Almoutran

The Fathers Speak…

St. Irenaeus: On the Spiritual Gifts

Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons (c. 130—c. 200) was a disciple of Saint Polycarp. who in turn was a disciple of Saint John the Evange­list. He is thus one of the earliest witnesses to the Christian tradition following the death of the Apostles.

Were the gifts of the Spirit in operation in the early Church? Commenting on 1 Corinthians chapter 12 (“Now concern­ing spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant . . .“), this early saint clearly says “yes!” But he places the gifts squarely within the context of the Church and under the succession of the Apostles:   READ MORE

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