Concerning Our Lord

To the Reader: This article touches on views that were debated not only by the early church, but by today’s churches as well. And one of those views was concerning person and 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 on you own. For we shouldn’t take everything we hear as facts. This would be true whether it’s coming from the pulpit, or from articles such as this one. Therefore, I encourage you to: “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. Amen.

May God’s grace be poured out upon you. 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)

So, did Jesus really break the sabbath? Also, did Jesus really claimed to be equal to God the Father while being in the flesh? Well, to answer these two questions, we must see what other passages have to say. First, let’s 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 saying that God is his Father? Well, didn’t Jesus say: “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 pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 NKJV).

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)

“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)

Now, in that passage above, isn’t Jesus clearly admitting that the God the Father is greater than he is? 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 concerning his humanity, “he also himself likewise took part of the same.”

And finally, let’s take heed to what Jesus himself 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 John the apostle said: “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and what God was the word was;” (John 1:1 REV). We should also know that this “Word” became flesh and blood just like us as the man Christ Jesus. Therefore, being fully human like us, Jesus rightly declared that God the Father is the only true God. We can see John the apostle pointing this out later on 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, shouldn’t all agree that both “him who is true” as well as “the true God” are referring to God the Father himself?

Now, 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, 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? (see John 10:33) 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, my brothers and sisters in Christ: “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)

“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. In it was life, and that life was the light of humankind. And the light shines in the darkness, but the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 REV)

Now that all being said, we shouldn’t be viewing Jesus as some ordinary prophet that came and went. For he was the “Logas” (the Word) which became flesh and blood like us. Yes, he is the only begotten Son of God who 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) Yes, that is true, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:16-18 KJV)

• 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)

Below are some other scriptures showing that Jesus was completely human like us. 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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 ESV)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• “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)
• John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6 ESV)
• '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: The bible versions used in this article have been listed below to assist in your study of God’s word)

• ESV = English Standard Version
• KJV = King James Version
• NIV = NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible, 2020 edition
• NASB95 = New American Standard Bible, 1995 edition
• REV = Revised English Version
• ASV = American Standard Version
• NET = New English Translation
• NKJV = New King James Version

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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 we must not water-down 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 price that God the Father paid for us when he offered up his son Jesus Christ. For: “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)

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, wouldn’t Jesus be 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 then, after three days and nights 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 (raised up) Jesus out of the torments of hell after he spent three days and night there. And let’s thank God the Father for that.

“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 was is a place of torment after his death. 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 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. And therefore, the “rich man” was able to communicate with Abraham.

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? And wouldn’t they have been there for a few hundred years or more? Something to pray about and consider my fellow believers and sisters in Christ. 

For videos concerning Jesus in hell click the link below:

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

Now, some may say, didn't Jesus say: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV) Well, only if you believe those translations that say that. However, there are some other translations 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 is a man named E. W. Bullinger, a commentator of the Companion Bible who 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 take heed to what I’m about to tell you right now. And that would be the assurance that they will be together at some point 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 more translations that chose to place the comma after the word today:

• The Concordant Literal New Testament reads – “Verily, to you am I saying today, with me shall you be in paradise.”
• The Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible reads – “Verily I say unto thee this day: with me shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
• 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”.”
• The Revised English Version reads – “And he said to him, ‘Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in the Paradise’.”
• The Cepher Translation reads - "And Yahusha said unto him: So be it I say unto you today, you shall be with me in paradise."

“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 convinced (and I hope that you are as well) 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 for us. And we also know that this was the Fathers will. “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) So then, wouldn’t those who have died in faith be alive in the realm of the departed saints? But on the other hand, wouldn’t those who have died in their sins are alive as well in a place of torment called hell? I do believe so my fellow Christians.

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 dreadful thought 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 = King James Version
• ASV = American Standard Version
• ESV = English Standard Version
• NKJV = New King James Version
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible, 2020 edition
• KJ3 = The KJ3 Literal Translation bible

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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 then, let’s always follow the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit. 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)

May 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 Peter 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 which we know would be the Old Testament. I say this because there was no new testament compiled at this time.

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 honor, 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)

Below are some comments from others:

• New Testament 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.” Taken from: christianitytoday.com article concerning Larry Hurtado New Testament early Christian worship.
• 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.” (Taken from the angilefire.com that is no longer there)
• 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)

“Therefore, the Father is loving Me, seeing that I’m laying down My soul that I may be getting it again. No one is taking it away from Me, but I am laying it down of Myself. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to get it again. This precept I got from My Father.” (John 10:18 CLNT)

Now, some argue that this passage above is showing that Jesus raised himself. However, according to the scriptures, we should know that this is not true. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that most bibles use the word “power” instead of the word “right” or “authority” as we seen in that passage above. This they do ignoring the many passages that clearly show that God himself is the one who raised Jesus from the dead. And the reason God could raise him up is because Jesus lived a sin free life. Therefore, wouldn't Jesus have the right to receive his life back again as we read above?

Below are some more Scriptures showing that it was God the Father who raised Jesus out of hell:

• “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)
• “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ... This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” (Acts 2:24, 32 KJV)
• “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)
• “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” (Acts 4:10 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 sepulcher. 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)
• “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” (1 Corinthians 6:14 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)
• “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)
• “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12 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)

“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 him. 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 those well-meaning brothers and sisters in Christ. So again: “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 = King James Version
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible, 2020 edition
• ESV = English Standard Version
• CLNT = Concordant Literal New Testament

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