In John 5:19 Jesus said, “the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

Muslim apologists spend so much time emphasizing that Jesus said, “the Son can do nothing of himself” in their attempt to disprove the deity of Christ, that they fail to see that Jesus is saying that he only does what he sees the Father do.

Why is it that Muhammad could never make the claim that he does only what he sees the Father do? Why is it that Muhammad could not claim the Father shows me EVERYTHING he (the Father himself) does?

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth…(John 5:19-20).

Notice that Jesus says the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does. This is why Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the sick and those who were diseased, raised the dead, cast out demons, and performed many miracles. It is also why Jesus died and rose again. 

Muhammad never did any of these.

Unlike Jesus, the Father never showed Muhammad all things that he himself does, and neither did he ever give Muhammad any power to do the things that he does because Jesus is the one God sent to reveal himself to humanity, not Muhammad.

In Acts 10 :38 the apostle Peter testified of Jesus saying “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Why didn’t Muhammad do the works of the Father like Jesus did?  Jesus is the only one who can make the claim “he that sees me sees the Father also. “

Jesus said that the works which he did from the Father were a greater witness than even the testimony of John the Baptist, because the works which Jesus did were the Father himself working through him. (see John 5:36)

In John 10, Jesus told the Jews who wanted to stone him, “the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.” (John 10:25)

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. (John 10:38-39)

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works‘ sake.(John 14:10 -11)

Jesus did not fail to show us the Father in everything he said and did, including his death.

All the works which Jesus did, he did in the name of his Father (John 10:25) and just prior to laying down his life, Jesus had prayed; “Father, glorify thy name.” In response to this prayer the Father answered: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:28)

By this, the Father was speaking of the works he had already done through his Son, and the work he was about to accomplish through his death and resurrection.

The works which Jesus did in his Father’s name testified of him that he is the Messiah sent by God and when he said from the cross, “it is finished,” he was literally speaking of the works which the Father had given to him to accomplish, for the cross was the climax of the works which the Father sent him to do. (see John 19:28-30)

Jesus glorified God in everything he did, including when He laid down his life for us. (John 13:32)

Jesus had said to those Jews who wanted to kill him from the beginning; “when you have lifted up the Son of Man (on the cross) you would know that I AM He” (John 8:28-29). His death and resurrection would be the final and greatest statement that He is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God.  Everything Jesus did, he had learned from the Father and when he laid down his life, he gave it as the good Shepherd giving his life for the sheep; this he also had learned from his Father!

Jesus laid down his life for the sheep because he knew the Father (John 10:11, 15, 17-18) and was taught so by the Father (John 10:17-18; 13:1-3; 14:29-31). He did only what he saw His Father do (John 5:19). Jesus said that the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing and would show even greater works that would make those who rejected Him astonished (John 5:20 TNLT). These greater works refer to his death and resurrection from the dead (John 20:21).

Jesus was given authority by God to lay down his life and to take it up again (John 10:17-18). Those who believe that he is the one sent by God; honor God (John 5:23). Those who reject him and refuse to believe will die in their sins (John 8:24).
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For more teaching regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ in contrast to Islam follow the links below:

An Introduction to Jesus for Muslims

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/13/an-introduction-to-jesus-for-muslims/

The Heavenly Man

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/the-heavenly-man/

King Jesus

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/king-jesus/

Did Jesus Deny Being Deity?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/did-jesus-deny-being-deity/

Refuting Islamic Interpretation of Hebrews 5:7-8

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/refuting-islamic-interpretation-of-hebrews-57/

Jesus, Paul, and the Law

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/jesus-paul-and-the-law/

Did Paul Fail to Preach Repentance?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/did-paul-fail-to-preach-repentance/

Did Paul Teach Others to Eat Food Offered to Idols? 

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/did-paul-teach-others-to-eat-food-offered-to-idols/

God sent the last of the old testament prophets (John the Baptist)  to introduce Jesus.  In fact Jesus said, “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” (Luke 7:28)

Is Jesus greater than John the Baptist? According to John the Baptist he is:

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, this was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me… He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:15, and 27)

John the baptist bore witness of Jesus,  claiming that even though Jesus came after him, Jesus was before him – this is a reference to his eternal existence.  John also says Jesus has the preference over him, and that he is not even worthy to unlatch the shoes of Jesus.

John who was as great as any prophet before him speaks of Jesus, not as an another prophet, but as someone unique and so different, that John sees himself as unworthy in his presence.

In fact John says: He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

John did not believe that Jesus was like the other prophets, John believed Jesus was from above.

