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.
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Think not that I came to destroy the law of the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
Think not that I came to destroy the law of the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
But the law came, that the transgression might abound; but where sin did abound, there did grace superabound:
But the law came, that the transgression might abound; but where sin did abound, there did grace superabound:
being manifest that you are the letter of Christ, having been ministered by us, having been written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.
being manifest that you are the letter of Christ, having been ministered by us, having been written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh. But we have such confidence through Christ towards God,
But we have such confidence through Christ towards God, not that we are able of ourselves to think anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
not that we are able of ourselves to think anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also rendered us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit creates life.
who also rendered us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit creates life. But if the ministry of death, having been written in letters of stone, was in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look upon the face of Moses on account of the glory of his countenance; which was destined to be done away:
But if the ministry of death, having been written in letters of stone, was in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look upon the face of Moses on account of the glory of his countenance; which was destined to be done away: how will not the ministry of the spirit be more in glory?
how will not the ministry of the spirit be more in glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, how much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, how much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed that which was glorious, has ceased to be glorious in this respect on account of the transcendent glory.
For indeed that which was glorious, has ceased to be glorious in this respect on account of the transcendent glory. For if that which was to be done away was through glory, much more is that which abides in glory.
For if that which was to be done away was through glory, much more is that which abides in glory. Then having such hope, we use great boldness,
Then having such hope, we use great boldness, and not as Moses put the veil on his face, in order that the sons of Israel might not look forward to the end of that which was transitory.
and not as Moses put the veil on his face, in order that the sons of Israel might not look forward to the end of that which was transitory. But their minds were darkened. For until this day the same veil remains in the reading of the old covenant, remains, not lifted; because it is done away in Christ;
But their minds were darkened. For until this day the same veil remains in the reading of the old covenant, remains, not lifted; because it is done away in Christ; but until this day when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart:
but until this day when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart: but when they may turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
but when they may turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. But the Lord is a Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
But the Lord is a Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
But we all, with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
But the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, That in thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed.
But the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, That in thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed. Therefore those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Therefore those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For so many as are of works of law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who does not abide in all things which have been written in the book of the law, to do the same.
For so many as are of works of law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who does not abide in all things which have been written in the book of the law, to do the same. But that no one is justified by law in the sight of God, is evident: because, The just shall live by faith:
But that no one is justified by law in the sight of God, is evident: because, The just shall live by faith: though the law is not of faith; but the one having done these things shall live in them.
though the law is not of faith; but the one having done these things shall live in them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: because it has been written; Cursed is every one having been hung on the wood:
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: because it has been written; Cursed is every one having been hung on the wood: in order that the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus may come to the Gentiles; in order that we may receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
in order that the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus may come to the Gentiles; in order that we may receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak according to a man, nevertheless no one disannuls, or adds to, the covenant of a man which has been confirmed.
Brethren, I speak according to a man, nevertheless no one disannuls, or adds to, the covenant of a man which has been confirmed. But the promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed. He does not say, And unto seeds, as of many; but as of one; And thy seed, which is Christ.
But the promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed. He does not say, And unto seeds, as of many; but as of one; And thy seed, which is Christ. And I say this; The law which was given after four hundred and thirty years, does not disannul the covenant which had been before confirmed of God, so as to make the promise of none effect.
And I say this; The law which was given after four hundred and thirty years, does not disannul the covenant which had been before confirmed of God, so as to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance were by law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham through the promise.
For if the inheritance were by law, it is no more by promise: but God gave it to Abraham through the promise. Then what is the law? It was added on account of the transgressions, until the seed to whom the promise was made should come; being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Then what is the law? It was added on account of the transgressions, until the seed to whom the promise was made should come; being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. A mediator is not of one; but God is one.
A mediator is not of one; but God is one. Then was the law against the promises of God? it could not be so. For if the law was given being able to create life, truly justification would have been by law:
Then was the law against the promises of God? it could not be so. For if the law was given being able to create life, truly justification would have been by law: but the scripture has shut up all things unto sin, in order that the promise through faith of Jesus Christ may be given to those who believe.
but the scripture has shut up all things unto sin, in order that the promise through faith of Jesus Christ may be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under law, being shut up to the faith about to be revealed.
