Ignatius to the Philadelphians III
Source: Ignatius to the Philadelphians (shorter recension; trans. Roberts-Donaldson, 1885) (Ignatius to the Philadelphians III) · father
Keep yourselves from those evil plants which Jesus Christ does not tend, because they are not the planting of the Father. Not that I have found any division among you, but exceeding purity. For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop. And as many as shall, in the exercise of repentance, return into the unity of the church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may live according to Jesus Christ. Do not err, my brethren. If any man follows him that makes a schism in the church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If any one walks according to a strange opinion, he agrees not with the passion [of Christ].
Witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15)
- manuscript_tradition: Middle Recension — Codex Mediceus Laurentianus 57.7 (10-11th cent)
- translation: Lightfoot, Apostolic Fathers Part II (1885)
- translation: Roberts-Donaldson Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 1
- citation_tradition: Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians — cites Ignatius's letters by name