In Luke 9:26 Jesus made the following statement, 'For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.' (NAS)  There are two things here that men are told they must avoid if they are to have any hope of Jesus not being ashamed of them in the day he returns to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31) – (1) being ashamed of Jesus (2) being ashamed of the words of Jesus.

We might well ask what is there about Jesus to be ashamed of.  The answer is obvious, nothing at all.  But, lest we think we are clear on this count and before we begin to pat ourselves on the back thinking we are not ashamed of him, let us think a little deeper about the matter.  Is Jesus just talking about our mental state of mind when he gives this warning against being ashamed of him?  I think not.

Jesus made another statement found in Matt. 10:32-33 that I believe ties in with the Luke 9 passage just quoted above.  He says, 'Everyone therefore who shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my father who is in heaven.  But whoever shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my father who is in heaven.' (NAS)  It is easy to say to ourselves I am not ashamed of Jesus and mean it but as the American idiom goes 'when the rubber meets the road' and we should speak of Jesus, speak up and be heard, when that test comes, is it not true that too often, maybe most all of the time, we hold our silence and fail to speak on his behalf?  I think that is generally true.

We do not speak because we do not want to be embarrassed or shamed by the world that ridicules faith in Jesus thus are more concerned about receiving honor from men rather than the honor that comes from God alone.  We do not speak because we do not want to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3).  We do not speak because we do not want to wield 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' (Eph. 6:17 NAS)  We want to just get along.  As the saying goes there are two things you do not talk about lest you get into a fight – religion and politics.  However, man said that not God.  Jesus never held his peace and he was continually involved in verbal fights.

Yes, I am sure there is a time and a place for such discussions of Christ.  But, here is the problem – we never find the right time nor place do we?  It is like the right time and place never arises with us.  It is out there somewhere but we just never have found it and unless our hearts change we never will find it.  The bottom line is we are embarrassed or ashamed to talk of Christ to others unless we know them very, very well (immediate family?) and have judged what we think their reaction will be beforehand.  Others may know we are believers for we attend services regularly but they would never know it by our talking about Jesus.

Contrast that with Christ while he was on earth.  Every day he was talking religion, talking of God his Father, talking of faith and obedience and God's will for man.  Every day he was into discussions and often arguments with men over religion.  Is he our example?  Will we follow that example?  Are we afraid to?  Who are we more afraid of – men's opinion or God's?

That said there was two parts of the verse we are discussing, Luke 9:26.  We are also warned against being ashamed of the words of Jesus.  There are far more people who are willing to confess Jesus before men and uphold his honor in that regard than there are people who are willing to accept his words. 

First of all I want you all to understand that the words of Jesus are not just confined to the words printed in red in your New Testament.  Jesus, in John 16, spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit and said this, 'He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you.' (John 16:13-14 NAS)  My copy of the original ASV of 1901 New Testament has on its title page these words: 'The New Covenant commonly called The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'  That is what it is exactly.  Every word on its pages came from Jesus either directly or indirectly through the Holy Spirit.

Great indeed is the number of those who claim to be Christians that will not believe but parts of the word and are thus ashamed of the words of Jesus.  How many denominationalists will ever preach what Peter preached, by means of the Holy Spirit, in Acts 2;38, 'Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins'? (NAS)  They are ashamed of those words of Jesus and do not believe them and will not abide in them and will not teach them.  To them those gathered on that Pentecost day were saved the minute they repented and as they would put it 'received Jesus into their hearts' and so you cannot believe these words about baptism for the forgiveness of sins that Peter spoke on behalf of Christ.

You can go to other passages and try and convince them.  For example, Ananias told Saul, 'Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' (NAS)  To them Ananias did not know what he was talking about Holy Spirit or no Holy Spirit for they say baptism cannot wash away sins even if God says it can.

Peter says, by the Holy Spirit, 'baptism now saves you' (1 Peter 3:21 NAS) but not with them for they will not believe the words of Jesus and are ashamed of all such.  Even when Jesus spoke directly on the subject, 'unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' (John 3:5 NAS) it is not accepted.  Of such people it will never be said of them that they obeyed Jesus who said, 'If anyone keeps my word he shall never see death.' (John 8:51 NAS)  His word is what they are not keeping.  This is only an example, one topic, where men are ashamed of the words of Jesus, even religious men.

I will say this; it is not easy to live up to the demands found in this Luke 9:26 passage.  It takes courage, great courage, to speak of Jesus to others and defend the words of Jesus.  It takes great courage to overcome the fear of contention, fights, debates, strife that will naturally arise when one does speak up and does not hold his peace.

I am reminded, however, of the passage found in Matt. 10:34-36 where Jesus said, 'Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household.' (NAS)  We all want peace but each of us has to make up his/her mind as to where they prefer that peace – here or the hereafter.  Which will last the longest? 

Jesus suffered a violent death and it was because he spoke up and did not hold his peace.  Most historians think most of the apostles suffered similar fates and we know from history of burnings at the stake and violent deaths of many early Christians.  Again it was not because they held their peace but because they spoke up.  They were not ashamed to speak up for Jesus and were not ashamed of his words.

It takes strength to defend the very words of the New Testament, the words of Jesus.  The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, said clearly, 'The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.' (2 Tim. 4:3-4 NAS)  Many seem to feel that day is still in the future.  They are wrong.  It may continue to get worse but that day is already here.  Here is the proof.

People commonly believe that people in and from every denomination will be saved thus proving Paul's point when he said 'they will not endure sound doctrine.'  Follow the train of thought here.  If people are saved from every denomination, all teaching different doctrine, then there is no such thing as sound doctrine.  If one denominational doctrine is as good as another there is no such thing as sound doctrine or enduring sound doctrine.  That being the case what Paul prophesied is here.

One can take the common accepted stance that the church of which one is a member does not matter and all will speak well of him, they will be glad to hear he feels that way.  One can take the stance that baptism is not for the remission of sins and receive the applause of men.  But, that will not change what the Bible says about either of those subjects.  'Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets.' (Luke 6:26 NAS)  What we ought to do is quit being ashamed of the words of Jesus and start following them.

If Jesus is ashamed of us in the last day we are not going to be saved.  Most who read this article probably have children.  How would a parent feel, how does one feel, when his children are ashamed of him and his words?  Now apply that to how Jesus must feel when we are ashamed of him and his words.  There can be little doubt it hurts him deeply.

We all need to take Luke 9:26 to heart and do better.  It will take a great deal of strength and courage, even faith, to do so.  It will also take love for God.  Do we have what it will take and will we do it?  That is the question we all must answer.     

All of Denny's articles, over 100 audio sermons by Waymon Swain, a free online Bible correspondence course, plus access by links to many other Bible study resources can all be found on Denny's web site dennysmith.net.

 

We have seen that Jesus (pbuh) greeted his disciples like a Muslim, by saying: 'Peace be unto you', when he appeared before them after his so-called ‘resurrection' (John 20:19). Muslims use the same words to greet, (but in Arabic): Assalaamu Alaikum.

We have also seen that the utterances of Jesus have been supportive of and predicting about the rise of Muhammad (pbuh), and through him the belief Islam and the believing nation of Muslims, to which his followers are required to join.

In John 16: 12 %26 13, Jesus says:

'I have yet many things to say unto you,

but you cannot bear them now.

Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come,

He will guide you into all truth; '

In an earlier article, we have seen that this prophecy by Prophet Jesus (pbuh) refers to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), whose arrival his followers were directed to await. The many things that Jesus would have liked to tell his followers have not been told to them, not because Jesus did not know them, but only because his followers were not ready to bear them at that time: '..... but you cannot bear them now.'

When Jesus (pbuh) states 'you cannot bear them now', it only refers to his followers and does not include himself, because he did not say: 'WE cannot bear them now'.

Since Jesus didn't count himself among them in this matter, it means he was ready to bear them: the guidance that the expected prophet will bring. He was aware of them and he was ready to bear them. But did he follow in action what he knew and was ready for? Yes. He did much of what a Muslim would do and is expected to do. In fact, this begins to happen even while he anticipates arrest by the Roman rulers.

He comes to know that he will be betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas, into the hands of the Jews, who intended to kill him. Apart from this, the other thing that makes him sorrowful is that he was expecting to do many things that a Muslim does. He was looking forward to the joy of doing all those things; but now his end is staring on the face. He tells his disciples:

'My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.' (Mark 14:34)

The one thing that he can surely do, before he is arrested, is to pray to the Lord as a Muslim prays. So he prays like a Muslim and does prostration (Sajda), touching his forehead to the ground:

'And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed....' (Matthew 26:39) What is his prayer to the Lord? The verse (Matthew 26:39) continues: '...saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.'

Mark 14:36 says about his prayer: 'And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.'

Luke 22:42 says about Jesus' prayer: 'Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but your, be done.'

The common thing observed from the above verses is: Jesus (peace be upon him) prays to the Lord to save him from the anticipated persecution at the hands of the Jews; yet not as Jesus wishes but as the Lord wills. Do you realize what Jesus is stating at this moment? He subdues his wishes and submits himself to the will of Allah. In other words, Jesus declares his Islam, submission, at that moment.

As already explained in Article 1 in this series: A Muslim is one who has submitted to the will of Allah. Islam means submission (to the will of Allah), while it also means Peace. Thus, by declaring his submission to the will of Allah, Jesus declared himself to be a Muslim.

It was also mentioned in Chapter 2 that Jesus (pbuh), as also the other prophets before him, called themselves ‘Muslims'.

But, then, why their followers were not named as ‘Muslims', too?

If the followers of the different other prophets were also to be called as ‘Muslims', then there would have been confusion in distinguishing between the true Muslims (who believe in all the prophets) and the followers of other prophets (who believe in some prophets and disbelieve in the rest). Belief in all the messengers of Allah is a basic requirement to be called a Muslim. Allah tells the Muslims in Qur'an:

' Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. ' (2:136)

Thus, Jesus (pbuh) practiced Islam, i.e., Submission and he got Islam, i.e., Peace. How?

The Bible tells us in Luke 22:43

' And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.'

This is in appreciation of his act of Submission and as an answer to his prayers. The  strength at that moment but what he needed most desperately was solace and assurance from the Lord that he would be saved from the arrest and wanted the freedom to perform the things he wanted to do as a Muslim.

So, Jesus the Muslim (peace be upon him) had prayed in ARABIC: 'Yaa Ilaahi, Yaa Ilaahi, Lima Sabaqtanee? '. Does the phrase sound familiar? Yes, this is what he asked the Lord at that moment. 'O my Lord, O my Lord, Why have you advanced me (in my end)? '

Since he wished to do important things which a Muslim must do while he is still alive, the threatened end troubles him. So his prayer: ' O my Lord, O my Lord, Why have you ADVANCED ME? '

Having not understood what he said, but actually having misunderstood what he said, the writers of the Gospel shifted these words into a situation where it fitted according to their understanding and scheme. The prayer has thus been misunderstood and then quoted out of context.

He did not utter such words at the cross, where he was never taken. They say that Jesus said: 'Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachtani? That is to say: My God, My God, why have youforsaken me? '(Matthew 27:46)

The above statement attributed to Jesus is totally wrong, because:

1. God will never forsake His messenger.

2. Jesus, who submits himself to the will of the Lord, will never utter such a

Word.

(Please refer to the three verses quoted above: Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36 and Luke 22:42)

The prayer of Jesus (pbuh) did not go unanswered, but was answered through the angel, which appeared, in order to strengthen him. Luke 22:43: ' And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.'

What message did the angel carry from the Lord, in reply to Jesus' question: ' O my Lord, O my Lord, Why have you advanced me? '

Let us turn to Qur'an, 3:55:

'When Allah said: O Jesus! I will complete you(r term)

and cause you to ascend unto Me

and cleanse you of those who disbelieve...'

Allah assures that Jesus will be saved from the Jews and that his term and what is destined for him is guaranteed for him and that Allah will cause Jesus to ascend unto Him. The Bible agrees that Jesus ascended unto heaven (Luke 24:51), but the main dispute is about what happened in between: the alleged crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus (pbuh).

Allah says in Qur'an that they neither killed him nor crucified him, but it was made to appear so unto them. In many places in Qur'an, it has been mentioned that Jews used to kill the prophets unjustly. But in the case of Jesus (pbuh) it vehemently denies that they killed him or that they crucified him. This is because Qur'an will not contain anything except truth.

Surah 4, Verses 157 %26 158:

'and their saying : we killed Christ Jesus, son of Mary, The messenger of Allah - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it was made to appear to them so; and those who disagree concerning it are full of doubts; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; For surely they killed him not; but Allah took him up unto Himself; and Allah is ever mighty, wise.'

From the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), we get a more detailed account. The Muslim belief is that Allah changed the face of the person who betrayed Jesus, showing to the rulers the place where he was hiding, into a face resembling Jesus. So, they crucified that betrayer instead of Jesus.

Let us now do a deeper study of the above verses of Qur'an, so that we may be rightly guided into the truth. Allah says in Qur'an not only that Jesus was not killed, but also that he was not crucified, either. Those who do not accept the truth or those who accept only a part of the truth will never get at the truth.

As a result,

1. those who wish to prove that Jesus was crucified, but did not die at the cross; and

2. those who believe that Jesus was crucified and killed at the cross,

have equally failed to convince and provide clear-cut answers to the many points that beg a solution. Allah has said: '......and those who disagree concerning it are full of doubts.'

Those who disagree that he was neither killed nor crucified, are full of doubts.

So, before proceeding with our study, let us not disagree and let us not be in doubt any more. But let us fully believe in what Allah, The Exalted, says, so that we may be correctly guided. Allah says to Muhammad (pbuh), about Qur'an: 'And We sent down the Book to you for the express purpose, that you should make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe.' (Qur'an 16:64)

Allah has said three things about the alleged crucifixion of Jesus:

1. They didn't kill him.

2. They didn't crucify him.

3. But it was made to appear to them so.

In the case of an affirmative sentence, like: 'They killed him' , there is no doubt. Everything is clear. 1. The Offender 2. The Offence 3. The Offended. But once the word 'NOT' comes in and makes it a negative sentence, like: 'They DID NOT kill him', there is a possibility to vary the meaning in three ways by shifting the stress alternatingly on the rest of the three words:

1. 'They did not kill him' would mean that somebody else killed him.

2. 'They did not kill him' in this context would mean that they just tortured him but did not kill him.

3. 'They did not kill him' would mean that they killed somebody else.

We should remember that Qur'an is not denying the events wholesale by saying: 'No. Nothing happened. Nobody did anything to anybody.' It is not saying so. Therefore, let us study further and consider for elimination, two out of the three possible variations of the sentence 'They did not kill him' mentioned above.

There is no doubt as to The Offender. The Jews themselves claim to have done the deed and we all know of their complicity. Now the doubt remains about Two Things:The Offence and The Offended. About the second possibility that 'They did not kill him' would mean that they crucified him but he escaped death, Allah denies that too. The next part of the verse eliminates that possibility by saying: They did not crucify him. Having eliminated the first two possibilities, only the third one survives: 'They did not kill him.' Yes, it was not him that they crucified and killed, but someone else. So, let us write that part of the verse, by putting the stress on the right word:

they did not kill him;

they did not crucify him;

but it was made to appear to them so.

It was made to appear to them that they crucified Jesus and killed him. They did not kill nor crucified Jesus (pbuh).

Having fully believed in Allah's words, let us now move on to find evidence of the truth in The Bible in support of it.

1. First of all, while Jesus was awaiting arrest by the soldiers, what he tells his disciples is that

a) 'sleep on now, and take rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the son of man is betrayed into the hands of the sinners.' (Mark 14:41)

b) 'the son of man is betrayed to be crucified' (Matthew 26:2)

Jesus never said he will be crucified, but only reveals the intention with which he will be betrayed: 'betrayed to be crucified'.

2. Jesus says in Matthew 26:24: 'The son of man goes as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born'.

a) About himself, Jesus (pbuh) says: 'The son of man goes as it is written of him ' ; goes and not dies.

b) About the betrayer he says: 'it had been good for that man if he had not been born', a nice way of wishing death for the betrayer.

Even after this curse by the messenger of Allah, is there a way that the betrayer will continue to live ? Thus, in the above verse, it has been determined as to who is destined to go and who is destined to die.

3. The betrayer Judas comes in to identify Jesus, when it is dark, along with a large number of soldiers , carrying lanterns, torches and weapons. The stage is perfect for the change of form of the betrayer and the betrayed, as more confusion follows: From Mark 14:44, Matthew 26:48 and Luke 22:47, which are quoted below, it is proved that Judas drew near unto Jesus to kiss him, so as to identify him.

Mark 14:44 : And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead [him] away safely.

Matt 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Luke 22:47: And while he yet spoke, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

From John 18:3 to 18:6 which is mentioned below, we come to know of another enabling factor:

18:3. Judas, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests, comes inside with lanterns and torches and weapons.

18:4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should happen to him, went forth, and said unto them, whom do you seek?

18:5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

18:6. As soon as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.

From verse 6 above, we notice one strange thing: as soon as Jesus identifies himself, 'I am (he)', the great crowd that had come in falls to the ground. As Judas stood near Jesus (after kissing him) and as the crowd fell to the ground along with the lanterns they brought, the situation was perfect for the exchange of faces, so that those who came to arrest him do not notice it. Then the soldiers, who came to arrest Jesus, take away Judas instead, while Jesus escapes along with his other disciples, who all fled the scene.

Mark 14:50: And they all forsook him, and fled.

(The readers of Bible normally take it to mean that the disciples forsook Jesus and fled. It is shameful to think that all the disciples of Jesus forsook him at the most crucial hour of his life. Qur'an testifies that the disciples expressed their belief and loyalty:

' But when Jesus sensed disbelief from them, he said: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear you witness that we have surrendered (unto Him). ' (3:52)

Therefore, it was Judas whom the disciples rightly forsook and all of them fled with Jesus.)

4. Now Judas is caught in an unbelievable situation, which nobody else would have experienced. Even if he tells the truth, nobody will believe it, but only think him to be Jesus trying to escape death. So it is better for him that he endures whatever happens. Some verses from the Bible are quoted below, to show how Judas behaves at the trials at the high priest's place. Whenever you encounter below the name Jesus, in the biblical verses, you have to take it as Judas, so that you may understand what the people on the scene and people in the past 2000 years have failed to comprehend.

John 18:19 to 18:23

18:19 ' The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his teaching.

18:20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet; and in secret have I said nothing.

18:21 Why ask you me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand (or with a rod), saying, Answer you the high priest so?

18:23 Jesus answered him, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you me? '

Thus the betrayer-in-a-dilemma Judas speaks evasively. He cannot preach what Jesus used to preach in the temple and in the synagogue. He neither has the authority nor the ability to repeat what Jesus used to preach. Anyway, he certainly cannot answer them if they question him further in religious matters. Had it really been Jesus, he would not have missed the opportunity to tell the priests of his teachings. But here, Judas evades the issue by saying: 'I always spoke openly; I said nothing in secret; Ask them which heard me; they know what I said; If I spoke well, why you smite me.' etc.

Matthew 26:

26:62 'And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answer you nothing? What is it, which these witness against you?

26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.'

When some false witnesses testify against Jesus (Judas), the high priest begs Judas for an answer. But Judas remains quite. Then what the priest presses Judas to answer is not whether he is guilty or not but 'I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ'.

So the main question raking their brains is whether this person really is Jesus.

26:64 'Jesus said unto him, You have said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

Judas does not say 'I am Jesus', but lets the priest take as true what he thinks, by saying: 'You have said' and then continues 'Henceforth you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power' instead of speaking in the first person 'henceforth I shall sit at the right hand of Power.'

Then they condemn him to death by holding him guilty of blasphemy. One more thing you must note now is that in this session, the process of disfiguring Judas' face has slowly begun.

26:67 Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands (or rods). This is quoted also in Luke 22:64.

5. Peter, who apparently witnessed what happened at the time of arrest, follows Judas to the priest's hall, so as to see what happens to Judas. The priest's servants come and question Peter three times whether he is a disciple of that person, (deeming Judas to be Jesus), but he, naturally, denies all the three times, as predicted by Jesus. Peter who was very loyal to Jesus and had told Jesus (in Matthew 26:35) 'Even if I must die with you, [yet] will I not deny thee.' had to deny the person thrice because he cannot affirm to be the disciple of Judas, whom they deem to be Jesus.

6. Another account of the second session with the priests that took place on the day after the arrest, is given in Luke 22:66 to 68 :

22:66 : And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

22:67 Are you the Christ? Tell us. And he said unto them, if I tell you, you will not believe:

22:68 And if I also ask [you], you will not answer me, nor let [me] go.

Again, they want to know if he is Jesus. And he tells them: If I tell you (that I am Judas), you will not believe. And if I ask you (what happened to Jesus), you will not answer me, nor let me go.

7. In the trial that takes place before the governor Pilate, again the dominant question is: Are you the Christ? And most of the time Judas says: YOU say it. (That is YOUR statement, NOT MINE.) On other occasions, he remains silent like a stone. Please refer Luke 23:3, Mark 15:2, Mark 15:5, Matthew 27:11, Matthew 27:12. Matthew 27:14.

8. Jesus is brought for trial before another official Herod:

Luke 23:8 and Luke 23:9:

23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

23:9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

Poor Herod, he has been longing to witness some of the miracles that he had heard Jesus performing. But can Judas perform those miracles? On the other hand, he avoids talking straight to even somebody who is sympathetic and glad to see him, because he is not what Herod deems him to be: he is not Jesus.

9. By talking evasively and at times refusing to talk, Judas somehow managed to avoid being found guilty by the Governor and other officials. But the Jews do not wish to lose face by retreating from the actions already taken to have Jesus killed. Hence, upon their stubborn insistence, he is condemned to be crucified. Before they take him to the cross, more injury is done to him:

Mark 15:19: And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him.

Matthew 27:30: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

Please note that after first injuring his FACE, now it is the turn of his HEAD to be injured. Judas is killed at the cross and later on buried. John does not add dramatic words to this scene of crucifixion, but quotes what could be reasonable words from the betrayer, while he dies:

1. ' I thirst! ' (John 19:28)

2. ' It is finished! ' ... and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)

(not the 'Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit ' kind of stuff! See Luke 23:46).

10. The Bible records that Mary (pbuh), Jesus' (pbuh) mother, was a witness to the crucifixion.

John 19:25 'Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother.... '

While the Bible records the reaction of every bystander and passer-by, it fails to mention the reaction of Mary (pbuh) the mother of Jesus, because there was no reaction from her worth mentioning. Since she knew that the person on the cross was not Jesus, she stood by the cross and just watched the punishment meted out to the betrayer of Jesus. Had the person on the cross really been Jesus, she would have reacted hysterically. Because it was she who bore Jesus with difficulty and delivered him with pains. No mother will be a mute spectator to such an event.

Qur'an records the labour pains of Mary, while she delivered Jesus:

' And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this and had become a thing forgotten.' (19:23)

11. The Bible says that Jesus addressed his mother from the cross as ' Woman! ' (John 19:26). No mean person will address his mother as 'Woman! '. It is only because the person on the cross was Judas and not Jesus (pbuh) that he addresses Mary as ' Women! ' Qur'an testifies that Jesus was kind to his mother and said from his cradle: ' And (God has made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and has not made me arrogant, unblest. ' (19: 32)

12. And where is Jesus (pbuh) when all this happens. Jesus had predicted, in Matthew 12:40

'for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.'

Do you know which is the heart of the earth? Before thinking further, let us consider what is the function of a heart.

It draws blood from other parts of the body for purification and again sends it back to all the parts. Right? Can you think of a place on the earth, which draws people from all parts of the earth and sends them back, too, after purifying them? And that too at a regular interval, just like the heart?

Yes, you guessed it right: it is Mecca.

It is the belief of Muslims that all the prophets wished to be a follower of Muhammad, in preference to be born as a prophet. Only Jesus was granted the wish. Jesus is expected to descend on the earth again, supported by two angels, during the reign of the expected guided leader Mahdee. Jesus (pbuh) will live as one of the followers of Muhammad (pbuh) and follow the Shariah (laws) brought by Muhammad. Jesus (peace be upon him) knew that he would live as a Muslim when he comes back to the earth. But he could not wait, as we now know, not less than twenty centuries to relish this. So, when he knows that his days in the earth are not many, he formally submits himself to the Lord, starts to pray in Arabic, does prostration and now goes on a pilgrimage to Mecca. (This may not be the first time Jesus is praying like a Muslim. Qur'an records what Jesus spoke from his cradle: 'And (God) has made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive.' (19: 31).

(Earlier, he had prayed to the Lord for the Muslims, in the following manner:

John: 17:20 %26 21: 21.

17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me).

And as predicted, he was in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

13. THE JEWS IN A DILEMMA:

Now let us imagine the restlessness of the Jews after the soldiers brought Judas, thinking him to be Jesus. While, according to them, Jesus is in their custody, what happened to their man, Judas? Why did he not turn up to win accolades from them, for the great betrayal he committed, in order to please them. This must have greatly disturbed them. Anyway, where is Judas?

The answer to this was provided to them by the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, and made possible the entry of Peter into the palace.

'John 18:15 : And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and [so did] another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

John 18:16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.'

That other disciple sounded the high priest of what happened at the time of arrest, but since it is an unbelievable event for everyone, they wanted to elicit information from Judas and, hence, kept on enquiring Judas, whether he is really Christ. On the basis of the information provided by the other disciple, the high priest's people tried thrice to rope in Peter for enquiry, by sending female servants to talk to him, but he craftily refused to yield. The Jews were in a terrible dilemma.

1. Now they have to kill a person who co-operated with them against Jesus. The fellow is not even trying to save himself, being unable to overcome the humiliation wrought on him by the Lord.

2. If they disclose the truth and spare Judas, they have to bear the shame of having failed to kill Jesus. So they decided to kill Judas and claimed to have killed Jesus.

Now, they face another problem: How to account for the missing Judas. So, their soldiers removed Judas' body from the grave, while everybody was observing the Sabbath - (the compulsory religious holiday on Saturdays.) Then they disfigure the face more, because that is the only thing that has the resemblance of Jesus. After this is done, he is now perfectly Judas. To account for the injury to the face and the head, they spread the news that is reported in Acts 1:18:

'Acts 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.'

Is it not enough that they have disfigured his head and face? What is the necessity to cut open his stomach and spread the news that: ' he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.'

· So that, because of the nasty stench it would produce, nobody can come near the body and notice or find out the minor injuries that Judas suffered at the cross.

· The cause of death should be very apparent from a distance, in order to avoid a close scrutiny by curious people.

The fact that all this was done by the Jews, by bribing the watchmen or the soldiers, is recorded in Matthew 28:11 to 28:15

'Matthew 28:11: Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and informed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

28:13 Saying, Say you, His disciples came by night, and stole him [away] while we slept.

28:14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you

28:15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.'

And to make it appear that it was really Jesus whom they arrested and to make the people believe that Judas was roaming freely after the arrest took place, they spread the lie that he came to the temple and threw back the silver coins he received as bribe from them: 'Matthew 27:5: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.' That this verse is a total lie is borne by the fact that the other accounts talk of Judas falling headlong and his bowels gushing out. (Acts 1:18)

14. In respect of the later events:

a. at the grave where they buried Judas and

b. where Jesus meets his disciples, etc.

we find a lot of difference in the narration of Luke, John, Matthew and Mark, just as in respect of the earlier events. It is a waste of time counting and comparing the different and conflicting details. Hence, only those details that are important in view of the truth revealed above are mentioned.

15. a) When Mary Magdalene goes to the grave; she finds that the stone covering the grave of Judas is already removed.

'Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

16:4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.'

Points to be noted in the above verses: 1. The heavy stone was already rolled away by the soldiers of the governor. 2. People perform the pilgrimage rites in Mecca wearing white clothing.

b) Mary Magdalene sees two angels in white sitting. (John 20:12) Just as the Muslims believe that The Almighty will provide two angels for Jesus' descent from heaven, when he comes again, similarly these two angels have made possible his pilgrimage to Mecca.

c) Luke 24:4 %26 24:5

24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

The two men in shining garments are angels, who refer Jesus as the living, and not as the resurrected.

d) John 20:14: 'And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him,' etc.

Points to be noted: She saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus, because she supposed him to be the gardener. She could not recognize Jesus, because of the changed face and deemed him to be the gardener because of the simple cloths worn while performing pilgrimage rites. Moreover, he would have had a shaven head, another rite of the pilgrimage.

e) John 20:17 'Jesus saith unto her, touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.'

Things to be noted:

1. Jesus tells her 'Touch me not'.

However, when Jesus meets his disciples later, he asks them to touch him and handle him, but here he forbids her. The reason: As a good Muslim, he avoids being touched by the lady.

2. Jesus says: ' I am not yet ascended to my Father: '

That means he knew that he was supposed to ascend only, as the Almighty had already informed him through the angel. His statement shows that he did not expect himself to die, nor resurrect, but only ascend.

f) The same day evening, Jesus appears before his disciples and says: 'Peace be unto you', (i.e., Assalaamu Alaikum,) as a Muslim. .

g) Luke 24:13 to 24:24 is quoted below. In this event, two disciples walking together while going to a village, are joined by Jesus. Jesus enquires them as to what they are talking and why they are sad. They narrate the whole story from being condemned to death to the vision of angels at the sepulchre. If it were Jesus who suffered all that, then he would not pretend ignorance and listen again to all that which he himself has suffered, as they think. Only because he was absent and went on the pilgrimage to Mecca, he did not know of what happened in his absence and, hence, he is enquiring and listening to the whole story.

Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about] threescore furlongs.

24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed [together] and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications [are] these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

24:18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

24:22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher;

24:23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24:24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found [it] even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.'

This is another proof that it was Judas who suffered death at the cross.

h) Back in Jerusalem, Jesus has another session with the eleven disciples:

1. 'Luke 24:36: And as they thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and says unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

24:37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.' Having seen the dead body of Judas, they were now 100 % sure of his death. Hence, when Jesus appears there with Judas' face, they are terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

2. Luke 24:38: 'And he said unto them, Why are you troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them [his] hands and [his] feet.'

John repeats similarly in 20:20 :

John 20:20: 'And when he had so said, he shewed unto them [his] hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.'

From the above, we can understand fully well, that Jesus' face is not the identity of the person, at that moment, because it looked like Judas'. Hence, 'Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself' and 'when they saw his hands and his sides they were glad they saw the Lord '

3. Luke 24:41 ' And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

24:42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.'

Fish is the only thing that a Muslim can obtain from anyone and eat. The meat of other (permitted) animals and birds should be properly slaughtered in the manner taught by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and by mentioning the name of Allah over it, while slaughtering. Hence, the other meat cannot be obtained from everybody.

4. John 20:30 'And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.'

Most important of which should be: restoration of his face, as it looked before.

The Bible does provide a clue that Jesus' face was restored to its original appearance, before his ascension unto heaven.

In the verse of John 21:12, which is in the context of the events just before his ascension, it is written:

' Jesus saith unto them, Come [and] dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.' This time, there is no need to see his hands and his feet to know that it is Jesus.

Now, it is time to thank the Almighty for opening our eyes to the truth, by accepting Islam. We now know for certain that:

1. There is no God except Allah; and

2. Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a slave and a messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets, whom all the people have to follow. This has been foretold in The Bible.

3. Idols and graven images are forbidden.

4. Allah sent messengers to all nations.

5. Jesus (peace be upon him) too is a slave and a messenger of Allah, but sent only for (the lost sheep of) the house of Israel.

6. Jesus is a creation of Allah; he is not His son and has no portion whatsoever in His Sovereignty.

7. Jesus was not killed, nor crucified. It was his betrayer who was killed on the cross.

The next time you see a cross, you would know that it is not a sign that relates to Jesus, but something that denotes the punishment his betrayer deserved and got.

But..., should we have a memorial to commemorate the betrayer of a mighty messenger of Allah ?

Qur'an: 5: 83 to 86.

83. When they listen to that which has been revealed unto the messenger, you see their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the truth. They say: Our Lord, we believe; write us down as among the witnesses.

84. How should we not believe in Allah and that which has come unto us of the truth and we hope that our Lord will admit us to the company of the righteous folk.

85. Allah has rewarded them for what they said: Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the reward of the good people.

86. But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs, they shall be companions of hell-fire.

Nasir Pasha

Ever since the Da Vinci Code came out there has been a controversy regarding several aspects of Jesus including his divinity and his supposed marriage to Mary Magdalene. Many books and reports have been written about it but there are still questions in many peoples minds about whether it is true or not. This article will prove conclusively the validity of these claims and to show that Jesus was not and never claimed to be married to Mary Magdalene. For anyone to claim otherwise is a heretic against the Christian church.

The claims within the Da Vinci code are in fact fiction. There is no basis to it. Thee is one thing you do need to know about the claims the book Dan Brown wrote. These claims have been around for well over 200 hundred years. As far back as the first century, the religious leaders tried to stamp out Christianity by claiming Jesus never existed and that their worship was for naught.

Although the claim has increasingly dwindled over the years because of certain ancient evidence that was presented. In this day and age, the existence of Jesus is not in question. It is whether he was actually a divine being and was he actually married. The one thing you have to realize with Christianity is that it is not a religious movement predicated on a certain view of God. It is rather a uniquely historical religion that followed certain events that God was thought to have intervened in during history, and presented himself to his people.

In the scriptures, Jesus clearly described himself as the Son of God and of divine origin. For anyone else to deny this are liars and deceitful people who only want to do the work of the Devil and to shy people away from the reality. But there have been people on this planet who claimed to be the Creator of the universe. They so much as referred themselves as the Father, and wanted everyone to worship them. But where are such people found that claim this distinction. Most of them have been found in mental institutions or who were later diagnosed as mentally ill.

On the other hand, we understand Jesus as not having a psychotic mind. Instead, most people recognize him as a great teacher, if nothing else. But according to the Da Vinci Code, Jesus never existed at all. In the book Jesus did exist, but not as a divine being.

For those who read the Da Vinci Code or saw the movie were not stifled by it. The belief in Jesus is the built on firm foundations that cannot be wavered. For there in biblical text as well as historical documents the factual claims that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and the creator of the Christian church. So why are so many stumbled by this? Why was the book written? If we look in the Bible Jesus did give a warning to us that people would do everything they can to attack our faith. Why? Out of jealousy for one reason. The people who torment others, who are Christian, realize they have to hope and rely on men for answers. They have no foundation for truth and therefore walk around blind. They have been brainwashed so often to believe that Christianity was built on falsehoods and that Christians were haters of government and would overturn commit treason for their own purposes. Which is really far from the truth, as so many emperors discovered.

The Da Vinci Code has become popular not because people are in agreement with what it says, they just like the fact it has mystery, suspense, conspiracy theories, compelling characters, romance, chase scenes, and more. It is also liked because of its religious overtones. Because we are spiritual beings, we love any kind of entertainment that has a spiritual theme to it.

The question remains for many people is whether or not the claims Dan Brown made in the book are true? Even though we know from historical documents and biblical text that Jesus was in fact of divine nature, and not married at all, curiosity comes into play here and beckons the question - is it really true or in fact fiction?

If we look at the cover of Dan Brown's book is clearly stated that it is a novel. What is a novel? A novel is a work of fiction. It is imaginary. It is not real. It is just a made up story to entertainment and enlighten, but not to be taken literally. This is why many people don't understand why there is an uproar over what was written in the book or seen on the big screen. The real question remains, even though it is a fictional story, is the story based on true fact or not?

In the book Dan Brown continues to present the information in the book as true and accurate. But has this knowledge really persuaded people to believe the book or movie, or not. Many Christians who saw the movie were not phased by it and did not distrust their own beliefs. But non-Christians used it as a bases to try and prove themselves right all along.

The one thing the Da Vinci Code does more than anything else is help Christians, and those believing in Jesus, to help those who are not by answering questions that may arise from within their minds, concerning certain teachings that may have surfaced while reading either the book or saw the movie.

Evidence has been presented from many different sources showing in fact the proof that what is contained in Dan Brown's book are in fact invalid. I could go into many details the use of the name Da Vinci itself, but that will be saved for another article. What I wish to present right now is concrete evidence to point in the direction of Jesus as a divine being and as the Son of God, not a man on earth who married and had a child.

One such area that people seem to talk about is Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of the 'Last Supper'. Dan Brown portrays Langdon and someone else saying that the person sitting alongside Jesus at the 'Last Supper' was Mary Magdalene. They base this on the fact the figure appears to be effeminate. However, everyone knows that John the Disciple is depicted in many places as a beautiful or handsome man with features that would strike a resemblance to someone with an effeminate nature. Therefore the idea of the figure being Mary Magdalene does not hold water.

Now comes the biggest fraud the book can portray. And that is the marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. For some reason Dan Brown gets off on the idea of Jesus being a married man. He is completely fixated over it. Why he is this way is being anyone's comprehension. According to the book, the Catholics conspired to withhold this information from its members. But this is further from the truth. For one reason, the canonical Gospels gave no indication of any kind of romantic relationship Jesus had with Mary Magdalene or vice versa. As a matter of fact Luke 8: 2-3 states that Mary had gone along with two other women to help Jesus and his Apostles, but Jesus did not have any special relationship with her. Another reason the statement about Jesus being married to Mary is false is because even the non-canonical gospels made no claim. The only mention of Jesus have any kind of affection for Mary and kissing her is in the Gospel of Philip. But this book was nearly destroyed. Only a fragment of the text was found and this text was unreadable. But even the text that was decipherable, did not claim Jesus and Mary of being married.

The third claim was that Jesus was a rabbi (or a good Jew), as such he had to have been married. But this is not true because for one thing Jesus was no rabbi. Jesus even stated he was no rabbi. When Jesus performed miracles, he was always asked by what authority he did them. If he had authority over the Jews, they would not have asked him that. Jesus held no office of any kind that required someone to be married. Some claim that men of Jesus age had to be married because that was the custom. This also is not true. For there were many men in Jesus day and even before Jesus came on earth that were of his age that were not married.

The fourth claim is that Jesus marriage was covered up by the Catholic Church in order to prevent any difficulty with their policy requiring priests to be celibate. But this was total nonsense. The priests were given choices to marry if they chose to and they did not on their terms. Plus, the Catholic Church did not exist until formation of the N.T. canon.

The next claim that needs to be refuted is the denying that Jesus is of divine nature. In Brown's book, one of his characters, Leigh Teabing, made the claim that until the Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. was formed, Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophet. Of course, this is unfounded and even the most liberal scholars acknowledged this. To claim that Jesus was not of divine origin, strikes against Christianity and the historical evidence to the contrary. The Da Vinci Code seems to ignore the established historical facts concerning Jesus divinity. As a matter of reference, if you read the book, you will notice one thing. The book never mentions the crucifixion. The crucifixion was not only central to the Gospels, but was confirmed by many other sources as well. Dan Brown ignored this fact because he could not handle the idea of Jesus being a divine being. And yet Dan Brown claimed to be a devout Catholic. Also Dan Brown claims in his book that the Council of Nicea voted on many issues for the church at the time, which also was not true. The Council of Nicea was originally established for the purpose of responding to claims of Jesus divinity, as told by an Alexandrian theologian named Arius. The important point to note here was that Arianism did not deny the divinity of Jesus. They accepted it. They understand that Jesus was divine but as the Son of God not as God himself, as some people wanted to believe. the Apostle Paul wrote many references to Jesus as being of divine nature.

What does all this evidence prove? It proves that Dan Brown did not research his subject. He merely wrote his book based on some surface research. Being that it is a book of fiction that does matter in this case, since many of the claims are based on fiction anyway. Some people think Dan Brown wrote the book to get back at certain people who made fun of him in the Catholic Church. Whether this is true or not is hard to say. One thing that can be said with accuracy is that Dan Brown was a deceiver and a liar when concocting this story.

The bottom line is that Jesus was not married and all evidence in the Bible and other historical documents prove this to be true. Also, Jesus was a divine being and the Gospels as well as other historical documents proved this true as well. For anyone to refute this or claim otherwise, is either satanic or an atheist in nature.

Harry Husted is a freelance writer and author. He is also an ordained minister. His writing projects include ghostwriting, copywriting, web site content, and DTP. His credits include articles for Internet Day, Internet World, Advertising Today, Advertising Age, L-Advertising, and a host of others. Harry is also an author of three books, Learn How to Repair Computers: Get Certified in 15 Weeks, How to Write Your Way to Millions, and How to Find and Start a Legitimate Home Business. He can be reached by sending email to husted@creatingwords.com or visit his site at www.creatingwords.com

This article is copyright (c) 2004 by Harry Husted, and may be reprinted in it's entirety as long as this byline and copyright statement is included.

Was Jesus in the grave for three days and three nights?

By: Milburn Cockrell: Courtesy a Christian website:

 http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/was-jesus-in-the-grave-for-three-days-and-nights.html

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three night in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:38-40).

Since Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Jews demanded a sign of Him to prove His claim. Jesus could give them no better proof that He was the Christ than the literal fulfillment of the well-known sign of Jonah, Luke 11:30. If this sign were not literally fulfilled, it would prove unto them that He was not the Messiah. This was the only sign Jesus ever gave them to prove His Messiahship. Hence the great need for Him to do exactly what He promised them to do.

Mark 8:31 tells us:

“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Did Christ mean what He said? Did He really expect to be buried in the earth for three days and three nights? Jesus did not say, “After two nights and one day I will rise again.” He said, “After three days I will rise again.” He meant three days and three nights–a full 72 hours!

The Jews remembered this sign when He was crucified.

“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first” (Matthew 27:62-64).

They did all they could to prevent His resurrection. They got the watch, made the sepulchre sure, and sealed the stone. “After three days I will rise again” was necessary to fulfill the Jonah sign.

