Who Is The Almighty? ” How Does Jesus Fit In?”

by Howard M. Fincher

The Preface

There was a time, when the Word of God was not written down for all to read. The people sought God’s prophets for answers to problems of their day. It was through these prophets of Israel that the voice of God came to the people who needed Him. Believing the prophet’s words, as the words from God Himself; they were justified in their deeds, and it was counted to them for righteousness. Seldom visions of unfulfilled promises of the far distant future were given to many prophets. Abraham, the patriarch, lived in this dim period of history. God made many promises of better things to come to these prophets. The Holy Scriptures flowed from these prophets of Israel for all to hold and cherish. Whenever God spoke to the prophets, they found out more about God’s plans. In times when no open visions were being given, there came long periods of total silence from the prophets. During the silent ages, those lingering visions that God had given them, were like “money in the bank,” to strengthen their faith.

In the course of human history, the time had come for God to fulfill the promises He made. The Lord had showed them more and more light upon His fulfillment plan with each vision. Then when that time had fully come to bring into being the promised fulfillment, it climaxed in an eye-catching occasion. Here came our Lord Jesus Christ with an amazing pronouncement, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against It.” This brought a completely different concept within clear view. Never before had there been anything like it. This was what all the prophets had so earnestly longed to see. So many, only catching a mere glimpse of it, in the distant future. This remarkable church was to be the final fulfillment of all promises to mankind. Abraham saw it in a far distant vision and rejoiced at the sight. Balaam saw it, as lasting forever and Isaiah saw it, as covering the whole earth. No wonder, Joseph demanded an oath from his sons that his bones would not remain in a desolate and distant land. Yet knowing that he himself would never live to see it.

Now, our Lord Jesus did not bring into being a genuine fulfillment of his prophecy of building his church, in his lifetime on the earth. The church of which He spoke could not properly start, until after the death of the testator, like a will is only in force after men die. While, the church could not begin, until after the Holy Ghost had come. Now the Holy Ghost could not come, until Jesus sent it forth. Besides, the Holy Ghost could not be sent until after Jesus’ death. Our Lord had implied this fact in his parting words, “But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Therefore, everything pointed to a period after his death. Then, fifty days after his death it all came together. Here, our Lord’s prophecy was finally fulfilled at Pentecost, with the birth of a new and living church. Nothing like this had ever happened before this time.

 

Being born of the Holy Ghost, from above, just like our Lord was; there sprang forth this live organism, which spoke “with the voice of angels.” what is this new live thing that our God had brought forth? The teaching of thousands of years had all transcended upon righteous mankind, by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. While, the true family of God sprang into being, the body of Christ: alive man child, came forth. His church was born that day. All this, happened when “they were all with one accord in one place,” where, God had promised to meet with them and to bless them. This was only the first effects of the “pouring out of His Spirit.” All who witnessed this most notable occasion was totally astounded. Never before had anything so impressive and significant as this ever happened. The outpouring of God’s Spirit was the embodiment of His grace and truth. With all things being considered, it must be reckoned a far greater work than all miraculous cures that our Lord wrought. The church very quickly identified itself with our Lord Jesus Christ, as the head.

But it left an open invitation to all “whomsoever will” to be assembled together, forming His many-membered body. Then, it was Peter, to whom our Lord entrusted with the keys of the kingdom; who for the first time used those keys upon this ever-memorable occasion. Here, the Apostle Peter spoke those soul-saving words of truth, which touched the hearts of all who heard him. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and unto all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” These eternal words of truth, became known as the “Apostle’s Doctrine” of baptism. This great truth, laid the groundwork for the early church. It opened the way of life for the Jews and to the gentiles, “whosoever will” to come into the church and be saved. Whatever it took for that early church back then, it will take “the same thing” for us, today. When we consider this world as enemy-occupied territory, we need the Holy Ghost. We may try to tell ourselves that nothing is wrong, but deep down inside we know better. We need the Holy Ghost just as much as the early church.

The head, along with the body made up a living organism with a vital union. Now, this new living organism was the ultimate completion of all the visions of the prophets of old. Abraham’s vision of “a city that had foundations, whose builder and maker was God.” It fulfilled the visions of Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Isaiah of “God visiting his people.” Also the visions of Joel and of John the Baptist’s, “Being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Simeon, whose life God spared to see, “A vision of the consolation of Israel and the salvation of our God, and a light to lighten the gentiles.” Then, the striking question from God to Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” There was a sound from Heaven and the Holy Ghost came as a rushing mighty wind, filling the entire house where they were, and there sat upon each of them cloven tongues of fire. They spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. There were Jews, devout men, from eighteen nations who came to the feast. Everyone heard the gospel preached, in his own native language, whatever country that he came from.

The Pentecost feast was in remembrance of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. It was therefore fitting, that the Holy Ghost be given with tongues and fire, for the delivery of the Apostolic message to the Jewish people from all nations. How was it, that a little group of men in an upper room; ordinary, fallible, blundering men, became the center of a movement that was to turn the world upside down? It was not that they had official backing, impressive credentials, or illustrious patronage: of all that they had, less than nothing. Apostle Peter stood declaring, “This is that! “Spoken of by the Prophet Joel.” The turning point in God’s relation with gentiles, came with the Holy Ghost pouring out at Cornelius’s house. Pentecost came on the first day of the week, which was further conformation as their day for assembling together. The Apostles met on the first day, proclaiming it to be the Lord’s Day.

There was only one church born at Pentecost. Apart from the church, this lively oracle of God; there could never be any true salvation or any real bestowal of grace. Therefore, it cannot be overstated in stronger words: “There is no life outside the body of Christ!” Thus, it must be clearly understood that any church differing, whatsoever; has to be nothing more than a counterfeit. Which could no more fulfill the needy vacuum in our lives, than the mere keeping the law did for the Israelites.

Finding the real meaning of life lies more in a spirit-filled heart, than in a fact-filled mind. The reader may wish to embark upon a search for a closer walk with God in prayer and self-examination. The obvious hope is to deepen one’s faith, and broaden vision far beyond the limits which mere knowledge alone offers. May God grant that this prayerful study, as the biblical witness of Jesus Christ will help in the life of each reader to blossom into its fullest ability of Christian witnessing and service.

 

 

Contents

 

Is There Any Word From God?

 

“Jesus Is Lord So Why Bother With The Old Testament?

 

Religion Is Made Possible, By Some Idea Of God In Our Minds.

 

Why Use The King James Version Of The Bible?

 

Faith In An Invisible God: Whom No Man Hath Seen, Nor Can See?

 

In The Beginning Was The Word: And The Word Was God.

 

The Apostles And Prophets Were The Inspired Masterful Writers.

 

What About The Sameness Of Jesus Christ? His Immutability!

 

Whatever Else We May Know About God, We Do Know At Leasy This:

 

The Gospel Story Would Not Be Complete Without John’s Witness.

 

God Has Always Made It Plain That He Existed Alone.

 

What Happen At Calvary? Man Could Never Atone For Man!

 

Is God Knowable? Can We Discover And Really Understand God?

 

Was God Of Old Testament, The Same God As Of New Testament?

 

Who Was This God-Man Called The Christ, That Died On A Cross?

 

How Does The Apostle John Picture Our Lord In His Gospel?

 

Every Knee Shall Bow, And Every Tongue Shall Confess!

 

The Early Church Firmly Believed In The God Of Israel.

 

Who Is The Almighty? What Is His Name?

 

Why Did Christ Die? Couldn’t God Have Done It Another Way?

 

How About The First Man Adam, And The Last Man Adam?

 

How Come, The Messiah Came In His Father’s Name?

 

Religion Of Jesus That Rome Teaches Is A Watery Substitute.

 

We Stand Without A Single Choice, But To Accept Jesus Christ!

 

IS THERE ANY WORDS FROM GOD?

 

The occasion calling for this booklet was the Lord, 44 years ago saying, why is it that my people, who are called by my name, have to continually fight the devil concerning my name? Who I am? It therefore seems fitting, to offer such a volume presenting the basic Bible truths. I have placed major emphases upon the under girding facts and vital truths of the gospel picture. Without Jesus, where would we be? That is the gospel message! At Bethlehem, God gained a beachhead in the human world. There was only slavery and corruption, everywhere. Deep, dark despair had settled upon mankind. The doors of heaven, it appeared were closed forever.

It was the lowest tide of human history, during the last flickering, fading light of Moses’ law. At a time when the eyes of the world were focused on Caesar, who ruled the known world from Rome. It was there, at Bethlehem Christ was born. This was the one occasion that divided time itself into all the days before, when such a thing seemed impossible, and the days that followed, when men knew that God had appeared upon the scene. The same God who gave life; now divided history into two separate parts. BC, before Christ and AD, anno domini; in the year of our Lord. At that point, time stood still while the calendar was changed. Clearly marking that time period forever, when the invisible God limited Himself to a human body. Never again, will the eternal creator choose His time to breakthrough into the human world, in such an unusual way.

 

If I had one last sermon to preach, one which I wished to reveal the many golden nuggets, aimed at strengthen ones faith; I’d choose, how God became man. It would begin with not words alone, but with the word being made flesh.

Jer. 37.17 Is there any word from the Lord? And Jeremiah said, there is: for said he, thou shalt be delivered from the hands of the king of Babylon. (We too, must come out from Babylon.)

If you want a breath of fresh joy in your life, or if your faith needs a newborn boost, then open your heart to the sincere messages in this book. The entire booklet is written in small digestible sections, that read like letters from a good friend. All of which, make it hard to put it down. It will bring your heart and mind to grip with the honest-to-goodness answers and biblical truths that you have always wondered about. Answers for those secret questions that you were afraid to ask about and those truths you have so earnestly desired to build up your faith.

If anything, this booklet has made it even more aboveboard, and has embraced the occasions to set the record straight on a multitude of subjects. It brings a fresh look at channels how you can sharpen your own vision, to find out more about God and to enable you to see His amazing presence in the ordinary times of your life. A better hope exists for everybody!!

If you have wondered what the Bible teaches about God, then this booklet is meant for you. In the following pages, you will discover honest facts of God that many have little or no idea are written in the Bible. Imagine how much your spiritual life could be enriched with a Bible study course that is designed especially for the apostolic believers.

Much effort was expended to collect all of the scattered scriptures, and utmost care was exercised to faithfully interpret each scripture in the light of all the scriptures. Your faith and insight will be greatly strengthened when you see the need for such a booklet. It is a skilled in-depth study with a painstaking follow-up to the Bible. Each page has verses pointing to the original faith which was delivered to the saints, that cannot be denied.

It is not intended to be critical of any religious system, nor to add anything new to the Bible meanings. But rather, point out ‘that little extra truth’ to stir the earnest reader’s mind, in looking for deeper spiritual meanings in commonly overlooked scriptures. In such scriptures where the meaning has become so overshadowed and blurred by carnal minds. Here they are treated with devotional care instead of deep criticism.

“JESUS IS LORD, SO WHY BOTHER WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT?

The aim is to present only what is written in your Bible, that which you can read. You are encouraged to read along, check it out for yourself. The heart of Christian faith rests upon the confession, “Jesus is Lord!” so, why bother with the Old Testament? This new booklet points out the genuine connection within the Old and New Testaments: how the Lordship of Jesus is deeply rooted in the Old Testament prophecies and promises. It reveals the true soundness between the promises to Abraham and the bound fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

 

These startling facts about God are given with the same understanding that Bible writers held to. As told by those prophets of God who knew Him best. The only thing different is: that the scattered scriptures are all gathered together, so that the readers can see them; never loosing their meanings, while thumbing from one scripture to another. The convenience of being able to see many scriptures at one time and clearly understand the intended meaning of each one. So that you can easily follow their train of thought without a problem. As building blocks to the apostolic faith, these facts are discussed with the same intended and weighty meanings held by the apostles and the prophets. The ones who wrote the Bible. You’ll discover the startling dimensions of God’s character and attributes, told by the men of God who had the added benefit of a close and innermost circle contacts with the Lord, Himself.

Isa. 28.9,10 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little:

Because God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, it is only becoming that our faith be fashioned after God’s greatness and goodness as the primary focal point. This booklet is the fruit of a lifetime of studies focusing on uncovering the unchanging meanings of Bible language. Do not expect ever to expound the full meaning of the Bible. Let it be said that a supernatural God: must have a supernatural book. The human mind cannot grasp the infinite. That is one reason why men who know the Bible best, find it ever so new each time it is read.

It was once said, that as the smallest dewdrop in the meadow at night has a sleeping star in its bosom. So, the most overlooked scripture has a shining truth in it. I am so thankful to God; there is a height in the Bible that I have never been able to reach, a depth I have never been able to truly fathom, and a big length and a breadth that I know nothing about. Whenever you start afresh it may appear like a new book to you. When you are through reading, you may have a feeling that you have not yet begun to read. All this makes the King James Bible so outstanding and proves itself, divine.

This booklet presents a better understanding of God. Our God must not be a mystery to us. Now, there are enough mysteries in this old world; God should not be one of them. The reader must have faith in the Bible, and a love for it; before he could receive much good from it. All those who are full of doubts are never blessed very much. Pascal once said, human knowledge must be understood to be loved, while divine knowledge must be loved to be understood. This booklet will give you valuable insights to help you change the way you live and carry out your faith, by featuring both an in-depth study and a careful applying of scriptures.

You may want to read this booklet prayerfully, and refer to it often, time and again fixing the spiritual devotions within it securely in memory. It will add a new level of maturity in your own walk of life, as well as in the lives of those you touch. If it sends readers to the King James time and again, with a new insight and a greater appreciation for the word of God, only then, has this book fully completed its intended purpose. The readers should catch a clear vision, and keep it without wavering.

RELIGION IS MADE POSSIBLE, BY SOME IDEA OF GOD IN OUR MINDS.

How can man worship God he does not know? How can a man place his life in God’s hands about whom, he has so much doubts, uncertainties and fears? Knowing of God is one thing. But to know God as Saviour is quite another. Until some idea about God enters our minds, worship is not possible. The more we know about God the more we are able to trust him, and the better Christians we could become. We are, each one of us, bound by heart to a personal vision of our Lord Jesus Christ. Once that vision is seen, it marks us forever.

For some, Jesus is only at life’s end, a beach where the rustling souls hopefully await peaceful words from his lips. Others declare His ever gentle touch as their heaven, with promises filling the future. For my part, it is God alone, that makes life worth the living. His presence, always so amazingly in place, comes as sheer surprise. He rises like a mirage just at the right time from all quiet surroundings. Man’s spirit rises into heaven to touch God, and in touching God receives that glorified expression in his soul. This makes visible changes in his life and nature. A life changing experience awaits every honest soul.

Anyone can find God for himself, and nothing is required but sincerity and true honesty. No one can afford to be ignorant of this. It is true that God reveals the deeper truths, to those having the eye of faith who look to the Bible. Because it has guided the footsteps in the past of all men seeking for God and for the truth. Frequent readers will find in it a wealth of material. It is not possible for the human mind to fully imagine the love of God toward the human family. Especially, for those who are His, who allow the Lord to lead their lives in every way. The Bible comes to us as a whole book having the same authority. No man has any right to cut out any part of it.

We know that the things which men haggle about most, are the same things that Christ sets his seal upon. This is why we need a faith to believe in the Bible from cover to cover. Do we have a good means by which to describe God? Yes, the Bible. It is the only word of God that we have. This booklet is a study of what God teaches us about Himself, in his word. The revelation which God made of Himself, in the Old Testament was very short and lacking, when compared with the one that Christ gave about Him. Christ removed the mysteries of truth’s protective layer about God and allowed the apostles to understand the Almighty.

Here, it was clearly shown that God is an invisible spirit to the bodily eyes. Not being a person, not like a person, not having a body, parts, flesh or bones, but God is a spirit not having any shape or size. Christ showed God as the infinite, perfect spirit from whom all things has their beginning source, continual support and their final end.

 

Mal. 2.10 Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?

 

Num. 23.19,20 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent hath he said, and shall not do it? Behold, I have received commandment to less: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

The Bible has always fascinated men, because it grapples with the basic questions that everyone has always wondered about, and has often asked himself about. Reading and study the Bible repays because it has genuine bearing on everyday life. While reading may bring a measure of blessing, as in, Rev. 1.3. “blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophesy.” Yet those who come to the Bible in a devotional spirit, seeking to learn more about God and his will regarding mankind, are blessed the most.

The more we know about God, the more we are able to trust him and the closer we will come to him. There is nothing to bring the human mind more sharply to the point, than one to realize that some idea of God lies at the root of all religions. But, only the truth about God lies at the very root of true religion. Jesus, is our only hope!

 

WHY USE THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE?

Many people have asked me why I used the King James Version instead of one of the other versions. Why should I reject the main version of the Bible that God has blessed more in the last 380 years than all the other periods of human life on earth? There have been more people saved, more churches organized, more missionaries sent forth and far more preachers called under the preaching from King James than all the other versions combined.

If God has blessed it so much, why should I or anyone reject it? What made the King James so notable was the exceptional quality of its language. It was produced at a time when the genius for noble prose was at its height, and when a natural sense of style was not so infected by the writers’ own self-conscious scholarship. King James gives every man a true revelation of himself, by holding a mirror before his view, by which he is able to recognize himself. Other versions present similar Bible truths but in a historical setting, story book style. Facts which may be good to know, but not so necessary for soul salvation. Knowing such historic facts could never fulfill the deep void, the emptiness and the constant yearning for deeper biblical truth needed in our daily lives.

The King James Bible was written in 1611 after long centuries of strong religious oppression and persecution. The roman church continued to resist putting a translated Bible into the hands of the people; for fear that Rome’s authority would be undermined. People living then were anxiously waiting for the Bible truths that would not be tainted by man’s belief and doctrine. King James is the world’s most enduring work of faith and wisdom, teaching in simple straight-forward language. No book was ever more violently attacked. No book was ever more misused. Yet, it has outlived all the attacks of its foes and the faults of its friends, and is read more widely today than ever before. It has earned its deserved and noted reputation for being trustworthy, practical and divine. To the devout Bible reader, King James is as familiar as his own neighborhood.

 

Since King James, there has been a flood of other versions written, many never used, others were used for short times. In every case, there has always been a coming back to the King James Bible. Most of the ones who left had deep feelings that they somehow had drifted away from the Bible in search of a lesser truth.

When one considers the facts, most modern writers would naturally feel compelled to justify their own beliefs and doctrines in their own versions that they write. Most readers would feel that the writer’s personal views tend to tarnish the real truth for which they seek. While, even to the writer, injecting his own notions may only appear as minor changes to enrich his scrip. But, it is these changes to the original Bible revelations that would present the greatest danger to mislead the readers.

Most Bible readers seeking for truth, would not care about the writer’s personal beliefs, and may have a hard time weeding out his thrown-in views that can cloud and distort the central Bible truth. Good honest study makes the King James Bible so interesting and proves it to be divine. King James will never fall out of fashion, because it has nothing people can relate to. Why shouldn’t all men read King James?

A faithful effort has been made to uphold the integrity of the King James Bible. Above all, every effort was made to express the true messages of the Bible writers. The Lord’s word seemed to be getting out and received better using King James to feed the hungry minds of God’s people, than any other known version. It is the only book offering a different message to all of its readers each time it is read and consulted.

God had a special message which he wanted to announce to all mankind. King James said it best! It has stood the test of time. Even though the King James has made it crystal clear, and embraced the liberty to set the record straight on all manner of subjects. It stands today as the authority by which all the other versions are rated. King James will never loose its usefulness.

FAITH IN AN INVISIBLE GOD: WHOM NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE?

No one has seen God at any time, for God is invisible to the human eyes. Do we have to see God to know he exists? Can we believe in him, whom we have not seen? Yes! For that is what faith is, and without faith it is impossible to please God. I have tried to talk to those who have found themselves unable to cope with their lives, who were in doubt of what to believe. This book was written for such ones who still wander in half-darkness of distrust about what they should believe. Also for those who struggle under a dreadful weight with some garbled notion about God. Is God knowable? True belief in God is only to accept the truth about God.

Genesis is dominated by one God. Thus, introducing at the outset God in a total monotheistic view which is to be the theme of the entire Bible. From the beginning, God has always made it plain that he existed alone. The most striking things about God as revealed to the prophets was his moral demands and his oneness. This same one-God concept is taught in each book throughout the Bible. As God revealed his plan step by step, he also allowed man to understand more and more about him. More than anything else, this calmed the fears about the almighty so that a closer relationship with man was made possible.

It becomes necessary to point out, that the emphasis on apostolic preaching was not some afterthought, imposed upon the facts by the Christian community. It goes back to Jesus, himself and the Bible. But, we would have never had such an awareness of God, if Christ had not proclaimed the spirit of God, and taught that true worship depends, not on outward places, things and the like; but more especially on inward moving of the human spirit. It is the inner moving of spirit that is so important. God is a spirit and we must be in the spirit and in truth, to worship God in the spirit and in the truth.

Job 9.11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not; and he passeth on also, and I perceive him not. (he couldn’t tell when God left.)

Job 23.8,9 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive him. On the left where he doeth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him (God is an invisible spirit)

I Tim 1.16,17 Now unto the King eternal, invisible, the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever. (Note, invisible.)

I Tim. 6.16 Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting

John 4.24 God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Heb. 11.27 for he (Moses) endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Isa. 45.5,6 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.

Isa. 48.11 and I will not give my glory to another. Also Isa. 42.8

I John 4.12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Mark 12.29 Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord:

I Cor. 12.11 that one and selfsame Spirit. (There is only one spirit!)

Scriptures clearly show there is only one God, and that God is a spirit. The question quickly arises: what is a spirit? If we could answer that, we would know better how to describe what God is. We know that God is a spirit, and there is only one: such spirit. Since God is a spirit, and man is confined within a human body. The only thing is that man can only wonder, just what a spirit may be. After all, we do know that a spirit is not faced with all the limits like we are.

With no limits to spirit, then spirit is not shut in at all by space, by time, by knowledge or by power. At any time, it can be anywhere or everywhere, having any shape or any size, with no beginning nor ending, be visible or invisible, but having all power, and knowing all things: the past, present and future. When all is said and done, we are still expected to study the Bible to have a reliable foundation upon which to place our most holy faith.

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD: AND THE WORD WAS GOD.

John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In Gen. 1.1 God is said to have created all things.

In John 1.1 Jesus is said to have created all things. So, the same unerring spirit spoke to both Moses and to John. The Bible had many writers but only one author. There is no evidence that the Apostle John meant to use the word “God” in some inferior sense. It is not “the Word was a God, nor the Word was like God,” but “the Word was God.” John had just used the Word “God” to point out the only true God. It is therefore, absurd to be misled, that John may have used the Word “God” in a small way: giving no notice, here, in this same verse: use “God,” to prove the existence of some another God, other than the true God. What a travesty of the truth it would be for some misguided preacher to suggest, that John may have offered some theory of there being another God. The Apostle John fully proves in this phrase, that “Jesus” was not created, since he existed, when no part of that existed. The word was the name of God: Jesus! This is not spoken of the man Christ, but of the name “Jesus,” that was with God; and was God, since this word was the name of God. The word “Jesus” took on flesh, and was that which became a man. The Father God was then embodied in the flesh Man Christ. Until this time, God the Father was only known in an impersonal sort of way, but now dwelling inside Jesus Christ, all things changed. A close family tie began and a new revelation to God’s nature was made known. Jesus Christ is real, he is a historical fact, which could no more be dethroned than the sun could be dethroned. Never before had I realized so vividly the reality about Jesus Christ. Before that time, my entranced mind was blinded, but John made Jesus come alive until he just walked before my waking eyes. For the first time in my life, I could understand the visions which the apostles and prophets had told.

Heb. 2.10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by him are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.

With John’s witness of the Word being the Creator, a special kinship was realized between the Father God, as being our loving Saviour, and mankind that he came to redeem. John truly declared the incarnate word Jesus, to be the Father God dwelling as a human personality. As one child once has said, “Christ was God with skin on him.” didn’t Christ say to Philip, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” there is only one being that was not created. The word Jesus must therefore be, the age-old name of Israel’s God. Doesn’t Jesus in the fullest manner, declare his eternal Godhead, by stating and possessing all authority in heaven and earth? All the authority and power of both empires, are governed by him? The eternal words spoken in this regard are so decisive that no one need be left out in the dark. Now, this is powerful proof as to the name of Jesus!

 

Most people realize that Christ was God’s revelation of himself. Unless we dare to see that God allowed himself to be born into the human family, we keep him so “high and lifted up” in the unknown realms, and loose all contact with him. Sure, God is a holy God, high and lifted up, but until we can believe his coming to earth as a man, God can have no lively part in our lives. We need to know some history of the age-old, majestic God of Israel, and being shocked to see that this same God, enclosed himself in a human body. Once we look at Israel’s God, high and lifted up; seeing that he purely disrobed himself of all things, as his best way of showing his love. Then we are drawn to him. Hence, the word was God’s name, and the word alone, spoke all created nature into being. “Without him was not any thing made that was made.” it is supreme proof for the name of God!

 

THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS WERE THE MASTERFUL INSPIRED WRITERS.

This booklet is a study course guide, designed to lead into studying the scriptures, all references are to the King James Bible. In short, it is a common sense approach to what the Bible really teaches about God and our relationship to him. As the book title implies, much emphasis is placed upon that true witness which all Bible writers bore about the almighty, to whom the prophets and apostles gave their all. The whole idea is to hold up the grand picture of our Lord Jesus, painted by the prophets of God, and to entice the readers to view it, from every likely position and in various lights.

The convenience of being able to see several scriptures at once and to find the background facts and devotional insights on every passage makes this booklet invaluable to all readers. The Apostle John rejoiced that there were many unfailing truths yet to be proclaimed. As John spoke, “that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” any man, who has been spiritual awakened; in reading these accounts, as they are clearly written in the Bible, will realize his heart cannot resist being drawn to our Lord who loves us so much.

The names applied to Jesus are such that as could only be applied the one who is God. Both testaments clearly declare Jesus to be God. Tit. 2.13 “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” the scriptures point out Jesus, as that which can only be to God. He is shown as being self existent, John 1.4; 1.9; 14.6; omnipresent, Matt. 18.20; 28.20; omniscient, John 4.26; 6.64; 9.37; Matt. 17.22-27: omnipotent, Matt. 24.30; 28.18; Rom. 1.20; Eph. 1.21; Col. 2.10; Jude 25; I Tim. 1.17; 6.15,16; II Pet. 2.10; Rev. 4.8; 1.4,8,11; 7.12; 11.17; 15.3; 19.1; and possessing eternal life, John 1.4; I John 5.13,20 it is evident that in the minds of all those who heard him speak, that Jesus did declare himself to be God. There was no doubt back then. Jesus received honor and worship that only God should receive. “He that sees me, sees the one who sent me.” If you knew me, you know my Father also. Received worship as God, Matt. 14.33; 28.9 sometimes even demanded worship as God, John 5.23; compare Heb. 1.6; Rev. 5.8-14.

 

I am aware some try to say, that Jesus didn’t declare to be God. Well, I believe he did. I have traced the deity of Christ, as coming directly from the pages of the Bible. Truly, this was the clear testimony which Jesus wanted to beard about himself. References are many, and their meaning is altogether clear. Only a blind man could fail to see it. Some only see that the Jews understood his replies, as claims of him being God. The questions were: his assertions were blasphemy, or he was God. In most trials, men are tried for what they had done, but this was not true with Jesus. His trial was only held because of, who he was! It was not for what he had done.

Jesus was in truth and in fact, and in the most correct and perfect sense of the word, the same God “by whom all things were made.” While his body and his outward features were those of an average man, yet his personality was the personality of God. It’s God’s personality as it may be stated in human terms. Jesus was not some kind of fairy pretending to be a man. He was not merely some man so good as to be “like God.” He was the God, and still is.

Now this is not just some religious puzzle. Because, what is meant is this: that for whatever reason God chose to make man as he was to be: limited, suffering and subject to sorrow and death. God was honest and had courage to take his own medicine. Whatever game God was playing in his creation, he has kept his own rules and played fair. He can ask for nothing more from man than what he took on himself. God, himself went through the whole human struggle, from the trivial irritations of family life, to the cramping bonds of hard work, the lack of money, to the worse horrors of pain and humiliation, despair, defeat, and death. When God was a man, he played by rules of men. He was born in bitter poverty, lived a pauper’s life in stark want, died in disgrace and thought it all, to be well worth while. In the same fairness where can we go but to the Lord?

 

WHAT ABOUT THE SAMENESS OF JESUS CHRIST? HIS IMMUTABILITY!

Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and today, and for ever. For ever–the conclusion of time. Jesus will be “the way, the truth, and the life,” and during eternity, it appears that all glorified souls owe their salvation to his infinite mercy. The apparent design of God’s plan is to encourage all his followers to hold on, by showing that their God is always the same. Jesus, who had sustained his people in former times was still the same, and would be the same for ever. If he were fickle, changing in his plans and character: if today he helps his people, and tomorrow he forsakes them. If he made a plan today, which he gave up later. If he is ever, a different God from what he is now; then there could be no comfort in worship. Who would know what to expect tomorrow? Who could know what to depend on? This expounds his eternal sameness in the past, the present, and throughout all eternity: his never-changing. Above all, this verse furnishes the strongest statement for loyalty. It is not possible, to make any assurance which would more strongly, show the firm eternal sameness, than Jesus has made here. It is considered full guaranteed proof that Jesus Christ, himself must be God almighty. Now, of whom else could this be said about, but the supreme God alone?

 

 

Col. 1.15-17 who is the image of the invisible God, the living embodiment of God almighty, that which became a man. Name that is above every name. Which would be totally false for anyone to suggest the Bible referred to Jesus Christ in some lesser manner. The first-born of every creature: this phrase means the same as Eph. 1.21; Phil. 2.9: means Jesus is the head of all creation, and existing long before anything was made, and by himself created all things. Jews say “the firstborn of all the world and of all the creation,” to prove that God had created all things. Jesus is so pointed out here, and the words that follow in Col. 1.16,17 are full proof of this.

John speaks of the word, as being apart from the whole universe; yet as the creator and the shaper of all creation. Also, it is most evident that Apostle Paul fully points Jesus Christ out, as the only creator and Lord of the universe; of all things, visible and invisible. That he was before any creation, having no beginning or end: and that he was before all other beings, whether in the visible or in the invisible world. That whatsoever was created, it was created for him and by him. “By him all things consists.” There is only one eternal living being, like that: that being God almighty, himself. That is powerful proof!

 

Isa. 52.6 therefore my people shall know my name: it is Jesus.

Isa. 54. 5 the God of the whole shall he be called. Jesus Rom. 3.29

Zech. 11.12 God said, give me my price. So they weighed thirty pieces of silver. Jesus Matt. 26.15 (this has a familiar ring.)

Zech. 12.10 God said, they shall look upon me whom they have pierced.

Zech. 14.9 and the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one. Jesus is the name

John 1.1,14 the word was God–the word made flesh & dwelled among us.

All of the eternal that could enter a mortal form, all of the divinity that could come into humanity, and all of the eternal spirit that could be embodied within a human life, was there abiding within Jesus Christ. Matt. 5.18 “for verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” from the beginning of his ministry, Jesus Christ teaches how unstable all visible things are. One jot, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. One tittle, meaning “a period” till all be fulfilled. Though all earth and hell should join together, to hinder the completion of the most high God’s great designs, still it shall all be in vain. Not even the smallest letter of all shall be lost. The words of Jesus, are just that unchangeable, like the divine nature of Jesus Christ, himself. In fact, Jesus would more than “bankrupt heaven” to fulfill his word.

 

 

 

 

WHATEVER ELSE WE MAY KNOW ABOUT GOD, WE DO KNOW AT LEAST THIS.

Who can claim to perceive the counsels of God, or fathom the reasons for his conduct? His designs and counsels are like himself, infinite. How faint is the whisper we hear from him? Yet, by his breath alone he maketh the heavens revive. How can man worship God he does not know? How can a man place his life in God’s hands about whom, he has so much uncertainty, doubts and fears? When the answer to man’s deep longings was offered, because of fear man remained at a distance away from God. This is one main point which we must never allow to happen in our lives. Early in Old Testament times, there was a real fear of God, not the fear of God as it should be. But the people were literally afraid of God. They were scared that they would surely die if they heard his voice.

 

Deut. 4.12 and the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude: only ye heard a voice. (the Lord appeared in no describable form.)

Ex. 33.20 thou canst see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (fear gripped the people’s hearts.)

Judges 13.22 we shall surely die, because we have seen God.

Deut. 5.24,25 we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die.

Scriptures show that many heard the voice of God and did not die. Yet, they feared if they heard his voice again, then they would surely die. Moses and others heard his voice, and saw the cloud and the fire, which were the signs that God was there. But, in whatever manner God chose to appear or manifest himself unto a man, God always took care, never to assume some describable form, nor to appear in the same form each time. The Lord would not be pleased with any form of image worship. Since, God is a spirit, then we who worship him “must worship him in spirit and in truth.” For Moses, there was a well-known place on the mount, where God was accustomed to meet with him. This place was a rock where Moses was to stand, while the divine majesty spoke to him and showed him, his mercy and goodness in redeeming the human race far into the distant future.

Job 11.7,8 canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven, what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

Job 37.23 touching the almighty, we cannot find him out; he is excellent in power, and in judgement, and plenty of justice:

 

Jer. 23.24 can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Jer. 33.16; Psa. 2.7; 45.6,7

II Sam 7.22 for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Isa. 53.1 who hath believed our report? To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? (Christ is the arm of the Lord!)

Isa. 55.8,9 for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Acts 17.23 I found an altar with this inscription, to the unknown God.

Job 26.14 lo, these are all part of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his power who can understand?

Whatever else we may know about God, we do know at least this: the Bible clearly shows that there is only one invisible spirit, God. There is one and one alone. There is no part-time God, no delegation of power, joint effort, or any such thing. God is a jealous God, who would not share his power or his glory with any one else. It is here, the truth will always prevail as its own sufficient evidence, and as its own everlasting proof.

 

THE GOSPEL STORY WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT JOHN’S WITNESS.

No more meaningful statement about Jesus Christ was ever made, than the firm conviction of John’s opening remarks, John 1.1. Apostle John comes to grips with the most important truth about God: who God really was! He explained it in a language all could understand. John 1.1 is much like that declaration that God gave about himself to Moses: I am that I am, showing God’s deity forever. So, we can believe Jesus was not just some historic man, but truly the living eternal God, abiding within a human body. The Father God himself, with a visible appearance: it is simply because the Bible itself has declared it that way, and claimed it first. John’s witness declared that Jesus could not have borrowed his own being from anything that was made. Either in Christ, the creator and redeemer God came right into human life, or the gospels are the records of a lie. John’s book is overflowing with simple words having profound thoughts and deep meanings. A mixture of the simple and complex, his book can easily get over the reader’s head; but it can never go far beyond his heart.

The gospel story would not be complete without John’s witness. It becomes necessary to point out that the emphasis on apostolic beliefs was not an afterthought of facts imposed upon the Christian believers. It all goes back to Jesus himself, and to the apostles who knew him best. He was man yet was truly God. John declares the glorious oneness of Christ and the Father, so hidden and so unexplained before this time. Though we may not see the full depths, we can at least rejoice that John has revealed this great mystery. He knew many details of things long before, they were revealed to the other disciples. The divine-human nature of Jesus Christ was so complex, that no man had ever fully understood it before, and even today some viewing it still have questions. Knowing this, will help all those whose empty lives cry out for truth, and insist on it being told.

John seemed to know the Lord best; about facts of Judas betraying Christ; and the death of Lazarus long before they occurred. He wrote of Jesus’ eternal being; majesty, power, and authority; creation and control of all things in heaven and earth. John made so many distinct, eternal truths come alive in a living reality, for any open mind, like no other Bible writer could do. His undeniable witness establishes Jesus to be Lord of both the heavens and the earth. It declares Jesus’ control over his own universe, no matter how far it extends into limitless space, and over every person under heaven. Going long before Bethlehem, John declared our Lord Jesus himself, existed only in a spirit form, without having an earthly body. He shows that incarnation was when the Father put on the earthy flesh, skin and bones figure: who we know better as Jesus Christ. In the end, we are to be partakers of his nature, and build up ourselves in our most holy faith, and grow up in him in all things, who is the head. The proof of this claim is true if a perfect church is to be born. The gates of hell did not prevail against the church born at Pentecost.

Where can one find a more edifying and beautiful picture about God than that, which dwells in Christ as shown by Apostle John? His inspired pen was dipped time after time in the deep well of God’s love, to show God’s kindness, goodness and regard to the human family. Each writer of the gospel shows Jesus Christ from a different viewpoint. All the apostles struggled very hard to remove the mysteries about the truth’s protective layers. This allowed all mankind to face the ultimate truth about their creator. By his strong convictions and his bold determination, Apostle Paul achieved his greatest work. However, due to the many hardships that the Apostle Paul had to face, if the smallest alloy of doubt existed in his mind, he would have quit long before completing his greatest work for the Christian world. If the apostles had not painted clear pictures of the complex dual nature and unique ministry of the messiah, it could have never been shown nor even partly understood by the simple minds of men.

 

GOD HAS ALWAYS MADE IT PLAIN THAT HE EXISTED ALL ALONE.

From the beginning, God has always made it plain that he existed alone. Now, God presented many mysteries to our faith, and commanded with all power that we should believe them, giving us no other reason than those appalling words: “I am God.” Now, revealing the truth about God is the removing those mysteries and letting the light shine in. To reveal is unveiling many of the mysteries concerning God; so that the truth can be understood. Consider the facts: the spirit which had existed without a body, had been floating so long in shadowy forms, darting into the souls of the poor and needy. It was predominant indeed the “age of the spirit”: when God existed without having a fleshly body. God is without Father, mother, and without descent. God has always been, and he existed alone.

 

Isa. 2.11, Isa. 2.17 The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

Isa. 43.10-11 I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I am the Lord; beside me –no Saviour

Eccl. 4.8 there is one alone there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet there is no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches.

Heb. 7.3 without Father, without mother, without descent, (descent means children) having neither beginning of days, nor ending of life; but made like unto the son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Jesus Christ is our only high priest.)

I Cor. 12.5,6 but it is the same God which worketh all in all. Eph.1.21

James 2.19 thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. See also Matt. 8.29

Isa 44.8 there is no God beside me? Yea, there is no God I know not any.

Christ was a God man, an eternal fountain from which all blessings flow. When one stops to realize, this was “the all in all,” which came into Christ. No small wonder that this knowledge would send “shock waves” through the religious community. Are we on the verge of rediscovering God, after endless surges of blindness from the dark ages? Is the old heathen belief in a multi-God system from Rome on the brink of collapse? Recent revelation of Jesus Christ would cause a hollowing out of the age-old trinity factor leaving it as some dangling shell. Since the turn of the century, belief in the oneness of God has flourished. In reality, the trinity factor has no support in scripture, it becomes an ancient empty hull. It was started in the 4th century at Rome, and this belief caused more deaths in the early church than any other single thing. In all, it has been estimated that about 28 million were killed after refusing to recant from their faith and to accept the trinity factor during the dark ages. To a great extent this heresy was what made the dark ages, dark.

Being told that his mother and brethren called for him, Christ said who is my mother or my brethren? As a man, Christ had no earthly Father. Then later, as God himself; he had no mother or a brother. So, God is without Father, without mother, and without descent, having neither a beginning nor ending of life. Heb. 7.3. Well, how about Christ who the Bible clearly declares to be the Son of God? Now, scripture does not contradict scripture. This is spiritually discerned in the following way. In view of the fact that God is a spirit, and that there is only one spirit, and on account of the fact that Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and was clearly declared to be the Son of God; then, the only honorable and sane interpretation of scripture is to conclude, that the Holy Ghost and God are one, and the same one. Indeed it is only one, the selfsame spirit (God). Because, God is a spirit and the Holy Ghost is a Spirit, and since there is only one spirit; then it stands to reason that it has to be the same spirit, being referred to in two different ways. Thus neither Christ, nor the scriptures, leave any possible doubt about this startling truth. So why not accept the record just as it is?

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT HAPPEN AT CALVARY? MAN COULD NEVER ATONE FOR MAN!

For most church going people it was the place where Christ died. That is true; but all evidence suggests there is more to it than that part. Many people have read in God’s word, John 1.1-14, where Jesus is referred to as “the word.” That living word who came down and left the written word. How is it that Jesus who made the world and all that is in it, could die in it? Can God die? How could the one who spoke the world into existence, lie helpless allowing himself to be nailed to a wooden cross? Isn’t God eternal, and cannot die? Now, didn’t Christ die right there between two thieves? Since Jesus Christ died, then how could he be God? How could such a paradox be? For the most part, this could not be. But with the intricate and complex personality of Jesus Christ almost anything could happen. Jesus made the world and Christ died in it. Doesn’t eternal mean forever, and cannot die? What was it that happened there at Calvary?

II Cor. 5.19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Shadowed as it may be; there is still enough truth shown here in this verse, to clarify otherwise disturbing truth. God, the eternal Father did not die, and cannot die. But, the human body of the eternal Father did die there at Calvary. The Father, being like your own soul, which is totally unseen by the human eye. Yet, it is eternal and will live on somewhere, forever.

On the other hand, that human flesh part, the physical body of the eternal Father, himself did die. It was this humanity part that cried out on the cross. Flesh does not want to die, whether it is God’s flesh or our own flesh. “for he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” II Cor. 5.21 the eternal Father, being that invisible part of Christ, which dwells within the flesh Christ was there on the cross, along in the flesh body, itself. In fact, Christ could not die as long as the Father was there, within him. Simply because, the eternal Father and the eternal Godhead, neither part could die, along with the flesh.

The Father himself, he took on the flesh garment to be the Son. The same eternal Father was right there within the flesh Christ, when he went to bloody Calvary. But, it is not enough to say that the Father was with him, but rather the Father was right there, inside Christ every step of the way, up the hill to Golgotha. But it was here, that the eternal spiritual Father departed, leaving the flesh Christ, Son fully dead.

 

 

Jesus Christ was incarnate for two reasons; one to reveal God to us. The other, to bring the human race back to innocence before God. This would require taking on all the sins onto the cross. Before anyone can take on the sins of mankind, he would have to be a member of mankind. It would offend God, to say that Christ took on the world’s sins because of pity for man. Even worse, because this suggests that man might also take on his righteous by sympathy, too. While this is not possible. Christ took on sin by identifying with sin, and atoning for it. Then we can take on his righteousness only by identifying with him.

Therefore, the death of Christ was not some debt paid within the halls of justice to God for sin. But, this was an appalling claim made by man, through ignorance, of which the Bible says nothing to that effect. One misguided preacher once said that it was a sacrifice that Christ had to make, because God required it. That Christ prayed and pleaded about it, but God wouldn’t let him get by. He just had to pay that sacrificial price to God. God could not watch it any more, and God turned his back on Christ, while he was on the cross.

This minister swept aside the most important aspect of the whole ordeal. Being, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. Which means: any sacrifice for Christ, was also a sacrifice for God, too. Christ on the cross, was a big sacrifice offering for God; since God himself, was right there in that very same body, too. Leave it up to man, to jump to some frivolous notion, and to get so many things all backwards. While the truth is, Christ could not die until God inside him had ascended out.

 

IS GOD KNOWABLE? CAN WE DISCOVER AND REALLY UNDERSTAND GOD?

The more we know about God, the closer we will come to him. Thus more knowledge breeds more faith. While, mysteries about his creator, which man does not understand, causes fear and everyone to place God far away from man. Just knowing, causes most of the fears to vanish, and creates a warm humility, and more trust than anything else could do. The more simple the description are of our loving Saviour and what he means to us, the more we are drawn to him in a special way.

If we believe Jesus is more than just another historic figure, but truly the living God and the ultimate apocalypse, it is because Jesus himself had claimed it, first. This booklet is short on overly detailed definitions but long on examples from scripture. It points out many clear-sounding English words which have been disregarded and where the total meaning intended by the Bible writers has been side-stepped for a more popular watered-down version. Nothing can be worthwhile in life without hope. Nothing can be in life so impaired with fear. Christ declared, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” When he asked for us to learn of him, he did not say, wait for spiritual lightning to strike. An honest heart is all that’s needed.

 

Some people will not admit having questions about God, but are uneasy to live with them every day. Believers are embarrassed when their secret questions about God are known. While non-believers use their questions as strong defenses, when they could be open doors for truth about God.

Why has the idea been; that no one has any right to ask questions about God? When Christ said, come learn of me. We must allow the word of God to bear what the Bible writers meant, and what God wants. If some modern Christians made it to heaven, after looking around awhile, their first question may be, where is God? The answer for many would take a strange twist at this point. Something like this: God is seen so little up here in heaven, just like down on the earth. You see, God is invisible to the bodily eyes and infinite in both places.

Now, Jesus Christ is here. He is the exact image of the invisible God. Anyone can clearly see God in him either up here or on the earth. In Christ, we can understand God as far as our puny insights will allow us to see God. Past this depth, it is only make-believe. We should not suffer because of our inability to recognize the fullness of God. But, the main crucial point is that the coming of God in the flesh was true. It was an event, not some theory.

Matt. 11.28 come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Psa. 73.1 truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

A long time ago, I put aside everyone’s views of the manger, and ideas of the cross, along with the redemption story. Because, I was much more concerned about God, himself. Was it possible to know this God who was to be my Lord and master? Could anyone ever really know God? I knew that Jesus was the creator God. That Jesus had created all things, and understood that he was a God-man.

Only when we recognize our emptiness which cries for true worship, can the deep unrest inside us be settled. Our search for God will be more meaningful and effective when we admit our utter despair being away from him. Could I know God, and learn more about how God sees all these things? Am I supposed to stay on my knees, trust and just pray without knowing much about the supreme God? Is this the place, where he wants to bring everybody, at least once in his life? Obviously, the Christian develops a feeling of truly belonging to God.

Above the cross, manger, redemption story, even eternal live, I was more concerned about God, who he was. I would not be a Christian, if I had not been fully convinced about the great love that God had for the human family. Now I know, without a doubt, that God himself did visit this earth within the visible fleshly garment of Jesus Christ to save us. We must never allow anything to hinder us from receiving this grand truth.

 

WAS GOD OF OLD TESTAMENT, THE SAME GOD AS OF NEW TESTAMENT?

 

Was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob the same God as that of Peter, James and John? Could it be, that the almighty God who spoke to Moses and others in the Old Testament; was the same God that appeared and spoke to Paul on the way to Damascus? Was it so, that the God who opened the Red Sea for the children of Israel was the same God that also opened the prison for Peter? Did the God who fed Elijah in his flight from Jezebel, also the same who fed the multitude with loaves and fishes? Even Pilate inquired, what is truth? The crucial point is, that we are dealing with facts, not theories nor fiction, but actual, concrete Bible truths. Is the Hebrew God and the Christian God, the same God of two testaments?

Phil. 2.10,11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,.. And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, ..

John 10.38 believe that the Father is in me, and I in him–must be spirit! See Also John 14.10,11 (if you jump into a pool of water and then drink some of the water. Thus, the water is in you and you are in the water. How else could it be?)

Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Jesus is with doubt the one, who is to come!

Rom. 1.20 for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so they are without excuse:

Jesus reminds us that the word of God is truth. We can be thankful that Israel’s God of the Bible has not left us without a testimony. We can consult this grand old testimony, whenever we so choose to search for the evidence found in the Bible. Down through the ages, God’s people have pondered upon this evidence to find two great truths: (1) the sameness of the Hebrew God of the old and the Christian God of the New Testament. (2) The deity of Jesus Christ consisted of both, the in-dwelling Father, (invisible God), and the eternal Godhead embodied in the fleshly Son. We declare these truths because the proof of that claim is unmistakable.

“In the beginning, the Word was God.” Two thousand years ago, the Word “became flesh.” Thus, it must be clearly understood that Jesus never “became” God, back then. But that, Jesus has always been God, himself! The creator of the heavens and the earth out of nothingness. He was the God of Abraham, who guides and controls the course of mankind. What we are saying now, is that the great “I am,” Jehovah of the Old Testament, was none other than Jesus, our Lord and Saviour in the New Testament.

The most important thing to understand is that the Father put on a robe of flesh to bring us salvation. The Father God, took on the visible flesh of Christ. So, Jesus was none other than the Father in the flesh. Therefore, to say that Jesus is someone else, besides the God of the Old Testament, is to deny the authority of God’s own word. To say that the “eternal Son” came and took on flesh, rather than the Father himself, is ridiculous.

Here, I hope I am allowed to explain, with all regards due to those who may not agree with me. The doctrine of the eternal Son is all anti-scriptural, and has no foundation in the Bible. Because the Son of God, that flesh part was born of Mary. While the spirit part, the Father himself, was in existence long before that time. The (Son) flesh nature of Christ, had its beginning at birth, had never existed before that time. Certainly, nowhere in the Bible can the words “eternal Son” be found. However, what is found in the scripture, allows no separation whatsoever, between the Old Testament God and our Saviour. The apostles as well as all the early churches strictly taught that the Father and Son were different aspects of the same divine being. Also, the Father took on the flesh from Mary and became the Son. The Son was then the manhood, having the Father, and fullness of the Godhead: the sum total of all.

 

WHO WAS THIS GOD-MAN CALLED THE CHRIST, THAT DIED ON A CROSS?

This question is as “old as the hills” but it stands at the heart of the Christian story. The answers given are as old as the question. Strange as it may seem, it was first asked by our Lord, “Whom do men say that I am?” Never once, did Christ stop to acknowledge any of the high honors given to him in those answers. Nor, did he ever thank his followers for their high esteem and worship: like this was only the way it should be.

I have tried to accept the theory held by some, that Christ kept in such close contact and strictest obedience to the Father, that he just became divine. But I had a hard time swallowing that: when I read Jesus was in the beginning, and created all things, himself. He was the creator God. Even though he was fully human, yet I know that he remained totally God. The same God who had called the whole universe into being, which before had no existence. Now, had come down to human level, to dwell within our world, posing as one of us. Here, he went about doing good to all men, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. Yet, he was God from above, having the very likeness of a man. Scriptures are quite clear in this regard.

The fullness of both, the living God and also the eternal Godhead came into this body, (Son). Nothing like it ever came upon any other being. He lived a life in our world in a perfect manner and without sin. So much more so, than we ever could by the help of having the Holy Ghost. There is only one divine being like this: that being God, himself.

While on the cross, he had all of the in-dwelling Father, possible to be embodied there in him, yet he was human. The man Christ indeed prayed to the Father, but this does not prove two; but only God-man. In our minds, it is a mystery how such a thing could happen. But, all the “how’s” of God’s ways are not the utmost concern. While to think once and for all, that throughout eternity, no one will ever find, one tiny contradiction between this man Christ and the Father. The heart is one, the intent is one. He went all the way, declaring, “I and my Father are one.” God was in Christ on the cross, reconciling the world to himself.

 

The entire key to the Christian faith is our total acceptance of this true identity of the one, who hung there on the cross. But, sin in me has pulled me loose from the original oneness of God, but there lingers in every person, that urgent need to return to the original faith once delivered to the saints. Even if we don’t see “how” it could have taken place, there is a still big hope for it, if the one on the cross is truly “one with God.” Then our only hope is “true faith” in the eternal sameness of Jesus being exactly what, the Bible declared that he was. No other hope exists for anybody!

For the Bible says that God came in the flesh. He was God, himself come to earth, or he is not. A disturbing question arises, here. If he were God clothed with humanity, why did he cry out? Why did he scream in the darkest hour? If Jesus was God, who was he praying to? Was he praying to himself? Here we must remember, that Christ was all of God that could be put within a human body. While, the sad result of this belief is that anyone who believes in the full deity of Jesus, finds himself groping for answers to these simple basic questions.

Christ carried the sins of every human being onto his cross. No wonder he died. The worst of all the accumulated sin caused his humanity to cry out, “my God, my God, why hath thou forsaken me?” to me this has to do with my willingness, to let Jesus live his resurrection life in me. This shows the real meaning of God’s love. Couldn’t God have done it another way? Not so much, what he did on the cross, but who did it! The idea that it was God, who hung there, is what strikes me so deeply.

Anybody can look upon Jesus, and anyone who looks at him, sees God himself. Or, Christ was all wrong in his entire manifestation of the truth about who God was. God came right into human life, or the gospels are big records of a lie. A peaceful Christian sees little need to argue, nor defend what he believes. His only wish is to bear witness for Jesus Christ, who proclaimed himself to be that truth.

 

HOW DOES THE APOSTLE JOHN PICTURE OUR LORD IN HIS GOSPEL?

John’s writing has such a perfect part of the gospel of truth, like the colors are in artwork. John with a burning zeal showed the crystal clear God-man in all his glory and greatness. If the mission of the messiah was to be fulfilled, John had to show him truly God and fully man. Yet, he could not truly interpret Jesus Christ fully without speaking of his humanity along with his deity. Apostle John saw Christ as God himself, and regrets his inability to give devoted efforts in declaring the gospel of truth in full depth. There was no way in which John could completely proclaim all that he felt and all his heart knew. But he did his dead-level best, in writing as the Holy Ghost led him to give the Christian world an unequaled picture of Christ: God who came in the flesh. It was John’s prayerful desire to show Christ so clear and appealing to all.

The life of Christ on earth was recorded in four gospels in the New Testament. Each gospel writer pictured Jesus Christ from a different point of view. His complex-dual nature and his ministry as the messiah could not otherwise be adequately grasped by the earthy minds of men. Matthew showed his kingship. Who could have done this better that the noted tax collector, who was so willingly turned from serving an earthly emperor to follow the king of kings?

 

Mark stressed deeds and sacrifice. Mark’s gospel was in the neat terms for such an active young man. While, Luke dealt with Christ from a physician’s standpoint, as God’s messenger on earth, and as the heavenly messenger of divine truth. There was only one occasion when God limited himself to a human body, and he did that for us! Here, God chose to become a part of his own creation in order to redeem us. When the almighty came in the flesh, as the child once said, “God with skin on him,” he lived by the same rules that he expects man to live by. Then, the Lord went another step further; he submitted himself to his own creation and allowed it to crucify him, that we might live. All the others who saw Jesus Christ can really know what God is like.

The nature and course of man could never be changed by remote control. How could the divine become human? How could spirit take on flesh? The claim was a staggering mystery. John’s claim fell on the deaf ears of Gnostics, who felt that Christ could not be both human and divine. But, John declared that God came to earth in Jesus Christ. The Father God in the flesh, no apologies and without compromise, declaring it as an on-going fact. No wonder the Son was “full of grace and truth.” while men loving darkness more than light, and being yielded to sin more than to righteousness, mankind rejected its redeemer.

Some men rejected Christ because they didn’t understand him, or his mission he came to fulfill. He was so different from their ideas of the promised messiah that they refused and spurned his pleas. Others rejected Christ because they did not understand him, wanted no part of him, and stood at the crossroads of indecision. They deliberately chose the road that led away from him. They did not merely neglect him; they rejected him, and rejected truth.

By a peculiar sort of blending of faith’s insight and historical facts, Apostle John was enabled to perceive many exact facts long before, being revealed to the others. He noted many damaging Gnostic theories started in his time. Chiefly the claim that the Father, himself had not really come in the flesh. John resisted this grim heresy by exalting the deity of Jesus, and magnifying his humanity even the more. John knew this was sacrilege, to be a flat denial of both divine truths.

Throughout John’s record, the deity of Jesus is exalted with indisputable testimony to show that Jesus was the eternal. He makes this astounding truth become alive, as a living reality for any open mind, like no other inspired one could. John carries our minds far beyond Bethlehem, back through the dateless ages, before the creation, when as yet there was nothing. Saying, that only in Jesus there was the original life, unborrowed, and underived.

 

EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS!

 

God revealed himself to Moses and Isaiah as “the I am,” and sometimes, I am he. While to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, God appeared saying that his name was God Almighty. God was also known to most of the Old Testament writers as God Almighty. The Jews were so afraid of taking the name of Lord in vain, that they would not utter his name at all. While, they referred to it as “the name.” But the most interesting thing was that Jesus Christ took on every one of the same sacred names, which had been ascribed to God in the Old Testament. Jesus applied these names of God to himself in such a strong language that becomes unquestionable and undeniable. Hence, these scriptures must not be overlooked or ignored.

John 8.28 when ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he,

Col. 1.17 he was before all things, and by him all things consist. (Jesus created all things, both the seen and the unseen.)

John 8.24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. The strongest and most indisputable language is used.

Acts 4.12 neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. How sublimely does the Apostle peter, in these words, states Jesus was for salvation, and in what was the universal and most emphatic terms. He holds up his Lord and God as the one and only hope of all men! This is strong language, too!

Phil. 2.10,11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Every knee shall most gladly bow, and every tongue that has ever spoke a word, will overwhelmingly raise their voices in one big mighty chorus, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why not, do it now, before you have to?

Heb. 2.3-4 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation:

Rev. 1.8 saith the Lord which is, and which was, and which is to come, the almighty. Just who is coming, again: no how?

Rev. 4.8 Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Everyone knows who to look for: one to come!

Rev. 11.17 saying, we give thee thanks, o Lord God almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; also Rev. 15.3; 16.7,14

Rev. 19.15,16 almighty God–King of kings and Lord of Lords. Who, Jesus?

John 8.58 verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.

The message that Jesus gave to Abraham to give to the children of Israel was, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, “I am hath sent me unto you.” some of the most undeniable and indisputable language is used here, in these scriptures. Almost nowhere else in the Bible, is the language so extremely strong, explicit and so forceful, so as to demand our full and undivided attention. The same time, one is forcefully reminded by such language which our Lord used; more like those ancient declarations of the God of Israel. In a word, a biblical language that far surpasses that which is becoming to all men, but rather a language pertaining only to God. The grandeur of the Bible language which Jesus used, carries the mind over all periods of time to his return, when as the judge of the quick and the dead, he will separate the wheat from the tares. In saying this, our Lord expounded the sad consequences of disbelief, to the non-believing Jews and to all who read these passages, so that ignorance would not be an excuse. Also, so that the full impact may be felt like an awesome choice of life or death. How could it be, that anyone having a sound mind, could ignore or possibly overlook such a strong language? Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess. Why wait till that time comes? Let us bow our knees now, before everybody has to! Thereby, we can avoid the wild panic and the mad rush, which is sure to come.

 

THE EARLY CHURCH FIRMLY BELIEVED IN THE GOD OF ISRAEL.

The wayward idea that the term Elohim for God, referred to a trinity of persons in the Godhead, barely finds any backers among Bible scholars, and none in God’s word. A trinitarian made amazing claims for Jesus. In his own words: “Jesus in the new testament, is the Jehovah of the old testament.” Such statements are common place, among learned scholars. The notion of trinity is a heathen carry-over from Rome. The Fatherhood of God is found in the Son. Father in the Son, is much like you and I, having a soul within a body. These are forever all linked together; not to be separated ever, except in death; then to be reunited for eternity.

 

John 5.23 that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 8.19 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

John 12.44,45 Jesus cried and said, he that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. (he that sees Christ, sees the Father.)

John 15.23 he that hateth me hateth my Father also. (inseparable)

I John 2.22 who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

I John 2.23 whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father.

II John 9 whosoever transgresseth, and abide not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Inseparable!

Above scriptures show that Christ identified himself with the Father. He made no attempt whatsoever to teach himself, as a different being from the Father. There are many mysteries which the carnal mind cannot wholly grasp, and which must be accepted by faith or left alone. Since, we must concede the absolute creative power of Jesus “in the beginning,” then we have to fully accept him, as Israel’s God of the Old Testament. Therefore, it follows, that God is one and not divided or separated into so-called disjoined persons: hence, the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. Since the Bible plainly makes no divisions in the Godhead. Then, these divine modes must be of the same eternal God, and not separate persons.

The same God that was the Father in creation, was the Son in redemption, and was the Holy Ghost in the regeneration of mankind. According to the New Testament record, Christ did not act or speak like an ordinary man. But, he acted and spoke, as one might suspect, the deity in the flesh. Jesus Christ made many startling claims. “God with us.” a brilliant Harvard law professor, studied the evidence, and concluded that Jesus Christ must certainly be found guilty, of the claim of deity; and that any impartial jury in the world, would find him guilty of that charge.

The early church firmly believed that the Father was not one person, and the Son, another. But that the Father and the Son were one and the same. That all things are full of the divine spirit. Also, that which was made or became flesh, was not different from the Father: but, was known by the name of Jesus. The early church knew only one God, and they viewed any talk of “persons” with great suspicion. They held the beliefs of all the apostles, that existed long before Rome started any form of trinity.

The reader’s attention is directed to, I John 2.23, whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father; but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath (the Father also.)” notice the words, “the Father also”; why is this true? Because, the Father is in the Son, the same. There is no verse that says, “He that denieth the Father, the same hath not the Son.” but, just the opposite. All scriptures identify the Father in the Son. Then, to love Christ is to love God and to turn from Christ is turn from God. This many-God doctrine was started by Rome, copied from heathen religions, paganism, and not from the Bible. Drop it, like a bad habit!

 

WHO IS THE ALMIGHTY? WHAT IS HIS NAME?

If someone should asked you, “Who was the Almighty?” Your answer would be, “the one who in the beginning created heaven and earth from nothing.” naturally, this is the right answer, since anyone pondering about who God is, would without a doubt think of the creation. Then, God was the creator in the beginning.

Now, hold on just a minute. There are many scriptures that show that God did indeed, create the heaven and earth. However, there are also many other scriptures, which clearly state that Jesus created the heaven and the earth and all things therein. Somehow, someway, both sets of these scriptures must be rightly reconciled if any clear perception is to make sense. Check out the following scriptures:

John 1.1,3 In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1.10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

I John 1.1 that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life.

Col. 1.16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him.

Col. 1.17 and he was before all things, and by him all things consist:

Therefore, the above scriptures cannot be overlooked, and the absolute creative of Jesus Christ in the beginning is not some wild, far-fetched rendition for these scriptures. But, it is the truth and nothing but the truth. Not everyone wants to believe it, but the strange thing about the truth is; that it doesn’t change no matter who don’t believe it. It is absolutely absurd, for anyone to attempt to explain away, the creative power of Jesus Christ; while trying to hold-on to the old pagan many-God system started by Rome.

Therefore, since all the creation works must be ascribed to Jesus, and also to God, and since there is not but one creator, never has been but one, and never will be more than one. Then, how is it possible to make sense of such conflicting scriptures? Except that we see where the real error is within our own understanding. Henceforth, we must believe in Jesus’ deity, that he is God, one and the same one. Or else, we must see that the name “Jesus” is the name of God. There is no other sensible answer, but this proof being its own witness.

Even the Apostle Paul seemed to have labored for words, to proclaim how great his concept was of Jesus Christ. From Paul’s faithful account we see truth to be real, eternal; but our viewpoint of truth is lacking and limited. By strong convictions Paul achieved his greatest Christian work for the world. While a small blend of doubt in his mind would have made him unable of doing. Apostle James held Jesus in the highest esteem, as all writers. But he proved that faith was the center of the Christian endeavor. It was faith that is tested in trials. It is our faith that is proven by overcoming those trials. No man is related to God in the least without faith. Then, there is not any Christian quality to be proven.

There was no election held in heaven, nor any choosing process that took place up there. Jesus did not, “just got selected” as some ambassador of good will, to make a trip to earth to straighten things out. Jesus was not some emissary! Nor was he some appointee for a higher divine being, than himself, as if there were more Gods than one. But, it was the only almighty God, the Father, who came down willingly; and took on that robe of flesh, becoming a man himself, who appeared in a human body. We know him better by the name of Jesus Christ. Now, all that is powerful proof.

 

 

 

 

WHY DID CHRIST DIE? COULDN’T GOD HAVE DONE IT ANOTHER WAY?

 

The Old Testament uncovered a real need for God to come among mankind. There is nothing to bring the human mind sharply to the point, than the incarnation which means God has come in our midst of all the clamor and tumult of this world. It was to proclaim that both divine eternal truth and the down-to-earth realities of the human situation belong together. Therefore, to separate Christianity from incarnation is to corrupt it at its roots. In the strong language of Apostle John, it is to “make God a liar.” It is a pathetic spectacle to see preachers and churches trying to eliminate the reproach by refining less offensive ways for paganism. The high point in Peter’s entire live was when he recognized his Saviour as God in the flesh. Truly, it was a breakthrough in the history of all mankind for man to know and to view that the creator God was now there.

An amazing account of the redeemer God coming the one “by whom all things were made that were made.” you see, this creator was none other than our Saviour. He came with no toilsome unfolding plan, no hard tricks, and no impressive proof of his identify. He offered himself. Let us know that Jesus purely disrobed himself of all things, as the best way of showing his love to the human race. He could not do it a better way, and still allow us to remain free mortal agents and accountable human beings. Not once did he use his deity to prove himself. Never once did he use his deity to protect himself. Instead he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross.

Had he came down off the cross back there, it would impressed a few thousand living then. But, from that cross you and I can hear a cry so loud to the all mankind. We either accept him or we reject him. The choice remains yours. While there are some Christians who try to make God into a handy errand boy, whose only work it seems is to keep them from human suffering. They do not know the redeemer God of Calvary.

Man could never know the true nature of God by any other way. If we could only look at Christ, as God himself dwelling in the flesh, then our hearts would be drawn to him. To view Jesus could never be fulfilled by remote control. The frightful marks of fear can never be erased forever, off his honest loved ones’ hearts, who had struggled with a distorted view of a God of vengeance.

Our success or failure in all life is also dependent upon our own concept of God. If you are not quite sure of your image about the almighty is the right one; a thorough search of his word would help. Hopefully, then you may understand the need for all the joy. You could understand and forgive those who seem to be pushing you toward the developing and perfecting of the body of Christ. Everyone must be aware that mere conformity is not the plan to a peaceful Christian life.

A preacher once said that the temptation of Christ could not have been like ours. Not only, was this not what the Bible declares to be true. But, it robs God of much of the real meaning of his visit. Coming among men did not decrease God, but this only brought God closer to us. This preacher’s ill words leave me completely out in the cold. All the other religions, man is seeking trying to find God. If I thought that finding God were possible, I would probably be in another religion.

 

No man can come to God except the spirit draw him. The penitent thief on the cross felt God reaching out from his cross. Seeing Christ on the cross as God pleading to him. He found himself opening his heart for God. Christ showed us the Father, when he showed us himself. The big why’s of his coming takes on a new meaning. The redeemer God recalls what it was like to be a man. He offered himself to satisfy our basic hunger to know God.

We are always astonished at the unfolding wonders that Christ did not protect his humanity, when on earth as God. He could have but he didn’t. To me, it is not enough to say that Christ was the Son of God. There is just more to it than that. Either in Jesus is the creator and redeemer God who came into human life, or the gospels are records of a big lie.

 

HOW ABOUT THE FIRST MAN ADAM, AND THE LAST MAN ADAM?

There were only two in all the Bible: whose humanity hangs in the Bible balance. Adam and Jesus Christ: both being a first; both being a direct creation of God. Both similar, having two important differences. The birth of Jesus Christ was only an event, and not a beginning. Adam was not created holy. He was only created innocent like any child. God had a group of moral and right choices, that Adam was to select from which would convert his innocence to pure holiness before God. But, Adam did fail his test.

Then, innocence is not to be considered as a safe state to be in, but it is full of chances, and falling hazards. While, the innocence of Christ was not like that of any born in the world. Because, the holiness of God in Christ was absolute, not some maturing process, like that of Adam or us. Christ came to reveal true holiness of what a man should be like.

Now, we can be brought into the original childlike innocence before God by the regenerating work of his grace. Then, God’s regenerating work is more grand than giving some man a new start. God completely recreates a man from the inside of his heart, outward. God created Adam to rule over all living thing, except himself, here God had the control. While Christ, the last man Adam had total control over the entire universe before his visit from heaven, and he still does today.

The rocky mountain range is called the continental divide, where all the waters separate and flow toward the Atlantic or to pacific oceans. Adam took a downward turn at his great divide, choosing a pathway of sin. He brought sin into an innocent world. While, the great divide for Christ, was at his death, burial and resurrection. He was truly the Son of God, before that time. After his divide, he gave up, gave away his Son-ship to righteous mankind, whereby we are now the sons of God.

While, Jesus himself is not the son of God any more. But fully God once more like he was before his coming. May God lift the veil as to what all this means. Spiritual truths are discernible, not by a keen intellect, but only by a pure heart made alive by the Holy Ghost. He is now the ever-present God. Then, we have the enlightenment of living in the shadow of the almighty. Who Jesus is, no one can tell us who; it is spiritually discerned. We have to find out for ourselves, by letting God show us that striking truth. The Holy Ghost will show just who God is, to all who will allow the Holy Ghost to show them, while the others will remain blinded.

That same Father spirit, which left his own body, came back into it once again. Christ’s body did not just rise up by itself, it was the Father himself, reentered the flesh robe again, who raised it up. John 2.19 “Jesus answered and said unto them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Matt. 26.61; 27.40 Jesus had power to raise up his own body.

A mere man could not say this. No man can have such power over his own dead body; and there had to be within Christ some nature far superior, to any human who has ever lived. As Jesus had power over his own body after death. It proves his resurrection power was not affected, even after his death. “No one can take my life away from me.” Isn’t he saying, “I shall give you full proof of my supreme power by raising, that crucified body from the grave in three days.” “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Gen. 18.14 No! John 2.19,21 who raised Jesus up? “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up.

But he spake of the temple of his body.” when therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had spoken this unto them. How can this mystery be explained? It is impossible as long as men consider the Godhead on human level, as daddy and lad combination; father and son. It is not so hard to understand, when a person realizes that the Son was the flesh body of God, who had inherited his name from the invisible Father, who dwells inside. Like your soul within your body. You may rest assured that one thing is for certain, Jesus is here for the duration time, being very much a part of the unfinished business for every man, woman and child of every age.

 

HOW COME, THE MESSIAH CAME IN HIS FATHER’S NAME?

The Old Testament prophets had predicted that the coming Saviour, would be none other than God, himself. Isaiah in particular, foresaw him as “the Mighty God,” and “the Everlasting Father.” This is not simply some Christian interpretation, but the ancient Jewish scholars considered that Isa. 9.6, to be proof-text, that the messiah would be almighty God. In a word, everyone should realize that the kind of language used in the scripture and others, is reserved only for the supreme deity, himself.

 

Ex. 23. 21 beware of him, and obey his voice… For my name is in him.

Prov. 30.4 who hath ascended up to heaven, or descended? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

John 5.43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

 

Luke 24.49 and, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: (the promise was the invisible Father, himself dwelling in them.) but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye are endued with power from on high. (the Holy Ghost)

John 1.16; 10.25 the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. What name? The Father’s name.

John 9.29 we know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow, we know not whence he is.

Heb. 4.2 for unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. How glorious is the truth.

Many things concerning God can only be understood and accepted, through the avenue of faith. Certainly, Christ coming in his Father’s name is a commonly misunderstood scripture, to the carnal mind in the absence of faith. Then, faith is needful to comprehend God’s word. God searched heaven and earth for a man, “that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me, I found none.” “Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: (a victim to evil.) And the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgement. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm (Christ) brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” Isa. 59.14-16; Ezek. 22.30.

In view of the fact, that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God;” and that the world, and all things in it were created by him, and on account of the fact, that “the Word was made flesh,” and that he plainly declared, “He came in his Father’s name, and not his own name.” Then, the only sane conclusion is that “Jesus” was the Father’s name: the name of the eternal spirit, and that this name “Jesus” was with God in the beginning, and the name “Jesus” was passed on to Christ at his birth.

Heb. 1.4 as he by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

To wit the name “Jesus.” the “new name of God” which in all its glorious majesty which the Lord chose not to unveil, till the birth of his Son. This inherited name of Jesus, is most honorable and exalted name that has ever been granted at any time. It was the name of the supreme God, the Father, a peculiar name that no man knew but the Lord, himself. Rev. 19.12 it entitles him, upon whom it is conferred, the highest honor and respect than any other name ever given.

This “new name,” that the Lord of his own choice, kept hidden from the discernment of the prophets, and which remained in darkness in former times. Now, Jesus proposed many mysteries to our faith, and commanded with all authority that we should believe them, giving no other reason than those striking words: “I am he (God.)” Further, the inspired writers of the New Testament recognized fully and knew the name “Jesus” was the name of the God of Abraham, the great I am, or Jehovah. So, Jesus is the highly exalted name of God.

 

 

 

 

RELIGION OF JESUS THAT ROME TEACHES IS A WATERY SUBSTITUTE.

Rome has attempted to de-supernaturalize the gospel picture of Christ by explaining away every passage where divine intervention emerged as being due to the retroactive afterthoughts and piecework of religious heretics. Besides, they have stated that Jesus did not actually teach about himself, what the apostles believed, held dear and taught about him. As a result, the religion of Jesus that Rome teaches is a poor and watery substitute, for the strong and vital faith which all the apostles held in the one God who is greater than all the prophets.

The all and in all, which the apostles taught was the same one who invaded the human world from the great beyond. The might one, who reset everybody’s time clock back to time zero, and who divided all history asunder with the earth shattering words, “before Abraham was, I am!” While, the weak and puny figure that Rome has shown us, may appear to be some disembodied ghost. Certainly, it is not the Lord of the heaven and earth, both empires: which all the apostles proclaimed so boldly, and the prophets so worshiped and adored.

No amount of assimilation of religious ideas, or dogma in such displaced deities, which Rome teaches as existing in the far blue yonder, can ever take the place of Jesus. You can rest assured that we could never find or even recognize the outlines for our holy faith, from their recreated images of Christ. If a young man could but see. If the readers had only allowed themselves to see him staring back at them from the pages of the Bible, what a different picture they would behold.

Undoubted, it was a case of supernatural facts that created the church, and did it with such a force that to this day, the gates of hell have not prevailed against it. Some admit it is true, and that it should be proclaimed. But they will take only the beliefs and insights, it shares in common with other religions, and leave out the rest. Early church Christianity stood alone. It was never meant to be reconciled with any paganism and half-beliefs.

Some modern ministers have done a tragic thing to Christ. How often, they have painted pictures of Christ as some pale, ghostly, sickly and weak man. They appear so unaware and so far removed from a stern Godly part of his complex nature, which Jesus showed to the apostles and the prophets. Jesus was so kind, thoughtful and gentle, but this was only one part of his complicated nature. He was also the most stern, the most provocative, the most disturbing, and the most courageous person that the world has ever seen.

Most of the people who heard him were continually being startled, shocked and often angered at what he said. Because Jesus was so stern, unyielding and refusing to compromise, he saw five thousand walk away, until only twelve were left. But this did not stop him, and nothing could turn him back. Even the fierce hostility, physical agony and his family walking away did not discourage him. He kept right on. What a terrible sin and a travesty of truth for anyone to teach that Jesus Christ was only a man. One saying such has never known the Lord.

I am aware some try to say, that Jesus did not actually declare himself to be God. Well, I am fully convinced that he did. For that reason I have traced the true deity of Christ as coming directly from the pages of the Bible. It appears certain that this was the clear testimony which Jesus wanted to bear about himself. There are many references to fix this fact, and their meaning is altogether clear. While, some only see that the Jews understood his replies, as being claims of him being God. The only two alternates were: his assertions were blasphemy, or he was God. If his assertions were not true, then who is it that would know what to believe. But such is not the case, because his deity could no more be dethroned than the sun could be dethroned. In most trials, men are tried for what they had done, but with Jesus, this was not true. His trial was only because of who he was, and not for what he had done.

 

WE STAND WITHOUT A SINGLE CHOICE. BUT TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST!

It was God’s divine plan, that all great mysteries about the name of God and his divine nature, were to be manifested in Christ. These were all mysteries beyond the reach of the prophets, and which the finite mind cannot fully grasp. Such mysteries must only be accepted by faith, or left alone. Jesus is the creator and the Lord of the entire universe. No scripture establishes this amazing truth more than, Col. 1.15-17. Four times in these verses the words, “all things” appear. Whatever is “in heaven” or “on earth,” “visible” or invisible,” it is all included. “All things” includes everything: without any exceptions.

Apostle Paul could not have allowed any oversight to linger beyond this point. The terms “thrones, dominions, principalities, and power” were words used referring to the Gnostic divine powers. All things mean all of these, too. Here, also we see three carefully chosen phrases, which applies to Jesus and Jesus alone, “in him, through him and for him.” The origin, course and final scenes of all the cosmic drama, was and is, and shall be under the sole direction of Jesus.

Many Christians in our day, view Christ as Lord of their lives, without even realizing that he is Lord of the universe they live in. Jesus Christ is absolutely everything that a Christian will ever need. The author and finisher of all things, having to do with anything. For a person who trusts in Jesus Christ, all doors of Godliness are open. With all that said, if we consent to the absolute creative power of Jesus Christ in the beginning, as the Bible so clearly states: then, we stand without a single choice, but to accept that Jesus Christ himself, is the only creator, and therefore the true and living God. He is stable and unchanging, a recess from this fast paced, hurry-up world, and also he serves as the only secure anchor for the soul.

Isa. 40.5 and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The mysteries embodied in Christ, other than his name.

 

Col. 1.16,17 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or principalities, or powers: all were created by him and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

I Tim. 3.16 and without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. John 5.8; 9.6,7

Eph. 1.21 far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, (earth) but also in that which is to come: (heaven)

The general sense here is, that the Lord Jesus Christ was exalted to the highest conceivable dignity, honor and power. Compare Phil. 2.9; Col. 2.10 with this beautiful and most important passage, where the Apostle Paul seems to labor for words, to convey the greatness of his concepts of Jesus. He uses only those words which show the very highest imaginable dignity, power and glory; which is ascribed to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, “not only in this world but also that which is to come.” this certainly says much, about the staying power of our Lord Jesus.

The apostles and prophets have projected Israel’s God, on the screen of history for men to view him clearly living in Jesus Christ. There is no need to ask, “What is God really like?” When we call Christ, the image of the invisible God, we refer to God’s own flesh body coming from the virgin birth. The God of the universe became subject to death so that man could be subject to God. Christ entered the realm of death, and the power of his death was more than adequate to bring man to God. While it meant that the God of the universe, had become the God of the Colossians.

Permission is given by the author to make additional copies for use in your church.

Howard M. Fincher,Glencoe, AL

Note: Howard Fincher passed away October 18,2006 at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife Mary L. Fincher and a host of family and friends. He will be greatly missed, however we know he is in the arms of Jesus. We hope this book will touch each person who reads it.