Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions Part 109

[380:2] Israel Worsley's Enquiry, p. 54. Quoted in Higgins' Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 116.

[380:3] "The memorable test (I. John v. 7) which a.s.serts the unity of the three which bear witness in heaven, is condemned by the universal silence of the orthodox Fathers, ancient versions, and authentic ma.n.u.scripts. It was first alleged by the Catholic Bishop whom Hunneric summoned to the Conference of Carthage (A. D. 254), or, more properly, by the four bishops who composed and published the profession of faith, in the name of their brethren." (Gibbon's Rome, vol. iii. p. 556, and note 117.) None of the ancient ma.n.u.scripts now extant, above four-score in number, _contain this pa.s.sage_. (Ibid. note 116.) In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the Bible was corrected. Yet, notwithstanding these corrections, the pa.s.sage is still wanting in twenty-five Latin ma.n.u.scripts. (Ibid. note 116. See also Dr. Giles' Hebrew and Christian Records, vol. ii. p. 12. Dr. Inman's Ancient Faiths, vol. ii. p. 886.

Rev. Robert Taylor's Diegesis, p. 421, and Reber's Christ of Paul.)

[380:4] See Gibbon's Rome, ii. 309.

[380:5] Chambers's Encyclo., art. "Trinity."

[381:1] Draper: Religion and Science, pp. 53, 54.

[382:1] Athanasius, tom. i. p. 808. Quoted in Gibbon's Rome, vol. ii. p.

310.

Gennadius, Patriarch of Constantinople, was so much amazed by the extraordinary composition called "Athanasius' Creed," that he frankly p.r.o.nounced it to be the work of a drunken man. (Gibbon's Rome, vol. iii.

p. 555, note 114.)

[382:2] Gibbon's Rome, vol. iii. p. 87.

[382:3] Ibid. pp. 91, 92.

[383:1] All their writings were ordered to be destroyed, and any one found to have them in his possession was severely punished.

CHAPTER x.x.xVI.

PAGANISM IN CHRISTIANITY.

Our a.s.sertion that that which is called Christianity is nothing more than the religion of Paganism, we consider to have been fully verified.

We have found among the heathen, centuries before the time of Christ Jesus, the belief in an incarnate G.o.d born of a virgin; his previous existence in heaven; the celestial signs at the time of his birth; the rejoicing in heaven; the adoration by the magi and shepherds; the offerings of precious substances to the divine child; the slaughter of the innocents; the presentation at the temple; the temptation by the devil; the performing of miracles; the crucifixion by enemies; and the death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. We have also found the belief that this incarnate G.o.d was from all eternity; that he was the Creator of the world, and that he is to be Judge of the dead at the last day. We have also seen the practice of Baptism, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, added to the belief in a Triune G.o.d, consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let us now compare the Christian creed with ancient Pagan belief.

_Christian Creed._

1. I believe in G.o.d the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth:

_Ancient Pagan Belief._

1. I believe in G.o.d the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth:[384:1]

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, Our Lord.

2. And in his only Son, our Lord.[384:2]

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.[384:3]

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.

4. Suffered under (whom it might be), was crucified, dead, and buried.[384:4]

5. He descended into h.e.l.l;

5. He descended into h.e.l.l;[385:1]

6. The third day he rose again from the dead;

6. The third day he rose again from the dead;[385:2]

7. He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of G.o.d the Father Almighty;

7. He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of G.o.d the Father Almighty;[385:3]

8. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

8. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.[385:4]

9. I believe in the Holy Ghost;

9. I believe in the Holy Ghost;[385:5]

10. The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints;

10. The Holy Catholic Church,[385:6] the Communion of Saints;

11. The forgiveness of sins;

11. The forgiveness of sins;[385:7]

12. The resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

12. The resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.[385:8]

The above is the so-called "_Apostles' Creed_," as it now stands in the book of common prayer of the United Church of England and Ireland, as by law established.

It is affirmed by Ambrose, that:

"The twelve apostles, as skilled artificers, a.s.sembled together, and made a key by their common advice, that is, the Creed, by which the darkness of the devil is disclosed, that the light of Christ may appear."

Others fable that every Apostle inserted an article, by which the Creed is divided into twelve articles.

The earliest account of its origin we have from Ruffinus, an historical compiler and traditionist of the _fourth_ century, but not in the form in which it is known at present, it having been added to since that time. The most important addition is that which affirms that Jesus descended into h.e.l.l, which has been added since A. D. 600.[385:9]

Beside what we have already seen, the ancient Pagans had many beliefs and ceremonies which are to be found among the Christians. One of these is the story of "_The War in Heaven_."

The New Testament version is as follows: