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The Order of Ministers in the Church.

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xii.iv.xlii229 words

Chapter XLII.—The Order of Ministers in the Church.

The apostles have preached the gospel to us from4220 the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus4221 Christ [has done so] from God.  Christ therefore was sent forth by God,4222 and the apostles by Christ.  Both these appointments,4223 then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God.  Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established4224 in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand.  And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit,4225 to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe.  Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons.  For thus saith the Scripture in a certain place, “I will appoint their bishops4226 in righteousness, and their deacons4227 in faith.”4228

Footnotes

  1. 4220

    Or, “by the command of.”

  2. 4221

    A. “the Christ,” I. “Christ.”

  3. 4222

    I. omits.

  4. 4223

    Literally, “both things were done.”

  5. 4224

    Or, “confirmed by.”

  6. 4225

    Or, “having tested them in spirit.”

  7. 4226

    Or, “overseers.”

  8. 4227

    Or, “servants.”

  9. 4228

    Isa. lx. 17, Sept.; but the text is here altered by Clement.  The LXX. have, “I will give thy rulers in peace, and thy overseers in righteousness.”