1. He is the only, unique Son of God (Psalm 2:7, 11-12; John 1:14; Luke 1:35).
2. He is eternal. He existed from eternity past, He exists in the present, and He will exist for all eternity in the future (John 1:1-3, 14; John 8:58).
3. Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3).
4. Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5); there is no other way to salvation. He is the only righteous One who exchanged that perfect righteousness for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).
5. Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back His life again (John 2:19; 10:17-18). Note: His resurrection was not a “spiritual” one, but was physical (Luke 24:39). His resurrection from the dead, never to die again, distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 1:4).
6. Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 20:28-29; Philippians 2:6), and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to be honored as He is honored (John 5:23). All others, whether Jesus’ disciples or angelic beings, rightly reject that worship (Acts 10:25-26; Acts 14:14-15; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:9).
7. Jesus has the power to give life to whom He wills (John 5:21).
8. The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 5:22).
9. Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation, and it is by His hand that all things are held together (John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:8-10; Colossians 1:17).
10. It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age (Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:35, 44; Revelation 19:11-16).
11. Jesus alone was born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-35).
12. It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [e.g., the power to forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 9:1-7); to calm the wind and waves (Mark 4:37-41; Psalm 89:8-9); to know us, being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139; John 1:46-50; 2:23-25), to raise the dead (John 11; Luke 7:12-15; 8:41-55), etc.]
13. There are a great number of prophecies concerning the Messiah’s birth, life, resurrection, person, and purpose. All were fulfilled by Him and no other (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Psalm 22; Zechariah 11:12-13; 13:7; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 53; Psalm 16:10).
Showing posts with label jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jesus. Show all posts
October 3, 2008
June 4, 2008
BIBLE - Contradictions...?
Have you ever been confronted with the claim that there are contradictions in the Bible? I have been confronted with this quite a few times. Here is an explanation for one so-called "contradiction" out of the many claims that the Bible has errors or contradiction within it. Read and judge yourself if this is a contradiction or not!
Matthew records Jesus saying that John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come, while John seems to record John the Baptist denying it. The reason for this apparent inconsistency is a lack of contextualization by readers.
The priests and Levites came to John the Baptist and asked him if he was Elijah. Quite a funny question to ask someone, unless you know the Jewish Scriptures. For God says through the prophet Malachi that He will send Elijah to the people of Israel before a certain time. Therefore as the Jewish people were expecting Elijah, the question is quite logical.
John was about 30 years when he was asked this question. His parents were already dead; he was the only son of Zechariah from the tribe of Levi. So when asked if he was Elijah who ascended up into heaven about 878 years earlier, the answer was obviously "No, I am not Elijah."
Jesus also testifies, albeit indirectly, to John not being Elijah in Matthew 11:11 where he says that John is greater than all people who have ever been born. Moses was greater than Elijah, but John was greater than them both.
So what did Jesus mean when he says of John "he is the Elijah who was to come"? The angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) speaks to Zechariah of his son, John, who was not yet born, saying "he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17)
The Angel refers to two prophecies, Isaiah 40:3-5 (see Luke 3:4-6 to see this applied again to John the Baptist) and Malachi 4:5-6 mentioned above, which says "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers". Gabriel unmistakably says that John is the "Elijah" whom God foretold through Malachi the prophet.
So, was John Elijah? No. But had the priests and Levites asked him, "Are you the one the prophet Malachi speaks of as 'Elijah'?" John would have responded affirmatively.
Jesus in Matthew 17:11-13 says that the prophecy of Malachi is true, but Elijah had already come. He says that this "Elijah" suffered, like he, Jesus will suffer; "the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist". Therefore, once we understand the context it is clear; John was not the literal Elijah, but he was the Elijah that the prophecy spoke of, the one who was to (and did) prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world", John 1:29.
Source: http://debate.org.uk/topics/apolog/contrads.htm
If you don't have a Bible to look up the Bible passages mentioned below, then go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
- John the Baptist was (Matthew 11:14; 17:10-13) or was not Elijah to come (John 1:19-21)?