Modern interpreters of the Bible make Jesus Christ a liar. They say Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, buried about sundown the same day, and arose on the next Sunday about daybreak in contradiction to the Scriptures! Any schoolboy knows that this is only two nights and one day. If He were crucified on Good Friday and arose on Sunday morning as they say, then He did not literally fulfill the sign of Jonah. If He did not fulfill this sign as He promised the Jews, then He was an impostor and not the Messiah! In other words, Jesus Christ lied to the Jews about His burial and resurrection.

If the Good Friday theory is correct as some teach, then the Bible contains “highly figurative language” which requires a human interpreter to tell people what the verses really mean. By this same liberal method of interpreting the Scriptures you can destroy every basic doctrine in the Bible.

I do not care very much for what scholars say! But I am greatly concerned about not accusing my Lord of lying! Jesus Christ plainly said He would be in the grave “three days and three nights”. He emphatically declared He would rise again “after three days”. I believe He fulfilled the sign of Jonah and vindicated His Messiahship. In Matthew 28:6, we read this testimony of the angel at the tomb:

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
He said He would be in the grave “three days and three nights” and “after three days” He would rise again. Jesus did fulfill the Jonah sign. But He was not crucified on Good Friday, nor did He rise on Sunday morning!

The Part-of-a-Day Theory Wrong

Men, in order to get the Bible out of an embarrassing situation, allege that the Jews counted a part of a day as the whole day. Such passages as Genesis 42:17, 18; 1 Samuel 30:12, 13; Esther 4:15-17; 1 Kings 20:29; and 1 Chronicles 10:5 are cited to prove this theory. However, none of these passages prove “three days and three nights” means two nights and one day. Only one of them even contains the expression “three days and three nights” 1 Samuel 30:12. But there is absolutely no reason to give “three days and three nights” in 1 Samuel 30:12 any meaning except their literal meaning.

Divine inspiration declares the young man “had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.” What authority has any man to contradict these plain words by affirming the time was not so long? The expression, “three days, night and day”, in Esther 4:15, is not the same wording as “three days and three nights” in Matthew 12:40. There is no mention of any nights at all in the other passages; therefore, they give no evidence as to the meaning of “three days and three nights.” There is no reason to take any of the passages cited in any sense except their literal sense, unless one has a theory to prove. The “three days and three nights” in Jonah 1:17 are to be taken in their literal sense.

Granting that some of the Jews did count a part of the day for a whole day, can it be proven that this is what Jesus meant? Can it be proven that the Jews counted a part of a day as a whole day and a whole night? Where is the proof in the inspired Word?

Yet, proponents of the Good Friday tradition want us to believe that a part of a day meant a whole day and a whole night. Men who believe the Bible to be literally true dare not accept such reasoning.

The Meaning of Day in the Bible

The word “day” in the Bible in its primary sense means the interval between dawn and darkness.

“And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night . . . ” (Genesis 1:5, Compare Genesis 1:14-18; 8:22.)
This is the first occurrence of the word “day” in the Bible, and the Lord God himself gives its meaning. Jesus believed there were 12 hours in a day. He asked in John 11:9:

” . . . Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”
Jesus made a day and night consist of 24 hours. Can there be any higher authorities than the Lord God and Jesus Christ? Do not such authorities settle the matter for all true believers?

In the Bible a day is the interval of time comprising the period between two successive risings of the sun (Genesis 7:24; Job 3:16). The Hebrews reckoned it from evening to evening Exodus 12:18,

” . . . from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath” (Leviticus 23:32).
The 12-hour night began at sunset and ended at sunup. It was counted before the 12-hour day.

“And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5).
Hence a new day began at 6 o’clock in the evening and lasted until the same time the next evening–a period of 24 hours–a 12-hour night followed by a 12-hour day!

The Good Friday Hoax

The Bible nowhere says or implies that Jesus was crucified and died on Good Friday! It is said that Jesus was crucified on

“the day before the Sabbath”, (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14, 31, 42).
As the Jewish weekly Sabbath came on Saturday, scholars have assumed Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. This is poor reasoning because the Bible bears abundant testimony that the Jews had other Sabbaths beside the weekly Sabbath which fell on Saturday.

The first day of the Passover week, no matter on what day of the week it came, was always an annual Sabbath.

“And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein” (Leviticus 23:6, 7).
On the seventh day of this feast, the 21st of Nisan, was another annual Sabbath:

” . . . in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein” (Leviticus 23:8).
The day of Pentecost was an annual Sabbath Numbers 28:26. This is the reason we read about Sabbaths in the plural number in the Old Testament Leviticus 26:2, 34, 35, 43.

The Bible makes it plain, Jesus was crucified and buried on:

” . . . the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath” (Mark 15:42).
John tells us:

“And it was the preparation of the Passover” (John 19:14).
It was the preparation day on which the Passover Supper was made ready [editor's note: actually it was the preparation for the Holy Day, the Night to Be Much Remembered], the 14th of Nisan John 13:1, 29; 18:28. It was the preparation to keep the Passover Sabbath–the annual Sabbath which always came on the 15th day of the first ecclesiastical month. John 19:31 adds:

” . . . (for that sabbath day was an high day) . . . .”
Its greatness was due to the fact that it was the annual Sabbath of the Passover Festival.

Two Sabbaths that Week

Matthew makes it plain that two Sabbaths had passed since Jesus was crucified. The KJV has this rendering:

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre” (Matthew 28:1).
On this verse nearly all translators have allowed tradition to control their translation. It is not “Sabbath” but “Sabbaths” in the Greek text (the genitive case and the plural number). The verse properly translated would read:

“In the end of the sabbaths . . . .”
This allows for an annual Sabbath on Thursday and a regular Sabbath on Saturday.

When Jesus was buried near sundown on the day of the Passover,

“Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary”
watched the burial Matthew 27:58-61. Immediately after the burial, Luke says:

“And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on” (Luke 3:54).
This Sabbath was an annual Sabbath on Thursday. The day after the annual Sabbath the women bought spices, Mark 16:1. Luke tells us that the women, after preparing the spices on Friday,

” . . . rested the sabbath day according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).
The traditional interpretation makes Mark and Luke contradict each other. In Mark 16:1 we are informed that the Sabbath was past when the spices were purchased. “Had” is inserted without any authority from the Greek text.

“No reason can be given for the variation–bought sweet spices. Not had bought” (An American Commentary on the New Testament, Vol. 11, p. 251).
In Luke 23:56 we are told that the women prepared the spices and ointments, and rested the Sabbath day. If Jesus lay in the grave on Sabbath only, Mark and Luke contradict each other. But if He lay there two Sabbaths having a work day between them, then Mark and Luke harmonize to perfection.

The Resurrection Late Saturday Evening

When does the Bible say that Jesus rose from the dead? The two Mary’s came to the tomb:

“in the end of the sabbath” (Matthew 28:1).
The Sabbath always ended at sunset:

“From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath” (Leviticus 23:32).
Then they went to the tomb before sunset on Saturday. Jesus had risen from the dead before their arrival Matthew 28:1-8. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ arose before sunset on Saturday. Christ did not rise on Sunday morning, for the two Mary saw Him, heard Him speak, and held His feet just as the Sabbath ended and the first day of the week began.

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week . . .” (Matthew 28:1).
Mark 16:9 tells us Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene early the first day of the week, which was Saturday after sundown. The nearer after sunset this happened, the earlier in the first of the week it was. Mark does not say that she was alone at the time she first saw Jesus, and Matthew tells us that:

“the other Mary was with her” (Matthew 28:1).
The Date of the Crucifixion

Having shown from Matthew 28:1 that Jesus rose from the grave as the Sabbath ended at sunset and the first day of the week began, this would put the crucifixion on Wednesday at sunset just as the preparation day ended and the annual Sabbath commenced. According to the Gospel writers, Jesus died at the ninth hour (3:00 p.m. our time) and was buried about sunset that same day, Luke 23:44, 45, 50-54; Mark 15:33-38, 42-47.

If Jesus were buried at sunset on Wednesday and arose at sunset on Saturday, He fulfilled the sign of Jonah. He would have been in the grave Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday night–a full “three days”. All together a full “three days and three nights.” Thus we have a literal fulfillment of the words of Christ in Matthew 12:40. hence there is no need to follow Roman Catholic tradition which makes Jesus Christ a liar. Truly,

“. . . He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1Corinthians 15:4),
not the second day according to Roman Catholic tradition!

The Third Day

Some Scriptures speak of His resurrection

“after three days” (Mark 8:31; 9:31 R. V.; 10:34 R. V.; Matthew 27:63).
Other verses say

“three days” (Matthew 26:60, 61; 27:39, 40; Mark 14:58; 15:29, 30; John 2:19, 20).
Still others speak of

“the third day” (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 27:64; Luke 9:22; 18;33; 24:6, 7, 21, 46; Acts 10:40; 1 Corinthians 16:4).
Some make much over “the third day” in Luke 24:21, and they affirm that if the crucifixion took place on Wednesday, Sunday would be the fourth day since these things were done. But the answer is simple. These things were done just as Thursday was beginning at sunset on Wednesday. They were therefore completed on Thursday, and the first day since Thursday would be Friday, the second day since Thursday would be Saturday, and “the third day since” Thursday would be Sunday, the first day of the week.

So the supposed objection in reality supports the Wednesday crucifixion. But if the crucifixion took place on Friday, by no manner of reckoning could Sunday be made “the third day since” these things were done.

Unless we believe the Bible contains errors, we know that all passages must harmonize. Therefore, “after three days” must mean the same as “the third day” Matthew 16:21.

There is nothing in the Bible to favor the Good Friday crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The biblical record harmonizes with a Wednesday crucifixion and Saturday evening resurrection–a full 72 hours. This view allows for a literal interpretation of “three days and three nights.” It allows for the word “after three days” to mean just that. It proves that Jesus Christ fulfilled the sign of Jonah and thus proved His Messiahship to the Jews.

Written By: Milburn Cockrell

Paarsurrey says:

It is evident from the above that the Christians are in doubt about Jesus death on Cross. The difference is in almost every detail. The Catholics, Protestants believe that the incident of crucifixion happened on Friday; just to avoid a lot of questions as to why the funeral rites as per the Jewish custom were not performed if Jesus had died on the Cross. One may read my post:

http://paarsurrey.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/actions-of-disciples-putting-wrappings-on-jesus%e2%80%99-body-testify-jesus-was-injured-but-alive-when-laid-in-the-tomb/

Other Christians resort to believe that the incident happened on Wednesday.

I request the Christians to make the research in the issue sincerely and unbiased and to accept the truth where-ever it comes from.

Thanks
I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). We are also told, “He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the seed of Abraham (believers) ... since He Himself was tempted in that which He suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb 2:16,18). There is something about these verses ... that always bothered me a little.

I have always understood that Jesus was “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Ro 8:3) - but was not sinful flesh ... like me. One reason for the virgin birth was to interrupt the inheritance of a sin nature from Adam. Jesus was never inclined toward evil ... as He was not infested with a sin nature - possessing time bombs that love death ... like me. So how could He really know what kind of battles I face? How could He come to my aid and sympathize with my struggles ... when He did not have a sin nature? And wouldn’t an inclination toward some sin make for a more ferocious battle than temptation toward that same sin - absent the inclination? Well, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about voicing these concerns. Quite honestly, I was willing to let this sleeping dog lie. But, as I was working through the material on, “The First Homosexual and the Bible,” and “Man’s Nature: One’s Invisible Metaphysical Imprint and the Bible,” I stepped right on him. Avoidance ... was no longer an option. Two points emerged.

Point 1: He can “sympathize with our weaknesses ...”

... not sin nature. It’s funny how I never saw that before. Sin springs from one of two sources. One is an inherited sin nature possessing bents toward errant behavior. Jesus did not have that. The second source involves areas of moral weakness - some moral vulnerability - absent any bent or character flaw toward that errant behavior. Jesus did deal with that. Neither of these accrue personal guilt before God. Only the commission of the errant behavior creates guilt. We will come back to this second source, and Jesus’ entanglements with it, in a moment. Careful reading, and some prayer, often leads to the untying of knots.

Point 2: I have not yet “resisted to the point of shedding blood ...”

... in my striving against sin (He 12:4). One reason I was tepid about voicing concern over these passages was because I knew that an insinuation that His battles against sin were less intense than mine (because of my sin nature bents) - would border on blasphemy ... or already be seen by God as a headlong rush into it. But, this passage in Hebrews, along with recollections of the scenes in the crucifixion saga, clarified many things.

For starters, let’s revisit Gethsemane. The desire to avoid the cross was so strong that, “being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground” (Lk 22:44). This sweat was produced ... on a cold night (Peter was soon warming himself by a fire - John 18:18). It was not the result of a marathon run - but by intensity of prayer. He fell on His face, and in three appeals to the Father, asked if this cup could be removed from Him ... “yet not My will, but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42). Concerning His sweat becoming “like drops of blood,” some have speculated that the pressure may have been so intense that blood vessels were bursting - and may have colored, or somehow otherwise affected the sweat, so as to spawn this correlative notation about its characteristics. I don’t know. But, what I am confident about ... is that His spirit was willing to obey the Father even to death upon a cross - but His flesh was weak ... not flawed, but “weak” (Mt 26:41). The temptation - was to disobey the Father’s revealed will ... and call on those twelve legions of angels for deliverance (Mt 26:53).

Of course, I don’t think He even needed them. As He exited His prayer spot, He confronted His arresting party and “said to them [not asked them], ‘Whom do you seek?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus, the Nazarene.’ He said to them, ‘I am.’ ... When therefore He said to them, ‘I am,’ they drew back and fell on the ground.” Jesus then repeated the question and proceeded to dictate the terms of His arrest - and they cooperated (Jn 18:4-9). This knockdown ... changed the dynamic of the entire arrest. I am quite certain this blow was a only intended to get their attention - and secure the release of the disciples. He could have just as easily pinched their nostrils closed and ushered them all into eternity. “Ego eimi,” (“I am”) is the designation for God Almighty - going back to Moses and the burning bush (Ex 3:14). The temptation ... was to use His power for self-deliverance.

The whole passion was a massive temptation in this regard. As early as John 13:3, we find that “the Father had given all things into His hands ....” Jesus could have ended His ordeal at any time. The more I delve into this entire travesty, I don’t know how Jesus was able to allow this upon His person. For some reason, He loves me, and was willing to go through this for me. I hope you can say that, too. The point? Well, there are at least two. First, obedience to God’s will often brings negative events. The temptation is to avoid such reality. I am certain this dynamic will only exist in this age (from Adam until the Judgment). Second, these temptations to sin are as powerful as any sin-nature-inclination battle. Look at the energy required for Jesus to defeat them. There is no way any sin-bent temptation I ever face will be more challenging than the ones (plural) He faced. How could any fight against sin be more intense than ... the cross? He was “obedient to the point of death, even death of a cross” (Phil 2:8).

The truth is - Jesus was, and is, first place in every arena He chooses to enter. He was marred more than any man (Isa 52:14), He was treated more unfairly than any man (2Pet 2:22-24), and His fight against evil, and its intensity, will never be equaled (Heb 12:3). No man will ever face more powerful temptations than He did ... sin-bent or not. He is preeminent.

Consider This

James tells us “God cannot be tempted by evil” (Ja 1:13). The Bible is also clear that “(t)he Word was God ... and the Word was made flesh” (Jn 1:1,14). This refers to Jesus Christ who “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped” but was willing to be “made in the likeness of men ... in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Phil 2:6,7 and Ro 8:3). Jesus was not created - “but a body Thou hast prepared for Me” (Heb 10:5). Jesus was/is God inside a human body. Since God cannot be tempted by evil, and Jesus is God, it appears to me that the temptations He faced during His lifetime in Judea were either a function of His physical body ... or being in a body in this age ... or both.

The Function of a Physical Body

It is possible the physical body may be capable of illegal lusts - apart from a sin nature. But, as I have always had a sin nature, I do not know what a body free of one would experience. I do know I can be walking along just fine one minute and then - wham! - a particular female presence, or fragrance - and the war is on. No thinking or decisions - just reaction ... of the flesh flushing. Recently, after such an assault, I came out the other side, chuckled a bit and looked up toward God and said, “Boy, this stuff sure has a lot of power.” I do realize such personal reactions may be the result of training my body into defilement over years of “practice.” But, this also may be the result of a sin inclination - a negative component of my personal metaphysical imprint. I will have to wait until The Judgment to know all this for sure. I do hope God will allow me to see what I was actually dealing with in my time in this “present evil age” (Ga 1:4) as He untwists all my contorted knots in my final deliverance. I do not know if Jesus struggled with such flesh assaults - in a body without a sin nature. There is no Biblical evidence that He did. All the speculation about a Mary Magdalene affair, or possible homosexual contacts, is projection from outside the Biblical record and imposed upon The Christ. This is an attempt to humanize Jesus in a debased manner and cast doubt upon the New Testament record of a life free of sin. His Biblically recorded struggles with “weaknesses” (or what I prefer to call, “moral vulnerabilities”) all point more toward ...

Being in a Body in this Age

Just being physically present in this age ... is to be in an environment full of provocations to sin. The entire crucifixion saga, just alluded to, is probably the prime example. But, being in a body in the next age “where righteousness dwells” (2Pet 3:13) - while fully obeying God’s revealed will - will never have such sordid consequences. One will not be tempted to desert righteousness ... because of persecution for it.

A Few of Jesus’ Temptations (Satan’s Assaults) and Some Observations

After Jesus fasted forty days, Satan attacked. The first temptation was, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” This, as a temptation, does seem reasonable ... I mean - forty days without food? Jesus refused this action as He must have determined it would be an abuse of the power He had. Satan then followed with two more attacks that appear to me as a grasp at a straw. Satan offered Jesus all the world’s domain and glory if He would worship him, and he also challenged Jesus to jump off the Temple to prove He was the Son of God (He would be rescued from harm by the angels). Satan was probing for weaknesses in Jesus’ character, but I think these last two ... were total misfires. Maybe I am missing something, but I don’t think Jesus was tempted to see Satan as God and I don’t think Jesus was an exhibitionist - and “tempted” to jump off the pinnacle of the Temple, be rescued by angels, and then bask in the glory of an awed people. “And when the devil had finished each temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:3-13).

Was A Review In Order?

I believe Satan may have later reviewed his attack - and recognized his massive miscalculations. Individuals often project their own insanities upon others - convinced everyone is like they are. As an egomaniac, Satan may have really thought Jesus would want to jump off the Temple - be miraculously rescued, and then be fawned over by star-struck devotees. But, not everyone is an exhibitionist lusting for center stage. (Of course, it is also possible he just hoped Jesus would splatter on the pavement, and that would be the end of the matter.) But, the offer of all the world and its power? Not everyone is enticed by a decaying material system. I suspect these last two temptations were projections of Satan’s own weaknesses ... and fell absolutely flat. Satan learns, and I think he regrouped, realizing he missed a great opportunity. Future attacks were much more studied and potentially much more accurate. He is evil and he is insane, but he is not stupid. Read his initial assault on Job. Satan allowed one terrified soul to live from each attack (not because he liked them) and timed it so each one came on the heels of the other with disastrous news. Shock and awe ... with the hope Job would curse God (Job 1). Satan is the master at ambushing. Here is another one.

The Transfiguration Ambush

After speaking with Moses and Elijah about “His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem,” (being crucified) not only did Peter blurt out in ignorance, missing the whole point after three years of input, but the next day, when coming down off the mount, Jesus was met by mass confusion. A father of a demon possessed boy (so, Satan was setting up an incident) fell before Jesus recounting His disciple’s record of ineptness in being able to help. Exasperated, Jesus said, “O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here!” Is it possible this episode may have pushed Him close ... to an unrighteous outburst of anger? You see, after healing this boy - with everyone marveling - Jesus, in an eternally unmatched intensity, bore a gaze directly into the hearts of the dullard disciples and said, “Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” They were so cowed by this message and its delivery they were afraid to ask Him what He meant (Lk 9:28-45). But, the dullness - and ambushes - did not end here. They multiplied. Consider this next one.

“Let’s die with Him” Test

At one point (probably sometime after this previous scene), the disciples were tying to keep Jesus away from Judea. “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You; and are You going there again?” When they realized their efforts to turn Him around had failed, Thomas said to the disciples, “Let us also go, in order that we may die with Him!” (Jn 11:8-16). So, off they went ... ready to die! As the moment of truth drew ever closer, Jesus informed them ... they would all scatter. Peter did not like that and, after sulking around, he confronted Jesus and asserted, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away ... Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You ... Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death ... All the disciples said the same thing too” (Mt 26:33,35 and Lk 22:33). Jesus was on the verge of an ordeal unparalleled in human history and unrivaled in eternity. An emergency of the first order was descending - and these companions of three plus years, were pledging unfailing faithfulness. Yet, He knew that even the brazen Peter would soon wilt under the powerful gaze of an accusing ... door maiden. The other disciples didn’t even get that far.

