To the Reader: I wrote this article my brothers and sisters in Christ, to remind all of us of the price that God paid for us when he gave his son Jesus Christ as a ransom for our sins. And because it only touches on a small portion of the Gospel, we must read and study the bible to fully understand the cost. Therefore, I encourage you to do some studying on your own and “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB20)

God’s love be with you all. Amen.

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:17-19 NKJV)

God loves us so much and desires that none us should perish, for he said: “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11 ESV) We see the same thing in the New Testament where we read: “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NET)

So, from what we just read above, couldn’t we all agree that God wants everyone to repent and be saved? However, we know that the old covenant couldn’t make this happen. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written about me in the scroll of the book.’” (Hebrews 10:4-7 TCENT)

Now, who is one “who knew no sin” and was recorded “in the volume of the book”? Wasn’t it Jesus Christ our Savior who took upon himself the sins of the world? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17 KJV)

• “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)
• “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9 KJV)

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40 KJV)

From what we can gather from that passage above, Jesus in a sense was saying: “For as Jonah was. …so shall the Son of man be.” Now, to see what it was like for Jesus in the heart of the earth, we need to see how it was for Jonah himself. “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” (Jonah 2:1-2 KJV)

So, we can see that Jonah was experiencing “affliction” and quoted it as being in “the belly of hell.” And let’s remember that Jesus called Jonah a prophet, for we read: “But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:39-40 ESV) Now, doesn’t this clearly show us that Jesus did suffer affliction in the heart of the earth? Why else would he compare it in such a way?

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:7-10 KJV)

From what we read above; we can see that Jesus was pleading to God to “save him from death.” Also, it says that he “was heard in that he feared.” Now, I believe that this wasn’t concerning his physical death because he was crucified and put to death. Therefore, wouldn’t Jesus be asking the Father that his soul would not be left in hell? For Peter said: “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” (Acts 2:23-24 NKJV) So again, Jesus was “loosed” (saved) from “the pains of death.” Now, what pains are there in death other than the fires of hell itself?

From all this we can clearly see that Jesus did suffer in hell for three days and nights. And let’s remember that he did this all for our salvation. This is truly an act love for us my brothers and sisters in Christ.

“And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:23-24 WEB)

Now, from the account of the rich man and Lazarus, we can see that hell is a place of torment. For according to that passage above, the rich man was crying for mercy. So again my brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s consider how much Jesus suffered for us. For he took upon himself the agony and torments that was do all of us, for “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 KJV)

And so, being fully convinced that God the Father was going to raise him up out of hell, Jesus said: “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ... He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” (Acts 2:25-27, 31-32 KJV)

Below are some video on why Jesus had to suffered in hell:

• Jesus Became Sin for Us
• Jesus Suffered Torment in Hell
• Did Jesus Suffer in Hell for Us?

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV)

This passage above poses a few problems for some. For it appears as if Jesus was promising the repentant thief that they would be together in paradise that literal day. But we know that Jesus said he had to spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth. So, how do we make sense of all this? Well, we need to keep in mind that there were no commas in the original Greek manuscripts. Therefore, translators both of the past and the present placed these commas where it seemed best. So, concerning that passage above, the translators of the King James Bible chose to put the comma before the word “today.” 

Now, I do believe that these KJV translators were gifted in what they did. However, being human like the rest of us, these translators were not immune to certain views and biases of their day. Therefore, it wouldn’t be uncommon for some of these views to show up in their work as well. Now, I have to admit that the majority of translations follow the comma placement of the KJV bible. However, there are still quite a few that have the comma after the word “today.” Thus, this same passage would read “Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in the Paradise.” (Luke 43:23 REV) This makes more sense because we have Jesus not promising the thief that they would be together that literal day, but at some time in the future.

Now, there was a biblical scholar named Ethelbert William Bullinger who was the commentator for the Companion Bible. And in his commentary notes for Luke 43:23 he wrote: “say to you, today = ‘I say to thee today.’ Today; connect this with ‘I say’ to emphasize the solemnity of the occasion; not with “shalt thou be.” So, Mr. Bullinger admits that it should read: “Truly I say to you today.” So, in a sense, Jesus was telling the thief to listen and heed to what I’m about to tell you right now. And that would be the assurance that they will be together not that physical day, but at some time in the future.

So, even though a misplaced comma would normally be a minor thing, it can become a major one when it comes to such passages as above. So, it’s important that you have more than one translation within your library. This would especially be true when those red flags pop up in your head telling you that something doesn’t make sense. Therefore, it’s important that we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us navigate throughout the scriptures. So, let’s always seek God’s help, even when it comes to something as simple as a comma placement. 

Below are those translations that chose to place the comma after the word today. Again, this would make it clear that Jesus DID NOT promise the thief that they would be together that day, but at some other time in the future.

• The Concordant Literal New Testament reads – “Verily, to you am I saying today, with me shall you be in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 CLNT)
• The Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible reads – “Verily I say unto thee this day: with me shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 REB)
• The Peshitta Aramaic English New Testament (by Andrew Gabriel Roth) reads – “Y’shua said to him, “Truly I say to you today: You will be with me in paradise”.” (Luke 23:43 AENT)
• The Revised English Version reads – “And he said to him, ‘Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in the Paradise’.” (Luke 23:43 REV)
• The Remedy bible reads: “Jesus smiled and said to him, “Today, I tell you truly, you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 Remedy)
• The Institute For Scripture Research translation reads: And [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you today, you shall be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 TS2009)
• A Faithful Version reads: “And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you today, you shall be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 AFV)
• The Eth Cepher translations reads: And Yahusha said unto him, Amein I say unto you today, you shall be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43 Cepher)

Below are different passages which uses the word “today” to help emphasize what’s being said:

• “I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.” (Deuteronomy 30:18 KJV) Note: So, did they all perish that literal day? No, they didn’t.
• “Therefore I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of you all.” (Acts 20:26 KJV) Note: So, was Paul guilty of their blood before he mentioned this to them? No, of course he wasn’t.

So again, wouldn’t all this be a witness that the comma in Luke 23:43 should have come after the word “today,” and not before as some have it? I do believe so my fellow Christians. However, do your own studying on this and then righty judge.

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30 ESV)

According to that passage above, what was finished? Was our forgiveness and redemption totally completed at that moment? For we must remember that Jesus said “It is finished” before he died and rose from the dead. Therefore, this couldn’t mean that our redemption is completed. So, to get a better understanding of what Jesus meant, we need to consider a few other bible verses as well.

The first is: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25 KJV) The next is: “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-18 ESV)

So, according to the apostle Paul, the death and resurrection of Jesus is crucial for our redemption. Now, let’s examine another passage which may help us to understand what Jesus meant when he said, “It is finished” while hanging on the cross: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:3-4 KJV) So, John the apostle who heard and thus recorded Jesus saying this, also reminded us of these words of Jesus in one of his epistles. For he wrote: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 NIV, KJV)

So, Jesus came to give us and understanding of the character and nature of the God our Father. For Jesus said to Philip in John 14:9 that: “he who has seen me has seen the Father.” Also, he came to show us that he is our promised Messiah, the only way to God the Father. And not only that, but if we believe in Jesus with all our heart, we will have eternal life with him. Amen. (Click here to read the article Amazing Grace)

“Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46 ESV)

Jesus knew that he must spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth (hell). Therefore, Jesus was simply trusting his soul in the hands of God his Father. For we read: “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:8-11 KJV) So, Jesus was trusting that God the Father would not leave his soul in hell nor allow his body to decay in the grave. Therefore, he committed himself into the hands of God his Father. And according to scripture, God raise Jesus up and deliver him from the pains of death which is hell itself. Thank God for that.

