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
Don't think that I am come to abolish the law or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to complete them.
Don't think that I am come to abolish the law or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to complete them.
the law was introduc'd, that the greatness of the fall might fully appear; but the more sin display'd its enormity, the divine favour was so much the more transcendent.
the law was introduc'd, that the greatness of the fall might fully appear; but the more sin display'd its enormity, the divine favour was so much the more transcendent.
which shows you to be the epistle of Christ, written by my ministration, not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on living tables of the heart.
which shows you to be the epistle of Christ, written by my ministration, not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on living tables of the heart. It is by Christ that I have this confidence in God.
It is by Christ that I have this confidence in God. not that I am sufficient of myself to effect any thing by the strength of my own reason: but my sufficiency is from God.
not that I am sufficient of myself to effect any thing by the strength of my own reason: but my sufficiency is from God. who also hath enabled me to be a minister of the new covenant, not of the literal sense, but of the spiritual meaning: it is the letter that denounces death, but the spirit gives life.
who also hath enabled me to be a minister of the new covenant, not of the literal sense, but of the spiritual meaning: it is the letter that denounces death, but the spirit gives life. now if the law engraven on stone, the letter of whose sanction is death, was delivered with such glory, that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, tho' it was transient;
now if the law engraven on stone, the letter of whose sanction is death, was delivered with such glory, that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, tho' it was transient; shall not the ministration of the spirit be more glorious?
shall not the ministration of the spirit be more glorious? for if the ministration of condemnation was illustrious, the ministration of righteousness will be much more glorious.
for if the ministration of condemnation was illustrious, the ministration of righteousness will be much more glorious. since that which distinguished the first had no glory, when compared to that of the other, which far excell'd it.
since that which distinguished the first had no glory, when compared to that of the other, which far excell'd it. if that which was only temporary was glorious, much more shall that which is permanent be glorious.
if that which was only temporary was glorious, much more shall that which is permanent be glorious. Having then such an opinion of my ministry, I use great plainness of speech.
Having then such an opinion of my ministry, I use great plainness of speech. and do not act as Moses did, who threw a veil over his face so as to hinder the children of Israel from perceiving the end of that which was to cease:
and do not act as Moses did, who threw a veil over his face so as to hinder the children of Israel from perceiving the end of that which was to cease: besides, their minds were greatly prejudiced: for that very veil would still have obstructed the understanding of the old testament, unless it had been taken away by Christ.
besides, their minds were greatly prejudiced: for that very veil would still have obstructed the understanding of the old testament, unless it had been taken away by Christ. nevertheless, when Moses is read, the veil upon their mind continues unto this day:
nevertheless, when Moses is read, the veil upon their mind continues unto this day: but when their mind shall turn to the Lord, that veil too shall be taken away.
but when their mind shall turn to the Lord, that veil too shall be taken away. for the spiritual meaning of the law centers in him, and the spirit of the law is gospel-liberty:
for the spiritual meaning of the law centers in him, and the spirit of the law is gospel-liberty: but as we lay aside the veil, the divine light gradually informs the mind, according as we attend to that spiritual sense, which points out the Lord.
but as we lay aside the veil, the divine light gradually informs the mind, according as we attend to that spiritual sense, which points out the Lord.
and the scripture insinuating, that God would justify the Gentiles thro' faith, gave Abraham an intimation of the gospel in these words, " in thee shall all nations be blessed."
and the scripture insinuating, that God would justify the Gentiles thro' faith, gave Abraham an intimation of the gospel in these words, " in thee shall all nations be blessed." so that it is they who believe, who are blessed with Abraham, who did believe.
so that it is they who believe, who are blessed with Abraham, who did believe. but they that rest themselves upon the works of the law, are obnoxious to the curse: for it is written, " cursed is every one, who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them:"
but they that rest themselves upon the works of the law, are obnoxious to the curse: for it is written, " cursed is every one, who continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them:" but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, " the just shall live by faith."
but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, " the just shall live by faith." now the law does not justify by FAITH, but says, "he that DOES these things shall live by them."
now the law does not justify by FAITH, but says, "he that DOES 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, that hangeth upon 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, that hangeth upon a tree.") that the blessing promised to Abraham might come on the Gentiles thro' Jesus Christ; that we by believing might receive the spirit that was promised.
that the blessing promised to Abraham might come on the Gentiles thro' Jesus Christ; that we by believing might receive the spirit that was promised. Brethren, I speak according to the practice of men; contracts between men, when once ratified, cannot be disannulled or altered afterwards by any man.
Brethren, I speak according to the practice of men; contracts between men, when once ratified, cannot be disannulled or altered afterwards by any man. now to Abraham and his offspring were the promises made. he does not say, "to offsprings," as if he spoke of many; but as speaking of one, "and to thy offspring," which means Christ.
now to Abraham and his offspring were the promises made. he does not say, "to offsprings," as if he spoke of many; but as speaking of one, "and to thy offspring," which means Christ. this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot.
this therefore I say, that the law, which was not till four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the promise, that was ratified before by God, so as to set the promise afoot. now if the right to the inheritance be from the law, it is no longer founded upon the promise; altho' God made a donation of it to Abraham by promise.
now if the right to the inheritance be from the law, it is no longer founded upon the promise; altho' God made a donation of it to Abraham by promise. "To what purpose then was the law?" it was added as a check to transgressors, till the offspring should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels with the intervention of a mediator.
