Did You Read the Fine Print?

The American congress passes many bills. These bills are often hundreds or thousands of pages long. Imagine how long it takes them to read through each word to make certain they are not committing Americans to something that will be harmful to the country. Unfortunately, when imagination meets reality there is a sharp cliff. Consider the Health Care Reform Bill which the 111th congress passed. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House at the time, stated: “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it”. Evidently, a whole lot of congressmen took this to mean them as well, for few read the approx. 2,000 page bill. Later, as mature, responsible citizens read the bill which had become law, they were appalled. Aspects of commitment required by Americans which were not previously known were uncovered. How did they discover these requirements of the new law? They read the “ fine print ”.

Esau is a well known man of the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and had a twin brother Jacob. Esau was the firstborn of Isaac and therefore he had the “birthright”. The birthright entitled him to be the primary heir to the inheritance of the household of Isaac. It entitled him to a blessing to be given by his father later in life. It had great meaning because it established him as the physical and spiritual leader of the family when his father passed on. As a young man, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of food. “Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34). He didn’t regard the significance or importance of it. He didn’t care about it. Essentially, he didn’t read the “ fine print ”. For this disdainful act, Esau is remembered in scripture.

At a later period of history recorded by the Bible (Judges 11), there was a man by the name of Jephthah who was a great warrior. He made a vow to the Lord stating that if God would enable him success over the Ammonites, he would offer up a sacrifice to God. That sounds just dandy, until you read the fine print. He further stated his sacrifice would be the first thing that came out of the door of his home to meet him after the battle. When Jephthah returned home successful from battle, his only child came out to meet him. Jephthah was completely distressed. Why? Did he not read the “ fine print ”? Did he not really consider what he had agreed to do? The truth is no, though he did live up to his vow.

The “ fine print ” is something a great number of people did not consider as they purchased online games from GameStation. Gamestation as part of an “April Fool’s Day” promotion in 2010 added an “immortal soul clause” to its End User Legal Agreement (EULA). Essentially, by purchasing the game and agreeing to the EULA the purchaser gave Gamestation the right to their soul. The company estimated some 88% of the people did not read the agreement. Those that actually read the “ fine print ” and rejected the agreement received a financial prize (http://www.foxnews.com/…opinionPrint).

Consider how many people enter agreements like this where they do not earnestly consider the consequences. Folks do it all the time in regard to electronic media. They are so used to seeing such agreements that they don’t read them anymore, they throw them away, or just click yes to them. The truth is man does the same thing with many of his actions. He operates as if there will be no repercussions to what he says or does. Man often approaches God in the same manner. They see His Will and commandments as a EULA which cannot or will not be enforced.

In the Biblical passage Luke 14:25-33, Jesus is recorded telling the people following him to consider the cost, the “ fine print ”. He explains to them that there is a strong commitment needed. It is a commitment that rises above family, friends, and even a person’s own life. Essentially, when a person commits to Christ, they give their life up to him. Their actions must conform to what he desires, no longer what they desire. There is no commitment greater. Not even a commitment to an employer, spouse, or government is greater. Consequently, consider the words of the Apostle Peter:

1 Peter 4:3-5 – “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Peter was reaffirming to the Christians their commitment to Christ. He pointed out they were living according to the “ fine print ” of salvation (Matthew 7:24-25), but there were folks of the world (Gentiles) who did not understand why the Christians would enter into such an agreement. Folks of the world often wonder why Christians will not engage in the “blessings” of worldly pleasure. The truth is, the people of the world were/are not paying attention to the portion of the agreement which all men are given opportunity to understand (Matthew 7:26-27, 2 Peter 3:9). The Christians believe this “ fine print ” and live accordingly.

For a further look at the “ fine print ” of commitment given by God, all men are encouraged to pick up their Bibles and read from beginning to end. However, as a beginning to understanding the fundamental changes in an individual’s life that God requires, the reader is encouraged to read the book of I Peter, found in the New Testament portion of the Bible. By reading the “ fine print ” and adhering to what is required of all men, there will be no surprises, no astounding shocks, but rather an understanding of the impact adherence or non-adherence to God’s law will bring.

Hebrews 5:9 – “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

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Bible Canon Corrupt?

Has the Canon of Scripture Been Corrupted?

Thanks to the efforts of men like Brad Harrub PhD., who warmly embrace demonstrating science as perfectly validating the Bible, my son has developed an energetic desire to study science.  Science has many men of great learning.  However, many scientists today promote theories, such as evolution, which fly in the face of already established scientific laws.  Because of such error, the theories ought to be rejected, even though men of great title or reputation believe in them.  Scientific laws are identified as laws because they do not falter, they are always true.  Many people hold the Bible to be an unfaltering law unto their lives.   They hold the Bible to be truth, not fiction.  The Bible is rejected as law by some based on claims of man’s supposed corruption of its origin, collection, preservation, and completion.  Do such claims have any validity?

