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Title: What did Jesus mean when He said “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
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URL Source: http://www.gotquestions.org/way-truth-life.html
Published: Oct 13, 2014
Author: Got ?
Post Date: 2014-10-13 15:50:42 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 22404
Comments: 46
Question: "What did Jesus mean when He said 'I am the way and the truth and the life' (John 14:6)?"
Answer: “I am the way and the truth and the life” is one of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus. On the last night before His betrayal and death, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the days ahead. For over three years, these men had been following Jesus and learning from His teaching and example. They had placed their hopes in Him as the Messiah, the promised deliverer, yet they still didn't understand how He was going to accomplish that deliverance. After the Last Supper, Jesus began speaking about His departure, which led to questions from His disciples.
In John 13:33, Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” This prompted Peter to ask where He was going (v. 36). Peter and the others did not understand that Jesus was speaking of His death and ascension to Heaven. Jesus' response was “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter was still misunderstanding and declared that he would follow Jesus anywhere and even lay His life down if necessary. As Jesus patiently continued to teach His disciples, He began speaking more plainly about heaven, describing the place He was going to prepare for them (John 14:2-3). Then Jesus said “You know the way to the place where I am going” (v. 4). Speaking for the others, Thomas said they did not know where He was going, so how could they know how to follow Him there? It was to this question that Jesus uttered one of the seven famous “I am” statements.
I am – In the Greek language, “I am” is a very intense way of referring to oneself. It would be comparable to saying, “I myself, and only I, am.” Several other times in the Gospels we find Jesus using these words. In Matthew 22:32 Jesus quotes Exodus 3:6, where God uses the same intensive form to say “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” In John 8:58, Jesus said “Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” The Jews clearly understood Jesus to be calling Himself God because they took up stones to stone Him for committing blasphemy in equating Himself with God. In Matthew 28:20, as Jesus gave the Great Commission, He gave it emphasis by saying “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When the soldiers came seeking Jesus in the garden the night before His crucifixion, He told them “I am he” and His words were so powerful that the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:4-6). These words reflect the very name of God in Hebrew, Yahweh, which means “to be” or “the self-existing one.” It is the name of power and authority, and Jesus claimed it as His own.
The way – Jesus used the definite article to distinguish Himself as “the only way.” A way is a path or route, and the disciples had expressed their confusion about where He was going, and how they could follow. As He had told them from the beginning, Jesus was again telling them (and us) “follow me.” There is no other path to Heaven, no other way to the Father. Peter reiterated this same truth years later to the rulers in Jerusalem, saying about Jesus, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The exclusive nature of the only path to salvation is expressed in the words “I am the way.”
The truth – Again Jesus used the definite article to emphasize Himself as “the only truth.” Psalm 119:142 says “Your law is the truth.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded His listeners of several points of the Law, then said “but I say unto you...” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44), thereby equating Himself with the Law of God as the authoritative standard of righteousness. In fact, Jesus said that He came to fulfill the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). Jesus, as the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1) is the source of all truth.
The life – Jesus had just been telling His disciples about His impending death, and now He was claiming to be the source of all life. In John 10:17-18, Jesus declared that He was going to lay down His life for His sheep, and then take it back again. He spoke of His authority over life and death as being granted to Him by the Father. In John 14:19, He gave the promise that “because I live, you also will live.” The deliverance He was about to provide was not a political or social deliverance (which most of the Jews were seeking), but a true deliverance from a life of bondage to sin and death to a life of freedom in eternity.
In these words, Jesus was declaring Himself the great “I Am,” the only path to righteousness, the only true measure of righteousness, and the source of both physical and spiritual life. He was staking His claim as the very God of Creation, the Lord who blessed Abraham, and the Holy One who inhabits eternity. He did this so the disciples would be able to face the dark days ahead and carry on the mission of declaring the gospel to the world. Of course, we know from Scripture that they still didn't understand, and it took several visits from their risen Lord to shake them out of their disbelief. Once they understood the truth of His words, they became changed people, and the world has never been the same.