Matthew records Jesus saying that John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come, while John seems to record John the Baptist denying it. The reason for this apparent inconsistency is a lack of contextualization by readers.
The priests and Levites came to John the Baptist and asked him if he was Elijah. Quite a funny question to ask someone, unless you know the Jewish Scriptures. For God says through the prophet Malachi that He will send Elijah to the people of Israel before a certain time. Therefore as the Jewish people were expecting Elijah, the question is quite logical.
John was about 30 years when he was asked this question. His parents were already dead; he was the only son of Zechariah from the tribe of Levi. So when asked if he was Elijah who ascended up into heaven about 878 years earlier, the answer was obviously "No, I am not Elijah."
Jesus also testifies, albeit indirectly, to John not being Elijah in Matthew 11:11 where he says that John is greater than all people who have ever been born. Moses was greater than Elijah, but John was greater than them both.
So what did Jesus mean when he says of John "he is the Elijah who was to come"? The angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) speaks to Zechariah of his son, John, who was not yet born, saying "he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17)
The Angel refers to two prophecies, Isaiah 40:3-5 (see Luke 3:4-6 to see this applied again to John the Baptist) and Malachi 4:5-6 mentioned above, which says "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers". Gabriel unmistakably says that John is the "Elijah" whom God foretold through Malachi the prophet.
So, was John Elijah? No. But had the priests and Levites asked him, "Are you the one the prophet Malachi speaks of as 'Elijah'?" John would have responded affirmatively.
Jesus in Matthew 17:11-13 says that the prophecy of Malachi is true, but Elijah had already come. He says that this "Elijah" suffered, like he, Jesus will suffer; "the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist". Therefore, once we understand the context it is clear; John was not the literal Elijah, but he was the Elijah that the prophecy spoke of, the one who was to (and did) prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world", John 1:29.
Source: http://debate.org.uk/topics/apolog/contrads.htm
March 8, 2008
The Crucifixion of Jesus - Fact or Fiction?
One of the main controversies between Christians and the Moslems is the authenticity of the crucifixion of Christ. Since the crucifixion is a main doctrine of the church as a whole, I would like to invite you the reader to survey with me the following testimonies.
1. The Testimony of History
Cornelius Tacitus (55 A.D.) a heathen historian, who is considered to be one of the greatest historians of ancient Rome, recorded Christ’s crucifixion in detail as seen in his annals contained in 18 volumes.
Josephus (37-97 A.D.) A Jewish historian who wrote the history of his people in 20 volumes recorded the account of the life of Christ, His teaching, His miracles, and the detailed account of His crucifixion, which was ordered by Pontius Pilate. He mentioned also that Christ appeared to the disciples alive on the third day.
Lucian, the Greek, an outstanding Greek historian, wrote on the crucifixion of Christ and of the Christians who were willing to die for their faith in the Christ.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor sent to Tiberius Caesar a full report of the crucifixion of Christ. This report was one of the documents with which Tertullian, a Christian scholar, supported his famous defense of the Christians.
2. The Testimony of the Talmud
The Talmud is a holy book for the Jews. A copy published in Amsterdam in 1943 states the following information: “Jesus was crucified on the eve of the Passover.’ This information is found on page 42.
3. The Testimony of the Old Testament Prophecies
There are over forty-seven prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the death of Christ on the cross, all of which were literally fulfilled.
