Reference: Christianity
Fausets
(See JESUS CHRIST.) The law and Mosaic system, though distinct from the gospel, yet clearly contemplates the new dispensation as that for which itself was the preparation. The original promise to Abraham, "in thee ... and thy seed ... shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Ge 12:3; 22:16), still awaited its fulfillment, and the law came in as the parenthesis between the promise of grace and its fulfillment in Christ the promised "seed." Ro 5:20; "the law entered (as a parenthesis, incidentally, Greek) that the offense might abound." Ga 3:8-25; "the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith; but after that, faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
Jacob's prophecy contemplated the theocratic scepter passing from Judah, when Shiloh should come as the gatherer of the peoples to Himself (Ge 49:10). Many psalms (as Psalm 2; Psalm 72; Psalm 22; Psalm 67) and all the prophets (compare Isaiah 2; Isaiah 53) look forward to the Messiah as about to introduce a new and worldwide dispensation. Nay, even Moses himself (De 18:15, etc.) announces the coming of another Lawgiver like him, about to promulgate God's new law; for to be like Moses He must be a lawgiver, and to be so He must have a new law, a fuller development of God's will, than Moses' law, its germ. Psalm 110 declared that His priesthood should be one "forever, after the order of Melchizeded" (the king of righteousness and king of peace), to which the Levitical priesthood did homage in the person of Abraham their ancestor, paying tithes to Melchizedek (compare Hebrew 6-7).
The law was the type; the gospel was the antitype (Heb 10:1-10). Christ came not to destroy it (i.e. its essence) but to fulfill (complete) it (Mt 5:17). The letter gives place to the spirit which realizes the end of the letter (2Co 3:3-18). As also Jeremiah foretells (Jer 31:31-34; compare Heb 8:4-13; 10:15-18). If Christianity had not been of God, it could never have prevailed, without human might or learning, to supersede the system of the mightiest and most civilized nations (1 Corinthians 1-2). Its miracles, its fulfillment of all prophecy, and its complete adaptation to meet man's deep spiritual needs, pardon, peace, holiness, life, immortality for soul and body, are the only reasonable account to be given of its success.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee. And in thee shall be blessed all the generations of the earth."
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee. And in thee shall be blessed all the generations of the earth."
saying, "By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing and hast not spared thy only son,
saying, "By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing and hast not spared thy only son,
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a ruler from between his legs, until Shiloh come, unto whom the people shall hearken.
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a ruler from between his legs, until Shiloh come, unto whom the people shall hearken.
The LORD thy God will stir up a Prophet among you: even of thy brethren, like unto me, and unto him ye shall hearken
The LORD thy God will stir up a Prophet among you: even of thy brethren, like unto me, and unto him ye shall hearken
Behold, the days come, sayeth the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Behold, the days come, sayeth the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not after the covenant that I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand, and led them out of the land of Egypt: which covenant they brake, wherefore I punished them sore, sayeth the LORD:
not after the covenant that I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand, and led them out of the land of Egypt: which covenant they brake, wherefore I punished them sore, sayeth the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, sayeth the LORD: I will plant my law in the inward parts of them, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, sayeth the LORD: I will plant my law in the inward parts of them, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And from thenceforth shall no man teach his neighbour or his brother, and say, 'Know the LORD.' But they shall all know me, from the lowest unto the highest, sayeth the LORD. For I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their sins anymore.
And from thenceforth shall no man teach his neighbour or his brother, and say, 'Know the LORD.' But they shall all know me, from the lowest unto the highest, sayeth the LORD. For I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their sins anymore.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the Prophets: No, I am not come to destroy them but to fulfill them.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the Prophets: No, I am not come to destroy them but to fulfill them.
But the law, in the meantime, entered in that sin should increase. Neverthelater, where abundance of sin was, there was more plenteousness of grace.
But the law, in the meantime, entered in that sin should increase. Neverthelater, where abundance of sin was, there was more plenteousness of grace.
in that ye are known, how that ye are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us and written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.
in that ye are known, how that ye are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us and written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Such trust have we through Christ to Godward:
Such trust have we through Christ to Godward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as it were of ourselves; but our ableness cometh of God;
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as it were of ourselves; but our ableness cometh of God; which hath made us able to minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
which hath made us able to minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. If the ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance - which glory nevertheless is done away -
If the ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance - which glory nevertheless is done away - why shall not the ministration of the spirit be much more glorious?
why shall not the ministration of the spirit be much more glorious? For if the ministering of condemnation be glorious: much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For if the ministering of condemnation be glorious: much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory.
