Friday, August 30, 2013

Who Do You Think You Are?


Who Do You Think You Are?

Now in its 10th series to air on the BBC, the genealogy documentary series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ regularly attracts an audience of more than 6 million viewers.

While we dig into the ancestry of famous celebrities, there is a lot of controversy about the origin of the most famous person in history – Jesus Christ.  Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son.  In the New Testament, Jesus frequently referred to God as his “Father” (see John 5:17).  Significantly we read in the next verse that the Jews sought to kill him, because they understood that he was claiming to be “equal with God”.  In John 10:30, Jesus describes himself and his Father as being one in essence, that is, divine, and as a result we read in verse 33 that the Jews once again try to stone him.

However, many do not believe that the Bible is authored by God, but just another piece of ancient literature and it has become fashionable for sceptics to hold that these supposed quotations of Jesus were simply made up by the early church and added to the gospels.  So our question is: ‘Who did Jesus think he was?’  Let’s look at two more occasions where Jesus claimed to be divine; two quotations that are accepted by mainstream critical scholars as historically authentic as actually said by Jesus.  The early church is an unlikely source for them!

1. During Jesus’ trial by the Sanhedrin as recorded in Mark 14, the high priest asks him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus replies (v62), "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  The high priest tore his garment, and the verdict of blasphemy with the death sentence was delivered by the Sanhedrin.  They knew that Jesus was identifying himself as the Old Testament ‘Son of Man’ figure who appeared to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 7:13-14).  Daniel’s ‘Son of Man’ is described as eternal, glorious and sovereign ruler of an everlasting kingdom.  The Sanhedrin’s verdict of blasphemy demonstrates that they knew that Jesus was claiming to be God.  Now, while ‘Son of Man’ was often used by Jesus to refer to himself in the gospels, it is very unlikely that this title was inserted as an invention of the Church, because the title only occurs three other times in the New Testament (Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14) and only three times in all other Christian literature during the Church's first 120 years.  Since neither Jesus' opponents nor his supporters are likely sources for this title, Jesus himself is its most probable.

2. In Mark 13:32, talking about the end of the world, Jesus says, "no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  This text suggests that there is something that he, the Son of God, does not know.  If the disciples were forming a fictional account, these are words they would never put in Jesus’ mouth.  Again, Jesus himself is the most likely source of this statement.

The Bible says that our forgiveness from sin and eternal wellbeing in Heaven depends on the worth of his person as the unique Son of God.  It is his divine nature that gives value to his death as a sacrifice for us.  Each of us needs to personally answer Jesus’ own question: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ (Mark 8:29).

Written by Guest Blogger
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Monday, August 19, 2013

Latest Podcast




For those of you who follow my postings I have been away for a few days of holiday. This week I am away in the Lake District with a group for five days. After that we will be back to normal postings.

In the meantime why not sample some of the messages in www.seekthetruth.org.uk. The latest one is Dr Luke addressing the question - "You don't believe that stuff do you?". It's worth thinking about!

Stephen


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Liverpool

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Latest Podcast




For those of you who follow my postings I have been away for a few days of holiday. This week I am away in the Lake District with a group for five days. After that we will be back to normal postings.

In the meantime why not sample some of the messages in www.seekthetruth.org.uk. The latest one is Dr Luke addressing the question - "You don't believe that stuff do you?". It's worth thinking about!

Stephen


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Liverpool

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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Week of holiday

This week I am having a break in Scotland with my family.

















We are staying in a lovely hotel for a few days. It's relaxing, a complete switch off which I feel is much needed.

My weekly work involves daily public speaking, writing, broadcasting, recording, researching, reading and various pastoral and organisational meetings. No busier than anyone else, I suppose, but busy non the less!

My calling is to walk with God and communicate the truth from His book, the Bible. Helping people hear the message of God and being available to support, guide and help them is all part of the work.

This week will see a lot fewer postings on my various social networking sites. I pray that my God and Father will bless all those who read, listen and watch anything I normally post.

The ultimate aim is not to promote me but to honour and glory God, whom I serve.


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Crieff, Scotland

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Week of holiday

This week I am having a break in Scotland with my family.

















We are staying in a lovely hotel for a few days. It's relaxing, a complete switch off which I feel is much needed.

My weekly work involves daily public speaking, writing, broadcasting, recording, researching, reading and various pastoral and organisational meetings. No busier than anyone else, I suppose, but busy non the less!

My calling is to walk with God and communicate the truth from His book, the Bible. Helping people hear the message of God and being available to support, guide and help them is all part of the work.

This week will see a lot fewer postings on my various social networking sites. I pray that my God and Father will bless all those who read, listen and watch anything I normally post.

The ultimate aim is not to promote me but to honour and glory God, whom I serve.


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Crieff, Scotland

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Saturday, August 10, 2013

Bible Teaching Series




Latest First Corinthians Video Bible Teaching Series - Watch & Pray (for The Lord to help us to live biblically).

Watch on:
http://youtu.be/qsaU22z3T-Y


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Liverpool

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Bible Teaching Series




Latest First Corinthians Video Bible Teaching Series - Watch & Pray (for The Lord to help us to live biblically).

Watch on:
http://youtu.be/qsaU22z3T-Y


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Liverpool

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Friday, August 09, 2013

Dream, St Helens


The Book of Hebrews in the Bible says 'whose faith follow'. This is written in relation to those God fearing men whose lifestyle and trust in God was worth following. There is no point in imitating people who live pointless and ineffective lives. It is far better to learn from and follow men and women of God.

The ultimate example to follow in life is that of Jesus Christ. He was announced as delighting God in his life (Mark 1.11). The writer of the Hebrews says he was 'holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners' (Hebrews 7.26). This is why he alone qualified to die for our sins.

