What John saw that caused him to believe

Posted on February 10, 2024 by Jerry


The Text:

John 20:7  And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

The Mistaken Muslim Challenge:

Top 100 Reasons, Reason 47, Jesus Was Never Crucified, Killed And Died For Others

Mary Magdalene And Others Did Not See Anyone In The Tomb Nor Outside Of It

– If some women or a woman saw some angels in a vision, a man, two man in person, two angels in person, or an angel in person, we have many authors in each gospel, if you are told the Gospel of Mark, John, Matthew, Luke just forget about that and these authors are not eyewitnesses, otherwise there would be no contradictions amongst them about the crucifixion and the resurrection

– This gives us an impression that Mary Magdalene and other Mary did not see anyone, otherwise Mary and other women would not contradict their own words, only a lie has different versions, unless Christians admit the holy spirit wasn’t with the disciples, Mary and other Mary

-If the New Testament is inspired by God, it’s not made up and Mary Magdalene and other Mary went to the tomb for real, there would be no contradictions. Therefore 2 Timothy 3:16 is false and fabricated. Paul the founder of the crucifixion, resurrection, trinity, Christianity said “all the scripture is God-breathed, the reasons is to guide and correcting people, so a book that has contradictions and needs to be corrected cannot correct us and anything else

– The crucifixion and the resurrection is man made, it’s based on Philippians 1:18, it says you are allowed to lie when preaching Jesus christ. If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3).

My Response:

I trust that you are not knowingly misreading and misrepresenting the genuine and true historic first century primary source records now found in the 27 books of the New Testament.

Here are some verses which, properly and fully understood, change everything and ought to by themselves answer the mistaken perspective you continue to promote:

John 20:1  The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Joh 20:2  Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Joh 20:3  Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
Joh 20:4  So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
Joh 20:5  And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
Joh 20:6  Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
Joh 20:7  And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Joh 20:8  Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

What John personally saw caused him to believe.

What did John see that was so striking?

Joh 20:7  And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

wrapped together. or, rolled, or coiled round and round. Gr. entulissō (S# G1794). Used elsewhere, only in Mat 27:59 and Luk 23:53 of the linen cloth. Here it implies that the cloth had been folded around the head as a turban is folded, and that it lay still in the form of a turban. The linen clothes also lay exactly as they were when swathed round the body. The Lord had passed out of them, not needing, as Lazarus (John 11:44), to be loosed. It was this sight that convinced John (John 20:8).

In plain English, Jesus arose bodily from the dead but left his grave clothes behind and undisturbed. His body was no longer there, but risen from the dead.

Peter and John were eye witnesses to the fact of the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and met with Him shortly thereafter where they handled Him and witnessed Him eat a meal before their very eyes as the Gospel record in Luke 24 records (Luke 24:38-43).

Luke 24:38  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Luk 24:39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luk 24:40  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
Luk 24:41  And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
Luk 24:42  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
Luk 24:43  And he took it, and did eat before them.

May I kindly caution and warn you not to continue to twist the Scriptures to your own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

God’s Warning:

2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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Daily Bible Nugget #826, Colossians 4:2

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

Col 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

My Comment:

There is much to learn from the Bible about prayer. We are thankful to God for His answers to prayer. Sometimes we are puzzled, frustrated, or discouraged from what seem to be our unanswered prayers. I posted articles here on the reasons given in the Bible for unanswered prayers. To those reasons I must add what the Bible teaches about the Silence of God. Colossians 4:2 still stands as an encouragement to “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” It is the directly stated will of God that we “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18).

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook Post:

COLOSSIANS 4.2  Pray Persistently

Continue in prayer,and watch in

the same with thanksgiving

Cross references

HEBREWS 4.16 Pray Boldly for Help

Let us therefore come boldly
to the throne of Grace that
we obtain mercy, and find grace

to help in time of need

PHILIPPIANS 4.6 Pray in Everything

Be careful for nothing; but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

MATTHEW 21.22, Mark 11.24 Pray in Faith, Believing

And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer
believing, ye shall receive. Mark 11.24 What things
soever you desire,when you pray, believe that ye

receive them, and you shall have them.

