First Apology 53

Though we could cite many other prophecies, we have stopped, reckoning these sufficient for persuasion for those who have ears to hear and understand, and thinking that they can understand that we do not merely speak, like those who made up myths about the so-called sons of Zeus, without being able to prove it. For with what reason would we believe a crucified man, that he is the first-born of the unbegotten God and will himself judge the whole human race, unless we had found testimonies proclaimed about him before he came and became man, and saw them fulfilled in this way: the desolation of the land of the Jews, and people of every nation persuaded by the teaching of his apostles and renouncing the old customs in which they had lived in error, seeing it in ourselves, and knowing that the Christians from the Gentiles are more numerous and more true than those from the Jews and Samaritans? For all the other races of people are called Gentiles by the prophetic Spirit, but the Jewish and Samaritan tribe are called Israel and the house of Jacob. And we will declare the prophecies that it was foretold that believers from the Gentiles would be more numerous than those from the Jews and Samaritans. It was said thus: “Rejoice, barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry out, you who are not in labor; for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her who has the husband.” For all the Gentiles were desolate of the true God, serving the works of hands; but the Jews and Samaritans, who had the word from God handed down to them through the prophets and always expected Christ, did not recognize him when he came, except a few, whom the holy prophetic Spirit foretold through Isaiah would be saved. It spoke as from their person: “Unless the Lord had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.” For Sodom and Gomorrah are recorded by Moses as cities of ungodly men, which God overthrew, burning them with fire and brimstone, none of those in them being saved except a certain foreigner, a Chaldean by race, named Lot; with whom his daughters also were saved. And those who wish can see their whole country desolate and burned and remaining barren. And we will declare what was said through Isaiah the prophet, that those from the Gentiles were foreknown as more true and more faithful. He said thus: “Israel is uncircumcised in heart, but the Gentiles in the foreskin.” So many things, then, when they are seen, can with reason bring persuasion and faith to those who embrace the truth and are not lovers of glory nor ruled by passions.