> A soldier in command must be told not to kill people; if he is ordered so to do, he shall not carry it out. Nor should he take the oath. If he will not agree, he should be rejected.
-Hippolytus
From the *Apostolic Tradition, early 3rd Century.* While outlining baptismal requirements, he is articulating that soldiers are not to be permitted entry to the church unless they absolutely refuse to kill, even if their state calling sanctions it. Dogmatic pacifism is table stakes.
> Christ, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier thereafter.
-Tertullian
*De Corona, early 3rd Century.* Tertullian is arguing that Christians are not permitted to enlist in military service at all, because pacifism is dogma. He cites Christ disarming Peter as bibilical exhortation to this end.
> We who once hated and destroyed one another, and on account of our different manners **would not live with men of a different tribe, now since the coming of Christ live familiarly with them,** pray for our enemies, and endeavour to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live conformably to the good teachings of Christ…
-Justin Martyr
*First Apology, mid-2nd Century.* Justin is writing to Roman authorities to explain Christian ethics. He is contrasting pre-Christian violence with post-Christian nonviolence as evidence of moral reform.
> Christians have changed their swords and their lances into instruments of peace, and they know not now how to fight.
-Irenaeus
*Against Heresies, late 2nd Century.* Ireneaus is referencing Isaiah 2:4, highlighting how proper Christian behavior is manifesting prophecy as modern practice:
> *He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.*
> It is not lawful for a Christian to bear arms for any earthly consideration.
-Marcellus
*Acta Marcelli, late 3rd Century.*
Marcellus was a Roman centurion who was executed in 298 CE specifically for publicly renouncing military service on the grounds of Christian doctrine. This quote is him claiming to authorities that his faith *literally* forbids him from committing violence of any kind, even as a soldier, and he was willing to die for that belief. Which he did.
> I am a soldier of Christ; it is not permissible for me to fight.
-Martin of Tours
*Life of Martin, late 4th Century.*
Martin was a Roman soldier prior to conversion. In the account of his life, it is described that he was discharged from the military for refusing to participate in combat on religious grounds. This was *post-Constantine,* showing continuity of the pacifistic ethos of Christianity.
> Above all, Christians are not allowed to correct with violence the delinquencies of sins.
-Clement
*Paedagogus, late 2nd Century*
The text is written as a moral guide for everyday Christian life. He is describing absolute nonviolence even in the face of injustice as a basic tenant of Christian ethics.
Yes, thank you for reiterating the exact explanations that prove your claims wrong. The words of Christ Himself explicitly say you are lying and always have been.
-Hippolytus
From the *Apostolic Tradition, early 3rd Century.* While outlining baptismal requirements, he is articulating that soldiers are not to be permitted entry to the church unless they absolutely refuse to kill, even if their state calling sanctions it. Dogmatic pacifism is table stakes.
> Christ, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier thereafter.
-Tertullian
*De Corona, early 3rd Century.* Tertullian is arguing that Christians are not permitted to enlist in military service at all, because pacifism is dogma. He cites Christ disarming Peter as bibilical exhortation to this end.
> We who once hated and destroyed one another, and on account of our different manners **would not live with men of a different tribe, now since the coming of Christ live familiarly with them,** pray for our enemies, and endeavour to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live conformably to the good teachings of Christ…
-Justin Martyr
*First Apology, mid-2nd Century.* Justin is writing to Roman authorities to explain Christian ethics. He is contrasting pre-Christian violence with post-Christian nonviolence as evidence of moral reform.
> Christians have changed their swords and their lances into instruments of peace, and they know not now how to fight.
-Irenaeus
*Against Heresies, late 2nd Century.* Ireneaus is referencing Isaiah 2:4, highlighting how proper Christian behavior is manifesting prophecy as modern practice:
> *He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.*
> It is not lawful for a Christian to bear arms for any earthly consideration.
-Marcellus
*Acta Marcelli, late 3rd Century.*
Marcellus was a Roman centurion who was executed in 298 CE specifically for publicly renouncing military service on the grounds of Christian doctrine. This quote is him claiming to authorities that his faith *literally* forbids him from committing violence of any kind, even as a soldier, and he was willing to die for that belief. Which he did.
> I am a soldier of Christ; it is not permissible for me to fight.
-Martin of Tours
*Life of Martin, late 4th Century.*
Martin was a Roman soldier prior to conversion. In the account of his life, it is described that he was discharged from the military for refusing to participate in combat on religious grounds. This was *post-Constantine,* showing continuity of the pacifistic ethos of Christianity.
> Above all, Christians are not allowed to correct with violence the delinquencies of sins.
-Clement
*Paedagogus, late 2nd Century*
The text is written as a moral guide for everyday Christian life. He is describing absolute nonviolence even in the face of injustice as a basic tenant of Christian ethics.