For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory. Then if that which is destroyed was glorious, much more shall that which remaineth be glorious.
Then if that which is destroyed was glorious, much more shall that which remaineth be glorious. Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness;
Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness; and do not as Moses - which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel should not see for what purpose that served, which is put away.
and do not as Moses - which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel should not see for what purpose that served, which is put away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same covering, untaken away, in the old testament when they read it - which in Christ is put away:
But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same covering, untaken away, in the old testament when they read it - which in Christ is put away: But even unto this day, when Moses is read the veil hangeth before their hearts.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read the veil hangeth before their hearts. Nevertheless when they turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
Nevertheless when they turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. The Lord no doubt is a spirit. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
The Lord no doubt is a spirit. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all behold the glory of the Lord with his face open, and we are changed unto the same similitude, from glory to glory, even of the spirit of the Lord.
But we all behold the glory of the Lord with his face open, and we are changed unto the same similitude, from glory to glory, even of the spirit of the Lord.
For the scripture saw aforehand, that God would justify the heathen through faith, and therefore showed beforehand glad tidings unto Abraham: "In thee shall all nations be blessed."
For the scripture saw aforehand, that God would justify the heathen through faith, and therefore showed beforehand glad tidings unto Abraham: "In thee shall all nations be blessed." So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are under the deeds of the law, are under malediction. For it is written, "Cursed is every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to fulfil them."
For as many as are under the deeds of the law, are under malediction. For it is written, "Cursed is every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to fulfil them." That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident. For the just shall live by faith.
That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident. For the just shall live by faith. The law is not of faith: but the man that fulfilleth the things contained in the law, shall live in them.
The law is not of faith: but the man that fulfilleth the things contained in the law, shall live in them. But Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made accursed for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone that hangeth on tree" -
But Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made accursed for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone that hangeth on tree" - that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ, and that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith.
that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ, and that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith. Brethren, I will speak after the manner of men. Though it be but a man's testament, yet no man despiseth it, or addeth anything thereto when it is once allowed.
Brethren, I will speak after the manner of men. Though it be but a man's testament, yet no man despiseth it, or addeth anything thereto when it is once allowed. To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "in the seeds," as in many: But, "in thy seed," as in one, which is Christ.
To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "in the seeds," as in many: But, "in thy seed," as in one, which is Christ. This I say, that the law which began afterward, beyond four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul the testament, that was confirmed afore of God unto Christ ward, to make the promise of none effect.
This I say, that the law which began afterward, beyond four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul the testament, that was confirmed afore of God unto Christ ward, to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance come of the law, it cometh not of promise: but God gave it unto Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance come of the law, it cometh not of promise: but God gave it unto Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? The law was added because of transgression - till the seed came, to which the promise was made - and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Wherefore then serveth the law? The law was added because of transgression - till the seed came, to which the promise was made - and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. A mediator is not a mediator of one. But God is one.
A mediator is not a mediator of one. But God is one. Is the law, then, against the promise of God? God forbid. Howbeit, if there had been a law given which could have given life: then no doubt righteousness should have come by the law.
Is the law, then, against the promise of God? God forbid. Howbeit, if there had been a law given which could have given life: then no doubt righteousness should have come by the law. But the scripture concluded all things under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ should be given unto them that believe.
But the scripture concluded all things under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ should be given unto them that believe. Before that faith came, we were kept and shut up under the law, unto the faith which should afterward be declared.
Before that faith came, we were kept and shut up under the law, unto the faith which should afterward be declared. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto the time of Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto the time of Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith. But after that faith is come, now are we no longer under a schoolmaster.
For he were not a priest, if he were on the earth where are priests that according to the law offer gifts,
For he were not a priest, if he were on the earth where are priests that according to the law offer gifts, which priests serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things: even as the answer of God was given unto Moses when he was about to finish the tabernacle: "For take heed," said he, "that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount."
which priests serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things: even as the answer of God was given unto Moses when he was about to finish the tabernacle: "For take heed," said he, "that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." Now hath he obtained a more excellent office, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better testament, which was made for better promises.