JOHN 15.7 Pray according to God’s Word

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,

you shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

ROMANS 8.26 Pray in the Spirit

We know not what we should pray for
as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh

intercession for us.

EPHESIANS 6.18 PRAY ALWAYS

Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit , and watching thereunto with all

perseverance and supplication for all saints

I MUST TELL JESUS

2 TIMOTHY 4.17
The Lord stood with me

and gave me strength

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone
In my distress He kindly will help me:
He ever loves and cares for His own
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus I
cannot bear by burdens alone I must
tell Jesus Jesus can help me, Jesus

alone!!

 

Posted in Bible Promises, Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Ken Sagely contributions, Practical Application Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #825, Psalm 119:105

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Jerry


The Nugget:

Psalm 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

My Comment:

There are many individuals who do not believe the Bible is understandable to the ordinary reader. I even read a comment recently somewhere online that no reader today can understand the English of the King James Version of the Bible!

I am especially concerned for those who have been taught by their church that only their church has the authority to interpret the Bible.

There are those who argue that if it were not for their church, we would not even have the Bible today. They claim it was their authoritative church that determined which books belong in the Bible, and that this was not done until 382 AD, if I recall correctly.

Apologists for this church argue that there is no verse in the Bible that says we must go by the Bible alone. They argue we must also go by the traditions of their church.

There is a Bible verse which declares we are to go by the Bible alone. That verse is Isaiah 8:20. I discussed this verse in this connection here before at Daily Bible Nugget #820, Isaiah 8:20. Read that post to see the full argument.

My Answer to Such Challenges:

In my long and carefully studied opinion, I am certain you are mistaken in your assertions regarding (1) the canon of Scripture; (2) the meaning of “Sola Scriptura.”

In any case, we now have the New Testament. The New Testament consists of 27 primary source first century historical documents penned by the Apostles of Christ or their immediate disciples.

If you have carefully read and studied those 27 primary source documents for yourself in the manner I recommend every Christian or non-Christian would benefit by doing, you will experience the spiritual growth God intended His written Word in the Bible to bring to your life.

I recommend that you read the New Testament long enough each day (for a total of at least 20 minutes) and often enough each week (at least four days a week) on a permanent and continuing basis to experience the benefits in your life such reading will bring.

Anyone who has done such reading of God’s Word would immediately recognize, upon reading any of the Gnostic texts, that Gnostic texts are not at all comparable in content and are obviously not divinely inspired Scripture.

The Bible itself plainly declares within its text that we are to go by the Bible alone (Isaiah 8:20) and not add anything to or subtract anything from its content (Deuteronomy 4:2). The Bible also declares its own perspicuity–that it is understandable to the ordinary reader or hearer (Psalm 119:130).

Isaiah 8:20  To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Deuteronomy 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Psalm 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Apologetics--Christian, Bible Historicity and Validity, Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions, False Religions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #824, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

My Comment:

I have been reading a book newly added to my Logos library:

Eggerichs, Emerson. 2018. The 4 Wills of God: The Way He Directs Our Steps and Frees Us to Direct Our Own. Nashville, TN: B&H Books.

Giving thanks in all things is one of the four wills of God for us detailed in the New Testament. Sometimes giving thanks for all things is a very “tall order” as a spiritual discipline, but the author makes a good case for doing this.

Here is a verse which connects praise with thanksgiving:

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook Post:

PRAISE ENLARGES THE JOY OF SALVATION

PSALM 13.5
But I have trusted in Thy mercy;

my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.

PSALM 71.8
Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise

and with Thy honour all the day.

PSALM 71.14-15
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise
Thee more and more.
15 My mouth shall show forth Thy righteousness
and Thy Salvation all the day; for I know not the

numbers thereof

PSALM 71.23
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto Thee;

and my soul, which Thou has redeemed

PSALM 147.1
Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing
praises unto our God: for it is pleasant; and

praise is comely.

