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Category: Jesus’ death

What Is Memorial Day For Christians?

What Is Memorial Day For Christians?

memorial day What is Memorial Day for Christians?

What is the real Memorial Day for Christians?

  • First Clue: It’s not the last Monday in May.
  • Second Clue: It’s not any date selected by humans.
  • Third Clue: It’s a celebration commanded by Jesus himself to be memorialized.
  • Fourth Clue: It’s not the Christianized pagan celebration of Easter.
  • Fifth clue: It’s not the meticulously calculated “Memorial of Jesus’ Death”, in which few to none partake of the wine and bread, as celebrated by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
  • Sixth clue: It’s not a day to memorialize those who died in wars.

So what is it then?

“Then he took a loaf, gave thanks, and broke it in pieces, and gave it to them, and said, ‘This is my body which is to be given for you. Do this as a memorial to me.'” (Luke 22:19 Williams New Testament, emphasis added) “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, ‘This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me'” (1 Corinthians 11:25 GNB). “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19 NAB) Obviously, this is the unleavened bread, symbolizing Jesus’ body, partaken of by true Christians. This is the real Memorial Day for Christians. read more

When Were Satan and His Angels Thrown Out of Heaven?

When Were Satan and His Angels Thrown Out of Heaven?

Some say that Satan and his angels were ousted from heaven before humans were created, some say it was just before, or just after, Adam and Eve sinned, some say this event is yet future. The Jehovah’s Witnesses even claim it was in a specific year — 1914 CE. What does the Bible really say? When were Satan and his angels thrown, or cast, out of heaven?

Prior to Jesus’ death, resurrection and exaltation, Satan & his angels still had access to heaven, as can be seen from Job 1:6; 2:1, and possibly Luke 22:31 read more

Did Jesus Die Before Or After Passover?

Did Jesus Die Before Or After Passover?

The Judgment on the Gabbatha by James Tissot, c. 1890

Skeptics and critics of the Bible often claim that the gospel of John contradicts the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,  in reporting Jesus died before, rather than after, the Passover. Did Jesus die before, or after, Passover?

Alleged contradiction:

Was Jesus crucified on the daytime before the Passover meal or the daytime after?
(a) After (Mark 14:12-17)
(b) Before. Before the feast of the Passover (John 13:1) Judas went out at night (John 13:30). The other
disciples thought he was going out to buy supplies to prepare for the Passover meal (John 13:29). When
Jesus was arrested, the Jews did not enter Pilate’s judgment hall because they wanted to stay clean to
eat the Passover (John 18:28). When the judgment was pronounced against Jesus, it was about the sixth
hour on the day of Preparation for the Passover (John 19:14) read more

Was Jesus Predicted in the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Was Jesus Predicted in the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Was Jesus Christ being born in Bethlehem, foretold, or predicted, in advance? Many of the Dead Sea Scrolls have been accurately dated to before Jesus was born.

“Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms”—Luke 24:44 NIV

 Critics claim that Jesus was just an ordinary man, and that predictive prophecy is impossible, and therefore deny that Jesus fulfilled any Old Testament prophecies. Since there are so many prophecies that Jesus actually fulfilled, critics resort to claiming that the prophecies in the Old Testament were written after the fact, so as to conform to what happened to Jesus, and also that the New Testament recordings of these fulfillments are frauds, that is, written to conform to Old Testament predictions.  read more

“THE SACRIFICE OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST”

“THE SACRIFICE OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST”

Different resurrection appearances
Was Jesus’ body resurrected? What about the sacrifice of Jesus’ body?

We hear much about “the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ,” but very little about the sacrifice of Jesus’ body. Why? Out of 31,000 verses in the Bible, not one of them mentions a resurrection of Jesus’ body. But, how about the sacrifice of Jesus’ body?

“We have been made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time”—Hebrews 10:10 NIV

Most Christian churches and preachers claim that Jesus’ physical body was resurrected. However, the Bible, as we can see above, says that Jesus’ body was sacrificed. What does that mean? read more

DID JESUS CHRIST DIE IN HIS “DIVINITY”?

DID JESUS CHRIST DIE IN HIS “DIVINITY”?

Jesus, not God
Did Jesus die only in his body, but not his deity, or divinity?

It is asserted by many that Jesus Christ was God a “God-man” in the flesh while on earth, and that he “died in his body, or flesh, but not in his deity or divinity.” First of all, Jesus is never referred to as a “deity” in the Bible. In fact, “deities” are pagan gods (Acts 17:18) LSB). Did Jesus Christ die in his  divinity? 

“Surely you, Yahweh, are from ancient times, my holy God, who never dies”—Habakkuk 1:12 NJB

“My God, my Holy One, you will never die”—Habakkuk 1:12 NIV read more

Did Jesus Claim To Be God, or God’s Son, In Court?

Did Jesus Claim To Be God, or God’s Son, In Court?

Did Jesus claim to be God when he was in court, on trial for his life? Like Jesus’ enemies, Trinitarians often assert that Jesus was “claiming to be God” (John 10:33 REB). However, Jesus flatly refuted that false charge by saying, “I am God’s Son” (John 10:36). Like Jesus’ enemies, once again, Trinitarians also falsely assert that Jesus “was claiming equality with God” (John 5:18 REB). Jesus flatly refuted that false charge also, by saying: “In all truth I tell you, by himself the Son can do nothing; he can do only what he sees the Father doing” (John 5:19 NJB). 

When, finally, Jesus was brought before the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin, what was the real issue that they were concerned about?

“The high priest said to him, ‘I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God'” (Matthew 26:63 NAB). 

This was the real issue, whether Jesus claimed to be “the Messiah, the Son of God.” They obviously knew he never ‘claimed to be God’. Notice Jesus’ response:

“The words are yours. But I tell you this: ‘from now on you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of heaven'” (Matthew 26:64 REB). read more

Did Jesus Really Die On the Cross?

Did Jesus Really Die On the Cross?

Crucifixion of Jesus

Did Jesus really die on the cross? Some critics claim he didn’t die on the cross, but only appeared to be dead, and later awakened in his tomb, and escaped. Let’s look at the evidence.

“But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:33,34 NIV).

Some skeptics claim that Jesus somehow survived his crucifixion, and was unknowingly placed alive in the tomb, where he revived, and early on Sunday morning escaped from the tomb alive. This is quite a far-fetched story, but nevertheless, many people believe it. However, when we carefully consider all the known and pertinent facts, such a theory flies in the face of all the evidence. read more

Do the Twelve Minor Prophets Support Trinity Doctrine?

Do the Twelve Minor Prophets Support Trinity Doctrine?

Who Were the “Minor Prophets”? Part One: Hosea-Micah – Dr ...

It is often stated by those in authority in churches that God is a Trinity, and evidence of this is found throughout the entire Bible. There are twelve Bible books that aren’t used as much as other Bible books, called the Minor Prophets. Is the Trinity doctrine found in the Twelve Minor Prophets?

“The Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet, there are not three Gods, but one God”—Athanasian Creed

The statement quoted above is said to be the primary belief of most Christian groups. If this is true, then we should find some evidence of it throughout the Bible.

The 12 relatively short Bible Books called “the minor prophets”, from Hosea to Malachi, make many references to Almighty God “Yahweh”, but no references to Jesus Christ by name, and some references to God’s spirit, or the holy Spirit. Do the twelve Minor Prophets support the Trinity doctrine?

Hosea 8:5-6 – “I reject this calf . . .  you worship . . . was created by your own hands. It is not God” (NLT). While the verse doesn’t directly mention the Christian Trinity, of course, because it wasn’t even “created” until the 4th and 5th centuries CE, it warns against any form of worship that isn’t directed solely to Yahweh, thus highlighting the folly and divine anger provoked by worshipping created things over the Creator. Trinitarian worship is like calf worship”Jesus said . . . ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP YAHWEH YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY’ (Matthew 4:10 LSB margin). “The true worshippers will worship the Father” (John 4:24), and “pray” to “our Father” (Matthew 6:9). In contrast, Trinitarians mostly worship, and pray to, Jesus in actual practice. There are pictures of Jesus all over the place, similar to calf worshippers with their visible idol. In contrast, “no one has ever seen God” (1 John 4:12 NIV), “no one has seen the Father” (John 6:46 NIV), because he’s “invisible” (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV), so no picture can be made of him. The Trinity doctrine miserably fails the scriptural “test” (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).