Some of these is Isa 53: 3-12. Other prophecies fulfilled are found in the following passages:
Prophecy - Fulfillment
Sold with 30 pieces of sliver - Zack. 11:12 - Matt. 26: 15
Hated without a cause - Psa. 35:19 - John 15: 25
His disciples left Him and ran away - Zack. 13:7 - Matt. 16: 31-56
His pierced hands and feet - Psa. 22:16 - Luke 23: 33
Casting lots for His garments - Psa. 22:18 - John 19: 23-24
His serve thirst - Psa. 22: 15 - John 19: 26
Given vinegar in His thirst - Psa. 59: 21 - Matt. 27: 34
His acquaintances forsook Him - Psa. 31: 11 - Matt. 14: 48-50
Piercing of His side - Zech. 12: 10 - John 19: 34-37
He bore the sin of many - Isa. 53: 12 - Heb. 9: 28
Intercession for His enemies - Isa. 53: 12 - Mark 15: 28
Not one of His bones was broken - Ex. 12: 46, Psa. 34: 20 - John 19: 33-36
4. The Testimony of Christ Himself
The death of Christ on the cross plays the most important and climactic role in His life. For this reason the writers of the Gospels gave considerable attention to this matter. In fact, more so than any other part of His ministry. Before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus spoke on many occasions about His death on the cross and His resurrection. For He said, ‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death.” (Matt.20: 18). “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day”. (Matt. 16:2).
For more detail please read these verses: Matt. 17: 22; Mark 8: 31; 9: 31; 10: 32b-34; Luke 9: 22; 18: 31-33; John 3: 14-17; 10: 11; 12: 32-33.
5. The Testimony of the Gospel
One half of the Gospel of John and one third of the Gospel of Mark, Matthew, and Luke are designated to the crucifixion of Christ.
6. The Testimony of John the Baptist
The message of John the Baptist was: “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world”. (John 1: 29)
For up until then there had been many lambs, but now there is just one lamb – “the Lamb”.
Up until then there had been many lambs chosen by men, but now there is one lamb sent by God “Behold the Lamb of God”.
Up until then there had been lambs that covered sin, now this lamb “takes away sin”.
Up until then we had many lambs for the nation of Israel, now we have one lamb for the whole “world”.
In Genesis chapter four we read about one lamb for one person. In Exodus chapter twelve we read about one lamb for the whole family. In Leviticus we read about one lamb for the whole nation, but now Christ, the Lamb of God, for the sin of the whole world.
7. The Testimony of Moses
In Deut. 18: 15 Moses spoke about Christ and this prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 3: 22
8. The Testimony of the Nicea Creed
In the year 325AD a group of Christian bishops gathered in the city of Nicea from all over Christendom and pinned down the Christian creed, which summarizes the doctrine of the church. The purpose of this creed was to guard against the heretics, which arose in the Christian church, in the creed they mentioned that Jesus was crucified during the time of Pontius Pilate.
9. The Testimony of the Symbol and Sign of the Cross
The cross-had been the emblem of the Christian church since its inception. They have raised it on the sleepless of their churches and engraved it on their tombs. Their kings wore it on the top front of their crown to remind them of the greatest love of God in the redemption of mankind. Such a symbol is also etched in a great number on the walls of the catacombs in Rome.
10. The Testimony of the Words of Christ on the Cross
No one else but the Lord Jesus would have uttered the words from the cross. For who can say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 34)
11. The Testimony of Joseph of Arimathea
When Joseph of Arimathea asked Pontius Pilate for the body of Jesus, his request was granted (Mark 15: 42-46), and if the body, which Joseph took from the cross, was not the body of Christ, surely Joseph would have known.
12. The Testimony of Judas Iscariot
The theory, which states that Judas was crucified in the place of Jesus, could not be true for the following reasons:
1. This will make God a deceiver.
2. The prophecy of taking the 30 pieces of silver from the chief priest would not have been fulfilled (Zech. 11: 12 and Matt. 26: 15).
3. The prophecy of taking the money and buying the potter’s field would not have been fulfilled. (Zech 11: 13 and Matt 27: 7).
4. Judas would have protested by saying I am not Jesus.
13. The Testimony of the Jews
The Jews asked Pilate to seal the tomb not for fear that Christ might come out, but they were afraid that His disciples might come and steal his body and say that He had risen.
