Justin Martyr was an early church leader and writer. He was born in 100AD in Samaria to pagan Greek parents. He was a scholar and studied Greek philosophy at Alexandria and Ephesus. One day at Ephesus he took a walk along the seashore and met an aged Christian man. As a result of this conversation, he converted to Christianity and became a defender of the faith. He was martyred by beheading in 165AD.
 
We only have indirect knowledge of most of his writings, but one that has survived is his Apology. Apology in this sense is not an “I’m sorry” but rather an explanation or defense of something that is not understood or is criticized by others. For example, one of my favorite math books is A Mathematician’s Apology by the famous British mathematician G. H. Hardy; its purpose is to explain the beauty of mathematics to a general reader. Martyr’s Apology was addressed to the Emperor Antoninus Pius and argued against persecution of individuals solely for being Christians. It contains an excellent explanation of early Christian beliefs as well as descriptions of Christian practices including Communion and Baptism. I especially enjoyed his description of the weekly church service.

“On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks is fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows, and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.”

Other descriptions of the day include the singing of Psalms and hymns, and with these additions think you’ll agree that as Christians we would feel at home in such a service. For me there is a subtle difference, however. In the described service the entire offering is dedicated to those in need and was not restricted to those in the fellowship. I know that this is before paid clergy and a century before the first purpose-built or purpose-renovated church building, but it does contrast with today when congregational needs (e.g. salaries, utilities, supplies, buildings and maintenance) consume most of our offerings preventing us from giving a much as we would like to the needy. To learn Christ’s beautiful, poetic words on giving read Matthew 25:34-40 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

 Jim