Anf-03 v.iv.vi.viii Pg 27
Joel ii. 28, 29, applied by St. Peter, Acts ii. 17, 18.
Since, then, the Creator promised the gift of His Spirit in the latter days; and since Christ has in these last days appeared as the dispenser of spiritual gifts (as the apostle says, “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son;”5554 5554
Anf-03 v.viii.lxiii Pg 9
Joel ii. 28, 29; Acts ii. 17, 18. [See last sentence. He improves upon St. Peter’s interpretation of this text (as see below) by attributing his own clear views to the charismata, which he regards as still vouchsafed to the more spiritual.]
has checked these impostures of unbelief and perverseness, reanimated men’s faltering faith in the resurrection of the flesh, and cleared from all obscurity and equivocation the ancient Scriptures (of both God’s Testaments7762 7762 We follow Oehler’s view here, by all means.
) by the clear light of their (sacred) words and meanings. Now, since it was “needful that there should be heresies, in order that they which are approved might be made manifest;”7763 7763
Anf-03 vi.vi.ii Pg 6
Joel ii. 28, 29. [The quotation here is a note of Montanistic prepossessions in the writer.]
And thus we—who both acknowledge and reverence, even as we do the prophecies, modern visions as equally promised to us, and consider the other powers of the Holy Spirit as an agency of the Church for which also He was sent, administering all gifts in all, even as the Lord distributed to every one8976 8976 [Routh notes this as undoubted evidence of a Montanistic author. Reliquiæ, Vol. I. p. 455.]
as well needfully collect them in writing, as commemorate them in reading to God’s glory; that so no weakness or despondency of faith may suppose that the divine grace abode only among the ancients, whether in respect of the condescension that raised up martyrs, or that gave revelations; since God always carries into effect what He has promised, for a testimony to unbelievers, to believers for a benefit. And we therefore, what we have heard and handled, declare also to you, brethren and little children, that as well you who were concerned in these matters may be reminded of them again to the glory of the Lord, as that you who know them by report may have communion with the blessed martyrs, and through them with the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honour, for ever and ever.8977 8977 [St. Augustine takes pains to remind us that these Acta are not canonical. De Anima, cap. 2, opp. Tom. x. p. 481.]
Amen.
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 2
VERSE (29) - 1Co 12:13 Ga 3:28 Col 3:11
