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 abrogate the law, or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to compleat them:
Think not that I am come to abrogate the law, or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to compleat them:
Now the law made some entrance, that the offence might appear to abound; but where sin abounded, grace hath superabounded; that as sin had reigned in death,
Now the law made some entrance, that the offence might appear to abound; but where sin abounded, grace hath superabounded; that as sin had reigned in death,
being manifest that ye are the epistle of Christ, through our ministration, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on tables of the heart of flesh.
being manifest that ye are the epistle of Christ, through our ministration, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on tables of the heart of flesh. And such confidence have we through Christ towards God:
And such confidence have we through Christ towards God: not that we can of ourselves reckon upon any thing as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.
not that we can of ourselves reckon upon any thing as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. Who hath also fitted us to be ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
Who hath also fitted us to be ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. Now if the ministration of death which was in writing, and engraven on stones, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly on the face of Moses, because of the lustre of his countenance, which was to be taken away:
Now if the ministration of death which was in writing, and engraven on stones, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly on the face of Moses, because of the lustre of his countenance, which was to be taken away: 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 so glorious, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory:
For if the ministration of condemnation was so glorious, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory: since what was then made glorious was not in comparison glorious, because of the glory that surpasseth it.
since what was then made glorious was not in comparison glorious, because of the glory that surpasseth it. For if that, which was to be taken away, came with glory, much more that which abideth is glorious.
For if that, which was to be taken away, came with glory, much more that which abideth is glorious. Having therefore such hope, we use much freedom of speech:
Having therefore such hope, we use much freedom of speech: and do not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, intimating that the children of Israel could not look to the end of that which was to be abolished; but their minds were blinded:
and do not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, intimating that the children of Israel could not look to the end of that which was to be abolished; but their minds were blinded: for unto this day the same veil remaineth unremoved in the reading of the old testament, which veil is taken away in Christ.
for unto this day the same veil remaineth unremoved in the reading of the old testament, which veil is taken away in Christ. But to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
But to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Though when it turneth unto the Lord, the veil is taken off:
Though when it turneth unto the Lord, the veil is taken off: 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. But we all with unveiled face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, as proceeding from the Spirit of the Lord.
But we all with unveiled face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, as proceeding from the Spirit of the Lord.
And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, preached the gospel to Abraham long ago, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed."
And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, preached the gospel to Abraham long ago, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." So then they that believe, are blessed with believing Abraham.
So then they that believe, are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. And that by the law no one is justified before God is evident; for it is written "The just shall live by faith:"
And that by the law no one is justified before God is evident; for it is written "The just shall live by faith:" now the law is not of faith, but saith, "The man that doth them, shall live in them."
now the law is not of faith, but saith, "The man that doth them, shall live in them." Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been 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, having been 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 by Christ Jesus; that we through faith might receive the promise of the Spirit.
that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles by Christ Jesus; that we through faith might receive the promise of the Spirit. Brethren, (I speak after the manner of men,) no one cancelleth or addeth to a covenant which hath been ratified, though it be but the covenant of a man.
Brethren, (I speak after the manner of men,) no one cancelleth or addeth to a covenant which hath been ratified, though it be but the covenant of a man. Now the promises were made to Abraham, and to his seed. He doth not say, "and to seeds," as of many; but as of one, "and to thy seed," which is Christ.
Now the promises were made to Abraham, and to his seed. He doth not say, "and to seeds," as of many; but as of one, "and to thy seed," which is Christ. This then I say, that the law, which was given four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the covenant, which was so long before confirmed by God unto Christ, to make void the promise.
This then I say, that the law, which was given four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul the covenant, which was so long before confirmed by God unto Christ, to make void the promise. For if the inheritance be from the law, it is no more from the promise: whereas God gave it to Abraham by promise.
For if the inheritance be from the law, it is no more from the promise: whereas God gave it to Abraham by promise. What then availeth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come, to whom the promise was made; and it was delivered by angels in the hand of a mediator.
What then availeth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come, to whom the promise was made; and it was delivered by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not the mediator of one only; and God is but one.
Now a mediator is not the mediator of one only; and God is but one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? not at all: for if a law had been given, which could have confered life, certainly righteousness would have been by the law.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? not at all: for if a law had been given, which could have confered life, certainly righteousness would have been by the law. But the scripture hath shut up all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
But the scripture hath shut up all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept shut up under the law, till the faith appeared which was to be revealed.
But before faith came, we were kept shut up under the law, till the faith appeared which was to be revealed. So that the law was our guide to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
So that the law was our guide to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now faith is come we are no longer under a pedagogue.
For if He were on earth, He could not be a priest, seeing there are priests already that offer gifts according to the law:
For if He were on earth, He could not be a priest, seeing there are priests already that offer gifts according to the law: who worship under the representation and shadow of heavenly things; as Moses was ordered by God, when he was about to finish the tabernacle. For see, saith He, that thou make all according to the model shewn thee in the mount.
who worship under the representation and shadow of heavenly things; as Moses was ordered by God, when he was about to finish the tabernacle. For see, saith He, that thou make all according to the model shewn thee in the mount. But now He hath obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which is established upon better promises.
But now He hath obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which is established upon better promises. For if the first covenant had been unexceptionable, there had been no room for a second:
For if the first covenant had been unexceptionable, there had been no room for a second: as we see there was, for after complaining of them, He adds, "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
as we see there was, for after complaining of them, He adds, "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make 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; for 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; for they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their mind, and I will inscribe them on their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their mind, and I will inscribe 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 lest even to the greatest of them.
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 lest even to the greatest of them. For I will forgive their crimes, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more."
For I will forgive their crimes, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more." Now by saying, a new covenant, He hath antiquated the first: and what is antiquated, and groweth old, is near it's exit.