ISAIAH 12.3-4
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of
the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD,
call upon His name, declare His doings among

the people, make mention that His name is exalted.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord ,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt
“Marvelous grace, infinite grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin “

Cross Reference Bible Study for 1 Thessalonians 5:18 from:

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 5:18
every: Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; Col 3:17; Job 1:21; Psa 34:1; Heb 13:15

for: 1Th 4:3; 1Pe 2:15, 1Pe 4:2; 1Jn 2:17

The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In. ƒ41, +Gen 10:1

every. Job 1:21; Psa 34:1; See on *Eph 5:20; *Php 4:6; *Col 3:17; Heb 13:15

give thanks. =1Ch 23:30

the will. +*1Th 4:3; =Num 4:27; =1Ch 6:48; Eph 2:10; *1Pe 2:15; 1Pe 4:2; *1Jn 2:17

The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In. FS41, +Gen 10:1.

every thing. 1Th 3:3; 1Th 4:13, Job 1:21, Psa 34:1, **Hab 3:17; **Hab 3:18, Act 10:2, See on *+Eph 5:20, *Php 4:6, *Col 3:15; Col 3:17, Heb 13:15.

give thanks. Gr. eucharisteō (S# G2168, 2Co 1:11). 1Th 1:2; 1Th 2:13, +Lev 7:12, Deut 8:10, Rth 4:14, =1Ch 23:30, Neh 11:17, Psa 50:14; Psa 106:1; +*Psa 119:62; +Psa 136:1, Dan 6:10; Dan 6:20, Luk 6:35; Luk 10:21; Luk 22:17; Luk 22:19; +Luk 24:30, Joh 6:11, Rom 1:21, 1Co 1:14, Eph 1:16; Eph 5:4, +Php 4:6, +*Col 2:7; +Col 3:17; Col 4:2, 2Th 1:3; 2Th 2:13, 1Ti 2:1, Heb 13:15.

the will. Gr. thelēma (S# G2307, Gal 1:4). *+1Th 4:3, =Num 4:27, =1Ch 6:48, +*Mat 6:10; +*Mat 7:21, Eph 2:10; Eph 5:17; Eph 6:6, **Php 2:13, Heb 13:21, *1Pe 2:15; 1Pe 4:2, *1Jn 2:17.

in Christ Jesus. +Act 19:4.

concerning. or, in regard to. Php 2:12, 13 note.

 

Posted in Bible Promises, Bible Study Tools, Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Ken Sagely contributions, Practical Application Bible Studies, Principles of Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Only God is Omniscient

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Text:

Mat 17:24  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (KJV)

The Context:

Mat 17:24  When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter. They asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
Mat 17:25  “Certainly,” he answered. Peter went into the house. Before he could speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the world collect fees or taxes? Is it from their family members or from other people?”
Mat 17:26  “From other people,” Peter answered. Jesus said to him, “Then the family members are exempt.
Mat 17:27  However, so that we don’t create a scandal, go to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that you catch. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Give that coin to them for you and me.” (GW, God’s Word translation)

My Comment:

What I have noted in this passage is that it teaches the omniscience of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only Omniscience would know that:

(1) a fish had swallowed a coin,

(2) the coin was sufficient to pay the Temple tax for both Jesus and Peter,

(3) the first fish Peter caught would be the fish that swallowed the coin,

(4) Peter had this conversation with the Temple tax collectors before Peter came to tell Jesus about it.

Psalms 139:4
4  Even before there is a single word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.
GOD’S WORD

As for why provision was given for the payment of just two and not the whole group of twelve disciples and Jesus is explained by the question that was asked of Peter, “Does not your teacher pay the tax?” The Temple tax collectors by their question only specified tax was due from Peter and Jesus, so that is what was paid.

My Conclusion:

Only God is omniscient (all knowing, knows everything). Omniscience is a divine attribute that belongs to God exclusively, and cannot be communicated, delegated, or given to a created being.

In theology, omniscience is classed as an incommunicable attribute. In this account of the Temple Tax and how Jesus paid it we see the omniscience of our Lord Jesus Christ clearly demonstrated.

Therefore, Jesus not only had a human nature, but possessed a divine nature, demonstrating He was God in human flesh.

Only God is omniscient. Jesus demonstrated His omniscience. Therefore, Jesus is God.