And it’s the same for us today my brothers and sisters in Christ. For we who have put our trust in both God our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior will be brought into paradise. Yes, Jesus will descend from heaven with a commanding shout to us his chosen people to rise up. For Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ... Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:25, 28-29 ESV)

Now, let’s take note to what scripture says here: “Because the Lord himself with a word of command, with a chief-messenger’s voice and with a trumpet of God Shall descend from heaven, - And the dead in Christ shall rise first, after that we the living who are left together with them shall be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air: - and thus evermore with the Lord shall we be!” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Emphasized Bible) So again, Jesus Christ shall return for us Christians who have put our faith and hope in him. This would be true whether we’re dead or alive. For if dead, we shall be in the company of the dead in Christ (who are quite alive) who shall be returning with him. And if we are alive, we shall be caught up with them in heaven. Either way it’s a win-win situation for us who have put our hope and faith in God’s mercy. Amen.

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39 ESV)

Now, as already mentioned earlier, let’s not come to the false notion that Jesus (after his death) descended into an earthly paradise called “Abrahams Bosom.” (see Luke 16:22) For there are fellow misinformed brothers and sisters in Christ who believe this. So, if that was true, why was Jesus so glad to get out of there as we already read in Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:27. Also, we read above that Jesus prayed earnestly, asking God his Father “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” So, wouldn’t this prayer be not only for the cross and the beatings that he endured, but for his three days and nights of in hell as well? Something to consider and pray about my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. So, please make sure you’re studying God’s word for yourselves as well.

So that being said, where in the bible does it mention a place called Paradise? Well, the first is: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7) So, where is the “paradise of God?” Well: “Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2 RSV)

Next, we have Paul the apostle’s own testimony saying, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NET) So, according to the apostle Paul, there is a paradise that’s up in the third heaven. Therefore, these scriptures are a witness showing that paradise is not in some make-believe underworld inside the earth. For the only thing that’s inside the earth is the fires of hell itself.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV)

Okay, you may be asking: “where is Abraham and the rest of the departed Saints of God?” Well, let’s first notice that it says we’re surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” in that passage above. Also, it says in Hebrews 11:13 that those witnesses are they who have died in faith. So, doesn’t it sound like they are quite alive and we’re surrounded by them as well? We can see this also to be true from the account of the rich man and Lazarus. For after the rich man died, he was aware of his surroundings by feeling the torments of hell. And while looking up, his eyes were opened to see the realm of the departed saints, where Lazarus was, being comforted in the arms of Abraham. So again, this was not some place inside the earth but instead outside of the earth.

Now, let’s also remember that Moses and Elisha appeared before Peter, James, and John when Jesus was transfigured before them. And didn’t Jesus himself say to the Sadducees: “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:31-32 KJV)

So, even though a person’s body may be buried in the ground, their soul would still be alive. This is true whether one is up in the realm of the saints or being tormented in the flames of hell below.

• “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.” (Matthew 17:1-3 KJV)

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:23-24 KJV)

Now, you may be thinking, “didn’t the rich man in hell talk to Abraham afar off.” Well, even though this is true, that still doesn’t prove that there’s some chamber called “Abraham's Bosom” inside the earth. So, let’s first consider what that passage says above. First, we must realize that the rich man has never seen Abraham before. So, how could he have recognized and even communicated with him among a huge mass of God’s saints in some distant chamber inside the earth?  That would be like you sitting in a packed stadium recognizing and communicating with a well-known radio host on the other side of the field whom you never seen or heard speak before.

So, on the contrary, wouldn’t this be a vision that the rick man saw, just as it was for the disciple Stephen? For we read concerning Stephen: “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55-56 ESV) So, that great gulf between Abraham and the rich man could have been the distance between hell inside the earth and the realm of the departed Saints above of it. So again, I encourage you to do some studying on your own my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV)

According to that passage above, we can clearly see that it’s the blood that makes an atonement for our souls. Also in the New Testament, John the apostle said: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 KJV) So, we see that the shed blood of Christ is a vital part of our atonement for sin. For without it, there would be no forgiveness possible. Now that being said, we must also realize that all sacrifices had to be done according to procedure. This included the Passover Lamb, for we read: “And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. (Exodus 12:7-8 KJV) So, the lamb had to be first slain and its blood applied as mention above. Next, the lamb had to go through the fire before the occupants of the house could finally partake of it.

Now, during communion, don’t we receive both the bread and wine which represents both the body and blood of Christ? So, just as the Passover lamb’s blood needed to be shed and its body brought through the fire, Christ’s blood as well needed to be shed and his soul brought through the fire. So, in a sense, this would truly make Christ our Passover Lamb who was sacrificed on our behalf. Therefore, we should always thank God for his great mercy towards us sinners who are saved by his grace. Amen.

Below are a few scriptures pertaining to the blood of Christ:

• “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13 KJV)
• “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:1 KJV)
• “And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:17-19 ESV)

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 KJV)

As mentioned earlier, Luke chapter 16 shows us that hell is a temporary abode for all who have died in their sins. So, even though Christ’s blood was a vital part of our atonement for sins, he still had to suffer the wrath of God that was do for all sinners. And let’s remember that God is not a respecter of persons. (see Acts 10:34) So, because our Savior Jesus died a sinner’s death, wouldn’t he also need to suffer a sinner’s death which would include hell as well? “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)

Now, we must realize that we’re not all at the same level of faith. For there are some who have a limited knowledge of scripture while others have a much deeper one. However, all of us are saved by God’s grace that’s poured out upon us. And let’s remember what Paul the apostle said to the Corinthian believers: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” (Romans 14:1 ESV) So, if one only has the knowledge and belief that Jesus died on the cross, was buried and then rose the third day for our redemption, this person still would be saved. For he, believing in the saving blood of Jesus Christ, would still have eternal life even though he has a limited knowledge of the gospel. Therefore, it’s a daily learning process for us. For Jesus said: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV)

So, knowing that the Holy Spirit lives in us and teaches us all things, lets dig deeper into God’s word to know all his truths. (see 2 Timothy 2:15) For it should be our desire to truly recognize and see everything that God did for us. Therefore, we shouldn’t only rely on what others teach us, but we must mainly rely on God’s Holy Spirit. For as Jesus said above, the Holy Spirit “will teach you all things.” Also, he said: “take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” (Matthew 11:29 KJV) And not only that, he also said: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me.” (John 6:45 ASV) And let’s also remember what John the apostle said: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27 KJV)

So, as said before: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

May God bless you as you seek to do His will. Amen.

