We worship without temples or statues

For my part, I think that these were the only ones Celsus knew. And so that he may seem to have passed over similar cases by choice, he said, “And one could name many others of this kind.” Well, let it be so, and let it be granted that there have been many such men, who did nothing at all to help the human race. What would each of them be found to be when set beside the work of Jesus and the wonders told of him, of which we have spoken at length?

After this he supposes that we, in worshipping one who, as Celsus says, “was captured and died,” have done something like the Getae, who revere Zamolxis, the Cilicians, who revere Mopsus, the Acarnanians Amphilochus, the Thebans Amphiaraus, and the people of Lebadea Trophonius. Here too we shall prove that he had no good reason to liken us to those just named. For they built temples and statues to those whom he lists; but we have taken away from the Divine the honour paid by such means, as more fitting for demons, which are somehow settled in a particular place, a place they either seize beforehand or, drawn there by certain rites and sorceries, in a manner inhabit. We, rather, look with wonder on Jesus, who has turned our mind away from everything that the senses perceive, as being not only perishable but also bound to perish, and who leads it up to honour the God over all with an upright life and with prayers. These we offer to him through one who stands, as it were, between the nature of the uncreated and the nature of all created things, who brings us the benefits that come from the Father and, in the manner of a high priest, carries our prayers to the God over all.