Irenaeus — Against Heresies III.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 , handed down to us in the Scriptures , to be the ground and pillar of our faith . For it is unlawful to assert that they preached before they possessed perfect knowledge , as some do even venture to say, boasting themselves as improvers of the apostles . For, after our Lord rose from the dead, [the apostles ] were invested with power from on high when the Holy Spirit came down [upon them], were filled from all [His gifts], and had perfect knowledge : they departed to the ends of the earth, preaching the glad tidings of the good things [sent] from God to us, and proclaiming the peace of heaven to men , who indeed do all equally and individually possess the Gospel of God . Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome , and laying the foundations of the Church . After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter. Luke also, the companion of Paul , recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him. Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.

2. These have all declared to us that there is one God , Creator of heaven and earth, announced by the law and the prophets ; and one Christ the Son of God . If any one do not agree to these truths, he despises the companions of the Lord; nay more, he despises Christ Himself the Lord; yea, he despises the Father also, and stands self-condemned, resisting and opposing his own salvation , as is the case with all heretics .