How Jesus refrained from lashing out at some point along the way - I will never know. Loss of control for just a split second - just one errant word ... or even one errant heart motivation ... would have doomed us all. “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ ... but I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother (without cause?) ... and says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the hell of fire” (Mt 5:21-22). There is no rewind - “Let me try this again” - when it comes to sin. Even though He was God, He was God in the flesh - and being in a body in this age found Him surrounded by ignorance, overestimation of self, and stupidity of incalculable weight. I regularly fail these kinds of tests - even over inconsequential issues. I am certain Satan’s fingerprints were all over these affairs - as he did have full access to Judas. He may have stoked many such fires through him (Lk 22:3 and Jn 13:27). Satan is ... the Tempter (Mt 4:3 and 1Thes 3:5).

Winning Friends Versus Winning the Father

Obedience to the revealed will of the Father had to be a primary source of Jesus’ temptation battles while in a body in this age. When in a right mind, people will not do things that lead directly to physical trauma. Many contend that Jesus was a young zealot who foolishly ran afoul of the authorities and that cost Him His life. But others (like me) believe, “I do nothing on My own initiative ... I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself, who sent Me, has given Me commandment, what to say and what to speak” (Jn 8:28 and 12:49). Obedience marched Him into the lethal teeth of the religious leaders and Roman authorities. And Jesus knew that with each action. He healed people on the Sabbath - and was labeled a Law breaker ... empowered by Beelzebub (Mt 12:9-32). When Jesus informed the Pharisees that Satan was their father - and they were liars and murderers like him - that did not win the extended hand of fellowship (Jn 8:31-47). To single-handedly take over The Temple on two occasions - and humiliate the Sanhedrin in front of the entire nation - were not actions that produced endearment (Jn 2:14-22 and Mt 21:12,13). To publically pronounce woes upon the scribes and Pharisees and their hypocrisy ... to raise Lazarus from the dead and have the “accursed crowd” turn to Him in mass ... to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey while being heralded as the son of David - the Messiah - these actions, while in a body in this age, provoked evil men to murder. Even the disciples wanted Jesus to back off, as they could see where these confrontations were leading (Jn 11:7-16).

How much temptation He suffered in completing His mission is unknown to us now. I think that will be revealed when we stand before Him. But, I do know there were times He spent the night in prayer (Mt 14:23, Lk 6:12), or visited with departed saints whose eternal well being depended upon His obedience (Lk 9:28-31), or had occasions where angels were dispatched to minister to Him (Mt 4:11 and Lk 22:43). Of course, morally, Jesus always cooperated with the Father’s will - as it was natural to Him - and was always the right thing to be doing. “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn 8:29). He was probably eager to cleanse The Temple of that “den of thieves” (Mt 21:13). He most likely prayed for the opportunity to publically expose the hypocritical teachings and practices of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:1-39). He “loved righteousness and hated lawlessness” (He 1:9) as opposed to the polar opposite of loving “the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (Jn 12:43). Unfortunately, these are most often ... mutually exclusive. And to ride into Jerusalem triumphantly on that donkey - all the things the Father ever called upon Him to do were the right things to do. The fight was to yield to where they led - the cross. He despised the shame of it as much as the torture (He 12:2). To be right, and be damned, is hard to take - even if you know you will rise three days later. This is an understandable weakness of being in a body in this age.

Satan longs for these kinds of shots at us. He does have some understanding of the eternity that has been secured for us - and he hates us intently - knowing we deserve damnation ... yet, will be spared. This has filled him with immeasurable rage (Rev 12:12). If given the chance, he will peel our skin off - inch by inch - and then place us on a red ant hill. And that would just be the start as he would have us linger near death as long as possible. No mercy. Friends, the flesh is weak. If obedience to God leads to some “ant pile” - the temptation to disobey ... is real. Jesus won His war against such temptations produced by being in a body in this age. If you are a bit unsure how much power you may need from God in this life ... well, maybe you see a bit more now. “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher” (Lk 6:40). I welcome all such cups ... to pass from me. Such moral weakness - vulnerability - is one He can fully sympathize with, and help with, if need be. But, at this moment, or any other moment, I will be happy to be spared this need.

Are you interested in the Bible’s Plan of Salvation or what the Bible says about Death ? If so, you can find each Free Christian Ebook (and others) at freelygive-n.com!
In 1977, Robin became a Christian. BA, Bus Admin (Milligan College '90) and M-Div (Emmanuel School of Religion '92).

One Bible Many Jesus Christ

Written by Joseph Ho, 18th August 2009

Since the day I set my heart to be a serious Christian, I began to discover that there is one bible but many version of Christ. Even the bible itself consists of many versions and translations, but nevertheless they all speak about the same thing in a different light and wordings. The major difference in the Christian world is that there are actually many types of Jesus and all of them half truths, partial and bias, not the complete understanding of our Lord God and Savior.

Jesus of Grace

Here, the preacher claims that once you are saved by saying the sinner’s prayer than you are saved forever. No need to work hard to be righteous, Jesus will give you that righteousness without us trying even a little to be good. No one can be good by his own effort, so don’t need to try to be good.

Jesus of Prosperity

When you come to God, all you have to do is to give your tithes and God will bless you. Give more get more. God wants you to be rich and wealthy and to do that we have to give to God so that he can bless us with what we give. Sow seed get tree with fruit, sow money to God get money from God.

Jesus of Baptism

Be baptized and all is well. You have received Jesus through confessing his name and accepting his sacrifice and be baptized and read your bible then you be saved.

Jesus a Nice Good God

God is good so he does not condemn you anymore. No chastisement, all good things will come to those who are Christians, as we are already his children and God will pamper us with all good things, money, wealth, health and favor. God does not punish anymore, he does not kill as well. All the disasters in the world are of the devil and God does nothing to stop him until Jesus comes again.

Jesus the God who gives Power

Jesus gave power to his disciple so he also gives us power to proclaim, bind and cast out devils. Our untrained tongues suddenly have the anointing once you begin to know that God has given you his inheritance to rule the world.

Jesus the human being

Jesus is not God, he is only a human and he comes to do show us how to be a good man. God is one and there is no Trinity, no father, son and holy spirit, only one God.

Jesus the Prophet Not Messiah

Jesus is only a prophet and he is not the savior, he came to preach about God and show the love of God for the world. Jesus is not God, he was sent by God as an enlightened one.

Jesus the answer it all God

Come to Jesus and all your problems will be solved. Your debts will be paid, or supernaturally cancelled, your sickness will be healed, your amputated leg will grow back, you will get gold teeth, and diamonds will fall all over you, gold dust will cover your body, your lost love will return and you live happily ever after.

Jesus the Institutionalized God

Jesus is a regimental God, so wants you to go to church every Sunday, pay our tithes on time, go to prayer tower to participate in 24 hours a day prayer for the world since he does not know he has to take care of the world and we have to remind him constantly. If we don’t pray he does not move.

Jesus the Bible God

Jesus is all about the bible, he speaks to us only from the bible and no where else. Everything we need to do is found in the bible and its bible and bible only, nothing else. Jesus is a God who lost the ability to talk to us directly even in dreams and visions or through the still small voice. Jesus is not present everywhere he can only be found when we read the bible.

Which is the True or Real Jesus?

The above is only a small segment of what the present Christians think of who Jesus is all about. Jesus is who he is, the I am that I am. Jesus has been stereotyped by our limited minds which classify things in the worldly human understanding. They preached a Jesus whom they think he should be but not what he actually is.

Jesus is the great I am that I am. He is whatever he wants to be and we have to learn from him. We all have to make a life long journey to know and have a relationship with him. Men tried very hard to stereotype who Jesus is so that they can feel that they have worshipped him in truth. But they did not know that Jesus is too big for them to imagine. They read the same bible but came out with many types of Jesus based on their own weaknesses and character flaws. These preachers are sincerely wrong and they don’t know Jesus. There is only one Jesus Christ and one narrow gate. Now what did Paul say about this?

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (New International Version)

3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

Now it has come to past, because many now preached a different Jesus from the original authentic message of Jesus. The age old message is still very simple and clear. The message is one of salvation from our sin and eternal damnation in the fires of hell.

Jesus came to die for our sins, so that we can be transformed from sinners to sons and daughters, to repent and seek forgiveness for our rebellious life which is against the word of God. We are to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and be baptized in his name so that we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead an overcoming life, a true life of freedom from bondages and death. And to constantly be renewed from glory to glory through the washing of his words spiritually until we be changed from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh where, love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, faithfulness, goodness, self-control and gentleness, grows in our hearts.

Finding the real Jesus to gain the favor of God

Only when God favor us, will he then promote us. No man can promote anyone unless God has approved, as all promotion comes from God. You will find that promotion does not come to the smartest or the most capable, it came to those whom the Boss likes. This is called favor.

Psalm 75:5-7 (New International Version)

5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak with outstretched neck.' '

6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

In the Book of Daniel, God moved Nebuchadnezzar to favor Daniel because God gave Daniel the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar dreams. And in the Book of Genesis, God favors Joseph, because God moved the heart of Jacob to give Joseph a coat of honor, he also made Potiphar favor Joseph and finally the Pharaoh himself favored Joseph because God gave Joseph the meaning of his dreams. When God favors you, he will cause kings to favor you since all authorities are instituted by him. Kings may or may not be Christians; it is irrelevant, simply because all kings are approved by God himself. Cyrus was a pagan king whom God favored and made him great, but he was no Israelite.

Proverbs 21:1 (New International Version)

Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Why did God favor Daniel and Joseph? They were men of excellent character and qualities who do not compromise on their beliefs and they were whole hearted in their life style because they honor their heavenly father. They did not try to be good Christians; they are simply walking in the ways of the Lord God.

Unless you also walk in the ways of the Lord our God, he will not favor you and so you cannot be the head. So confessing Jesus as Lord will not bring about this favor, unless you absorbed the word of God and embed it in your life style you will not gain favor with God much less gain any gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you do not turn away from your old ways and seek to walk in the righteous ways of the Lord thy God, he will not favor you. Your salvation is also not real, no deeds, no actions all talk and unless prayers with no sincerity.

God is not mocked and he can see into the intentions of the hearts of men. A sinner’s prayer is not enough to get you into the favor of God. God’s approval comes from the gift of the Holy Spirit into the lives of many. Jesus is the only baptizer of the Holy fire and Spirit and no pastors can give you that. God must sanctify you with the truth before he can bestow a gift upon your life, and that is a spiritual one.

When you confess and receive Jesus Christ into your life, you have only enrolled yourself in his School of Holiness and the work has only just started. It’s a life long process of transformation and bearing good fruit. Until you produce the fruit of the Spirit you are never truly his disciple. A tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down.

Matthew 3:10

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:17

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 12:33

'Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Many Christians are walking Zombies, they hear a sermon, agree to it and the minute they step out of church they forgot everything they heard. They have ears but they do not hear. If they heard, they would have done what God said to do. These people do not honor their own word let alone honor God’s word. Every life situation is a test and yet they do things their own ways and not the ways of the Lord God. It is always easy to walk in our own ways by doing what comes to our minds and we don’t consider how others may feel. It is much more difficult to decide to change our ways and to walk in the ways of the Lord our God.

John 14:21

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.'

John 14:23

Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 14:24

He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Here is an example of how I changed my ways, in the past, I will take justice into my own hands so I need to formulate a plan and perform some manipulation. But today, after coming to Christ, I read that vengeance belongs to God, so I petition God with my request and seek justice from God and I found he never forgets, he always give me the justice due to me. That is provided I walk in his ways and also on condition that I am on a right standing with God, which means I was not the evil one.

Here is another example, in the past, I would be very zealous for Christ and I would evangelize to anyone I met without the wisdom from God. Sometimes, I offend; some times I intrude into other people’s life style by being over zealous. Now, I let God speak to me and then I will open up, but I speak only he words he gave me and no more. I do not try to be too smart by helping God, God need our cooperation as being available and be bold and willing to be used by him. God does not need our knowledge and wisdom to try to help him win souls. Jesus Christ himself is the promise not us, and we will never have the power to change anyone unless God works with us through the Holy Spirit.

Here is a third example, in the past, I thought we have to sow, plant and reap all at once. Now, I know, I may be called to sow into one person, plant in another and reap what I did not sow. So this understanding made my life a joy and great peace and ease came to all my work because I decided to do things God’s way. It’s a fantastic way to learn the heart of the Father. If you have never run an errand for God, you will never learn his ways, reading the bible is not enough, you need to have a relationship with God by doing things when he commands you. But then again, how can you do things for him, if you can not hear from him. My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me, says the Lord your God.

So check out my website at www.kingscepter.com or send me an email at prophet3333@yahoo.com, and you will learn the deeper truths from the place where New Wine flows, fresh and real, no pretensions, no theology, no deception, only the candid truth. God bless you all.

Joseph Ho is an engineer by training, he is also a former member of FGBMI and CBMC. Presently, he is the President of Thy Scepter, a spirit led Christian Business owner Society. He has also authored 2 books, one of which is 'My Sheep Hear My Voice' and is available at www.kingscepter.com.

Does baptism matter?  Most Americans have come to the conclusion that it does not, a person can be saved and go to heaven baptized or not.  It is such a settled conviction with most that they are not willing to give the study of the topic the time of day.  It is ridiculous to even consider it as they see it.  Only the spiritually blinded, only the cult faction, could think otherwise from their point of view. 

It seems to me this is taking the same attitude the Pharisees took back in the first century.  They had their settled law and there was no point in thinking there was any possibility that they might be in error.  When Jesus came along and started questioning some of their beliefs and practices there was nothing to do but crucify him for there was no possibility in their mind that they could be wrong in their religion.  What he had to say had to be heresy. 

A man ought to be cautious in reaching conclusions in spiritual matters for once this life is over and the next one has begun there is no going back a second time and getting it right.  There are no second chances and eternity is a long, long time.  I would like to look at baptism and want to start with an account that is often overlooked - the baptism of Jesus when John baptized him. 

It is certainly true that the baptism of John differs from that which the Lord commanded in the great commission as given in Matthew 28 and Mark 16.  If I was to be baptized with the baptism of John today it would not do me an ounce of good for its time has long since come and gone.  Nevertheless, that was not the case when Jesus came to John to be baptized approximately 2,000 years ago.  

Mark tells us (Mark 1:4 NKJV), 'John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.'  We know that Jesus never sinned and when Jesus comes to John to be baptized John is hesitant.  In Matthew 3:14 we are told that, 'John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?'' 

Now note carefully how Jesus responds.  'But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.'  Then he allowed Him.'  (Matt. 3:15 NKJV) 

Why was Jesus baptized?  To fulfill all righteousness for that is what he says.  What did he mean by that?  The answer is found in Psalms 119:172, 'My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.'  Jesus was baptized because it was the righteous thing to do for God had commanded it and all of God's commandments are righteousness. 

In Matt. 21 Jesus is being confronted by the chief priests and the elders who want to know by what authority he is doing the things he is doing.  The Bible says, (Matt. 21:24-26 NKJV), 'Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John, where was it from?  From heaven or from men?'  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, ‘From heaven,' He will say to us ‘Why then did you not believe him?'  ‘But if we say, ‘From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.''  

Jesus is saying John's baptism has to be either from God or from man, which was it?  Jesus believed (knew) it was from God and was baptized.  The Pharisees did not believe it was from God and thus were not baptized.  In Jesus' case belief led to obedience, in the Pharisee's case disbelief led to disobedience. 

In Luke 7 Jesus has been talking about John the Baptist and the Bible says, beginning in verse 29, 'And when all the people heard Him (Jesus – DS), even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.' (NKJV)  This provides further proof that John's baptism was from or of God. 

The counsel of God was that men receive John's message and be baptized.  John's message was that men repent and be baptized, a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  

The Good News Bible translates Mark 1:4 as follows:  'So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. ‘Turn away from your sins and be baptized,' he told the people, ‘and God will forgive your sins.''  This was the message of God for the people that was rejected by the Pharisees, lawyers, chief priests, and elders. 

But, the Bible says 'even the tax collectors justified God, have been baptized with the baptism of John.' (Luke 7:29 NKJV)  What does it mean 'justified God', how is that done?  The New American Standard translation of this verse clarifies it a lot.  It reads, 'And when all the people and the tax-gatherers heard this, they acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.' 

Part of John's message was that there was to be wrath to come and the way of escape was to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.  When men obeyed John's preaching  they were in affect saying by their actions that  God was just in bringing this wrath upon them unless they did repent and obey and that it was just of him to demand their repentance and baptism. 

Now what does all of this have to do with you and me today, with men and women in general?  There is a direct application and an argument I think no one can reject save at their own peril. 

Jesus asked the question where did John's baptism come from, from God or man.  Here is the question for you and me today, where did the baptism Jesus commanded come from, from God or man? 

Why would it be wrong to reject John's baptism in its time but right to reject Jesus' baptism in our time?  Jesus made it clear that to reject John's baptism in its time was to reject the counsel of God against themselves.  Are we not doing the same thing today, rejecting God's counsel against ourselves, when we refuse to be baptized with Jesus' baptism, the baptism of the great commission.  If not why not?  

One cannot reason his way out of this dilemma but it gets even worse for those who want to reject baptism.  Please note it was a salvation issue with Jesus concerning John's baptism.  Are you going to say it is not a salvation issue today with Jesus' baptism? 

How much difference is there in the meaning of the words, 'a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins' (Mark 1:4 NKJV) spoken concerning John's baptism and the words 'repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins' (Acts 2:38 NKJV) spoken concerning the baptism Jesus requires in our own time?  The words sound very similar to me.  

Am I saying that both baptisms were identical?  No, but the difference lay not in the end to be achieved.  John's baptism ultimately would have done no good had Jesus not died on the cross.  In that sense it looked forward and was a promise.  We have this in our everyday lives all of the time.  If I do this then I am promised that even though that may be down the road a ways.  Paychecks are like that.  We work trusting by faith the promise that we will be paid.  This was John's baptism. 

Does this mean their actual forgiveness lay down the road somewhere in the future and was not immediate?  No, for it was a certainty, not just a promise, that Jesus would die on the cross.  The deed was as good as done the day it was first prophesied.  When Moses and Elijah met Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus had not yet died on the cross.  Was their salvation hanging in the balance until he did die?  To ask is to answer.  So it was with those who obeyed John's teaching.  Their sins were forgiven then and there or else John misled them for he said it was for the forgiveness of sins.   

The baptism Jesus gave man by way of the great commission was based on the fact that Jesus had already died and shed his blood for the remission of sins and the salvation of man.  Man has to believe the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  In short, for a man to receive the baptism of Jesus he must believe in the historical Jesus, the Savior of the world. 

If a man today refuses to obey the command to be baptized he refuses to do what Jesus said he was doing when he said, 'it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.'  (Matt. 3:15 NKJV)  It has already been pointed out that all God's commands are righteousness (Psalms 119:172).  If we have a command to be baptized today, as far as I know all agree we do, should we not obey it and fulfill all righteousness?  Why is it wrong to follow Jesus' example?  

Does Jesus' baptism condemn you?  It well could for when all is said and done you will either make camp with the Pharisees and other unbelievers who could not take God's word at face value, believe and obey it, or you will camp with those who did believe and did obey.  You will either reject the counsel of God against yourself refusing to be baptized or else you will accept it, believe and obey it.  Make no mistake about it, for there are way too many passages that teach it, God has commanded baptism for you and me today thus it becomes a matter of either we will or we won't.  We will either accept his counsel or we will reject it. 

I am sometimes taken aback by how people can just blow off baptism as being an insignificant thing unworthy of time or trouble.  It is a reflection on God.  Really is that not what Jesus was saying way back when – you don't believe God?  So many want to be saved by faith today apart from baptism and cannot see, as though blinded, that baptism is a part of faith, a part of the faith that saves.  You are either going to believe God or you are not going to believe him when he speaks of baptism in his word.  Why is it we can see this when Jesus addresses the subject of John's baptism but cannot see the direct application to our own response in our time to Jesus' baptism? 

I doubt any of us can fully grasp the power that tradition exerts on us when it comes to how we see things and how we think.  Add to that the influence of friends and family and the desire for it to be the way we want it to be often because of family.  All that be as it may God's word stands and so what are we going to do about it becomes the question.  Many have answered 'I am not going to believe it' as did the Pharisees.  They did not believe it because they did not want to believe it.  We pretty much end up believing what we want to believe instead of what we ought to believe. 

I close this now just adding one final thought.  The decision is yours.      
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denny Smith's articles are all listed on his web site - dennysmith.net - along with many audio sermons by Waymon Swain.  There are also links that will take you to hundreds of other articles and audio sermons found on other recommended sites.   

 

Who is the Man called Jesus? Is Jesus God?

Written by Joseph Ho, April 10th 2010.

There is much confusion in the Christian world with regards to who this man called Jesus truly is. Is Jesus God or is he a man who is a prophet? The truth shall set you free. First of all I have to go into the Old Testament to define who the prophets were prophesying before his birth. As usual this is an article which serves to educate and inform, so it can never be an exhaustive thesis written to show every facts and events that point to who this man called Jesus truly is. I will not deal far back but will simply choose two verses from the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:20-23

20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'

22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' which means, 'God with us.'

