Aristides on Christians - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Aristides on Christians
Aristides of Athens, a Greek philosopher of the 2nd century, converted to Christianity. When Emperor Hadrian visited Athens, Aristides presented to him his “Apology”, a defence of the Christian faith. Here are some statements from it:

“But the Christians, O King, … have found the truth … For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and earth, … from whom they received the commandments which they engraved upon their minds and observe in hope and expectation of the world which is to come.

Therefore, they do not commit adultery or fornication, bear no false witness, do not embezzle entrusted goods, do not covet what is not theirs, honour father and mother, do good to their neighbours… and what they do not wish others to do to them, they do to no one else. … They speak kindly to those who offend them and make friends of them; to their enemies, they eagerly bestow good deeds. … They walk in all humility and kindness. Falsehood is not found among them. They love one another. They do not neglect widows; they rescue orphans from those who mistreat them. Whoever has shares generously with the one who lacks. When they see a stranger, they take him into their home and rejoice over him as if he were a true brother. … And if they hear that one of them is imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Christ, they all provide for his needs and, if possible, secure his release.

Isn’t this a beautiful testimony that challenges Christians to live as Christ exemplified?

Today’s reading: Leviticus 21:1-24 · Psalms 68:10-19