That this Psalm refers to the Messiah is proved by Christ (Matt, xxii., 43, 44), and by Paul (Heb. v., 6 ; vii., 17. He is here called David's Lord (Adonai), and invited to sit at the right hand of Jehovah until all his enemies be made his footstool.
16. What evidence is furnished by Isaiah ix., 6 ?
This passage self-evidently refers to the Messiah, as is con- firmed by Matt, iv, 14-16. It declares explicitly that the child born " is also the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace."
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17. What is the evidence furnished by Micah v., 2 ?
This was understood by the Jews to refer to Christ, which is confirmed by Matt. ii., 6, and John vii., 42. The passage declares that his goings forth have been " from ever of old/' i. e., from eternity.
18. What evidence is furnished by Malachi in., 1, 2 ?
This passage self-evidently refers to the Messiah, as is con- firmed by Mark i., 2.
The Hebrew term (Adonai), here translated Lord, is never applied to any other than the supreme God. The temple, which was sacred to the presence and worship of Jehovah, is called his temple. And in verse 2d, a divine work of judgment is ascribed to him.
19. What evidence is afforded by the ivay in-which the writers of the New Testament apply the writings of the Old Testament to Christ ?
The apostles frequently apply the language of the Old Testa- ment to Christ, when it is evident that the original writers in- tended to speak of Jehovah, and not of the Messiah as such.
Psalm 102 is evidently an address to the supreme Lord, ascribing to him eternity, creation, providential government, wor- ship, and the hearing and answering of prayer. But Paul (Heb. i., 10-12) affirms Christ to be the subject of the address. In Is. xlv., 20-25, Jehovah speaks and asserts his own supreme Lord- ship. But Paul, in Bom. xiv., 11, quotes a part of Jehovah's declaration with regard to himself, to prove that we must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Compare also Is. vi., 3, with John xii., 41.
20. What is the general character of the evidence upon this subject afforded by the New Testament ?
This fundamental doctrine is presented to us in every individ- ual writing, and in every separate paragraph of the New Testa- ment, either by direct assertion or by necessary indication, as may be ascertained by every honest reader for himself. The mass of this testimony is so great, and is so intimately interwoven with every other theme in every passage, that I have room here
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to present only a general sample of the evidence, classified under the usual heads.
21. Prove that the New Testament ascribes divine titles to Christ,
John i., 1 ; xx., 28 ; Acts xx., 28 ; Kom. ix., 5 ; 2 Thess. i., 12 ; 1 Tim. iii.; 16 ; Titus ii., 13 ; Heb. i., 8 ; 1 John, v., 20.
22. Prove that the New Testament ascribes divine perfections to Christ.
Eternity. — John i., 2 ; viii., 58 ; xvii., 5 ; Eev. i., 8, 17, 18 ; xxii., 13.
Immutability. — Heb. i., 11, 12, and xiii., 8.
Omnipresence. — John iii., 13 ; Matt, xviii., 20 ; xxviii., 20.
Omniscience. — Matt, xi., 27 ; John ii., 23-25; xxi., 17; Kev. ii., 23.
Omnipotence. — John v., 17 ; Heb. i., 3 ; Eev. i., 8 ; xi., 17.
23. Prove that the Neiu Testament ascribes divine works to Christ.
Creation. — John i., 3, 10 ; Col. i., 16, 17.
Preservation and Providence. — Heb. i., 3 ; Col. i., 17 ; Matt, xxviii., 18.
Miracles. — John v., 21, 36.
Judgment.— 2 Cor. v. 10 ; Matt, xxv., 31, 32 ; John v., 22.
A work of grace, including election. — John xiii., 18.
Sanctification, Eph. v., 26 ; sending the Holy Ghost, John xvi., 7, 14 ; giving eternal life, John x., 28 ; Turret tin, Tom. I., L. 3, Q. 28.
24. Prove that the New Testament teaches that supreme wor- ship shoidd be paid to Christ.
Matt, xxviii., 19 ; John v., 22, 23 ; xiv., 1 ; Acts vii., 59, 60; 1 Cor. i., 2 ; 2 Cor., xiii., 14 ; Phil, ii., 9, 10 ; Heb. i., 6 ; Kev. L, 5, 6 ; v., 11, 12 ; vii., 10.
25. Prove that the Son, although God, is a distinct person from the Father.
This fact is so plainly taught in Scripture, and so universally
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implied, that the Sabellian system, which denies it, has never obtained any general currency.
Christ is sent by the Father, comes from him, returns to him, receives his commandment, does his will, loves him, is loved by him, addresses prayer to him, uses the pronouns thou and he when speaking to and of him. This is necessarily implied, also, in the relative titles, Father and Son. See the whole New Tes- tament.
III. The Holy Ghost is truly God, yet a distinct person.
26. What sects have held that the Holy Ghost is a creature ?