Now hath he obtained a more excellent office, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better testament, which was made for better promises. For if that first testament had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
For if that first testament had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For in rebuking them he saith, "Behold the days will come, saith the Lord, and I will finish upon the house of Israel, and upon the house of Judah, a new testament;
For in rebuking them he saith, "Behold the days will come, saith the Lord, and I will finish upon the house of Israel, and upon the house of Judah, a new testament; not like the testament that I made with their fathers at that time, when I took them by the hands, to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they continued not in my testament, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
not like the testament that I made with their fathers at that time, when I took them by the hands, to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they continued not in my testament, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the testament that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds, and in their hearts, I will write them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
For this is the testament that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds, and in their hearts, I will write them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'know the Lord': For they shall know me, from the least to the most of them.
And they shall not teach, every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'know the Lord': For they shall know me, from the least to the most of them. For I will be merciful over their unrighteousness, and on their sins and on their iniquities."
For I will be merciful over their unrighteousness, and on their sins and on their iniquities." In that he saith a new testament, he hath abrogated the old. Now that which is disannulled and waxed old, is ready to vanish away.
In that he saith a new testament, he hath abrogated the old. Now that which is disannulled and waxed old, is ready to vanish away.
For the law - which hath but the shadow of good things to come, and not the things in their own fashion - can never with the sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
For the law - which hath but the shadow of good things to come, and not the things in their own fashion - can never with the sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For would not then those sacrifices have ceased to have been offered? Because that the offerers, once purged, should have had no more consciences of sins.
For would not then those sacrifices have ceased to have been offered? Because that the offerers, once purged, should have had no more consciences of sins. Nevertheless, in those sacrifices is there mention made of sins every year.
Nevertheless, in those sacrifices is there mention made of sins every year. For it is impossible that the blood of oxen, and of goats should take away sins.
For it is impossible that the blood of oxen, and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not have: but a body hast thou ordained me.
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not have: but a body hast thou ordained me. In sacrifices and sin offerings thou hast no lust.
In sacrifices and sin offerings thou hast no lust. Then I said, 'Lo I come.' In the chiefest of the book it is written of me, that I should do thy will, o God."
Then I said, 'Lo I come.' In the chiefest of the book it is written of me, that I should do thy will, o God." Above when he had said, "sacrifice, and offering, and burnt sacrifices, and sin offerings thou wouldest not have, neither hast allowed" - which yet are offered by the law -
Above when he had said, "sacrifice, and offering, and burnt sacrifices, and sin offerings thou wouldest not have, neither hast allowed" - which yet are offered by the law - And then he said, "Lo I am come to do thy will o God." He taketh away the first to establish the latter.
And then he said, "Lo I am come to do thy will o God." He taketh away the first to establish the latter. By the which will we are sanctified, by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
By the which will we are sanctified, by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And the holy ghost also beareth us record of this, even when he told before, "This is the testament that I will make unto them after those days saith the Lord. And I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,
"This is the testament that I will make unto them after those days saith the Lord. And I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." And where remission of these things is, there is no more offering for sin.
And where remission of these things is, there is no more offering for sin.
Hastings
When the name 'Christian' (see preceding art.) had come to be the specific designation of a follower of Jesus Christ, it was inevitable that the word 'Christianity' should sooner or later be used to denote the faith which Christians profess. The word does not occur in the NT, however, and first makes its appearance in the letters of Ignatius early in the 2nd century. But for 1800 years it has been the regular term for the religion which claims Jesus Christ as its founder, and recognizes in His Person and work the sum and substance of its beliefs.
Christianity presents itself to us under two aspects
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then I said, "O woe is me! For I am lost: inasmuch as I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell among people that hath unclean lips also. For mine eyes have seen the King and LORD of Hosts."
She shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus: For he shall save his people from their sins."
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healed all manner of sickness and all manner diseases among the people.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the Prophets: No, I am not come to destroy them but to fulfill them.
"Ye have heard how it was said unto them of the old time, 'Thou shalt not kill; for whosoever killeth shall be in danger of judgment:'
"Ye have heard how it was said unto them of the old time, 'Thou shalt not kill; for whosoever killeth shall be in danger of judgment:'
"Ye have heard how it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery:'
"Ye have heard how it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery:'
"Again, ye have heard how it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform thine oath to God':
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.'
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.'
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.'
Ye shall therefore be perfect even as your father which is in heaven is perfect.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. "Not all they that say unto me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter in to the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth my father's will which is in heaven.
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
And Jesus went about all cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom, and healing all manner sickness and disease among the people.
The queen of the south shall rise at the day of judgment with this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the world, to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that do offend, and all them which do iniquity,
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter. And upon this rock, I will build my congregation: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
If he hear not them, tell it unto the congregation: if he hear not the congregation, take him as a heathen man, and as a publican.
