Justin Martyr
Second-century Christian apologist whose First Apology defends Christians before Roman authorities and describes baptism, Sunday assembly, Scripture reading, and the Eucharist.
Historical context
The First Apology is an argument addressed to rulers and outsiders, so its descriptions of Christian practice serve a public defense.
Key points
- Chapters 61 and 65–67 are especially useful for early worship and initiation.
- His account shows continuity of gathering, readings, prayer, and Eucharist without implying that every local rite was identical.
Scripture
- Acts 2:42 — A canonical point of comparison for apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.
Primary sources
Justin reports in his First Apology:
Justin describes Christians gathering on Sunday for readings from the apostles and prophets.
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to 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.
Passage context and translation
Justin explains second-century Sunday worship to a Roman audience, including readings, exhortation, prayer, the Eucharist, and care for the poor. This early witness is shared across Christian traditions.
Before the excerpt
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things.
After the excerpt
Then we all rise together and pray
Sources and further reading
Related records
- WHY THE EUCHARIST?
- The visitors at Mamre
- The burning bush
- Baptism
- Eucharist and the Lord's Supper
- Justin Martyr describes worship
- Church, Worship, and Sacraments in the Fathers
- Early Christian worship and community
- Tatian combines Gospel narratives in the Diatessaron
- Athenagoras asks emperors to examine Christian beliefs
- Theophilus answers questions about seeing and knowing God