The Bible is very specific regarding its origin.  The passage 2 Timothy 3:16 reads:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

In its original Koine Greek, “by inspiration of God” literally means “God breathed”. Furthermore, 2 Peter 1:20-21 states:

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

None of the writers (approximately 40 men over approximately 1500 years) claimed the words to be of their own origin, but singularly of God.  As a whole, scripture demonstrates the Bible’s claim that God is responsible for the origin of scripture, not men.  These verses do not, however, demonstrate whether or not the scriptures are infallible.  More of the Bible must be considered.  Deuteronomy 32:4 and I John 1:5-8 establish God does not sin.  Titus 1:2 states “God cannot lie”.  Psalm 18:30 and 19:7 declare what God does is perfect.  John 17:17 proclaims “[God’s] word is truth”.  Examining the scriptures presented thus far, the individual must conclude that if the Bible’s origin is from God, then at its beginning it was perfect and, therefore, infallible.  If it is found with fault, then it cannot be from the God of the Bible and must be rejected.

Now that an origin has been established, the question of the collection of the scriptures must be raised.  Many of those who are ignorant in the scriptures have proclaimed them to have been gathered together, centuries after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  They declare that the scriptures are a product of councils of the Roman Catholic Church.  While Jesus was upon the earth he declared:

“These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44).

Jesus’ Words are verification that the Old Testament scriptures of the time were known by Him.  As Messiah of the world and Deity, He did not raise a single word against the recognized canon of scriptures of that time.  Manuscripts for the 39 books of the Old Testament canon have been found dating prior to Jesus.  Moreover, lists of all 27 books of the Bible have an earlier dating in the 3rd century.  All New Testament manuscripts have also been found dating long before any so called canonization of the Roman Catholic Church in the 4th century.  It is quite apparent that the collection of the Bible canon was not conceived by an official body of men, but a collection of the body of the Churches of Christ handed down by the prophets and apostles. In fact, the writings of the post apostolic fathers practically quote all of New Testament scripture on their own long before the arrival of Catholicism.

Some may question, “what about the apocryphal books”?  Beyond the 66 books of the current canon of scripture which agree one with the other, the apocrypha have been rejected widely for discrepancy with the Bible, including errors in history, geography, self-professed lack of inspiration, writing style, and a host of other reasons.  They simply cannot stand the “proofing” which is required to be “law” and therefore absolute truth.  Man tried to push his way into the canon, but man cannot know the thoughts of God, save God providing the knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:11).  God is not a God of Chaos (I Corinthians 14:33).  He declares men understand His Word (Ephesians 3:4), but how could men understand the Word of God if it were not presented complete?  God has provided all that is needed for life and Godliness according to the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2-3).  The gospel was taught in complete (Acts 20:27) and it was proclaimed throughout all creation (Colossians 1:23).  God’s Word will not be destroyed (Isaiah 40:8).  The folks of the early centuries were quite prepared to defend and “proof” the truth as they received it from the apostles and indeed they embraced the canon as delivered.  If the current collection of the canon of God isn’t found lacking in instruction or in error, it cannot be rejected.

Due to the age of the gospel, concern has been expressed over its preservation.  Since the formation of the original manuscripts, have the scriptures become corrupt?  Is the truth there, but buried in widespread copying errors?  What about the multiple translations and versions of the Bible, are they not proof of discrepancy?  How can anyone know what is truth with such variance?

Certainly there are a great deal of translations and versions of the Bible.  The wide majority of the world’s population has a translation or version of the Bible written in their primary language, but not all these writings are equal or sound.  A vast sea of dynamic and paraphrase Bibles has corrupted feeble, undisciplined minds.  Not even the more sound literal translations should be accepted without a critical eye.  The blessing that safeguards these issues is the ability of man to go directly to the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek) and verify the words and reading of the text.  But the critic declares these manuscripts are not the original text.  They are only manuscript copies.  How can they be viewed as accurate preservations of the gospel message?

In regard to the Old Testament, due to the testimony of Jesus, if the Bible is true, there is no reason to doubt the manuscripts of His time.  There are not a large number of Old Testament manuscripts in existence.  The reason for this situation is directly tied to the practice of the Jews destroying the manuscripts if an error was made in the creation of them.  Therefore, up to recent times, the only copy man had of the Old Testament was the Masoretic Texts of 980 AD.  However, with the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls, text dating from before the life of Christ substantiated the validity of the Masoretic text.  The manuscripts were almost completely identical and the differences were found not to be doctrinal but penmanship or spelling errors.  Further substantiation of the Old Testament is made with the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, made in the 3rd century B.C.), the Talmud, Targum, and other minor manuscripts.  Thus, the Old Testament text man has today can safely be trusted to be that of the time of Jesus.