So how do we follow Him today? The same way the disciples did long ago. They heard the words of Jesus and believed them. They took His words and obeyed them. They confessed their sins to Jesus as their Lord and God. They believed that He died to take the punishment of their sins and rose from the dead to give them new life. They followed His example and command to tell others the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment. When we follow Him in “the way,” we can be assured of following Him all the way to Heaven.
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#7. To: Jwpegler (#1)
Could you address this question? I mean you say you are a christian. But I only ever see you put Christians down. You use the term "fundy" as a pejorative. Isn't a fundamentalist just someone who truly believes Gods word contained in the Bible. If you're not a "fundy" maybe you're not really a christian huh?
And here is an example of how Eastern Orthodox Christians depict the truth about who Jesus Christ is in iconography. The Bible says that Jesus is the image (Greek word is icon) of the invisible God. In iconography, Christ alone is always depicted with a cross in His halo with three letters. Greek Icons of Christ will have Omega, Omicron, and Nu for the Greek words which mean "He Who Is", just as in Revelation it says that Christ is "He who is, and who was, and who is coming". English language Icons will spell it out as "I Am" just as depicted here. Incidentally, this sample Icon still has two Greek monograms in it, the IC XC is spelling out the Greek for Jesus Christ, in order to also clarify Who is being depicted. So the Icons clearly show that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the very God who also told us that His Name is "I Am". Accepting a multitude of gods as being equally true like Goldi has been insisting be done has never been acceptable. The Christians of the first centuries literally allowed themselves to be tortured and killed rather than worship at the multicultural altar of the pagan gods.
I know nothing really about eastern orthodox christians. What you posted was interesting. Are you an eastern orthodos christian?
Goldi likes to identify herself as Jewish, but she does not even adhere to what the Old Covenant teaches. Hosea 3:4 "Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me." By her definition, a Jew who believes that verse is true would also have to be a fanatic. Keep in mind that she had to renounce Jesus Christ in order to convert to Judaism after being raised in a Christian household, so while she is unable to admit it, she has rejected the very same God of the Old Covenant. That is why proclamations of there being only one true God burn at her soul and make her so angry. She has rejected the one and only true God, and deep inside she knows it, and does not want to hear about it.
Yes, I am specifically Antiochian Orthodox, which you can read about the Church of Antioch in the Book of Acts. I was born in America, but most of the members of the Antiochian Church live in Syria, Lebanon, and locally we have members in our parish who have fled the Muslim persecution in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries as well. The Eastern Orthodox Churches were the ancient Church of the eastern half of the Roman Empire. We split away from the Roman Catholic Church when the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) proclaimed himself to be head of the Church. The Orhodox have always settled disputes by having Church Councils, like they did in the Book of Acts when they gathered in Jerusalem to decide what should be done about Gentile converts.
Also interesting. Hope to learn more over time. Thanks.
Supposing someone's great-grandfather had purchased property in 1914, and then neglected to make the payments, thus voiding the contract and leading to the property being foreclosed upon within the same year. Supposing the property at the time of that contract had sold for ten-thousand dollars. Would the great-grandson of the man who failed to uphold his end of the bargain, would he be able to show up a hundred years later, pay ten-thousand dollars (no matter what value the property had since appreciated to) and own the property? Is not a covenant roughly the same thing as a contract? Are not covenants and contracts things that are mutually agreed upon by both parties? Does one party to the contract have the right to revise the terms of the contract in their favor, excusing their failure to perform as agreed to in the contract, and the wronged party has no legal recourse but to accept the unilateral revising of the contract? What if the wronged party of the contract was the God of the party that had wronged them? Would that mortal have the right to dictate revised terms to their God?
----------------------------------------------------------- One hand spammed as the other whacked With no Goldi there to redact Too distracted to be thinking Which url he was linking So now Yukon claims "I wuz hacked!"
That was not lost on some of us. That is precisely why I left. I cannot and will not tolerate the filth she flung on Jesus. She doesn't get it. She doesn't see that what she has done is condemn us all.
