And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Acts 20:37
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Rom.16:16
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 1 Cor.16:20
Greet one another with an holy kiss. 2 Cor. 13:12
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 1 Thess. 5:26
Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Peter 5:14
Therefore the kiss, or rather the salutation, should be given with the greatest care, since, if there be mixed with it the least defilement of thought, it excludes us from eternal life. Athenagorus (A.D. 137) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.146
But love is not proved by a kiss, but by kindly feeling. But there are those, that do nothing but make the churches resound with a kiss, not having love itself within. For this very thing, the shameless use of a kiss, which ought to be mystic, occasions foul suspicions and evil reports. The apostle calls the kiss holy. When the kingdom is worthily tested, we dispense the affection of the soul by a chaste and closed mouth, by which chiefly gentle manners are expressed. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.291
Accordingly, he says, they were both led away together (to be martyred), and on the way the other asked James to forgive him. And he, considering a little, said, "Peace be to you" and kissed him. And so both were beheaded together. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.579
But even if there be some reason far this practice, still, lest you offend against this precept, you may perhaps defer your "peace" at home, where it is not possible for your fast to be entirely kept secret. But wherever else you can conceal your observance, you ought to remember the precept: thus you may satisfy the requirements of Discipline abroad and of custom at home. So, too, on the day of the Passover, when the religious observance of a fast is general, and as it were public, we justly forego the kiss, caring nothing to conceal anything which we do in common with all. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 687
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Early Christian Dictionary (AD 30 - AD300)
Read freely text sermons and articles from Early Christian Dictionary in text and pdf format. The purpose of any dictionary is to define words and terms. By making use of close to 2,000 quotes from more than 30 different early church writers over a time span of three centuries dating before the time of Constantine, The Early Christian Dictionary lets the early Christians redefine some of the more important Bible concepts. After some investigation, you will probably find their understanding of scripture to be radically different than your own. You may find answers to many questions you�ve always had. The scriptures may come alive to you as you learn to walk in new light.Or you may decide not to put any reliance on their definitions at all. Even so you must remember that every time you pick up your bible you still rely on the Early Christian writers. That�s because they decided what books to include or not include in the New Testament canon that you use. And after all, if you find you have a serious conflict with the writings of men like Polycarp, you still have to grapple with the fact the these men were favored by both the Lord and the Apostles, and proven faithful even unto death. These are not new truths challenging your old ideas, these are old truths challenging your new ideas.