Shadowlands Musings: Faith of the Early Church (Part 1)

Here is a sampling of Creeds, Prayers, and Songs of the Early Church.  We have focused here mostly on 30 AD to 99 AD, in the future we will look into additional Creeds, Prayers, and Songs of the Faith 100s through 500s AD in addition posts. Enjoy!

Disciples' Prayer (30's AD)

Our Father who is in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come.
You will be done.
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our needed bread.
And forgive us our Sins, 
As we forgive those who do wrong to us.
For Yours is the Kingdom, Power, and Glory Forever.
Amen.
(Matthew, Luke, & Often Quoted in Farther Writings)

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Cornith Creed (36-54 AD)

Christ died for our sins in accordance with Scripture.

Christ was buried and on the Third Day rose again,

in accordance with Scripture.

Christ appeared to Peter first, then the 11.

Christ appeared before the 500,

James his brother, all the apostles,

and lastly before Paul, 

who once persecuted the Church.

By God's grace, we are what we are,

for it is God's grace within us.

(Based on Corinthians 15:3-15)

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The Romans Hymn (55-57 AD)

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments,

and His ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

Or who hath been his counselor?

Or who hath first given to Him,

and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?

For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things:

to whom be glory forever.

Amen.”

(Romans 10:33-36)

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The Colossians Hymn (58-62AD)

“Who is the image of the invisible God,

The firstborn of every creature:

For by Him were all things created,

That are in heaven, and that are in earth,

Visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,

Or dominions, or principalities, or powers:

All things were created by Him, and for Him:

And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

And He is the head of the body, the church:

Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;

That in all things He might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell;

And, having made peace through the blood of His Cross,

By Him to reconcile all things unto himself;

by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

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Timothian Creed/Hymn (62-63 AD)

In flesh was Jesus revealed to sight,

    Vindicated by the Spirit’s might,

        Adored by angels singing.

To nations is He made manifest,
as the World does now believe,
He who is taken up into Glory.

   Now believing souls find peace and rest,

       For our Lord in Heaven is Reigning!

(Based on 1 Timothy 3:16)

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Pompeii Grafette (79 AD)

“Audi Christianos…”
(means listen to the Christians) 

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Prayer to the Master (95 AD)

We beseech You, Master, to be our Helper and Protector. Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly; Raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly; Restore the wanderers of Your people; Feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; Raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted. Amen! (Clement of Rome)

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Teachings of the Twelve (95AD)

You shall love the God that made you.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Never do to another what you would
not want to be done to yourself.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for your enemies.
Fast for those who persecute you.

Go with others two miles who ask of you one.

Give also your coat to those who ask for your cloak.

Forsake not the Commandments of the Lord.

Give of your first fruits to the Preacher serving among you,
and if a be not a Preacher among you, give the first fruits to the poor.
Keep your Oil ready and your Lamps lit, for we know not the hour of our Lord's return.

(Based on the Gospels, found also with the Didakhé, and other early Christian Writings)

Note: The Early Church also used the Psalms of the Old Testament,

and these were sung and prayed for Generations of Christians ever since.