Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-04-27


szzzzzEz5sA thians Ky. 81 He
(9AsI0R 2IlssLIp) said 49,,
discussing the resurrection of the dead.
lie realized that on that great fact
rested the weight of the Gospel Mes
sage. 1t was easy enough TO prove
that Jesus had died. but to an incredu.
lous world II was difficult to prove
that lie had risen from the dead; and
whoever could not believe that great
fact could not believe the other great
facts which stand or fall with it.
For instance. the Apostle presented
that Jesus had left the heavenly glory
and had become Man for the pnr-
pose of meeting the demands of the
Divine Law against Adam and his
race. involved by him He could show
the reasonableness of this logic. He
has proven that rs the whole world
was condemned NJ death through Fa-
Their Adams disobedience II was abb
solutely necessary for an untainted life
TO be- sacrificed In order to meet the
penalty and 10 secure the release OF
the condemned race
God Would Not Leave His Son In
Death.
The Apostle had declared that Jesus
had been faithful In His ministry In
| fully laying down His life and that the
entire matter was pleasing and accept
able TO the Heavenly Father. II so.
/ lot in
death. but would raise Him from the
dead This fact the Apostle had re-
peatedy enunciated. showing that Our
Lord entered into His glory and re.
ward and assembled up where lie was
heforc-to perfection on the spirit
| plane.
But all these claims fell lightly upon
some OF MS bearers. who claimed that
1t WAS much more easy TO believe that
Jesus never died at all. but merely
transmitted. than 10 believe that lie
| died iur cur sins and rose again for
our Justification: hence the Apostles
| frequent reference to Christ's resurrec-
ton and his inSsteuce upon II as alb
solutely necessary TO Christian faith.
for MT only would the Heavenly Fa
, TIERS favor toward the Lord Jesus
thus he shown. but the bulk of all tue
I holy prophecies would remain unful-
( flied unless Jesus arose from the dead
In other words. dead Rcdeemer
would he Of no advantage: matters
would bc Just as unfavorable for the
] sinners rs though Jesus had never
! come at at Additionally. If the resur-
/ rcction oi Jesus was n questionable
Z matter. how could those who disputed
I hat great fact u knowledge the resur-
reCtion Of the Church aud of the worldf
Saint Paul emphasizes this. also de.
! clarng that There shall he a resufrcc-
\ ton OF the dead both OF the just aud
! of he unjust. ~ Il result of the re-
deinptlve work OF .lesus-lIis dying for
mans sins. and His resurrection TO
I glory 90 carry out the blessings secur
cd by His death
Last of All He Was Seen by Me-"
| Prosecuting his argument. the Apos-
tie marshalled the whole chain OF wit
uesses except the women who first saw
rection. He says. "He was seen OF
| Cephas Peter. then by the remainder
OF the twelve: then OF above five hun
dred brethren mt once; later. lie was
seen OF james: then of all the Apos
ties" when lie assembled. Then comes
the text: Last of all lie was seen OF
me also"
| There Is something pathetic In this
reference TO His own glimpse OF Jesus.
II called up the period Of his own
bigoted persecution of the Church. II
reminded him of his own responsible
| ity In connection with the death OF
Saint Stephen. and OF the blind hatred
which led him 10 prosecute inoffenSive
fcllow-creatures. simply because they
believed that Jesus died and rose again.
the very thing which He was now try
| ing to testify to all having the hearing
ear
His memory went back 20 the mad
ness which he had manifested in pur
suing Christians even to Damascus
hnling them to prison. Again he saw
the great. binding light from heaven
above the brightness Of the noonda!
sun. his fall 70 the earth. aud heard the
voice speaking 70 him. saying. saul
Saul. why parSp,.ufpsi ;hou Mef' tActs
ix 10: XVI l2-iai Again he remem
bered his astonishment nj learning that
those when he had prosecuted were
not renegade aud deceived Jews. bu'
hirhly esteemed and acknowledged by
this Great oar glimpse Of whom fell
vi him 10 The earth All, that was