I call upon You, Lord, God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob and Israel, You who are the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God who, through the abundance of your mercy, was well-pleased towards us so that we may know You, who made heaven and earth, who rules over all, You who are the one and the true God, above whom there is no other God; You who, by our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, give to every one who reads this writing to know You, that You alone are God, to be strengthened in You, and to avoid every heretical and godless and impious teaching.

St Irenaeus of Lyons, Against the Heresies 3:6:4


Friday, August 8, 2014

St. Peter's Pentecost Sermon-Chiasm


Chiastic Structure of St. Peter’s Pentecost Sermon – Chi = Resurrection (Acts 2:23—36)

A
[This Jesus]...ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
B  
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death...
C
For David speaketh...Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you...
D
The patriarch David... and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
E
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing
F
That God had sworn with an oath to him,
G
That of the fruit of his loins...he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
H
He seeing this before spake
I
Of the resurrection of Christ,
X
That his soul was not left in hell (i.e., Hades/Death),
X’
Neither his flesh did see corruption.
I’
This Jesus hath God raised up,
H’
Whereof we all are witnesses.
G’
Therefore being by the right hand of God
F’
Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,
E’
He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
D’
For David is not ascended into the heavens:
C’
But [David] saith himself...Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,
B’
That God hath made that same Jesus, both Lord and Christ.
A’
Whom ye have crucified.