What Were The Dominant Doctrines Taught By The First And Second Century Church Fathers?

It is commonly believed with supporting documents that the Coptic Church of Egypt is the oldest established organized church in the world, dating back to sometime between AD 42 and 50. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, as well as Coptic traditions, the Apostle Mark is said to have been the founder and first bishop of the Church of Alexandria, even before the Church of Rome was established (See Eusebius, HE 2.16.1).

It was not until AD 313 that the Roman Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which provided for religious tolerance and lifted the ban on Christianity. Constantine called the Council of Nicea in AD 325 in an attempt to unify Christianity as a religion that could unite the fracturing Roman Empire. However, Constantine did not fully embrace the Christian faith; he continued many pagan beliefs and practices. For instance, he converted the Temples of the dozens of false Roman goddesses and gods into Christian churches, while retaining their statues, which facilitated the Christian churches becoming a mixture of true Christianity and Roman paganism. This is why many attribute this to the worship of Mary, the Saints, and prayer to them.

Constantine was instrumental in the compromise of Christianity with pagan religions. Instead of presenting the saving message of the Gospel, the ever-expanding RCC compromised and incorporated pagan beliefs in the Church to make itself attractive to the lost people of the Roman Empire. As a result, the RCC became the dominant religion in the world for centuries.

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV)

Teaching of the Early Church Fathers

The Bible is the ultimate test of truth for every Christian. The early Fathers of the first and second centuries knew and were directly discipled by the Apostles. What they wrote about salvation and the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, as well as their admonitions to every Christian on how to live out their faith, is reliable. They believed that faith in and obedience to Jesus were proofs of salvation and not the determining reason for salvation. They taught that only faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus could save a person from their sin and put them right with God. They were certain that through the faith of Jesus, they could live obedient lives and do the good works that accompany salvation (Hebrews 6:9). They did not teach that a Christian was chosen and elected before birth for salvation, or that how they lived out their lives determined their rewards after death.

Clement of Rome (Date of Birth unknown, Died AD 110)

Most scholars identify Clement, the Bishop of Rome (AD 88-96), as the Clement mentioned by Paul (See Phil 4:3). He was the bishop of Rome at the close of the first century. He wrote the earliest Christian document outside the New Testament to that Church (AKA - Clement’s First Letter). It was highly esteemed in Christian antiquity and was even accepted as part of the early Canon of Scripture in Egypt and Syria.

Paul emphasized the necessity of faith, stating that salvation comes through the faith of Jesus, and that nothing a person can do through their abilities will gain them the gift of salvation. (See Matt 7:21; Luke 13:24; 1 Cor. 13:2; 15:1,2; James 2:14). He taught that a person proves they are a Christian by living an entirely new way of life, one filled with faith and the inner conversion of the heart and requires (1) believing (1 Thess 2:13; 2 Cor 5:7), (2) obedience (Rom 1:5; 6:16), and (3) love [hospitality] shown naturally in the good works of holiness (Gal 5:6).

As with Paul, Clement taught that living a moral life in faith and obedience is the proof of salvation, and that faith and obedience to Jesus naturally prompt hospitality and good deeds, which God counts as righteousness. He wrote the following:

"We also, being called through God's will in Christ Jesus, are not justified through ourselves, neither through our own wisdom or understanding, or piety, or works which we have done in holiness or heart, but through faith" (Epistle to Corinthians).

“We are justified by our works and not our words.” (1.13)

All of these persons, therefore, were highly honored and were made great. This was not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves. Nor are we justified by our own wisdom, understanding, godliness, or works that we have done in holiness of heart. Rather, we are justified by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men.” (1.13)