Reference: Christianity
Fausets
(See JESUS CHRIST.) The law and Mosaic system, though distinct from the gospel, yet clearly contemplates the new dispensation as that for which itself was the preparation. The original promise to Abraham, "in thee ... and thy seed ... shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Ge 12:3; 22:16), still awaited its fulfillment, and the law came in as the parenthesis between the promise of grace and its fulfillment in Christ the promised "seed." Ro 5:20; "the law entered (as a parenthesis, incidentally, Greek) that the offense might abound." Ga 3:8-25; "the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith; but after that, faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
Jacob's prophecy contemplated the theocratic scepter passing from Judah, when Shiloh should come as the gatherer of the peoples to Himself (Ge 49:10). Many psalms (as Psalm 2; Psalm 72; Psalm 22; Psalm 67) and all the prophets (compare Isaiah 2; Isaiah 53) look forward to the Messiah as about to introduce a new and worldwide dispensation. Nay, even Moses himself (De 18:15, etc.) announces the coming of another Lawgiver like him, about to promulgate God's new law; for to be like Moses He must be a lawgiver, and to be so He must have a new law, a fuller development of God's will, than Moses' law, its germ. Psalm 110 declared that His priesthood should be one "forever, after the order of Melchizeded" (the king of righteousness and king of peace), to which the Levitical priesthood did homage in the person of Abraham their ancestor, paying tithes to Melchizedek (compare Hebrew 6-7).
The law was the type; the gospel was the antitype (Heb 10:1-10). Christ came not to destroy it (i.e. its essence) but to fulfill (complete) it (Mt 5:17). The letter gives place to the spirit which realizes the end of the letter (2Co 3:3-18). As also Jeremiah foretells (Jer 31:31-34; compare Heb 8:4-13; 10:15-18). If Christianity had not been of God, it could never have prevailed, without human might or learning, to supersede the system of the mightiest and most civilized nations (1 Corinthians 1-2). Its miracles, its fulfillment of all prophecy, and its complete adaptation to meet man's deep spiritual needs, pardon, peace, holiness, life, immortality for soul and body, are the only reasonable account to be given of its success.
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"Think not that I came to destroy the law, or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
"Think not that I came to destroy the law, or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
And the law entered, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did super-abound;
And the law entered, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did super-abound;
being made manifest that ye are Christ's epistle ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.
being made manifest that ye are Christ's epistle ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh. And such confidence have we through Christ toward God:
And such confidence have we through Christ toward God: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reckon anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God;
not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reckon anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God; Who also qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.
Who also qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive. But, if the ministration of death, engraven in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look steadily upon the face of Moses on account of the glory of his face, which glory was passing away;
But, if the ministration of death, engraven in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look steadily upon the face of Moses on account of the glory of his face, which glory was passing away; how shall not rather the ministration of the Spirit be with glory?
how shall not rather the ministration of the Spirit be with glory? For, if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For, if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory;
For even that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory; for, if that which is passing away comes through glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
for, if that which is passing away comes through glory, much more that which remains is in glory. Having, therefore, such hope, we use great boldness of speech;
Having, therefore, such hope, we use great boldness of speech; and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, that the sons of Israel might not look steadily to the end of that which was passing away.
and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, that the sons of Israel might not look steadily to the end of that which was passing away. But their minds were unimpressible; for until this day upon the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted; which in Christ is done away.
But their minds were unimpressible; for until this day upon the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted; which in Christ is done away. But, until this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart.
But, until this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart. But, whensoever it shall return to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
But, whensoever it shall return to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transfigured into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
But we all, with unveiled face, reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transfigured into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, proclaimed beforehand the Gospel to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, proclaimed beforehand the Gospel to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So that those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.
So that those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. For as many as are of works of law are under a curse; for it has been written, "Cursed is every one who continues not in all the things written in the book of the law, to do them."
For as many as are of works of law are under a curse; for it has been written, "Cursed is every one who continues not in all the things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now that by law no one is justified with God, is evident; because "The righteous one shall live by faith."
Now that by law no one is justified with God, is evident; because "The righteous one shall live by faith." Now the law is not of faith; but "He who did them shall live in them."
Now the law is not of faith; but "He who did them shall live in them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; because it has been written, "Cursed is every one who is hung upon a tree";
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; because it has been written, "Cursed is every one who is hung upon a tree"; that to the gentiles the blessing of Abraham might come in Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
that to the gentiles the blessing of Abraham might come in Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I am speaking after the manner of man: even a man's confirmed covenant no one sets aside, or adds thereto.
