Letters of Pliny the Younger

Pliny the Younger was governor of Pontus/Bithynia from 111-113 AD.  In a letter to emperor Trajan he describes his first encounter with Christians. He loathed them, understandably so, since they wouldn't bow to Caesar as Lord.

Pliny, Letters 10.96-97
“They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food--but ordinary and innocent food. Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations. Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called deaconesses. But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition.”

From this short letter we learn six important things about early Christian worship.

1. Christians gathered on a fixed day. Pliny did not say what day it was, but other sources from that period indicate it was Sunday, the Lord’s day. They met before daylight since it was not yet recognized as a day of worship by the Romans, and presumably they had to work just like on any other day.

2. They sang hymns.

3. They worshipped Christ as God.

4. They bound themselves by oath to live by God’s law.

5. Later that day, they would return for a common meal, probably an afternoon repast or a Sunday dinner.

6. They had deaconesses, a service role rather than an ecclesiastical office.

Every Sunday, let's gather to worship Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior, singing praises to Him. We’ll enjoy quality time together, sharing meals prepared by loving hands. As we do this, let's strive to please God in all aspects of our lives.

Pastor Steve Gusto