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Research atlas for early Christianity. Claims are tagged attested, traditional, or disputed. Copyrighted full texts, including CCEL editions, are not included.

DeChurched Atlas

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First Apology of Justin Martyr

Also known as 1 Apology

undated

Defense addressed to Antoninus Pius (c. 155) containing the earliest description of Sunday worship and baptism.

Wikipedia extract

The First Apology is an early work of Christian apologetics addressed by Justin Martyr to the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. In addition to arguing against the persecution of individuals solely for being Christian, Justin also provides the Emperor with a defense of the philosophy of Christianity and a detailed explanation of contemporary Christian practices and rituals. This work, along with the Second Apology, has been cited as one of the earliest examples of Christian apology, and many scholars attribute this work to creating a new genre of apology out of what was a typical Roman administrative procedure.

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  • First Apology · New Advent FathersPublic-domain translation; site edition copyright Kevin Knight. Link, do not mirror.
  • Justin Martyr · Early Christian Writings (Peter Kirby)Hub site; each linked translation keeps its own rights. Link only.

Sources

  • First Apology of Justin Martyr · Wikipedia contributorsAccessed 2026-11-12 · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Wikidata Q3780761 · Wikidata contributorsAccessed 2026-11-12 · CC0 1.0
  • First Apology · Justin MartyrAccessed 2026-11-12 · Public-domain translation; site edition copyright Kevin Knight. Link, do not mirror.
  • Justin Martyr · Early Christian Writings (Peter Kirby)Accessed 2026-11-12 · Hub site; each linked translation keeps its own rights. Link only.

Authority files

apologists · liturgy · 2nd-century

First Apology of Justin Martyr · DeChurched Atlas