If someone thinks that they are a christian and believes that Jesus is not the only way. Then are they really Christians? That opinion from a "Christian" would make Jesus Christ a liar, wouldn't it? Beyond that, whereever a disbeliever winds up after THIS mortal life will be totally dependent on a merciful God and His Judgment. So anyone who says...they only hate or only want to vomit on fanatics...Wouldn't that make them liars and really haters of all real Christians. Yes. But giving the benefit of doubt, perhaps that vomiter merely had a moment of extreme hatred and nauseousness that caused that person to compare ALL Christians to ALL Muslims, blame ALL Christians for being "fanatical," and scapegoat them for the actions of "Christians-In-Name-Only."
The term "Jesus only fanatics" which when one strips out the emotions means "Jesus is the only way for salvation." Well what you posted from Johns Gospel addresses this so that would make all Christians fanatics. Yes. By definition ALL "Christians" are "fanatics" in that they declare Jesus Christ as "THE way, the truth, and the light." "Regular" Christians. I guess that's a term for those who bottle up their belief o Christianity, refrain from sharing the Gospel, and just shut up about it as not to "offend" Stalinist Jews, militant Atheists, ALL Muslims, and various other stripes of hypersensitive heathens and secular humanists. It's a good thing the majority of American Founder were NOT "regular" Christians, or else this Republic would have never been established.
That was not lost on some of us. That is precisely why I left. I cannot and will not tolerate the filth she flung on Jesus. She doesn't get it. She doesn't see that what she has done is condemn us all. Oh, but I believe Goldi DOES get it. You noted no aplogy, did you? Only what she characterized as a "misinterpretation" because she believe we ALL fell off of the turnip truck. Her kind of arrogance and spittle and lack of sincere remorse is EXACTLY the kind of emotional outbursts of raw hatred we typically see authored by the Left. Frankly, with THAT degree of overt hatred, animus, and condemnation, IF it were in her power, and that of her fellow Christian-Haters, they'd be and act just like...WWII Nazis. OR ISIS. Oh, the irony.
Of course. "Christians, please keep sending your missionaries risking their lives helping to stop Ebola, but check that Gospel stuff at the door."
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
I'll ask you the questions I posed earlier on this thread: Supposing someone's great-grandfather had purchased property in 1914, and then neglected to make the payments, thus voiding the contract and leading to the property being foreclosed upon within the same year. Supposing the property at the time of that contract had sold for ten-thousand dollars. Would the great-grandson of the man who failed to uphold his end of the bargain, would he be able to show up a hundred years later, pay ten-thousand dollars (no matter what value the property had since appreciated to) and own the property? Is not a covenant roughly the same thing as a contract? Are not covenants and contracts things that are mutually agreed upon by both parties? Does one party to the contract have the right to revise the terms of the contract in their favor, excusing their failure to perform as agreed to in the contract, and the wronged party has no legal recourse but to accept the unilateral revising of the contract? What if the wronged party of the contract was the God of the party that had wronged them? Would that mortal have the right to dictate revised terms to their God?
God's creations do not judge their Maker. Nor are His terms negotiable. His justice is perfect. That said...Question: On Judgement Day, might God show mercy? Perhaps. But it is a scary and unnecessary roll of the dice, isn't it?
From what I've heard, it's the same case as with Christians traveling to Israel. That pesky Gospel has better be pretty much under wraps in public.
The Holy Bible tells us that God doesn't take back His gifts. I am sure you have heard once saved- always saved. It is true.
That would seem to be logical. The reason I pose the question is due to the contract the Israelite s had with their God, now as I understand it this covenant was like a marriage, where both husband and wife pledge fidelity to each other? IF an unfaithful wife leaves her husband, takes up with another man and becomes a whore, has she has violated her marriage vows? Was Israel faithful to the covenant with their God?
My analogy is going back further, to the covenant made with the Hebrews.
Ok, so why not just come flat out ask the question(s) that require answers? Hold on...give me a chance to digest your previous post. Thanks.
Faithful? Some. In general, not really. Is Israel's rejection of a Savior that was prophesied as an addendum to the original covenant considered part of their "contract"?
And by "gift," you mean redemption through the promised "Messiah," right?
