The doctrine of the Trinity in unity, deduced from the ... terms employed to ...

CHAP. II.

V. 25.-David speaketh concerning JESUS, and saith, I foresaw the LORD always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.

Ps. xvi. V. 8.—I have set JEHOVAH always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

In this quotation St. Peter unequivocally asserts that JESUS was the JEHOVAH, whose future advent David foresaw. In this instance, if the original distinctive names were preserved, would it not help to convince the Socinians of the fallacy of their belief? At all events, this teaches us how we are to interpret the word LORD, when we meet with it in similar instances.

V. 30.-David, therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that GOD had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up CHRIST to sit on his throne. 31. He seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of CHRIST. That his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Ps. xvi. V. 10.-Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

How earnestly and beautifully does St. Stephen strive to express his belief that JESUS CHRIST is the Messiah whose advent, death, &c., had been the subject of all the prophets' deep meditations; words cannot be stronger, nor intentions more evident.

V. 38.-Peter saith, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of JESUS CHRIST, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

How plain and earnest is St. Peter's injunction, and let us receive it to our edification.

CHAP. IV.

And then Peter and John went to their own company, and when they had reported all that the priests and elders had said to them, V. 24. They lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, LORD thou art God, which has made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is, who, by the mouth of thy servant David, hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD, and against his CHRIST.

Ps. ii. V. 2.—The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against JEHOVAH, and against his ANOINTED.

It cannot, I think, be denied, that St. Peter and St. John, and their company, refer to the Second Psalm, and intend to assert that the prophecy contained therein was fulfilled in the conduct of Herod, Pilate, &c. Thus again are these corroborative proofs of CHRist and JEHOVAH being identified in this prophecy, for in the original JEHOVAH is the Being against whom the rulers are assembled.

CHAP. V.

V. 38.-Refrain from these men, and let them alone, for if this counsel, or this work be of man, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.

PROV. Ch. xxi. V. 30.-There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against JEHOVAH.

Isa. Ch. viii. V. 10.-—Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us.

Let Christianity be tried by this proof, and it will stand unshaken like a rock.

CHAP. VI.

V. 10. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he (Stephen) spoke.

ISA. Ch. liv. V. 17.—No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of JEHOVAH, and their righteousness is of Me, saith JEHOVAH.

The earnestness, the proofs and the constancy, of St. Stephen were all unanswerable, and therefore, to silence him effectually, they stoned him. The infidels since those times act in a very similar manner. The Scriptures are so adapted to all capacities, the essential points are so clearly and distinctly told, that all may attain through them eternal life. To prevent this blessed result, the infidels of these awful times pervert the plainest doctrine and the plainest precepts, and thus they poison the fountain-head of all religious information.

CHAP. VII.

V. 37. This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the LORD your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me, him shall ye hear. 38. This is he (CHRIST) that was in the church in the wilderness with the Angel, which spake to him (Moses) in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers.

EXOD. Ch. xix. V. 3.—And Moses went up unto ELOHIM, and JEHOVAH called to him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel. 17. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet ELOHIM.

I must refer the reader to the tenth chapter of the First Cor., for there the appropriate reference will confirm the explanatory names I have inserted within parentheses. St. Stephen, St. Luke, St. Paul, all in their writings teach us that they believed CHRIST, the MESSIAH, the IMMANUEL, or by whatever name they

ACTS.

CHAP. IV.

And then Peter and John went to their own company, and when they Lad reported all that the priests and elders had said to them, V. 24. They lifted up their voice to GoD with one accord, and said, LORD thou art GOD, which has made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is, who, by the mouth of thy servant David, hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD, and against his CHRIST.

Ps. ii. V. 2.-The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against JEHOVAH, and against his ANOINTED.

It cannot, I think, be denied, that St. Peter and St. John, and their company, refer to the Second Psalm, and intend to assert that the prophecy contained therein was fulfilled in the conduct of Herod, Pilate, &c. Thus again are these corroborative proofs of CHRIST and JEHOVAH being identified in this prophecy, for in the original JEHOVAH is the Being against whom the rulers are assembled.

CHAP. V.

V. 39.-Refrain from these men, and let them alone, for if this counsel, or this work be of man, it will come to nought; but if it be of Gon, ye cannot overthrow it.

PROV. Ch. xxi. V. 30.-There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against JEHOVAH.

JA. Ch. viii. V. 10.-Take counsel together, and it shall come to Menght speak the word, and it shall not stand, for GOD is with us.

For Christianity be tried by this proof, and it will rand unshaken like a rock.

CHAP. VI.

V. 10.—And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he (Stephen) spoke.

Isa. Ch. liv. V. 17.—No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of JEHOVAH, and their righteousness is of Me, saith JEHOVAH.

CHAP. VII.

V. 37.—This is that Moses which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the LORD your God raise up unto you of your bre thren like unto me, him shall ve hear. 35. This is he (CHRIST) that was in the church in the wilderness with the Angel, which spake to him (Moses) in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers.

EXOD. Ch. xix. V. 3-And Moses went up unto ELOHIM, and JEHOVAH called to him out of the mountain, saying, Thus sait thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel 17. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet Elon.a. I must refer the reader to the tenth chapter of the First Co the appropriate reference will confirm

names I have inserted with in Pt, St. Luke, St. Paul, all in at ther bellered CHRIST, the or by whatever name they

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