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
Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
But the law was introduced, that the offence might be more abundant. But where sin had abounded, there hath grace abounded more exceedingly:
But the law was introduced, that the offence might be more abundant. But where sin had abounded, there hath grace abounded more exceedingly:
because ye are manifestly seen to be the letter of Christ, of which we have been the secretaries, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart.
because ye are manifestly seen to be the letter of Christ, of which we have been the secretaries, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart. And such confidence have we through Christ towards God:
And such confidence have we through Christ towards God: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. Who hath made us also able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Who hath made us also able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. For if the ministry of death in letters graven on stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed upon the countenance of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, though [soon] evanescent;
For if the ministry of death in letters graven on stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed upon the countenance of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, though [soon] evanescent; how much more will not the ministry of the Spirit be attended with glory?
how much more will not the ministry of the Spirit be attended with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness excel in glory.
For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness excel in glory. For that which was glorious hath no glory, comparatively, because of the glory which excelleth.
For that which was glorious hath no glory, comparatively, because of the glory which excelleth. For if that which was abolished came in a glorious manner, much more is that which remaineth glorious.
For if that which was abolished came in a glorious manner, much more is that which remaineth glorious. Having therefore such a hope, we use much freedom of speech.
Having therefore such a hope, we use much freedom of speech. And [act] not as Moses who spread a veil over his face, in order that the children of Israel might not look stedfastly to the end of that which should be abolished.
And [act] not as Moses who spread a veil over his face, in order that the children of Israel might not look stedfastly to the end of that which should be abolished. But their understandings were darkened: for unto this day the same veil in their reading the old testament abideth unremoved; which veil is taken away by Christ.
But their understandings were darkened: for unto this day the same veil in their reading the old testament abideth unremoved; which veil is taken away by Christ. For unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is spread over their hearts.
For unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is spread over their hearts. Nevertheless, when Israel shall turn unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
Nevertheless, when Israel shall turn unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And we all with face unveiled, beholding the glory of the Lord [reflected] as in a mirror, according to the same image, receive a transformation from glory into glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.
And we all with face unveiled, beholding the glory of the Lord [reflected] as in a mirror, according to the same image, receive a transformation from glory into glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.
And the scripture foreseeing that by faith God would justify the Gentiles, preached the gospel before unto Abraham, saying, that "In thee shall all the nations be blessed."
And the scripture foreseeing that by faith God would justify the Gentiles, preached the gospel before unto Abraham, saying, that "In thee shall all the nations be blessed." Wherefore they who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Wherefore they who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law, are under a curse: for it is written, "Cursed is every one who continueth not in all the things written in the book of the law to do them."
For as many as are of the works of the law, are under a curse: for it is written, "Cursed is every one who continueth not in all the things written in the book of the law to do them." But that by the law no man is justified before God is evident: because "The just by faith shall live."
But that by the law no man is justified before God is evident: because "The just by faith shall live." Now the law is not by faith: but "The man that doeth these things shall live by them."
Now the law is not by faith: but "The man that doeth these things shall live by them." Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, "Cursed is every one who is hanged on a tree:"
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, "Cursed is every one who is hanged on a tree:" that unto the Gentiles the benediction pronounced on Abraham might come by Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
that unto the Gentiles the benediction pronounced on Abraham might come by Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit by faith. Brethren, I speak humanly; to use a similitude, a man's testament, if it be passed in legal form, no man can vacate, or add thereunto.
Brethren, I speak humanly; to use a similitude, a man's testament, if it be passed in legal form, no man can vacate, or add thereunto. But to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, To seeds, as unto many persons; but as to an individual, and to thy seed, which is Christ.
But to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, To seeds, as unto many persons; but as to an individual, and to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say, the covenant confirmed of God to Christ, the law, which was given three hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, so as to vacate the promise.
Now this I say, the covenant confirmed of God to Christ, the law, which was given three hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, so as to vacate the promise. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more by promise; but to Abraham God gave it freely by promise.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more by promise; but to Abraham God gave it freely by promise. To what end then was the law given? It was given on account of transgressions, until that seed should come to whom the promise was made, being delivered through the ministry of angels into the hand of a mediator.
