Irenaeus of Lyons

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A look at Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd century)

Source material :

Against Heresies available http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103.htm

Demonstration of the Apostolic Teaching available https://ccel.org/ccel/irenaeus/demonstr/demonstr.i.html

Luke 8:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+8&version=NIV

Acts 9 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9&version=NIV

“It was necessary to clearly prove, and also to bring forward their doctrines, with the hope that perchance some of them, exercising repentance and returning to the only Creator and God, the Maker of the universe, may obtain salvation.” (Against Heresies, 1.31.3) Rule of Faith, an early creed (Against Heresies, 1.10.1)

“Suppose there arise a dispute relative to some important question among us, should we not have recourse to the most ancient Churches with which the apostles held constant intercourse, and learn from them what is certain and clear in regard to the present question? For how should it be if the apostles themselves had not left us writings? Would it not be necessary, [in that case,] to follow the course of the tradition which they handed down to those to whom they did commit the Churches?” (Against Heresies, Book 3)

“There is shown forth One God, the Father . . . above whom there is no other God, and after whom there is no other God . . . By the Word He created the things that were made . . . rightly and fittingly the Word is the Son . . . The Spirit gives order and form to the diversity of the powers . . . rightly and fittingly the Spirit [is called] the Wisdom of God.” (Demonstration of the Apostolic Teaching, Book 5)

“We cast blame upon Him, because we have not been made gods from the beginning, but at first merely men, then at length gods; although God has adopted this course out of His pure benevolence.” (Against Heresies, 4.38.4)

John 10:33-36 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NIV Reference to Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John as the only 4 gospels (Against Heresies 3.11.7-8)