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Against Heresies
4.
If, however, they maintain that the Lord, too, performed such works simply in appearance, we shall refer them to the prophetical writings, and prove from these both that all things were thus 1 predicted regarding Him, and did take place undoubtedly, and that He is the only Son of God. Wherefore, also, those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles], so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained 2 among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of the gifts which the Church, [scattered] throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which she exerts day by day for the benefit of the Gentiles, neither practising deception upon any, nor taking any reward 3 from them [on account of such miraculous interpositions]. For as she has received freely 4 from God, freely also does she minister [to others].
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That is, as being done in reality, and not in appearance. ↩
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Harvey here notes: "The reader will not fail to remark this highly interesting testimony, that the divine charismata bestowed upon the infant Church were not wholly extinct in the days of Irenaeus. Possibly the venerable Father is speaking from his own personal recollection of some who had been raised from the dead, and had continued for a time living witnesses of the efficacy of Christian faith." [See cap. xxxi., supra.] ↩
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Comp. Acts viii. 9, 18. ↩
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Matt. x. 8. ↩
Translation
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Gegen die Häresien (BKV)
4.
Wenn sie aber sagen, daß auch der Herr nur zum Schein dergleichen getan habe, so werden wir sie auf die Prophezeiungen verweisen und aus ihnen dartun, dass alles so über ihn vorausgesagt und sicher geschehen ist, und daß er allein der Sohn Gottes ist. In seinem Namen wirken deshalb seine wahren Schüler, die von ihm die Gnade empfangen haben, Wunder an den übrigen Menschen, wie ein jeder von ihm die Gnade empfangen hat. Die einen treiben wahrhaft und bestimmt Geister aus, so daß oftmals die ihnen glauben, die von den bösen Geistern befreit sind, und in die Kirche eintreten. Die andern schauen in die Zukunft, haben Gesichte und weissagen. Wieder andere legen den Kranken die Hände auf und machen sie gesund. Ja sogar Tote sind auferstanden, wie wir bereits gesagt haben, und lebten unter uns noch etliche Jahre. Doch wer vermöchte alle die Gnaden aufzuzählen, welche die Kirche auf der ganzen Welt von Gott empfängt und zum Heile der Völker im Namen Jesu Christi, des unter Pontius Pilatus gekreuzigten, Tag für Tag ausspendet. Und keinen verführt sie oder nimmt ihm sein Geld ab. Denn was sie umsonst von Gott empfangen hat, teilt sie umsonst auch aus.