In his Union Bible Companion, published in 1871, S. Austin Allibone presented a challenge to skeptics. He wrote: “Ask any one who professes to doubt the truth of the Gospel history what reason he has for believing that Cæsar died in the Capitol, or that the Emperor Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III. in 800? . . . We believe all the assertions . . . made respecting these men; and that because we have historical evidence of their truth. . . . If, on the production of such proof as this, any still refuse to believe, we abandon them as stupidly perverse or hopelessly ignorant. What shall we say, then, of those who, notwithstanding the abundant evidence now produced of the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, profess themselves unconvinced? . . . They do not wish to believe that which humbles their pride, and will force them to lead different lives.”

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  December 15, 1996  p. 6-7

 

 

Union Bible Companion

 

Christians had no imposing formalism or paid priesthood.⁵

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  March 1, 1951 p. 138

 

5.  A Source Book of Roman History, by Dana C. Munro, 1904, p. 170.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  March 1, 1951 p. 140

 

A Source Book Of Roman History

The First Letter of clement to the Corinthians, section 5, reads: “. . . Let us place before our eyes the good Apostles. Peter, by unjust envy, underwent not one or two but many labours; and thus having borne testimony unto death he went unto the place of glory which was due to him.  Through envy, Paul obtained the reward of patience. Seven times was he in bonds; he was scourged; was stoned. He preached both in the east and in the west, leaving behind him the glorious report of his faith. And thus, having taught the whole world righteousness, and reached the furthest extremity of the west, he suffered martyrdom, by the command of the governors, and departed out of this world, and went to the holy place, having become a most exemplary pattern of patience.”—Page 6 of A Translation of the Epistles of Clement of Rome, Polycarp and Ignatius, by Temple Chevallier, B.D., edition of 1833, London, England.

 

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  March 1, 1966 p. 154

 

A Translation of the Epistles of Clement of Rome, Polycarp and Ignatius