14. The Testimony of the Lord’s Supper
“The Lord Jesus the same night He was betrayed took bread and when He had given thanks, He brake it and said. Take eat this is my body which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me… Foras oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup. Ye do shew forth the Lord’s death until He comes” (1Cor. 11: 25b-26).
Throughout history, Christians all over the world gather together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of God’s most wonderful act of love—that Jesus Christ shed His own blood as a substitutionary atonement for the sins of all mankind.
15. The Testimony of the Apostles’ Teaching
The teachings of the apostles were rooted in their firm belief in the death of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. There will not be enough room to enumerate the apostles’ teaching in the epistles about Christ’s death and resurrection. Peter in his sermon on the day of Pentecost said to the Jews: ‘Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know; Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” (Acts 2: 22-23).
16. The Testimony of the Believers
Baptism When the believer is baptized he is testifying that he died with Christ, was buried and rose again into the newness of life. (Rom. 6: 3-6)
17. The Testimony of the Animal Sacrifices of the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, on the Day of Atonement. Sacrifices were required as redemption for the soul (Lev 17: 11). Jews, Christians, and Moslems have the doctrine of the atonement. The Jews celebrate the Passover, the Christians celebrate the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and the Moslems celebrate the Al-Adha. Christ, the Lamb of God became the ultimate sacrifice who gave meaning to all these sacrifices. If these sacrifices are not only the shadow of the real sacrifice, which Christ offered at the cross – then they are rendered meaningless.
18. The Testimony of the Death of the Apostles
It is a well-known fact that all the apostles of Jesus, except for John, died as martyrs because of their faith in the death of Christ on the cross and His resurrection.
The question is asked: “Could all these evidences be wrong and the Quran alone be right?”
May God help you in making the right decision.
‘Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you… that Christ died for our sin according to the scriptures.” (Acts 3: 13-15).
“Being justified freely by his grace though the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3: 24)
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5: 6-8)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom. 10: 9).
“ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1Cor. 1: 18)
“For I determined not to know anything about you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1Cor. 21: 1-2).
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." (1Cor. 5: 7)
For more information please read the following verses: Acts 2: 36; 3: 13-15; 4: 10; Rom. 1: 4; 3:24; 4: 24-25; 5: 8; 6:3-4; 6:10; 10:9; 1Cor. 1:18, 23; 2:2; 5:7; 6:14; 11:26; 15:3-4, 17, 20; 2Cor. 4:10-14; 13:4; Gal. 2:20; 4:4; 6:14; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; 5:2; Col. 1:18, 20; 2:12, 14; 3:1; Phil. 2:6-8; 3:18; 1Thess. 1:10; 4:14; 5:10; 1Thim. 2:6; 2Tim. 2:11, 18; Heb. 2:9, 14-15; 5:8; 9:12, 14; 10:10, 14; 12:2; 13:12; 13: 20; 1Peter 1:3; 1:11, 18-19; 2:21-24; 3:18; 4:1; 5:1; 1John 1:7; 3:16; 4:10; Rev. 1:5-7; 5:9, 11
(Bold, italic and highlight color are my emphasis.)
1. The Testimony of History
Cornelius Tacitus (55 A.D.) a heathen historian, who is considered to be one of the greatest historians of ancient Rome, recorded Christ’s crucifixion in detail as seen in his annals contained in 18 volumes.
Josephus (37-97 A.D.) A Jewish historian who wrote the history of his people in 20 volumes recorded the account of the life of Christ, His teaching, His miracles, and the detailed account of His crucifixion, which was ordered by Pontius Pilate. He mentioned also that Christ appeared to the disciples alive on the third day.
Lucian, the Greek, an outstanding Greek historian, wrote on the crucifixion of Christ and of the Christians who were willing to die for their faith in the Christ.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor sent to Tiberius Caesar a full report of the crucifixion of Christ. This report was one of the documents with which Tertullian, a Christian scholar, supported his famous defense of the Christians.
