"Six Areas of Truth" :Quantified
1) The Virgin Birth
The Penitent Thief did not need anything other than to believe the man who hung on the cross next to him could "Remember [him] when He [came] into His glory". The thief didn't need to believe Jesus was born of a virgin. He didn't need to believe Jesus was God in human flesh. He didn't need to believe Jesus' blood would atone for his sins, or that he would rise from the dead three days later. He didn't need to believe that Jesus would return again from heaven one day, or that the scriptures were infallible. It is, however, a fair guess that this man knew something of the Messiah. He was, after all, a jew; and as such, probably spent many hours in the Synogogue as a child.
It's also fair to say this thief had heard of Jesus' fame; that He had called Lazarus back from the dead after four days, raised a young girl, as well as a widows' son; that numerous sick and diseased found healing by His word or touch. This thief did not spend the last three years of his life in a vacuum. It is quite likely this thief believed Jesus could perform what he asked of Him because of the hope and faith Jusus' good works had planted in the thief's heart over months rumors. This thief knew that Jesus was a just man and didn't deserve the cross...
How could the thief know that Jesus had done nothing amiss? I'm reminded now of a scene in "The Green Mile" where Tom Hanks' character says of John Coffee, "I just can't see God putting a gift like that in the hands of a man who would kill a child"; the point being, Jesus could not have performed the miracles he performed if he deserved to die such an ignoble death as crucifixion.
Quoting "The Green Mile" again, what of the centurion who, having seen what was done, "glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man." It makes me wonder if he thought about his own role in that righteous man's death, as Hanks' character asks of Coffey, "When I die and I stand before God awaiting judgment and he asks me why I let one of HIS miracles die, what am I gonna say, that it was my job?"
This thief didn't need to know Jesus was virgin-born, but had Jesus NOT been born of a virgin, the thief would have no hope of being remembered by Jesus after their respective crucifixions. If Jesus had been tainted by the blood of Adam, He could never have lived a sinless life, nor could he have paid for anyone's sins, let alone His own. Jesus could not have been the Messiah were He not born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 states that specific qualification, and had Jesus not come into the world by way of Isaiah 7:14 He could not have saved anyone, let alone Himself.
2) The Full Diety of Christ
Building upon the virgin birth, it is through the artifice of the Holy Spirit that Mary conceived. Jesus therefore was not tainted with a human fathers' blood; the sin of Adam was not passed on to Him. Furthermore Isaiah 7:14 states that His name "shall [be called] Immanuel," which means "God with us"
Here's a short list of things the Bible has to say about the Diety of Christ:
[I have absolutely NO idea how to get rid of that huge gap! but, moving on...]
The Bible describes God in three distinct persons. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But they aren't three separate beings... they all consist and find their identity in the power, glory, majesty, and omnipotence of God. God said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." [Isaiah 55:8-9] Jehovah's Witnesses and other scoffers who laugh at the idea of God in three persons, pointing to the fact that Christ prayed to the Father and not Himself, are applying human logic to what is beyond human comprehension. Throughout the history of mankind God has chosen to reveal Himself to His creation, but man can only comprehend so much, for just as it is impossible for man to see the farthest reaches of our galaxy with his naked eye, how much more impossible to grasp the true nature of God almighty who transcends the universe He Himself created?
God loses nothing in terms of Glory, nor is He diminished in the least by giving the throne to His son to rule until all is fulfilled, because it is God Himself who sits on the throne in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the High Priest of heaven, and the author and perfecter of our faith. Acts 20:28 states quite clearly that it was GOD's blood that bought the church.
It wasn't necessary for the thief on the cross to KNOW or even believe these things to be saved, but had he not died and been filled with the Holy Spirit and grew in the Lord within a congregation of believers he would have come to know and believe many of these, if not all. He would have come to know Jesus not only as savior, but God in human flesh. He wouldn't have understood the scope of this Truth anymore than you or I, but he would have accepted it.
Paul called it a mystery...
And that is certainly what it is. One need not believe it to BECOME saved, but without this truth, working faithfully and silently in the background there would be salvation for no one.