While Jesus was on the earth, he never once claimed to be God although his name means 'God with us' or Mighty God. Whenever God wants to do something with someone he gives them his own personal name. All the prophets of Old had various names of God himself. Similarly, Jesus means Mighty God or God himself. So when you call upon the name of the Lord, Jesus, you are actually calling upon God himself.

John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

Jesus prayed God his father will protect his people by the power of God's name, the name he gave to Jesus meaning Mighty God. From Isaiah and this statement, we come to conclude without a single doubt that the name Jesus is God's own personal name. Thus, we know that the name of Jesus has power to the believers, but no power whatsoever to those who believe not.

John 10:25
Jesus answered, 'I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me,

Jesus was doing the work of God in his Father's name Jesus. That is what the man called Jesus was doing on earth; he was doing the works in God's name, given to him.

Is this man who walks the earth actually God? No, he is the son begotten by God but he is not God. If he is God then the story of Joseph can not be true in the bible. Joseph was a type of saviour who saved Egypt from 7 years of famine. He was given full authority of the King Pharaoh but he was lower with respect to the throne, yet he had all powers of the throne. He was under one man's power that of the King. Similarly this man who walked the earth was not God, but he was endowed with the full power of God to be used on certain ordained circumstances obeying the will of God fully unto death. But yet his name means Mighty God and that is his true name. He was called God, yet he is not God. He  is called the son of God, meaning he is lower than God but above everything else.

John 3:16

16'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.

God gave to the world his begotten son, so as a son how can he be God, He can not be God, so who is he? If you observed Jesus when he was asked who he is, he never once claimed equal status to God.

Mark 10:18
'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone.

Luke 18:19
'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone.

Notice here again, when Jesus testify to who he really is and what he was sent to do on earth. According to the old laws, no one can be confirmed to do anything true without the testimony of at least 2 persons.

Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

John 8:13 - 20

13The Pharisees challenged him, 'Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.'

14Jesus answered, 'Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.'

19Then they asked him, 'Where is your father?'

'You do not know me or my Father,' Jesus replied. 'If you knew me, you would know my Father also.' 20He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.

Clearly here Jesus says his father is the other witness, so clearly there are 2 persons or beings as it is explicitly stated by Jesus himself. His father is God because Jesus is the begotten son of God. Then again,

John 20:31
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

This is serious stuff because at the name of Jesus, everyone on earth and heaven must bow, so what we are seeing here is that God chose a man and gave him co-equal powers except for the throne.

Many people have yet to understand why the man Abram had his name changed to Abraham and after that name changed he gained more power and prosperity. Abram means father of multitudes, meaning father of many people. Abraham means father of all nations, and God is the true father of all nations, so God gave Abraham his own name. And many times in the bible God says I have to save him for he bears my name, the name that God gave them was his own personal name, similar to a surname given to a son or daughter of that man. We all bear our father's surname or last name, much like what God did to his sons who bear his name, a description of him. Anyone who bears his name will come under his protection because God can not allow his sons to live without his protection. Yet he let Jesus to die for our sins, he did not protect him when he called on his name in the day of his death, because he was to be the sacrificial lamb.

Mark 16:19
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

After his death, Jesus the man was seated at the right hand of God, so how can this man be God? How can he be seated at his own right hand? This is just not logical, for scripture is clear that Jesus the man is not God, but his name means Mighty God just like Abraham, Elijah, Joshua, there were all sons of God who had the name describing an attribute of God and was able to perform that God given ability by his anointing. The name actually carries the anointing of that particular characteristic of God.

This goes to show that those without the anointing of the Holy Spirit none will be given the keys to understand the meaning of what is mentioned in the bible. For a long time, I could not understand what the theologians and preachers were teaching the Holy Trinity as in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It confuses me a lot and the fundamental God of the universe could not be understood by Christians because they were never explained properly by men who profess to preach, Christians were confused by men who did not understand the very basic thing in the bible. Is God one or three?

When Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, it means the Spirit of the Lord or the breath came upon the woman and brought life to her natural body without the normal way of conception. Jesus was begotten by God to the woman called Mary. God in actuality consists of 7 spirits.

Isaiah 11:2 (New International Version)

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD –

The first Spirit is the Spirit of the Lord, the second Spirit of Wisdom, the third Spirit of Understanding, the fourth Spirit of Counsel, the fifth Spirit of Power, the sixth Spirit of Knowledge and the seventh Spirit of the fear of the Lord.

Jesus was given the Spirit of The Lord and all 7 since he was able to perform miracles and had great wisdom and understanding without ever being in school and evidence by his own speech as he read the Book of Isaiah, he said.

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Samson was given the Spirit of Power for he had much physical strength. And Soloman was given the Spirit of Wisdom for he had much wisdom, Moses was given the Spirit of Power for he could do miracles.

If Jesus the man born of Mary is God then why did he need to pray to God and while he was at the mountain and who spoke to him and call him son?

Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'

The voice coming from the cloud said Jesus is his son and he is well pleased with him. Jesus is indeed the Begotten Son of God and was given the rights to judge the world when he come again as God has given him this right. Now I leave you all to reconsider what has been taught to you and to seek eternal truths. The bible can be understood by anyone once God gave that Holy Spirit to guide you into all truths for God promised that in this verse.

1 John 2:20
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

The anointing from the Holy Spirit will release the understanding which is true and not counterfeit. Without this key no one can understand what the bible is talking about although it's a book written in English, it's still already hard to comprehend the book for those Christians without the Holy Spirit and much harder for those who are not schooled in the Christian Faith. If you desire to know more about this gift, check out my website at Kingscepter or send me any query at prophet3333@yahoo.com. God bless you in Spirit and in Truth.

Joseph Ho is an engineer by training, he is also a former member of FGBMI and CBMC. Presently, he is the President of Thy Scepter, a spirit led Christian Business owner Society. He has also authored 2 books, one of which is 'My Sheep Hear My Voice' and is available at www.kingscepter.com.

The Mystery of Jesus Christ Continues – Are you sure you know who Jesus is?

Written by Joseph Ho, 15th April 2010

In my last article I wrote that Jesus is the Son of the Living God and God is his father. There are 2 separate beings and they are now both in heaven with Jesus seated at God's right hand. And God has given Jesus all the authority and power to judge the earth when he comes again in his full glory and power, just as the Pharaoh had given power to Joseph to rule the whole of Egypt while he remained higher than Joseph.

Here, I would like again to present some puzzling fact as to who Jesus might truly be. Jesus spoke that before Abraham was, he was, meaning before Abraham was born he was already in existence. Many take this to mean Jesus was already in existence since he is God. But I will present you yet another fact which is clear that this might not be true. Why would Jesus say that before Abraham was he was, why not say before Adam was he was. Then Jesus said another startling fact about himself. He said the one who came from heaven is also the one who gone up to heaven.

We all know that there were only 3 men who were taken into heaven, Enoch, Elijah and Jesus. Moses died in the desert and the Arch Angel Michael had a dispute with Satan for the body of Moses, so Moses did not go up into heaven and we can leave him out of the equation.

Jude 1:9 (New International Version)

9But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'

Genesis 5:23
Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years.

Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

When someone died, it was mentioned that they died, but for Enoch he was taken away by God and had not died.

God only mentioned 2 persons whom he is pleased with and one of them is Enoch, the other is Jesus. Enoch did not die, but was taken into heaven and he was commended as one who pleased God, just like Jesus had this commendation from God. So we know now there are 2 persons who have this honor since they are both alive. Then why is Jesus the only first born Son, because both Enoch and Elijah were born through human fathers, while Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

Just like Enoch was commended by God, so was Jesus.

2 Peter 1:17
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'

Luke 3:22
and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'

Why say the father and then the Son why not say God the father and God the son.

John 5:21
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

Why say by myself I can do nothings, why say him who sent me, why not say I sent myself. There is clearly very evident that there are 2 entities one on earth while the other is in heaven.

John 5:30
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

If he is God why does he need to please him and who is him?

John 8:29
The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.'

Why is it important for me to write an article about this thing which will only bring reproach and accusation?

Surely what I am saying will be blasphemy. But this is the confidence I have in God, and Jesus Christ that the truth will be with me and in me and so I have no choice but to write the truth. Truth is not popular teachings, its truth. Why is the truth so difficult to accept, because truth is not common knowledge? Just like 1 billion people think that Mary is the Mother of God. So that makes Mary higher than God and many prayed to her rather than Jesus despite the fact that it is written that God gave his only begotten son to save the world. The bible clearly says Jesus is the Messiah and not Mary yet many prayed to Mary for help. They even pray to Mary to get Jesus to help them, how strange is this?

Similarly when many preached that Jesus is God, and not Jesus is Lord, they hear it often enough that they forgot that Jesus is the Son of God. In whom God has placed all the authority and power to judge the earth when he comes in his full glory. When Jesus says me and father is one, it means one in accord and purpose. What God will do on earth, that he does, so that if you see what he does, you see what God does? Jesus is the proxy in behalf of the living God. Jesus could have healed everyone during his days on earth, yet he did not manage to heal them all. What prevented this healing? It was their faith, why so, because without faith it was impossible to please God. If Jesus was God he could have healed them with or without faith.

Again, we witness that Jesus asked his disciple who they think he is, and only Simon had the right answer, which is Son of the Living God and Jesus said it is true. Why not Jesus say I have revealed that to you instead of my father in heaven. Clearly and literally, God his Father is in heaven. Why Simon did not say you are God walking on Earth?

Matthew 16:13-17 (New International Version)

Peter's Confession of Christ

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'

14They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'

15'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'

16Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

17Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

Did Jesus ever said he is God in the bible? He might have implied he is a king, but his kingdom is not of this world, it's about truth. But he claims to be God's Son which means he is a spiritual being with similar powers to God but not as equal to God. As I said many times that the name Jesus means Mighty God. That is why he was anointed with the powers of God for healing and setting the captives free as he had power to do so but only as God commanded him.

Since Jesus said no one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven which is him, yet Enoch and Elijah did the same thing, so is Enoch and Elijah also the same person Jesus called the Son of Man?

John 3:13
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

Notice when Jesus said something, he is always very precise. So who is this man who was before Abraham yet after Adam. I could only think of Enoch. And based on this statement that Jesus made, he must be Enoch.

Now this is truly confusing when you try to tie up all the statements and made some sense out of it. I am writing this to let you know that whatever you do by logic or inference it's very hard to read the bible. These things which I have written here is to show you that you can not read the bible from an intellectual human mind, neither are the words written here making any sense.

Thus, I hold it true that the truth is only by revelation and no man can get any understanding without the Holy Spirit. When Jesus said unless you are born again (of the Holy Spirit) you can not enter the Kingdom of God.

John 3:3
In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'

John 3:11-13 (New International Version)

11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

Mark 12:29
'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

It says the Lord is one not three according to the words of Jesus Christ. And to top this up, Jesus is God as his name means Mighty God undeniably, but the man who was given this name is the Son of God and God his father is the Ancient of days.

And if you want to know more about the truth come to my website at KingScepter or send me an email at prophet3333@yahoo.com and learn to hear from God directly. God bless you all while you chew and digest my words.

Joseph Ho is an engineer by training, he is also a former member of FGBMI and CBMC. Presently, he is the President of Thy Scepter, a spirit led Christian Business owner Society. He has also authored 2 books, one of which is 'My Sheep Hear My Voice' and is available at www.kingscepter.com.

This Christian article is all about Jesus Christ's life on earth in the beginning. Jesus recognized his relation to God, at the age of twelve years saying to his earthly parents, 'Did you not know that I must be in the house of my Father?' (Luke 2:48-50)

God saw fit to make Jesus the key figure in the outworking of all His purposes, the focal point on which the light of all prophecies would concentrate and from which their light would radiate, the solution to all the problems that Satan's rebellion had raised, and the foundation upon which God would build all universal family in heaven and earth.

Jesus being the key figure while on earth, clearly stated that 'no man has ascended into heaven.' (John 3:13) In reality, there is nothing in the Scriptures to show that a heavenly hope was held out to God's servants prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. Such hope first appears in Jesus' expressions to his disciples (Matt 19:21, 23-28) and was fully comprehended by them only after Pentecost of 33 C.E. (Acts 1:6-8' 2:1-4)

One thing to take note about Jesus' life. At the beginning of Jesus ministry up to his crucifixion, his purpose was to fulfill all the things prophesied about him and bearing the truth to the things to which God had sworn. This truth was the truth that would ‘set men free' if they showed themselves to be 'on the side of the truth' by accepting Jesus' role in God's purpose. (John 8:32-36; 18:37)

Jesus Christ himself is full of grace and truth. While Jesus lived his life on earth he always spoke the truth as he received it from his Father. He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. Jesus represented things as they really were. Besides being full of truth, Jesus was himself the truth, and truth came through him. He declared: 'I am the way and the truth and the life.'

Jesus life was based on the truth and all his teachings were truth, for he was the master teacher of all God's ways. Jesus knew God as no other man did and this enabled him to provide authoritative teaching concerning his Father.

Jesus Christ was thoroughly acquainted with God's written Word. When ask which commandment was the greatest in the Law, without hesitation he summed up the entire Law in two commandments, quoting from Deuteronomy (6:5) and Leviticus (19:18). (Matt 22:36-40)

During the course of Jesus ministry he is known to have referred to or expressed thoughts that parallel passages from about one-half of the books of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Other aspects about Jesus that made his teaching authoritative and effective were the understanding of man and his loving concern for others. His keen discernment was enhanced by miraculous knowledge of the background and reasoning of others.

Jesus' heart went out to the people to such an extent that he sacrificed needed rest to teach them. On one occasion Jesus Christ and his disciples took a boat and headed for an isolated spot to rest up a bit. But people saw them going and many got to know it, and from all the cities they ran there together on foot and got ahead of them. Well, on getting out, he saw a great crowd, but he was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started teaching them many things.

 

After Jesus life ended on earth by being crucified on the cross in a cruel way, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord means more than simply calling him Lord. It requires that an individual recognize Jesus' position and follow a course of obedience. As Jesus himself said: 'Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.'

Since Jesus has the keys of death and Hades, he is in position to release mankind from the common grave and from the death inherited from Adam. He is therefore also the Lord over the dead.

During the three and a half years of his earthly ministry, Jesus trained his apostles to continue the work he had started. As imperfect humans, they could not possibly remember every detail about Jesus and his teachings, for the teachings of Jesus were accurate to all God's ways.

But Jesus promised to send them the helper, the holy spirit which the Father would send in his name and the holy spirit will teach them all things and bring back to their minds all the things he told them.

Now that we as Christians have the Holy Spirit as a helper let us take a good look at Jesus life from the beginning with this point of view. Jesus was planted here on earth as the seed of life that grew clear up into the heavens and he set the example for us to follow.

We have the opportunity to follow the example that Jesus set before us and grew up into the heavens with him or choose to do things our way and wither away like a tree that has limited time and eventually dies off. For Jesus Christ is the only way to everlasting life, and the life of Jesus was sacrificed that we may live.

To learn more about Jesus and gain the true understanding of Jesus life and the teachings of Jesus.

 

 

In the story of the temptation of Jesus, four important issues have to be clarified:

Who is the First to launch the title Son of God on Jesus?
Satan knows the Old Testament and he misquotes its verses.
Jesus knows the Old Testament he accurately quotes its verses.
What Jesus said about Satan?

The interesting Biblical story of the temptation of Jesus is found in details in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.  It is also found very briefly, without any details, in Mark 1:12-13

 

1)    Who is the First to launch the title 'Son of God' on Jesus?

 

It is very fascinating that Satan was the first one ever in the History to say and launch the title Son of God on Jesus.

The Bible says:

'Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter (Satan) came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.'
Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.''
'Then the devil took him to the Holy City and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: ''He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''
Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.'
Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.''
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 

2)    Satan knows the Old Testament very well and he misquotes its verses

 

This story indicates that Satan knows the Old Testament very well but he misquotes its verses.  He said: For it is written: ''He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''

Herein, Satan misquoted the verses of Psalm 91:7-16 that say:

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— you said: the LORD is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you; no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.'

 

This quote does not fit Jesus because:

'A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you'… this never happened to Jesus.
'You will see the punishment of the wicked'; Jesus did not see the punishment of the wicked that killed him.
'No harm will befall you'; and the Jews killed him
'Long life will I satisfy him'; Jesus lived for 33 years only.
'Show him my salvation'; does Jesus need salvation like us?
'You said: the LORD is my refuge'; it is well known that Jesus never ever said that in the Bible.  The only one who said that in the entire Bible is King David in Psalm 142:5 ; he said:  'I cry to you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my refuge'

This shows how Satan misquotes the verses of the Old Testament.

 

3)    Jesus knows the Old Testament very well and he accurately quotes its verses

 

Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.''

Herein, Jesus quoted the verses of Deuteronomy 8:1-6 that say:

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you
God test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
God teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.
Keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

 

Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''

Herein, Jesus quoted the verses of Deuteronomy 6:16-17 that say:

Do not test the LORD your God
Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.

 

Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.''

Herein, Jesus quoted a verse that is not found therein in the entire Old Testament!

This quote is basically found in Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8, the two books that talk about the story of the temptation of the Lord Jesus.

Herein, we have one of two possibilities:

Either the Lord Jesus is a liar, which is impossible, and this quote is not present in the Old Testament, or the writers of the Old Testament took it off from their book to prove that the Lord Jesus is a liar!  I do believe that the writers of the Old Testament are the liars not the Lord Jesus by any mean. This indicates that the Old Testament is corrupted.

 

Back to the testimony of Satan, the Devil, when he said that the Lord Jesus is the 'Son of God'

Does Satan say the Truth?

I will let the Lord Jesus answer this question.

What the Lord Jesus said about Satan?

In John 8:44, the Lord Jesus said:

'You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.'

By the way, the Quran gives very inclusive description of Satan.

 

From the above, we may conclude that the teachings of the Lord Jesus clarify the relation between man and the Almighty Creator as:

Worship the Lord God
Keep His commandments
walk in His ways
Serve him only and
Fear him.

Most of these simple and clear teachings are wiped away by Paul.

 

N.B. In the Quran, these teachings of Jesus are the same teachings of every messenger sent by Allah.

------------------------------------------------

 

Now, we have the testimony of Satan that Jesus is the son of God.

Also, we have the testimony of Jesus that Satan is the father of lies.

 

I will let the smart reader think about that after telling him something about 'Arius'

Arius, the Christian Egyptian priest of Alexandria together with all the Egyptian priests as well as most of the priests of the Middle East especially those in Palestine (who established the church of Circumcision and forbid eating the pigs); all denied that Jesus is the son of God.

In order to settle the fiery controversy over the true nature of Jesus, the Council of Nicaea (in 325 A.D) is called by the 'Pagan' Emperor Constantine.

Arius, who lived an ascetic life, and was a man of pure morals and decided convictions was invited to attend the council of Nicaea, He is asked to sign a creed formulation stating that Jesus was of the same nature as God, but he refuses. He is then declared a heretic, and banished into Illyricum. The Pagan Constantine then imposed of the doctrine of the Divine nature of Jesus by the sword.

 

On the other hand, the story of Temptation of Jesus is not mentioned therein in the entire Quran.  Also, the Quran says very clearly that Jesus is but a messenger sent by Allah to the Israelites.

 

=============

 

The Bible (King James Version)

 

The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11 (the story of Temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13 is similar with some few differences and is not included here to avoid repetition)

 

1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.

3And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

 

Mark 1:12-13

12And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

13And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

-------------------------------

 

Satan misquote

Psalm 91:7-16

7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

 

It is only David who said it in the entire Bible

Psalm 142:5:  'I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge…'

-------------------------------

 

Jesus Quotes:

 

Deuteronomy 8:1-6

1All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do…

2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

4Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

5Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

6Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

 

Jesus: Satan is the liar and the father of lies.'

John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil

Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Head (ex-) of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit, Ain-Shams University. Cairo, Egypt.  President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors, Honorary President of SPIC-Egypt (The Society of Practitioners of Infection Control – Egypt), Co-Chief Editor of the Egyptian Journal of Lab. Medicine.  Member of the Egyptian union of Writers, Published 5 Books and some 60 Medical Articles, Supervisors for 79 PhD theses and111 Master Degree theses.

In the story of the temptation of Jesus, four important issues have to be clarified:

Who is the First to launch the title Son of God on Jesus?
Satan knows the Old Testament and he misquotes its verses.
Jesus knows the Old Testament he accurately quotes its verses.
What Jesus said about Satan?

The interesting Biblical story of the temptation of Jesus is found in details in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.  It is also found very briefly, without any details, in Mark 1:12-13

 

1)    Who is the First to launch the title 'Son of God' on Jesus?

 

It is very fascinating that Satan was the first one ever in the History to say and launch the title Son of God on Jesus.

The Bible says:

'Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter (Satan) came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.'
Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.''
'Then the devil took him to the Holy City and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: ''He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''
Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.'
Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.''
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 

2)    Satan knows the Old Testament very well and he misquotes its verses

 

This story indicates that Satan knows the Old Testament very well but he misquotes its verses.  He said: For it is written: ''He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''

Herein, Satan misquoted the verses of Psalm 91:7-16 that say:

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— you said: the LORD is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you; no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.'