2. The Testimony of the Talmud
The Talmud is a holy book for the Jews. A copy published in Amsterdam in 1943 states the following information: “Jesus was crucified on the eve of the Passover.’ This information is found on page 42.
3. The Testimony of the Old Testament Prophecies
There are over forty-seven prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the death of Christ on the cross, all of which were literally fulfilled.
Some of these is Isa 53: 3-12. Other prophecies fulfilled are found in the following passages:
Prophecy - Fulfillment
Sold with 30 pieces of sliver - Zack. 11:12 - Matt. 26: 15
Hated without a cause - Psa. 35:19 - John 15: 25
His disciples left Him and ran away - Zack. 13:7 - Matt. 16: 31-56
His pierced hands and feet - Psa. 22:16 - Luke 23: 33
Casting lots for His garments - Psa. 22:18 - John 19: 23-24
His serve thirst - Psa. 22: 15 - John 19: 26
Given vinegar in His thirst - Psa. 59: 21 - Matt. 27: 34
His acquaintances forsook Him - Psa. 31: 11 - Matt. 14: 48-50
Piercing of His side - Zech. 12: 10 - John 19: 34-37
He bore the sin of many - Isa. 53: 12 - Heb. 9: 28
Intercession for His enemies - Isa. 53: 12 - Mark 15: 28
Not one of His bones was broken - Ex. 12: 46, Psa. 34: 20 - John 19: 33-36
4. The Testimony of Christ Himself
The death of Christ on the cross plays the most important and climactic role in His life. For this reason the writers of the Gospels gave considerable attention to this matter. In fact, more so than any other part of His ministry. Before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus spoke on many occasions about His death on the cross and His resurrection. For He said, ‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death.” (Matt.20: 18). “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day”. (Matt. 16:2).
For more detail please read these verses: Matt. 17: 22; Mark 8: 31; 9: 31; 10: 32b-34; Luke 9: 22; 18: 31-33; John 3: 14-17; 10: 11; 12: 32-33.
5. The Testimony of the Gospel
One half of the Gospel of John and one third of the Gospel of Mark, Matthew, and Luke are designated to the crucifixion of Christ.
6. The Testimony of John the Baptist
The message of John the Baptist was: “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world”. (John 1: 29)
For up until then there had been many lambs, but now there is just one lamb – “the Lamb”.
Up until then there had been many lambs chosen by men, but now there is one lamb sent by God “Behold the Lamb of God”.
Up until then there had been lambs that covered sin, now this lamb “takes away sin”.
Up until then we had many lambs for the nation of Israel, now we have one lamb for the whole “world”.
In Genesis chapter four we read about one lamb for one person. In Exodus chapter twelve we read about one lamb for the whole family. In Leviticus we read about one lamb for the whole nation, but now Christ, the Lamb of God, for the sin of the whole world.
7. The Testimony of Moses
In Deut. 18: 15 Moses spoke about Christ and this prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 3: 22
8. The Testimony of the Nicea Creed
In the year 325AD a group of Christian bishops gathered in the city of Nicea from all over Christendom and pinned down the Christian creed, which summarizes the doctrine of the church. The purpose of this creed was to guard against the heretics, which arose in the Christian church, in the creed they mentioned that Jesus was crucified during the time of Pontius Pilate.
9. The Testimony of the Symbol and Sign of the Cross
The cross-had been the emblem of the Christian church since its inception. They have raised it on the sleepless of their churches and engraved it on their tombs. Their kings wore it on the top front of their crown to remind them of the greatest love of God in the redemption of mankind. Such a symbol is also etched in a great number on the walls of the catacombs in Rome.
10. The Testimony of the Words of Christ on the Cross
No one else but the Lord Jesus would have uttered the words from the cross. For who can say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 34)
11. The Testimony of Joseph of Arimathea
When Joseph of Arimathea asked Pontius Pilate for the body of Jesus, his request was granted (Mark 15: 42-46), and if the body, which Joseph took from the cross, was not the body of Christ, surely Joseph would have known.