Then said they to him, "Why did Moses command to give unto her a testimonial of divorcement, and to put her away?"
saying, "Master, Moses bade, if a man die having no children, that the brother marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
After that John was taken, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
For the son of man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost."
That was a true light, which lighteneth all men that come into the world.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship. For salvation cometh of the Jews.
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you bread from heaven: but my father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness: but shall have the light of life."
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead: Whom makest thou thyself?"
A new commandment give I unto you: that ye love together: as I have loved you, that even so ye love one another.
A new commandment give I unto you: that ye love together: as I have loved you, that even so ye love one another.
Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you: and yet hast thou not known me? Philip, he that hath seen me, hath seen the father. And how sayest thou then, Show us the father?
Abide in me, and let me abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be made my disciples.
This is my commandment: that ye love together as I have loved you.
This is my commandment: that ye love together as I have loved you.
This command I you, that ye love together.
So therefore let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, Lord and Christ."
Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptised every one of of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.
and killed the Lord of life whom God hath raised from death, of the which we are witnesses:
The number of them that believed in the Lord, both of men and women, grew more and more
Philip said unto him, "If thou believe with all thine heart, thou mayest." He answered, and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God."
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the gentiles also was shed out the gift of the holy ghost.
Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come into Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, and preached the Lord Jesus.
and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it chanced that a whole year they had their conversation with the congregation there, and taught much people insomuch that the disciples of Antioch were the first that were called Christian.
Be it known unto you therefore, ye men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins;
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and unquieted the minds of the gentiles against the brethren.
Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, in that he showed his benefits, in giving us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
Then came he to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, a woman's son which was a Jewess and believed: but his father was a Greek.
and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy household."
Paul stood in the midst of Mars Street and said, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
That they should seek God, if they might feel and find him: though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, move, and have our being, as certain of your own poets said. For we are also his generation.
So that his invisible things, that is to say, his eternal power and godhead, are understood and seen by the works from the creation of the world. So that they are without excuse, inasmuch as when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful: but waxed full of vanities in their imaginations. And their foolish hearts were blinded.
which show the deed of the law written in their hearts: While their conscience beareth witness unto them, and also their thoughts, accusing one another, or excusing,
But God setteth out his love that he hath to us; Seeing that while we were yet sinners; Christ died for us.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son: much more, seeing we are reconciled, we shall be preserved by his life.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ - and every man, among ourselves, one another's members.
Owe nothing to any man: but to love one another. For he that loveth another, fulfilleth the law.
Love hurteth not his neighbor: Therefore is love the fulfilling of the law.
For it is God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which hath shined in our hearts, for to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For God was in Christ, and made agreement between the world and himself, and imputed not their sins unto them: and hath committed to us the preaching of the atonement.
For God was in Christ, and made agreement between the world and himself, and imputed not their sins unto them: and hath committed to us the preaching of the atonement.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto the time of Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith.
But when the time was full come, God sent his son - born of a woman, and made bond unto the law - to redeem them which were under the law: that we through election might receive the inheritance that belongeth unto the natural sons.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which is this, "Thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself."
By whom we have redemption through his blood, that is to say, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,
And hath put all things under his feet, and hath made him above all things, the head of the congregation:
that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
But let us follow the truth in love, and in all things grow in him which is the head, that is to say Christ,
For the husband is the wife's head, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, and the same is the saviour of the body.
to make it unto himself a glorious congregation without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blame.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus:
But after that the kindness and love of our saviour God to man ward appeared,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, which for the joy that was set before him, abode the cross, and despised the shame, and is set down on the righthand of the throne of God.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and a high mountain, and he showed me the great city, holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Watsons
CHRISTIANITY, the religion of Christians. By Christianity is here meant, not that religious system as it may be understood and set forth in any particular society calling itself Christian; but as it is contained in the sacred books acknowledged by all these societies, or churches, and which contained the only authorized rule of faith and practice.
