The Didache describes The Two Paths: One Leading to Life and One Leading to Death. Interpreting within the context of the Clementine Homilies, when Kepha said that he had never eaten anything “common or unclean”, he meant that (1) he had never eaten an un-sanctified meal in common with unreformed gentiles. One will note his vitriol toward them. Peter was vegetarian as he himself states in the Clementine Homilies. The two versions are somewhat similar in length and content, but have some major differences. Homily XII states, "The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the heathen worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils". Of the earliest Christian documents is, Clementine Homiles', a second-century work based on the teachings of St. Peter. Exclusively Eating Food from Mother Earth: Vegetables, Fruits from Trees, Vines, & Plants: Various Tree Fruits & Nuts, Melons & Grapes, Berries from Plants, Starches from Roots, Potatoes, Rice, Beans, Peas, etc., Grains & Breads, Herbal Plants, Roots & Leafy Greens (Gen. 1:29). Kepha objected to this command , declaring, “I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” The divine response was, “Do not call common what I have cleansed!” Analyzing Cornelius and his family, it is clear that it was YHWH that had already “slain” these proselytes with His Word, which is called, “the sword of the Spirit.” They had already undergone an authenticate circumcision of the heart – the slaying of their “common” (un-sanctified) and iniquitous animal nature! ( Log Out /  The Ebionites embraced an adoptionist Christology, thus understanding Jesus of Nazareth as a mere man who, by virtue of his righteousness, was chosen by God to be the last true prophet who … They Were Vegetarians The Clementine writings also suggest that we can open the door to demons by eating dead flesh. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? But you are still ignorant of this law, that every one who worships demons, or sacrifices to them, or partakes with them of their table, shall become subject to them and receive all punishment from them, as being under wicked masters. We cannot guarantee that every book is … 3)It should be noted, that some of what Epiphanius states is not necessarily exact and is second hand knowledge. Overview. And the things which are well-pleasing to [YHWH] are these: recognizing that He is the giver of all things, and that he gives with discriminating law; to pray to Him, to ask from Him— to abstain from the table of demons, not to taste dead flesh, not to touch blood; to be washed from all pollution; and the rest in one word/precept,— as the God-fearing Jews have heard, hear you also, and be of one mind in many bodies; let each man be minded to do to his neighbor those pleasant things he desires for himself. Don’t let that bother you; However, if you get an opportunity to also become free, use it.”. Homilies 8:16 And the men who were with them there for the first time were eager to do the same. Homilies 7.3 For the demons would never have had power over you, had not you first supped with their prince. (Clementine Homilies, Book 3) The same is true of Christians today, Christians believe in a God who tells us, “Thou shall not kill” yet he is the first one to break his own law. For He only, destroying with His left hand, can quicken with His right; He only can both smite and raise the fallen. But, rather, we should “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” In either case, this seems to necessitate that we should take the higher and more original path ordained for humanity, including a vegetarian diet. However, it would not accept the Pentateuch itself. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. . Does he contradict what we have observed above? And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And in the pseudo-Clementine literature, Peter is portrayed as a vegetarian who only eats bread and olives, and avoids eating "dead flesh." Download The Clementine Homilies Book For Free in PDF, EPUB.In order to read online The Clementine Homilies textbook, you need to create a FREE account. For, some were hindered by their marriage to an unbeliever; some were in slavery, or in bondage to other hindrances. . Let us first look at a portion of the third sermon, and then read the long version. As, then, when you partook of flesh offered to idols, you became servants to the prince of evil. Homilies 7.4 … So now, if you repent [reform], as I said, and submit to those things which are well-pleasing to [YHWH], you may get new strength to your bodies, and recover your soul’s health. Other “kosher” animals eat grains and grasses (Gen. 1:30). Kepha/Peter said, Homilies 1.22 “May God grant you in all things to be made like unto me, and having been baptized, to partake of the same table with me. are Jews by nationality, from Gileaditis,Bashanitis and the Transjordan as I have been told, but descendants of Israel himself.”There are only a handful of Nasaræans [left as such, for] . Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Christian vegetarianism is the practice of keeping to a vegetarian lifestyle for reasons connected to or derived from the Christian faith. Peter was vegetarian as he himself states in Clementine Homilies. Peter was vegetarian as he himself states in the Clementine Homilies. Furthermore, the First Century Alexandrian Jewish Philosopher, Philo, in two long and detailed sections, describes the Jewish Sect of the Essenes, aka, the Saints, living in Israel and Syria. As stated in The Homilies, one quotation of “Our Master” reads:“Be ye prudent money-changers in as much as there are some true sayings and some spurious.’ And to those who err by reason of the false [verses in the] scriptures, he fitly showed the cause of their error, saying, ‘You therefore err, not knowing the true things of the Scriptures; for this reason you are ignorant also of the power of God.” This topic will be taken up in another article. “Peter considered all flesh defiled and unclean. In that scenario, it could be said that certain things were permitted “because of the hardness of” their hearts—but, “from the beginning [of creation] it was not so [intended]” to be the norm. And they dwell in many cities of Judaea, and in many villages, and in great and populous communities. Statements by other historians places the Essenes Nasareans Nazareans Ebionites in close proximity, under the Jerusalem leadership, under Ya’aqov the brother of Yahshua (James the Just and The Desposyni). The Clementine homilies, a second-century work purportedly based on the teachings of the Apostle Peter, states, “The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the heathen worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils.” [49] . [In his disgust, he says,] They are nothingbut Jews [except for their fidelity to Yahshúa haMashiakh. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. And you who, on account of ignorance of this law, have been corrupted beside their altars, and have been satisfied with food offered to them, have come under their power, and do not know how you have been in every way injured in respect of your bodies. It is decreed that among the clergy, presbyters, and deacons who abstain from flesh shall taste of it, and afterwards, if they shall so please, may abstain. a variety of definitions, and rules, and criteria, namely, the love of God, and the love of virtue, and the love of mankind. If you cannot keep the whole law [as interpreted and applied by the Nazareans], do what you can.” Therefore, we can experience the kindness and presence of Elohíym while learning the ideal path and make gradual changes toward it when the opportunity arises. One of the earliest Christian documents is the `Clementine Homiles', a second-century work purportedly based on the teachings of St. Peter. But if they disdain it, and will not even eat herbs served with flesh, but disobey the canon, let them be removed from their order. Read as many books as you like (Personal use) and Join Over 150.000 Happy Readers. It should be noted, that some of what Epiphanius states is not necessarily exact and is second hand knowledge. 21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? But when irrational animals fell short [of satisfying them], these bastard men tasted also human flesh. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_source#cite_ref-33. ( Log Out /  24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. ], {6} or [doing] anything else that is unclean. The oldest known version of the Gospels we read in Luke 21:34 reads: “Now take care in your souls that you never make your hearts heavy by eating flesh and by drinking wine, and with the anxiety of the world, and that day come up upon you suddenly; for as a snare it will come upon all them that sit on the face of the land.”, Canon 14; Council of Ancyra, Galatia; 314 C.E. The largest surviving collection of Ebionite scriptures is the Clementine Homilies and the Recognitions of Clement, which are vegetarian gospels that condemn animal sacrifice in any form. First of all, there are two versions which have been preserved in ancient manuscript form—one in Greek and one in Latin translation. Those are vegetarian gospels and condemn animal sacrifice in any form. . Attending the Synagogue, they read the Torah and experienced men also explain its enigmatic and allegorical elements, teaching and using] …. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1199_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1199_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], }); 5)Among the Sons of Israel, according to The Book of Jubilees, the Tribe of Lewí was chosen as a priesthood: a consecrated order of public servants; specialists set apart to serve by maintaining scrolls, to preserve and teach the way of godliness, equipping the consecrated Nation and thence, elevating all of Humanity into true holiness. There are early traditions that identify the Essenes/Nasareans/Nazareans/Ebionites as non-flesh eaters—in accordance with the original diet stated in Genesis Chapter One.2)I will deal with the false interpretations accosting the Apostle Sha’ul/Paul in due time. Some were being confused with conflicting testimony by other Jews. It was to be approached as a matter of gradual spiritual advancement, in accordance with an individuals’ circumstances. ( Log Out /  Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1199_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1199_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], }); And, there still remained church leaders at the time of this edict, who denounced the eating of animal flesh, and continued teaching Veganism as the original Biblical virtue. And of those Demons left on the Earth whose desires would be to attach themselves to humans,]. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Epiphanius called them, “Ebionite” documents in his book, a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation –, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_source#cite_ref-33, by the scholar, Alan Garrow, PhD; www.alangarrow.com, and these can actually be seen as interpreted out of Leviticus, Chapters 17 – 18. • God kills a man who touched the ark of the covenant to keep it from falling ( 2nd Samuel 6:6-7 ) Kepha also speaks of The Two Paths, covered in his sermon’s in the Clementine Homilies described above. For I had a habit of reasoning—how originating I know not—making frequent cogitations concerning death: When I die, Clementine Homilies HOMILY 1 1.1 I CLEMENT, being a Roman citizen, even from my earliest youth was able to live chastely, my mind from my boyhood drawing away the lust that was in me to dejection and distress. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. It acknowledged Moses and believed that he had received legislation, not this legislation though, they said, but some other. For example, the Book of Homilies states that God does not want animals killed at … ], or that which is strangled [in traps by hunters? To eat “dead flesh” is to eat at the table of demons (Homilies 7.4, 7.8), and in the Homilies and Recognitions, followers of Jesus are counseled to avoid eating at the table of demons. For it was not a long step to the consumption of flesh like their own, having first tasted it in other forms. The Homilies and the Recognitions contain accounts of Peter's mission and his disputes with a false teacher named "Simon Magus" who is misleading people about Jesus (Simon Magus is clearly an Ebionite code-name for Paul). ](1,4) And so, though they were Jews who kept all the Jewish observances, they would not offer sacrifice or eat meat; in their eyes it was unlawful to eat meat or make sacrifices with it. Epiphanius is an enemy of these groups. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. . . 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Abstract Most scholar~ working on the Pseudo-Clementine Homilies and Recognitions, two re~ated Christi~ nO\rels r~dacted in fourth-century Syria, have been primari~y concerned WIth sowrce-cntlcal q[uestIOns. Maybe we will discuss this later jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1199_1_11').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1199_1_11', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });. In either scenario, animal sacrifice lasted only until Mashíakh with his covenantal reformation and was thereby eliminated. For a certain messenger was sent to them by [YHWH], declaring to them His will, and saying:— Homilies 8.19 ‘These things seem pleasant to the all-seeing [YHWH], that you lord over no man; that you trouble no one, UNLESS any one of his own accord subjects himself to you, {1} worshiping you, and sacrificing and pouring libations, and partaking of your table, {2} or accomplishing anything else that they ought not, {3} or shedding blood, [human or animal]{4} or tasting dead flesh, {5} or filling themselves with that which is torn of beasts, or that which is cut [butchered? For thus from the beginning was a law laid down by [YHWH], the Creator of all things, on each of the two princes, him of the right hand and him of the left, that neither should have power over any one whom they might desire to benefit or to hurt, unless first he had sat down at the same table with them. Peter said, “I live on olives and bread, to which I rarely only add vegetables.” Also: “The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the heathen worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils.” (Saint Peter, Clementine Homilies) These things, therefore, you ought to remember and to do, well knowing that not even your thoughts shall be able to be concealed from Him.’ 20 Having charged them to this effect, the messenger departed. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Some believe that—vegetarianism was their Law, but, that the priesthood was corrupted [in Egypt or Canaan, or during Assyrian and Babylonian Exiles] by adopting gentile practices, such as, slaughtering animals, eating them, and offering them on their altars for the appeasement and favor of God, as did the idolatrous nations; And, that the Scriptures were redacted to legitimize and sanctify their practices, as well as, to elevate and centralize their own authority and power over those who resisted their changes. But our Lawgiver [Moses] trained an innumerable body of his pupils to partake in those things [of Torah Wisdom], who are called Essenes [healers], being, as I imagine, honoured with this appellation because of their exceeding holiness [saintliness]. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. And you may all find out what is pleasant, by holding some such conversation as the following with yourselves: You would not like to be murdered; do not murder another man: you would not like your wife to be seduced by another; do not you commit adultery: you would not like any of your things to be stolen from you; steal nothing from another. They also chose to not eat with those who had not yet been baptized. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This sect practices Judaism in all respects… (1,2) It too had been given circumcision, and it kept the same Sabbath and observed the same festivals…1,3 It also recognized as fathers the persons in the Pentateuch from Adam to Moses who were illustrious for the excellence of their piety—I mean Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi and Aaron, Moses and Joshua the son of Nun. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1199_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1199_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], }); Kepha (Peter) preaches what Canon 14 above was attempting to eradicate. [We will explain the meaning of this statement in another article. But that is how he has been interpreted and mistranslated. The largest surviving collection of Ebionite scriptures is the Clementine Homilies and the Recognitions of Clement, which are vegetarian gospels that condemn animal sacrifice in any form. . 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. [men and women should be abiding by the laws of purification—not having sexual relations during her menstrual cycle——and washing after sexual relations][The Angel continues addressing the Law to the Demons, God says,] But those who betake themselves to MY law, you not only shall not touch, but shall also do honor to, and shall flee from, their presence. At creation animals were divided into four footed domesticated animals, wild animals, reptiles and birds. Some accounts note that Matthew, Peter and James (the brother of Jesus and first leader of the Jerusalem church) were vegetarians. 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (The abbreviated version is given in Acts 15:29 in the context of this. And so understanding by yourselves what is reasonable, and doing it, you will become dear to [YHWH], and will obtain healing; otherwise in the life which now is your bodies will be tormented, and in that which is to come your souls will be punished.” 5 After Kepha had spent a few days in teaching them in this way, and in healing them, they were baptized.”. They were likely part of the Essenes. Christian vegetarianism Last updated January 27, 2020. [They cease from all other employments on the Sabbath. For other Jewish sects, certain “clean” animals were permitted to be slaughtered (painlessly and gently bled out) for sacrifice and permitted for eating according to their Aharonic version of Torah-Law.8)Notice what Yahshua said: “In your law it is written…(Jn 8:17; 10:34).” Notice again concerning the Nasarean Essenes: “…though they were Jews who kept all the Jewish observances, they would not offer sacrifice or eat flesh; in their eyes it was unlawful to eat flesh or make sacrifices with it. This requirement was softened for initiates in precarious circumstances beyond their control (i.e., slavery or marriage, (1 Cor 7:21), until they were free to keep the whole Torah-Law of Messiah (Gal 6:2; Cor 9:21; Nazarite Gospel). Let us therefore, now, not desire a return to that former world, but rather, let us offer a pure New Covenant Oblation with incense (Mal. This did not eliminate the requirements, but made room and gave hope for those in predicaments beyond their control. But if any of those who worship ME go astray, either committing adultery, or practicing magic, or living impurely, or doing any other of the things which are not well-pleasing to ME, then they will have to suffer something at your hands or those of others, according to my order. But upon them, when they repent, I, judging of their repentance [reformation], whether it be worthy of pardon or not, shall give sentence. The Clementine Homilies. In addition, I include examples of pro-veg passages from some early church fathers and many other writings too, including … Two versions of this romance have survived: one version is called the Clementine Homilies (H), which consists of 20 books and exists in the original Greek; the other is called the Clementine Recognitions (R), for which the original Greek has been lost, but exists in a Latin translation made by Tyrannius Rufinus (died 410). The largest surviving collection of Ebionite scriptures are, "The Clementine Homilies", and, "The Recognitions of Clement". And: Let us “walk in love, even as Mashíakh also loved us, and gave himself for us, [like] a qorbán and a sacrifice [of love] to Elohíym for a sweet-smelling fragrance.” Jub 2:22, 27; 4:25; 6:3-4; 30:18; Gen 1:1, 29; Murmuring: Ex 16:2-3; Num 11:4, 13, 33; Jer 7:22; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:25; Mk 12:33; Mt 12:7; 19:4; Jn 4:20-24; Eph 5:1; Heb 9:10; 10:1-10. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1199_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1199_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], }); The 1st Century Jewish Historian, Josephus, described two groups of the Essenes: (1) those who married and (2) those who lived celibate in dedicated communities. However early Christians were mainly vegetarian, specifically Origen, John Chrysostom, Clement of Alexandria, and Basil the Great. 1:11), with thank-offerings (todah) of consecrated bread and fruit of the vine; symbolizing the offering up of sweet aromas of prayer and supplication with praise and thanksgiving, waters of repentance and the oil of love and good works. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. (Clementine Homilies 12,6; also see, Recognitions 7,6) And the earlier quoted vegetarian verse attributed to Peter is worth repeating again here: "The unnatural eating of flesh meats is as polluting as the heathen worship of devils, with its sacrifices and its impure feasts, through participation in it a man becomes a fellow eater with devils." The purpose of the above Canon 14 was to subjugate the original Nazarean Vegans to the advancing Roman Catholic agenda—subjugating and unifying all other groups under its Papal governance, itself re-enforced by the Emperor Constantine’s Sword. They are above all men devoted to the service of God, not sacrificing living animals, but studying rather to preserve their own minds in a state of purity ….