Jesus is not God the Father. Jesus is a separate person. Jesus is God the Son.

In the New Testament, the Father is called God (John 6:27); the Son is called God (John 1:1, 14; John 20:28); the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3, 4).

This proves the doctrine of the Trinity, even though the word “Trinity” is not used in the Bible.

This proves the doctrine of the Trinity, even though Jesus is never called “God the Son” in the Bible.

Be careful, when interpreting the Bible, that you do not fall for the “exact word” fallacy. Be careful, when interpreting the Bible, that you not make the mistake of not employing “necessary inference” to arrive at the truth of what the Bible teaches. That is what false cults and false religions do.

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Still more on John 17:3

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Jerry

The Text:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Muslim Reply to My Claim:

I’ve not misunderstood John 17:3, you have. Do we have to go to the dictionary to understand the meaning of “only”❓️ really 

Let’s read the verse.

[John 17:3]

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

That means no one else can be true God❗️ Father alone is the only true God. So problematic was this passage for later Trinitarians in the 3rd and 4th century that they changed it when they were commenting on this very passage. One of the examples is Saint Augustine (354 – 430 C.E.) Bishop and Theologian, when he was commenting on this particular verse of the Gospel of John, he actually changed the text to substantiate the doctrine of the trinity.

My Response:

It is very interesting to me that you should suppose that I have misread John 17:3!

John 17:3 teaches that we can only have eternal life if we continue to know both God the Father AND continue to know Jesus Christ His Son.

That Jesus is God’s Son is stated at the beginning of this prayer when Jesus prayed:

John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (KJV)

Jesus is praying to His Father. Jesus is the Father’s Son. The Father is God. Therefore, Jesus is God’s Son.

In John 17:2 Jesus prays and asserts that God the Father has given to Jesus the exclusive authority over all mankind to give eternal life to all those the Father has given to Jesus:

Joh 17:2 just as you have given Him authority over all mankind to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him. (Williams NT)

That this authority is exclusive and is given to Jesus alone is stated by Jesus Himself when Jesus said:

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus spoke of this authority, given exclusively to Him by the Father, in Matthew 11:27,

Matthew 11:27 All things were handed over to Me by My Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone fully know the Father except the Son, and to whom the Son may will to reveal Him. (Lavenders’ NT)

John 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (KJV)

John 17:3 Now eternal life means knowing you as the only true God and knowing Jesus your messenger as Christ. (Williams NT)

Jesus identifies the Father as the only true God. The Father, clearly, is the only true God in opposition to or in contrast with all other false gods.

Jesus is not speaking of His Father in opposition to Himself or in contrast with Himself in a manner that denies His own Deity. Anyone who has carefully read the entire Gospel of John learns that from beginning (John 1:1, “and the word was God”) to its climax (John 20:28, “my Lord and my God”) that the Gospel of John was written for a specific purpose:

Joh 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV)

Joh 20:31 But these have been recorded, in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life, as bearers of His name. (Williams NT)

Jesus then continues His prayer in John 17,

Joh 17:4 I have glorified you down here upon the earth by completing the work which you have given me to do. (Williams NT)

Consider carefully the implicit claim Jesus makes in His prayer (John 17:5) that He, Jesus, was with the Father for all eternity past in heaven as the Son of God:

Joh 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (KJV)

Joh 17:5 So now, Father, glorify me up there in your presence just as you did before the world existed. (Williams NT)

Joh 17:5  Father! Give me glory in your presence now, the same glory I had with you before the world was made. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Joh 17:5 Now, Father, give me back the glory that I had with you before the world was created. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Both Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses fail to understand that there are three Persons in the One Godhead (Matthew 28:19, “in the name,” singular). In the Bible the Father is spoken of as God (John 6:27). Jesus is called God (John 20:28). The Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3, 4).

In Jesus the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily:

Colossians 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (KJV)

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More on John 17:3

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Jerry


The Text:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The Challenge:

Christians always run away from John 17:3 when Jesus says the only true God is the Father and he is the Christ that was sent by the Father. and run to John 17:5. They say us Muslims cherry pick one verse. But let’s put things in its context because Jesus is praying and in John 17:1, 2 and 3 Jesus is saying God give me the glory that i had with you. In John 17:5, what is Jesus praying for❓️ first and foremost, if Jesus was Almighty God, did he lose his glory❓️

My Response:

You totally misunderstand John 17:3.

