The Lord's Supper in the Early Church

Justin Martyr's First Apology is a significant early Christian text, written as a defense of Christianity to the Roman emperor. It provides valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the early church. Justin Martyr explains Christian doctrines, such as the nature of God, the divinity of Christ, and the importance of baptism and the Eucharist. He also describes the structure and organization of the early church, including the role of bishops and deacons. The Apology offers a compelling account of early Christianity and its relationship with the Roman Empire.

Ambrose's "On the Sacraments" is a classic work of patristic theology that explores the nature and significance of the sacraments within the Christian faith. Ambrose emphasizes the sacramental character of creation, highlighting how God's grace is present and active in the world. He focuses particularly on the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist, explaining their theological meaning and their transformative power. Ambrose's writing is characterized by its eloquence and its profound spiritual insight. His work remains a valuable resource for understanding the early Church's understanding of the sacraments and their role in Christian life.

Written around 180 AD, 'Against Heresies' is a five-book treatise that identifies and refutes various schools of Gnosticism and other heretical Christian thought. Irenaeus argues against the interpretations of scripture by Gnostics such as Valentinus and Marcion, and defends the orthodox Christian tradition. The work is historically significant as one of the earliest unambiguous attestations of the canonical gospel texts and some of the Pauline epistles. It remains a crucial source for understanding early Christian theology and the doctrines of Gnosticism.