12. The Testimony of Judas Iscariot
The theory, which states that Judas was crucified in the place of Jesus, could not be true for the following reasons:
1. This will make God a deceiver.
2. The prophecy of taking the 30 pieces of silver from the chief priest would not have been fulfilled (Zech. 11: 12 and Matt. 26: 15).
3. The prophecy of taking the money and buying the potter’s field would not have been fulfilled. (Zech 11: 13 and Matt 27: 7).
4. Judas would have protested by saying I am not Jesus.
13. The Testimony of the Jews
The Jews asked Pilate to seal the tomb not for fear that Christ might come out, but they were afraid that His disciples might come and steal his body and say that He had risen.
14. The Testimony of the Lord’s Supper
“The Lord Jesus the same night He was betrayed took bread and when He had given thanks, He brake it and said. Take eat this is my body which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me… Foras oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup. Ye do shew forth the Lord’s death until He comes” (1Cor. 11: 25b-26).
Throughout history, Christians all over the world gather together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of God’s most wonderful act of love—that Jesus Christ shed His own blood as a substitutionary atonement for the sins of all mankind.
15. The Testimony of the Apostles’ Teaching
The teachings of the apostles were rooted in their firm belief in the death of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. There will not be enough room to enumerate the apostles’ teaching in the epistles about Christ’s death and resurrection. Peter in his sermon on the day of Pentecost said to the Jews: ‘Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know; Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” (Acts 2: 22-23).
16. The Testimony of the Believers
Baptism When the believer is baptized he is testifying that he died with Christ, was buried and rose again into the newness of life. (Rom. 6: 3-6)
17. The Testimony of the Animal Sacrifices of the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, on the Day of Atonement. Sacrifices were required as redemption for the soul (Lev 17: 11). Jews, Christians, and Moslems have the doctrine of the atonement. The Jews celebrate the Passover, the Christians celebrate the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and the Moslems celebrate the Al-Adha. Christ, the Lamb of God became the ultimate sacrifice who gave meaning to all these sacrifices. If these sacrifices are not only the shadow of the real sacrifice, which Christ offered at the cross – then they are rendered meaningless.
18. The Testimony of the Death of the Apostles
It is a well-known fact that all the apostles of Jesus, except for John, died as martyrs because of their faith in the death of Christ on the cross and His resurrection.
The question is asked: “Could all these evidences be wrong and the Quran alone be right?”
May God help you in making the right decision.
‘Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you… that Christ died for our sin according to the scriptures.” (Acts 3: 13-15).
“Being justified freely by his grace though the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3: 24)
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5: 6-8)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom. 10: 9).
“ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1Cor. 1: 18)
“For I determined not to know anything about you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1Cor. 21: 1-2).
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." (1Cor. 5: 7)
For more information please read the following verses: Acts 2: 36; 3: 13-15; 4: 10; Rom. 1: 4; 3:24; 4: 24-25; 5: 8; 6:3-4; 6:10; 10:9; 1Cor. 1:18, 23; 2:2; 5:7; 6:14; 11:26; 15:3-4, 17, 20; 2Cor. 4:10-14; 13:4; Gal. 2:20; 4:4; 6:14; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; 5:2; Col. 1:18, 20; 2:12, 14; 3:1; Phil. 2:6-8; 3:18; 1Thess. 1:10; 4:14; 5:10; 1Thim. 2:6; 2Tim. 2:11, 18; Heb. 2:9, 14-15; 5:8; 9:12, 14; 10:10, 14; 12:2; 13:12; 13: 20; 1Peter 1:3; 1:11, 18-19; 2:21-24; 3:18; 4:1; 5:1; 1John 1:7; 3:16; 4:10; Rev. 1:5-7; 5:9, 11
(Bold, italic and highlight color are my emphasis.)