Note: The different bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist you in your study of God’s word:

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• REV = The REV® (Revised English Version®) copyright © 2014 by Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, Inc. All rights reserved.
• RSV = Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. Availability: Freely available for non-commercial use provided that this header is included in its entirety with any copy distributed.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.
• ASV = Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• WEB = The Webster Bible was translated by Noah Webster in 1833 in order to bring the language of the bible up to date. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.
• NET = The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible® Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
• TCENT = Text Critical English New Testament. Copyright © 2022 by Robert Adam Boyd. All rights reserved.
• AENT = Aramaic English New Testament. Copyright ©2012 by Netzari Press LLC. All rights reserved.
• Remedy = The Remedy New Testament. Copyright ©2017 by Timathy R. Jennings. All rights reserved.
• AFV = A Faithful Version. = Copyright © 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011. By York publishing company. All rights reserved.
• Cepher = Copyright © 2013 through 2024 Cepher® Publishing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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To the Reader: This article concerns our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Son of God, who came in the likeness of sinful flesh to show us the way. (Romans 8:3-4). This he did not only to show us who God the Father is, but to reveal that he is our promised Messiah sent from God. For: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 ESV) Yes, my brothers and sisters in Christ. So, after reading through this article, grab a bible and do some studying for yourself. Therefore, you must: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB20.

May God’s blessings be with you all. Amen.

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and what God was the word was. This word was in the beginning with God. Everything came to be through it, and apart from it nothing came to be that has come to be.” (John 1:1-3 REV)

Before getting too deep into this article, we must first touch on that passage above. Now, I must say that it would be difficult (at least for me) to explain this passage in detail. For the one whom our English text describes as the “Word” is called the “Logos” in the Greek. Now this word “Logos” has a deeper meaning than just the usage of “Word” itself. And yes, there are those who have attempted to explain their views in one form or another. However, it is quite clear that: “what God was the word was as well.”

And it is also clear that the “Word” existed with God in the beginning and was involved in the act of creation. For in the book of Genesis we read: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth... And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27 KJV) So, God said “let us make man,” thus indicating that there was more than one involved in creation. Wouldn’t you agree?

Below are a few comments pertaining to what was mentioned above:

• In the Aramaic language, the “Word” is called the “Miltha.” And in the Aramaic English New Testament comment section it says: “Miltha has no direct English equivalent. It can mean ‘Word’, ‘Manifestation’, ‘Instance’ or ‘Substance’ among other things. In this context, it may best be left untranslated.” (Taken from the comment section of the Aramaic English New Testament)
• In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world’s life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, … and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. (Portion taken from the Blueletterbible.org “Online of Biblical Usage” section)

Below are some scriptures showing that Jesus did exist before coming to earth as a man:

• “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:5 ESV)
• “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has 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. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:12-17 ESV)

“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. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 NASB95)

Now, most of us know that the “Logos” (or “Word”) came to earth as the man Jesus Christ. This all came about after Mary had an encounter with an angel. For we read: “And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31 ESV) Now, even though he was miraculous conceived, he still was fully human like us. For the only difference was is the fact that he was born without sin. This came about because he was conceived through an act of God and not of man. Therefore, the curse of the sin of Adam was broken and Jesus was born sinless. And through his obedience to God our Father, he remained sinless through his whole life.

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:19-21 NIV) This we know was God’s will and plan for Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17 KJV)

• “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14 ESV)
• “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV)
• “For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NET)

So, from what was already mentioned above, it’s clear that God gave his only begotten Son Jesus Christ to show us not only who he (God our Father) is, but to reveal that he (Jesus) is our promised Messiah and Redeemer, the only way to God the Father. For Jesus said: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3 KJV) John the apostle later reminded us of these words of Jesus by saying: “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us insight to recognize the True One; and we are in union with the True One through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 Williams, ASV)

Yes, Jesus came to reveal “the True One” and “the only true God” which are both in reference to the God the Father himself. And again, Jesus came to show us that he himself is the only way to the “True One” which is God our Father. For he said to Thomas: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV) Therefore, by believing this, we can have the assurance of eternal life. Praise God for that my brothers and sisters in Christ.

That all being said, we know that Jesus is our promised Messiah (Savior) who not only spoke the words of God our Father, but lived and acted in such a way that we can see God working in him and through him. Therefore, Jesus could rightly say: “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?” (John 14:9 ESV) So, let us live our lives as Jesus did so that others can see the Father in us as well.

Watch this video concerning Jesus emptying himself: He Emptied Himself

Below is Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definitions on the two Greek words: μορφῇ(the form) and ἐκένωσεν (emptied) Now, there may be some with differing opinions in one form or another. However, we should come away from all this with the knowledge that Jesus was fully human like us:

• μορφῇ(the form) = who, although (formerly when he was (λόγος ἄσαρκος) [the Logos who was without flesh] “he bore the form (in which he appeared to the inhabitants of heaven) of God (the sovereign, opposed to μορφή δούλου), yet did not think that this equality with God was to be eagerly clung to or retained (see ἁρπαγμός, 2), but emptied himself of it (see κενόω) so as to assume the form of a servant, in that he became like unto men (for angels also are δοῦλοι τοῦ Θεοῦ, Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8f) and was found in fashion as a man” ἐκένωσεν (emptied) = κενόω, κενῷ: (future κενώσω, 1 Corinthians 9:15 L text T Tr WH); 1 aorist ἐκενωσα;      passive, perfect κεκνωμαι; 1 aorist ἐκενωθην; 1. to empty, make empty: ἑαυτόν ἐκένωσε,  namely, τοῦ εἶναι ἴσα Θεῷ or τῆς μορφῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ, i. e. he laid aside equality with or the form of God (said of Christ), Philippians 2:7 (see a fuller exposition of this passage in μορϕή).

“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.” (John 20:17 KJV)

In that passage above, Jesus was equating himself with us by saying that God the Father was both his God and ours as well. We see this also to be true concerning those who followed him, for we read: “Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:47-50 KJV)

We can see the same thing happening in Hebrews: “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” (Hebrews 2:11-12 NASB95). Also, let’s take heed to what Paul the apostle said: “yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (1 Corinthians 8:6 ESV)

Again, Paul said: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV) Therefore, from what we read so far, we can see that Jesus became completely human being like in every way. Except of course he remained sinless through his whole life. For by walking after the Holy Spirit, he was able to resist every temptation that came his way. More on this below.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:13 KJV)

So, according to that passage above, God himself cannot be tempted with sin. However, we know that Jesus was tempted, for we read: “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” (Matthew 4:1 KJV) And again we see this to be true where we read: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 ESV) We see this also to be true in Hebrew 2:18 where we read: “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18 ESV)

So again, we can clearly see that Jesus was tempted according to these passages. So, wouldn’t that mean he had the capacity to commit sin as well? I ask this because it wouldn’t make sense for him to be tested if he didn’t have the capability to give into those temptations. And again, this could only come about by him becoming completely human like us. However, as said before, he was able to resist all temptations that came his way. And let’s be thankful for that my brothers and sister in Christ. I say this because our salvation was at stake in all this. (click here for the article: “Led by the Spirit”)

Below are some comments by others on what was said above:

