Jesus Christ was/is the name and title of the Son of God from the time of his anointing while on earth. The name Jesus (Gr., Iesous) consistent to the Hebrew name Jeshua, meaning “Jehovah Is Salvation.” Jesus was a very common name, many men being named such in that period. Therefore, when people were referring to him, they often added further identification, saying, “Jesus the Nazarene.” (Mk 10:47; Ac 2:22) Christ is from the Greek Khristos, which is the same as the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah), and means “Anointed One.” While it is true, the expression “anointed one” was applied to such ones as Moses, Aaron, and David before Jesus (Heb. 11:24-26; Le 4:3; 8:12; 2Sa 22:51), the position, office, or service to which these men were anointed only foreshadowed the superior position, office, and service of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Peter’s words about Jesus were overwhelmingly and exceptionally true as he is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”–Matt 16:16

Before his Ministry

The focus of the Gospels was predominately on the life and ministry of Jesus, and so the coverage prior to is very brief. As most are aware, Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, King David’s native city.

Luke 2:21-40 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

²¹ And when eight days had passed, so as to circumcise him, his name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

²² And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” ²⁵ And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ then he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

²⁹ “Now Lord you are releasing your slave depart in peace,
according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at the things being said about him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵ and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, ³⁷ and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child continued growing and became strong, being filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Joseph was the husband of Mary, and the adoptive father of Jesus, who earned a living as a carpenter (Matt. 13:55), and clearly of little means, as they could only afford the least expensive sacrifice at Mary’s purification. (Compare Lu 2:22-24 with Le 12:8.) Thus, the Son of God spent his first day as a human baby, sleeping in a stable. Moreover, his childhood was spent in a very spiritual home, but of modest means. Even the town that he was raised in, Nazareth, was possibly viewed negatively, because of its lack of prominence, regardless of its being near to two principal trade routes. Compare John 1:46.

Only one event from Jesus’ childhood is given to us in the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 2:41-47 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. ⁴³ And after the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. ⁴⁶ Then, it occurred, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and questioning them. ⁴⁷ And all those listening to him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

This incident is far more magnificent than one might first realize. Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament helps the reader to appreciate that the Greek word eperotao (to ask, to question, to demand of), for “questioning” was far more than the Greek word erotao (to ask, to request, to entreat), for a boy’s inquisitiveness. Eperotao can refer to questioning, which one might hear in a judicial hearing, such as a scrutiny, inquiry, counter questioning, even the “probing and cunning questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” for instance those we find at Mark 10:2 and 12:18-23.

The same dictionary continues: “In [the] face of this usage it may be asked whether . . . [Luke] 2:46 denotes, not so much the questioning curiosity of the boy, but rather His successful disputing. [Verse] 47 would fit in well with the latter view.” Rotherham’s translation of verse 47 presents it as a dramatic confrontation: “Now all who heard him were beside themselves, because of his understanding and his answers.” Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament says that their constant amazement means, “they stood out of themselves as if their eyes were bulging out.”

After returning to Jerusalem, and three days of searching, they found young Jesus in the Temple, questioning the Jewish religious leaders, to which “they were astounded.” (Luke 2:48) Robertson said of this, “second aorist passive indicative of an old Greek word [ekplesso]), to strike out, drive out by a blow. Joseph and Mary ‘were struck out’ by what they saw and heard. Even they had not fully realized the power in this wonderful boy.”^[1] Thus, at twelve years old, Jesus, but a boy, is already evidencing that he is a great teacher and defender of truth. BDAG says, “to cause to be filled with amazement to the point of being overwhelmed, amaze, astound, overwhelm (literally, Strike out of one’s senses).^[2]

Some 18 years later, Jesus again, hit the Jewish Pharisees with these types of interrogative questions, so much so that not “anyone [of them] dare from that day on to ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:41-46) The Sadducees fared no better when Jesus quieted them when the resurrection was brought up, “And no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Luke 20:27-40) The Scribes were silenced just the same, after they got into an exchange with Jesus, “And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:28-34