In regard to the New Testament, for verification of its preservation, there exists over 5000 Greek manuscripts.  In other languages there are over 4000 additional manuscripts verifying the New Testament.  Yet, the validation does not end there.  Outside manuscripts including quotations of the New Testament are in the tens of thousands.  Because of the mass amount of data, scientifically speaking, the probability of missing or inaccurate text is essentially non-existent.  The greatest harm today being done to the text of the Bible is the creation of non word-for-word texts (literal) which cause confusion about the doctrinal message of scripture.  However, the original text of the Bible is certainly preserved, widely available, and provable.  If it were not an accurate preservation, all that man would need to do is demonstrate where the Bible is incomplete or in error, and then of necessity it would have to be rejected.

The final examination of this article will focus on the completion of inspired scripture.  Has God provided additional revelation beyond the time frame of the Old and New Testaments resulting in an incomplete Bible?  Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles provided what man currently has in the form of the Bible through the inspiration of God.  However, Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah’s witnesses, Charismatics, and others believe that God still directly interacts with man providing further information for their lives.  If revelation continues today, then the scriptures are not complete, the Bible is not all that is needed for life and Godliness, and the Bible is not perfect or true.

Looking at the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out as Joel and the prophet Isaiah had prophecied.  The miraculous was given to men.  The Apostles from that point on had the ability to lay hands on others to impart the miraculous (Acts 19:1-6).  However, the miraculous could not be passed on by others (8:14-19). Consequently, it is logical to conclude that the miraculous would die out with the last person living who the apostles had laid hands upon.  At the latest miracles would last until the second century.  There would be no more revelation or prophecy.

Further examining the claims of continued revelation, the words of the apostle Paul must be read.  In I Corinthians 13:8-13, he speaks the following inspired words:

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

In these verses there are unmistakable statements that the miraculous will end.  Tied to this understanding is the maturity of man.  Also noted is the coming of the “perfect” which is not immediately understandable from the given verses.  However, it can be observed that the coming of the “perfect” is what brings about the end of the miraculous and results in the maturity of man.  Finally, note that through all of this, love abides.

To bring further light on the time frame and the text, consider Ephesians 4:8-16.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

In this passage, Jesus is pictured as having ascended from earth to heaven.  With Him, he took away the captivity of sin from man.  Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and as mentioned, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost.  However, the Ephesians text as well as the Corinthian text mentions the end of the miraculous.  The end would come with the unity of the faith and the knowledge of Jesus by which man could be “perfect”.  The perfection would eliminate man from ignorantly following sin.  Jude 3 speaks of the “Faith once delivered”.  The faith is the gospel.  The faith is the knowledge of Jesus which provided everything necessary for life and Godliness in 2 Peter 1:2-3.  The Gospel is called the perfect law of liberty in James 1:25.  I Peter 2:2 establishes that the Gospel enables growth to maturity which was mentioned in both I Corinthians and Ephesians 4.  2 Timothy 3:16-17, speaking of the “God Breathed” scriptures, also states the application of the Faith produces men who are “perfect”.  They become complete, mature, as the Word of God is.  When this occurs, the end result is as stated in I Corinthians 13 – Love.

We are able to deduce from Ephesians 4 and the supporting passages that the term “perfect” is the full presentation of the Bible.  The “perfect” has come.  That full presentation of scripture came once the writing and confirmation of the book of Revelation was written.  With it, man no longer needed the miraculous.  Man no longer needed revelation.  Man no longer needed the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. In his hands was the ability to know the Son of God such that he would no longer stumble as a child.

Modern claims of revelation and inspiration have only resulted in two things:  restating what scripture already has said or contradicting what scripture has said.  If it is simply a restatement, it is not the miraculous.  If it is contradiction, it is not truth and therefore must be rejected.

Understanding the origin, collection, preservation, and completion of scripture is vitally important for those who would seek to trust the Bible.  It is either all man needs to be complete or it must be rejected.  The Bible has stood the test of ages.  It has been proven over and over.  It has been tried scientifically, historically, geographically, morally, and still it rings true every time.  This is why Christians hold it as a “law” for their life.  It is the “faith once delivered” which stands on its own, guiding men in the path of righteousness.

