Pasion por Cristo Madrid

[1] . . . But he was present among them, and so he put [the facts down in his Gospel.]

[2] The third book of the Gospel [is that] according to Luke. [3] Luke, "the" physician, [4] after the ascension of Christ, [5] when Paul had taken him with him as a companion of his traveling, [6] [and after he had made] an investigation, wrote in his own name — [7] but neither did he see the Lord in the flesh — [8] and thus, as he was able to investigate, [9] so he also begins to tell the story [starting] from the nativity of John.

[10] The fourth [book] of the Gospels is that of John [one] of the disciples. [11] When his fellow-disciples and bishops urged [him], he said: [12] "Fast together with me today for three days [13] and, what shall be revealed to each, let us tell [it] to each other." [14] On that same night it was revealed to Andrew, [one] of the Apostles, that, with all of them reviewing [it], John should describe all things in his own name.

[15] And so, although different beginnings might be taught in the separate books of the Gospels, [16] nevertheless it makes no difference to the faith of believers, [17] since all things in all [of them] are declared by the one sovereign Spirit — [18] concering [His] nativity, concering [His] passion, concerning [His] resurrection, concerning [His] walk with His disciples, [19] and concerning His double advent: the first in humility when He was despised, which has been; the second in royal power, glorious, which is to be.

[20] What marvel, therefore, if John so constantly brings forward particular [matters] also in his Epistles, saying of himself: [21] "What we have seen with our eyes and have heard with [our] ears and our hands have handled, these things we have written to you." [22] For thus he declares that he was not only an eyewitness and hearer, but also a writer of all the wonderful things of the Lord in order.

[23] The Acts of all the Apostles, however, were written in one volume. [24] Luke described briefly "for" most excellent Theophilus particular [things], which happened in his presence, [25] as he also evidently relates the death of Peter (?) [26] and also Paul's departure from the city as he was proceeding to Spain.

[27] The Epistles of Paul themselves, however, show to those, who wish to know, which [they are], from what place, and for what cause they were sent. [28] First of all he wrote to the Corinthians, admonishing against schism of heresy; [29] thereupon to the Galatians [admonishing against] circumcision; [30] to the Romans, however, [he wrote] rather lengthily pointing out with a series of Scripture quotations that Christ is their main theme also (?).

[31] But it is necessary that we have a discussion singly concerning these, [32] since the blessed Apostle Paul himself, imitating the example of his predecessor, John, wrote to seven churches only by name [and] in this order: [33] The first [Epistle] to the Corinthians, the second to the Ephesians, the third to the Philippians, the fourth to the Colossians, the fifth to the Galatians, the sixth to the Thessalonians, and the seventh to the Romans.

[34] But, although he wrote twice to the Corinthians and to the Thessalonians, for reproof (?), [35] nevertheless [it is evident that] one Church is made known to be diffused throughout the whole globe of the earth. [36] For John also, though he wrote in the Apocalypse to seven churches, nevertheless he speaks to them all.

[37] But he [wrote] one [letter] to Philemon and one to Titus, but two to Timothy for the sake of affection and love. [38] In honor of the General Church, however, they have been sanctified by an ordination of the ecclesiastical discipline.

[39] There is extant also [an epistle] to the Laodiceans, and another to the Alexandrians, forged in the name of Paul according to the heresy of Marcion. [40] There are also many others which cannot be received in the General Church, for gall cannot be mixed with honey.

[41] The Epistle of Jude indeed and the two with the superscription "Of John," are accepted in the General [Church] — [42] so also the Wisdom of Solomon written by friends in his honor. [43] We accept only the Apocalypses of John and of Peter, although some of us do not want it to be read in the Church.

[44] But Hermas composed The Shepherd quite recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother, Pius, the bishop, occupied the [episcopal] seat of the city of Rome. [45] And therefore, it should indeed be read, but it cannot be published for the people in the Church, [46] neither among the Prophets, since their number is complete, [47] nor among the Apostles for it is after their time (?).