It appears from many passages of the New Testament, that our Lord Jesus Christ directed both his disciples and the Jews to the Prophecies of the Old Testament, as pointing out the Messiah to be such a character as they saw him to be; Luke xxiv, 25--27, 44--46; John v, 39, 46. And that the Apostles frequently referred to the Scriptures of the Old Testament, for proofs of his Divinity, John i, 45; Acts iii, 22, 24; xiii, 27-30; xvii, 2, 3; xxvi, 22; xxviii, 23; 1 Pet. i, 10, 11. To him give all the prophets witness. Acts x, 43. In what passages of Scripture is Christ spoken of as God? These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him, (Christ.) John xii, 41. Awake, O sword, against the man that is my fellow. Zech. xiii, 7. Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us. Matt. i, 23. The Word was God. The Word was made flesh, &c. John i, 1, 4. The Jews sought to kill him, because he made himself equal with God. John v, 18. Thou, being a man, makest thyself God. John x, 33, Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts xx, 28. Christ, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Rom. ix, 5. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Phil. ii, 6. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col. ii, 9. God was manifest in the flesh. 1 Tim. iii, 16. His son Jesus Christ; this is the true God. 1 John v, 20. The only wise God our Saviour. Jude 25. There are certain attributes, or perfections, which belong to none but the Supreme Being. Wherever, therefore, we find these perfections ascribed to any being in the Scriptures, we have the fullest assurance that this being is God: for He will not give his glory to another. Isa. xlii, 8. 1. God existed from eternity. I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Isa. xliv, 6. The same declaration is made by Christ. I am the first and I am the last. Rev. i, 17; xxii, 13. Out of thee shall he come forth--whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah v, 2. Before Abraham was, I am: John viii, 58. (By which name God revealed himself to Moses.) Exod. iii, 14. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world. John xvi, 28. The glory I had with thee before the world was. John xvii, 5. Melchisedeck, baving neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God. Heb. vii, 3. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever, Heb. xiii, 8. If David call him Lord, how is he is Son? Matt. xxii, 45. 1 am the root and the offspring of David. Rev. xxii, 16. 2. God created all things. I am the Lord that maketh all things, alone, by myself. Isa. xliv, 24. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens. Isa. xlv, 12. We find creation ascribed to Christ. All things were made by him. John i, 1, 3, 10. All things were created by him and for him. Col. i, 16. Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth. Heb. i, 10. For whom and by whom are all things. Heb. ii, 10. Thou hast created all things. Rev. iv, 11. 3. God supports and sustains all things.. In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Job xii, 10. Thou takest away their breath, they die. Ps. civ, 29. The same is said of Christ. Upholding all things by the word of his power. Heb. i, 3. By him all things consist. Col. i, 17. 4. God is omnipresent. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth. 2 Chron. xvi, 9. We find that Christ is also present every where. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst. Matt, xviii, 20. I am with you alway, even into the end of the world. Matt. xxviii, 20. While conversing with Nicodemus, he called himself "the Son of Man, which is in heaven." John iii, 13. He is always in every place, for he can attend to the prayers of all that call upon him. 1 Cor. i, 2. He is therefore able to succour them that are tempted. Heb. ii, 18. He is always at hand to defend his sheep, so that none shall pluck them out of his hand. John x, 28. 5. God is omniscient. The Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Sam. xvi, 7. Thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men. 2 Chron, vi, 30. I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts. Rev. ii, 23. And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said. Matt. ix, 4; xii, 25; Luke vi, 8. Jesus perceived in his spirit, that they reasoned within themselves. Mark ii, 6, 8. Jesus immediately knowing in himself, said. Mark v, 30. He knew all men, he knew what was in man. John ii, 24, 25. Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not. . John vi, 64. Lord, thou knowest all things. John xxi, 17. 6. God is the alone object of divine worship. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matt. iv, 10. Second commandment. Exod. xx, 4, 5, 6. Yet in the days of his flesh, Jesus suffered himself to be worshipped by his disciples; after his resurrection and ascension he was worshipped by his apostles; and he is now worshipped in heaven by the glorified hosts of saints and angels. They fell down and worshipped him. Matt. ii, 11. There came a leper, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Matt. viii, 2. They which were in the ship, came and worshipped him. Matt.xiv, 33. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord help me. Matt. XV, 25, 28. They came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. Matt. xxviii, 9. When they saw him they worshipped him. Matt. xxviii, 17. The blind man whom he restored to sight, worshipped him. John ix, 38. Thomas said unto him, My Lord, and my God. John xx, 28. Christians are described as calling on his name, that is, praying to him. Acts ix, 14, 21; 1 Cor. i, 2. They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus. Acts vii, 59. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom. X, 13. The Apostle Paul prayed to Jesus, and received this answer, My grace is sufficient; My strength is made perfect, &c. and he adds, That the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. xii, 8,9. He prayed to Jesns for the Thessalonians: Now our Lord Jesus Christ comfort your hearts. 2 Thess. ii, 16, 17. Let all the angels of God worship him. Heb. i, 6. The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, saying, Blessing and honour be to him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb. Rev. v, 8, 13. On the Creed. No. 4. ON THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. What does the Creed further teach us to believe concerning Jesus Christ? That the third day he rose again from the dead. This event was foretold by our Saviour, who made frequent allusions to it. Matt. xii, 40; xvi, 21; xvii, 23; xx, 19; Mark viii, 31; ix,31; x,34; xiv, 58; Luke ix, 22; xiii, 32; xviii, 33; xxiv, 7; John ii, 19, 21; x, 15, 18. These declarations must have been made very explicitly and very publicly, as an attempt on the part of his followers to accomplish the prophecy was expected by the Chief Priests. Matt. xxvii, 63. And the risen Jesus upbraids his disciples with their backwardness in believing a fact so plainly declared to them. O fools, and slow of heart to believe. Luke xxiv, 25. They knew not the Scriptures, that he must rise again from the dead. John xx, 9. The resurrection was typified in Joseph's being taken out of prison to save Egypt, and raised to be ruler over all the land. Gen. xli, 41--44. F |