CHRISTIANITY. 145 



Christian Theology, or the study of Christianity ; otherwise called 

 the study of Divinity. Various subdivisions of this study have been 

 proposed ; but we proceed here to treat of it in three parts, under the 

 titles of Ecclesiastical History; Biblical Divinity; and Sectarian 

 Polity. 



PART I. 



Ecclesiastical History. 



Under the head of Ecclesiastical History, we shall here treat of 

 the origin and early progress of Christianity ; considered, so far as it 

 may be, independently of the particular sects, into which the Christian 

 world is now divided. The name is derived from the Greek, sxx^Gia, 

 church; this name properly signifying the whole body of Christians 

 of all ages and nations ; though it is also applied to any particular 

 Christian sect, or society. The present topic presupposes a general 

 knowledge of Civil History and Archaoology, both ancient and 

 modern; with which it is so closely connected, that the study of 

 each, throws light upon that of the other. After thus glancing over 

 the early History of Christianity, we shall be the better prepared 

 to appreciate the evidences on which it rests. The later Eccle- 

 siastical History, referring chiefly to the various Christian sects 

 which have arisen in modern times, will be reserved for the third 

 part of the present chapter, that entitled Sectarian Polity. 



1. Our Saviour was born, four years before the Christian Era, as 

 generally received, (or 4 B. C.), in Bethlehem of Judea, which was 

 then under the Roman power. At twelve years of age, (A. D. 8), he 

 disputed with the Jewish Doctors, in the temple ; and at the age of 

 nearly thirty-one, (A. D. 27), he was baptized by John the Baptist; 

 soon after which he chose the twelve apostles, and commenced his 

 public ministry. Three and a half years after this, A. D. 31, he was 

 crucified, rose again from the dead, and reascended into heaven, in 

 the presence of many. disciples. The first Christian Church, was 

 formed, immediately after this event, at Jerusalem ; and James the 

 Less, or the Just, who was the son of Alpheus, (that is Cleophas), 

 and who was called the brother, though really the cousin of our Lord, 

 was placed over it, as its presbyter or bishop. He was the writer of 

 the epistle which bears his name. He suffered martyrdom, A. D. 62; 

 when his brother Simeon succeeded him. The second church appears 

 to have been formed at Jlntioch, in Syria, by those who fled thither 

 after Stephen's martyrdom ; and there, about A. D. 40, the disciples 

 were first called Christians. On the approach of Titus, to besiege 

 Jerusalem, the Christians, with Peter and John, warned by our Sa- 

 viour's prophecy, withdrew in safety, A. D. 70, to Pella, beyond the 

 river Jordan. 



Of the Twelve Apostles, Simon Peter preached the gospel in 

 Asia Minor, and, according to Eusebius, at Rome also ; where he 

 was crucified, A. D. 67. He was regarded as the first bishop of 

 Rome ; Linus being his successor. Andrew, his brother, is said to 

 have preached in Greece, and been crucified at Patras in Achaia, 

 A. D. 83. James, called the Greater, the son of Zebedee, was put 

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