----
Whew! That's enough for now... More to follow. It's been a long day, and this table took a lot longer than I expected. I've no idea how to get rid of all the extra space between text and table. Perhaps some kind blogger with greater knowledge than I will lend a hand of experience greater than my own.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
--2 Timothy 3:16
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
--John 5:39
The Penitent Thief did not need anything other than to believe the man who hung on the cross next to him could "Remember [him] when He [came] into His glory". The thief didn't need to believe Jesus was born of a virgin. He didn't need to believe Jesus was God in human flesh. He didn't need to believe Jesus' blood would atone for his sins, or that he would rise from the dead three days later. He didn't need to believe that Jesus would return again from heaven one day, or that the scriptures were infallible. It is, however, a fair guess that this man knew something of the Messiah. He was, after all, a jew; and as such, probably spent many hours in the Synogogue as a child.
It's also fair to say this thief had heard of Jesus' fame; that He had called Lazarus back from the dead after four days, raised a young girl, as well as a widows' son; that numerous sick and diseased found healing by His word or touch. This thief did not spend the last three years of his life in a vacuum. It is quite likely this thief believed Jesus could perform what he asked of Him because of the hope and faith Jusus' good works had planted in the thief's heart over months rumors. This thief knew that Jesus was a just man and didn't deserve the cross...
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss."
--Luke 23:39-41
How could the thief know that Jesus had done nothing amiss? I'm reminded now of a scene in "The Green Mile" where Tom Hanks' character says of John Coffee, "I just can't see God putting a gift like that in the hands of a man who would kill a child"; the point being, Jesus could not have performed the miracles he performed if he deserved to die such an ignoble death as crucifixion.
Quoting "The Green Mile" again, what of the centurion who, having seen what was done, "glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man." It makes me wonder if he thought about his own role in that righteous man's death, as Hanks' character asks of Coffey, "When I die and I stand before God awaiting judgment and he asks me why I let one of HIS miracles die, what am I gonna say, that it was my job?"
This thief didn't need to know Jesus was virgin-born, but had Jesus NOT been born of a virgin, the thief would have no hope of being remembered by Jesus after their respective crucifixions. If Jesus had been tainted by the blood of Adam, He could never have lived a sinless life, nor could he have paid for anyone's sins, let alone His own. Jesus could not have been the Messiah were He not born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 states that specific qualification, and had Jesus not come into the world by way of Isaiah 7:14 He could not have saved anyone, let alone Himself.
2) The Full Diety of Christ
Building upon the virgin birth, it is through the artifice of the Holy Spirit that Mary conceived. Jesus therefore was not tainted with a human fathers' blood; the sin of Adam was not passed on to Him. Furthermore Isaiah 7:14 states that His name "shall [be called] Immanuel," which means "God with us"
Here's a short list of things the Bible has to say about the Diety of Christ:
[I have absolutely NO idea how to get rid of that huge gap! but, moving on...]
The Bible describes God in three distinct persons. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But they aren't three separate beings... they all consist and find their identity in the power, glory, majesty, and omnipotence of God. God said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." [Isaiah 55:8-9] Jehovah's Witnesses and other scoffers who laugh at the idea of God in three persons, pointing to the fact that Christ prayed to the Father and not Himself, are applying human logic to what is beyond human comprehension. Throughout the history of mankind God has chosen to reveal Himself to His creation, but man can only comprehend so much, for just as it is impossible for man to see the farthest reaches of our galaxy with his naked eye, how much more impossible to grasp the true nature of God almighty who transcends the universe He Himself created?
God loses nothing in terms of Glory, nor is He diminished in the least by giving the throne to His son to rule until all is fulfilled, because it is God Himself who sits on the throne in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the High Priest of heaven, and the author and perfecter of our faith. Acts 20:28 states quite clearly that it was GOD's blood that bought the church.
It wasn't necessary for the thief on the cross to KNOW or even believe these things to be saved, but had he not died and been filled with the Holy Spirit and grew in the Lord within a congregation of believers he would have come to know and believe many of these, if not all. He would have come to know Jesus not only as savior, but God in human flesh. He wouldn't have understood the scope of this Truth anymore than you or I, but he would have accepted it.
Paul called it a mystery...
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory"
-- 1 Timothy 3:16
And that is certainly what it is. One need not believe it to BECOME saved, but without this truth, working faithfully and silently in the background there would be salvation for no one.
