Saturday, October 3, 2009

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
http://almoutran.com/ENGLISH/DISCOVER%20ORTHODOX%20CHRISTIANITY/Articles/Belief%20&%20History/The%20Fathers%20Speak.html