After the incident when Jesus was twelve, Jesus grew up in the city of Nazareth, learning the trade of carpentry from his adoptive father Joseph. (Mt 13:55) Jesus remained in Nazareth until he was 30 years old, at which point he went to be baptized by his cousin John, known as John the Baptist. After his baptism, Jesus started a ministry that would run for three and a half years, where he would travel throughout the Promise Land proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom. He left the very visible sign that he had been sent by God. How? Jesus performed numerous miracles, or signs that were so powerful, there was no way that the Jewish religious leaders could have attributed them to any human.– Matthew 4:17; Luke 19:37, 38.

An entire book could be written just on the qualities and characteristics that Jesus displayed throughout his ministry. For a man, who had the power to walk on water, feed over ten thousand with a few fish and a couple loaves of bread, and raise the dead, he was full of tender warmth and deep emotions. This is evidenced in his dealings with others.

His kindness made him very trustworthy and approachable. Even the children were drawn to him. (Mark 10:13-16) Jesus honored women and even clarified the Law to the Jewish religious leaders, who were twisting it, enabling the Jewish men to be abusive toward women. (John 4:9, 27) He went out of his way to look out for the poor and oppressed, ‘to find rest for their souls.’ (Matthew 11:28-30) He was an exceptional teacher, having the gift of explaining the deep Mosaic Law in a very clear, simplified and practical manner. Moreover, what he chose to teach highlighted his heartfelt desire to make his Father known, giving him the glory. John 17:6-8.

Some of the most moving moments in Jesus’ ministry were when he performed miracles to heal the sick and help the afflicted. (Matthew 15:30, 31) Take a moment, and read the account below where Jesus healed a man of leprosy. Play the role, by empathetically putting yourself in the shoes of the leper, and then respond with a soft, warm voice that you know must have come from Jesus.

Matthew 8:2-3 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

² And a leper came to him and bowed down before him, and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” ³ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

On another occasion, a large crowd consumed Jesus, so he “called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.’ And the disciples said to him, ‘Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’ They said, ‘Seven, and a few small fish. And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.”–Matthew 15:32-38.

Here again, we see Jesus was moved with pity for these people. This man had the power to calm a storm because it threatened the safety of others. (Mark 4:37-39) On several occasions, he either resurrected someone or brought him or her back after having just died. (Luke 7:22; John 11:43, 44) In the end, he gave his own life as a perfect human sacrifice, so that humankind had a way out of this imperfection that Adam placed us in, by his rebellious actions. Undoubtedly, Jesus had and has an immeasurable amount of love for man.

Prophesies Concerning Jesus

The first prophecy that we find in scripture makes a reference to Jesus Christ. After the rebellion in Eden, Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden, Jehovah God said to the serpent, which had deceived Eve, and was really Satan the Devil, the rebel angel:

 Genesis 3:15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

¹⁵ And I will put enmity between you [Satan]^[3] and the woman, [heavenly organization],^[4] and between your seed [demon angels and wicked humans]^[5] and her seed; [Jesus and his heavenly kingdom heirs] he [Jesus] shall bruise your [Satan’s] head, and you [Satan] shall bruise his [Jesus’] heel.”

After Satan had rebelled, he convinced a third of the angels to side with him. He was well aware of God’s plans for a seed, to which he has tried to thwart from the very beginning. Therefore, if the serpent is really a spirit creature and his offspring are other rebel angelic spirit creatures, it would seem only reasonable that the woman would be of the spirit realm as well. The woman was the heavenly organization that was working for God to bring about the birth of this coming seed through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and eventually the tribe of Judah, specifically, the house of David.^[6]

The birth of the seed Jesus Christ was the end (Mic. 5:2), so Satan used humans, causing the killing of young boys at the time Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, to try to have Jesus killed as a baby. (Matt. 2:1-15) The execution of Jesus at the end of his life was Satan’s bruising him on the heal, this was not a permanent or fatal wound, as Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven (Ac 1:6-11), to begin the formation of his heavenly kingdom. (Rev. 5:9-10) However, Jesus’ bruising Satan in the head is a fatal blow and will be accomplished after the thousand-year reign of Christ. Satan will be released from the abyss that he was jailed in for a time. Once he has tempted those that he can, he will be permanently destroyed forever.–Revelation 20:7-10.

