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 am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.
But the law came in between, that the offence might abound: yet where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
But the law came in between, that the offence might abound: yet where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Manifestly declared to be the letter of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart.
Manifestly declared to be the letter of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart. Such trust have we in God through Christ.
Such trust have we in God through Christ. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. And if the ministration of death engraven in letters on stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly on the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face, which was to be abolished: Shall not rather the ministration of the Spirit be glorious?
And if the ministration of death engraven in letters on stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly on the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face, which was to be abolished: Shall not rather the ministration of the Spirit be glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation was glory,
For if the ministration of condemnation was glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excelleth.
For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is abolished was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
For if that which is abolished was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Having therefore this hope, we use great plainness of speech.
Having therefore this hope, we use great plainness of speech. And not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly to the end of that which is abolished.
And not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly to the end of that which is abolished. But their understandings were blinded: and until this day the same veil remaineth unremoved on the reading of the old testament, which is taken away in Christ.
But their understandings were blinded: and until this day the same veil remaineth unremoved on the reading of the old testament, which is taken away in Christ. But the veil lieth on their heart when Moses is read until this day.
But the veil lieth on their heart when Moses is read until this day. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to 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 unveiled face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared before the glad tidings to Abraham, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.
And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared before the glad tidings to Abraham, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse;
So then they who are of faith are blessed with faithful 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 which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all the things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. But that none is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident; for the just shall live by faith.
But that none is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident; for the just shall live by faith. Now the law is not of faith; but the man that doeth them, shall live by them.
Now the law is not of faith; but the man that doeth them, 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 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 that hangeth on a tree: ) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. I speak after the manner of men: though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, none disannulleth or addeth thereto.
I speak after the manner of men: though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, none disannulleth or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, the covenant which was before confirmed of God through Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of no effect.
And this I say, the covenant which was before confirmed of God through Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be by the law, it is no more by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance be by the law, it is no more by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then was the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made: and it was ordained by angels, in the hand of a mediator.
Wherefore then was the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made: and it was ordained by angels, in the hand of a mediator. Now the mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.
Now the mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one. Is then the law against the promises of God? God forbid. But if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness would have been by the law.
Is then the law against the promises of God? God forbid. But if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness would have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up together unto the faith which was to be revealed.
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up together unto the faith which was to be revealed. Wherefore the law was our school-master unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Wherefore the law was our school-master unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But faith being come, we are no longer under a school-master.
For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, there being priests that offer gifts, according to the law,
For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, there being priests that offer gifts, according to the law, Who serve after the pattern and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, saith he, See thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewed thee on the mount.
Who serve after the pattern and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, saith he, See thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewed thee on the mount. And now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much better a covenant he is a mediator of, which is established upon better promises.
And now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much better a covenant he is a mediator of, which is established upon better promises. For if the first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second.
For if the first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second. For finding fault with them he saith, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will finish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
For finding fault with them he saith, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will finish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, 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: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every one his neighbour, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest.
And they shall not teach every one his neighbour, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In saying, a new covenant, he hath antiquated the first; now that which is antiquated and decayed, is ready to vanish away.
In saying, a new covenant, he hath antiquated the first; now that which is antiquated and decayed, is ready to vanish away.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. Otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers, having been once purged, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
Otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers, having been once purged, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a commemoration of sins every year.
But in those sacrifices, there is a commemoration of sins every year. For it is impossible, that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
For it is impossible, that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Therefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou hast not chosen, but a body hast thou prepared for me.
Therefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou hast not chosen, but a body hast thou prepared for me. Burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast not delighted in.
Burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast not delighted in. Then I said, Lo I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.
Then I said, Lo I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou hast not chosen, neither delighted in, which are offered by the law:
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou hast not chosen, neither delighted in, which are offered by the law: Then said he, Lo, I come, to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second:
Then said he, Lo, I come, to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second: By which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
By which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And this the Holy Ghost also witnesseth to us, for after he had said before, This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their hearts, and write them in their minds,
for after he had said before, This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their hearts, and write them in their minds, And their sins, and their iniquities will I remember no more.
And their sins, and their iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Hastings
When the name 'Christian' (see preceding art.) had come to be the specific designation of a follower of Jesus Christ, it was inevitable that the word 'Christianity' should sooner or later be used to denote the faith which Christians profess. The word does not occur in the NT, however, and first makes its appearance in the letters of Ignatius early in the 2nd century. But for 1800 years it has been the regular term for the religion which claims Jesus Christ as its founder, and recognizes in His Person and work the sum and substance of its beliefs.
Christianity presents itself to us under two aspects
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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 all manner of disease, and all manner of malady among the people.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Ye have heard, that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt do no murder, and whosoever doth murder, shall be liable to the judgment.
Ye have heard, that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt do no murder, and whosoever doth murder, shall be liable to the judgment.
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 was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform thine oaths unto the Lord.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a 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.
Therefore ye shall be perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
And when Jesus had ended these sayings, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, For he taught them as one having authority,
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every malady among the people.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it; for 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 shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity.
And I say also to thee, Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And if he will not hear them, tell it to the church; but if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen and a publican.
They say to him, Why then did Moses command to give a writing of divorce and put her away?
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed to his brother.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ?
Now after John was put in prison, 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.
This was the true light, who lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship; for salvation is from the Jews.
Then said Jesus to them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you not the bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true 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? The prophets also are dead.
A new commandment I give you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
A new commandment I give you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus saith to him, Have I been so long 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, unless ye abide in me.
Hereby is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be 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.
This I command you, that ye love one another.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, That God hath made this Jesus whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ.
And Peter said, Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
But ye killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.
And multitudes both of men and women believing were the more added to the Lord:)
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayst. And he answering said, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
And the believers of the circumcision, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles also.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who coming into Antioch, spake to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.
And a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught a considerable multitude: and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Be it known unto you therefore, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins.
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil-affected against the brethren.
in that he did good, giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness.
And he came down to Derbe and Lystra. And behold a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek:
And having brought them out he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy houshold.
Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that ye are greatly addicted to the worship of invisible powers.
That they might seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live and move, and have our being; as certain likewise of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
For those things of him which are invisible, both his eternal power and Godhead, are clearly seen from the creation of the world, being understood by the things which are made, so that they are without excuse: Because knowing God, they did not glorify him as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Who shew the work of the law written upon their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or even defending them,
But God recommendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved through his life.
So we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members of each other.
Owe no man any thing, but to love another; for he that loveth another, hath fulfilled the law.
Love worketh no evil to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to inlighten us with the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.
that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their traspasses to them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.
that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their traspasses to them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Wherefore the law was our school-master unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
by which he hath freely accepted us through the beloved, By whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins,
And he hath put all things under his feet, and hath given him to be head over all things to the church,
That being 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 head of the wife, as Christ also is head of the church:
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it may be holy and unblamable.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
But when the kindness and philanthropy of God our Saviour appeared,
who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right-hand of the throne of God.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the holy city 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,
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Then they, gladly receiving his word, were baptized; and there were added to them that day about three thousand souls.
But many of them who had heard the word, believed. And the number of the men was about five thousand.
And the word of God grew, and the number of disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem greatly: and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the church, which was in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
But Saul still breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,
And he was certain days with the disciples in Damascus: And straightway he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
About that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict a certain of the church.
And having heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of believing Jews there are, and they are all zealous for the law.