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The Deity of Christ

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15) (1)

The question of the Deity of Christ is debated by many. The atheist denies the existence of God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim Christ was a created being. The Mormon believes Christ was a man who became a god. Muslims declare Christ was simply a prophet of Allah. The answer does not rely upon the decision of any individual or group. Jesus is either Deity or He is not based upon fact. Most Christians believe Jesus is Deity based upon the belief the Bible is a God-breathed, inerrant, word for word record by which God wants man to pattern his life. It is therefore the final authority of examination for all answers man derives (2 Peter 1:2-3). In a nutshell, the Word of God is truth and if any conclusion contradicts the Word, the conclusion must be in error (John 17:17). Before and after the appearance of Jesus, man looked to the scriptures, now completely revealed, to affirm the Deity of the Messiah. By the lifetime of Christ, the world had the Old Testament in complete, affirmed by Christ, and the prophets to examine any claim of Deity. By the end of the first century, man also had the complete New Testament of the Bible to examine any claims of Deity, during the formation of which the apostles and prophets affirmed the scriptures. Since the Bible is declared the source for the claims of Deity, whether one believes in the inerrancy of the Bible or not, verification the Bible makes the claim of Deity for Christ must be accomplished.

The contemplation of Christ as Deity must be broken up into two separate questions: First – Is Jesus Deity? Second – Is Jesus God? For some, this question means the same thing. For others, it does not. They declare Jesus is a god, but not God; He is just the son of God, a demigod, but not equal to the eternal God of all. The concept of a triune or “trinity” God is rejected by some because this would in their mind mean that there are three Gods and not one God. Since this article will not examine in depth the “trinity” or Godhead, it must be understood that this author believes the Father (John 20:17, I Corinthians 8:6, Galatians 1:1, Philippians 2:11), Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4, 2 Cor. 3:17-18, Mat. 28:19), and Jesus the Son are one God in total. They are three individual entities of the Godhead. To illustrate, consider an army. An army from the Commander in Chief all the way down to the private is still one army, but many parts. Also consider the marriage which is composed of two separate parts, a man and a woman. Together they are not marriages, but a singular marriage. Finally, consider the Church as a singular body consisting of many members making up its whole (Romans 1:16, Galatians 3:8, I Corinthians 12:12-27). In all of these cases, there are different responsibilities, but this does not divide their singular makeup. Jesus declares about God: “…Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” (Mark 12:29). If it is concluded that Jesus is Deity, then it should be clear to see that Jesus is also God.

Deity is defined by the Collins English Dictionary as: “1. a god or goddess 2. the state of being divine; godhead 3. the rank, status, or position of a god 4. the nature or character of God”. (2) In order to determine that Jesus is Deity and therefore God, the definition of Deity must apply to Him.

John the immerser speaks in John 1:40 and the following occurred: “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” Who is this Messiah or Christ they were looking to find? Knowledge of the coming Messiah dated back to the Old Testament. God promised Abraham that through his descendant (singular referencing the Messiah) all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, Genesis 22:18). Isaiah said He would be one referred to as “with us is God” and be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). He also said this Messiah would be named “mighty God” and “eternal Father” (Isaiah 9:6). Micah 5:2 establishes this Messiah would be born in Bethlehem though his existence was from always or everlasting. This establishes that the Messiah to come would be God for the Lord said this about himself in Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.” If the Messiah were from everlasting, then it means he could not come after God. He must, therefore, be God. Taken with the other Old Testament verses, this is quite obvious and confirms Christ’s Deity.

From the introductory scripture of Matthew 16:13-15, Christ asked his disciples who they believed He was. Peter’s answer was that Jesus was “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”. The retort by skeptics of Christ as God is in part made from this verse. Christ is only the son and not God establishes the accusation. However, putting aside for the moment the claim Christ is not God, the phrase “Son of God” needs to be understood. For ages leading up to and beyond the time of Christ, the phrase “son of God” has been applied to leaders of nations and others thought to have divine nature. It applied to the genuine belief the individual being spoken about was Deity. This phrase was even seen during the times of Daniel when the fourth image was seen with Daniel and his friends in the fiery pit. Nebuchadnezzar then used the phrase, “son of the gods” in reference to Deity in Daniel 3:25. This was some 500 years before the time of Christ.

