The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 186

:

;

XXX. The

Apostolic Scriptures. "

And

I

think that

Spirit of

God."

also have the

I

—

i

Cor. vii. 40.

We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once an organism can be born only once the planting or founding of the Church could take place only once. However, this founding was not unprepared for. On the contrary, God has had a Church in the world from the beginning. That Church was even a 7£'^r/</-Church. But it went down in idolatry and only a small Church remained among an almost unknown people the Church in Israel. When this particular Church was to become again a world-Church, two things were required First, that the Church in Israel lay aside its national dress.Secondly, that in the midst of the heathen world the Church of Christ appear, so that the two might become manifest as the one ;

;

—

Christian Church.

By St.

these two things the apostolic labor

Paul the two are united.

divest the Church of Israel of

No

is

almost exhausted.

In

more zealously to and no one was more

apostle labored

its Jewish attire, abundant in the planting of new churches in all parts of the world. The apostolate had, however, a much more extensive and higher calling, not only for those days, but also for the Church of the ages. It was the task of the apostles for which they were ordained by giving to the churches fixed forms of government to determine their character and by the written documentation of the revelation of Christ Jesus to secure to them purity and perpetuity. This is evident from the character of their labors for they not :

;

:

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