Searchearlychristianwritings.online Volume 5 - 4.5.12.2.0

Previous Vol 5 - 4.5.12.2.0 Next

Cyprian

Against the Jews - Book I

Heads.

That the Jews have fallen under the heavy wrath of God because they have forsaken the Lord, and have followed idols.

Also because they did not believe the prophets, and put them to death.

That it was previously foretold that they would neither know the Lord, nor understand, nor receive Him.

That the Jews would not understand the Holy Scriptures, but that they would be intelligible in the last times, after that Christ had come.

That the Jews could understand nothing of the Scriptures unless they first believed in Christ.

That the Jews should lose Jerusalem, and should leave the land which they had received.

Also that they should lose the Light of the Lord.

That the first circumcision of the flesh is made void, and the second circumcision of the spirit is promised instead.

That the former law which was given by Moses was to cease.

That a new law was to be given.

That another dispensation and a new covenant was to be given.

That the old baptism should cease, and a new one should begin.

That the old yoke should be made void, and a new yoke should be given.

That the old pastors should cease and new ones begin.

That Christ should be the house and temple of God, and that the old temple should cease, and the new one should begin.

That the ancient sacrifice should be made void, and a new one should be celebrated.

That the old priesthood should cease, and a new priest should come, who should be for ever.

That another Prophet such as Moses was promised, to wit, one who should give a new testament, and who rather ought to be heard.

That two peoples were foretold, the elder and the younger; that is, the old people of the Jews, and the new one which should consist of us.

That the Church which before had been barren should have more children from among the Gentiles than what the synagogue had had before.

That the Gentiles should rather believe in Christ.

That the Jews would lose while we should receive the bread and the cup of Christ and all His grace, and that the new name of Christians should be blessed in the earth.

That the Gentiles rather than the Jews attain to the kingdom of heaven.

That by this alone the Jews can receive pardon of their sins, if they wash away the blood of Christ slain, in His baptism, and, passing over into His Church, obey His precepts.