Landmarks in the History of Early ChristianityLake, Kirsopp
History
Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity
Lake, Kirsopp
Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
Now he has kept my orders, and has added good work in the
vineyard, and greatly pleased me. So in reward for this work which he
has done I wish to make him joint-heir with my son, because, when he
had a good thought he did not put it on one side, but carried {113} it
out. The son of the master agreed with this plan, that the servant
should be joint-heir with the son. After a few days he made a feast
and sent to him much food from the feast. But the servant took the
food which was sent to him by the master, kept what was sufficient for
himself, and distributed the rest to his fellow-servants. And his
fellow-servants were glad when they received the food, and began to
pray for him, that he might find greater favour with his master,
because he had treated them thus. His master heard of all these
doings, and again rejoiced greatly at his conduct. The master again
assembled his friends and his son, and reported to them what he had
done with the food which he had received, and they were still more
pleased that the servant should be made joint-heir with his son."
A little later on the angel explains this passage. There is first a
confused discussion as to the work of the Son, and it is not easy to be
sure whether the reference is to the Holy Spirit or to Jesus, but
finally the following clear statement is given: "The Holy Spirit which
is pre-existent, which created all creation, did God make to dwell in
the flesh which he willed. Therefore this flesh, in which the Holy
Spirit dwelled, served the Spirit well, walking in holiness and purity,
and did not in any way defile the spirit. When, therefore, it had
lived nobly and purely, and had laboured with the Spirit, and worked
with it in every deed, behaving with power and bravery, he chose it as
companion with the Holy Spirit; for the conduct {114} of this flesh
pleased him, because it was not defiled while it was bearing the Holy
Spirit on earth. Therefore he took the Son[10] and the glorious angels
as counsellors, that this flesh also, having served the Spirit
blamelessly, should have some place of sojourn, and not seem to have
lost the reward of its service. For all flesh in which the Holy Spirit
has dwelt shall receive the reward if it be found undefiled and
spotless. You have the explanation of this parable also."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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