----
Whew! That's enough for now... More to follow. It's been a long day, and this table took a lot longer than I expected. I've no idea how to get rid of all the extra space between text and table. Perhaps some kind blogger with greater knowledge than I will lend a hand of experience greater than my own.
from the mind of... Eric | 2:14 AM
6 Comments:
Excellent, Eric! I understand and I agree. It is a sticking point between me and certain other bloggers, (who shall remain unnamed, but they know who they are) that the scriptures are indeed God breathed and that God and Jesus are one. You have offered conclusive proof of the Diety of Jesus Christ and of God, and that God is triune. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. You understand the great commission and you put it into practice.
Well, there is nothing approaching "truth" in this essay on why Jesus = God.
Hmmm, Jesus is the Son of God.
But the Scriptures say he is the Lamb of God. Then to follow the logic, Jesus was a sheep! Not.
"Jesus was a sheep!" !?
ER, you can't POSSIBLY be THAT obtuse!
Jesus is the Son of God because He was made to be born of human flesh via the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit-- ALSO God. Jesus is the Savior because He has saved His elect from the penalty of their sin. Jesus is High Priest because He even now intercedes on our behalf before the throne of Heaven. Jesus will be King because He will take up the throne of His father (in fleshly terms) David. Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He presented himself as sacrifice for the sins of the world; whole, unbroken, and without blemish.
You cannot convince me that you do not understand the basic elements of language! 'Lamb of God' is a metaphor! But more so, because lambs and bulls could only COVER men's sins, but Jesus ERASED them. And only God can forgive sin.
And as to that! The table I offered shows verses that ascribe specific attributes to both God AND Jesus equally. Considering the 1st Commandment, no HALF-respecting Jew in the days of early church (and the early church was comprised solely of Jews for about the first ten years or so. The first EVER gentile christian mentioned is Cornelius, the centurion, and his entire household, and there was a great controversy as to whether these gentiles should be allowed into the church!) would have followed accepted, let alone FOLLOWED Christ if He were NOT God, albeit in human form.
Perhaps you can explain to everyone here how we can possibly be saved WITHOUT Christ being "God made flesh"?
If you can find no evidence of Christ's diety with my unfinished essay's table...!, then I'm truly astounded.
Please forgive my use of 'obtuse'; it is not used lightly or as a slur. Your tone has me questioning your erudite status. "Surely this man understands 'figures of speech'!" Said I.
Sometimes I think you and Dan come here simply to throw shoes into the machinery.
I think we come here because our nation is divided and we need to talk about our differences or let them consume us.
"Perhaps you can explain to everyone here how we can possibly be saved WITHOUT Christ being "God made flesh"?"
I'd suggest that God, being God, can save us just about any way that God chooses.
Then I must suggest in return that God, being God, CANNOT save anyone anyway He chooses. God paid for the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28), and has declared that there is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved (Acts 4:12). He is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever, (hebrews 13:8) and has himself declared "...I am the LORD, I change not." (Malachi 3:6). To say that God can allow, say, a buddhist to enter heaven without the blood of Jesus applied to his sin, is to call into question the entire reason for dying on the cross in the first place-- Why did Jesus die on the cross if men could find salvation some other way? Do you honestly think God thinks so little of His sacrifice that He would allow ANY one to enter heaven ANY other way but by Jesus?
Sorry. God cannot save us just about any way that He chooses, because He's already chosen the only acceptable means by which men must be saved.... His Son Jesus.
There is no other way. No one comes to the Father except by Him.
But let's go one step further. Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44) In other words, unless God is directly calling an individual, that individual CANNOT come to Christ.
Now, you and others might say, 'But God is not willing that any perish' or 'God calls everyone to repentance'... True. But God Himself has said, "My spirit will not always strive with man" (Genesis 6:3). Isaiah 55:6 says, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near". Tarry too long and the Spirit of God may never pass your way again.
God knows who will, and who will not, answer His call to repentance; knew it in fact before the foundation of the world. Those who will are the Elect, those who don't? They end their vapor of a life in Hell. But this is NOT Calvanism; it is not a system where God has chosen out a few out of billions and blessed them with Heaven, and the rest are cursed forever in Hell. The invitation to repentance is for all men... but God already knows who will heed the call. It's predestination, not preselection. It is "[Election] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:2), not the doom of Calvanism... And I've gone afield from our topic.
Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)
It's not enough to simply follow the teachings of the Bible... you will find no salvation there. You must accept and believe the testimony of the Bible... The testimony that Jesus is the Son of God, and the ONLY way TO God. It is a narrow path, and few ever find it.
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