Brethren, I am speaking after the manner of man: even a man's confirmed covenant no one sets aside, or adds thereto. Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his Seed. He saith not, "And to seeds," as of many; but as of One, "and to your Seed"; which is Christ.
Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his Seed. He saith not, "And to seeds," as of many; but as of One, "and to your Seed"; which is Christ. But this I say: A covenant previously confirmed by God, the law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate, that it should make the promise of no effect.
But this I say: A covenant previously confirmed by God, the law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate, that it should make the promise of no effect. For, if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God has freely given it to Abraham through promise.
For, if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God has freely given it to Abraham through promise. What, then, is the law? It was added because of the transgressions, until the Seed should come to Whom it had been promised; having been arranged through angels in the hand of a mediator.
What, then, is the law? It was added because of the transgressions, until the Seed should come to Whom it had been promised; having been arranged through angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one, but God is one.
Now a mediator is not of one, but God is one. Is the law, then, against the promises of God? It could not be! For, if a law had been given, which was able to make alive, truly righteousness would have been by law;
Is the law, then, against the promises of God? It could not be! For, if a law had been given, which was able to make alive, truly righteousness would have been by law; but the Scripture shuts up all things under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
but the Scripture shuts up all things under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But, before the faith came, we were kept guarded under law, being shut up to the faith about to be revealed.
But, before the faith came, we were kept guarded under law, being shut up to the faith about to be revealed. So that the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
So that the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But the faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor;
If, therefore, He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts according to the law,
If, therefore, He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts according to the law, who, indeed, serve in the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses has been divinely warned, when about to make the tabernacle; for "See," saith He, "that you make all things according to the pattern which was showed you in the mount";
who, indeed, serve in the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses has been divinely warned, when about to make the tabernacle; for "See," saith He, "that you make all things according to the pattern which was showed you in the mount"; but now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much also as He is Mediator of a better covenant, which, indeed, has been enacted on better promises.
but now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much also as He is Mediator of a better covenant, which, indeed, has been enacted on better promises. For, if that first covenant had been faultless, place would not be sought for a second;
For, if that first covenant had been faultless, place would not be sought for a second; for, finding fault with them, He saith, "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and the house of Judah;
for, finding fault with them, He saith, "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and 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. Because this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Putting My laws into their mind, I will also write them upon their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people;
Because this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Putting My laws into their mind, I will also write them upon their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people; and they shall in no wise teach each one his fellow-citizen, and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord'; because all shall know Me, from a small one to a great one of them;
and they shall in no wise teach each one his fellow-citizen, and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord'; because all shall know Me, from a small one to a great one of them; because I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and I will remember their sins no more."
because I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and I will remember their sins no more." In that He saith, "A new covenant," He hath made the first old: but the thing that is becoming old, and is wearing out with age, is near vanishing away.
In that He saith, "A new covenant," He hath made the first old: but the thing that is becoming old, and is wearing out with age, is near vanishing away.
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very likeness of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices, which they offer year by year continually, perfect those who come to them;
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very likeness of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices, which they offer year by year continually, perfect those who come to them; else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers, having been cleansed once for all, would have had no more conscience of sins.
else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers, having been cleansed once for all, would have had no more conscience of sins. But in these sacrifices there is a remembrance of sins year by year;
But in these sacrifices there is a remembrance of sins year by 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. Wherefore, coming into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not wish, but a body didst Thou prepare for Me;
Wherefore, coming into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not wish, but a body didst Thou prepare for Me; in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hadst no pleasure.
in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hadst no pleasure. Then said I, 'Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it has been written concerning Me), to do Thy will, O God.'"
Then said I, 'Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it has been written concerning Me), to do Thy will, O God.'" Saving above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt-offerings and offerings for sin," Thou didst not wish; neither hadst pleasure therein, which, indeed, are offered according to the law;
Saving above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt-offerings and offerings for sin," Thou didst not wish; neither hadst pleasure therein, which, indeed, are offered according to the law; then hath He said, "Lo, I have come to do Thy will." He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second:
then hath He said, "Lo, I have come to do Thy will." He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second: in which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
in which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And the Holy Spirit also testifieth to us; for after He had said,
And the Holy Spirit also testifieth to us; for after He had said, "This is the covenant that I will covenant with them after those days," saith the Lord, "Putting my laws on their hearts, I will also write them upon their mind;
"This is the covenant that I will covenant with them after those days," saith the Lord, "Putting my laws on their hearts, I will also write them upon their mind; and their sins and their iniquities I will in nowise remember any more."
and their sins and their iniquities I will in nowise remember any more." But where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
But where there is remission of these, there is no longer an 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 you shall call His name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins."
And Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
"Think not that I came to destroy the law, or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.
"Ye heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not kill; and whosoever kills shall be in danger of the judgment.'
"Ye heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not kill; and whosoever kills shall be in danger of the judgment.'
"Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;'
"Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;'
"Again ye heard that it was said to the ancients, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths;"
"Ye heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,'
"Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy;'
"Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy;'
"Ye heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy;'
Ye, therefore, shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
So then, from their fruits ye shall know them. "Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in Heaven.
And it came to pass that, when Jesus ended these words, the multitudes were astonished at His teaching;
And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.
"A queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it; because 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 will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of the Kingdom all the stumbling-blocks, and those who do iniquity;
And I also say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My assembly, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And, if he disregard them, tell it to the assembly; and, if he disregard the assembly also, let him be to you as the gentile and the tax-collector.
They say to Him, "Why, then, did Moses command to give her a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?"
saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If any one die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.'
And the Pharisees, having been gathered together, Jesus questioned them,
And, after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God,
for the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost."
He was the true Light That lighteth every man coming into the world.
Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship, because salvation is from the Jews.
Jesus, therefore, said to them, "Verily, verily, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread out of Heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread out of Heaven;
Again, therefore, Jesus spake to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the Light of life."
Art Thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died? Whom makest Thou Thyself?"
A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another; even as I loved you, that ye love one another.
A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another; even as I loved you, that ye love one another.
Jesus saith to him, "So long a time am I with you, and you do not know Me, Philip! He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how say you, 'Show 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.
In this was My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and become My disciples.
This is My commandment, that ye love one another, even as I loved you.
This is My commandment, that ye love one another, even as I loved you.
These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
"Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God made Him both Lord and Christ??his Jesus Whom ye crucified."
And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be immersed each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, unto remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit;
and the Prince of life ye killed; Whom God raised from the dead??f which fact we are witnesses.
(and the more were believers being added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women);
[And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]
And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because that upon the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit;
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene; who, indeed, having come to Antioch, were speaking to the Greeks also, publishing the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus.
and, having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that, even for a whole year, they met together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude; and that the disciples got the name "Christian" first in Antioch.
Be it known to you, brethren, that through This One is proclaimed to you forgiveness of sins;
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the gentiles against the brethren.
and yet He left not Himself without witness, doing good, giving you rains from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness."
And he came down also to Derbe and to Lystra. And, behold, a certain disciple was there, Timothy by name, son of a believing Jewish woman, but of a Grecian father;
and, having brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, and your house."
And Paul, having taken his stand in the midst of Mars Hill, said, "Men of Athens, in all respects I observe that ye are more than usually regardful of the deities;
that they should seek God, if, perhaps, they might feel after Him, and find Him, although, in truth, He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live, and move, and are; as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His offspring.'
For His invisible things, since the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor did they give thanks; but they became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.
who, indeed, show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with it, and between one another their thoughts accusing or even excusing them;)
But God commendeth His own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through 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 severally members one of another.
Owe no one anything, but to love one another; for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Love works no ill to one's neighbor: therefore, love is a fulfillment of the law.
because it is the God Who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," Who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
how that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having put in us the word of reconciliation.
how that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having put in us the word of reconciliation.
So that the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But, when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under law, that He might redeem those under law, that, we might receive the adoption of sons.
for the whole law has been fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
and He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as Head over all things to the assembly,
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that ye, having been rooted and grounded in love,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, Who is the Head, Christ;
because a husband is head of the wife, as Christ also is Head of the assembly; Himself the Savior of the body.
that He might present to Himself the assembly, glorious, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it may be holy and without blemish.
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;
But, when the kindness and the benevolence of God our Savior appeared,
looking away to the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus; Who, in consideration of the joy lying before Him, endured the cross, despising shame, and hath taken a seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of the Heaven from God,
Watsons
CHRISTIANITY, the religion of Christians. By Christianity is here meant, not that religious system as it may be understood and set forth in any particular society calling itself Christian; but as it is contained in the sacred books acknowledged by all these societies, or churches, and which contained the only authorized rule of faith and practice.