February 1, 2008
Jesus - Son of God
Many people do not understand how Jesus was a human being, but is at the same time the "Son of God"... such people are especially Muslims, who try to understand this fact from a physical point of view and not in a spiritual sense. But to be able to understand God (although the human mind is able to understand only a little part of God's greatness!) you have to think spiritually! If you do this and if you are honest, then I'm sure God will guide you to the right way, the way which leads directly to Him!
I will show you now a brief explanation by Abdullah Ibrahim , which was originally written for Muslims, but anyone who does not understand how Jesus was a human but is at the same time also the "Son of God", is welcome to read the following:
*****************************************
JESUS - SON OF GOD! AN EXPLANATION FOR MUSLIMS
By Abdullah Ibrahim
Christians do not believe that Jesus is the son of God in a physical sense. God forbid that he should take a wife! That would be blasphemy. However, they do believe that Jesus is the Son of God in a spiritual sense. Arabs, for example, are commonly known as "sons of the desert". Nobody would ever think that the desert would have given physical birth to the Arabs. No, the term "sons of the desert" has to be understood in a spiritual sense. Arabs know the desert in and out; they are one with it, that is why they are called "sons of the desert." In the same way the Quran calls a wayfarer a "son of the road", "ibn as sabeel" (Surah 2, Al Baqarah, verse 177) The Arabic word "ibn" is used in a figurative sense as opposed to "walad" which is used in a physical way.
Besides having many other titles, such as "Messiah" or " Son of man", Jesus calls himself "Son of God" because he knows Him in a profound way, he is one with Him in essence.
They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He (Jesus) replied, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 22:70)
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father..." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father ... Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?" (John 14:8-10)
Because God is so much greater than man, He chooses to express Himself in human terms so that we can understand Him. When Surah 22, Hajj, verse 61 says that Allah sees and hears, it does not mean He has ears and eyes. Rather He is expressing a spiritual truth in such a way that we can understand that He is All-knowing. Similarly, behind the title "Son of God" is a spiritual truth expressed in human terms.
The Bible calls a number of people "sons of God" but Jesus is addressed as such in a particular way:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
The Greek word for "one and only son", "mono-genes", means literally, "one in kind, unique" and has sometimes been incorrectly translated into Enlish as "only begotten". This rendering is wrong because "Mono-genes" is also used in Hebrews 11:17 to describe Isaac as Abraham's "one and only son", namely the one who was promised by God to Abraham and his wife Sarah. (Genesis 15) Since Ishmael too was Abraham's son, but through his servant Hagar (Genesis 16), the term "one and only" distinguishes Isaac as being uinque in his kind but not as the only begotten.
Furthermore, the Hebrew word used to describe Isaac in the Old Testament story as "only son" in Genesis 22:2 is completely different from the word "begotten" used, for example, in Psalm 2:7 :
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father (or, I have begotten you).
"In the ancient Near East the relationship between a great king and one of his subject kings, who ruled by his authority and owed him allegiance, was expressed....also by "father" and "son"." (N.I.V. Studybible, Zondervan Bible Publishers, U.S.A., 1985, footnote) Psalm 2:7 is applied to the relationship between God and Jesus in a filial not in a carnal sense in Acts 13:33 as having been a fulfilled prophecy through his resurrection.
Just as other people are called "one and only sons" in the Bible because of their uniqueness in some ways, Jesus too is called exclusively "one and only son of God." On a number of occasions he made statements to prove this fact:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Luke 10:22)
Nobody else has ever used such language to speak about himself!
(For more examples see: John 5:22-23, Luke 20:9-19, Matthew 3:17)
Jesus, the Son of God, has come to show us what God is like:
No-one has seen God; but God's only Son, He who is nearest to the Father's heart, he has made him known. (John 1:18)
For questions, comments, more information, a free Bible in the language of your choice or a free Bible correspondence course please write to Abdullah Ibrahim at AAbraham@biblicalchristianity.freeserve.co.uk
This article may be reproduced in any manner without permission from the author, provided the meaning of the content is not changed.