The Jews of Jesus time had a very clear understanding of what it meant to claim to be the “Son of God”. In Matthew 26:63-65, Jesus is before the Sanhedrin, the spiritual leadership of the Jews. Jesus is asked if He is “the Christ, the Son of God”. His reply, declaring that He would come in the clouds of heaven and they would see Him, leads the Sanhedrin to declare that Christ has blasphemed. It is not perfectly clear, initially, upon what they base the claim of blasphemy. Is it the affirmation that He is the Son of God? Or the declaration He would come from heaven? Or perhaps the idea He would be coming in judgment (God Judges – Ecclesiastes 12:14)? What aids in making this situation clearer is the passage found in John 10:22-39. The Jews gathered in Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Dedication. They asked Jesus to tell them clearly if He was the Christ. He tells them that He has told them before and the works He does should identify who He is. Jesus further tells them that He gives eternal life and He and the Father are one. There are those today who believe the statement that Christ was one with the Father means they both have righteous purposes. However, that is not at all what the Jews understood. They state: “You being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” Jesus responds by pointing out God has referred to them as gods (judges with divine authority – Psalms 82) who were to impart and uphold the commands of God. Being in that position, they were accusing Jesus of blaspheming by saying that He was the Son of God. Remember, they equated the phrase “the Son of God” with being God from their own words in this text. Jesus asks them with their understanding of the Law of God, if they were making the charge because His works were contrary to the Law. Of course, His works were not contrary. He further bolsters his case of being God (Son of God) by pointing out the miraculous works which confirmed He was who He said He was. It should be noted in neither Matthew nor John did Jesus deny His Deity, but rather affirmed it in both situations. The Son of God references Deity.

How can Jesus claim to be the son of man and Son of God and not be a demigod? A demigod is part mortal and part God. If Jesus was part both, why is He not considered a demi-god? Christ was indeed flesh. He was born of a virgin as prophesied (Matthew 1:18-25). He was born a descendant of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3). He was a descendant of Abraham according to the flesh (Acts 2:29-32). By the flesh, Jesus suffered for mankind (I Peter 4:1). In His flesh and blood, He was crucified and put away the Law of Moses through fulfillment (Ephesians 2:13-16, Colossians 1:22). In His flesh and blood, He died as all men die (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus was resurrected in His flesh and appeared to the disciples and ate with them (Luke 24:36-43). It is the flesh and blood of Jesus which man remembers in the partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29). Jesus was 100% flesh. He was not partly flesh. Jesus was not born from Heaven. Jesus was sent from Heaven (Matthew 21:37, John 3:16, 5:23, 6:39, 10:36, 14:24). He was the begotten of God (John 1:14, 3:16, 3:18, I John 4:9). The term begotten used in reference to Christ means “single or one of its kind” according to Thayer’s Greek Definitions. Colossians 2:9 says of Jesus, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form”. This certainly would explain Jesus being the begotten of God. God took the form of man and His name was Jesus. As established by “all” and “fullness”, it was not “part” of God in the form of Jesus. It must be understood Christ is the “only” of God because He was 100% Deity. Jesus was not part man, part God, and thus, a demi-god. Jesus equals God.

To say Jesus is equal to God must be demonstrated through the use of scripture. It has already been established the Jews understood Jesus was claiming to be equal to God (John 5:18) and He backed this claim with the power of God. Paul further affirms this fact by his inspired words in Philippians 2:5-7, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” This verse establishes Jesus was in the form of God. The word “form” refers to his image, nature, makeup, and essence. “Form” doesn’t mean just “personality” or righteous attributes here. Jesus was God in heaven and therefore being God it was not an issue to be considered equal to God. When Jesus was sent to man, He completely assumed the role of servant and put on the image of man, being flesh. Though, He took the more humble form of man, He did not give up his Deity.

When attempting to discern if there is a difference in the nature of God and Jesus, the process is relatively simple. Identify the unique attributes of God and if Jesus does not have these attributes, then he cannot be God. When the Jews identified Jesus’ claim as having equality with God, Jesus laid out a number of attributes showing it was so. In John 5:9-24, He mentions that whatever the Father could do, He could do. He could raise the dead, judge all men, receive the same honor, and give eternal life. At the end of the passage, Jesus again mentions the miracles witnessed His words as true. Further attributes to be noted: Jesus could forgive sins (Mark 2:5). Jesus knew the hearts and minds of men (Matthew 9:4, John 2:24-25). God has no sin (I John 1:5), Jesus did not sin (I Peter 2:21-22). Jesus accepted worship of man (Matthew 28:9), while stating such was for God alone (Matthew 4:10). Jesus is omnipresent (Matthew 18:20). God is everlasting (Psalm 90:2) and Jesus is everlasting (Hebrews 1:8). By examination of attributes alone, Jesus can be seen to be God.

