Spirit abides; Japheth’s blessing; prophecy confirms salvation
But that believers may keep themselves so, the Holy Spirit must remain closely joined to them. Given by God in baptism, the Holy Spirit abides in the one who receives him so long as that one lives in truth and holiness, in righteousness and patience. (1 Cor 6:19; Eph 1:13-14) For it is also by the power of this Spirit that believers will rise, when the body is again united to the soul and enters the kingdom of God. (Rom 8:11)
Such, then, are the fruits of Japheth’s blessing, made visible through the Church — that is, the calling of the nations, who have waited patiently to enter the house of Shem according to God’s promise. (Gen 9:27)
By the prophets’ voice the Spirit of God announced beforehand that all this would be so, in order to strengthen faith in those who worship God in truth. For what is utterly impossible to our nature — and for that reason might stir doubt among human beings — God had announced in advance through the prophets. Since the thing was proclaimed long ago and at last comes to pass just as it was foretold, we may conclude that God alone has revealed our salvation beforehand. (Isa 46:9-10; 1 Pet 1:10-12)
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About this text
Irenaeus’s short handbook of the apostolic preaching (Epideixis), preserved in Armenian. English here is a densified reading translation for study. Prior English exists (Robinson / Wilson) — this is not an Original English Translation.
English follows the Armenian of Patrologia Orientalis XII.5. Barthoulot’s French was used as a sense-check only. Robinson (1920) and Wilson’s prior English exist and were checked for independence — this page is densified English, not Original English Translation / no-previous-English.
Witnesses
- Copy-text PO XII.5 Epideixis (Armenian, Matenadaran M3710) (Armenian · §§1–10)
- Checked print Barthoulot French (PD) (French · §§1–10)
- Prior English Check Robinson 1920 / Wilson English (English · full work (prior complete English exists))
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.