*****************************************
(bold,italic and highlight color are my emphasis)
*****************************************
For reading the highlighted passages from the Bible (green color) , go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
For reading the highlighted passages from the Quran (blue color), go to: http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/
I will show you now a brief explanation by Abdullah Ibrahim , which was originally written for Muslims, but anyone who does not understand how Jesus was a human but is at the same time also the "Son of God", is welcome to read the following:
*****************************************
JESUS - SON OF GOD! AN EXPLANATION FOR MUSLIMS
By Abdullah Ibrahim
Christians do not believe that Jesus is the son of God in a physical sense. God forbid that he should take a wife! That would be blasphemy. However, they do believe that Jesus is the Son of God in a spiritual sense. Arabs, for example, are commonly known as "sons of the desert". Nobody would ever think that the desert would have given physical birth to the Arabs. No, the term "sons of the desert" has to be understood in a spiritual sense. Arabs know the desert in and out; they are one with it, that is why they are called "sons of the desert." In the same way the Quran calls a wayfarer a "son of the road", "ibn as sabeel" (Surah 2, Al Baqarah, verse 177) The Arabic word "ibn" is used in a figurative sense as opposed to "walad" which is used in a physical way.
Besides having many other titles, such as "Messiah" or " Son of man", Jesus calls himself "Son of God" because he knows Him in a profound way, he is one with Him in essence.
They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He (Jesus) replied, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 22:70)
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father..." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father ... Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?" (John 14:8-10)
Because God is so much greater than man, He chooses to express Himself in human terms so that we can understand Him. When Surah 22, Hajj, verse 61 says that Allah sees and hears, it does not mean He has ears and eyes. Rather He is expressing a spiritual truth in such a way that we can understand that He is All-knowing. Similarly, behind the title "Son of God" is a spiritual truth expressed in human terms.
The Bible calls a number of people "sons of God" but Jesus is addressed as such in a particular way:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
The Greek word for "one and only son", "mono-genes", means literally, "one in kind, unique" and has sometimes been incorrectly translated into Enlish as "only begotten". This rendering is wrong because "Mono-genes" is also used in Hebrews 11:17 to describe Isaac as Abraham's "one and only son", namely the one who was promised by God to Abraham and his wife Sarah. (Genesis 15) Since Ishmael too was Abraham's son, but through his servant Hagar (Genesis 16), the term "one and only" distinguishes Isaac as being uinque in his kind but not as the only begotten.
Furthermore, the Hebrew word used to describe Isaac in the Old Testament story as "only son" in Genesis 22:2 is completely different from the word "begotten" used, for example, in Psalm 2:7 :
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father (or, I have begotten you).
"In the ancient Near East the relationship between a great king and one of his subject kings, who ruled by his authority and owed him allegiance, was expressed....also by "father" and "son"." (N.I.V. Studybible, Zondervan Bible Publishers, U.S.A., 1985, footnote) Psalm 2:7 is applied to the relationship between God and Jesus in a filial not in a carnal sense in Acts 13:33 as having been a fulfilled prophecy through his resurrection.
Just as other people are called "one and only sons" in the Bible because of their uniqueness in some ways, Jesus too is called exclusively "one and only son of God." On a number of occasions he made statements to prove this fact:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Luke 10:22)
Nobody else has ever used such language to speak about himself!
(For more examples see: John 5:22-23, Luke 20:9-19, Matthew 3:17)
Jesus, the Son of God, has come to show us what God is like:
No-one has seen God; but God's only Son, He who is nearest to the Father's heart, he has made him known. (John 1:18)
For questions, comments, more information, a free Bible in the language of your choice or a free Bible correspondence course please write to Abdullah Ibrahim at AAbraham@biblicalchristianity.freeserve.co.uk
This article may be reproduced in any manner without permission from the author, provided the meaning of the content is not changed.
*****************************************
(bold,italic and highlight color are my emphasis)
*****************************************
For reading the highlighted passages from the Bible (green color) , go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/
For reading the highlighted passages from the Quran (blue color), go to: http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)