Now by saying, a new covenant, He hath antiquated the first: and what is antiquated, and groweth old, is near it's exit.
For the law having but a faint shadow of good things to come, and not the full image of the things, can never, even by the great annual sacrifices which they offer statedly, make the comers thereunto perfect.
For the law having but a faint shadow of good things to come, and not the full image of the things, can never, even by the great annual sacrifices which they offer statedly, make the comers thereunto perfect. For then they would have ceased to be offered, because the sacrificers, being once purified, would no longer retain any consciousness of sins.
For then they would have ceased to be offered, because the sacrificers, being once purified, would no longer retain any consciousness of sins. Whereas in these very sacrifices there is a recalling of sins to mind every year.
Whereas in these very sacrifices there is a recalling of sins to mind 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. Wherefore upon his coming into the world He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Wherefore upon his coming into the world He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, but a body hast thou prepared 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, 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." Having said before, "Thou didst not desire, nor hadst pleasure in, sacrifice and offering, and whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin," (which are offered by the law) then He adds,
Having said before, "Thou didst not desire, nor hadst pleasure in, sacrifice and offering, and whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin," (which are offered by the law) then He adds, "Lo I come to do thy will, O God." (He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.)
"Lo I come to do thy will, O God." (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 of this the holy Ghost also beareth witness with us: for after He had said, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and on their minds will I inscribe them;
for after He had said, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and on their minds will I inscribe them; He adds, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more."
He adds, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more." Now where there is such a remission of these, there needs no more offering for sin.
Now where there is such a remission of these, there needs 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 through all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, and healing every disease and every malady among the people.
Think not that I am come to abrogate the law, or the prophets: I am not come to abolish, but to compleat them:
Ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever committeth murder, shall be liable to the judgment:
Ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever committeth murder, shall be liable to the judgment:
Ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Again, ye have heard, that it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
Ye have heard, that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Ye have heard, that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy:
Ye have heard, that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy:
Ye have heard, that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy:
Be ye therefore perfect in love and goodness, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
So then by their fruits ye will know them. Not every one that saith unto 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 discourses, the people were amazed at his doctrine:
Now Jesus went round to all the cities, and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, and healing every disease, and every malady among the people.
The queen of the South too, shall rise up in the day of judgement against this generation, and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here.
the Son of man will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all that commit offences, and those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire,
And I also say unto thee, as thou art called Peter, so upon this rock, which thou hast confessed, will I build my church, and the gates of death shall not prevail against it.
And if he disregard them, tell it to the church: but if he disregard the church too, let him be unto thee as an heathen and a publican.
They say unto Him, Why then did Moses order a bill of divorce to be given, and so to put her away?
and asked Him, saying, Master, Moses said, If any man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother.
Now while the pharisees were thus gathered together, Jesus asked them,
Now after John was cast into 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.
The true light was that which enlightneth every man that cometh into the world.
Ye worship ye know not what; but we worship what we know: for salvation is from the Jews.
Therefore Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I tell you, Moses gave you not that 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.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; ---as I have loved you, that ye also love one another: for by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; ---as I have loved you, that ye also love one another: for by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long with you, and dost thou not know me? Philip, he that hath seen me, hath seen the Father: and how then dost thou say, Shew us the Father?
Abide therefore in me, and I will abide in you: for as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, unless it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.
Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and 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.
These commands I give you, that ye should love one another.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made this very Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ.
And Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Spirit:
and put to death the prince of life; whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And true believers were the more willingly added to the Lord, even multitudes both of men and women.
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And those of the circumcision that were believers, who came with Peter, were astonished, that the gift of the holy Spirit was conferred upon the Gentiles also:
But some of them were Cyprians, and Cyrenians, who when they came to Antioch, discoursed with the Grecians also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
And they assembled in the church a whole year, and taught much people: and the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Be it known therefore unto you, brethren, that through Him is preached unto you the remission of sins:
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and inflamed the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.
for He did us good, in giving us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold there was a certain disciple there, named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewess, but of a Grecian father.
and bringing them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house.
Then Paul stood up in the midst of the Areopagus and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that you are indeed over-much religious:
that they might seek the Lord, if possibly they might trace Him, and find Him: though indeed He is not far from every one of us. For in Him we live and move, and exist; as some also of your own poets have said, "For we his offspring are."
Inasmuch as from the first creation of the world, the invisible things of Him, even his eternal power and Godhead, are, if attended to, clearly seen in his works: so that they are inexcusable; because having thus known God they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but were infatuated by their own reasonings, and their heart being void of understanding was darkened.
and shew the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience witnessing together with it, and their own thoughts either accusing, or excusing them,)
But God recommendeth his love towards 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 shall we be saved by his life.
so we who are many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of each other.
Owe no one any thing, but to love one another; for he that loveth others hath fulfilled the law:
Love worketh no evil to our neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to reflect the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
to declare, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing to them their trespasses, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
to declare, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing to them their trespasses, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
So that the law was our guide 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 made under the law, that He might redeem those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
For all the law is fulfilled in one precept, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
and hath put all things under his feet, and given Him to be head over all things to the church;
that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: and be ye rooted and grounded in love,
but holding the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, even Christ:
for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and the saviour of that body.
that He might prepare it for Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and unblameable.
Let the same mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared,
looking unto Jesus the leader and finisher of our faith; 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 spirit to a great and high mountain, and he shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of 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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They therefore that received his word with readiness were baptized: and in that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
But many of them who heard the word, believed: and the number of the men was about five thousand.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was greatly multiplied; and a great number of the priests became obedient to the faith.
And Saul was well pleased with his execution. For at that time there was a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all dispersed through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
But Saul still breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest, and desired of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus,
And he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
About that time Herod the king exerted his power to distress some of the church.
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of the believing Jews, and they are all zealous for the law.