• But made himself of no reputation (or in the Greek, emptied Himself), and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phl 2:7) Well, we see now the steps downward as He emptied Himself: starting with God, equal with God, and yet, He emptied Himself and He came in the form of a servant, and was made like men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phl 28 ). And so, from glory and equality with God to that cruel Roman cross, hanging there with the jeers and the anger of the crowd, despised and rejected by man. What a tremendous downward, I mean from the highest height, down to death on a cross, surrounded by murderers. That tremendous plunge Jesus was willing to take for you. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (The late Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa California)
• He emptied himself. He emptied himself to come to earth. … He emptied himself of his divine power and majesty and glory. And he laid that aside. And when he came as a babe in that manger to this earth, he was wholly a man. He set aside all the glory, the majesty, the power, and became one of us, for us. You talk about lowering yourself. You talk about doing something for the benefit of others. There it is to the extreme. You know, sometimes we look at, we read about Jesus and we go, well, you know, Jesus withstood the devil there in the wilderness, you know. And, well, well, we go, you know, that was Jesus. Or Jesus walked on the water. Well, well, well, that was Jesus. He, you know, he fed the five thousand. Well, that was Jesus, you know. And we always kind of ride it off. Well, well, that was Jesus. Brethren, do you realize you can't use that argument? You can’t cop out on that one because he became a human being. He set aside all the glory, all the power, all the majesty, and became one of us. And anything he did, he did as utterly and totally dependent on the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit to work in him and through him. And he did only, only, perfectly, only what God wanted to do through him. He was a human instrument for God’s use. Perfectly. He even said Himself, I do nothing of my own initiative, but what I see the Father doing, that I do. (Transcribed from a video sermon by Brian Larson, who was the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel, Truckee California)
• When He came to earth in that body which was of the seed of David, did He come with all the fullness of God in His Spirit? The answer is “No,” because it is written, “… who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8). We often hear it said, “He was true God and true Man.” But this is not true if you mean that He retained all God’s fullness when He came to earth in the body that was of the seed of David. Nor is this statement appropriate in light of what is written in Hebrews 12:2, “… looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (activechristianity.org)

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and what God was the word was.” (John 1:1 REV)

Now, all that being said, we shouldn’t view Jesus as some ordinary prophet that came and went. For before coming to this earth, he was the “Logos” (the “Word”) who was with God the Father. And we know that all things were made through him and for him. For we read concerning Jesus: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 ESV) So, we must understand that this is God’s beloved Son whom he gave to be a sacrifice for our sins. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

Also, let’s remember that: “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10 ESV) So, we see that Jesus himself was praying and crying out to God the Father to save him from the grips of hell itself. For this wasn’t concerning his physical death, because he did die. Therefore, Jesus was crying out that his soul would not be left in the torments of hell. (See Acts 2:23-32) All this Jesus endured for our sake. This is true love my brothers and sisters in Christ.

'The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12 NASB20) Please note: Here we have Jesus saying “My God” four times. And Jesus is doing this while being in his glorified body which we are going to see him in as well.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Chris, we must always be "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has 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. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorties - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:12-20 ESV)

Below are some other scriptures pertaining to all what was mentioned above. I encourage you to go through them all and take to heart what’s being said. For we as a church must break away from the watered-down teachings that’s being preached in many churches today:

• “Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity. He gained favor from God and people.” (Luke 2:52 GW) Note: This should be proof that Jesus was not equal nor of the same nature as God when he came in the flesh.  I say this because he would already from birth be completely wise and mature.
• “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” (Luke 18:18-19 KJV) Note: Jesus made sure that this ruler would understand that only God gets all the glory for any act of good being performed by man.
• “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 KJV) Note: Jesus acknowledges while being in his human state, God the Father is greater than he.
• “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 ESV) Note: Jesus was clearly showing that God the Father is the only true God. Therefore, Jesus wasn’t equal to nor of the same nature as God the Father.
• “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” (Acts 2:22 KJV) Note: Peter acknowledges that it was God who was doing the miracles through Jesus. Thus, being in his human state, Jesus fully depended upon the Father for everything he said and did.
• “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7 KJV) Note: Paul the apostle makes a distinction between who the only true God is and who our Lord Jesus Christ is.
• “But our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body so it will have the same form as his glorious body, by the power that also enables him to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21 REV) Note: Our new bodies are going to be transformed to be like the body of Jesus Christ. That should be exciting for us who are in Christ.
• “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV) Note: Paul makes it clear to Timothy that there is only “one God” which we know is God our Father. And that there is “one mediator” who stands between us and God the Father, which we know is “the man Christ Jesus."
• “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9 KJV) Note: So, we see that Jesus just like us today, was made “a little lower than the angels.” This verse is a quote from Psalm where we read: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little less than angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor;” (Psalms 8:4-5 KJV)
• “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17 ESV) Note: Again, this should be proof that Jesus was not equal to God when he came in the flesh. For he gave up who he was in heaven to redeem us from our sins.
• “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is.” (1 John 3:2 NET) Note: So, John is saying that when we are finally in our new bodies, we will be like Jesus and see him in his glorified body. This couldn’t happen if Jesus was of the same nature as God.
• “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 NIV) Note: God, the Father, is called “him who is true” in 1 John because there were so many antichrists and false teachings and pagan idols. Many people mistook those false things to be true and the truth, so John takes the time here in 1 John 5:20 to correct that erroneous thinking and refers to God our Father as “him who is true.” This all falls in line with what John said in his own gospel at John 17:3 as well.
• “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 NASB95) Note: Please notice what Jude is declaring here. For he is clearly showing that there is a distinction between “the only God our Savior,” and “Jesus Christ our Lord.” For God the Father is the only true God.

Note: The different bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist you in your study of God’s word.

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• NIV = THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
• ASV = New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• NASB95 = Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved
• REV = The REV® (Revised English Version®) copyright © 2014 by Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• NET = The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible® Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved

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To the Reader: This article touches on some views of today that were debated not only by early church, but also by our churches of today. And one of those views was concerning the nature of Jesus Christ. So, to find the truth we must study God’s word and see what it has to say. So, after reading this article I encourage you to do a further study for yourself. For we shouldn’t to take everything we hear as facts. But we as mature Christians should: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) May we all have a deeper understanding of God’s word.

May God’s grace be poured out upon you all. Amen.

“Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” (John 5:18 KJV)

Now, did Jesus really break the sabbath and claimed to be equal to God the Father? Well, let’s first see if he had broken the sabbath: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19 NET) So, we see that Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to destroy or break it. Therefore, since obeying the Sabbath day was part of the Ten Commandments, Jesus wouldn’t have broken it. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 KJV)

Next, did Jesus really make himself equal with God by calling him Father? Well, didn’t Jesus say for us to pray: “So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10 NET). So, by praying that pray, are we making ourselves equal with God by call him Father as well? Of course not. We can see the same thing happening where the Jews wanted to stone Jesus for saying: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30 KJV). For: “The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” (John 10:33 ESV) But again, didn’t Jesus say: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21 ESV)

So, brothers and sisters in Christ. Does this make us Christians equal with God because we are one with both God the Father and Jesus as well? Again, I must say, of course not.