(1) you refuse to take John 17:3 in its immediate, near, remote and total Bible context. Therefore, you do not understand this verse and your claims as to what it says or teaches are false.

(2) you misread John 17:3 by failing to take into account just what the word “only” must have reference to:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Indeed, “only” modifies “God that really exists” or “God there is,” and not “you.” Therefore, the two phrases—“You [Father], the only true God” and “Only you [Father], the true God”—do not have the same meaning.

Shelenberger, A. T. (2009). An Exposition of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Argument in Rejecting Christ’s Deity Using John 17:3. Christian Apologetics Journal, 8(2), 7.

The whole article by A. T. Shelenberger provides a thorough refutation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ mistaken understanding of John 17:3 and in doing so also refutes the Muslim misunderstanding of this New Testament text.

Earlier in the article Shelenberger states:

The hidden equivocation becomes evident when the phrase “the one [Father] ‘who alone [is] truly God’” is converted to the sentence “the Father alone [or only the Father] is truly God.” The Watchtower had, in effect, made a radical change in the wording. As if the two sentences have similar meaning, the word order basically went from “the Father is the only true God” to “only the Father is the true God.” But, in fact, they do not mean the same.

Shelenberger, A. T. (2009). An Exposition of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Argument in Rejecting Christ’s Deity Using John 17:3. Christian Apologetics Journal, 8(2), 6.

Before that, Shelenberger states:

One contention the Watchtower propounds is that, according to John 17:3, only the Father is the true God. This entails the argument: since Christ places the Father in the category “true God,” it must mean that he does not place himself in it; and only the Father belongs in the category. This argument, however, commits three informal fallacies.

Shelenberger, A. T. (2009). An Exposition of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Argument in Rejecting Christ’s Deity Using John 17:3. Christian Apologetics Journal, 8(2), 5.

When the text of John 17:3 is read carefully, it is clear that Jesus does not exclude Himself so as to deny His own Deity when He speaks of “the only true God.”

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Daily Bible Nugget #823, 2 Peter 3:18

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)

2Pe 3:18  But grow in the good will and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to him now and for that eternal day! Amen. (GW, God’s Word translation)

2Pe 3:18 Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to read God’s Word, the Bible, daily!

This is the key to spiritual life and growth.

This is the key to understanding the significance of world trends and events. I have heard some Christian podcasters sharing opinions about events in the Middle East today. I wish they knew their Bible better!

I highly recommend that you read the New Testament long enough each day (for a total of twenty minutes or more) and often enough each week (at least four days a week) from here on out–that is, on a permanent continuing basis. Research has shown that by doing this you will reap the benefits such reading can bring.

I highly appreciate Ken Sagely’s selection of Bible verses about delighting in God’s Word!

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook Post:

DELIGHTING IN HIS WORD

JOB 23.12
Neither have i gone back
from the commandment of His lips
I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than necessary food.

PSALM 1.1-2
Blessed is the man
that walketh not
in the counsel of the ungodly.
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful
But his delight is in the law of the Lord :
and in his law doth he meditate

day and night.

PSALM 119.97
O how I love thy law!

it is my meditation all the day.

PROVERBS 8.34
Blessed is the man that heareth me,
watching daily at my gates.

waiting at the posts of my doors.

JEREMIAH 15.16
Thy words were found, and i did eat them:
and thy word was unto me
the joy and rejoicing of mine heart,
for am called by thy name:

O Lord God of hosts.

MATTHEW 4.4
But He answered and said, it is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone.
but by every word

that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

EPHESIANS 6.17
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the Word of God.

HEBREWS 4.12
For the Word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the Joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart.

