First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

that they had again made molten images. And he threw the tablets out of his hands, and the tablets of the testament of the Lord were broken. So Moses received it, but they proved themselves unworthy. Now learn how we have received it. Moses received it as a servant, but the Lord himself who suffered on our behalf has given it to us so that we should be the people of inheritance. He was revealed in order that they might be completely occupied with their sins, and that we, being established as heirs through Him, might receive the testament of the Lord Jesus who was prepared for this purpose. Namely, by His personal appearance, He came redeeming our hearts from darkness since they were already wasted by death and given over to the sin of error so that He might enter into a covenant with us by His word. For it is written how the Father commanded Him to prepare a holy people for Himself in order to redeem us from darkness. The Prophet therefore declares, I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon and from the prison those who sit in darkness. (Isa 42:6–7)