In 1899 archeologists unearthed a...
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In 1899 archeologists unearthed a piece of writing describing life among the believers in the early church. Addressed to the Roman Emperor Hadrian (A.D. 76-138), it read as follows:
"They walk in all humility and kindness and falsehood is not found among them. They love one another. They do not refuse to help widows. They rescue the orphans from violence. He who gives, give ungrudgingly to him who lacks. When one of their poor passes from this world, any one of them who sees it provides for his burial. And if they hear that one of their members is in prison or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs ... Thus they labor to become righteous, as those who expect to see their Messiah and to receive from him the glorious fulfillment of the promises made to them. Truly, this is a new people, and there is something divine in them."
"They walk in all humility and kindness and falsehood is not found among them. They love one another. They do not refuse to help widows. They rescue the orphans from violence. He who gives, give ungrudgingly to him who lacks. When one of their poor passes from this world, any one of them who sees it provides for his burial. And if they hear that one of their members is in prison or oppressed for the name of their Messiah, all of them provide for his needs ... Thus they labor to become righteous, as those who expect to see their Messiah and to receive from him the glorious fulfillment of the promises made to them. Truly, this is a new people, and there is something divine in them."
