Christian Theology and Modern Skepticism

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ...anomalies. Stephen, it is said, was a man practised in argumentative discussion, and unrivalled among the disputants of the synagogues. He had the opportunity of addressing the supreme council in defence of Christianity. The moment was peculiarly favorable for such an appeal. Jerusalem, it is stated, was crowded with converts and adherents of the new faith; not only the uneducated people, but a great company of the priests, were obedient to the faith. An eminent member of the council had lately advised moderation toward this new sect. Stephen could not deny the jurisdiction of men who sat in Moses' seat; and the reader of the open Bible feels confident that, before such a tribunal, the vindication of Christianity will be complete. In all subsequent ages, from the end of the first century to the present hour, the advocates of Christianity have appealed to the miracles performed, and to the witnesses who testified to these divine manifestations. When Stephen addressed the council, these witnesses were around him. Many who were then sitting in judgment must have seen the portentous signs attending the crucifixion: the darkened sun and the trembling earth; the bodies of the saints which arose from their graves, and appeared in the streets of Jerusalem; the veil of the Temple miraculously rent in twain; the supernatural events more recently offered for their conviction; the bursting of the prison-doors and the release of the Apostles. These were, however, insignificant proofs of divine power compared with the conclusive miracle. Five hundred brethren could now have testified that they had themselves seen Jesus risen from the dead: a fact too well attested to admit of any doubt, and too decisive to admit of any refutation. These topics, which have for...