I'm thinking back to when they turned their backs on God, in favor of foreign Gods such as Baal and Molech. Hosea made use of this type of analogy, marriage to a whore to illustrate the point. From my understanding, Israel had a contract with God, at several points got it renegotiated, such as having kings rather than judges to rule over them. And after this they violated the contract, thus voiding it?
Romans 11 King James Version (KJV) 11 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
I must admit that I am no Bible scholar -- especially of the Old Testament. Israel had been given the benefit of doubt over and over again -- and been punished/rewarded. Red, could you help clarify the matter for us please at your convenience? Thanks...
Hosea 1:7 says: Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” There seems to be continuity here as I read it. In the scripture provision does seem to be made for the bloodline of Jacob, but it will be on the terms dictated by God. It will not have been earned, since they violated the original covenant, but he will grant it to them. How exactly it will happen would hard to predict. The religion of Judaism today seems to be an attempt to renew the original contract, which was voided by infidelity on their long part before Christ was born. That seems like hubris to me, trying to assume all the rights and privileges from a contract that was not honored long ago. That just does not seem like a way to deal with God, like dictating to him. It reminds of Shakespeare's line: “Upon what meat doth this, our Caesar, feed, That he is grown so great?" I would not describe myself as a religious man, but I do think of my self as being a God fearing man (not a negative connotation to me). In Goldi's rant she claimed that Christian were worshiping a human being, which I would like to explore as we go along. It seemed as I learned it that the original sin was wanting to be a God. It would seem to me at least that trying to force God to honor a contract that my side had voided long ago would be like elevating myself in relation to God. That would be ground upon which I would fear to tread. But that seems to be the ground from which Goldi stands as she mocked Jesus.
Thanks. I want to explore Goldi's assertion that Christians worship a human being, she even referred to him as a prophet at one point if I understood her correctly? Judah and Tamar interests me, and I wonder if that illustrated the precedent for Jesus perhaps?
Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” Yes, the Lord WILL save them (shall they ask.) Because Jesus the Messiah hailed directly from the bloodline of the tribe of Judah...as did David. There seems to be continuity here as I read it. In the scripture provision does seem to be made for the bloodline of Jacob, but it will be on the terms dictated by God. It will not have been earned, since they violated the original covenant, but he will grant it to them. How exactly it will happen would hard to predict. I supposed in accepting the Gospel and the Lion of Judah as their Savior -- same as the Gentile. The religion of Judaism today seems to be an attempt to renew the original contract, which was voided by infidelity on their long part before Christ was born. That seems like hubris to me, trying to assume all the rights and privileges from a contract that was not honored long ago. That just does not seem like a way to deal with God, like dictating to him. It reminds of Shakespeare's line: “Upon what meat doth this, our Caesar, feed, That he is grown so great?" Well, many happen to agree with your characterization. That entitlement is indeed conditional even as the Lord's favor and hand continue to protect and shield Israel. The Lord's "Chosen People" will be granted either great glory in accepting Jesus as their prophesied Messiah (unmistakeably described in Isaiah 53), OR face great shame in rejecting Him in their collective hubris after this moral life expires. I would not describe myself as a religious man, but I do think of my self as being a God fearing man (not a negative connotation to me). In Goldi's rant she claimed that Christian were worshiping a human being, which I would like to explore as we go along. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." ~ KJV, Proverbs 9:10. Goldi-Lox is greatly deceived and her heart hardened. She is hardly the only one, but should know better given her past. My outrage at her tirade of hate of Christians and of Jesus Christ has softened to pity and sadness. She seeks peace of mind yet will not find it without knowing Jesus. It seemed as I learned it that the original sin was wanting to be a God. It would seem to me at least that trying to force God to honor a contract that my side had voided long ago would be like elevating myself in relation to God. That would be ground upon which I would fear to tread. But that seems to be the ground from which Goldi stands as she mocked Jesus. Really great interpretation of Adam and Eve preyed upon by Satan, and convinced through vanity that *they* may be "gods." And yes -- who is man to question the wisdom, justice, and timing of the Almighty and Creator of all things?? Job tried doing that with God after getting especially beat up and his faith challenged in a chapter life -- only to have God shame him for exactly those reminders of who He is.