But before faith came, we were kept under law, being shut up to the faith about to be revealed. Therefore the law became our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, in order that we may be justified by faith;
Therefore the law became our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, in order that we may be justified by faith; but faith having come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster.
If then indeed he was on the earth, he would not be a priest, there being those offering gifts according to law,
If then indeed he was on the earth, he would not be a priest, there being those offering gifts according to law, whosoever serve the pattern and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses about to complete the tabernacle was commanded: for, he says, See that you shall make all things after the pattern which was shown to you in the mount:
whosoever serve the pattern and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses about to complete the tabernacle was commanded: for, he says, See that you shall make all things after the pattern which was shown to you in the mount: but now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, insomuch that he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been founded on better promises.
but now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, insomuch that he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been founded on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for the second.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he says, Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, and I will perfect upon the house of Israel and upon the house of Judah, a new covenant:
For finding fault with them, he says, Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, and I will perfect upon the house of Israel and upon the house of Judah, a new covenant: not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they abode not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, says the Lord.
not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they abode not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, says the Lord. Because this is my covenant which I will establish with the house of Israel after these days, says the Lord; having given my laws in their mind, I will also write them on their heart; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be unto me a people.
Because this is my covenant which I will establish with the house of Israel after these days, says the Lord; having given my laws in their mind, I will also write them on their heart; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be unto me a people. And they shall no longer teach each one his neighbor, each one his brother, saying, Know ye the Lord: because all shall know me, from their small even unto the great.
And they shall no longer teach each one his neighbor, each one his brother, saying, Know ye the Lord: because all shall know me, from their small even unto the great. Because I will be merciful unto their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
Because I will be merciful unto their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. In that he calls it new, he has made the first one old; but that which is old and antiquated is nigh unto vanishing.
In that he calls it new, he has made the first one old; but that which is old and antiquated is nigh unto vanishing.
For the law having the shadow of good things to come, not the real image of the things, annually with the same sacrifices which they offer continually, is by no means able to make perfect those coming to it:
For the law having the shadow of good things to come, not the real image of the things, annually with the same sacrifices which they offer continually, is by no means able to make perfect those coming to it: since in that case would they not have ceased being offered, because the worshipers having once been purified would have had no more conscience of sins?
since in that case would they not have ceased being offered, because the worshipers having once been purified would have had no more conscience of sins? But in the same sacrifices there is a remembrance of sins annually;
But in the same sacrifices there is a remembrance of sins annually; for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Therefore, coming into the world, he says; Sacrifice an offering thou willest not, but thou hast perfected for me a body:
Therefore, coming into the world, he says; Sacrifice an offering thou willest not, but thou hast perfected for me a body: whole burnt offerings and offerings for sins thou wast not pleased with:
whole burnt offerings and offerings for sins thou wast not pleased with: then I said, Lo, I come in the volume of the Book it has been written of me to do thy will, O God.
then I said, Lo, I come in the volume of the Book it has been written of me to do thy will, O God. Saying above, that Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin thou didst not will, neither wast well pleased with; whatsoever are offered according to law;
Saying above, that Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin thou didst not will, neither wast well pleased with; whatsoever are offered according to law; then he has said, Lo, I come to do thy will. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second;
then he has said, Lo, I come to do thy will. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second; by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And the Holy Ghost truly does witness to us: for afterward he said,
And the Holy Ghost truly does witness to us: for afterward he said, This is the covenant that I will make unto them after these days, says the Lord; having given my laws on their hearts, and I will also write them in their mind;
This is the covenant that I will make unto them after these days, says the Lord; having given my laws on their hearts, and I will also write them in their mind; and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more.
and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more. But where there is removal of these, there is no more offering for sin.
But where there is removal of these, 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
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she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins.
And Jesus was going round all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every malady among the people.
Think not that I came to destroy the law of the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not murder; and whosoever may murder shall be in danger of the judgment;
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not murder; and whosoever may murder shall be in danger of the judgment;
You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Again you have heard that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not swear falsely, but shall perform unto the Lord thine oaths.
You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.
You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.
You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.
Therefore ye shall be perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Therefore you shall know them perfectly by their fruits. Not every one saying to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in the heavens.
And it came to pass when Jesus finished these discourses, the multitudes were astonished at His teaching:
And Jesus was going around all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and ailment.
