The Early Church on Gambling

Today in Christendom, gambling isn't really a hot topic of discussion. Many believe it's not worth talking about, but that's not what the early church thought as we'll see below.

Most Christians don't have a problem with gambling and even if they do have a problem, it's not something they'll speak up about. Let's take a look at what the early leaders of the church had to say.

The game of dice is to be prohibited, as is also the pursuit of gain,
especially by dicing, which many follow intently. -Clement of Alexandria

If a bishop, presbytr, or deacon indulges himself in dice or drinking, he must either leave off those practices or else let him be deprived. If a subdeacon, a reader, or a singer does the same, he must either cease to do so or else let him be suspended. And the same is true for one of the laity. -Apostolic Constitutions

The Early Church on Martyrdom

"Allow me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God; so let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts-so that I may be found to be the pure bread of Christ. -Ignatius

"Though threatened with death, we do not deny His name." -Justin Martyr

"We call martyrdom perfection, not because the man comes to the end of his life as others, but because he has exhibited the perfect work of love." -Clement of Alexandria

"On martyrdom, the Lord has spoken explicitly...'But I say unto you, Whoever confesses Me before men, the Son of man also will confess before the angels of God: but whoever denies Me before men, him will I deny before the angels.'" -Clement of Alexandria

"If the spiritual man is pointed out [as a Christian], he glories in it. If he is accused, he offers no defense. When questioned, he makes voluntary confession. When condemned, he gives thanks."-Tertullian

"Condemnation gives us more pleasure than acquittal." -Tertullian

"I stoutly maintain the martyrdom is good. It is required by the God by whom likewise idolatry is forbidden and punished. -Tertullian

"Did he not previously ordain eternal punishment for those who deny Him? Did he not ordain saving rewards for those who confess Him? -Cyprian

[ADDRESSED TO PAGANS:] "The greater our conflicts, the greater our rewards. Your cruelty is our glory. -Tertullian

"The first fruit for the martyrs is a hundredfold." -Cyprian