There are innumerable references to Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament. What do they tell us?

Genesis 22:2; John 3:16 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

² He [God] said [to Abraham], “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone trusting^[7] in him will not be destroyed but have eternal life.

Jehovah had Abraham, who was faithful when not all others were, offer up his only son by his wife Sarah. Jehovah knew he was going to stop Abraham at the last moment; giving Abraham to the opportunity to confirm what God knew was true; this being an evident demonstration that Abraham had real faith. However, how does this account help us better appreciate the sacrifice that God would make in behalf of an imperfect humankind?

Romans 8:32 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

³² He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him over for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things?

8:32 Paul’s point is: Would God do less for His children than He did for His enemies? freely give. This word means “to bestow out of grace.” Paul often uses it to denote forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:7, 10; 12:13; Col. 2:13; 3:13) and may intend that here. all things. Referring either to every sin the believer commits (if “freely give” is translated “forgiveness”) or to whatever is necessary to complete the purpose He had in choosing us (vv. 29, 30; cf. Phil. 1:6)[8]

There is little doubt that Paul is referencing the Abraham and Isaac story (Gen. 22:1–19). In that account, we see that Abraham did not hold back his son, his only son by his wife Sarah, whom he loved dearly. Because of his great trust, God blessed Abraham immensely. Is it conceivable that Jehovah would offer his only Son for sinners, as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28), and then not give all things graciously to bring that salvation hope to reality? We can rest our faith in the protection that God has offered us. While we are well aware that our salvation is given freely; we still must ask, are there any requirements on our part?

Genesis 22:18 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

¹⁸ In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Here again, we see that Abraham and all of his offspring, as well as all the nations of the earth, were to receive a blessing. Why? The conjunction “because” gives us a reason as to why, ‘Abraham had obeyed God’s voice.’

John 3:36 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

³⁶ The one trusting^[9] in the Son has eternal life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

How can we know whether we are truly trusting in the Son? We know because of the changes in our lives that have brought us into harmony with the standard set out in Scripture. We now reject any course that we may have been following at one time because our inner self, wants to be found pleasing before God. We need to follow the steps laid out by the Apostle Peter,

Acts 3:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁹ So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord

Identifying Jesus as the Prophet Like Moses

Acts 3:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

In order to receive the salvation spoken of in Scripture, we are required to have faith or trust in Jesus Christ, evidenced by our repentance. (Deut. 18:15–19) Once we accept that Jesus is the greater Moses, are there any responsibilities with our new understanding that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah or Christ? What would be one of those responsibilities that evidence that we truly have faith in Jesus?

Any group wanting a hearing in Israel had to link itself with the heroes of the past, and it surely did not hurt to drop Moses’ name in the process. As well-taught Jews, Peter’s hearers would have immediately understood the identification and continuity, and faith in Moses should produce belief in Jesus.

Belief in Jesus in no way destroys the belief in Moses. When John the Baptist began preaching, the priests and Levites asked him, Are you the Prophet? (John 1:21). Of course not! Now Peter picked up the same theme to say that the prophet of whom Moses spoke was the very one through whose power the lame beggar had just been healed.

Matthew 28:18-20 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew helps us to appreciate that Jesus had been given all authority. Thus, the adverb “therefore” beginning verse 20 is a reference back to that authority and what is about to be required from all disciples. All who make the claim that they are a disciple of Christ must carry out this command to “make disciples.”

“Therefore” identified Jesus’ authority (28:18) as the reason the disciples must carry out his orders. In other words, we are obligated to transfer to others what we received, an intimate relationship with ‘the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he had sent.’ In other words, one learner (disciple) is to make another learner (disciple). How?

Jesus said, “Go,” which carries more of a meaning than the simple act of departing for the purpose of “making disciples.” It means that we must be active in our pursuit of making disciples. We are actively to seek out these in our everyday activities, such as a fellow employee, a fellow student at school while waiting in line at the store, waiting at the doctor’s office, being served by the server at a restaurant, visiting a friend, and so on. All of these are acts of what is known as an informal ministry. (John 4:7-15) These are unplanned, but not unprepared occasions where we have an opportunity to share some form of the gospel with another. Then, there are the more planned forms of ministry, door-to-door, street witnessing, letter writing, and phone ministry, and even internet ministry. Is our entire obligation to share a brief message with these?

There are three steps of fulfilling our Great Commission of being a disciple of Christ. (Hill 2006, 46)

The first step, we already spoke of, the going out in an unplanned but prepared way, to share the good news. In addition, we are to go out in a more planned form of ministry. All of this is actively taking the good news to all that we can. None of this is done by accident, but by preparation. If your church has no ministry school, where it trains its members in these forms of ministry, you may want to ask yourself, ‘is my church really carrying out the great commission to the extent Jesus expected?’

Luke 18:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The second step is taking that person you shared the good news with, and bringing him or her to the point of baptism. In others words, to the point where their life meets the moral standards of Scripture, they are not living in any form of sin because they trust Jesus. How is this accomplished, taking them from your initial sharing of the good news to being one who has dedicated themselves to God?

The third step is teaching them to observe all that you have learned from another yourself, all that Jesus has commanded you. Teaching is a present participle, meaning that the act of teaching this newly interested one is ongoing, ‘keep on teaching.’

A New Prophet like Moses

Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁵ “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers, it is to him you shall listen. ¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. ¹⁹ And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

Acts 3:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

The requirement for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. Therefore, at Pentecost, the birth of Christianity, Peter spoke up, and quoted Deuteronomy 18:15, 18–19. In fact, Jesus himself had stated, “if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.” (John 5:46) The goal of every Christian is to be Christlike and to have the mind of Christ. As the new one studies the Bible with a Christian congregation member, she or he will begin to apply the Word of God in their lives. They will put on the new person spoken of by the Apostle Paul, acquiring the mind of Christ. Of course, it should be realized that it takes time to develop that new personality. The personality that the new one has developed must be set aside, to make way for the new personality.

New Person

Ephesians 4:24 tells us that we are to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Colossians 3:9-10 informs us that we are to “put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

4:24 of Ephesians means that we allow our new Christian person to lead us in all that we do in our lives. In other words, whether we are at a Christian meeting, at work, at home, in school or at recreation, we are to start living the life that follows in Christ Jesus’ steps, as he set the example for us. (1 Pet 2:21) This putting on the new person is not some miraculous switch that is flipped on and the old person is immediate removed. No, the new person in Christ is developed over time as we mature in our Christian walk.

We are “renewed in knowledge” by ‘getting to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom the Father had sent.’ (John 17:3) Yes, as one starts their study of and application of God’s Word, they will begin to develop a relationship with the Father and the Son. The former worldly desires, as well as anger issues, speaking ill of others, will fade away, and the new spiritual desires, long-suffering personality, building up of others, will emerge. However, Bible study is like anything else in life, what we put into it is exactly what we will get out of it. We need to have both quantity and quality. We need to invest enough consistent time, which may be as much as an hour a day, or at least thirty minutes a day, four days a week. It needs to be quality time as well, meaning that we are prepared to start the moment we sit down, and there are no outside disturbances.

Mind of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:16 inform us that ‘we cannot understand the mind of [Jehovah or Yahweh] so as to instruct him?^[10] But we have the mind of Christ.’