If you have looked at the photographs that are on this blog post you may wonder what the connection is? Simply this. As I visited the old Sutton Manor Coalfield site today I was reminded of what we can learn from those who lived so long ago. Their hard graft, sweat and tears, their comradeship, loyalty and community spirit caused me to reflect on what the bible teaches about following the example of others.

You should visit the site, it's just off the M62, near St Helen's, the old villages of Sutton Manor and Clock Face. The monument you see in the photographs is called 'Dream' but you'll learn more by visiting it yourself.

























All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Sutton Manor, St Helens

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Dream, St Helens


The Book of Hebrews in the Bible says 'whose faith follow'. This is written in relation to those God fearing men whose lifestyle and trust in God was worth following. There is no point in imitating people who live pointless and ineffective lives. It is far better to learn from and follow men and women of God.

The ultimate example to follow in life is that of Jesus Christ. He was announced as delighting God in his life (Mark 1.11). The writer of the Hebrews says he was 'holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners' (Hebrews 7.26). This is why he alone qualified to die for our sins.

If you have looked at the photographs that are on this blog post you may wonder what the connection is? Simply this. As I visited the old Sutton Manor Coalfield site today I was reminded of what we can learn from those who lived so long ago. Their hard graft, sweat and tears, their comradeship, loyalty and community spirit caused me to reflect on what the bible teaches about following the example of others.

You should visit the site, it's just off the M62, near St Helen's, the old villages of Sutton Manor and Clock Face. The monument you see in the photographs is called 'Dream' but you'll learn more by visiting it yourself.

























All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Sutton Manor, St Helens

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Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Liverpool Central Library

























All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Liverpool Central Library

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Weekly Podcast

Weekly Podcast - A QUESTION FOR YOU FROM DR LUKE - Are you living on a shaky foundation? http://archive.org/download/PodcastAudiosByStephenBaker/Are-you-on-a-shaky-foundation.mp3


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Bootle, Merseyside

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Weekly Podcast

Weekly Podcast - A QUESTION FOR YOU FROM DR LUKE - Are you living on a shaky foundation? http://archive.org/download/PodcastAudiosByStephenBaker/Are-you-on-a-shaky-foundation.mp3


All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Bootle, Merseyside

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Saturday, August 03, 2013

Liverpool Saturday 3rd August 2013

Acts 17:16 "his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry".
















All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Location:Liverpool, UK

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Thursday, August 01, 2013

A PRINCE IS BORN




Laura Leigh Davidson wrote in Scholastic News Online  

A new prince has been born into England’s royal family! The son of Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was born at 4:24 p.m. British Summer Time on July 22. Prince William said he and his wife “couldn’t be happier” about the birth of their firstborn child. His official title will be “His Royal Highness the Prince of Cambridge.” The little prince is third in line for the British throne, following his grandfather, Prince Charles, and his father…..The official announcement of the young prince’s arrival, signed by Kate’s attending doctors, was driven from the hospital to Buckingham Palace. After the Queen approved the announcement, the framed document was placed on a gold easel outside the royal residence for the thousands who had gathered at the gates of the palace to read. The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcement was placed. At the hospital, an old-fashioned town crier read, at the top of his voice, the news of the new prince’s birth from a scroll. Thousands of enthusiastic well-wishers gathered outside the hospital cheered. Many showed their excitement by waving—and some by wearing—Great Britain’s Union Jack flag. Throughout London, buildings and landmarks were lit up in blue, white, and red—the colors of the flag—to celebrate the arrival of the baby prince. The excitement even reached the border of the United States and Canada, where Niagara Falls was illuminated with baby-blue lights.’ 

Since that piece was written the baby has been named "George, Alexander. Louis" and as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge he is third in line for the throne of England, which is quite a majestic thought and a great responsibility for one so young to carry. Not everyone is pleased with the worldwide hype surrounding the birth of this little fellow, some who take a Republican line would sooner have in place a democratically voted person to govern the nation.

Biblically speaking 'theocracy' is the highest form of government, 'monarchy' the next and 'democracy' which is the lowest form is the rule of the people by the people. With people one can get good rulers and bad rulers, whether Kings, Queens or Presidents. I heard a disparaging comment on TV by a  proponent of republicanism, he said, “The little old lady, that lives in the big house” obviously referring to Queen Elizabeth and Buckingham Palace. For sixty years she has been Queen of the United Kingdom in selfless service for her country. 

A little bit of history was made in St.Mary’s Hospitol on July 22nd. when Prince Charles and Prince William were in the same room as the new-born Prince George, three possible future kings of England. I say possible because it maybe that none of them will become king. Soon 'democracy' and 'monarchy' will give way to 'theocracy', when He who was born King will return to the earth to reign. It will not be long before Christ comes as He said He would one day return to take up universal rule.

People shouted against Jesus, “We will not have this man to reign over us” and they crucified Him with this title over His cross, “This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” For many it was an act of ignorance, just following the crowd. Paul said in 1. Corinthians 2.7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Some people today reject the Lord out of ignorance, some out of disobedience but there are those who receive the Saviour and confess Him Lord of their life. John 1.12 says “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Being born of God, or, born again, brings a person into the family of God and into the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” but those who do believe and receive Christ as their Lord and Saviour are automatically in the kingdom of God and will never be out of it, once saved a person is eternally saved.

Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George may never be crowned King of England but Jesus will be crowned in the city where He was crucified. Zion (part of Jerusalem) is the city of the great King. David was a great King but David’s greater Son will yet reign there. David anticipated this when he wrote in Psalm 24, “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”  God bless.

Written by a Guest Blogger. 

Further links

Stephen G Baker Bible Teaching on YouTube - 

Digital Sojourner Bible Teaching on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalSojourner/videos 

Audio Podcasts on www.seekthetruth.org.uk
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