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Addressing 1 Corinthians 11:3 to Refute Anti-Trinitarians

Posted on January 28, 2024 by Jerry

 

The Text:

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (KJV)

1Co 11:3  However, I want you to realize that Christ has authority over every man, a husband has authority over his wife, and God has authority over Christ. (GW, God’s Word  translation)

1Co 11:3  But I want you to understand that Christ is supreme over every man, the husband is supreme over his wife, and God is supreme over Christ. (GNB, Good News Bible)

1Co 11:3 Now I want you to know that Christ is the head over all men, and a man is the head over a woman. But God is the head over Christ. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

In this case I mean by “Anti-Trinitarians” the Arians of the fourth century. Unfortunately, some contemporary and well-known Evangelical theologians, at least for a time (1970 until 2016), unwittingly fell into the same kind of error in their understanding of 1 Corinthians 11:3 as the ancient Arians did of passages declaring the Deity of Christ.

My Discussion:

My issue is that I have seen some modern Evangelical theologians object to cross reference Bible study. Some Evangelical theologians believe that the historical Creeds and Confessions of the Church must be our guide when it comes to establishing correct doctrine. I agree that the Creeds can help to confirm the accuracy of our understanding of Bible doctrine, but I affirm that the Bible is the final authority and that correct doctrine can be established or determined by a careful study of the Bible.

I have now completed my reading of a book which highlights an aspect of the Nicene Creed which demonstrates a major error several Evangelical theologians (including Wayne Grudem and Bruce Ware)  have fallen into in their (mis)interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:3. The book is:

Giles, Kenneth. (2017). The rise and fall of the complementarian doctrine of the trinity. Cascade Books.

The error is to use 1 Corinthians 11:3 as the basis for asserting the eternal subordination of the Son.

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

The error is to claim that just as women are to be in submission to their husbands, so Christ is eternally subordinate to the Father.

This error borders on Arianism, a heresy condemned at the Council of Nicaea. The Nicene Creed is accepted by nearly all Christians.

I basically agree with the author’s theology.

On the specific issue of the eternal subordination of the Son, I believe he is correct. I believe he is correct that the doctrine of the eternal subordination of the Son is based upon a mistaken reading of what the Bible teaches.

Giles cites in Chapter One from the creeds and confessions:

The Athanasian Creed says: “In this Trinity none is before or after the other, none is greater or less than another, . . . the three persons are coequal”; all three are “almighty” and “Lord.” The Belgic Confession of 1561 says, “All three [are] co-eternal and co-essential. There is neither first nor last: for they are all three one, in truth, in power, in goodness, and in mercy.” The Second Helvetic Confession of 1566 says that the “three persons [are] consubstantial, coeternal, and coequal,” and then it condemns those who teach that any divine person is “subservient, or subordinate to another in the Trinity, and that there is something unequal, a greater or less in one of the divine persons.”[1]

 

In Chapter Four, Giles states that the “Athanasian Creed emphatically excludes hierarchical ordering. It says that in this Trinity “none is before or after, greater or lesser, all are co-equal.”[2]

Giles is not correct when he affirms such matters cannot be settled by reference to the content of the Bible alone.

He may be among several writers on hermeneutics who also make the claim that studying the Bible by means of consulting cross references is a very mistaken means of learning what the Bible teaches.

Giles states in Chapter Four:

Alister McGrath concludes that Arius got the Bible wrong because of his “proof-text” approach to “doing” theology. He says,

One of the outcomes of the Arian controversy was the recognition of the futility, even theological illegitimacy, of “proof-texting”—the simplistic practice of believing that a theological debate can be settled by quoting a few passages from the Bible.

Athanasius got it right, says McGrath, because he looked for “The overall pattern disclosed by these texts.”[3]

 

Since I have authored/edited three major Bible study works of cross references (The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, 1992 & 2023; Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible, 2007; The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, 2016), I suspect I may know more about their use from long use and careful study than they do.

Perhaps they are confusing “proof-texting” with “cross reference Bible study.” There is a difference! I would think that most careful students of the Bible know that “Scripture interprets Scripture” and that “The Bible is its own best interpreter.” I like to express this as “The Bible is a self-interpreting and self-correcting Book.” It is self-correcting in that if you are mistaken in the interpretation of a particular verse, passage, subject, doctrine in one place, by further study you will likely encounter things that “don’t fit,” such that you must change or correct your interpretation of what you first thought you understood.