Hosea 10:12; 11:1  – “It is time to seek Yahweh . . . When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My Son” (LSB). Trinitarianism  claims ‘the Son is Yahweh God’. But, what do the scriptures say? Hosea 11:1 is quoted in Matthew and applied to Jesus being called out of Egypt: “So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was night, and departed for Egypt. And he remained there until the death of Herod, in order that what had been spoken by Yahweh through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying ‘OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON'” (Matthew 2:15 LSB margin). Thus, the scriptures plainly indicate that Jesus is Yahweh’s Son, which means Jesus can’t be Yahweh. Without the Son being Yahweh God, the Trinity doctrine collapses.

Hosea 11:9 – “I am God and not a man” (NIV). Trinitarianism claims that Jesus was a “God-man, fully man and fully God”.  However, the scriptures contradict Trinitarian concepts. How can we be absolutely sure that God cannot be a man? Jesus said: “God is a spirit” (John 4:23 GWT). In contrast, on earth, prior to his death, Jesus was “fully human in every way” (Hebrews 2:17 NIV). He was “put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18 LSB).

Hosea 12:5  “Even Yahweh, the God of hosts, Yahweh is His name of =&0=&This verse and the following commentary highlight the uniqueness and importance of Yahweh and his name (reputation).
=&1=&This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and supreme authority of God over all heavenly armies and earthly powers. The term “LORD” is the English representation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, which signifies God’s eternal and self-existent nature. “God of Hosts” (Hebrew: “Yahweh Sabaoth”) is a title that underscores God’s command over the angelic armies, reflecting His omnipotence and ability to execute His will throughout creation. This title is frequently used in the Old Testament, especially in prophetic literature, to remind Israel of God’s power and His ability to protect and deliver His people. It also serves as a warning to those who oppose Him, as seen in passages like Isaiah 1:24 and Jeremiah 11:20. =&2=&This phrase highlights the fame and reputation of God’s name, which is revered and respected throughout the earth. The repetition of “LORD” (Yahweh) emphasizes the importance of His covenant name, which was revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14-15 as “I AM WHO I AM.” This name signifies God’s unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The concept of God’s name being renowned is echoed in passages like Psalm 8:1 and Malachi 1:11, where His glory and majesty are recognized by all nations. In the New Testament, the name of Jesus is also exalted, as seen in Philippians 2:9-11, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This connection underscores the continuity of God’s revelation and the fulfillment of His promises through Christ.”  (Bible Hub Study Bible). 
While Yahweh God the Father operates through his Son, Jesus Christ, only “Yahweh” is referred to as “the God of hosts”. “Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Trinitarians gloss right over the latter part of the phrase. Yahweh reigns supreme over all, including Jesus.

Joel 2:27,28 – “Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh your God, and there is no other . . . And it will be afterwards That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind” (LSB). These scriptures show that ‘Yahweh is God and no other’, that is, he is incomparable, unique. The holy Spirit, which is also featured in this prophecy is obviously not Yahweh God, as Trinitarianism claims. In fact, the wording is contrary to the Trinitarian idea that the holy Spirit is a person. Even more so, when this scripture is quoted by the apostle Peter on the day the holy Spirit is poured out, notice the wording: “This is what was spoken through through the prophet Joel: ‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh'”  (Acts 2:16,17 NAB). Yahweh speaks, and refers to the holy Spirit as being “my spirit”, which provides very strong evidence that the holy Spirit is not a person.  Even more so, the language, “a portion of my spirit” gives additional evidence the holy Spirit cannot be a person, because a portion of a person cannot be ‘poured out.’ Pouring out a portion of’ a person’ doesn’t make good sense. Understanding that the holy Spirit is God’s “power” (Luke 1:17; Acts 1:8), and not a person, does make sense. Without the holy Spirit being a person, the doctrine of the Trinity falls apart.

Amos 4:13; 5:16,18, 27 – “Yahweh God of hosts is His name” (LSB). “Yahweh, God of hosts, the Lord”, ” . . . the day of Yahweh . . . the day of Yahweh”. Yahweh, whose name is the God of hosts” (LSB). Most translations substitute the generic “the LORD” for the Hebrew “YHWH” in the ancient manuscripts, and even admit it in their prefaces. “Yahweh appears in the OT over 6,800 . . . The translation Yahweh is substantiated by scholarly reconstructions” (LSB preface). The generic “the LORD” is preferred by Trinitarians because it hides the fact that “God” is uniquely “Yahweh” the “Father” (Malachi 2:10,12 LSB; NASB). However, the Bible emphasizes the importance of his “name” “Yahweh” (Isaiah 52:5-6 LSB).

