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| Chapter XXXIX.—The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both!
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Chapter XXXIX.—The Jews hate the
Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both!
“Now it
is not surprising,” I continued, “that you hate us who hold
these opinions, and convict you of a continual hardness of heart.2048
| 2048 Literally, “of a
hard-hearted opinion.” | For indeed Elijah, conversing
with God concerning you, speaks thus: ‘Lord, they have slain Thy
prophets, and digged down Thine altars: and I am left alone, and they
seek my life.’ And He answers him: ‘I have still seven
thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’2049
Therefore, just as God did not inflict His
anger on account of those seven thousand men, even so He has now neither
yet inflicted judgment, nor does inflict it, knowing that daily some [of
you] are becoming disciples in the name of Christ, and quitting the path
of error; who are also receiving gifts, each as he is worthy, illumined
through the name of this Christ. For one receives the spirit of
understanding, another of counsel, another of strength, another of
healing, another of foreknowledge, another of teaching, and another of
the fear of God.”
To this Trypho said to me, “I wish you knew that
you are beside yourself, talking these sentiments.”
And I said to him, “Listen, O friend,2050
| 2050 ὦ οὑτος. [Or, Look you,
listen!] | for I am not mad or beside myself; but it was
prophesied that, after the ascent of Christ to heaven, He would
deliver2051
| 2051 Literally,
“carry us captive.” | us from error and give us
gifts. The words are these: ‘He ascended up on high; He led
captivity captive; He gave gifts to men.’2052
Accordingly, we who have received gifts from Christ, who has
ascended up on high, prove from the words of prophecy that you,
‘the wise in yourselves, and the men of understanding in your own
eyes,’2053
are foolish, and honour God
and His Christ by lip only. But we, who are instructed in the whole
truth,2054
| 2054 Contrasting
either Catholics with heretics, or Christians with Jews. [Note this word
Catholic, as here used in its legitimate primitive sense.]
| honour Them both in acts, and in knowledge, and in heart, even
unto death. But you hesitate to confess that He is Christ, as the
Scriptures and the events witnessed and done in His name prove, perhaps
for this reason, lest you be persecuted by the rulers, who, under the
influence of the wicked and deceitful spirit, the serpent, will not cease
putting to death and persecuting those who confess the name of Christ
until He come again, and destroy them all, and render to each his
deserts.”
And Trypho replied, “Now, then, render us the
proof that this man who you say was crucified and ascended into heaven is
the Christ of God. For you have sufficiently proved by means of the
Scriptures previously quoted by you, that it is declared in the
Scriptures that Christ must suffer, and come again with glory, and
receive the eternal kingdom over all the nations, every kingdom being
made subject to Him: now show us that this man is He.”
And I replied, “It has been already proved, sirs,
to those who have ears, even from the facts which have been conceded by
you; but that you may not think me at a loss, and unable to give proof of
what you ask, as I promised, I shall do so at a fitting place. At
present, I resume the consideration of the subject which I was
discussing.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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