 

This quote does not fit Jesus because:

'A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you'… this never happened to Jesus.
'You will see the punishment of the wicked'; Jesus did not see the punishment of the wicked that killed him.
'No harm will befall you'; and the Jews killed him
'Long life will I satisfy him'; Jesus lived for 33 years only.
'Show him my salvation'; does Jesus need salvation like us?
'You said: the LORD is my refuge'; it is well known that Jesus never ever said that in the Bible.  The only one who said that in the entire Bible is King David in Psalm 142:5 ; he said:  'I cry to you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my refuge'

This shows how Satan misquotes the verses of the Old Testament.

 

3)    Jesus knows the Old Testament very well and he accurately quotes its verses

 

Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.''

Herein, Jesus quoted the verses of Deuteronomy 8:1-6 that say:

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you
God test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
God teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.
Keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

 

Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''

Herein, Jesus quoted the verses of Deuteronomy 6:16-17 that say:

Do not test the LORD your God
Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.

 

Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.''

Herein, Jesus quoted a verse that is not found therein in the entire Old Testament!

This quote is basically found in Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8, the two books that talk about the story of the temptation of the Lord Jesus.

Herein, we have one of two possibilities:

Either the Lord Jesus is a liar, which is impossible, and this quote is not present in the Old Testament, or the writers of the Old Testament took it off from their book to prove that the Lord Jesus is a liar!  I do believe that the writers of the Old Testament are the liars not the Lord Jesus by any mean. This indicates that the Old Testament is corrupted.

 

Back to the testimony of Satan, the Devil, when he said that the Lord Jesus is the 'Son of God'

Does Satan say the Truth?

I will let the Lord Jesus answer this question.

What the Lord Jesus said about Satan?

In John 8:44, the Lord Jesus said:

'You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.'

By the way, the Quran gives very inclusive description of Satan.

 

From the above, we may conclude that the teachings of the Lord Jesus clarify the relation between man and the Almighty Creator as:

Worship the Lord God
Keep His commandments
walk in His ways
Serve him only and
Fear him.

Most of these simple and clear teachings are wiped away by Paul.

 

N.B. In the Quran, these teachings of Jesus are the same teachings of every messenger sent by Allah.

------------------------------------------------

 

Now, we have the testimony of Satan that Jesus is the son of God.

Also, we have the testimony of Jesus that Satan is the father of lies.

 

I will let the smart reader think about that after telling him something about 'Arius'

Arius, the Christian Egyptian priest of Alexandria together with all the Egyptian priests as well as most of the priests of the Middle East especially those in Palestine (who established the church of Circumcision and forbid eating the pigs); all denied that Jesus is the son of God.

In order to settle the fiery controversy over the true nature of Jesus, the Council of Nicaea (in 325 A.D) is called by the 'Pagan' Emperor Constantine.

Arius, who lived an ascetic life, and was a man of pure morals and decided convictions was invited to attend the council of Nicaea, He is asked to sign a creed formulation stating that Jesus was of the same nature as God, but he refuses. He is then declared a heretic, and banished into Illyricum. The Pagan Constantine then imposed of the doctrine of the Divine nature of Jesus by the sword.

 

On the other hand, the story of Temptation of Jesus is not mentioned therein in the entire Quran.  Also, the Quran says very clearly that Jesus is but a messenger sent by Allah to the Israelites.

 

=============

 

The Bible (King James Version)

 

The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11 (the story of Temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13 is similar with some few differences and is not included here to avoid repetition)

 

1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.

3And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

 

Mark 1:12-13

12And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

13And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

-------------------------------

 

Satan misquote

Psalm 91:7-16

7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

 

It is only David who said it in the entire Bible

Psalm 142:5:  'I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge…'

-------------------------------

 

Jesus Quotes:

 

Deuteronomy 8:1-6

1All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do…

2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

3And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

4Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

5Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

6Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

 

Jesus: Satan is the liar and the father of lies.'

John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil

Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Head (ex-) of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit, Ain-Shams University. Cairo, Egypt.  President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors, Honorary President of SPIC-Egypt (The Society of Practitioners of Infection Control – Egypt), Co-Chief Editor of the Egyptian Journal of Lab. Medicine.  Member of the Egyptian union of Writers, Published 5 Books and some 60 Medical Articles, Supervisors for 79 PhD theses and111 Master Degree theses.

The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die, he was raised to God's Sight

 

In the Qur'an God provides accurate information about the crucifixion of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), which is described in the Gospel with contradictory and doubtful explanations. In the Qur'an, God makes it clear that SCHEMES MADE TOWARDS THE PROPHET JESUS (PBUH) ARE THWARTED AND THAT THEY CERTAINLY DID NOT KILL H?M:

 

and their saying, ‘We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Messenger of God.' THEY DID NOT KILL HIM AND THEY DID NOT CRUCIFY HIM but it was made to seem so to them. Those who argue about him are in doubt about it. They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture. BUT THEY CERTAINLY DID NOT KILL HIM. (Surat An-Nisa', 157)

 

In the Qur'an, that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was not killed is stressed twice in the same verse and it is stated that those who advocate the belief that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)  was killed have no real knowledge of it. This is a very clear statement.

 

Someone resembling to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was crucified:

 

In the same verse in the Qur'an God reveals, 'They did not kill him and they did not crucify him but IT WAS MADE TO SEEM SO TO THEM.' (Surat an-Nisa', 157), and informs us that the person who was crucified was another person who was resembling the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). The individual who was crucified instead of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was Judas Iscariot, who acted treacherously towards the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). As a great miracle, God made Judas Iscariot seem like the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). When they came to take the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) to crucify him, they took Judas Iscariot who was present there and crucified him.

 

Besides, because Judas Iscariot's face was covered with blood, people also did not understand that it was not the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) who was crucified. In the latter part of Surat an-Nisa' 157, God relates, 'They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture.'

 

Indeed, in the Gospel, the words which are conveyed as the last words of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) ['Elohi, Elohi, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?'], is again a continuation of the same delusion and the expression of disbelief in question belong to Judas Iscariot, whose plot was thwarted and was crucified instead of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Indeed, it is obvious that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), who was a servant of God who wholeheartedly submitted to God and loved Him, could not have told these words. One can only expect to hear such rebellious expressions from a hypocrite.

 

The disappearance of Judas Iscariot according to the Gospel:

 

Parallel to what is revealed by the verses of the Qur'an and these explanations also supported by various sources, there are passages in Gospel that may provide evidence that a disciple of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), Judas Iscariot, was crucified instead of him. According to these passages we need to notice that just after the crucifixion Judas Iscariot disappeared. Various Gospel authors try to explain away this subject in many ways and have contradicted with one other. The contradictory explanations regarding the disappearance of Iscariot in the Gospel is as follows:

 

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

 

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 'I have sinned,' he said, 'for I have betrayed innocent blood.' 'What is that to us?' they replied. 'That's your responsibility.' So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27: 1-5)

 

In those days Peter stood up among the believers and said, 'Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled ...through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.'

 

With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. (Acts 1: 5-18)

 

Despite the fact that some explanations in the Gospel contradict with one another, there is consensus on the disappearance of Judas Iscariot just after the crucifixation. Judas Iscariot disappeared, because the one who was crucified and killed was Judas Iscariot. Judas Iscariot, who normally looked like the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) in the physical sense, was made to seem more like the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) as a miracle of God. Upon this, soldiers were mistaken and took him to the crucifix instead of The Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Just before this incident, by God's command, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was taken to the heavens by angels, into the Sight of God.

 

In the Qur'an God informs that the plot against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was 'thwarted':

 

In the leadership of Judas Iscariot who was a hypocrite, unbelievers plotted against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). The purpose of this plot was to kill the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). However, in the Qur'an God INFORMS US THAT THE PLOT AGAINST THE PROPHET JESUS (PBUH) WAS THWARTED. If, in one way, The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) died, this would mean unbelievers' plot coming to a favorable end on their part, and this is impossible. THAT PLOT WAS THWARTED. THE PROPHET JESUS (PBUH), IN NO WAY, DIED AND WAS NOT MURDERED. God informs us about this fact in the Qur'an thus:

 

When Jesus sensed disbelief on their part, he said, ‘Who will be my helpers to God?' The disciples said, ‘We are God's helpers. We believe in God. Bear witness that we are Muslims. Our Lord, we have faith in what You have sent down and have followed the Messenger, so write us down among the witnesses.'THEY PLOTTED AND GOD PLOTTED. BUT GOD IS THE BEST OF PLOTTERS. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 52-54)

If the plots of unbelievers succeeded, this would surely be related in the Qur'an. On the contrary, we know from the Qur'an that the plots against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) came to nothing and that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was raised to the Sight of God.

 

 

It is a great blessing for sincere believers that a stealthy plot against The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was thwarted:

 

Despite very clear evidence, those who insist on the claim that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was killed should think wisely and re-read the Qur'an with an open mind and and keep their mind free of any prejudices. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die; he was honorably raised to the heavens. For a sincere Christian, there is no meaning in being insistent upon the claim that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was killed. For a Christian, it is a blessing to know and believe that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die, that he was saved from the plots of unbelivers and that he is in our Lord's Sight. Insistently turning one's face from such glad tidings, not wanting the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) to be alive despite all these facts revealed is a strange attitude.

 

Some Christians claim that Muslims object the belief that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is not alive, because they think it is unbecoming for a prophet to suffer. However Muslims believe in it simply because it is stated so in the Qur'an. The key point that deserves mention here is the following:

 

Surely God has tested Prophets with various affliction, hardships and trials. As a requisite of the trial in this world, God also granted temporary triumph to unbelievers. But God never lets His Prophets to be in a state that will, in the eyes of unbelievers, make them seem as if they were weak. Accordingly, such a state also holds true for the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Believing that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die is also good for Christians. Indeed, in the End Times when the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will be sent back to earth, Christians will see that he has no scar on his palms or feet. In the End Times in which we live the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come back to earth with the clothes, belongings he had on 2000 years ago, and the money dating back to 2000 years. When these happen, Christians will be better convinced.

 

Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (PBUH). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus (PBUH).

The Islamic view of Jesus (PBUH) lies between two extremes. The Jews,who rejected Jesus (PBUH) as a Prophet of God, called him an impostor. The Christians, on the other hand, considered him to be the son of God and worship him as such. Islam considers Jesus (PBUH) to be one of the great prophet of God and respects him as much as Abraham, Moses, and Mohammad. (Peace Be Upon Them All).

Quran is the sacred scripture of Islam, and in it, more than ninety verses spread across fifteen chapters of the Quran discuss Jesus. Three chapters of the Quran are named after their reference to Jesus: the third chapter of Quran, 'The Family of Imran', is named after the father of Mary; the fifth chapter, 'The Table', is likely named after the last supper. Lastly, the nineteenth chapter 'Maryam' is named after Mary.

Jesus (PBUH) is mentioned by name in twenty-five places in the Quran, he is also addressed with respect as Ibn Maryam, (Son of Mary),Abdullah, (The servant of God); and as Rasul u Allah, (The messenger of God). He is spoken of as 'The Word from God', as 'The Spirit from God', as a 'Sign of God' , as 'Messiah' (Christ).

The Virgin Birth of Jesus:

The Quranic account of Jesus (PBUH) starts with the conception of Jesus (PBUH) mother, Mary, whose mother, the wife of Imran, vowed to dedicate her child to the service of God in the temple. When Mary became a woman, the Holy Spirit (the Archangel Gabriel) appeared to her as a man bringing her news of a son. We read the following dialogue in the Quran between Mary and the Angel:

'(And remember O Muhammad) When the angel said, 'Mary, God gives you a good tidings of a Word from Him whose name is messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, high honored shall he be in this world and the next, near stationed to God. He shall speak to men in the cradle, and of age, and righteous he shall be, 'lord' said Mary 'How shall I have a son, seeing no mortal has touched me? 'Even so, he said 'God creates what He will'.
When he decrees a thing He but say to it, 'Be', and it is. (Al-Imran 3:45-47)

'Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing.
O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot.
Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet,
And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive,
And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! (Qur'an (Mary)19:27-33)

The Miracles of Jesus (PBUH):

1. Spoke while he was only a baby.
2. Healed those born blind.
3. Healed the lepers.
4. Revived the dead.
5. Breathed life into a bird made of clay.

In the Quran God quotes Jesus, peace be upon him, as saying:

Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird by Allahs leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allahs leave. And I announce to you what you eat and what you store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you if you are to be believers.
And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me. Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path. (Quran 3: 49-51).

Again, in the Quran God tells us about the situation on the Day of Judgment:

In the day when Allah gathers together the messengers and says: What was your response (from mankind)? they say: We have no knowledge. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Knower of Things Hidden.
When Allah says: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favor unto you and unto your mother; how I strengthened you with the holy Spirit, so that you spoke unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity; and how I taught you the Scripture and Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and how you did shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird by My permission, and did blow upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and you did heal him who was born blind and the leper by My permission' (Quran 5:109-110)

Not all of these miracles are recorded in the canonical gospels, the four gospels contained in the Christian Bible.

The fact that Jesus (PBUH) spoke while he was yet a baby is not written anywhere in the Bible. This should not be surprising, because none of the Gospels can claim to recover every single event in the life of Jesus (PBUH). Instead, the gospel According to John seeks to emphasize that the events were too many to record.

Similarly, the miracle of breathing life into a bird made of clay is not attested by the Christian Bible. This too should not make us wonder. It is obvious that the writers of the gospels could write down only the tradition that was available to them. Furthermore, they could not write down everything they knew about Jesus for they were writing on papyrus material that were very limited in length.

What is worthy to notice here is that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was honest enough to promulgate this information about Jesus (PBUH). The religion taught by God through Muhammad (PBUH) would deny the divinity of Jesus (PBUH). Any human being, therefore, who wished to deny the divinity of Jesus (PBUH) would have tried to belittle Jesus (PBUH). Since Christians looked upon the miracles of Jesus (PBUH) as a proof of his divinity, we might expect that any human being who tries to deny the divinity of Jesus (PBUH) would not have informed people of miracles not previously known to them. He might have even tried to deny some of the miracles recorded in the canonical gospels. On the other hand, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) honestly conveyed the message delivered to him from Allah. (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.)

Was Jesus God?

It is not difficult for God to do anything he wants. He can create a child with both human parents or only one.No miracle is beyond His power. After all, He had created Adam (PBUH) from neither a man nor a woman. He created the rest of us from both man and woman. What is so hard if God decides to create a human being from a woman only? He only commands Be! and it occurs.

Some people think that since Jesus (PBUH) had no human father then God must be his father. The Quran rejects this view. The position of Jesus with God is comparable to the position of Adam with God. Just because Adam had no human parent does not mean we should call him the Son of God.

'Lo! the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is. (Quran 3:59)

'And behold! God will say [i.e. on the Day of Judgment]: 'Oh Jesus, the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say to them anything except what You commanded me to say: 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things'' (Qur'an 5:116-117)

Was Jesus Son of God?

'Say: 'God is Unique! God, the Source [of everything]. He has not fathered anyone nor was He fathered, and there is nothing comparable to Him!' (Quran 112:1-4)

The Quran also states:

'Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; it is a statement of truth, about which they vainly dispute. It is not befitting to the majesty of God, that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, Be' and it is' (Quran 19:34-35).
'And they say:the Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a Son. Assuredly ye utter a disastrous thing, whereby almost the heavens are torn, and the earth is split asunder and the mountains fall to ruins, that ye ascribe to the Beneficent a son, when it is not meet for (the Majesty of) the Beneficent that He should chose a son. There is none in the heavens and the earth but cometh unto the Beneficent as a slave'. (Quran 19:88-93)

They say: God hath begotten a son! - Glory be to Him! He is self- sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No warrant have ye for this! say ye about God what ye know not? Say: Those who invent a lie against God will never prosper. A little enjoyment in this world!- and then, to Us will be their return, then shall We make them taste the severest penalty for their blasphemies. (Qur'an 10:68-70)

Concept of Trinity:

God says in the Quran regarding the Trinity:
'People of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and attribute to God nothing except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His command that He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and in His Messengers, and do not say: God is a Trinity. Give up this assertion; it would be better for you. God is indeed just One God. Far be it from His glory that He should have a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and in the earth. God is sufficient for a guardian' (Quran 4:171)

They do blaspheme who say: God is Christ the son of Mary. They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a trinity: for there is no God except one God Allah. If they do not desist from their word of blasphemy, verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. (Qur'an 5:72-73, 5:75)

Was Jesus Crucified?

That they (Jews) said (in boast), 'We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of God'; but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not: Nay, God raised him up unto the himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise.(Qur'an 4:157-158)

His Teachings:

'When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way. But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. So woe to the wrongdoers, from the penalty of a Grievous Day!' (Qur'an 43:63-65)

Second Coming of Jesus (PBUH):

Muslims believe that Jesus will return at a time close to the end of the world. The Qur'anic verse allude to as an indicator to Jesus future return is as follows:

And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.(Qur'an 43:61)

According to Islamic tradition which describes this graphically, Jesus descent will be in the midst of wars fought by the Mahdi ('the rightly guided one'), known in Islamic eschatology as the redeemer of Islam, against the Antichrist (Dajjal, 'false messiah') and his followers.Jesus will descend at the point of a white arcade, east of Damascus, dressed in yellow robes - his head anointed. He will then join the Mahdi in his war against the Dajjal. Jesus, considered in Islam as a Muslim, will abide by the Islamic teachings. Eventually, Jesus will slay the Dajjal, and then everyone from the people of the book (Jews and Christians) will believe in him. Thus, there will be one community, that of Islam.

After the death of the Mahdi, Jesus will assume leadership. This is a time associated in Islamic narrative with universal peace and justice. Islamic texts also allude to the appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj (known also as Gog and Magog), ancient tribes which will disperse and cause disturbance on earth. God, in response to Jesus prayers, will kill them by sending a type of worm in the napes of their necks.Jesus rule is said to be around forty years, after which he will die. Muslims will then perform the funeral prayer for him and then bury him in the city of Medina in a grave left vacant beside Muhammad, Abu Bakr, and Umar (companions of Muhammad and the first and second Muslim caliphs respectively).

Saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: 'The satan touches every son of Adam on the day when his mother gives birth to him with the exception of Mary and her son whom Satan tried to touch but failed, for he touched the placenta-cover instead'.Sahih Muslim (Vol 4, pg 1261)

'If anyone testifies that none has the right to be worshiped but God alone who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, and that Jesus is Gods servant and His Messenger and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit from Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, God will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he has done even if those deeds were few.'

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My name is Ahmad Usman. I belong to Nowshera, NWFP, Pakistan and currently studing in Agriculture University Peshawar.

 

Ancient Jews of Jesus’ period, were in fact in a very bad shape. They had been invaded by the Romans, who destroyed their sacred places, humiliated them and occupied Jerusalem and appointed a Governor to rule over them. The morale of the Jewish people of that time was at their lowest ebb. It was a difficult time for the Jews. They were in abject misery.

 

They had vivid memories of King David and King Solomon when they had ruled their part of the world. They had lost everything. Their entire solace was now in their scriptures where they had been promised advent of Moshiach or Messiah from the lineage of King David and before Moshiach return of Elijah as a prelude to Moshiach. They were waiting for him.

 

The scriptures always only prophesize about the spiritual and religious reformers but the Jews had tied their hopes on him in despair and held that he would be a warrior, siding with whom they would fight with their enemies. Moshiach, they thought, would release them from the shackles of slavery of the Romans and improve their material lot and they would rule their part of the world like they had ruled before in the times of David and Solomon.

 

The Jewish people were waiting for Messiah or what they call Moshiach and they according to OT believed that Elijah would descend from the heavens and would pave way for the advent of the Messiah.

 

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of God. (Festivals (3:23)-Shabat HaGadol),“Christians may refer to Malachi 4:5 or in some versions 3:24.”

 

When Jesus announced his prophet-hood from one God and started criticizing Jewish people of the malpractices they had indulged in, their religious clergy started strongly opposing him. Jesus spoke with wisdom and he was supported by God; a lot of people among the Jews started accepting him to the anguish of the Jewish priesthood, rather they became his deadly enemy.

 

To prove that he was a false prophet as per their scriptures :-

“If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams--and he give thee a sign or a wonder”

“And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death;” (Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 13:2, 6 Jewish Bible: Christian OT 13: 1, 5)

 

They, the Jewish priesthood of that period hatched a conspiracy resulting to kill him on the cross. Now what happened to Jesus on the cross is very important for three Abrahamic Religions i.e. Jews, Christians and Muslims. If a true unity is to be brought about among these religions, solution of this mystery is very essential. To every body's surprise sufficient evidence is even now (after 2000 years of the incident!) available, on the internet.

 

Moshiach did arrive from G-d in the shape of Jesus of Nazareth, chosen by G-d and sent by Him for reformation of the Jewish people but to their utter disappointment he was not as carved by them in their emotional thinking.

