Against Heresies, Book III

Book III

• Against Heresies III.1 — 1. We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God,…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.2 — The heretics follow neither Scripture nor tradition. 1. When, however, they are confuted from the Scriptures, they turn round and accuse these same Scriptures, as if they were not correct, nor of authority, and…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.3 — A refutation of the heretics, from the fact that, in the various Churches, a perpetual succession of bishops was kept up. 1. It is within the power of all, therefore, in every Church, who may wish to see the truth,…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.4 — 1. Since therefore we have such proofs, it is not necessary to seek the truth among others which it is easy to obtain from the Church; since the apostles, like a rich man [depositing his money] in a bank, lodged in…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.5 — 1. Since, therefore, the tradition from the apostles does thus exist in the Church, and is permanent among us, let us revert to the Scriptural proof furnished by those apostles who did also write the Gospel, in which…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.6 — The Holy Ghost, throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, made mention of no other God or Lord, save him who is the true God. 1. Therefore neither would the Lord, nor the Holy Spirit, nor the apostles, have ever named…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.7 — Reply to an objection founded on the words of St. Paul (2 Cor. iv. 4). St. Paul occasionally uses words not in their grammatical sequence. 1. As to their affirming that Paul said plainly in the Second [Epistle] to…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.8 — 1. This calumny, then, of these men, having been quashed, it is clearly proved that neither the prophets nor the apostles did ever name another God, or call [him] Lord, except the true and only God. Much more [would…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.9 — 1. This, therefore, having been clearly demonstrated here (and it shall yet be so still more clearly), that neither the prophets, nor the apostles, nor the Lord Christ in His own person, did acknowledge any other…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.10 — Proofs of the foregoing, drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke. 1. Luke also, the follower and disciple of the apostles, referring to Zacharias and Elisabeth, from whom, according to promise, John was born, says:…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.11 — Proofs in continuation, extracted from St. John’s Gospel. The Gospels are four in number, neither more nor less. Mystic reasons for this. 1. John, the disciple of the Lord, preaches this faith, and seeks, by the…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.12 — Doctrine of the rest of the apostles. 1. The Apostle Peter, therefore, after the resurrection of the Lord, and His assumption into the heavens, being desirous of filling up the number of the twelve apostles, and in…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.13 — Refutation of the opinion, that Paul was the only apostle who had knowledge of the truth. 1. With regard to those (the Marcionites) who allege that Paul alone knew the truth, and that to him the mystery was…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.14 — 1. But that this Luke was inseparable from Paul, and his fellow-labourer in the Gospel, he himself clearly evinces, not as a matter of boasting, but as bound to do so by the truth itself. For he says that when…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.15 — 1. But again, we allege the same against those who do not recognise Paul as an apostle: that they should either reject the other words of the Gospel which we have come to know through Luke alone, and not make use of…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.16 — Proofs from the apostolic writings, that Jesus Christ was one and the same, the only begotten Son of God, perfect God and perfect man. 1. But there are some who say that Jesus was merely a receptacle of Christ, upon…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.17 — The apostles teach that it was neither Christ nor the Saviour, but the Holy Spirit, who did descend upon Jesus. The reason for this descent. 1. It certainly was in the power of the apostles to declare that Christ…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.18 — 1. As it has been clearly demonstrated that the Word, who existed in the beginning with God, by whom all things were made, who was also always present with mankind, was in these last days, according to the time…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.19 — 1. But again, those who assert that He was simply a mere man, begotten by Joseph, remaining in the bondage of the old disobedience, are in a state of death having been not as yet joined to the Word of God the Father,…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.20 — 1. Long-suffering therefore was God, when man became a defaulter, as foreseeing that victory which should be granted to him through the Word. For, when strength was made perfect in weakness, it showed the kindness…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.21 — 1. God, then, was made man, and the Lord did Himself save us, giving us the token of the Virgin. But not as some allege, among those now presuming to expound the Scripture, [thus:] “Behold, a young woman shall…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.22 — Christ assumed actual flesh, conceived and born of the Virgin. 1. Those, therefore, who allege that He took nothing from the Virgin do greatly err, [since,] in order that they may cast away the inheritance of the…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.23 — 1. It was necessary, therefore, that the Lord, coming to the lost sheep, and making recapitulation of so comprehensive a dispensation, and seeking after His own handiwork, should save that very man who had been…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.24 — 1. Thus, then, have all these men been exposed, who bring in impious doctrines regarding our Maker and Framer, who also formed this world, and above whom there is no other God; and those have been overthrown by their…vatican.va
• Against Heresies III.25 — 1. God does, however, exercise a providence over all things, and therefore He also gives counsel; and when giving counsel, He is present with those who attend to moral discipline. It follows then of course, that the…vatican.va