Colossians 1:6-8 Which is come to you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it… The following statement, a conjectural but probable representation of the progressive increase of Christians in the world, is attributed to Sharon Turner: 1st century, 500,000; 2nd, 2,000,000; 3rd, 5,000,000; 4th, 10,000,000; 5th, 15,000,000; 6th, 20,000,000; 7th, 24,000,000; 8th, 30,000,000; 9th, 40,000,000; 10th, 50,000,000; llth, 70,000,000; 12th, 80,000,000; 13th, 75,000,000; 14th, 80,000,000; 15th, 100,000,000; 16th, 125,000,000; 17th, 155,000,000; 18th, 200,000,000. Although this is only a mere approximation, and a very loose one, to the actual facts, yet it is interesting and instructive. With the exception of the thirteenth century (tenebrosum, as the late Dr. Miller called it), the progress of the truth has been ever onward. From every defeat it has arisen afresh, and what has never been the ease in any other system, religious, social, or intellectual, has revived anew from the ashes of its own inward corruptions. In this nineteenth century, the Christian population of the world cannot be far from three hundred millions; and its progress now is more rapid than in any period since the apostolic age. What imagination can forecast the conquests of the next fifty years! The leaven is working in every land. The old empires of idolatry and superstition are effete, and ready to vanish; while new Christian empires are born almost in a day. Every new discovery in nature, or invention in art, helps to speed the gospel. Trade, commerce, revolution, exploration, all prepare the way and herald the approach of the heralds of the cross. (Dr. Haven.) Parallel Verses KJV: Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: |
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