Irenaeus of Lyons on Continuation of spiritual gifts
Yes, the gifts continue
"we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak in all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God."
THE POSITION
A direct, present-tense, first-person report: Irenaeus says he and others personally hear prophecy and tongues among contemporary believers, not just Scripture cited abstractly. One of the strongest patristic witnesses cited by continuationists for exactly this reason.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
5 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
Bishop of Lyons, author of Against Heresies. Argued against Gnosticism from the apostolic rule of faith, and framed salvation as Christ recapitulating human life.
Cite this page
"Irenaeus of Lyons on Continuation of spiritual gifts", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/irenaeus/spiritual-gifts (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/irenaeus/spiritual-gifts).