• When Jesus says to the apostles, “you in me, and I in you” (John 14:20), he is using the same wording that he used when he speaks of being “in” the Father. In fact, Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that people will believe so “that they also may be in us” (in the Father and Jesus). A study of Jesus’ teaching at the Last Supper shows that he placed a lot of emphasis on he and the Father being “in” each other (John 14:10, 11, 20; 17:21-22), and similarly taught about the disciples being “in” him and he “in” them (John 15:4-7). Thus, just as God and Jesus have an intimate relationship and are in union with one another, so God, Jesus, and believers are to be in an intimate relationship with one another. … Another word in John that expresses the union and fellowship between God, Jesus, and the believer is the word “one.” Jesus said that He and the Father were “one” (John 10:30), meaning one in purpose, unified, in intimate relationship with each other. … Jesus expanded what he said about He and his Father being “one” at the Last Supper when three times he prayed about the believers being “one” just as God and Christ were one. He prayed, “that they may be one, just as we are” (John 17:11), and “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us” (John 17:21), and “so that they may be one, just as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one” (John 17:22-23).   It is clear from all the uses of “one” that Jesus and God being “one” does not refer to them being “one God and of the same essence,” but rather one in purpose. John 10:38, REV Bible and Commentary (revisedenglishversion.com (Please note: I do not hold to all the views that the “Biblical Unitarians” hold to. But at the same time, I “don’t throughout the baby with the bathwater.”)
• As we have seen, when John wrote that Jesus “broke the Sabbath” (John 5:18), he was describing Jesus’ actions from the Pharisees’ perspective (compare 9:14-1 6). Those who say Jesus did actually break the Sabbath are agreeing with Christ's enemies—His accusers—that Jesus’ miraculous works of healing were a breach of the Sabbath law. They are agreeing with Jesus’ accusers that He was a Sabbath-breaker. To be consistent, they must also agree with the Pharisees when they said of Christ: “We know that this man is a sinner” (v. 24). The blind man who had been healed knew better than that, saying that “we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him” (v. 31). When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He was not violating the law of God. By His actions, He demonstrated the true application of God’s laws—rather than Pharisaic traditions—that “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:12). The “law” that Jesus violated was a man-made rule that was itself against the principles of God's law. Remember: Had Jesus Christ actually broken the Sabbath, He would have been sinning. But the Scripture says that He “committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22). Had He sinned, He could not be our Savior. But He, being undefiled and separate from sinners, offered Himself without spot and without blemish to God for our redemption (Hebrews 7:26; 9:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19). No, Jesus did not break the Sabbath. He spent the Sabbath preaching, teaching, healing, honoring God and doing the good work of His ministry - the work of God. (The Bible Sabbath Association by Rob Reynolds) https://www.biblesabbath.org/tss/515/sabbath.html#:~:text=No%2C 
• “I and the Father are one.” … The ancients misused this passage … Christ is not discussing the unity of substance, but the concord he has with the Father; so that whatever Christ does will be confirmed by his Father’s power. (Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries, book 4, St. John, chapter 1-10, page 273, Eerdmans Publishing Company.
• “the charge here of Y’shua making himself equal to YHWH is simply Pharisee tradition projecting itself onto Y’shua.” ... “The Ruach haKadesh (the Holy Spirit) in Mashiyach (in Christ) is equal to YHWH (God), but the Pharisees supposed that Y’shua and his followers equated his humanity with YHWH, they didn’t understand Isaiah 11:1-2, that Mahiyach has the Ruach haKadesh within him The Aramaic English New Testament, “The Peshitta” by Andrew Gabriel Roth)
• When He came to earth in that body which was of the seed of David, did He come with all the fullness of God in His Spirit? The answer is “No”, because it is written, “… who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8. We often hear it said, “He was true God and true Man.” But this is not true if you mean that He retained all God’s fullness when He came to earth in the body that was of the seed of David. Nor is this statement appropriate in light of what is written in Hebrews 12:2, “… looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” … Jesus came down to us with the same flesh as the children had. (Hebrews 2:14-16) He experienced the same temptations that we experience and overcame them while He was a man without sinning a single time! (Hebrews 4:15) (Active Christianity by: BRUNSTAD CHRISTIAN CHURCH)

“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 KJV)

Isn’t Jesus clearly admitting that the Father is greater than he is in that passage above? Also, in Hebrews 2:9 we read: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ... Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:9, 14-15 KJV) So, it clearly says that Jesus “was made a little lower than the angels.”

And finally, let’s take heed to what Jesus said: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3 KJV) So, even though Jesus: “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and what God was the word was;” (John 1:1 REV) he became fully human like us. Therefore, he was rightly declaring that God the Father is the only true God. We can see John the apostle pointing this out in one of his epistles where he said: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 NIV, ASV)

So, John clearly said that Jesus came to revel “him who is true” which we know is God the Father himself. Also, in many of Paul the apostle’s writings, he begins by saying: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:3 KJV). So, the apostle Paul is making it clear that God is our Father and Jesus is our Lord and Savior. So, that all being said, wouldn’t the claim: “make thyself God” be based upon a misunderstanding of who Jesus was? Therefore, we should all agree that Jesus didn’t break the Sabbath nor was he claiming to be equal with God the Father in those passages above. For Jesus himself said: "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." (John 14:28 KJV)

Therefore, Jesus became fully human in order to show us the way to God the Father and to take upon himself the sins of the world. So: “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. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 NASB95)

Yes, brothers and sister in Christ, this is a true act of love by both God our Father and Jesus our Savior as well.

• “For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:5-6 NIV)
• “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV)

“Jesus said these things and lifting up his eyes to heaven, said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son can glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all flesh so that he could give life in the age to come to all those you have given him. And this is life in the age to come, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on the earth by accomplishing the work that you have given me to do. And now, Father, glorify me together with yourself with the glory that I had with you before the world was.” (John 17:1-5 REV)

Now that all being said, we shouldn’t be viewing Jesus as some ordinary prophet that came and went. For he is to be highly exalted above every name as God’s word says. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ESV) Amen.

Below are some other scriptures pertaining to all what was mentioned above. I encourage you to go through them all and take to heart what’s being said. For we as a church must break away from the watered-down teachings that’s being preached in many churches today:

• “Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity. He gained favor from God and people.” (Luke 2:52 GW) Note: This should be proof that Jesus was not equal nor of the same nature as God when he came in the flesh.  I say this because he would already from birth be completely wise and mature.
• “And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Luke 18:18-19 ESV KJV) Note: Jesus made sure that only God the Father got the glory for any good that He did through him.
• “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 KJV) Note: Jesus being completely human, was admitting that the God the Father is greater than he was.
• “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 ESV) Note: Jesus was clearly showing that God the Father is the only true God. Therefore, as said before; Jesus wasn’t equal to nor of the same nature as God the Father when he came in the flesh.
• “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:” (Acts 2:22 KJV) Note: Peter clearly showed that it was God himself who was doing the miracles through Jesus.
• “yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6 NKJV) Note:Paul the apostle is making it clear that there is only one God, which is the Father himself and that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.”
• “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7 KJV) Note: Paul the apostle makes a distinction between God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
• “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21 ESV) Note: Our new bodies are going to be transformed to be like the body of Jesus Christ. That should be exciting for us who are in Christ.
• “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV) Note: Again, Paul the apostle clearly shows that there is only one God (which we know is God our Father) and one mediator (between us and God) which is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9 KJV) Note: So, we see that Jesus just like us today, was made “a little lower than the angels.” This verse is a quote from Psalm where we read: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little less than angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor;” (Psalms 8:4-5 KJV)
• “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV) Note: Jesus struggled while resisting this world temptations. However, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he was able to make it through them all. Therefore, we who are in Christ can resist the devil as well through the power of Holy Spirit within us.
• “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is.” (1 John 3:2 NET) Note: So, John is saying that when we are finally in our new bodies, we will be like Jesus and see him in his glorified body.
• “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we can know the True One, and we are in union with the True One by being in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This One is the true God and life in the age to come.” (1 John 5:20 REV) Note: God, the Father, is called “the True One” in 1 John because there were so many antichrists and false teachings and pagan idols. Many people mistook those false things to be true, so John takes the time here in 1 John 5:20 to correct that erroneous thinking and refer to the true God as “the True One.” This all falls in line with what John said in his own gospel at John 17:3 as well.
• “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 NASB95) Note: Please notice what Jude is declaring here. For he is clearly showing that there is a distinction between “the only God our Savior,” and “Jesus Christ our Lord.” For God the Father is the only true God.
• 'The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name." (Revelation 3:12 NASB20) Note: Here we have Jesus saying “My God” four times. And he is doing this while being in his glorified body which we are going to be in as well. So, already mentioned; this is proof that Jesus was not equal to nor of the same nature as God.