"To what purpose then was the law?" it was added as a check to transgressors, till the offspring should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels with the intervention of a mediator. now a mediator supposes two parties, of which God is but one.
now a mediator supposes two parties, of which God is but one. Is the law then opposite to the promises? by no means. for if there had been a law given, which could have given life, certainly justification should have been by the law.
Is the law then opposite to the promises? by no means. for if there had been a law given, which could have given life, certainly justification should have been by the law. but the scripture has declar'd all guilty of sin, that the blessing promised on condition of faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
but the scripture has declar'd all guilty of sin, that the blessing promised on condition of faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. but before faith came, we were shut up together as prisoners under the custody of the law, 'till faith was to be revealed.
but before faith came, we were shut up together as prisoners under the custody of the law, 'till faith was to be revealed. so that the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
so that the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. but now faith being come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.
which office he could not discharge here upon earth, where priests are already establish'd, who offer gifts according to the law:
which office he could not discharge here upon earth, where priests are already establish'd, who offer gifts according to the law: and officiate in the sanctuary, which was a gross representation of that in heaven, agreeable to the order given by God to Moses, when he projected the tabernacle, "be very exact, said he, in following the model which was laid before thee in the mount."
and officiate in the sanctuary, which was a gross representation of that in heaven, agreeable to the order given by God to Moses, when he projected the tabernacle, "be very exact, said he, in following the model which was laid before thee in the mount." Our high priest then has obtained a priesthood so much the more excellent, as he is the mediator of a better alliance, established upon better promises.
Our high priest then has obtained a priesthood so much the more excellent, as he is the mediator of a better alliance, established upon better promises. for if the first alliance had been without defect, there could have been no occasion for the second.
for if the first alliance had been without defect, there could have been no occasion for the second. nor for that reproach, which was made to our fathers, where 'tis said, "behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new alliance with the house of Israel, and with the house of Juda:
nor for that reproach, which was made to our fathers, where 'tis said, "behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new alliance with the house of Israel, and with the house of Juda: not according to the alliance that I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they have not kept my alliance, wherefore I have rejected them, saith the Lord.
not according to the alliance that I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they have not kept my alliance, wherefore I have rejected them, saith the Lord. but this is the alliance that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
but this is the alliance that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: I will be their God, and they shall be my people. they shall no longer instruct every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
they shall no longer instruct every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. for I will pardon their iniquity, and their sins and their trangressions will I remember no more."
for I will pardon their iniquity, and their sins and their trangressions will I remember no more." now by stiling the second a new alliance, he has antiquated the first. but to be antiquated and obsolete is next to being abolished.
now by stiling the second a new alliance, he has antiquated the first. but to be antiquated and obsolete is next to being abolished.
For the law being only an allusion to a future dispensation that was more excellent, and not an exact imitation of such a state, cannot by the anniversary sacrifices, which are offered, entirely purify those that present themselves.
For the law being only an allusion to a future dispensation that was more excellent, and not an exact imitation of such a state, cannot by the anniversary sacrifices, which are offered, entirely purify those that present themselves. for then they would not have been repeated, because they who sacrificed being once purified, would not have been conscious of wanting any further atonement for their sins:
for then they would not have been repeated, because they who sacrificed being once purified, would not have been conscious of wanting any further atonement for their sins: whereas their annual sacrifices were accompanied with an anniversary commemoration of their sins.
whereas their annual sacrifices were accompanied with an anniversary commemoration of their sins. And indeed it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats, should take away the guilt of sin.
And indeed it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats, should take away the guilt of sin. wherefore at his appearing in publick, he saith, "sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
wherefore at his appearing in publick, he saith, "sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure:
in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure: then said I, lo I come, as in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God."
then said I, lo I come, as in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God." after having said, "victims, oblations, holocausts, and sacrifice for sin, thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein," tho' they are all prescrib'd by the law;
after having said, "victims, oblations, holocausts, and sacrifice for sin, thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein," tho' they are all prescrib'd by the law; he immediately adds, "lo, I come to do thy WILL, O God." he abolishes the first to establish the second:
he immediately adds, "lo, I come to do thy WILL, O God." he abolishes the first to establish the second: in consequence of which WILL we are sanctified by the oblation which Jesus Christ has made once for all of his own body.
in consequence of which WILL we are sanctified by the oblation which Jesus Christ has made once for all of his own body.
and this is what the holy spirit declares, when after having said,
and this is what the holy spirit declares, when after having said, "this is the alliance that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their mind will I write them:
"this is the alliance that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their mind will I write them: he adds, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
he adds, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." now where they are remitted, there is no need of any further oblation for sin.
now where they are remitted, there is no need of any further oblation 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
and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Thus went Jesus about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all sorts of diseases and infirmities among the people:
Don't think that I am come to abolish the law or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to complete them.
Ye have heard that it has been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill, shall be punish'd by the tribunal."
