the world can neither give nor take away. No other religion produces such good fruit. Islam
certainly does not. We find the Bible bearing witness to the change which faith in Christ crucified
wrought in Peter, in Paul: we see the like change in many among our own countrymen, and you see it
too in those of your people who have become true Christians. You must not confound nominal
Christians with true ones. The tree is known by its fruit, and St. James tells us that faith which
does not produce good fruit is dead and not living faith (Jas. ii. 26).
183. M. If it is true that "in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh
righteousness is acceptable to Him" (Acts x. 35), that is to God, what possible need can there
be for an Atonement?
C. St. Peter, in the very chapter from which you quote, answers your question by preaching
remission of sins through belief in Christ crucified (Acts x. 36-43). He shows us that verse 35
means that, when God sees that any man is trying to do right through fear of God, He guides that man
to believe in Christ who died for him, as He guided Cornelius to believe and be baptized (Acts x.
48).
184. M. At least we Muslims need no atonement, for all Muslims are ultimately saved.
C. It would be hard to prove that on any better authority than your Traditions. Yet Surah
XII., Hud, 120 (cf. Surah XXXII., As Sujdah, 13, &c.) tells us that God "will fill hell
with jinns and men