The Hebrews 1:8 scripture not only proclaims Jesus as everlasting, but even more astounding is the knowledge the words spoken there are by God and He calls Jesus “God”. This is not the only place in scripture Jesus is identified as God. Jesus established himself as existing before Abraham and identified Himself as “I AM” the same way God did to Moses (John 8:58-59, Exodus 3:13-15). Following Jesus’ crucifixion, the apostle Thomas said he would not believe Jesus had risen until he personally could “see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side,” John 20:24-28 records those comments and the moment Thomas saw Him and then and there declared to Jesus “My Lord and my God”. Jesus did not rebuke him, but affirms his belief. I Timothy 3:16 speaking of Jesus Christ, proclaims God appeared in the flesh. Romans 9:5 announces Jesus as God overall all. Titus 2:13 speaks of the return of Christ calling Him God and Savior. One verse is all that is needed to validate Jesus as God, but there are numerous examples in scripture.

Another identification of Jesus Christ in scripture is by the Greek term “logos” or simply “Word”. The first 18 verses of the first chapter of the book of John go a long way to understanding Jesus relationship to Deity by using the term “logos”. John 1:1 establishes three things: 1) The Word was in the beginning, 2) the Word was with God, and 3) the Word was God. The evidence the Word is Jesus dominates the full text. Verse 4: The Word was life – Jesus is the life (John 14:6). The Word was the light – Jesus is the light (John 8:12). Verse 7: John came to bear witness of the light – John bore witness of Jesus (John 1:29-30) [Note: John says in this text Jesus existed before him, yet, Jesus was six months younger… see Luke 1:35-36… this points again to the Deity of Christ.]. Verse 10 – The Word was in the world – Jesus was sent into the world (John 3:16). Verse 14: The Word became flesh – Jesus became flesh (Romans 1:3). The Word was the begotten of God – Jesus was the begotten of God (Acts 13:33). There are many more proofs within the John 1 text which demonstrate Jesus was God, but from these samples it is clear the statement is true. The New World Translation attempts to say Jesus was “a” god, however, it does so in attempt to try to prove Christ as simply a glorified man. This is a twisted doctrine which ignores the Greek language and even contradicts its own application of the grammar in question. This belief is brought up now in light of all the evidence thus far seen regarding Christ’s Deity. A deep analysis in the Greek is not needed when it is clear such a twisting of scripture would contradict the Bible presentation of Christ extensively.

The final examination of the Deity of Christ must be taken from the Church of God. This is a phrase which the apostle Paul used with the Churches in Ephesus, Corinth, Galatia, and Thessalonica (Acts 20:28, I Corinthians 1:2, 10:32, 11:16, 22, 15:9, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:13, I Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Thessalonians 1:4). Additionally, he referred to the Church of God in his first letter to Timothy (I Timothy 3:5, 15). It is seen that God added the saved to His Church in Acts 2:47. If it is God’s church, should He not be the head of it? Ephesians 5:23 says Christ is the head of the Church and Savior of it. The Church is also sanctified by Christ (I Corinthians 1:2, Ephesisans 5:26). The Church is presented to Christ by Himself (Ephesians 5:27). How could He present something to Himself which is not His in the first place? The Church is described as His body in Colossians 1:24 by the apostle Paul. He used the term Church of God many times, yet uses the synonymous phrase “Churches of Christ” in Romans 16:16. With such evidence, how can one claim that the Church of God is not the Church of Christ? Even more importantly, how does an individual claim Christ is not God? It is God’s Church. Continuing on from the initial passage of this article (Matthew 16) upon Peter’s confession, Jesus is the Christ and Son of God, Jesus tells him upon that rock (which is Christ – I Corinthians 10:4, I Corinthians 3:11), “I will build my Church”. Whose Church is it? Christ’s Church! Whose Church is it? God’s Church! There is one Church, one body, built by the one God of all (Ephesians 4:4-6). God is the one and only Deity. He is the Father, He is the Son, and He most certainly is Jesus the Christ.

While those who utilize means of authority outside of the Bible will continue to proclaim “Jesus is not Deity, He is not God”, the Bible as the sole means of authority to the Christian confirms that He is. Jesus the Messiah was presented as being God in the Old Testament. Jesus also was presented as being God in the New Testament. Being the Son of God, He was obviously understood to claim Deity by the people of His age. He was all man and all God and not just part of one or the other. He is equal to God, shares the attributes of God, and proclaimed to be God by God and man. He is said to be the Word God, present from the beginning, and presented upon the earth in the flesh. The Church of God has the blessing of being Christ’s Church, the only Church, and the Church accountable to His headship. If Christ is not God, then the Bible is a false witness, and the Christian faith is in vain. The concept of the Deity of Christ must not be set aside or approached lightly for it is the foundation upon which Christians are born and the Church stands.

