Chapter XLII.—The order of ministers...

Chapter XLII.—The order of ministers in the Church.

The apostles have preached the Gospel to us from ¹⁷⁸ the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ [has done so] from ¹⁷⁹ God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, ¹⁸⁰ 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 established ¹⁸¹ 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, ¹⁸² 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 bishops ¹⁸³ in righteousness, and their deacons ¹⁸⁴ in faith.” ¹⁸⁵

Footnotes

16:178

Or, “by the command of.”

16:179

Or, “by the command of.”

16:180

Literally, “both things were done.”

16:181

Or, “confirmed by.”

16:182

Or, “having tested them in spirit.”

16:183

Or, “overseers.”

16:184

Or, “servants.”

16:185

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.”