To what end then was the law given? It was given on account of transgressions, until that seed should come to whom the promise was made, being delivered through the ministry of angels into the hand of a mediator. But the mediator of the one [seed] he is not, though God is one.
But the mediator of the one [seed] he is not, though God is one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which was capable of procuring life, verily righteousness would have been by the law.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which was capable of procuring life, verily righteousness would have been by the law. But the scripture hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
But the scripture hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before the faith came, we were in ward under the law, shut up together for the faith that should be revealed.
But before the faith came, we were in ward under the law, shut up together for the faith that should be revealed. Wherefore the law was our conductor, as of children, to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Wherefore the law was our conductor, as of children, to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But when faith was come, we were no longer under a paedagogue.
For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, there being priests who offer gifts according to the law;
For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, there being priests who offer gifts according to the law; who perform the service after the figure and shadow of things in the heavens, as Moses was divinely instructed, when he was about to finish the tabernacle. "For see," saith God, "that thou make all things according to the model shewed thee on the mount."
who perform the service after the figure and shadow of things in the heavens, as Moses was divinely instructed, when he was about to finish the tabernacle. "For see," saith God, "that thou make all things according to the model shewed thee on the mount." But now hath Christ obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been established on better promises.
But now hath Christ obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second. For finding fault with them, he saith, "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord; and I will accomplish for the house of Israel and for the house of Judah a new covenant:
For finding fault with them, he saith, "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord; and I will accomplish for the house of Israel and for the house of Judah a new covenant: not according to that covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I laid hold upon their hand to lead them up out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I took no longer care of them, saith the Lord.
not according to that covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I laid hold upon their hand to lead them up out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I took no longer care of them, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their understanding, even on their hearts will I inscribe them: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their understanding, even on their hearts will I inscribe them: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall no more teach every man his neighbour, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the mean man of them unto the great among them.
And they shall no more teach every man his neighbour, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the mean man of them unto the great among them. For I will be placable to their unrighteousnesses and their sins, and their iniquities I will never more remember."
For I will be placable to their unrighteousnesses and their sins, and their iniquities I will never more remember." In calling it a new covenant, he hath made the first antiquated. Now what is antiquated and grown aged, is near evanescence.
In calling it a new covenant, he hath made the first antiquated. Now what is antiquated and grown aged, is near evanescence.
NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach [God];
NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach [God]; else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience.
else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience. But in these [sacrifices] there is a commemoration of sins every year.
But in these [sacrifices] there is a commemoration of sins every year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin.
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin. Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not chosen, but thou hast exactly fashioned a body for me:
Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not chosen, but thou hast exactly fashioned a body for me: thou hast had no delight in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin:
thou hast had no delight in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin: then I said, Here am I; (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I come to do thy will, O God."
then I said, Here am I; (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I come to do thy will, O God." Having said before that sacrifice, and oblation, and whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou hast not chosen, nor takest pleasure in, (which are offered according to the law,)
Having said before that sacrifice, and oblation, and whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou hast not chosen, nor takest pleasure in, (which are offered according to the law,) he then added, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He abolishes the first that he may establish the second.
he then added, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He abolishes the first that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.
By the which will we are sanctified through the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.
Now the Holy Ghost also beareth this testimony to us: for after declaring before,
Now the Holy Ghost also beareth this testimony to us: for after declaring before, "This is the testament which I will appoint to them after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their hearts, even on their minds will I inscribe them;"
"This is the testament which I will appoint to them after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their hearts, even on their minds will I inscribe them;" [he adds,] "and their sins and their iniquities I will in no wise remember any more."
[he adds,] "and their sins and their iniquities I will in no wise remember any more." Now where there is remission of these, no more offering for sin [is needed].
Now where there is remission of these, no more offering for sin [is needed].
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
And 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 healing every disease and every malady among the people.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
Ye have heard that it was said to the men of antient times, "Thou shalt do no murder;" and whosoever shall commit murder, shall be liable to the judgment:
Ye have heard that it was said to the men of antient times, "Thou shalt do no murder;" and whosoever shall commit murder, shall be liable to the judgment:
Ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt not commit adultery:"
Ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt not commit adultery:"
Again ye have heard that it was said to those of old, "Thou shalt not perjure thyself, but shalt perform to the Lord thine oaths:"
Ye have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth:"
Ye have heard that it hath been said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy."
