# The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching --------- by Irenaeus ## Metadata - Author: [[Irenaeus]] - Full Title: The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching --------- - Category: #articles ## Highlights added August 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM 98. This, beloved, is the preaching of the truth, and this is the manner of our redemption, and this is the way of life, which the prophets proclaimed, and Christ established, and the apostles delivered, and the Church in all the world hands on to her children. This must we keep with all certainty, with a sound will and pleasing to God, with good works and right-willed disposition. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3w5pma566xfmm9dpjke3jr2)) 55. He calls Him *Wonderful Counsellor,* meaning of the Father: whereby it is declared that the Father works all things together with Him; as is contained in the first book of Moses which is entitled Genesis: *And God said, Let us make man after our image and likeness.*[159](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#159) For there is seen in this place the Father speaking to the Son, the Wonderful Counsellor of the Father. Moreover He is also our Counsellor, giving advice; not compelling as God, even though He is *Mighty God,* (as) he says; but giving advice that we should forsake ignorance and acquire knowledge, and |119 depart from error and come to the truth, and put away corruption and receive incorruption. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3wd14dka59sb9wsvhxs4p79)) Now faith occasions this for us; even as the Elders, the disciples of the Apostles, have handed down to us. First of all it bids us bear in mind that we have received baptism for the remission of sins, in the name of God the Father, and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was incarnate and died and rose again, and in the Holy Spirit of God. And that this baptism is the seal of eternal life, and is the new birth unto God, that we should no longer be the sons of mortal men, but of the eternal and perpetual God; and that what is everlasting and continuing is made God;[11](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#11) and is over all things that are made, and all things are put under Him; |73 and all the things that are put under Him are made His own; for God is not ruler and Lord over the things of another, but over His own;[12](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#12) and all things are God's; and therefore God is Almighty, and all things are of God. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3bpn5mwtyf23md1sgcynqpr)) 7. And for this reason the baptism of our |76 regeneration proceeds through these three points: God the Father bestowing on us regeneration through His Son by the Holy Spirit. For as many as carry (in them) the Spirit of God are led to the Word, that is to the Son; and the Son brings them to the Father; and the Father causes them to possess incorruption. Without the Spirit it is not possible to behold the Word of God, nor without the Son can any draw near to the Father: for the knowledge of the Father is the Son, and the knowledge of the Son of God is through the Holy Spirit; and, according to the good pleasure of the Father, the Son ministers and dispenses the Spirit to whomsoever the Father wills and as He wills. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3bq10cq86k6sjt0nat7n2j0)) To them that believe He is as Father, for in the end of the times He opened up the covenant of adoption; ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3exb0g6xs65tf7m8sjbc1yj)) Now this world is encompassed by seven heavens,[26](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#26) in which dwell powers and angels and |78 archangels, doing service to God, the Almighty and Maker of all things: not as though He was in need, but that they may not be idle and unprofitable and ineffectual. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3exe23feqjxn7wyfm06hgdw)) But man He formed with His own hands ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3ffsnzdsa89t1v4zdx6akkz)) Moreover he was free and self-controlled, being made by God for this end, that he might rule all those things that were upon the earth. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3ffqd2ebmr2ddh7w5tfx596)) He secretly appointed him lord also of those who were servants in it. They however were in their perfection; but the lord, that is, man, was (but) small; for he was a child; and it was necessary that he should grow, and so come to (his) perfection. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3ffxsx18b2bh5an410xw1td)) He prepared him a place better than this world,[40](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#40) excelling in air, beauty, light, food, plants, |82 fruit, water, and all other necessaries of life: and its name is Paradise. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fg14v9mr67dq92yk2fqmka)) But man was a child, not yet having his understanding perfected; wherefore also he was easily led astray by the deceiver. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fg1r5bd78bhcaqtrxvvq5x)) for there was in them an innocent and childlike mind, and it was not possible for them to conceive and understand anything of that which by wickedness through lusts and shameful desires is born in the soul. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fg4mkjya4ens29ge28sh2d)) they were at that time entire, preserving their own nature; ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fg4vt6dk3aecp1ed7wx70b)) - Note: for I had never seen a man before a law was given to him by God, in order that he might perceive that he had as lord the Lord of all. And He set him certain limitations, so that, if he should keep the commandment of God, he should ever remain such as he was, that is to say, immortal; but, if he should not keep it, he should become mortal and be dissolved to earth from whence his formation had been taken. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fg890qnaewffkj0zm4fhsj)) man He put away from His presence, removing him and making him to dwell on the way to Paradise ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fgckxhtab4dbbejg3dfakc)) angels were united with the daughters of the race of mankind; and they bore to them sons who for their exceeding greatness were called giants. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3fgf89akv6b96jvz71pp3a0)) For He made man the |90 image of God; and the image of God is the Son, after whose image man was made: and for this cause He appeared in the end of the times that He might show the image (to be) like unto Himself. According to this covenant the race of man multiplied, springing up from the seed of the three. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3w78x54y0p6hvzzn6178a53)) He saved the children of Israel, revealing in a mystery the sufferings of Christ by the sacrifice of a lamb without spot, and giving its blood to be smeared on the houses of the Hebrews as a sure precaution. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3spywsrpb0ngs93ty31s36q)) *finger of God* [78](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#78) (now the finger of |94 God is that which is stretched forth from the Father in the Holy Spirit); ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3sq0ggtkvvaekptq5s9269q)) At that time God revealed to him the Name which alone is able to save them that believe thereon; and Moses changed the name of Oshea the son of Nun, one of them that were sent, and named him Jesus:[80](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#80) and so he |95 sent them forth with the power of the Name, believing that he should receive them back safe and sound through the guidance of the Name: which came to pass. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3sq5swjbkjqvzrkx4bwq9e7)) For so long as incorruption was invisible and unrevealed, it helped us not at all: therefore it became visible,[89](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#89) that in all respects we might participate in the reception of incorruption. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3sqeb8s3dyewsbnzg0yv7zt)) And the trespass which came by the tree was undone by the tree of obedience, when, hearkening unto God, the Son of man was nailed to the tree; thereby putting away the knowledge of evil and bringing in and establishing the knowledge of good: now evil it is to disobey God, even as hearkening unto God is good. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3sqj3gj36h4q7tk6d7tb8mr)) In like manner we also are justified by faith in God: for *the just shall live by faith.* Now *not by the law is the promise to Abraham, but by faith:* for Abraham was justified by faith: and *for a righteous man the law is not made.* In like manner we also are justified not by the law, but by faith, which is witnessed to in the law and in the prophets, whom the Word of God presents to us. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3sqp3nm1d7hdveh717exykj)) His disciples, the witnesses of all His good deeds, and of His teachings and His sufferings and death and resurrection, and of His ascension into heaven after His bodily [115](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#115) resurrection----these were the apostles, who after (receiving) the power of the Holy Spirit were sent forth by Him into all the world, and wrought the calling of the Gentiles, showing to mankind the way of life, to turn them from idols and fornication and covetousness, cleansing their souls and bodies by the baptism of water and of the Holy Spirit; which Holy Spirit they had received of the Lord, and they distributed and imparted It to them that believed; and thus they ordered and established the Churches. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3bptq8rs0988j6kpkm0x6s8)) For such is the state of those who have believed, since in them continually abides the Holy Spirit, who was given by Him in baptism, and is retained by the receiver, if he walks in truth and holiness and righteousness and patient endurance. For this soul has a resurrection in them that believe, the body receiving the soul again, and along with it, by the power of the Holy Spirit, being raised up and entering into the kingdom of God. This is the fruit of the blessing of Japheth, in the calling of the Gentiles, made manifest through the Church, standing in readiness [116](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#116) to receive its dwelling in the house of Shem according to the promise of God. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3bpyfxr3g4x6q6des6bafms)) through its having been foretold in times long before, and then at last finding |108 effect in this way, even as it was foretold, we might know that it was God who (thus) proclaimed to us beforehand our redemption. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3sr2hmd6rcz57t7e8ww35jw)) The oil of anointing is the Spirit, wherewith He has been anointed; and His fellows are prophets and righteous men and apostles, and all who receive the fellowship of His kingdom, that is to say, His disciples. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3vwhb56qs416jqpdbjbs7gk)) Forasmuch as David says: *The Lord said unto me,*[142](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#142) it is necessary to say that it is not David who speaks, nor any one of the prophets, in his own person: for it is not a man who speaks the prophecies; but the Spirit of God, assimilating and likening Himself to the persons represented, speaks in the prophets, and utters the words sometimes from Christ and sometimes from the Father. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3vwt35a3f05zzetda3txxj3)) before the child knoiveth good or evil, he rejecteth wickedness to choose the good. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3wbts3kt7xsmtgycxjwg086)) That the Son of God should be born, and in what way He was to be born, and that He should be shown to be Christ----from what has been said it is plain how this was made known beforehand by the prophets. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3vxfajycybj7rfd372par9j)) But because the Word descended invisible to created things, He was not made known in His descent to them. Because the Word was made flesh, He was visible in His ascension; ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3wa552npen9jm3d2s8q0yfs)) And there will be no command to remain idle for one day of rest, to him who perpetually keeps sabbath,[269](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#269) that is to |148 say, who in the temple of God, which is man's body, does service to God, and in every hour works righteousness. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3w4jkh1ve015sgcbng1w65z)) they fashion a Father of their own above our Creator, and imagine that they have found out for themselves something greater than the truth. For all these are impious and blasphemers against their Creator and against the Father, as we have shown in the *Exposure and Overthrow of Knowledge falsely so-called.* ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3w6137ev02x6mwarwd1e85c)) And others receive not the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and cast away from |151 themselves the prophetic grace, watered whereby man bears the fruit of life unto God: and these are they of whom Isaiah speaks: *For they shall be,* saith he, *as an oak that is stripped of leaves, and as a garden that hath no water.* ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3w62ppk3afcy5mmkqc0dr5k)) So then in respect of the three points[276](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/irenaeus_02_proof.htm#276) of our seal error has strayed widely from the truth. For either they reject the Father, or they accept not the Son and speak against the dispensation of His incarnation; or else they receive not the Spirit, that is, they reject prophecy. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01k3w64cn2tth4da9n3catdsjh))