God bless you as you seek to do His will. Amen.

(Note: The bible versions used in this article have been listed below to assist in your study of God’s word)

• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• NIV = THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• NASB95 = Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• REV = The REV® (Revised English Version®) copyright © 2014 by Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• ASV = New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• NET = The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible® Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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To the Reader: I wrote this article with the hope that we as Christians can be like our forerunner, Jesus Christ. For he was able to resisted all temptations that came his way. That’s because the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. For Jesus said: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luke 4:18 KJV) Therefore, Jesus was able to please God his Father in everything he did. And it should be the same for us Christians today. For we have the Holy Spirit with us as well.

Now, may God’s love, grace and mercy be with you all. Amen

“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22 ESV)

While being flesh and blood like us, our Savior Jesus was filled and led by the Holy Spirit. We can see this first happening after he was baptized by John the Baptist as quoted above. And just like us today, we read that he was tested as well: “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he endured temptations from the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, he was famished.” (Luke 4:1-2 NET) And let’s take note to what Peter said: “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” (Acts 2:22 NIV)

So, God was working miracles and wonders in and through our Savior Jesus. And wouldn’t this include his ability to walk on water, casting out demons, foreseeing events and all other supernatural works? And these abilities were passed on not only to his early disciples, but to us today as well.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” (James 1:13 KJV)

Now, we must realize that God himself cannot be tempted to do evil. However, being flesh and blood like us, Jesus was vulnerable to this world’s temptations. But we know according to the scriptures, he resisted all the temptation’s that came his way. That’s because he wanted to please God his Father. And let’s remember that: During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:7-8 CSB) And what was the outcome of all this? Well: After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:9-10 CSB) Praise God for that my brothers and sisters in Christ. For our salvation was at stake.

So, Jesus was able to do the will of God the Father by the Holy Spirit which was upon him. We can also see this to be true from these passages listed below:

• “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.” (Luke 11:20 KJV)
• “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” (John 5:19 ESV)
• “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28 KJV)
• “For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life eternal; the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12:49-50 ASV)
• “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” (John 14:10-11 ASV)
• “Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:22-24 ASV)

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13 KJV)

So, according to that passage above, we Christians should be walking after the Holy Spirit. For this is the only way we can put off all the sins of this world as our forerunner Jesus did. For we know that this is God’s will and desire for all of us who are in Christ. But we must also understand that we were steeped in sin before coming to Christ. Therefore, since we’re all in a learning process, we may make a mistake now and then. For we read: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2 NIV) So, John first says that it should be our goal not to sin. Then he goes on to say that if we do sin, we are to repent. Then he closes this by saying that Jesus died to take upon himself all our sins. Therefore, we should be ever grateful for what both the Father did and Jesus as well.

Now that being said, we should never say that we are not able to stop sinning. For scripture clearly says otherwise. For John then goes on to say: “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.” (1 John 3:4-6 ESV) And let’s keep in mind what Jesus himself said: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 KJV)

Therefore, we are required to do our best by purify ourselves from all sins. Therefore: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. (1 John 3:1-2 NLT)

• “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:7-9 NASB95)
• “In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, guaranteed [it] with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a [hope] both sure and confirmed and one which enters within the veil, where a forerunner has entered for us - Jesus, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:17-20 LSB)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27 KJV)

So, where did John get his information concerning what was mention above? Well, wasn’t it Jesus Christ himself? For we read: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV) Yes, brothers and sister in Christ. You do not need to wait for some man in a pulpit on Sunday morning to tell you what the bible says. For you can read and lean it for yourself because the Holy Spirit is within you. And yes, we do need leaders in the church for the work of the ministry and to keep things in order. Also, through their much studing, they may have a deeper insight concerning certain passage in the bible. But again, it’s the Holy Spirit in us who opens our understanding of God’s word. This is true whether it’s preached from the pulpit or we read it on our own at home.

Therefore, let’s resist all temptations as our forerunner did, Jesus Christ. For in him we have hope and eternal life by the mercy of God our Father. So fellow Christians, let’s crack open our bibles and start reading and: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB20)

• “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:9-12 RSV)

God bless you as you seek to do his well. Amen.

Note: The different bible versions used in this article are listed below to aid in your study of God’s word.

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.
• ASV = New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• CSB = Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.
• NASB95 = New American Standard Bible 1995 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.
  All rights reserved.
• LSB = Legacy Standard Bible. Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.or
• REV = The REV® (Revised English Version®) copyright © 2014 by Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, Inc. All rights reserved.

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To the Reader: So, who raised who? Did Jesus raise himself, or was it an act of God the Father? This article digs deep into the scriptures to help us find the answer to this question. So, I encourage you my brothers and sisters in Christ to always study the word of God for yourselves. This way we can put away any teachings that do not line up with scripture. So, let’s always follow the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit and not that which is of man. Therefore: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB20)

God’s love and mercy be with you all. Amen. 

“So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”.” (John 2:18-19 ESV)

Above is one of those passages that needs to be examined closely. For we must ask ourselves, did Jesus raise himself up? So, to find that answer we need examine what the scriptures have to say. First, we have the apostle Peter who said: “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:23-24 KJV) And further on he said: “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” (Acts 2:29-32 KJV)

So, according to those passages above, God the Father was the one who raised up Jesus. And let’s remember that Jesus himself was a prophet and spoke the words of God. For Moses himself declared this when he said: “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken” (Deuteronomy 18:15 KJV) So, when Jesus said: “I will raise it up,” wouldn’t he be simply prophesying what God the Father was going to do? And wouldn’t that be the fact that God the Father would raise him up from the dead? For we also read: “When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” (John 2:22 KJV) Yes, it says that they believed the scriptures. So, from what we already read, it was God the Father who raised up Jesus. 