Ye have heard that it has been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill, shall be punish'd by the tribunal."
Ye have heard that it was said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery,"
Ye have heard that it was said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery,"
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said to the antients, "Thou shalt not for swear thy self, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths."
Ye have heard that it hath been said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."
You have heard that it hath been said, "you shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy:"
You have heard that it hath been said, "you shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy:"
You have heard that it hath been said, "you shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy:"
be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.
by their fruits then shall ye know them. Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but only they who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.
At length Jesus finished his discourse, and the people were fill'd with astonishment at his doctrine.
And Jesus went about all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing diseases and disorders of every kind.
the queen of the south shall rise up at the day of judgement against this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the remote parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now a greater than Solomon is here.
the son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that make others offend, and those who do iniquity;
and I tell thee likewise, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will hereafter build my church: and death shall not prevail against it.
if he does not relent, tell it to the church: but if he is not moved by the church, show him no more regard than you would to a pagan or a publican.
why then, said they, did Moses permit to give a writ of divorce to repudiate the wife?
master, said they, by the law of Moses, in case a man die without children, his brother is oblig'd to marry his wife, in order to perpetuate his brother's name.
While the Pharisees were still assembled, Jesus asked them,
But after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, spreading the good news of the kingdom of the Messiah.
for the son of man is come to seek, and to save that which was lost.
HE was the true Light who came into the world, to enlighten every man.
ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is from the Jews.
Jesus answer'd, I assure you, Moses did not give you the celestial bread; but my father gives you the true celestial bread.
Jesus then having reassumed his discourse, said to them, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? the prophets likewise are dead: pray, what do you then pretend to be?
a new commandment I give unto you, "that ye love one another; that you would have the same love for one another as I have had for you."
a new commandment I give unto you, "that ye love one another; that you would have the same love for one another as I have had for you."
Jesus said to him, have I been with you so long, and don't you know me yet? Philip, he that hath seen me, hath seen the father; why then do you say, shew us the father?
be attach'd to me, and I shall be so to you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it be attach'd to the vine: so neither can you, except you continue attach'd to me.
my father will be honour'd by your bearing much fruit, and you will have the honour of being my disciples.
this is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
this is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Above all I enjoin you, to love one another.
therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Peter replied, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy spirit.
but killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
did not venture to approach near them. the number of those who believed in the Lord, both men and women, increas'd more and more.
[and Philip said, if you believe with all your heart, you may. and he answered, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.]
all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles.
some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus.
where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.
know then, my brethren, it is by him, that the remission of sins is offer'd to you:
but the disbelieving Jews practis'd upon the Gentiles, and inflam'd their minds against the brethren.
nevertheless he sufficiently display'd himself by his beneficence to mankind, in giving us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, replenishing our hearts with food and gladness."
Paul arrived then at Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish convert, but his father a Greek.
and bringing them out, he said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family.
Then Paul being plac'd in the middle of the Areopagus, said thus, "I observe, O Athenians, that you are in a manner too devout.
by which they might enquire, and by due reflection investigate the supreme being, although he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, are moved, and do exist: even as some of your own poets have said, WE ARE EVEN HIS OFFSPRING.
for ever since the creation of the world, his eternal power and divinity, things in themselves invisible, are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made; so that they are without excuse: because when they knew God, they did not with gratitude glorify him as God, but their reasoning became extravagance, and their minds, void of judgment, were involv'd in darkness.
for they shew that the duties prescrib'd by the law, are written in their hearts, their consciences bearing witness to it, by their own reasonings alternately accusing and excusing them.
but herein hath God displayed his love towards us, in that Christ died for us, even while we were yet sinners.
for if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son: much more being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
so we who are many, make all but one body in Christ, and every member subservient to one another.
Owe no man any thing, but mutual love: for he that
thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self." the benevolent never does wrong to his neighbour: therefore benevolence is the fulfilling of the law.
for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to enlighten others in the knowledge of the glory of God, which shines in the person of Jesus Christ.
for it is God that has reconciled the world to himself, by Jesus Christ, by not imputing their sins to them; and hath committed to us the gospel of reconciliation.
for it is God that has reconciled the world to himself, by Jesus Christ, by not imputing their sins to them; and hath committed to us the gospel of reconciliation.
so that the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
God sent forth his own son born of a woman, and subject to the law, to redeem those, who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
for all the law is comprehended in this one precept, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
who has by his blood obtained for us the redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,
for he has subjected all things to him, and constituted him supreme head of the church,
so that your souls may be possess'd with faith in Christ.
but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head:
for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.
that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.
for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus:
but when the kindness and love of God our saviour display'd itself to mankind,
having Jesus in our view, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.
and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the 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 embraced his doctrine, were baptized: and there were about three thousand converts made that very day.
however, many who heard Peter's discourse, believed, to the number of about five thousand people.
thus the word of God was spread; and the number of disciples encreased very much at Jerusalem; and a numerous body of priests embrac'd the faith.
and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,
Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,
Immediately he maintained in the synagogues, that Jesus was the son of God.
About that time, king Herod Agrippa began to persecute some of the church.
upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law.