[The Grounds of Christianity Examined by Comparing The New Testament with the Old by George Bethune English]@TWC D-Link bookThe Grounds of Christianity Examined by Comparing The New Testament with the Old CHAPTER XII 6/13
"The scripture saith, 'say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into Heaven? (that is, that he may bring down Jesus from above.) Again, 'who shall descend into the abyss ?' (that is, that he may bring up Jesus from the dead.) But what saith it? ' The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart.' (that is the word of Faith which we speak.) For if thou confess Jesus with thy mouth, and believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Here you will see another instance of misapplication of Scripture by Paul, in order to dazzle the eyes of his simple and credulous converts, for let any one took at the place in the Scripture whence the quotation is taken, arid he will immediately see the inapplicability of the words, and the adulteration of those of the original, in order to make them apply. For the Scripture quoted speaks of, and refers to penitence, and. not at all about believing on, or bringing down Jesus from Heaven, or up from the dead; for here are the words, Deut.
30.--"If thou be converted to the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind."-- Immediately is subjoined--"For this Law which I command you this day is not far from thee; neither is it afar off.
It is not in Heaven, that thou shouldst say, who shall ascend for us into Heaven, that he may bring it unto us, and declare it to us that we might do it," &c.
The sense of the whole is, that God wills us to repent of sin; and that you may know when you have sinned, you have only to look at his Law, which is not in Heaven, nor afar off, but is put in your own hands, and is perfectly familiar with your heart, and lips. 1 Cor, ch.v.1.Paul accuses one of the Christians of the church of Corinth of the crime of incest, because he had married his step-mother, and orders them to excommunicate him.
But Paul, in all his Epistles and teachings to the Gentiles, pronounced them free from the Law of Moses.
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