If some of these apocryphal Gospels had been accepted as canonical, and the canonical Gospels had been rejected as apocryphal, these canonical Gospels would appear as untruthful and foolish to Christians as the apocryphal Gospels do. 510 Let us examine the religious teachings ascribed to Christ. For what purpose was his blood shed? "This is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many" (Mark xiv, 24). "This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke xxii, 20). "This is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS" (Matthew xxvi, 28). The above is one of the most significant discrepancies in the Bible. The Atonement is the chief doctrine connected with Christ and orthodox Christianity. The text quoted from Matthew is the only text in the Four Gospels which clearly teaches this doctrine. Two other texts (Matthew xx, 28; John i, 29) are adduced in support of it, but do not clearly teach it. Now Matthew has falsely ascribed to Jesus the revelation of the Atonement, or Mark and Luke have either ignorantly or intentionally omitted this greatest of Christian doctrines. They contain no mention of the Atonement as understood by orthodox Christians. 511 For whom did he say his blood was shed? "This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many [interpreted by the church to mean all mankind]" (Mark xiv, 24). "This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you [addressed to his disciples alone]" (Luke xxii, 20). 512 Was his blood really shed? The crucifixion was not a bloody death, and aside from the self-confuted story of John about blood and water flowing from his corpse, the Evangelists do not state that a drop of blood was shed. 513 Christ, it is affirmed, was both God and man. Was it the human, or the divine part of him that suffered death? If only the human, this sacrifice was not an exceptional one, for thousands have died for their fellow men. If the divine part was sacrificed does God cease to exist? 514 His death is called an infinite sacrifice. If only the man died can this be true? The offering of a finite being, it must be admitted, would not constitute an infinite sacrifice. 515 If the God was crucified does he suffer endless pain? If not, then his suffering was not infinite, and the sacrifice in this case was not an infinite one. 516 If God died, but subsequently rose from the dead, was there not an interregnum when the universe was without a ruler? If so, then it must be conceded that the existence of the universe is not dependent upon the existence of God. 517 Are all mankind to be saved by Christ? "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me" (John xii, 32). "Many be called but few chosen" (Matthew xx, 16). 518 What does Paul affirm concerning the Atonement? "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians xv, 3).