Some of the OT covenants were conditional in the OT. Some unconditional. In the cases of the conditional we see the firm hand of a father who will chastise a disobedient child. In the case of the unconditional we see the unconditional love of a father for a child. The child no matter how well raised can choose to be a disobedient bum, curse his father etc. Do fathers who have such children stop loving them? The OT and NT show us no...He keeps loving us. This is His Grace. The Grace is not based on the actions of the obedient or disobedient child. The Grace is abundantly available always to the disobedient child. All they need to do is repent and accept such Grace and the father will throw a feast for the son and accept him in the household. This is best expressed by Jesus Christ in the Parable of the Gracious father: Luke 15: 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
I understand your humble approach. However we see in the Psalms and some Prophets Hebrews contending with Him to keep His promises. They like us know from Genesis YHWH sealed the covenant with Abraham with His own oath. Plus we see in Isaiah 1: 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
I should be able to post a piece on The Son of God later which should shed some light on the 300-1BCE understanding of son of God and Messiah. We sometimes make the error of thinking modern or medieval Judaism is the same as the time of Ezra or even circa 33 AD. It's not given no temple in Jerusalem. A couple of Dead Sea scrolls now give us a better understanding of some opinions of the intertestamental period. Will post later. I will say one thing ignored much. There is a growing and vibrant Messianic Christian movement. Jews who proclaim Yeshua of Nazareth as Messiah. Talk about persecution.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
A bit off topic but came to mind today. A humorous but true quote: From Robert Jastrow (b. 1925) PhD Theoretical Physics recipient of NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement: "The details differ, but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis are the same: the chain of events leading to man commenced suddenly and sharply at a definite moment in time, in a flash of light and energy ... For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." God and the Astronomers (1992) pp.106-107
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
I'm talking about all gifts of which salvation is certainly one.
Of course.
Definitely frowned upon. They definitely need our prayers. These Jews face more ostracizing and persecution than those who reject the Black/Dem Plantation.
I will say one thing ignored much. There is a growing and vibrant Messianic Christian movement. Jews who proclaim Yeshua of Nazareth as Messiah. Talk about persecution. I look forward to reading that. Are the Messianic Christians, are they like the Jews for Jesus? Given attitudes like Goldi's they must be like other Christians in the Middle East, sort of like a plant that clings to a tenuous existence in a crack between some rocks.
I believe Jews for Jesus are more evangelical than Messianic. The Messianic Jews follow most of the traditional Torah feasts, still kosher etc.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
Do they believe in salvation through accepting Jesus Christ?
Yes they do. They follow many of the Torah festivals and dietary laws because they see it as obeying and emulating Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah). Not a condition or work of salvation but what a follower of Christ would do.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
Did you used to post at LP?
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12)
That makes sense. IIRC Paul wrote about this in his letters to the Corinthians, about not eating meat if it would cause his brother to stumble.
#8. To: A K A Stone (#0)
#9. To: Orthodoxa (#8)
#10. To: A K A Stone (#6)
I wonder if people over there will pick up on that? Wouldn't Judaism be Judaism only too? So by her definition wouldn't she be a fanatic too. Or is her view that Judaism or any other religion will do?
#11. To: A K A Stone (#9)
I know nothing really about eastern orthodox christians. What you posted was interesting. Are you an eastern orthodos christian?
#12. To: Orthodoxa (#11)
#13. To: Orthodoxa (#10)
Goldi likes to identify herself as Jewish, but she does not even adhere to what the Old Covenant teaches.
#14. To: redleghunter, A K A Stone, liberator, Orthodoxa (#3)
However in the list was the term "Jesus only fanatics" which when one strips out the emotions means "Jesus is the only way for salvation." Well what you posted from Johns Gospel addresses this so that would make all Christians fanatics.
#15. To: A K A Stone, redleghunter (#1)
Now if Jesus (and he did of course) said he is the "only" way. Then every christian that isn't ignorant would/should know that that, it's Christianity 101.
#16. To: redleghunter, A K A Stone, out damned spot, Orthodoxa (#3)
It seems there only "fanatical" Christians are not welcome and make Goldi vomit. But regular Christians are ok.
#17. To: out damned spot, redleghunter, A K A Stone, Orthodoxa, Goldi-Lox, LF LP Christians (#14)
However in the list was the term "Jesus only fanatics" which when one strips out the emotions means "Jesus is the only way for salvation." Well what you posted from Johns Gospel addresses this so that would make all Christians fanatics.
#18. To: Liberator (#16)
#19. To: Liberator (#15)
Yes. But giving the benefit of doubt, perhaps that vomiter merely had a moment of extreme hatred and nauseousness that caused that person to compare ALL Christians to ALL Muslims, blame ALL Christians for being "fanatical," and scapegoat them for the actions of "Christians-In-Name-Only."
#20. To: nativist nationalist (#19)
What if the wronged party of the contract was the God of the party that had wronged them? Would that mortal have the right to dictate revised terms to their God?
#21. To: redleghunter (#18)
(Edited)
"Christians, please keep sending your missionaries risking their lives helping to stop Ebola, but check that Gospel stuff at the door."
#22. To: nativist nationalist (#19)
#23. To: Liberator (#20)
God's creations do not judge their Maker. Nor are His terms negotiable.
#24. To: Don (#22)
The Holy Bible tells us that God doesn't take back His gifts. I am sure you have heard once saved- always saved. It is true.
#25. To: nativist nationalist (#24)
(Edited)
My analogy is going back further, to the covenant made with the Hebrews.
#26. To: nativist nationalist (#23)
Was Israel faithful to the covenant with their God?
#27. To: Don, nativist nationalist (#22)
The Holy Bible tells us that God doesn't take back His gifts.
#28. To: Liberator (#26)
Is Israel's rejection of a Savior that was prophesied as an addendum to the original covenant considered part of their "contract"?
#29. To: nativist nationalist (#28)
'm thinking back to when they turned their backs on God, in favor of foreign Gods such as Baal and Molech. Hosea made use of this type of analogy, marriage to a whore to illustrate the point. From my understanding, Israel had a contract with God, at several points got it renegotiated, such as having kings rather than judges to rule over them. And after this they violated the contract, thus voiding it?
#30. To: nativist nationalist, releghunter (#28)
From my understanding, Israel had a contract with God, at several points got it renegotiated, such as having kings rather than judges to rule over them. And after this they violated the contract, thus voiding it?
#31. To: A K A Stone (#29)
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
#32. To: Liberator (#30)
I must admit that I am no Bible scholar -- especially of the Old Testament. Israel had been given the benefit of doubt over and over again -- and been punished/rewarded.
#33. To: nativist nationalist (#31)
Hosea 1:7 says:
#34. To: nativist nationalist, liberator, Don, GarySpFc (#19)
#35. To: nativist nationalist (#31)
#36. To: nativist nationalist, liberator (#32)
Thanks. I want to explore Goldi's assertion that Christians worship a human being, she even referred to him as a prophet at one point if I understood her correctly? Judah and Tamar interests me, and I wonder if that illustrated the precedent for Jesus perhaps?
#37. To: Liberator, nativist nationalist, GarySpFc, Don, out damned spot, A K A Stone (#33)
#38. To: Liberator (#27)
#39. To: Don (#38)
#40. To: redleghunter (#36)
(Edited)
I will say one thing ignored much. There is a growing and vibrant Messianic Christian movement. Jews who proclaim Yeshua of Nazareth as Messiah. Talk about persecution.
#41. To: redleghunter (#36)
I should be able to post a piece on The Son of God later which should shed some light on the 300-1BCE understanding of son of God and Messiah.
#42. To: nativist nationalist (#41)
#43. To: redleghunter (#42)
I believe Jews for Jesus are more evangelical than Messianic. The Messianic Jews follow most of the traditional Torah feasts, still kosher etc.
#44. To: nativist nationalist (#43)
#45. To: nativist nationalist (#43)
#46. To: redleghunter (#44)
They follow many of the Torah festivals and dietary laws because they see it as obeying and emulating Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah). Not a condition or work of salvation but what a follower of Christ would do.
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