2. The lofty profession which Christianity makes as a religion, and the promises it holds forth to mankind, entitle it to the most serious consideration of all. For it may in truth be said, that no other religion presents itself under aspects so sublime, or such as are calculated to awaken desires and hopes so enlarged and magnificent. It not only professes to be from God, but to have been taught to men by the Son of God incarnate in our nature, the Second Person in the adorable trinity of divine Persons, "the same in substance, equal in power and glory." It declares that this divine personage is the appointed Redeemer of mankind from sin, death, and misery; that he was announced as such to our first parents upon their lapse from the innocence and blessedness of their primeval state; that he was exhibited to the faith and hope of the patriarchs in express promises; and, by the institution of sacrifices, as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, so that man might be reconciled to God through Him, and restored to his forfeited inheritance of eternal life. It represents all former dispensations of true religion, all revelations of God's will, and all promises of grace from God to man, as emanating from the anticipated sacrifice and sacerdotal intercession of its Author, and as all preparatory to the introduction of his perfect religion; and that as to the great political movements among the nations of antiquity, the rise and fall of empires were all either remotely or proximately connected with the designs of his advent among men. It professes to have completed the former revelations of God's will and purposes; to have accomplished ancient prophecies; fulfilled ancient types; and taken up the glory of the Mosaic religion into its own "glory that excelleth;" and to contain within itself a perfect system of faith, morals, and acceptable worship. It not only exhibits so effectual a sacrifice for sin, that remission of all offences against God flows from its merits to all who heartily confide in it; but it proclaims itself to be a remedy for all the moral disorders of our fallen nature; it casts out every vice, implants every virtue, and restores man to "the image of God in which he was created," even to "righteousness and true holiness."
3. Its promises both to individuals and to society are of the largest kind. It represents its Founder as now exercising the office of the High Priest of the human race before God, and as having sat down at his right hand, a mediatorial and reconciling government being committed to him, until he shall come to judge all nations, and distribute the rewards of eternity to his followers, and inflict its never-terminating punishments upon those who reject him. By virtue of this constitution of things, it promises pardon to the guilty, of every age and country, who seek it in penitence and prayer, comfort to the afflicted and troubled, victory over the fear of death, a happy intermediate state to the disembodied spirit, and finally the resurrection of the body from the dead, and honour and immortality to be conferred upon the whole man glorified in the immediate presence of God. It holds out the loftiest hopes also to the world at large. It promises to introduce harmony among families and nations, to terminate all wars and all oppressions, and ultimately to fill the world with truth, order, and purity. It represents the present and past state of society, as in contest with its own principles of justice, mercy, and truth; but teaches the final triumph of the latter over every thing contrary to itself. It exhibits the ambition, the policy, and the restlessness of statesmen and warriors, as but the overruled instruments by which it is working out its own purposes of wisdom and benevolence; and it not only defies the proudest array of human power, but professes to subordinate it by a secret and irresistible working to its own designs. Finally, it exhibits itself as enlarging its plans, and completing its designs, by moral suasion, the evidence of its truth, and the secret divine influence which accompanies it. Such are the professions and promises of Christianity, a religion which enters into no compromise with other systems; which represents itself as the only religion now in the world having God for its author; and in his name, and by the hope of his mercy, and the terrors of his frown, it commands the obedience of faith to all people to whom it is published upon the solemn sanction, "He that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned."
4. Corresponding with these professions, which throw every other religion that pretends to offer hope to man into utter insignificance, it is allowed that the evidence of its truth ought to be adequate to sustain the weight of so vast a fabric, and that men have a right to know that they are not deluded with a grand and impressive theory, but are receiving from this professed system of truth and salvation "the true sayings of God." Such evidence it has afforded in its splendid train of MIRACLES; in its numerous appeals to the fulfilment of ancient PROPHECIES; in its own powerful INTERNAL evidence; in the INFLUENCE which it has always exercised, and continues to exert, upon the happiness of mankind; and in various collateral circumstances. Under the heads of Miracles and Prophecy, those important branches of evidence will be discussed, and to them the reader is referred. It is only necessary here to say, that the miracles to which Christianity appeals as proofs of its divine authority, are not only those which were wrought by Christ and his Apostles, but also those which took place among the patriarchs, under the law of Moses, and by the ministry of the Prophets; for the religion of those ancient times was but Christianity in its antecedent revelations. All these miracles, therefore, must be taken collectively, and present attestations of the loftiest kind, as being manifestly the work of the "finger of God," wrought under circumstances which precluded mistake, and exhibiting an immense variety, from the staying of the very wheels of the planetary system,
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Those, therefore, who gladly received his word, were immersed; and there were added to them on that day about three thousand souls;
And many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men became about five thousand.
And the word of God was increasing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
And Saul was approving of his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the countries of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, going to the high priest,
and straightway in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, that He is the Son of God.
Now about that time Herod the king put forth his bands to harm some of the assembly.
And they, hearing it, were glorifying God, and said to him, "You observe, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews, of those who have believed; and they are all zealous for the law.