2. The lofty profession which Christianity makes as a religion, and the promises it holds forth to mankind, entitle it to the most serious consideration of all. For it may in truth be said, that no other religion presents itself under aspects so sublime, or such as are calculated to awaken desires and hopes so enlarged and magnificent. It not only professes to be from God, but to have been taught to men by the Son of God incarnate in our nature, the Second Person in the adorable trinity of divine Persons, "the same in substance, equal in power and glory." It declares that this divine personage is the appointed Redeemer of mankind from sin, death, and misery; that he was announced as such to our first parents upon their lapse from the innocence and blessedness of their primeval state; that he was exhibited to the faith and hope of the patriarchs in express promises; and, by the institution of sacrifices, as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, so that man might be reconciled to God through Him, and restored to his forfeited inheritance of eternal life. It represents all former dispensations of true religion, all revelations of God's will, and all promises of grace from God to man, as emanating from the anticipated sacrifice and sacerdotal intercession of its Author, and as all preparatory to the introduction of his perfect religion; and that as to the great political movements among the nations of antiquity, the rise and fall of empires were all either remotely or proximately connected with the designs of his advent among men. It professes to have completed the former revelations of God's will and purposes; to have accomplished ancient prophecies; fulfilled ancient types; and taken up the glory of the Mosaic religion into its own "glory that excelleth;" and to contain within itself a perfect system of faith, morals, and acceptable worship. It not only exhibits so effectual a sacrifice for sin, that remission of all offences against God flows from its merits to all who heartily confide in it; but it proclaims itself to be a remedy for all the moral disorders of our fallen nature; it casts out every vice, implants every virtue, and restores man to "the image of God in which he was created," even to "righteousness and true holiness."
3. Its promises both to individuals and to society are of the largest kind. It represents its Founder as now exercising the office of the High Priest of the human race before God, and as having sat down at his right hand, a mediatorial and reconciling government being committed to him, until he shall come to judge all nations, and distribute the rewards of eternity to his followers, and inflict its never-terminating punishments upon those who reject him. By virtue of this constitution of things, it promises pardon to the guilty, of every age and country, who seek it in penitence and prayer, comfort to the afflicted and troubled, victory over the fear of death, a happy intermediate state to the disembodied spirit, and finally the resurrection of the body from the dead, and honour and immortality to be conferred upon the whole man glorified in the immediate presence of God. It holds out the loftiest hopes also to the world at large. It promises to introduce harmony among families and nations, to terminate all wars and all oppressions, and ultimately to fill the world with truth, order, and purity. It represents the present and past state of society, as in contest with its own principles of justice, mercy, and truth; but teaches the final triumph of the latter over every thing contrary to itself. It exhibits the ambition, the policy, and the restlessness of statesmen and warriors, as but the overruled instruments by which it is working out its own purposes of wisdom and benevolence; and it not only defies the proudest array of human power, but professes to subordinate it by a secret and irresistible working to its own designs. Finally, it exhibits itself as enlarging its plans, and completing its designs, by moral suasion, the evidence of its truth, and the secret divine influence which accompanies it. Such are the professions and promises of Christianity, a religion which enters into no compromise with other systems; which represents itself as the only religion now in the world having God for its author; and in his name, and by the hope of his mercy, and the terrors of his frown, it commands the obedience of faith to all people to whom it is published upon the solemn sanction, "He that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned."
4. Corresponding with these professions, which throw every other religion that pretends to offer hope to man into utter insignificance, it is allowed that the evidence of its truth ought to be adequate to sustain the weight of so vast a fabric, and that men have a right to know that they are not deluded with a grand and impressive theory, but are receiving from this professed system of truth and salvation "the true sayings of God." Such evidence it has afforded in its splendid train of MIRACLES; in its numerous appeals to the fulfilment of ancient PROPHECIES; in its own powerful INTERNAL evidence; in the INFLUENCE which it has always exercised, and continues to exert, upon the happiness of mankind; and in various collateral circumstances. Under the heads of Miracles and Prophecy, those important branches of evidence will be discussed, and to them the reader is referred. It is only necessary here to say, that the miracles to which Christianity appeals as proofs of its divine authority, are not only those which were wrought by Christ and his Apostles, but also those which took place among the patriarchs, under the law of Moses, and by the ministry of the Prophets; for the religion of those ancient times was but Christianity in its antecedent revelations. All these miracles, therefore, must be taken collectively, and present attestations of the loftiest kind, as being manifestly the work of the "finger of God," wrought under circumstances which precluded mistake, and exhibiting an immense variety, from the staying of the very wheels of the planetary system,
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then they that gladly received his preaching were baptised; And the same day, there were added unto them about a three thousand souls.
Howbeit, many of them, which heard the words, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. And a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Saul had pleasure in his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Jewry and Samaria, except the apostles.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God.
In that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the congregation.
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, "Thou seest brother, how many thousand Jews there are which believe, and they are all zealous over the law.