 

Jesus was by far a humble and righteous person, a man of G-d, a teacher reformer docile with the ordinary downtrodden people who loved them. He was taught spirit of the Holy Scriptures by G-d. G-d accepted his prayers and as such he healed their diseases and with His support he showed many signs and miracles. He taught them the inners of the scriptures.

 

People started flocking around him. His reputation as a prophet started spreading around. He criticized the clergy of the prevalent Jews whom he described as seeing only the outer side of the scriptures, materialistic and not spiritualists, they were not acting on the Book and disregarded it and instead of that they preferred on acting on the man-made traditions of their elders (Mark 7:6-10) .

 

“ 9 ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

Jesus was a Jew and like other Jews he was entitled to enter the Jewish Temple, pray there and was free to deliver a religious lecture to the audience as a free man, which he did. He did not man-handle anybody or say anything abusive against any person specifically. He was not aggressive even as per the present human rights of the modern time.

 

The Jewish rabbis, Pharisees and Sadducees could not like this. Jesus was openly denouncing and demolishing the edifice of their hollow religious hierarchy. Instead of accepting him with humility they turned violently against him and his poor, humble and peaceful followers.

 

The Jewish priests of the time tried to stop him and they opposed his teachings, ridiculed him, started calling him a false prophet, and in fact issued an edict to this effect. Jesus far excelled them in reason, arguments and character. Their opposition miserably failed against him. The clergy then decided to deal with the matter politically.

 

Firstly, to ridicule him and to prove him a false prophet, they asked him a pertinent question: You claim to be a Moshiach and as per scriptures Elijah was to descend before Moshiach/Messiah to pave way for him and as a sign for him; where is that Elijah? The answer was reasonable and alright but they rejected it and said this confirms that you are a false claimant.

 

Secondly: Jesus had announced of a heavenly kingdom of which he was a truthful representative, so the Jewish priesthood of the time planned secretly and informed the Roman rulers that this man Jesus is a very dangerous person, he claims to be a King of the Jews and he is amassing people around him that would culminate as revolt against the roman rule. Jesus should be arrested, tried for the offence of treason and put on cross and killed.

 

As per injunctions of their scriptures (refer Deuteronomy 13:1-11), what they could not do themselves now they tried to accomplish it by hands of the Roman officials, and thus emerge triumphant. (John 11:47-54) “47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.”  “53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”

They took out processions and pressurized the Romans officials to issue verdict against Jesus, who was a peaceful and law abiding citizen and had done nothing against the Romans or their rule. Roman Officials knew and were convinced of this. The Jews threatened that if the Official would not accede to their demand they would report against his person to the Roman capital that he is supporting the revolt. The New Testament is full of the account of the incident. Pilate did not believe that Jesus had committed any offence against the Roman Government and as can be discerned from the events narrated in the New Testament, if intently read, Pilate considered Jesus an innocent man, being a weak Official himself, he secretly tried to help him out and save him from the death on the cross, though prima facie he succumbed to their pressure and could not save him from injures.

 

It does not at all necessarily mean that all Jews in Judea participated in putting Christ on cross to kill him mercilessly. But any number of them who practiced Judaism and who considered him a false Moshiach, who had not fulfilled their worldly aspirations, they considered him a false prophet and must have most likely participated in that secret planning as they were enjoined in Torah, Deuteronomy chapter 13; it was their individual duty to try him in the court of Law and put his hand on a false prophet and get him executed. (Mathew 26:47-68). “57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 67Then did they spit in his face”

If somebody was ignorant of Jesus’ claim, he was naturally absolved of the responsibility. Anyway G-d is the best judge and we are not to issue any verdict in this connection. But it is plausible that all those who opposed him in the city of Jerusalem, secretly planned it,(Mathew 27:1-5) devised this strategy, humiliated Jesus, rebuked him, put a crown made of straw and thorns on his head,  then taunted on him as being a King of the Judea, spitted ( Mathew 27:27-35) on him, took out a procession ,shouted and demanded of the Roman Official to execute him, made it sure that they are present on the scene to see him being put on the  cross or were jubilant on his being executed; they cannot be absolved of this crime.

 

It should also be noted that Jerusalem was a center of the Judea and the Jewish high priests  and grand temple was located there and priesthood hierarchy lived their and centered there and in fact they were the leaders of the entire planning and those who followed them  all such mischievous people were certainly involved in it. But now it is a matter of history, we leave it to G-d to judge them. “1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Mathew 27:1-2)

 

Pilate was a weak personality; he washed his hands before the Jews to show them and express that he was not involved in their scheme and was not agreed to crucify Jesus, and he considered him innocent in the matter.(For conduct of the priesthood and Pilate refer Mathew 27:11-26). “20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”

After all Jesus was a peaceful, law abiding citizen of the Roman Empire and had done nothing to invoke their anger.

 

So, it was the Jews of that time who did it and onus of this cruelty and inhuman act falls on them and not that much on Pilate. But that is a matter of history now and the Jews of the present time have nothing to do with it. Many of the moderate and balanced Jews, not under influence of the corrupt clergy had already accepted him and when Christian Movement after this grave incident in the city had to go underground, many must have among the Jews accepted him later on.

 

And if the present time Jews can’t be blamed for crucifying Jesus, they must now have no excuse of not accepting him when it has become very clear that Jesus did not die on cross and he miraculously survived the collective attempt of the Jews present on the scene  to kill him. His status as their beloved Moshiach hence becomes ratified and also as a true prophet of G-d.

 

When Jesus last departed from his followers they saw him going up the hills disappearing in the clouds, which scene is common in the hill sides and mountainous regions where clouds are very low, some followers might have resorted to think that Jesus has risen to the skies while he disappeared up the hills above the clouds and went to accomplish his mission assigned by God to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:23-25).

 

The situation was very tense that generated all sorts of doubts, stories and alibis. The Jews were in doubt, due to the storm which followed soon after Jesus was crucified, they absented from the scene and when the storm subsided they were not sure what took place during their absence.

 

When queries were made Jews were told that Jesus had got resurrected from the dead and raised to heavens and hence the weak Christians resorted to deify him as God or son of God. This has nothing to do with Jesus who only believed in one G-d as Jews believed; rather he was sent by G-d to strengthen unity of God, which faith had been obscured by the priesthood. The stance of present day Jews that Jesus becoming God or son of God is an alien belief to the Jewry, they were not waiting for a person proclaiming these notions and hence they deny identifying such person. On the other hand the Christians resorted to such beliefs when Jesus and his close confidantes secretly disappeared from the scene and as history reveals reappeared in other part of the world.

 

The Christians in Jerusalem; those of them who knew where Jesus had gone could not disclose lest his persecutors may follow him and harm him and those who did not know this kept telling the people that he had resurrected and gone to heavens. Such beliefs were in fact product of the period of persecution of the weak Christians and which at a very later stage got formally adopted, modified or added by St. Paul and his epistles under no express instructions of Jesus. Others did not do that and remained on the pristine teachings of Jesus and later most of them accepted Islam. This is the reason why the Jews even after several thousands years are so small in numbers than the Christians and Muslims.

 

Now the time is changed. Christians of day don’t have to compromise any alibi or any negotiated religious belief. When it is proved that their beloved Jesus did not die on Cross and after healing of his wounds, migrated to far off lands. Christians at present must revive their faith based on this revealed truth and follow no myth so that Jews could identify Jesus clearly and accept him. This would culminate in merging of the two Abrahamic Religions.

 

This would benefit the Jews more as once they have denied Jesus; they are daily for the last two thousands years have been praying to G-d to send the Moshiach but to no avail. They could not even believe a dozen claimants of this office later among themselves. They have developed a circular argument belief for rejection. If a claimant of Moshiach does not succeed he is not a Moshiach in retrospect. Neither they support him nor G-d, since G-d supported miraculously Jesus, the first true claimant chosen by him and sent by him.

 

The Christians should avoid deifying Jesus and would become close to Jews and Jews identify and accept Jesus their Moshiach, both religions get reconciled. This is done in the roots of the faith and not done politically or diplomatically. End of two thousands years of religious hostilities.

 

Rambam’s thirteen principles followed by Jews were not revealed by G-d on Moses or on any other prophet. Present day Christian’s principles were not revealed on Jesus, if both stick to the original word of G-d the strife ends.

 

Lately the Jewish people have shown some relief in the questions they used to ask for the claimants of the office of Moshiach. They are not now asking the question they asked to Jesus which was well answered. The question; Where is Elijah who ascended to the skies with his chariot and who was to descend before the Moshiach to pave way for his arrival?

 

The Jews are not asking this question anymore and have excluded it from their list of the signs of the Moshiach. In fact logically, to be sincere, they should have prayed for the arrival of the Elijah first because he was to come first and when they would have accepted him upon his arrival then they should have prayed for the advent of Moshiach. They have now a circular argument as pointed out earlier. God is not to match and fulfill their desired signs of an ambitious and warring Moshiach, however and how-much they pray or wail. The Jewish people have to match to G-d’s will and accept the truthful, humble, loving and loved by G-d, Jesus of Nazareth.

 

Jesus when visited the temple in Jerusalem, he did not violate any code of civil liberties or human rights as understood by the present man. We are living in an age where we have to analyze things as per present requirement of time. The present human rights speak of the conscience of the humans the world over, and we judge things from the vantage point of present times. We cannot afford to be day dreamers living in the past and the unreal animosities of the past. We have to live in the present age and have to forget the unwise acts of the past and the past people.

 

We can pray for them but we only follow if they did things rightly and we should not insist on doing what they did wrongly. We cannot be their descendants in mistakes. If we are sincere to them we shall have to accept the truth with open heart and open mind. If they were wrong and it is proved they were wrong we leave their footsteps. In fact there was no case against Jesus of aggressively assaulting in the temple; if they had had it they would have registered with the authorities accordingly. Instead they registered a case that he was a rebel of the Roman Empire by virtue of being claimant of the office of Moshiach, King of the Jews. They were jealous of him as to why he has been chosen by G-d instead of one among themselves who were high priests of the temple.

 

Jesus did not violate any of these principles. He was himself a Jew, from the lineage of David. He did not pronounce a new religion. He only announced himself after a word of God as Moshiach which was well within the concept of Judaism then; and even now the Jewish People pray for the advent of Moshiach. He did not create any commotion, strife or fight there in the temple. He only professed his own faith. He did criticize the religious establishment, the decadent priesthood as he said they leave the injunctions of the Book (Torah) and more adhere to the self made tradition.

 

Actually the hollow and shallow priesthood became jealous of his pronouncement of being Moshiach, a very high office of the Jewish thought, perhaps the highest office in the Jewish religion after Moses. They became jealous that G-d made an ordinary and humble, popular among the people, pious man a Moshiach. If at all the office was to be given it should have been given to somebody amongst them. In fact every body amongst them thought for himself deserving for the post.

 

Jealousy of office made them an enemy of Jesus. If he were a Moshiach, then all of them had to become a subordinate of him. Their stiff necks could not bow before him, tolerate this situation. Jesus made no aggression, the priesthood made aggression and assaulted. When Jesus noticed that priesthood had become jealous of him and they were not agreed to have any tolerance towards his teachings and preachings, he shifted to suburban town to defuse the tension. “54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples”.(John 11:54)

This is a research article. There is no compulsion in accepting it. Any body disagreeing with it can disagree and send me his arguments and reasoning and it is welcome. I will revise the essay accordingly, there is no ill will or hatred intended against anybody belonging to any race, religion, creed or color. Everyone is at liberty to believe in any thing whatsoever true or untrue, fact or myth and nobody else can harm him physically or discriminate against him; God has given choice to man which cannot be denied to him.

 

Human beings are to be honored and loved whatever their belief, nobody can interfere with them. It is another thing that every person is responsible to God for whatever he believes in or whatever he acts upon and would be judged, accounted for and rewarded accordingly. That is why every person should purify one’s beliefs and actions with facts and reasoning and find out the truth and leave false beliefs and actions not based on reality, others can only help and assist one to come out from the wrong beliefs and myths and would be rewarded accordingly. One should keep in mind that blind faith is of no avail and is not acceptable to God and is against human dignity and honor. Only truth could generate permanent peace and love among human beings; myths and false beliefs create hatred and differences make them fall apart.

 

The Jews believe in oneness of God that is alright and is appreciable. But how oneness was revealed to Jews, it was through Moses, a prophet of God. Whenever belief in unity of God gets obscured, God sends a prophet to revive it and to establish it. Belief in unity of God is not lost by only in being idolatrous that is worship of idols but also when one becomes materialistic and one absorbs oneself too much in worldly matters and does not bow before God and thinks that he is complete in himself and does not need God or His help in his affairs. One is proud and arrogant and thinks downward on other human being.

 

God chose Israel among the people and promised Holy Lands to him, alright but only when they are themselves holy, humble and loving mankind like prophets Abraham, Moses, Jacob and Joseph etc., and not when they are arrogant and haughty; If they do not follow in the footsteps of these great prophets, they themselves deny the Holy Land and there is no promise to them, rather they incite the indignation of God. The prophets are a test from God. With them true oneness of God and true character of man is established in the world. If people don’t accept a prophet and don’t go with him they fail in the test and invite wrath of God.

 

So, the Jews have to accept Jesus as Moshiach or a prophet of God to become a chosen people as they became when they accepted Abraham, Moses and Joseph and accepted their character as a model. On one hand claiming lands from the mouth of God and then leaving Him and not obeying his wills, this would mean that their own hearts are devoid of love of God and they are not God-fearing and loving the fellow human beings, so their hearts are not a resort of love of G-d or the love of human being. One becomes higher in nobility when one is higher in character and not in race, color or mere outward faith. By denying a true prophet of God all these attributes are lost and then those who accept the prophets become chosen People and Chosen Land belongs to them  and hand of God is on them i.e. they are assisted and helped by God.

 

The simple and common Christian thinks as if behind the cover of atonement they could do any sinful acts they like and have a license to live sinful life as they please. This is not the case, like with every prophet of God, in the Christ Era also whoever accepted him for the first time he had a new birth in belief and hence deserved that his previous sins should be forgiven by God being very kind to them. This atonement is observed in the era of every prophet to the believers for the first time. This does not require any sort of dying of Jesus on cross.

 

Every Christian has to do good deeds to earn and attain real forgiveness of God and he has to abstain himself from evil deeds. If a Christian tells a lie or makes a false statement in the court or steals or makes a dacoit in a house there is no atonement available for him, he has to cease doing evil deeds and to earn atonement and mercy of God, he has to show firm resolve for not repeating the crime he has done .So there is no unusual thing in this regard with Jesus, only a myth has been formed by shallow believers to please the ordinary people and win their support.

 

The essence or lesson of the incident of crucifixion of Jesus is that the believers shall have to prepare themselves for all sort of hardships in the way of God like Jesus has suffered and have to be steadfast and then God will give their faith conquest over all the religions and success in life and hereafter.

 

So, the fact is that Jesus never died on cross. Jews of his time just to prove that he was not a true prophet and as per Jewish scriptures God always causes an untrue prophet to be killed .They secretly planned and  tried to kill him by putting him on cross, but they did not succeed in their attempt to kill him . Jesus did not die on cross, he was delivered from the cross unconscious but alive, was treated in the room-like tomb by his close disciples, thus he survived from death, migrated to 10 tribes of the Israel exiled to far off lands as already hinted by Jesus and died later at some point in the history.

 

The topic is very important and needs to be discussed in detail. The Bible contains sufficient evidence to prove this truth if read intently and between the lines. Consequently the idea that Jesus’ crucifixion was essential for salvation of the sinners is not correct and needs to be revised accordingly. Jesus’ crucifixion and salvation dependent on this is just a myth created out of doubts and not facts of the incident.

 

It may be noted that the present Jewish people are in no way responsible for crucifixion of Jesus. The responsibility lies on the corrupt clergy of the time. The present Jewish people are enlightened people; I believe they could discern the facts and modify their stance. They have already suffered a lot for not accepting their truthful Moshiach and they had been forced into an eternal waiting position for Moshiach. They daily pray for advent of the Moshiach and it is their cardinal belief that he would come. Just for a misunderstanding they have been kept away from acknowledging him. They could forge unity of belief with the Christians by accepting him a truthful Moshiach.

 

The fact as to what happened at cross needs to be investigated as it is very important for bringing unity in the Abrahamic religions i.e. Jews, Christians and the Muslims or if not possible at least for an understanding among the three.

 

Similarly, the poor ordinary followers of Jesus were forced due to the course of events, they could not openly announce that Jesus’ life has been saved from death, lest the Jewish people follow him and torture him again. For face saving they told the Jews when asked that Jesus has resurrected and gone to heavens. One could though observe that all the close and trustworthy followers secretly got absented from the scene (city of Jerusalem, the centre of the Jews) and joined Jesus at far off lands to spread the gospel.

 

Importance for the Jews

It is to be investigated as to why they tried to kill Jesus Christ or put him on the cross. Were they politically motivated or due to some personal enmity or due to religious injunctions? Since they believed in Torah or the Old Testament as named by the Christians, and the Muslims also believe in Torah to an extant. The motive and the incidence of putting Jesus on cross should therefore be discussed with the Jews .

 

Anybody could take part in the discussion but references if any should be mainly from Torah the religious book of the Jews, not from the New Testament or Quran as Jews don’t believe in these books and reference to these books will be of no significance for them. The Jews have to state as to why they (or their elders in history) tried to kill an innocent person called Jesus. They should clear off their position in this respect.

 

Importance for the Christians

The incident of crucifixion and the events related to it should be discussed with the Christians and the arguments should be primarily based with reference to the testimony of the New Testament and the historic evidences if any. Giving arguments from Quran would be of little significance for Christians unless somebody first convinces Christians of authenticity of Quran.

 

Importance for the Muslims

This is also very important for the Muslims. All Muslims do not believe that Jesus (or Essa) died on cross or even he was put on cross, there are different interpretations and beliefs among the Muslims supposedly based on Quran or tradition. Resolving this issue could unite the Muslims also.

 

This mystery has been solved by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and arguments on the issue have been amply provided for the point of views of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Thanks 

paarsurrey  

E-mail: whitemunara@yahoo.com

 

For many years, for several centuries, Jewish people have been wrongfully accused of being the cause for the death of a man named Jesus. However, now the real truth is finally being told by a book called Jesus Is No Excuse. This remarkable book is a true God fearing book that explains why Jesus was born, why Jesus was crucified and that he did not resurrect back onto this earth. This is a book that was written to educate mainly Christians as it explains to them that Jesus is not an Excuse for you to use when you sin, and that Jesus did not die for anyone?s sins. However, it is a great book for Jewish people because it proved that they were right all alone when they chose not to follow Jesus. For the first Commandment given by God was...Thy shall not have any other God before Me! Was Jesus a savior or just a test sent by God to find out who truly believed in him?

This outstanding book is a new horizon and a long awaited freedom from crude wrongful unjustified prosecution and slander of the Jewish people. Mainly for American Jewish followers who have bit their tongue for years in silence as they were ostracized mainly because they were a small minority. When it came to religion especially in this majority Christian country, they were not equally given the true freedom of speech. This book speaks for all of God?s people and explains that Jesus fate was not in the hands of the Romans or the Jews, but only in God?s hands and Jesus, as all of us will do, reaped what he sowed. No man can serve two masters, for if he loves one, he must hate the other.

This remarkable book of words and verses explains a lot of things about God and what he expects from us. This book deals with facts and explains why God allowed Jesus to be crucified because God sent Jesus to lead the people to him, but Jesus allowed fame and vanity to cause him to lead the people to himself instead of God.

It shows how Jesus first stated that there are none Good but my Father in Heaven (GOD). He himself told the people that no man can serve two masters. The book, Jesus Is No Excuse, explains how Jesus was obedient to God and fulfilling his wishes, until he went up on that mountain top! Later after Satan took him up on the mountain and tempted him with being glorified like God. Even though he told Satan to get behind him, he later failed God just like Adam, as he allowed the people to praise him. God?s first commandment was not that Thy shall not Kill, but Thy Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me. The New Testament tells that Jesus told the people that he was the way and the light and should be honored like God. Yet, the New Testament also tell us that before Satan persuaded him, He himself told the people that no man can serve two masters. For if you are to love one, you must hate the other.

This book will finally tell the real truth and the cause for the crucifixion and what took place after the crucifixion. If Jesus rose then why was his body missing and why did his body never appear again. A stranger claimed to be him, but who was this stranger? For surely if his body rose up, then he would of still been in the same body. The book tells of Satan?s revenge as he took the form of man (not looking anything like Jesus) and tried to get the people to praise him. As he tried to destroy them by tricking them into believing that he was Jesus and telling them to pick up snakes and drink deadly things in order to destroy them.

This is an extraordinary book that explains the bible like no one has ever explained it. It explains so much of what no one before could understand or comprehend. The book was written by an atheist that God chose to confine in. God came to him in dreams and had him write this book for all religions and non- religious people alike, so that all God?s people could understand his words.

Why one must ask, why would God choose an atheist to carry out his word? Did God think that if he picked a Christian it would offend a Jew? Or if he picked a Jew, it may offend a Muslim. Maybe because it is written that when the time come the blind shall lead us. Who is blind more to God than an atheist? As God told St.James, there are many atheist in my Heaven, for one does not show their love to me with words, but only through their actions.

This book is entitled ?Jesus Is No Excuse? and will open up the eyes of not only of Christians but the entire world to learn the real truth so that all mankind will be able to say?I once was blind, but now I see.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/who-killed-jesusromans-jews-or-god-2132663.html

We have all heard about the crucifixion of Jesus, however there are many different aspects that are of interest. This article discusses his death, the torment he went through, as well as what his death would go on to mean.

The Death of Jesus

As Jesus is taken away from Pilate to fulfil his final mission on Earth, we are presented with a frenzied account of how Jesus was subjected to torturous treatment and abandoned by all his supporters. The use of imagery in the synoptic accounts are plentiful which go some way to increasing the mysticism of the person of Christ. Matthew tells us that Jesus is roughly dressed in a scarlet robe, a crown made from thorns and with a reed thrust into his hands. (Matt 27:28-29.) Mark?s account differs only slightly stating that Jesus was dressed in purple with a crown of thorns and was beaten by a reed. (Mark 15:17.) Luke does not mention these details within his account. Although the colour of the robe differs, it is clear that both red and purple are colours associated with royal pageantry.

The crown of thorns was need added to merely cause Jesus pain, but was also used as a tool to mock ?his? claims that he was the king of the community. The reed would have been used to symbolise a sceptre, another symbol of royalty. We are told in both accounts that Jesus was mocked and taunted regarding his questionably royal status amongst the Jews. Again the images used highlight the cruelty Jesus suffered at the hands of the Jewish people. This is all the more relevant as he was in fact suffering at the hands of his own people who would not accept him.

In all synoptic gospels we are told of only one true act of kindness prior to Jesus being raised up on the cross. All accounts tell us that Simon intervened and carried Jesus? cross for him. (Luke 23:26 Mark 15:21 Matt 27:32.) Even this incident differs however, as Mark tells us of this man?s lineage, Matthew and Mark both record that Simon was ?compelled? to carry the cross and Luke records that Simon was ?seized? in order to assist. It is also interesting to note that Jesus was still ministering right up until his end, in Luke?s account, as he is seen to be discussing the events with the women in the crowd (Luke 23: 28-31.)

All authors agree on the location of the crucifixion although Mark and Matthew are more specific in telling us that they went to Golgotha, whereas Luke states the meaning of the word ?the skull.? (23:33.) This in itself has significant meaning to Christians today, and also presents the lay reader with a disturbing image of Christ dying in a place of numerous deaths, the skull itself representing death and destruction. The accounts also inform us that there is an inscription over Jesus on the cross; however, what is strange is the different wording in each gospel. If we consider that Mark?s gospel was the earliest to be written, it is no surprise that the inscription in his account states simply ?The King of the Jews.? (Mark 15:26.) Luke tells us that ?This is the King of the Jews? (Luke 23:38) and Matthew adds ?This is Jesus the King of the Jews? (Matt 27:37.) What makes these variations particularly surprising is that these accounts are highlighting one of the last living images of the Christ?s life on Earth.

One would imagine it to be an enduring image of a suffering man, suspended for many hours, with this insulting sign above him, supposedly acting as a warning to all who may follow him. Why then is the language different in this instance when it is identical on less significant occasions? This question cannot be answered categorically but it is plausible that this may be due to the varying translations of the original sources. We do know, however, that placing such an inscription near to the condemned man was standard Roman practice so this is likely to be a fairly accurate version of events.

All accounts tell us that at the moment of Jesus? death, the curtains of the Temple are torn in two. (Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45 Matt 27:51.) This imagery is fairly obvious to the reader at this stage. Jesus? death has culminated in the destruction of the Temple which signifies the death of the old religion. It also heralds the start of a new faith and, in turn, a new place of worship. The image also directly relates to Jesus? relationship to the Temple elders and his unhappiness at the use of the Temple for purposes other than worship. As dramatic as this image is, it does not satisfy Matthew, who added that at this point the Earth also shook and the Saints were raised.

All of the authors end their accounts of Jesus? death by stating that Jesus had been clothed in a linen shroud and placed in the tomb while the women waited outside. Luke also informs us that the women were waiting to anoint Jesus but would have to stay away for now as the Sabbath was beginning.

This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study.

If you want to find out more about A Level Religious Studies or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: Start Learning

Kerrana McAvoy
Academic Director ? Start Learning
http://www.start-learning.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/the-death-of-jesus--a-level-religious-studies-2029932.html

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

‘For he was our childhood pattern
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless;
Tears and smiles like us he knew; …
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.
(Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848)

It's the first Sunday after Christmas - the ‘Feast of the Holy Family'. That's how this Sunday is remembered in the Catholic church at any rate, and our Gospel reading this morning does also give us a depiction of the earthly family of Jesus during his childhood such that it seems appropriate for us too to remember the Holy Family today.

We are of course in the midst of a series of traditional feast days so far as Christians around the world are concerned. Two days ago we celebrated the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Yesterday was the day after Christmas, known commonly as ‘Boxing Day', though as my father always used to remind me it was also ‘St Stephen's Day' - the feast that commemorates the brutal death of the first Christian martyr, St Stephen. And Tomorrow is the ‘Feast of the Holy Innocents', where we remember Herod's horrendous murder of the children of Bethlehem as he attempted to kill Jesus as a young child.

Tomorrow is also, interestingly, the Islamic feast of ‘Ashura', which remembers the martyrdom of the prophet Mohammed's grandson and his family and friends. It is curious, I think, that this Christmas season has become such a time of remembering so much brutality, and yet right here in the middle of all the bloodshed is the Feast of the Holy Family‘ where we focus on the joys of the family home - presumably the last place we would expect to find violence.

In truth, this does seem to me like an odd time to remember ‘The Family' for a number of reasons, and not only because of the way this remembrance day is sandwiched in between the memories of so many martyrdoms. Indeed, what struck me as most peculiar about this particular family day is that it is the only day of the year devoted to a focus on the family, and even then only in the Catholic end of the church. For you get the impression from a lot of Protestant churches in particular that the family is basically what Christianity is all about!

Take a look at just about any Protestant church building in this country and you'll find that their main Sunday service is promoted as the ‘Family Service'. The Church indeed is generally recognised as the key institution that elevates and upholds the significance of the family, and in Western society at large ‘Christian values' and ‘family values' are taken to be almost synonymous.

Go to the homepage of Fred Nile's ‘Christian Democratic Party' and what does it say right at the top of the page? "Promoting Family Values for over 28 Years"! This is fundamental to what it means to be Christian, is it not - to uphold the place of the family in society? And that's why Fred urges us to resist all suggestions of the legalising of same-sex marriages. For the god-given institution of the family must be persevered!

In truth, ‘Christian Family Values' are generally advocated particularly by those who are most voacl about sticking to what the Bible says though the irony is that the Bible actually has very little to say about the significance of the human family, and in terms of the childhood family of Jesus, this snippet from Luke chapter 2 is all that we get!

That itself is surely surprising! Why do the Gospels say so little about the childhood of Jesus? Why is there only one story in one Gospel giving us any idea of what Jesus was like when He was growing up?

Of course I'm not including the stories that proliferated in apocryphal literature, composed centuries after the earthly life of Jesus. Those who have read the Gospel of Thomas - a book attributed to the Apostle Thomas, but which is generally believed to have been written in the 3rd Century - will remember the highly entertaining stories from the boyhood of Jesus that are recorded there:.

At age 10 the boy Jesus supposedly saves his parents from an attack by a lion, and at age 8 there's the famous clay pigeons episode where the model pigeons the boy Jesus was fashioning out of clay suddenly turned into real pigeons and flew away!

Then there's the story of the boy Jesus who is playing by etching some channels in the mud and another boy comes along and mucks up the channels with his hand. Immediately the boy's hand withers. Another boy plays a joke on the 6-year old Jesus by jumping on his back and he immediately drops dead. Of course the dead boy is raised and the withered hand is restored.

While these stories are no doubt the product of fanciful human imaginations, their very existence highlights the paucity of the genuine material that actually exists. Human imagination had to fill in the blanks!

This lack of historical material is surprising enough, but what is even more surprising is that the one genuine story that we get of the Holy Family hardly leaves us with a pattern that we would want Christian families to emulate!

We read it this morning in Luke chapter two. The 12-year-old Jesus and His family are in Jerusalem. Jesus' parents head for home, presumably as part of a larger caravan where the boy Jesus had been left with the other children of His own age. A day's journey from Jerusalem they eventually realise that Jesus, for some inexplicable reason, had decided to stay behind!

When Joseph and Mary get back to Jerusalem they search high and low, eventually finding the boy Jesus in the temple three days later, dialoguing with the academics. When Mary confronts Jesus with his behaviour and the amount of distress that he has caused to both her and Joseph, Jesus says to her, ‘What did you expect?' "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

"Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as He", says the songwriter. Well .. It's not for me to judge Jesus' behaviour, but if that incident is typical of His childhood, mild and obedient He apparently was not!

And we needn't pretend that this ambiguous relationship between Jesus and His earthly parents somehow resolved itself happily as He got older, for indeed, the examples we see of Jesus with his mother and siblings in later life suggest that His relationship with His human family continued to be strained

According to the story recorded in Matthew 12 and elsewhere, where Jesus' mother and brothers came looking for him, Jesus practically disowned them!

"Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Jesus says. "And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he says, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:48-50)

Further, Jesus' statements about the importance of family and family unity hardly square with those who proclaim ‘family values':

"For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." (Matthew 10:35)

And then there's Jesus' notorious statement recorded in Luke chapter 12:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).

Now I know these verses are all open to interpretation and I don't believe Jesus ever really requires of us that we hate our human families YET it has to be said that dear old Fred and his mates who represent those Christian groups upholding ‘family values' are going to have a tough time showing that those values can be in any way grounded in the teachings of Jesus.

So what do we learn from the ‘Holy Family' on this surprising feast day? What we seem to learn from the Holy Family in our Gospel reading is that there's nothing particularly holy about the nuclear family concept as such!

I don't know whether modern-day analysts would label the Holy Family as ‘dysfunctional' or not, but we do need to accept, I think, that the relationships there were complex, strained and regularly uncomfortable.

Jesus was indeed a part of a human family and we have no reason to believe that childhood for Him was not still a beautiful experience, filled with all the joys and wonders we might hope to find in a family home. Even so, Jesus, we know, was not constrained by His human family, and His ultimately loyalties were not to his earthly parents.

What sort of childhood pattern this leaves our children, and what sort of parental pattern this leaves for us who would raise children I do not know, but I do see in this depiction of the Holy Family a de-emphasising of the ultimate significance of the human family unit and a recognition of the fact that however powerful the relationship might be between parent and child, it is not the most important relationship in life for either parent or child!

In the end our children must learn to deal with God on their own terms just as we who are parents have to. In the end, no matter who we are and no matter how closely we are bonded to our earthly families, we each need to recognise first the Parenthood of God and the ultimate claim of God upon our lives.

This all sounds rather negative and family unfriendly and frankly un-Christian! Even so, while the de-emphasising of the nuclear family may be painful, the flip-side of this is an emphasis on the all-encompassing Parenthood of God that makes us a part of a far greater and more inclusive family - one that includes all sorts of persons to whom we are not related by blood but with whom we are nonetheless united through our spiritual bond through of our Heavenly Father.

This is the family of faith that ultimately transcends our earthly families as the place where we find our true identity and spiritual home - a family that includes peoples of all races, cultures and languages, a community where we can reach out to one another and embrace each other truly as sisters and brothers, whether we be black or white or male or female or rich or poor or young or old or gay or straight or righteous or unrighteous.

This is the new holy family that God is forming - a truly inclusive family where all are accepted, all are appreciated for their uniqueness, and all are loved, just as our Heavenly parent loves each one of us.

"For He was our childhood pattern", yet in truth, it is a difficult pattern for us to emulate either as children or as adults. For from the first, what Jesus models for us is a refusal to be constrained by conventional family concepts and values as He follows God. Dare we follow this pattern? Dare we expose our children to this pattern? It could mean the end of any quiet, happy family life, though of course it could also be the start of something far more exciting?
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/the-dysfunctional-family-of-jesus-1323873.html

Is Jesus God? That is a good question. Let's start by looking at what Jesus claimed about himself.

So who did Jesus claim to be? His enemies understood him claim to be God. John 10:30-33 'I and the Father are one.' The Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, 'I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?' The Jews answered Him, 'For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.'

Here is Jesus' response in verse 36-39 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 'If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.' Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

So Jesus declared that he and the Father are one. The Jews understood this as a claim to be God. Jesus then calls himself the Son of God and then reaffirms his statement of 'I and the father are one' So the question is did the Jews correctly understand what he meant. He called himself the Son of God, but did he also claim to be God? I believe the answer is yes he did claim to be God.

This comes out clear in John 20:28-29

'Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.'

Thomas here called Jesus his Lord and God. Jesus being the teacher that he was should have rebuked or at least corrected Thomas. Certainly Jesus would not let this error or using the Lords name in vain, (as some have interpreted it) go by without some correction. Jesus' answer to Thomas shows that Thomas was correct to call him his God and Lord.

Jesus not only claimed to be the Son of God and God one with the Father, but he also claimed to be the expected messiah foretold in the Old Testament.

John 4:25-26 .' The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am He.'

Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of man. Matt 17:22-23 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day. 'And they were deeply grieved.

It is interesting that Jesus would call himself this since he was not a son of man in the way we often think. He was born of the Virgin Mary and by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was not his father. He was the Son of Man in two ways.

(1) As the Messiah being born through the family of David as well as, Jesse, Judah, Jacob, Isaac and Abraham as shown on page 3%264. This genealogy traces him through man. Both Mary and Joseph's bloodline can be traced through these people.(Mt.1:1-16, Lk.3:23-38). This title 'Messiah' is also applied to Jesus because the Messiah that was to come in Old Testament prophecy was called the Son of Man Dan.7:13-14

(2) Jesus is also seen as the Son of Man referring to his humanity, when God became a man.

Phil 2:5-8 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

John 1:1 %26 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. %26 in verse 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

So how important is it to accept Jesus' claims of who he is?According to Jesus it is very important,

John 8:24-25, 'I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He you shall die in your sins. 'And so they were saying to Him, 'Who are You?' Jesus said to them, 'What have I been saying to you from the beginning?'

As we have already seen Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, God one with the Father and the Son of God. So he told them unless they accepted that this is who he was they would die in their sins. So what does it mean to die in your sins? It means to die and be separated from God. The Bible declares that those who are separated from God spend eternity in a place called Hell. Fortunately Eternal Life is a free gift. All you have to do to gain eternal life is accept Jesus and make him Lord of your Life.

(Mt.25:31-41, Jn.3:16-18, Rom.3:23, 1 Jn.1:10,  James 2:10, Mt.5:22, Eph.2:8-9, Lk.6:44-49)

Who does the Bible declare Jesus to be?

The church usually answers this question by referring to the Trinity. The Trinity is a title of a doctrine that the Bible teaches. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the Trinity as follows:

'The coexistence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead (divine nature or essence). The doctrine of the trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.'

Throughout the Bible we find that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all called God and all 3 posses the attributes of God. We also find that there is only one God. There are not 3 Gods in one. All 3 are also seen separate even though they are one God. Jesus is God the Son the 2nd person in the Trinity. One could write a lot on this subject but for here I only want to focus on Jesus.

The Bible calls Jesus God.

Isa 9:6  For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Acts 20:28  'Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

According to this verse the church was purchased with whose blood?

Col 2:8-9 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

I Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

Rev 1:7-8 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. 'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'

Compare this with Rev 2:8 'And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life,

Heb 1:8 But of the Son He says  'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.

Titus 2:13 Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

Does Jesus posses the attributes of God?

We would expect God to be seen as Creator, Judge, Savior being able to forgive sins, omniscient- all knowing, omnipotent - all powerful, omnipresent - the ability to be everywhere at once, eternal having always existed, and worshipped. I will show all of these things can be found in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Creator:

Col 1:13-16 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him.

(See also Jn.1:3, Heb.1:8-10, 1 Cor.8:6, Is.44:24)

Jesus is Judge: (see also 2 Tim. 4:1, Rom.14:10)

John 5:22 'For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,'

Jesus is Savior he can forgive sins: Mark 2:5

And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'My son, your sins are forgiven.'

We can forgive someone for sinning against us, but we cannot forgive someone for sinning against God as Jesus did here. (See also Mk.2:10, Col.2:13)

Acts 5:30-31 'The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 'He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Jesus is Omniscient (all knowing or all wise):

1 Cor 1:24 to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Jesus is shown in the New Testament to have knowledge far beyond our human understanding. We do not know the heart of every man but in Jn. 2:24-25 it says Jesus knew all men and what was in man. In Jn.6:64 we are told Jesus knew from the beginning whom they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. Then in Jn.13:1 we find Jesus knew his hour had come to die and go to the Father. In Jn.16:30 the disciples said 'Now we know that You know all things' Again in Jn.18:4 it says Jesus knew all the things that were about to happen to him. While Jesus was on the cross we are told he knew the Old Testament prophecies concerning him and our redemption had been fulfilled. Nobody else knew that at that time, yet, he did Jn.19:28. Peter declared that Jesus knew his heart and all things Jn.21:17. What man has ever had this kind of knowledge? This knowledge is far beyond even any of the prophets in the Bible. They may have foretold future events but none of them knew the heart and thoughts of every man. These are only a few examples that could be shown that Jesus knew such things.

Jesus is Omnipotent

(All powerful, unlimited authority):

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

In the following references we find that Jesus will return with power. Power flowed through him to heal people who merely touched him. Jesus had power over demons. He was able to give power to his disciples to heal others. Peter declared there was power in Jesus name. Jesus is the power of God. It was through Jesus that Paul received power. Jesus has the power to subject everything unto himself. It is by his power that we will be raised from the dead. He upholds all things by the word of His power. Jesus has the keys i.e.. the power over death and Hades. The time will come when Jesus will abolish all other rule, authority and power. (See also Mk 13:26,5:30, Lk. 4:36, 6:19, 9:1, Acts 4:7-10, Rom.1:4, 1 Cor 1:24, 15:23-25, 2 Cor 12:9, Phil 3:20-21,Heb 1:3, 2 Pet 1:16, Rev 1:17-18)

Jesus is Omnipresent

(Present at all places at all times)

Matt 18:20, 28:20 Jesus said 'For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.' He also told his disciples 'and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'

Paul declared that Jesus dwells in the hearts of believers. Paul further stated if this is not true of an individual they do not belong to him. Rom.8:9.

(See also 2 Cor.13:5, Gal.2:20, Eph.3:17, Col.1:27, Rev.3:20)

Jesus is eternal (He has always existed)

Micah 5:2      'But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.'

(See also Jn.1:1-2, 17:5, 8:58, Rev.1:17,2:8, 22:13)

Jesus is worshipped: (See also Mt.2:2 %26 8)( lamb on throne, Rev.4:10, 7:17, Jn.1:29-36)

Heb 1:6  And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, 'And let all the angels of God worship Him.'

Matt 14:33 And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, 'You are certainly God's Son!'                     (Worship belongs to God alone. Mt.4:10)

What did the Christians think in the 1st century after Jesus? Did they believe the same as what Christians teach today about Jesus?

The Christian's in the first century would have a better understanding of what the writers of the New Testament actually meant. I say this because some of what are known as the Ante-Nicene Fathers personally knew the writers of the New Testament. For example Ignatius was a personal disciple of one or more of the original apostles. (This can be found in the book 'A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs') Therefore it stands to reason that, if we are interpreting the New Testament correctly our beliefs about who Jesus was should not have changed from what was believed about Jesus in the 1st century.

The following quotes can be found in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to AD 325, Rev. Alexander Roberts, D.D., and James Donaldson, LL.D., editors, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) 1989. These have been copied from the CD ROM available through Logos.

Ignatius was the head of the church of Antioch. (Died A.D.110) He studied under the original Apostles.

The epistle of Ignatius to the Romans chapter 3.'

For our God, Jesus Christ, now that He is with the Father, is all the more revealed in His glory. Christianity is not a thing of silence only, but also of manifest greatness.

Justin Martyr is recognized to be one of the most important Christian writers A.D.110-166.

The first Apology of Justin chapter 63.

'the Father of the universe has a Son; who also, being the first-begotten Word of God, is even God. And of old He appeared in the shape of fire and in the likeness of an angel to Moses and to the other prophets; but now in the times of your reign, having, as we before said, become Man by a virgin, according to the counsel of the Father, for the salvation of those who believe on Him, He endured both to be set at nought and to suffer, that by dying and rising again He might conquer death. And that which was said out of the bush to Moses, 'I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and the God of your fathers,'

(See Exodus 3:1-6, Mk.12:18-31)

There are many other quotes that could be brought up and things that could be said, but this should be adequate for our purpose.

Robert Kiser is the author of several Free PDF Books and the http://ReasonableAnswers.org/ website. Topics include Explaining and Defending Christian Beliefs and Cults. (L.D.S %26 JW)