The Christian mind is influenced by the Spirit, in that they accept the Word of God as “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16) This spiritual food from the Word of God enables him to take on the mind of Christ.

In other words, the thought processes of the Christian mind are Jesus’ thoughts; their view of life is through his eyes. If the Christian has a correct mental grasp of scripture, he is not a victim of fleshly wisdom, which only leads to destruction. Those who truly reflect the Word of God in what they say, in their actions, or in mind or heart attitude, will not be led astray by carnal reasoning.

Faith in Christ

There is no other name by which one can be saved, but Jesus Christ, who had given his life, and was raised from the dead by his Father. That ransom sacrifice gives his disciples the power to take the good news “throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” (Matt 24:14) As Peter so appropriately stated: “So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, ‘the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’”

Believe, faith, Trust in: (Gr. pisteuo) If pisteuo is followed by the Greek preposition eis, (“into, in, among,” accusative case), it is normally rendered “trusting in” or “trust in.” (John 3:16, 36; 12:36; 14:1) The grammatical construction of the Greek verb pisteuo “believe” followed by the Greek preposition eis “into” in the accusative gives us the sense of having faith into Jesus, putting faith in, trusting in Jesus. – Matt. 21:25, 32; 27:42; John 1:7, 12; 2:23–24; 3:15-16, 36; 6:47; 11:25; 12:36; 14:1; 20:31; Acts 16:31; Rom. 4:3.

A Grammar of New Testament Greek series, by James Moulton, says, “The importance of the difference between mere belief … and personal trust.”[1] Both these senses can be conveyed using the Greek word pisteuo. The context helps us to identify the different senses of the meaning of pisteuo. Then again, we also have the different grammatical constructions that also convey what the Bible author had meant by his use of the word. When pisteuo is simply followed by a noun in the dative case, it is merely rendered as “believe,” such as the chief priest and elders response to Jesus at Matthew 21:25, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ However, in Romans 4:3 we have pisteuo follow by a noun in the dative in the Updated American Standard Version, yet it is rendered “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham put faith inGod, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (The ASV, RSV, ESV, NASB, and others have “Abraham believed God”)

If pisteuo is followed by the Greek preposition epi, “on,” it can be rendered “believe in” or believe on.” At Matthew 27:42, it reads, “we will believe in him [i.e., Jesus].” At Acts 16:31, it reads “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved …” (KJV, UASV similarly) What is the difference between “believing in Jesus” and “believing on Jesus”? Believing in Jesus is a merely acknowledging that he exists while believing on Jesus is to accept absolutely, having no doubt or uncertainty, trusting in, putting faith in or trust in, exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:11-12 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

¹¹ This one is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the head of the corner.^{[11] 12} And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Because of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, we can now stand before God with a clean conscience. The fleshly nation of Israel looked to this day, as the animals under the Mosaic Law, never achieved such. (Acts 13:38, 39; Heb. 9:13, 14) The only requirement is that our faith in Christ is genuine. Are we fully aware of our imperfections, that we are sinners, in dire need of a Christ’s sacrifice?

1 John 1:8-9 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

One piece of the evidence of our faith is the public symbol of that faith. A newly interested one needs to acquire knowledge of God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:3, 4), have begun to demonstrate faith in that understanding (Hebrews 11:6), have changed course in any sinful living (Acts 17:30, 31), and have exhibited a Christian lifestyle. (Acts 3:19) Then, he is moved by his love for God to give an outward symbol that he is now a new person. In other words, he will eventually go to God in a personal prayer, expressing that love, and that he is giving his life to him.–Matthew 16:24; 22:37

We do not want to hold back from that public display if our heart has moved us to commit our lives to the Father. We need to reach out to become a baptized Christian. We will take heed of the words of the Apostle Peter, “baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”–1 Pet. 3:21.