The queen of the south will rise in judgment with this generation, and condemn it: because she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold a greater than Solomon is here.
The Son of man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who do iniquity,
And I say to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
But if he may not hear them, tell the church: and if indeed he may not hear the church, let him be to thee as a heathen and publican.
They say to Him, Then why did Moses command to give a book of divorcement, and to send her away?
saying, Teacher, Moses said, If any man may die, not having children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
And the Pharisees being assembled, Jesus asked them,
After that John was cast into prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
for the Son of man came to seek and to save that which is lost.
That was the true light, which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
You worship, you know not what: we worship that which we know: because salvation is of the Jews.
Then Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world: the one following me can not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of the life.
Whether art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom do you make yourself?
I give unto a new commandment, That you must love one another with divine love; as I have loved you with divine love, that you must also love one another with divine love:
I give unto a new commandment, That you must love one another with divine love; as I have loved you with divine love, that you must also love one another with divine love:
Jesus says to Him, Am I so long time with you, and hast thou not known me, Philip? The one having seen me hath seen the Father: how do you say, Show us the Father?
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch is not able to produce fruit of itself, unless it may abide in the vine; so you are not able, unless you may abide in me.
In this my Father is glorified, that you may bear much fruit; and ye shall be my disciples.
This is my commandment, that you may love one another, as I loved you.
This is my commandment, that you may love one another, as I loved you.
I command these things unto you, that you must love one another with divine love.
Then let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God hath made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
And Peter said to them, Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
and you slew the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, whose witnesses we are.
but believers were the more added to the Lord, a multitude both of men and women,
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And the faithful ones who were of the circumcision, so many as came along with Peter, were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles also;
And of them there were certain Cyprian and Cyrenean men, who, having come into Antioch, were speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus.
And it happened unto them, a whole year indeed they assembled in the church, and taught a great multitude: and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Then let it be known unto you, men brethren, that through this one remission of sins is preached:
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.
indeed he did not leave himself without witnesses, doing good, giving to you the rains from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
And he arrived into Derbe and Lystra. And, behold, a certain disciple was there, by name Timothy, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, and a Greek father,
and leading them out said, Sirs, what does it behoove me to do in order that I may be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou and thy household shall be saved.
And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Athenian men, I perceive that in all things you are very religious.
that they should seek God, if perhaps indeed they might feel after him, and find him, though not being far from each one of you. For in him we live and move and have our being, as indeed certain ones of your own poets have said, For we are truly his offspring.
for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are seen, being known by the things which are made, even His eternal power and divinity; so that they are without excuse: because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were they thankful; but they became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened.
who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience witnessing, and their thoughts accusing or indeed excusing with one another,
And God commends his love to us, because, we being yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For if being enemies we are reconciled to God through the death of his Son; how much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved through his life:
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and members one of another.
Owe no man anything, but to love one another with divine love: for the one loving another with divine love has fulfilled the law.
Divine love works no evil to its neighbor: for divine love is the fulfilling of the law.
Because God is the one, having said; Out of the darkness the light shall shine, which shone in our hearts, to the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
as that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their transgressions to them, even having placed in us the word of reconciliation.
as that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their transgressions to them, even having placed in us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore the law became our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, in order that we may be justified by faith;
For the whole law has been fulfilled in one word, in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor with divine love as thyself.
in whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of transgressions, according to the riches of his grace,
and has subordinated all things beneath his feet, and given him to be head over all things to the church,
but speaking the truth in divine love, let its grow up in him in all things, who is the head, Christ;
because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is also the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.
in order that he might present to himself the glorious church, having not spot or wrinkle or any of such things; but that she might be holy and blameless.
Think the same thing among yourselves, which is also in Christ Jesus:
but when the goodness and philanthropy of God our Saviour appeared,
looking unto Jesus the beginner and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was placed before him, endured the cross, looking with contempt at the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of the 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,
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Then indeed having received his word they were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added unto them;
And many of those hearing the word believed, and the number of men was about five thousand.
And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied exceedingly in Jerusalem, and a great multitude of the priests were obedient unto the faith.
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there was a great persecution in that day against the church in Jerusalem: and all were dispersed abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, having come to the high priest,
and immediately he was preaching Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
But at this time king Herod reached forth his hands to persecute some of those from the church.