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🎧 Against Heresies: Book IV
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Chapter 24: The Conversion of Non-Jews was More Challenging than Converting Jews; Hence, the Apostles Who Tackled the Former Task Experienced More Difficulty Than Those Who Focused on the Latter.

THEREFORE: since Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, he says, "I labored more than all of them." Teaching the Jews was an easier task because they could refer to proofs from the Scriptures, and those who were accustomed to hearing Moses and the prophets were also more willing to accept the First-begotten of the dead and the Prince of the life of God—He who, by stretching out His hands, defeated Amalek and revived humanity from the serpent's wound through faith in Him. As I mentioned in the previous book, the apostle first instructed the Gentiles to abandon the superstition of idols and to worship one God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Maker of the whole creation. He taught that His Son was His Word, through whom He created all things, and that in the last times, He became a man among men; that He reformed humanity, but destroyed and conquered humanity's enemy, granting His creation victory over the adversary. Although those who were of the circumcision did not obey God's words, for they were despisers, they had already been instructed not to commit adultery, fornication, theft, or fraud, and that anything done to harm our neighbors was evil and detested by God. Therefore, they readily agreed to abstain from these things because they had been taught this way.

BUT THEY WERE OBLIGATED TO TEACH THE GENTILES THAT WORKS OF THIS KIND WERE WICKED: harmful, useless, and destructive to those who participated in them. Therefore, the one who received the apostolate to the Gentiles labored more than those who preached the Son of God among the Jews. The Jews were supported by the Scriptures, which the Lord confirmed and fulfilled by coming as He had been announced. However, in the case of the Gentiles, there was a different kind of learning and a new doctrine to be accepted. They had to understand that the gods of the nations were not gods at all, but idols of demons, and that there is one God who is above all principalities, dominion, power, and every name that is named. His Word, naturally invisible, was made tangible and visible among people and descended to death, even the death of the cross. Those who believe in Him will be incorruptible, free from suffering, and will receive the kingdom of heaven. These things were preached to the Gentiles by word of mouth, without the aid of the Scriptures, which is why those who preached among the Gentiles faced greater challenges. On the other hand, the faith of the Gentiles is shown to be more noble, as they followed the word of God without the guidance derived from the sacred writings.

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