After we have been baptized, this does not mean that we have become a perfect person, and our Christian walk will be without sin. What are we to do if we commit a serious sin? We take comfort in the words of the Apostle John, “my little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not [a] sin.”^[12] Thus, there will be occasions when, because of imperfection, we will commit a sin in action, speech or attitude. “But if anyone does [carry out a] sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Therefore, say we do commit a sin, even a serious sin, and we go to God in prayer, are we automatically forgiven? No, we may not necessarily be forgiven. If we are to receive that forgiveness, we must be genuinely repentant. This would mean that we are truly aware of the wrongness of our actions, and our heart must honestly be remorseful that we have sinned, feeling intensely that we will take the appropriate actions to avoid sinning similarly again. (Acts 3:19; Jas. 5:13-16) If we are truly repentant and not just upset because we were caught, Jesus’ ransom will cover our sin. We will be restored to a righteous standing before God once more.

Oneness of faith will help us to draw close to the Father and the Son, as well as the Christian congregation. (1 John 3:23, 24) Jesus in prayer to his Father, requested, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just 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 have sent me.”

 Philippians 2:9-11 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

IN SUMMARY

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, also known as the Son of God, is a central figure in the Christian faith and is revered as the savior of the world. According to the Bible, Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem and was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life and performed numerous miracles, including healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead.

The Bible also teaches that Jesus was crucified on the cross and that he died to pay the penalty for the sins of humanity. However, the Bible also teaches that Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the third day and that he ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of God the Father.

In the New Testament, Jesus is described as being fully God and fully human. He is considered the second person of the Trinity and is believed to be co-equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches that Jesus came to earth to reconcile humanity to God and that through his death and resurrection, he provided a way for people to be forgiven for their sins and to receive eternal life. According to the Bible, salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ, and those who believe in him and follow his teachings will receive the gift of eternal life.

In addition to his role as savior, Jesus is also described in the Bible as being a teacher and a role model for believers. The Bible teaches that Jesus lived a life of compassion and love and that he taught his followers to love one another and to serve others. He also challenged the religious and political leaders of his day and taught his followers to stand up for justice and righteousness.

Throughout the Bible, Jesus is portrayed as a powerful and influential figure who has the power to transform lives and bring hope and healing to those who believe in him. His teachings and his example continue to inspire and guide believers today as they seek to follow him and to live their lives in accordance with his teachings.

SCROLL THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW

BIBLE TRANSLATION AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM

BIBLICAL STUDIES / INTERPRETATION

EARLY CHRISTIANITY

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM

TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHRISTIAN

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS

CHRISTIAN FICTION

[1] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Lk 2:48.

[2] William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 308.

[3] John 8:44; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 11:3

[4] Since the Serpent addressed by God is an invisible spirit creature, Satan the Devil, we should expect that the woman would also belong to the spirit realm. Revelation 12:1, 2

[5] Revelation 12:9; Mark 3:22; Ephesians 6:12.

[6] Gen. 17:18-21; 21:8-12; 22:15-18; 28:10-14; Gen 49:10; 1 Chron. 17:3, 4, 11-14.

[7] The grammatical construction of pisteuo “believe” followed by eis “into” plus the accusative causing a different shade of meaning, having faith into Jesus.

[8] MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 52038-52041). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

[9] The grammatical construction of pisteuo “believe” followed by eis “into” plus the accusative causes a different shade of meaning, having faith [trusting, clings to, and relies] into Jesus.

[10] A quotation from Isaiah 40:13: “Who has measured up the spirit of Yahweh or informed him as his counselor?” (LEB)

[11] Or the chief cornerstone

[12] The Greek verb for “sin” is in the aorist active subjunctive, the aorist means the time of the action is punctiliar, or momentary, a “snapshot.” The aorist tense here envisions a single act of sinning, whereas the present infinitive in 1 John 3:9 would denote continual and repeated sinning, the state of being a sinner or the continuous or progressive action in sinning.