• “The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.” (Matthew 17:22-23 KJV)

Below are some comments from others:

• New Tewstament scholar and historian, Larry Hurtado, examined the New Testament evidence and offers this observation: “So, Jesus’ resurrection is presented, not as Jesus’ act, but God’s… Actually, a survey of all the NT references to Jesus’ resurrection will confirm this pattern, in which it is posited as the crucial act of God, not the act of Jesus.” https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/november/died-larry-hurtado-new-testament-early-christian-worship.html
• I will put MY Words in his mouth. Deuteronomy 18:18; see Acts 2:22-26. This was a message from God the Father to these Jews. … And the Word having become flesh, God the Father speaks to these Jews by means of his Word, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” … And we find in the Gospel of John that Jesus tells us by what authority that he says the things he says and does the things he does. He came in the name of his Father and the Father abiding in him did the works (14:10). His words were not his own but the Father’s who sent him (14:24). … Jesus tells us many times in John's Gospel that he spoke the words of the Father. He kept his Father’s word (8:55) for eternal life. “For I did not speak from myself, but the Father Himself who sent me has given me commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.” John 12:50. The word Jesus had spoken at John 2:19 were the words of the Father. The Father’s word is “the word of life” (1 John 1:1) … Therefore, being the Father’s word, what then did you expect the Father to say when these men asked Jesus by what authority he had cleared the Temple? “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it.” up.” https://www.angelfire.com/space/thegospeltruth/TTD/verses/john2_19.html
• So what Jesus said was very unusual and cryptic, but thankfully there is a key in the context that shows that Jesus was not contradicting the clear teaching that God would raise him from the dead. Only a few verses after John 2:19, John 2:22 says that Jesus “was raised,” and the Greek verb is passive voice, indicating that someone [God!] raised Jesus and that he did not raise himself. The fact that Jesus’ statement in John 2:19 is followed closely by the statement that Jesus “was raised” shows us that the author of the Gospel of John did not think that Jesus was saying that he would raise himself from the dead. Furthermore, the Gospel of John continues teaching that Jesus “was raised,” as we see in John 21:14. … “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up” is that he was speaking directly for the Father. Jesus said in John 14:24, “the word that you are hearing is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.” So, Jesus could have been speaking the words of God the Father directly in the same way that often the prophets of old said, “Thus saith Yahweh,” and then spoke directly for God. We should note that when Jesus cleansed the Temple in Matthew and Mark, he quoted from Scripture: for example, in Matthew 21:13 and Mark 11:17 he quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. Furthermore, in the verses that Jesus quoted, Isaiah and Jeremiah were speaking in the first person for God. It is quite possible that Jesus, being the Son of God and a prophet, could have been speaking first person for God just as the prophets he quoted had done many years earlier. (Taken from the Revised English Version commentary)

Below are other Scriptures showing that it wasn't Jesus who raise himself from the dead, but God the Father who did it:

• “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:13-15 KJV)
• “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.” (Acts 5:30 KJV)
• “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.” (Acts 10:39-41 KJV)
• “And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.” (Acts 13:29-31 KJV)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9 KJV)
• “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:1-5 KJV)
• “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:17-20 KJV)
• “Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.” (1 Corinthians 15:15 KJV)
• “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 KJV)

Below are some scriptures showing that Jesus was a prophet as Moses foretold:

• “And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. ... But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” (Matthew 21:11, 46 KJV)
• “But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4 KJV)
• “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.” (Luke 7:16 KJV)
• “Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’” (Luke 13:33 ESV)
• “And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19 ESV)
• “Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.” (John 4:16-19 ESV)\“Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.” (John 6:14 KJV)
• “Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.” (John 7:40 KJV)
• “They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.” (John 9:17 KJV)
• “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” (Acts 3:22 KJV)
• “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.” (Acts 7:37 KJV)

“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:17-21 KJV)

So again, form all what was mentioned above, we can clearly see that Jesus did not resurrect himself. Instead he trusted that God would perform it. For as we read before: “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Acts 2:26-27 KJV) Therefore, let us trust the word of God and not any false teachings of man. So: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

God bless you as you seek to do his well. Amen

Note: The different bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist you in your study of God’s word:

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers.

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To the Reader: This article was written with the intent to show you the reader where Jesus was for those three days and nights after his crucifixion. For must not watered the suffering that he endured on our behalf. Therefore, let us look diligently into what the scriptures have to say about this very important subject. This way we can know the truth of the price that God the Father paid for us when he offered up his son Jesus Christ to take our sins upon himself.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB20)

May God bless you and keep you in his love. Amen.

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40 ESV)

In that passage above, Jesus was letting his followers know that his time inside the earth wasn’t going to be pleasant. And in order for us to know what it was like for him there, we need to see how it was for Jonah himself. “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” (Jonah 2:1-2 KJV) So, we can see that Jonah was experiencing “affliction” and quoted it as being in “the belly of hell.” And let’s remember that Jesus called Jonah a prophet, for he said: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet” (Matthew 12:39 ASV).

So again, Jesus in a round-about-way was letting his followers know that he is going to suffer in hell. We can see this to be true as well in the book of Hebrews where we read: “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10 KJV) So, we read that Jesus was making a plea to God that he would “save him from death” and that he “was heard in that he feared.”

Now, it’s obvious that this passage above had nothing to do with Christ’s physical death. For we know that he was crucified and put to death. Therefore, Jesus was asking that his soul would not be left in hell during those three days and nights. For Peter said: “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” (Acts 2:23-24 NKJV) So again, Jesus was “loosed” (saved) from “the pains of death.” So what pains are there in death other than the fires of hell itself?

So, after three days of torment, Jesus was release from those “pains of death.” And let’s remember what Peter said to the crowds. For while quoting the prophesy of King David, he said: “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ... He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” (Acts 2:25-28, 31-32 KJV) Yes, God released Jesus out of the torments of hell after he spent three days and night there. And let’s thank God the Father that he did.

“And being in hell, lifted up his eyes, he sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And calling he said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:23-24 KJ3)

Now, from the account of the rich man and Lazarus, we can clearly see that the rich man after his death was is a place of torment inside the earth called hell. But on the other hand, Lazarus and the rest of God’s departed saints were in a place of paradise. And let’s also take note that while looking upward from hell, the rich man saw Lazarus in the arms of Abraham and cried out for mercy. Now, some misinformed brothers and sisters in Christ claim that God’s departed saints are inside the earth in a place called Abraham’s Bosom. Supposedly, they say it was a great distance off from hell where those on both sides can see each other.

So, is this claim above really true? For wouldn’t this be like you sitting in a packed stadium and recognizing a famous radio host on the other side of the field, whom you never seen nor heard speak before. And then on top of that, being able to communicate to him as well? So instead, wouldn’t this be some vision from God just as it was for Stephen the martyr? For while looking up, Stephen saw Jesus standing next to God. Therefore, I believe that both of these visions were a supernatural events occurring for that moment in time. And as we already have read earlier, if this was a place of paradise inside the earth as some claim, why was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rejoicing that his soul was not left there? For again, wasn’t Abraham and all the rest of God’s saints there; some that would already have been there for a few hundred years or more? Something to pray about and consider my fellow believers.