Amos 8:11 – “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares Lord Yahweh, ‘When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of Yahweh'” (LSB). “The title ‘Lord GOD’ underscores the authority and sovereignty of God, reminding the audience of His ultimate control over history and events” (Bible Hub Study Bible). “The Lord God” is identified in the scriptures as “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8; 4:8). Therefore, “Yahweh” is “the Lord God”, “the Almighty”. There is only one “Almighty”, “Yahweh”. He is not “the Lamb” Jesus Christ” (Revelation 21:22). Jesus indicated that he is not Yahweh (Matthew 22:41-46). “Yahweh” “God” is identified as the “Father” (Malachi 2:10,12 LSB; NASB). In contrast with the scriptures, Trinitarianism claims, “the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty” (Athanasian Creed). Thus, in Trinityland churches, there is an extreme spiritual famine for hearing Biblical truth about Yahweh. “Yahweh declares, ‘ . . . My name is continually blasphemed all day long” (Isaiah 52:5 LSB), by the generic substitution of “the LORD” for Yahweh in their Bibles, and being called a Trinity.

Obadiah 21 – “And the saviors will ascend Mount Zion To judge the mountain of Esau, And the kingdom will belong to Yahweh” (LSB). Trinitarians sometimes claim that Jesus being called “Savior” means that he’s  God. It is true that both Christ and Yahweh God the Father share the title of “savior”. But Trinitarians overlook the fact that some humans are also “saviors” in the Bible. This verse is one of several in the Bible that proves the Trinitarian claim false. “This phrase refers to the leaders or saviors who will rise to bring about God’s justice and restoration . . . The ascent of deliverers to Zion signifies a divine appointment and empowerment to execute God’s will. This imagery connects to the idea of God’s chosen people being restored and elevated to a place of prominence and authority” (Bible Hub Study Bible). While God’s holy people, the Christian “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16 NIV) will be elevated to “prominence and authority”, as “saviors”, they are obviously not God. Just as human “saviors” aren’t God, neither is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Almighty God. Shared titles do not equate to the same “being”.

 Jonah 1:9 – “Jonah . . . said to them, ‘I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who made the sea and dry land” (LSB). God’s prophet Jonah thus identifies “Yahweh” as being “Yahweh GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO . . . created all things” (Revelation 4:8,11 LSB).

Jonah 1:17 – “Yahweh appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights” (LSB). Jesus used this historical account of Jonah to picture his upcoming death. “Just as JOANH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 LSB). “They will kill him, and He will be raised on the third day” (Matthew 17:23 LSB). This debunks the Trinity dogma, because “Christ died” and “was dead” (1 Corinthians 15:3; Revelation 1:18), whereas “Yahweh . . . God . . . never dies” (Habakkuk 1:12 NJB). Therefore, Jesus cannot be God.

Nahum 1:2,7,9 read more

Importance of Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Death & Resurrection

Importance of Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Death & Resurrection

Critics of the Bible often say there are no eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This article examines the facts of the issue of whether there are eyewitnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

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. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.” (Luke 1:1-3 NIV)

New Testament writers, especially in the Gospels and Acts, were very careful to record that they were relaying the testimony of eyewitnesses, many of whom were still alive when the most of the Testament was written. Their accounts were not fabrications or hallucinations or legends. They were real!

Let’s look at some of the testimony about eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus.:

“Then he appeared to more than =&0=&

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 NIV)

God exalted him at his own right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel to repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit, that God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:31,32 NAB)

The importance of being actual eyewitnesses of Christ cannot be overstated. Notice the following proof texts concerning witnesses of his death and after his resurrection.

His death:

Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him were there, looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” (Matthew 27:55,56 HCSB)

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.” (Matthew 27:61 HCSB)

After his resurrection:

He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” (Matthew 28:6 HCSB)

Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:7 HCSB)

When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated.” (Matthew 28:17 NJB)

His death:

There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.” (Mark 15:40 HCSB)

Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed.” (Mark 15:47 HCSB)

After his resurrection:

When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed.” (Mark 16:5 HCSB)

His death:

All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” (Luke 23:48,49 HCSB)

“One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ =&1=&

The certification of his death:

“Pilate was =&2=&

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