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Truth, Ignorance, Deception

Does God exist? Are there multiple gods? Is man his own god? These questions have drawn lines across the world. These questions affect not only relationships between people, but those between people and their governments. Under some governments, certain religions are forbidden and persecuted, while others are promoted or enforced. In the United States, a government founded on Christian principles and a trust in God, the government is increasingly allowing persecution of all forms of Christianity while enabling the progression of Islam. This is quite ironic considering adherents of Islam have been actively engaging in terrorist actions against the United States. Additionally, the government has been taking steps to suppress freedom of speech regarding Christianity, while encouraging atheistic religions such as evolution and humanism. The frustration that exists with all of these entities is each is operating by a set of values that they believe is established in truth. They each view the other entities as either ignorant or operating in a deceptive manner to bring others under the umbrella of their perceived truth. Coming from a Biblical approach, the viewpoint given in this article regarding truth is that the Word of God, the Bible, is truth.

John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Pontius Pilate, a Roman official, during the time of Jesus Christ, stated “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Though subject to much and continued criticism, it is the Christian’s conviction that the Word of God is inerrant and truth. Geography, history, physics, geology, astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, are all affirmed as the Bible has recorded their occurrences and processes and modern day man has later discovered them. No other recording has accomplished this. Recorded over fourteen hundred years by numerous authors in differing locations, the Bible is unique from any other book the world has known. It is documented by more manuscripts than any publication every written, dwarfing the closest competitor by multi thousands. Its words of prophecy have been validated over the course of time without error. Confirmed in the first century with miracles, its confirmation now comes from its own inspired words. This is why men hold it as truth and put it up as a standard against other such claims. This is why man has been told to share the Words of God through preaching. Let people decide if the Bible is true based on what the Bible presents (I Corinthians 1:21). Were there men and women of old who tried to add to the words of the Bible with their falseness? Yes. Are there folks of the modern era who have attempted the same? Yes. The Bible has shown their teachings, writings, and prophecies to be false. It has stood on its own since its completion in the first century. It has stood true since the first word was penned long before the first century.

Psalms 119:160 – Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

So if everyone holds to perceived truths, why are the truths not the same? The answer is twofold: Ignorance and deception.

Ignorance can come about in two different ways. It can exist because there has not been opportunity to gather knowledge or it can exist because it has been chosen. A child may be ignorant of traffic laws because they have never been exposed to them before. In the same manner, a person may yet be ignorant of God’s truths because they have yet to be exposed to them. However, the truths will become evident for God has prompted all men to realize his existence through creation (Romans 1:20). It is at this point they will choose to seek God or not. If they seek Him, they will find Him (Matthew 7:7). God will give them time to find Him (2 Peter 3:9).

Ignorance is not always a matter of not having the opportunity to yet know. Ignorance can also be a choice a man makes (Proverbs 23:9). A man may decide when confronted with the idea that there is a God who demands obedience from him that he does not want to know that God. Consequently, he closes his mind toward any teachings regarding God. He chooses rather to hold other aspects of life as truths regardless of whether they are factual, consistent, or verifiable. Ignorance is also chosen in religion when someone gains partial knowledge, agrees with it, and follows portions of it, yet fails to continue to grow in and walk in the full belief he has accepted (Matthew 7:26). There are a great number of men and women in all religions who fall into this category. It is a type of spiritual laziness. It results in a person being in a religion which is false their whole life, because they choose to be ignorant to the remainder of the truth they have accepted. There are not only a great number of well meaning Christians in this group, but a large number of well meaning ministers as well. They choose to be ignorant of certain aspects of their religion because it might mean lesser numbers would gather, it might cause conflict, it might bring in less money to fund their efforts, or it might mean a loss of power. The world which they have chosen as their god, has blinded them. God does not leave an excuse for such behavior today and has given them opportunity to change:

Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 – But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

This brings in the next aspect to be examined in regard to why the same truths are not held by all: deception. If someone is teaching falsely and it is not because of ignorance, they are doing it to deceive. To be clear, many entities are not above deceiving others in order to gain their adherence to their perceived truth. Nor do they all deceive to destroy. Many people deceive because they believe in their perceived truth. For example, consider the Global warming advocates. There have been many instances exposed in which data was altered, suppressed, or created erroneously to support claims being made. These activities were willingly engaged in to sway people to their umbrella of perceived truth. Do a great number of them believe in what they are doing? Yes. However, to strengthen the attraction to their beliefs they go beyond being honest.

Romans 16:17-18 – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

There are many change agents today who are teaching postmodern doctrines, those which are “cutting edge” so that they can draw more people to them. This is the attraction of community churches. They believe they are doing right. They use bells and whistles to influence those who do not know God or those who rely on their emotions rather than truth. Yet, God said it is to be the power of the Gospel preached that should draw men. Teachers who stray beyond piercing the heart of man with the gospel preached deceive those that assemble. Such preachers have become ear ticklers.

2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.

