Against Celsus 3.34

I think these were the only ones Celsus knew; and so as to seem to have deliberately left out similar cases, he said, “And one could name many others of this kind.” Suppose it granted that there were many more of this kind, who did the human race no good: what would each of them be found to be compared with the work of Jesus and the marvels about him, of which we have spoken at length? After this he thinks we have done something similar in worshiping one who, as Celsus says, “was taken and died,” to the Getae who revere Zamolxis, the Cilicians Mopsus, the Acarnanians Amphilochus, the Thebans Amphiaraus, and the Lebadeans Trophonius. Here too we shall show that he has not reasonably likened us to those mentioned. For they built temples and statues to those listed, whereas we have removed from the divine the honor paid through such things (as more suited to daemons, who are somehow established in a certain place, which they either seize beforehand or, drawn by certain rites and charms, as it were inhabit), and we are amazed at Jesus, who transferred our minds from everything perceptible, as not only corruptible but destined to perish, and leads them up to the honor paid, with an upright life, to the God over all, with prayers which we offer to him through Jesus, as one who is between the nature of the unbegotten and that of all begotten things, who brings us the benefits from the Father and, like a high priest, conveys our prayers to the God over all.