Chapter XLII.—The Order of Ministers in the
Church.
The apostles have preached the gospel to us
from
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the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus
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Christ [has done so] from God. Christ
therefore was sent forth by God,
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and the
apostles by Christ. Both these appointments,
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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
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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,
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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 con
cerning bishops and deacons. For thus
saith the Scripture in a certain place, “I will appoint their
bishops
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in righteousness,
and their deacons
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in
faith.”
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Or, “by the
command of.”
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A. “the
Christ,” I. “Christ.”
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I. omits.
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Literally, “both
things were done.”
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Or, “confirmed
by.”
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Or, “having
tested them in spirit.”
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Or,
“overseers.”
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Or,
“servants.”
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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.”