A second branch of deceivers deceives to destroy. Men such as these know what the scriptures say, but purposely distort the gospel. Some of the atheist religion fall into this category. They claim “discrepancies” in scripture when they know their own arguments to be false. Atheists are not alone in their deceptions; even some in Christian assemblies attempt to destroy other Christian assemblies through deceit. One of the most ridiculous internet claims ever published is from a Baptist preacher who has a so called list of items a “Church of Christ Preacher” cannot answer. Of course the distorted list is simply refuted and has been for a great long time, but the claim is still made. It is a pitiful deception to those seeking Christ. It is much better to say “Here is what this body believes and here is what the Bible says” and then let the person take a Bible and decide. Regardless of the Christian faith held, ministers have dealt with such questions and are typically not without answer, correct or not. Where the truth is ultimately discovered is when men sit down together with scripture and earnestly seek using the full breadth of the Bible and not a single (often out of context) verse for an answer. This is a far better approach to combating a belief than making false claims in hopes that it will turn folks away from it. Sitting down and doing so takes love and patience which a deceiver will rarely extend if at all.

Acts 17:11 – Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

2 Timothy 2:15 – Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

Ignorance and deception have long been enemies of the truth. They will stand toe to toe with the truth until the end of all things. Men choosing these paths are more than enemies of the truth, they are enemies of God. Their battling against the truth, based on their own love of the world, is like a man trying to hold back the ocean. Their efforts ultimately will fail. God’s truths cannot be suppressed. Ignorance and deception will fall by the wayside while truth will continue forward eternally.

Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

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Agreement by Blood

An Agreement Established with Blood

On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was adopted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by representatives of the people. It was established upon the blood of many men and women who gave their lives so America would stand on its own laws with authority. Its creation came almost 11 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. In the first two sentences of the Declaration of Independence, the founders acknowledged that the Creator of all, God, was where the authority inhered to form the United States Constitution. Since that time many a citizen has pledged their loyalty and given their blood to maintain what was established.

On January 6, 2011, the 112th House of Representatives became the first to read the full constitution as they were gathered (though they had to go back and read two pages that had been stuck together). This comes at a time when men and women are recognizing the failure of their representatives to uphold the constitution for which they had taken oaths to uphold. Remembering the authority for the document comes from God, the failure of previous representatives is just another example of man turning from God to serve their own interests.

This is certainly not the first time an agreement established in blood with the authority of God has been violated. The people of Israel formed as a nation by the deliverance of God were given the Law of Moses with the Authority of God. As part of that law, the blood of calves and goats was needed for its inauguration (Hebrews 9:18-20). It did not take long for that people to disregard the law and disobey it. It did not take long for its keepers, the priests, to falter in their duties. Hundreds of years later, in a historic gathering, the priest Ezra would take the law before the people again and read it in their presence (Nehemiah 8). The people rededicated themselves to upholding the law (Numbers 10) and acknowledged their past failures in doing. They realized they had served themselves and not God.

The people had been told there would come a day when a new agreement would be established. It would not just be for the Israelites, but for the entire world. That agreement was to come with Jesus Christ. Indeed it did. He gave his life being crucified upon a cross. His blood inaugurated a new covenant (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6-7, 9:11-16, 10:19-20). The blood which was shed was done so in love and by the authority of God (John 3:16). The entrance of people under the new agreement came on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). On that day, men heard the words of the agreement and put themselves under allegiance to it. Yet, sadly, as before, men have forsaken their oaths and allegiance so that they may serve their own interests.

The 112th House of Representative provided a good example of rededication on January 6, 2011. They recognized there was something greater than themselves. They declared repentance, a changing from what had been done before, and a return to what should be done. It is hoped they stand strong in their declaration, if not, there will be undesirable consequences. For those who have declared allegiance to Christ, yet have forsaken the agreement established by His blood, it is also time to return to dedication (Acts 17:30). No longer live a life based on personal desires, but live the life God has established for all. Good laws followed result in a multitude of blessings. Good laws ignored lead man to dishonesty, self-interest, and abuse of others. God’s law is the perfect law. Upholding it and obeying will only result in blessing to those in allegiance to it (James 1:25). Disregarding it will lead to destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).

For America to ignore its constitution is the same as rejecting it. If its citizens do so, the result is making worthless the blood which was shed to give freedom to the citizens of America. Such a loss holds a parallel to those who would ignore the will of God. Christ gave his life so that man might experience freedom. Casting that sacrifice aside would make what he has given worthless. His death gave liberty to all those who would hold strong their allegiance to him. Rejecting the Covenant of Christ and the Constitution of the United States are great atrocities. If the importance of these agreements created by blood can be fathomed, do not forsake God or country.

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