For videos concerning Jesus in hell click the link below:

• Jesus Suffered in Hell
• Did Jesus Suffer in Hell?
• Jesus became Sin for Us

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

So, from all what has been said above, I hope you’re convinced that there is no place called Abraham bosom inside the earth. I say this because we don’t see this being supported by Jesus nor his early disciples. For according to what we already read above, hell is the only place we see inside the earth. And we know according to scripture; our Savior Jesus Christ went there on our behalf. This he did because of his great love us. And we also know that this was the Fathers will for him, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17 KJV)

Now you may be asking, where is Abraham and all the saints of God? Well, what did that scripture say above? Didn’t it say “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses”? So, it sounds more like we’re surrounded by them and they’re quite alive as well, wouldn’t you agree? Also, let’s take note to what Jesus said while reminding the people who God is: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32 KJV) Yes, those who have died in faith are alive in the realm of the departed saints. But on the other hand, those who have died in their sins are alive as well in a place of torment called hell.

Other Scriptures to consider:

• “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:38-39 KJV) Note:  Yes, the thought of being beaten, whipped and then nailed to a cross could cause Jesus great agony. However, would this cause Jesus to go through all the stress he went through in Gethsemane? Or, would it be the dread of spending three days and night in hell?
• “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:41-44 KJV) Note: As said above, I believe that this stress wouldn’t be about his earthly death he must go through, but concerning the three days and nights in hell which he must endure on our behalf.
• So, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s consider how much Jesus suffered for us. For he took upon himself the agony of beatings, whippings and then being nailed to a cross. But not only that, our Savior Jesus Christ endured the torments of hell as well on our behalf. For “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 KJV)

God bless you as you seek to do his well. Amen.

Note: The different bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist you in your study of God's word:

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ASV = New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserve
• KJ3 = The KJ3 Literal Translation bible. Copyright © 2010 by Mary v. Green, Lafayette, Indiana 47903, U.S.A., All Rights Reserved.

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV)

Our gathering for communion should be a time to reflect on the price that has been paid for our sins. For we first see this happening during a Passover observant which Jesus held: “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19 KJV) So, Jesus said: “this do in remembrance of me.” Next, we read: “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28 KJV)

Now, during communion, we may hear some well-meaning Church leader declare that we must first examine ourselves for any sin in our lives before partaking of the bread and wine.

But is that what Jesus said and meant? Well, according to what we already read above, he said: “this do in remembrance of me.” So, why do some say that we must examine ourselves first for any sin? Well, it’s because they are taking the words of the apostle Paul out of context? For Paul first said: ““Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.” (1 Corinthians 11:20-21 NKJV) So, we see that they were treating this as some common ordinary meal. However, down a few verses Paul makes it clear what this meal should be all about, for he says: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26 RSV)

Yes, brothers and sisters in Christ, this meal is to be all about the life and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27 NASB95)

Wow, that’s a stern warning for us who partake of the Lord’s supper. So, what is this “unworthy manner” that Paul is talking about in that passage above? Well, let’s continue reading to find out. For he goes on to say: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29 KJV) Well, there you go. The unworthy manner is not some unconfessed sin in our lives. For the unworthy manner is not properly discerning that this meal is all about the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And, “That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” (1 Corinthians 11:30 ESV) So, brothers and sisters in Christ; we can see how important it is to take this meal seriously.

Therefore, we should stop teaching this false doctrine of unconfessed sin. I say this because there may be some unconfessed sin that comes to mind during or even after we have partaken. And because of this false teaching, one could feel guilty and thus end up feeling condemned. For let’s face it, if this really was about unconfessed sin, would any of us be able to partake of communion? So please, let’s keep things in context and not add unbiblical teachings that can wound one’s conscience. God help us all, amen.

• “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.” (John 6:54-58 KJV)

God bless you as you seek to do his will. Amen

Note: The different bible versions used in this article are listed below to aid you in your study of God’s word:

• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• NASB95 = New American Standard Bible 1995 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserve
• RSV = The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

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“When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!’” (John 2:9-10 NET)

Drinking wine is one of those topics that has been so misunderstood by sincere brothers and sisters in Christ. For there are some who believe that Jesus made ordinary grape juice at the wedding in Cana. And on the other hand, others say Jesus not only made fermented wine, but drank it as well. So, can we really find any truth in all this? Are there any passages in our bibles that can put this debate to rest? Well, let’s dive into God’s word and find out.

So, for starters, let look at John’s gospel above where Jesus saved a wedding that was about to go sour. For part way through the wedding that he, his mother Mary as well as his disciples were attending; they ended up running out of wine. And when Mary got Jesus involved, he ended up making wine from plain old water. And what happened next? Well, we read above that the head steward said the wine that Jesus made was “good wine.” And not only that, but he admitted that the “good wine” is one that can get the guests drunk as well. I say this because the Greek word for drunk in that passage above is “methyo,” which means “intoxication.” Therefore, we should all be able to conclude that Jesus did make fermented wine?

Now, let’s look at another passage that may help clear up this wine debate. “Now when you come together at the same place, you are not really eating the Lord’s Supper. For when it is time to eat, everyone proceeds with his own supper. One is hungry and another becomes drunk. Do you not have houses so that you can eat and drink? Or are you trying to show contempt for the church of God by shaming those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this!” (1 Corinthians 11:20-22 NET) So again, we see the Greek word "methyo" being used for drunkenness as before.

Therefore, shouldn’t this stop the mouths of those who say Jesus made plain old grape juice. Also, it should show that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not wrong? For not only do we have Jesus himself making fermented wine, but we see it being served not only during communion, but at the Passover as well. For we read: “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”.” (Matthew 26:27-28 NIV)

“And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:” (Ephesians 5:18 CSB)

Now, that being said, we must admit that getting drunk is a sin according to scripture. And if it’s abused to the point of one being a drunkard, it can harm that person’s relationship with God. (1Corinthians 6:9-10) However, that doesn’t mean that you throw the baby out with the bathwater. Therefore, we shouldn’t demonize something just because there are those that abuse it. Anything can be abused my brothers and sisters in Christ. Sex can be abused. So, does that mean everybody should become celibate? Or, should we stop eating because we may accidently overeat and thus be viewed as a gluten? No, of course not. So, why should we treat drinking wine differently? For the key to all this my fellow Christians is moderation.

So then, enjoying a glass of wine or some other alcoholic beverage is not a sin as long as you refrain from getting intoxicated. And let’s remember that Jesus himself said: “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:18-19 ESV) So, they were falsely accusing Jesus of getting drunk. But that being said, doesn’t this also show us that he did drink fermented wine while hanging out with sinners? For why else would they accuse him of this?

This all being said, we see that there are those who do drink wine and there are those who refrain from drinking wine. Therefore, those who choose not to drink shouldn’t condemn nor look down on those who do. Also, those who do drink wine shouldn’t pressure anyone to take a drink. And let’s take note to what Paul the apostle said: “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ... So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” (Romans 14:13-14, 22 NIV)

Below are some Benefits of Wine:

• “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. (Psalm 104:14-15 ESV)
• “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. (1 Timothy 5:23 NKJV)

Below are the Issues of drinking Wine:

• Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!” (Isaiah 5:11 ESV)
• “Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things. You’ll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship’s mast. “They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn’t know it! When will I wake up? I’ll look for another drink.” (Proverbs 23:31-35 CSB) 

Bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist you in your study of God's Word:

• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• NKJV = New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
• CSB = Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.
• NET = The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible® Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
• NIV = THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

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