I firmly disagree with his claim that no one can come to firm doctrinal conclusions using the Bible alone. He believes we must be guided also by the great creeds of the past as the settled voice of the church which instruct us how the Bible must be read.

On this issue I do not disagree with the support for the correct view of the Trinity he documents from the Creeds.

Giles states that Athanasius, by taking into account the broader scope of Scripture content, was able to formulate (by what I call the “Rule of Necessary Inference”) a hermeneutical rule that “that made sense of all of Scripture and guaranteed the full divinity of the Son, our Lord and Savior. What this rule lays down as a hermeneutical principle has been followed by all catholic theologians across the centuries, is that not everything said of the Son in the New Testament can be read back into his triune life in eternity.[4] Some comments relate only to his self-chosen temporal subordination in his coming down from heaven and to the limitations he accepted in becoming fully man for our salvation. This rule demands that we make a contrast between the Son’s earthly ministry “in the form of a servant,” what Reformed theologians call, his “state of humiliation,” and his heavenly reign as Lord and King, in all might, majesty, and authority, what Reformed theologians call his “state of exaltation.”[5]

 

[1] Giles, K. (2017). The rise and fall of the complementarian doctrine of the trinity. Cascade Books.

[2] Giles, K. (2017). The rise and fall of the complementarian doctrine of the trinity. Cascade Books.

[3] Giles, K. (2017). The rise and fall of the complementarian doctrine of the trinity. Cascade Books.

[4] Giles, K. (2017). The rise and fall of the complementarian doctrine of the trinity. Cascade Books.

[5] Giles, K. (2017). The rise and fall of the complementarian doctrine of the trinity. Cascade Books.

Posted in Apologetics--Christian, Bible Study Tools, Doctrinal Discussions, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Addressing John 17:3 to Refute Anti-Trinitarians

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Jerry


The Text:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The Challenge:

A lot of people say asking for Jesus to say verbatim “I am God worship me” is a con and a fallacy. It doesn’t matter.

If you believe Jesus is God, it’s because you ignore/reframed John 17:3, John 20:17, 1 Cor 8:6, Rev 3:12, 1 Cor 15:28, and so many other scriptures to not mean what they obviously say.

Jesus doesn’t call himself God. It doesn’t matter if he says it verbatim, there’s no concept of Jesus being God. Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is God’s Christ; and the head of Jesus is God. The Father is greater than Jesus.

It’s a kind of condemnation that a false religion like Islam has a better understanding of Jesus than we believers.

My Reply:

Johnny Mack: As I have thoroughly explained to you and others before, your understanding of John 17:3 is totally mistaken.

You are misreading the text of John 17:3 and failing to take into account the immediate as well as more remote contexts of John 17:3.

It is you who have “reframed” John 17:3.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (KJV)

Joh 17:3 Now eternal life means knowing you as the only true God and knowing Jesus your messenger as Christ. (Williams New Testament)

God the Father has given exclusive authority to His Son, Jesus Christ, to give eternal life to all the Father has given to Jesus:

Joh 17:2 just as you have given Him authority over all mankind to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him.

In the beginning of this prayer, Jesus requests:

Joh 17:1 When Jesus had said all these things, He lifted His eyes to heaven and said: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that He may glorify you,

Later in the prayer Jesus requests:

Joh 17:5 So now, Father, glorify me up there in your presence just as you did before the world existed.

Jesus, therefore, both claims and reveals that He has had an eternal existence as the Son of God before the world existed. Thus, Jesus possesses two natures: an eternal divine nature, and an assumed human nature which He took upon Himself when He was born to the virgin Mary, when He was called “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

In John 17:3, when Jesus speaks of His Father “as the only true God,” He does not deny His own Deity.

Links to my prior thorough discussions of John 17:3

https://www.realbiblestudy.com/?p=3788

 

https://www.realbiblestudy.com/?p=3674

 

https://www.realbiblestudy.com/?p=2541

Posted in Apologetics--Christian, Doctrinal Discussions, False Religions, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly | Tagged | 3 Comments