Ye have heard that it hath been said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy."
Ye have heard that it hath been said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy."
Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Well then! by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one who saith to me, Lord, Lord! shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
And it was so, that when Jesus had concluded all these sayings, the multitudes were exceedingly struck with his teaching:
And Jesus took a circuit through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease, and every malady among the people.
The queen of the South shall rise up in judgment against the men of this generation, and condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
The Son of man shall send out his angels, and shall gather together out of his kingdom all things offensive, and those who practise iniquity;
And I tell thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
But if he disregard them, inform the church: and if he disregard the church, let him be to thee as a heathen, or a publican.
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give her a bill of divorce, and to put her away?
saying, Master, Moses said, "If a man die having no children, his brother in right of affinity shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother."
The Pharisees being then assembled, Jesus put a question to them,
But after John was delivered up, 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.
He was that true Light, which illumines every man by his coming into the world.
Ye worship ye know not what: we worship what we do know: for salvation cometh from the Jews.
Then said Jesus unto them, Verily, verily, I tell you, It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the real bread from heaven.
Then spake Jesus again to 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, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus saith to him, Am I all this while with you, and hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou, Shew us the Father?
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine: so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye should bring forth much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, just as I have loved you.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, just as I have loved you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him Lord and Messiah, even that very Jesus whom ye crucified.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you into the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
but ye slew the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead: of which we are witnesses.
But believers on the Lord were abundantly added to them, multitudes, both of men and women.)
And Philip said, If thou believest with the whole heart, it is allowable. Then he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they arrived at Antioch, spake to the Grecian proselytes, preaching the Lord Jesus.
and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast multitude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians.
Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man remission of sin is proclaimed to you:
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up, and maliciously prejudiced the spirits of the Gentiles against the brethren.
Although indeed he left not himself untestified of, doing us good, giving us from heaven showers, and fruitful seasons, replenishing our hearts with food and gladness.
THEN he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold! a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman, who believed; but his father was a Greek:
and having first brought them out, said, Sirs! what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house.
Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Ye men of Athens, I observe that in all things ye are too much devoted to the worship of daemons.
that they should seek the Lord, if indeed they might haply grope him out, and find him, though truly he is not far from any individual of us: for from him we derive life, and power of motion, and existence; as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are even his offspring."
For from the creation of the world his invisible perfections, discoverable in the works that are made, are clearly seen, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are inexcusable: because though they knew [there was] a God, they glorified him not as God, nor gave him thanks, but became triflers in their disputations, and their stupid heart was darkened.
which exhibit the practice of the law written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing its testimony, and their mutual reasonings at intervals bringing accusations or forming excuses;)
But God commendeth his own love towards us, that, though we were yet sinners, Christ died in our stead.
For if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one reciprocally members of each other.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Love doeth no ill to a neighbour; the fulfilment therefore of the law is love.
For the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, he hath shined into our hearts, to give illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.
namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Wherefore the law was our conductor, as of children, to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
but when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
and hath put all things under his feet, and hath appointed him head over all to the church,
that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that rooted and grounded in love,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ:
For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and is himself the saviour of the body.
that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having blemish, nor wrinkle, nor any such things; but that it may be holy and unblameable.
Let the same sentiment of mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
But even then the kindness and love of God our Saviour to man shone forth,
earnestly looking up to Jesus the author and the finisher of faith; who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And he bore me away in spirit unto a great and exceeding high mountain, and shewed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down 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
They therefore who gladly received his discourse were baptised: and there were added to them that day about three thousand souls.
But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And the word of God increased: and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied greatly; and a vast body of the priests were obedient to the faith.
BUT Saul was delighted with his execution. Now on that very day commenced a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and all, besides the apostles, were dispersed through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
BUT Saul, still breathing out threatenings and murder against the disciples of the Lord, applying to the high-priest,
And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church.
And they, when they heard it, glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed; and they are all zealots for the law: