“…Salvation is found in no one
else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must
be saved.”…” (Acts 4:12 NIV).
*
The GREAT SALVATION is not simply about
healing a sick body occasional, or providing material needs, or financial break
throughs, or for entertainment, or to answer a few prayers, but its greater
purpose is the DELIVERANCE of the SIN-SICK and lost soul destined for eternal
damnation. “…The Son of man came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…”
(Luke 19:10 KJV). “….the Son of Man came …to give his
life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
The KEY player in this
great deliverance is none other than JESUS CHRIST. “…And
being made perfect, he became author of
ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them who obey him…”
(Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV).
For the scientific
minds, most scholars believe Jesus Christ existed and actually walked the earth,
but many differ on their perspective of the facts or the interpretation of the
facts. In all fairness, I will say that there are a few scholars that even say
Jesus Christ was a myth. “…And without faith it is impossible to please God, because ANYONE WHO COMES TO
HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS…” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).
Rarely do you or anyone
else question other historical figures to the degree that Jesus Christ has been
questioned, yet if you don’t reject their historical facts why would you reject
those of Jesus. “…Jesus
did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I
suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would
be written…” (John 21:25 NIV).
Well known Jewish historian and scholar, Flavius
Josephus, in the Antiquities of the Jews,
a reliable historical work done in the 1st century references
and gives witness to Jesus. “…It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I
am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness
of me…” (John 8:16-17 KJV).
The actual Jewish
Antiquities historical paragraph called the “Testimonium
Flavianum” or “The Testimony of Flavius” Vol. 18, chapter 3, and paragraph 3 is as follows: “At
this time there was wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and he was known to be
virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his
disciples. Pilate condemned him to
be
crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They
reported that he had appeared to them three
days
after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the
Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted won.” (Michael
the Syrian, translation from Whealey, 2008).
I
believe this is 100% a historical, reliable, and authentic account for those
who need objective evidence. “…walk by
faith, not by sight…” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
The best source for proving Jesus existed
is the bible. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16
KJV).
The Synoptic Gospels are also heavily supported
by many scholars as having been written by his disciples. The Synoptic Gospels
differ on facts and perspectives, yet agree on the many eyewitnesses,
ministers, and first-hand accounts of Jesus’ life and death. “…Many have undertaken to draw
up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed
down to us by those who from the first were EYEWITNESSES and servants of the word…” (Luke 1:1-2 NLT). “….Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a
declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as
they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were EYEWITNESSES, and ministers of the word…”
(Luke 1:1-2 KJV). “…For we did not follow cleverly devised
stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,
but we were EYEWITNESSES of his majesty….”
(2 Peter 1:16 NLT).
Reputable bible scholars, after critical
analysis of the holy text, offer a rational, but somewhat persuasive view of
the historical Jesus, the flesh man. “…the
Word (Jesus) was made FLESH, and dwelt among us...” (JOHN 1:14).
Most critical analyses are based on an
objective, rational worldview and totally eliminate the mystical worldview of
Jesus’ life. Some things are limited to what you can see; others things can only be seen by faith. “…walk by
faith...” (2
Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
Mystical truths can only be understood IF
God reveals them to you through his SPIRIT. “….When we tell you these things, we DO NOT use words that come from human
wisdom. Instead, we speak words GIVEN TO US by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s
words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual CAN’T RECEIVE these truths from God’s
Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and THEY CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT, for only those who
are spiritual CAN UNDERSTAND what the Spirit means…” (1 Corinthians 2
NLT).
Jesus Christ existed. “…ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS…”
(Hebrews 11:6 NIV).
Why did Jesus Christ exist? “….the Son of Man came (existed) not to be served but to serve
others and TO GIVE his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew
20:28 NIV). “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…”
(Romans 3:23). “…the wages of sin is death…”
(Romans 6:23).
In the Old Testament animal sacrifices
provided a temporary covering for sins. “…almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”
(Hebrews 9:22 KJV). The shedding of blood was commanded by God as an atoning
sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
This atoning sacrifice,
though temporary and limited, satisfied God for the offenses of sins committed
by his people. The animal, representing the atoning sacrifice of the day, was temporary.
The animal’s shed blood, covered the sins of the people and freed them from the
consequences of their sin.
This is not complicated
and it is a very small synopsis of this vast topic. Animal sacrifices took
place thousands of years ago and was simply a method God used as the atoning
sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.
Animal sacrifices, of
course, have LONG stopped. “For
the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the
altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…”
(Leviticus 17:11 KJV).
Thus, during ancient
times certain animals died to serve as temporary substitutes for the people’s
sin. It was a temporary substitute only and since it was temporary the animal
sacrifices had to be repeated over and over every year. The animal sacrifices,
therefore, were a small tedious sample of the ultimate and permanent sacrifice
predicted in Jesus Christ, who was to come!!!
“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices
which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would
they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having
once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of
sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and
goats to take away sins…”
(Hebrews 10:1-4 NASB).
Sin separates God from
his people. “… [their] … iniquities (sin)
…separated
[them]… from [their]… God… …”
(Isaiah 59:2 KJV). Jesus Christ became the atoning sacrifice in order to
restored God’s people BACK to Him.
The relationship with God through Christ
is a blood covenant between God and the believer. This covenant relationship is
witnessed between Jesus and God. “… I
and my Father are ONE…” (John 10:30 KJV).
A blood covenant is usually between two
parties however, one or both of those parties can be a representative for an entire family or a group of people. If one of
the parties of the blood covenant is a representative of a group of people, he
totally represents every single person, equally, in the group. The
representative also is the guarantee that every responsibility or binding
agreement of the covenant will be kept by those he represents.
The representative, therefore, acts on
behalf of everyone in the entire group. The representative is considered the “voice”
and the “guarantee” for each individual member of the group. In other words, each
individual member of the group is represented “IN” him.
For instance, when the representative
walked through the bloodied bodies in the Old Testament, he “sealed” the blood
covenant for every single member of the entire group. This
is a very basic explanation of a blood covenant.
However, in the New Testament,
Jesus is both YOUR representative and atoning sacrifice in the covenant
relationship with God.
Jesus is the slain, Lamb of
God, that was killed in your place and therefore the atoning sacrifice for your
sins. “…Behold the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the world”
(John 1:29 KJV).
Jesus’ sacrificial death was
the atoning sacrifice for your sins. “He
is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). You can NOW enter freely into the new blood covenant relationship
with God THROUGH Christ. “…This cup is the new covenant in my blood …which is poured out for you…” (Luke 22:20 ASV).
Jesus’ death was like the
death of the slain animal sacrifices in the Old Testament blood covenants. His
blood is now the blood of the new covenant, which is an everlasting covenant
(Ezekiel 37:26). “This is my blood of
the covenant, which is poured out for many for
the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 KJV).
Jesus is our permanent and
once-for-all substitute for sin. His sacrificial death allows you to enter into
an everlasting covenant relationship with God through your representative,
JESUS CHRIST. “For Christ also died
for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death
in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18
NASB).
Jesus is both your atoning
sacrifice and your representative in the covenant relationship with God. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just
for the unjust, so that He might bring
us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1
Peter 3:18 NASB).
Jesus enters the relationship
with God as your representative. We, who are “IN” Christ and are represented by
Him, enter the relationship too. “For Christ also died for sins
once for all, the just for the unjust…”
(1 Peter 3:18 NASB).
Now, through Christ, we are
able to keep the obligations and responsibilities of the covenant. “For
it is God who
worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…I can do
all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). SHOUT!!!
In addition, Jesus became the “guarantee”
that the covenant with God is kept. “…Jesus has become the guarantor of a
better covenant…” (Hebrews 7:22 NIV).
We can now enjoy the same
“oneness” covenant relationship with God THROUGH Christ. Jesus
said, "I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV). You can
too.
The bible says, “…that they may ALL BE ONE; even as You, Father, are
in Me and I in You, that they also may BE IN US, so that the world may believe that
You sent Me…” (John 17:21-23 NASB).
Jesus Christ existed to become a ransom
for many by his sacrificial death. He is also the atoning sacrifice for YOUR
sin.
How did the human, existing Jesus Christ
become the atoning sacrifice for your sins? “…Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a
purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with
their hands….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and
the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief
priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him,
crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for
I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him.
Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered,
We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be
crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV).
“…And he bearing his cross
went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the
Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him…” (John 19: 17-18 KJV).
“..After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that
the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel
full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop,
and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he
said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost…”
(John 19:28-30 KJV).
“…The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies
should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was
an high day,) besought Pilate that their
legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the
soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified
with him. But when they came to Jesus,
and saw that he was dead already, they
brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side,
and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record,
and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might
believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A
bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on
him whom they pierced…” (John 19:31-37 KJV).
“…And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but
secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body
of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And
there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and
brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the
body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of
the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was
crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never
man yet laid. There
laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for
the sepulchre was nigh at hand…” (John 19:38-42 KJV).
“…Then
the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were
shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and
stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto
them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw
the Lord. Then
said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you…” (JOHN 20:19-21 KJV).
What motivated Jesus
Christ to die on the cross for YOU? “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…”
(John 15:13 NLT). “Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US
and sent His Son...”
(1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ
came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would
not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be
willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his
great LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners”
(Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “…God SO LOVED the
world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
Not only Did Jesus Christ love you, but he
was JOYFUL about giving you the GIFT of SALVATION. “…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross,
disregarding its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
The experience of the
cross was a shameful, but temporary part of Jesus’ journey, but the JOY
awaiting him was the glorious, but eternal part of his journey.
The eternal Joy held a
greater weight for Jesus than the temporary shame of the cross. “…What we do see is Jesus, who for a little
while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered
death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by
God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone…” (Hebrews 2:9 NLT). “…Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name
above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth…” (Philippians 2:9-10 NLT).
The JOY of
accomplishing God’s purpose, as a GIFT of SALVATION to sinners, far outweighed
anything else or any other agenda as far as Jesus was concerned.
He knew what was waiting
for him. “…he [would
be]…“crowned with glory and honor.” …” (Hebrews 2:9 NLT). “… [He would
be]…elevated …to the place of highest honor …” (Philippians 2:9-10
NLT).
God knew “…when he (Jesus) sees all that is
accomplished by his anguish, he
will be satisfied. And because of his
experience, my
righteous servant (Jesus) will make it possible for many to be counted
righteous, for he will bear all their sins…”
(Isaiah 53:11 NLT).
“…The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this
small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate
together!’” (Matthew 25:21 NLT). “…At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy
Spirit….” (Luke 10:21-22 NLT).
While on earth, he was faced with
deep grieves and sorrows, but his purpose in God incited his JOY in spite of
his trials and tribulations. “…Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding
its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
It demonstrates how believers
can also experience inexpressible joy while also dealing with the sorrows and
griefs of life. The KEY is to remember Jesus’ JOY was drawn from within and his
SORROWS from without.
Jesus is the RANSOM for many,
he is the ATONING SACRIFICE for SIN, he is your COVENANT KEEPER, he is your
GIFT of SALVATION, he is your ETERNAL LIFE, he is the INDWELLING SPIRIT, and he
is your EVERLASTING LOVE. “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…”
(John 15:13 NLT).
“…Christ died for [your] SINS
according to the scriptures; And
…he was buried, and … rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV). “…SIN IS the
transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED …” (Romans 3:23). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
Therefore, “… REPENT
and TURN TO God …” (Acts 26: 20
NASB). “….IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN
YOUR SINS…” (John 8:24 KJV). “…HE THAT
BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because HE HATH NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. …” (John 3:18-20 KJV). “…REPENT ye
therefore, and
BE CONVERTED, that your sins
may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19 KJV). “…Whosoever believeth in him SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16).
“…SALVATION
is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be
saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV).
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