Is Jesus Israel's promised Messiah?

Is Jesus Israel's Promised Messiah?

The New Testament claims that He is? The evidence stacks up to establish that He is? I believe that He is?


Jesus fulfils all the biblical predictions from Genesis 3:15 about the seed of the woman, right up to the prediction of the place of his birth in Micah chapter five. No one else has ever made and verified the claim to be the Messiah of Israel. Many have made the claim but time has proven them to be deluded or conscious imposters. The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed by his life, behaviour, miraculous powers and fulfilment of the predictions of scripture that He is.

The conversion of an Israeli Terrorist - Acts 9

Depicting Saul of Tarsus as a boy

Depicting Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus

This is an amazing story! If it happened today it would be splashed across all the media platforms - 'A Terrorist claims to repent and become a Christian'. As you read through Acts chapter nine please bear in mind that this actually happened. Saul of Tarsus was so anti Jesus Christ that he put Christians in prison wherever he could find them. He traveled miles to trap and harass Christians. He even felt that he was justified in killing Christians.

What happened to make him change his mind? Read the story for yourself. My prayer is that even if you think you are one of the good guys that this chapter from Holy Scripture will speak to you and show you that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. BUT that we can all be saved by repenting and believing the gospel. If you don't understand the terms 'repent', 'believe', 'gospel' etc have a read of my other postings. These terms crop up regularly and you should get an idea of what they mean quite quickly.

Thanks for reading this,

Stephen

Acts 9Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

9 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:16 for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.34 And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turninghim to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.

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You can be sure of heaven - 1 John 5:13-21

1 John 5:13-21

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Explanation

John is writing to Christians, verse 13 makes that very clear. He is writing, however, so that the believers instead of doubting their faith in Christ might know  that they have eternal life. That means it is possible to have eternal life but live a life of doubt where you are lacking assurance. That need not be the case. The Lord wants believers to live lives in full assurance of faith, enjoying and appreciating their faith in the Lord Jesus. When John wrote his gospel he ended it by saying 'these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name'.

Here is a disciple who is confident that if he asks God for anything that is in keeping with His will that it will be granted, v14,15. The question and challenge then is to seek out and find out what the will of God is! Searching the scriptures is the only realistic way to do this. The first and biggest aspect of God's will for any person to discover is that he 'will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,' 1 Timothy 5:4. 

In verses 16-18 we are confronted with the fact that there are some sins which can be forgiven and some that cannot. You might have thought that all sins could be forgiven. This is basically right but there are a couple of exceptions! The only sin that I can think of that cannot be forgiven is the sin of unbelief. That is if you refuse to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and you reject God's offer of forgiveness then you are excluding yourself from forgiveness. All the other examples are closely linked to this. There might be a sense in which this verse has a very special meaning that was unique to Bible times. For instance the sin of attributing the power behind the miracles of Jesus to the devil would be relevant in the days of Christ and similar to refusing to believe the gospel.  Again turning your back on Jesus as the Messiah, Lord and Saviour and going back to Jewish beliefs and sacrifices was described as the sin of apostasy; this again is a form of unbelief. 

Verse 17 confirms a fact that is often spoken about in the Bible - 'all unrighteousness is sin'. That is a definition of sin. Sin is everything that does not come up to God's impeccable standard. Romans 3:23 states 'for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'.

The next three verses (18-20) show that there is a marked difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and an unbeliever. This is seen in their behaviour. A Christian is not expected to constantly sin. It is also seen in the fact that a believer is careful about how they live and what they allow into their lives. The Christian is also preserved from the wicked one (the devil) getting a firm grip in their life. The world is under the devil's control but the believer's source of life comes from God.

In summary - 'We know that the Son of God is come and has given us an understanding'. The reason is that 'we might know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life'. 

A warning - Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Love is of God - 1 John 4:10-21

1 John 4King James Version (KJV)

4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

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The 400th Anniversary of the Death of William Shakespeare (1)

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon".  He was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died on the 3rd of May 1616 again in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was educated in King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon and famous for his poems, sonnets and plays. 

But why should be remember the death of a man? In this man's case we remember his death because of what he did in life and because of what he left as a legacy to the English language. 

If you read my blogs often you will know that I regularly talk about the death of another man - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christians remember Jesus not primarily because of what he did in life but because of what he did in his death. You cannot separate the death of Jesus from his life. He lived a perfect sinless life for 33 years. That cannot be said of the great bard, or of any other person who ever lived but is can be said of Jesus. The Bible describes him as 'holy, harmless and undefiled', it also states that he is like a 'lamb without blemish and without spot'. 

Jesus death is only of significance because of the perfection of his life.

No one else could atone for your sins. No one else qualified to pay the price we owed to God. No one else is acceptable to God as a substitute. Jesus dealt with the legal consequences of our sin. His death is acceptable to God as a full and final payment for sin. The scriptures say 'Christ died for our sins'. 

The fact that Jesus has dealt with sin does not mean that you automatically will benefit. The Bible describes salvation as 'the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord'. A gift is purchased but doesn't become yours until it is offered and accepted. God is offering you forgiveness and salvation but you need to accept it to benefit from it.

The Bible says 'by grace are you saved, though faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast'. Salvation is 'by grace,' that is, God provides it at full to cost to himself. It is 'through faith,' that is, you accept it by believing what God says and trusting him to keep his word i.e. forgive you, clear your guilt, save you. Becoming a Christian is 'not of yourself,' that means, the only part you play is to accept salvation it is not something you can do for yourself. Finally the verse says 'not of works lest any man should boast'. This emphasises the fact that you cannot work for salvation, it is something that God does for you.

Remembering Shakespeare might be good in terms of your grasp of the English language. It might improve your prose and ability to express yourself but it won't change your destiny. Repenting of your sin and trusting Christ will change your present condition before God and fix your destination as heaven in the next life. 

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What is your life? - a Seek the Truth Bible Media Blog

What is your life?

From earliest days human beings have been fascinated and puzzled by the subject of life. The holy grail for different fields of knowledge all have to do with life. In biology, it is the creation of life from outside another life; in astronomy, it is the discovery of life from outside of planet earth; in medicine, it is the prolonging of life; in philosophy, it is the meaning of life. Whatever it may be, the subject of life is something that we cannot ignore.

Interestingly, the Bible, God’s Word, provides the answers to all these questions that are being asked by the scientific world. Only God is able to create life from nothing, which was what took place when He created this universe. God has placed mankind and all creatures on planet earth and on no other planet. The Bible clearly states that man will surely die despite the best efforts of doctors and medicine because of the problem of sin. God says that the true purpose of life is to serve and please God, Who first created it. If scientists of this world would just accept what the Bible says about life, our history books will be different; our society will be different; and some governments will not be spending billions of dollars on extraterrestrial programs trying to search for life on other planets.

But we come back to a very pertinent question on a personal level: What is your life?

The Bible says that your life is:

Short – just like a vapour from a boiling kettle that appears in a flash and then vanishes away, James 4.14. Peter echoes this truth: "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away" 1Peter 1.24. Seventy or eighty years may seem like a long time, but compared to eternity it is like a grain of sand on a vast ocean bed! After our physical life ends, eternity starts either in a blissful heaven or in a dreadful, horrific hell. If you accept the Lord Jesus as Saviour in this life, you are guaranteed a place in Heaven. However, if you reject Him, God will likewise guarantee you a place in hell. "Whosoever believeth in Him (the Lord Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3.16.

Sinful – Sin is an element in life that is present from the moment we are born until the moment we die, and it is because of sin that we die. Romans 5.12, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." The question of sickness, suffering, and eventually death is a direct result of the presence of sin in our lives and in this world. The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we need to be eternally accountable for them. If you accept the Lord Jesus, you can have God’s forgiveness and a place in heaven. Let God’s Word speak to you: Romans 5.6,8 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly ... God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Special – because the God of Heaven values our lives so much, He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our salvation. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" John 3.16, to die for us. What God asks from you is to accept and believe that Jesus Christ died for a sinner such as yourself, and you will receive forgiveness of your sins and eternal life.

So, what is your life?

Reproduced by kind permission of Assembly Testimony Magazine

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One purchase you will never regret!

One purchase you will never regret!

While the religious authorities were seeking ways to trap, arrest and execute Jesus there was one person not so far from the city of Jerusalem who were doing the complete opposite. Standing up for what is right will often mean you are in the minority. Don't give up because the majority disagrees with you. Truth is not measured by statistics!

In the small town of Bethany there was a home were Jesus was always welcome. Is Jesus welcome in your home and life?

The people in Bethany that night were, as is always the case, split in their opinion and attitude to Jesus. Some believed him to be who he claimed to be, the Son of God. Others were convinced that he was a fraud, an imposter and not worth consideration. 

Where do you stand in your view of Jesus? Is it the one question that will determine your eternal destiny! Jesus said as recorded in John 8:24 'I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.'

On this occasion a lady comes into the house with expensive ointment and pours it on Jesus' head. The reaction: most said what a waste of good money; it could have been used for better purposes i.e. to feed the poor. 

Here's a point you may strongly disagree with! It's better to worship Jesus than to feed the poor! I think that's true! 

But listen, Jesus didn't say don't feed the poor! He said the poor would always exist! I think this a lesson in priorities. If we see Jesus for who he is, the Son of God. If we turn from our sin and unbelief, confess our sin and trust him as Lord and Saviour.....

THEN

We will go on to: feed the poor, love our neighbour and do all the things that are pleasing to God and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

SO

Where do you stand when it comes to the cost of worshipping Jesus? It's one price you will never regret paying. 

Mark 14King James Version (KJV)

1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk