whom his daughters were also rescued. Those who are interested may still see their entire country desolate and burned, remaining barren.

To demonstrate how the Gentiles were foretold as more genuine and believing, we will refer to what was said by Isaiah the prophet; he spoke as follows: “Israel is uncircumcised in heart, but the Gentiles are uncircumcised in the flesh.” Therefore, all these things, when observed, are enough to produce conviction and belief in those who embrace the truth without bias and are not governed by their passions.

But those who spread the myths created by the poets offer no proof to the young people who learn them; and we move to show that these myths were spoken under the influence of wicked demons, to deceive and mislead humanity. Having heard the prophets proclaim that Christ was to come and that the ungodly among men would be punished by fire, they presented many who would be called sons of Jupiter, thinking they could make people believe that the stories about Christ were merely marvelous tales, like those told by the poets. These stories were told among the Greeks and all nations where the demons heard the prophets foretelling that Christ would be especially believed in. Yet, as they listened to the prophets, they didn't fully understand and instead imitated what was said of our Christ, like those who are mistaken, which we will clarify.

THE PROPHET MOSES: as we have already mentioned, was older than all writers; and through him, as previously stated, it was predicted: “A ruler from Judah will not fail, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until He comes for whom it is reserved; and He shall be the desire of the Gentiles, binding His foal to the vine, washing His robe in the blood of the grape.” The devils, upon hearing these prophetic words, claimed Bacchus was the son of Jupiter, saying he discovered the vine, and they associated wine with his mysteries; and they said that after being torn to pieces, he ascended into heaven.

Because Moses' prophecy did not clearly state whether He who was to come was the Son of God, and whether He would, riding on the foal, remain on earth or ascend into heaven, and because “foal” could mean either the foal of an ass or a horse, they, unsure whether the foretold one would bring the foal of an ass or horse as a sign of His coming, nor whether He was the Son of God, as we mentioned, or of man, claimed that Bellerophon, a man born of man, himself ascended to heaven on his horse Pegasus. When they heard the prophet Isaiah say that He would be born of a virgin, and by His own means ascend into heaven, they pretended it referred to Perseus. And when they learned that it was foretold, “Strong as a giant to run his course,” they said Hercules was strong and had traveled over the whole earth. And when they found out that it was foretold He would heal all sickness and raise the dead, they brought forward Æsculapius.

BUT IN NO INSTANCE: not even among those called sons of Jupiter, did they imitate the crucified being; for it was not understood by them, since all things said about it were expressed symbolically. And this, as the prophet foretold, is the greatest symbol of His power and role, as demonstrated by the things we observe. Consider all the elements in the world—whether without this form they could be organized or have any community. The sea is not crossed without that trophy called a sail remaining safe in the ship; and the earth is not plowed without it.

Diggers and mechanics cannot do their work without tools of this shape. The human form differs from irrational animals in nothing else but its upright stance and extended hands, and having on the face, extending from the forehead, what is called the nose, through which the living creature breathes; and this resembles the cross.

Thus, the prophet said, “The breath before our face is the Lord Christ.” The power of this form is shown by your own symbols on what are called "banners" and trophies, with which all your state possessions are made, using these as the insignia of your authority and government, even though you do so unknowingly.

You consecrate the images of your emperors with this form when they die, and you name them gods with inscriptions. Since we have urged you both with reason and a clear form, and to the best of our ability, we know that now we are blameless even if you disbelieve; for our part is done and finished.

BUT THE EVIL SPIRITS WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH CLAIMING: before Christ’s appearance, that those who were said to be sons of Jupiter were born from him. After He appeared and was born among humans, and when they learned how He had been foretold by the prophets, realizing He would be believed in and anticipated by every nation, they again, as mentioned before, brought forward other men. These men were the Samaritans, Simon and Menander, who performed many mighty works through magic and deceived many people, continuing to keep them deceived. For even among your own people, as we said earlier, Simon was in the royal city of Rome during the reign of Claudius Caesar and astonished the sacred senate and people of the Romans so greatly that he was considered a god and honored, like the others whom you honor as gods, with a statue. Therefore, we pray that the sacred senate and your people, along with yourselves, may be judges of this our account. This is so if anyone is ensnared by that man’s doctrines, he may learn the truth and be able to escape error. As for the statue, if you wish, destroy it.

NOR CAN THE DEVILS CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT THERE WILL BE NO FIRE FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED: just as they were unable to keep Christ hidden after He came. They can only convince those who live irrationally, were raised in immoral habits, and are biased in their own views to kill and hate us. We, on the other hand, do not hate them, but as it is shown, we pity and try to lead them to repentance. We do not fear death, since it is accepted that we must surely die; and nothing is new, everything continues the same in this governance of things. If those who experience even one year of these things grow weary, they should consider our teachings, so they may live eternally without suffering or need. But if they believe there is nothing after death and claim those who die become insensible, then they become our benefactors by freeing us from the sufferings and needs of this life, proving themselves to be wicked, inhuman, and prejudiced. They kill us not to deliver us, but to deprive us of life and joy.

AS MENTIONED EARLIER: the devils have promoted Marcion of Pontus, who is currently teaching people to deny that God is the creator of everything in heaven and on earth, and that the Christ foretold by the prophets is His Son. He also preaches about another god besides the Creator of all and another son as well. Many have believed him, thinking he alone knows the truth, and they mock us, even though they have no proof for their claims. They are led astray as lambs by a wolf and fall prey to atheistic doctrines and devils. The devils aim to draw people away from God who created them, and from Christ, His first-born. Those who cannot elevate themselves above earthly matters are bound to worldly things and their own creations. Those who seek divine understanding are subtly pushed back, and without wise self-control and a pure, passionless life, they are led into godlessness.

To understand that it was from our teachers—specifically, the account given through the prophets—that Plato borrowed his idea that God, having shaped matter that was formless, created the world, listen to the words spoken through Moses, who, as previously shown, was the first prophet and is older than the Greek writers. Through him, the Spirit of prophecy indicated how and from what materials God first formed the world, saying: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was invisible and unfurnished, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and it was so.” Therefore, both Plato and those who agree with him, as well as we ourselves, have learned, and you can also be convinced, that by the word of God, the entire world was made from the substance mentioned before by Moses. What the poets call Erebus, we know was formerly mentioned by Moses.

And the philosophical discussion about the Son of God in Plato's Timæus, where he says, "He placed him crosswise in the universe," was similarly borrowed from Moses. In Moses' writings, it is told how, when the Israelites left Egypt and were in the wilderness, they encountered poisonous creatures like vipers and asps, and all kinds of serpents that killed the people. By the inspiration and influence of God, Moses took brass, shaped it into a cross, set it in the holy tabernacle, and said to the people, "If you look to this figure and believe, you will be saved by it." When this happened, it is recorded that the serpents died, and it is handed down that the people thus escaped death.

PLATO: reading this and not understanding it accurately, nor recognizing it as a figure of the cross, thought it to be a positioning crosswise. He then claimed that the power next to the first God was placed crosswise in the universe. About his mention of a third, he did so because he read, as we mentioned earlier, what Moses said: "that the Spirit of God moved over the waters." Plato gives the second place to the Logos that is with God, whom he said was placed crosswise in the universe, and the third place to the Spirit, who was said to be borne upon the waters, saying, "And the third around the third." Listen to how the Spirit of prophecy indicated through Moses that there would be a conflagration.

He spoke this way: "Everlasting fire shall descend, and shall devour to the pit beneath." So, it is not that we hold the same opinions as others, but that all speak in imitation of ours. Among us, these things can be heard and learned from people who do not even know the forms of the letters, who are uneducated and rough in speech, yet wise and believing in mind; some even maimed and deprived of eyesight. This should help you understand that these things are not the result of human wisdom but are spoken by the power of God.

I WILL ALSO EXPLAIN HOW WE DEDICATED OURSELVES TO GOD WHEN WE WERE MADE NEW THROUGH CHRIST: so that we don’t seem unfair in our explanation by leaving this out. All who are convinced and believe that what we teach and say is true, and commit to living accordingly, are instructed to pray and ask God for the remission of their past sins with fasting, while we pray and fast with them.

Then, they are brought by us to water and are regenerated in the same way we were.

In the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they receive the washing with water. Christ also said, “Unless you are born again, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” It’s clear to everyone that those who have been born once cannot enter their mothers' wombs again. How those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins is declared by the prophet Isaiah, as I wrote before; he says: “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your deeds from your souls; learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow: and come, let us reason together, says the Lord.

Even though your sins are as scarlet, I will make them white like wool; and even though they are as crimson, I will make them white as snow.

But if you refuse and rebel, the sword will devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

And for this [rite] we have learned this reason from the apostles. Since at birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, due to our parents coming together, and were raised with bad habits and wicked training; so that we may not remain children of necessity and ignorance, but may become children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins previously committed, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe is pronounced over the one who chooses to be born again and has repented of sins. The one who leads the person to be washed calls him by this name alone. For no one can speak the name of the ineffable God; and if anyone dares to claim that there is a name, they are consumed by a hopeless madness. This washing is called illumination because those who learn these things are enlightened in their understanding. And in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Ghost, who through the prophets foretold all things about Jesus, the one who is enlightened is washed.

AND THE DEVILS: indeed, having heard this cleansing preached by the prophet, urged those who enter their temples and are about to approach with libations and burnt-offerings to also sprinkle themselves; and they cause them to wash completely before they enter the shrines where their images are placed. The command given by the priests to those who enter and worship in the temples to take off their shoes is an imitation by the devils of what happened to the prophet Moses. At that time, when Moses was instructed to go down to Egypt to lead the Israelites out, and while he was tending the flocks of his maternal uncle in the land of Arabia, our Christ spoke to him through a fire in a bush and said, "Take off your shoes and come near and listen." When he had taken off his shoes and approached, he heard that he was to go down into Egypt and lead the Israelites out; and he received great power from Christ, who spoke to him in the form of fire, and went down and led the people out, performing great and marvelous deeds. If you wish to know these details, you can learn them accurately from his writings.

AND EVEN NOW: all the Jews teach that the nameless God spoke to Moses. The Spirit of prophecy, accusing them through the prophet Isaiah mentioned earlier, said, "The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know Me, and My people do not understand." Jesus the Christ, because the Jews did not know what the Father was, or what the Son was, similarly accused them; and He said, "No one knows the Father except the Son; nor the Son except the Father, and those to whom the Son reveals Him." The Word of God is His Son, as we mentioned earlier. He is called Angel and Apostle because He declares what we ought to know and is sent to reveal whatever is declared, as our Lord Himself says, "He who hears Me, hears Him who sent Me."

This is also evident from the writings of Moses, for it is written in them, "And the Angel of God spoke to Moses from a flame of fire in the bush, saying, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of your fathers; go down into Egypt and bring forth My people." If you wish to learn what follows, you can refer to the same writings, as it is impossible to relate everything here. But this much is written to prove that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, previously the Word, and appearing sometimes as fire, sometimes like angels. Now, by God’s will, He has become man for the human race, enduring all the sufferings which the devils incited the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him. Even though it is explicitly stated in the writings of Moses, "And the angel of God spoke to Moses in a flame of fire from a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," they still maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Therefore, the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, saying, "Israel does not know Me, my people have not understood Me."

Again, Jesus, as we have shown, while He was with them, said, "No one knows the Father except the Son; nor the Son except the Father, and those to whom the Son will reveal Him." The Jews, consistently believing it was the Father of the universe who spoke to Moses, though it was indeed the Son of God, called both Angel and Apostle, are rightly charged by the Spirit of prophecy and by Christ Himself with knowing neither the Father nor the Son. Those who claim that the Son is the Father are shown to be unfamiliar with the Father and do not know that the Father of the universe has a Son, who, being the first-begotten Word of God, is even God. In the past, He appeared to Moses and other prophets as fire and in the likeness of an angel. But now, in the time of your reign, having become Man by a virgin, according to the Father’s plan, for the salvation of those who believe in Him, He endured being scorned and suffering, so that by dying and rising again He might conquer death. What was said from the bush to Moses, "I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and the God of your fathers," indicated that they, though dead, are still in existence and belong to Christ Himself. For they were the first to seek God earnestly; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.

FROM WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID: you can understand how the devils, copying Moses, claimed that Proserpine was the daughter of Jupiter and urged the people to set up an image of her under the name of Kore (Cora, meaning the maiden or daughter) at the spring-heads. For, as we wrote above, Moses said, “In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and unfurnished: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” In imitation of this account of the Spirit of God moving on the waters, they claimed that Proserpine (or Cora) was the daughter of Jupiter. Similarly, they craftily pretended that Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter, not through sexual union, but by knowing that God conceived and made the world by the Word, they say that Minerva is the first conception; which we find very absurd, presenting the form of the conception in a female form. In the same way, the actions of others who are called sons of Jupiter clearly show their falsehood.

BUT WE: after we have washed the person who has been convinced and agreed to our teaching, bring them to the place where those called brethren are assembled, so that we may offer heartfelt prayers together for ourselves, for the baptized person, and for everyone else everywhere. We pray that we may be deemed worthy, having learned the truth, to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments by our works so that we may be saved with everlasting salvation. After finishing the prayers, we greet one another with a kiss. Then, bread and a cup of wine mixed with water are brought to the leader of the brethren. He takes them and gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and the Holy Ghost, offering thanks at length for our being deemed worthy to receive these things from His hands. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present express their agreement by saying "Amen." This word "Amen" corresponds to [so be it] in the Hebrew language. After the leader has given thanks and all the people have expressed their agreement, those called deacons by us give each person present a portion of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and a portion is also taken to those who are absent.

This food is called among us [the Eucharist], and only those who believe that our teachings are true, have been washed with the washing for the remission of sins and renewal, and live as Christ instructed, are allowed to partake. We do not receive these as common bread and drink, but in the same way that Jesus Christ our Savior became flesh by the Word of God and had flesh and blood for our salvation, we have been taught that the food blessed by His word and prayer, which nourishes our blood and flesh through transformation, is the flesh and blood of Jesus who became flesh. The apostles, in the writings they composed, which are called Gospels, have passed down to us what Jesus instructed them: that He took bread, gave thanks, and said, "Do this in remembrance of Me, this is My body;" and in the same way, after taking the cup and giving thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone. The wicked devils have imitated this in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same actions. You either know or can learn that bread and a cup of water are used with certain incantations in the mystical rites of someone being initiated.

AND WE CONTINUOUSLY REMIND EACH OTHER OF THESE THINGS: The wealthy among us help the needy, and we always stay together. For all things we are provided with, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Ghost. On the day called Sunday, everyone who lives in cities or in the country gathers together in one place. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits.

Then, when the reader has finished, the leader verbally instructs and encourages the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and as we mentioned before, when our prayer ends, bread and wine and water are brought. The leader offers prayers and thanksgivings according to his ability, and the people agree by saying Amen. There is a distribution to each person, and everyone participates in what has been blessed, and for those who are absent, a portion is sent by the deacons.

Those who are well-off and willing give what they think is appropriate; the collection is deposited with the leader, who supports the orphans and widows, and those who, through illness or any other reason, are in need, as well as those who are imprisoned and the strangers living among us. In short, he takes care of all who are in need. Sunday is the day when we all hold our common assembly because it is the first day on which God made the world, having transformed darkness and matter.

Jesus Christ our Savior also rose from the dead on this day. For He was crucified on the day before Saturn's day (Saturday), and on the day after Saturn's day, which is the day of the Sun, He appeared to His apostles and disciples and taught them these things, which we have also shared with you for your consideration.

AND IF THESE THINGS SEEM REASONABLE AND TRUE TO YOU: honor them; but if they seem nonsensical, dismiss them as nonsense, and do not impose the death penalty on those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies. For we warn you that you will not escape the coming judgment of God if you persist in your injustice; and we encourage you to do what is pleasing to God. Even though we could demand, based on the letter of the greatest and most illustrious Emperor Adrian, your father, that you render judgment as we desire, we have made this appeal and explanation not because of Adrian’s decision but because we know that what we ask is just. We have included a copy of Adrian’s letter so that you understand we are speaking truthfully about this. And here is the copy:—

I HAVE RECEIVED THE LETTER ADDRESSED TO ME BY YOUR PREDECESSOR SERENIUS GRANIANUS: a very distinguished man, and I am unwilling to ignore this communication, so that innocent people are not disturbed and informers are not given the chance to commit wrongdoing. Therefore, if the people of your province want to support this petition of theirs by accusing the Christians in a court of law, I do not prohibit them from doing so. However, I will not allow them to use mere pleas and outcries. For it is far more just, if anyone wants to make an accusation, that you give judgment on it. Therefore, if anyone makes an accusation and provides proof that the accused have done anything against the laws, you should assign punishments in proportion to the offenses. And this, by Hercules, you must pay special attention to: if anyone, through mere slander, brings an accusation against these individuals, you should assign them more severe punishments in accordance with their wickedness.

THE EMPEROR CAESAR TITUS AELIUS ADRIANUS ANTONINUS AUGUSTUS PIUS: Supreme Pontiff, in the fifteenth year of his tribuneship, Consul for the third time, Father of the fatherland, to the Common Assembly of Asia, greetings: I would have thought that the gods themselves would ensure that such offenders do not escape. For if they had the power, they themselves would prefer to punish those who refuse to worship them; but it is you who trouble these individuals and accuse them of atheism, imputing to them certain other things that we cannot prove.

But it benefits them to be considered as dying for the reasons they are accused of, and they overcome you by valuing their lives less than submitting to the obedience you demand of them. Regarding the earthquakes that have already happened and are currently occurring, it is not proper for you to remind us of them, losing heart whenever they occur, and thus contrasting your behavior with that of these individuals; for they have much greater confidence toward God than you have.

Indeed, you seem to ignore the gods during such times, neglecting the temples, and failing to recognize the worship of God.

Hence, you are envious of those who serve Him and persecute them to death. Regarding such individuals, other governors of provinces also wrote to my most divine father; to whom he replied that they should not disturb such individuals unless they are found to be attempting anything against the Roman government. And many have sent me reports about such individuals, to whom I have also replied in accordance with my father’s judgment.

But if anyone has a case against any person of this kind, simply because they are such a person, let the accused be acquitted of the charge, even if they are found to be such; but let the accuser face justice.

EMPEROR CAESAR MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS: known as Germanicus, Parthicus, Sarmaticus, sends greetings to the People of Rome and to the sacred Senate. I shared with you my main plan and the benefits I gained on the borders of Germany, achieved with great effort and hardship, due to being surrounded by the enemy. I was trapped in Carnuntum by seventy-four cohorts, nine miles away. With the enemy nearby, our scouts and General Pompeianus informed us of a massive diverse force of 977,000 men approaching, which indeed we saw; and I was confined by this vast host, having only a battalion composed of the first, tenth, double, and marine legions with me.

Assessing my situation and my troops against the overwhelming number of barbarians and enemies, I quickly turned to prayer 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 achieve such a weapon against us. I advise that no one be accused solely for being a Christian. If someone is found accusing a Christian simply for being one, it should be evident that the accused is guilty of nothing else.

However, the one accusing should be burned alive.

Furthermore, I desire that the provincial governor be instructed not to force a Christian, who admits to this, to deny their faith, nor should they be detained. I wish for these instructions to be affirmed by a decree of the Senate. I order this edict to be posted in the Forum of Trajan for public reading. Prefect Vitrasius Pollio shall ensure it is sent to all surrounding provinces and that no one wishing to make use of or possess it is prevented from obtaining a copy from the document I now publish.