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We gave an instance above of the close association between the doctrine of
Justification by Faith and the evidences offered by creation, and we now seek to show
that the apostle Paul was not only conscious of this fact, but definitely used it in his
ministry.
When the idolaters of Lystra would have offered sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul,
Paul prevented them saying:
"We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn
from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea and
all things that are therein; Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own
ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave
us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness"
(Acts 14: 15-17).
When the apostle stood on Mars Hill, his testimony before the learned Greeks was
much the same:
"As I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO
THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him I declare unto
you. God that made the world and all things therein; seeing that He is Lord of heaven
and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with men's
hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things . . . . ." (Acts 17: 23-25).
At the time of the end, when the world shall have become to a great extent
Antichristian, the gospel of creation shall be preached to all that dwell on the earth:
"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and
worship Him that made heaven and earth and the sea, and the fountains of waters"
(Rev. 14: 7).
The association of the Creator with "judgment" that is found in this proclamation, and
in Acts 17: 31, must be reserved for separate study, but we call attention to it in
passing because of its importance. He Who is Creator must also be Moral Governor, and
from this follows the necessity for Law.
The Epistle to the Romans, that great exposition of Justification by Faith, contains the
most emphatic and searching statement concerning the witness of creation that we have
yet considered:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom. 1: 18).
This statement is not limited to those who have received the revelation of the
Scriptures; it is applied to those who, though they have never heard a verse of Scripture,
have before them the evidence of creation, which is sufficient for its purpose.
"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shewed
it unto them" (Rom. 1: 19).