First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

Chapter 2: The Godhead

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the Righteous One for the unrighteous, the Incorruptible One for the corruptible, the Immortal One for they that are mortal. For what else was capable of covering our sins except His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified except by the only Son of God? O the sweet exchange! O His unsearchable handiwork! O the benefits surpassing all expectation! All of this so that the wickedness of many should be hidden in a single Righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many sinners! Having therefore convinced us in the former time that our nature was powerless to reach life and having now revealed the Savior who is powerful enough to save even those things that were impossible to save, because of both of these facts, He desired to lead us to trust in His goodness and to consider Him our Nurse, Father, Teacher, Counselor, Healer, our Wisdom, Light, Honor, Glory, Power, and Life, so that we should not be anxious concerning clothing and food. The Holy Spirit Speaks F irst C lement 22: Now the faith which is in Christ confirms all these things. For He Himself by the Holy Spirit speaks to us: Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. G od the H oly S pirit