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31)

All Israel had been waiting in anticipation of “the prophet” who was to come. This prophet who was to come would be unlike all the other prophets, for he would be the Messiah, the redeemer, and the hope of all Israel. He would be the Savior of the world, and the one in whom the Gentiles would trust. He would be the very Son of God, begotten of God, unique from all other men.

When asked if he was “that prophet” John denied and said “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20-21). John declared that he was the one who came to announce the coming of that prophet who is the Messiah, the Son of God:

I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord. (John 1:23)

Jesus was more than a prophet, he was and is the LORD! Jesus’ ministry as a prophet was not like those prophets before him, for they spake on behalf of the Lord. Jesus spoke being the Lord. 

Unlike the other prophets who were chosen from among men, Jesus came down from above, not with a Word from God, but as the very Word of God in the flesh. He not only speaks the Word of God, he is the Word of God!

The writer of Hebrews says: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of  all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…

Jesus is unlike all other prophets because he came down from above. In John 3:13 Jesus declared himself to the Son of man in heaven, who came down from heaven.

Jesus claimed to be the one the prophet Daniel described in Daniel 7: 

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the SON OF MAN came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)

Jesus was more than an ordinary prophet, he is the heavenly man who came down from God, eternally existing with God, and he is the only one who can reveal God and bring man near to God.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven (John 3:13)

The apostle Paul referred to Jesus as “the Lord from heaven,” and ”the heavenly man.” (1 Corinthians 15:47-49)

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:31-36)

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To read about KING JESUS, follow the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/king-jesus/

One of the prevalent  arguments among Muslims against the death of Christ is their gross misinterpretations of Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared…

One Muslim wrote the following to me concerning the the text above, I have left his comment as it was originally written:

Micheal according your bible Jesus wasn’t die nor crucified,

Hebrew 5:7-8 confirmed that God had answered jesus’s prayer! Who in the day of his flesh he upper of a prayer with cries and tears to who was able to save him from death and he was heard becouse of his godly fear. Did God answer his prayer or not? If God did answer his prayer therefore he didn’t die. (end qoute)

Notice how he has interjected his own or should I say, his Muslim teachers own thoughts about the text. Hebrews 5 :7-8 does not say that Jesus did not die but that he prayed to God who was able to save from death and was heard.

Jesus was heard and though he was God’s Son, he learned obedience by the THINGS HE SUFFERED, and being made perfect he became the AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION to all who OBEY HIM.

Notice that Jesus is the “Author of Eternal Salvation to all who OBEY HIM.”

The sufferings mentioned in Hebrews 5:7 is a reference to his death. Jesus was made perfect (as our great High priest) through the things he suffered.

Being heard does not mean that God delivered Jesus from the cross  for it was the will of God for Jesus to give his life as the ransom for our sins. Jesus’ prayer did not result in his being delivered from the cross. It resulted in his being given the grace and strength to endure the cross.

This is understood from both Hebrews and the rest of the New Testament. It truly is amazing how some Muslims can take one or two verses out of its contextual setting while the book of Hebrews completely destroys the argument they are making with those verses.

The book of Hebrews expounds on the High Priestly ministry of Jesus who was enthroned at the right hand of God after his death and resurrection.

In 1:3, the writer of Hebrews tells us that after he had purged our sins, Jesus sat down on the right hand of God. In 2:9, he tells us “by the grace of God, he tasted death for every man.” In 2:14 he says, “through death, Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death, that is the devil.”

The author expounds on Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant which was established through his shed blood (Hebrews 8-9) and tells us of redemption through the blood of Christ (9:11-14) because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

In 10:10 he tells us that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ who died for us, and in 10:19 gives us the invitation to come boldly into God’s presence through the blood of Jesus.

In 10:29 ; 12:22; and 13:20 he refers to the blood of Jesus as the blood of the covenant.  

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and we are exhorted to look to him for he endured the cross for us.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Muslims are taught by their leaders that Jesus Christ never died on the cross. Yet Jesus spoke OFTEN about his death and resurrection throughout the new testament.

• Matthew 16:21; 17:9, 22-23; 20:17-19; 26:1-2, 24, 31, 45; 26:51-56
• Mark 8:31; 9:9-11, 31-32, 10:32-34; 14:27, 43-50; 15:27-28
• Luke 9:21-22, 44-45; 17:24-25; 18:31-34; 22:37; 24:1-8, 13-27, 44-48
• John 18:31-32; 19:24, 28

Jesus also described His death (at the hands of sinful men) as that which was written in the scriptures and the prophets.

• Matthew 26:24: Mark 14:21
• Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27
• Matthew 26:51-56; Mark 14:48-50
• Mark 15:27-28
• Luke 18:31-33; 22:37; 24:25-27, 44-49
• John 19:28, 37

Jesus described his death and resurrection as the sign of his Messiah-ship to the religious Jews.

• John 2:18-22; John 8:28-29
• Matthew 12:38-40; Matthew 16:1-4; Luke 11:29-30
• Luke 11:29-20

Muslims are taught by their leaders that Jesus Christ was replaced by Judas on the cross. Yet, Jesus Christ says that Judas is the betrayer, who betrayed him to those who carried out the crucifixion of Jesus.

• Matthew 17:22; 20:18; 26:2, 21-24, 45-50
• Mark 14:18, 21,41-42
• Luke 22:2-4
• John 13:18, 21; 19:11
• Psalm 41:9

Muslims are taught that Jesus is just a man and not divine even though Jesus accepted the worship of those who bowed before him.

• Wise men worshipped Jesus after his birth (Matthew 2:1-2, 11).

• A man with leprosy worshipped Jesus and was healed of his leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3).

• A Gentile ruler worshipped Jesus and his daughter was healed (Matthew 9:18, 25-26).

• His disciples worshipped Jesus: Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God (Matthew 14:33).
  
  The disciples worshipped Jesus as the Son of God. The uniqueness of Christ as the Son of God is worthy of worship. The writer of Hebrews says: For unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him (Hebrews 1:5-6). The son-ship of Jesus is unique, because he is divine even as his Father, God, is divine. Jesus is more than a mere man, he is the divine Son of God.

• A man possessed with a legion of demons ran and fell at the feet of Jesus and worshiped Jesus. The man was delivered and his right mind was restored (Mark 5:5).

• A woman of Canaan worshipped Jesus and her daughter was healed (Matthew 15:22-28).

• A man whom Jesus healed of blindness worshipped Jesus and believed in him (John 9:35-38).

• The mother of two of Jesus’ disciples worshipped Jesus (Matthew 20:20).

• The women who came to the tomb worshipped Jesus after he appeared to them (Matthew 28:9).

• After his ascension, his disciples worshipped him (Luke 24:51-53).

The deity of Jesus is repeatedly attested to in the scriptures.

• Isaiah calls Jesus “the mighty God.” (Isaiah 9:6).

• Matthew calls Jesus  “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

• John calls Jesus “the word of God who was God in the beginning” (John 1:1).

• John tells us that all things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3; see also verse 10).

• John tells us Jesus is THE WORD who was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (v.14-18).

• John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He that cometh after me is preferred before me: FOR HE WAS BEFORE ME.. (John 1:15, 30),

• Thomas (one of Jesus’ disciples) said unto Jesus, “MY LORD AND MY GOD” (John 20:28).

• Jesus himself spoke of his divinity when he said: What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up WHERE HE WAS BEFORE ? (John 6:62). And “BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM” (John 8:58).

• Jesus references his glory with the Father in his prayer in John 17: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE THE WORLD WAS” (John 17:5).

The apostle John quotes the words of the glorified Christ “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” and “ I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 1:8 and 21:6).

Jesus (being deity) was clothed with humanity and took the form or position of a servant (Philippians 2:1-5) though he is Lord of all. The King of glory came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He did not come to be served though he was worthy of this privilege.

Jesus took on human flesh to give us an example to follow and to give his life as a ransom for our sins. Through his resurrection from the dead he conquered death for all who will believe. Those who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are cleansed from their sins by his precious blood and given new life through him.

The risen Christ is enthroned at the right hand of God (Acts 2:30-36) in fulfillment of the words of King David who prophesied: “the Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand till I make thine enemies your footstool” (Psalm 110:4).

The writer of Hebrews expounds on the exalted Christ at the right hand of God and says that God says that Jesus is both Lord and God: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8).

Jesus Christ is the God-man. He fully God and fully man and is the only mediator between God and man. He fully identities with our human weaknesses while possessing all the divine qualities of God’s holy perfection. In Christ alone, God comes to man and man may approach God.

Because he is the mediator between God and man, his name has power in petitioning God in prayer (John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23) and the Holy Spirit is given in his name (John 14:26). Those who believe in him are given the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

The deity of Jesus Christ is attested to over and over again throughout the scriptures:

• By him, God created all things (John 1:3,10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:14-18; Hebrews 1:2; 3:3-4).

• In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9)

• Through him, God is going to judge the world (Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16).

Jesus is ONE with the Father (John 10:30-38) and Jesus is the expression of the very person of God.

• He who sees Jesus, sees the Father also (John 14:9).

• Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:15).

• Jesus is the express image of the person of God and the brightness of his glory (Hebrews 1:3).

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 (1 John 5:20).

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

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For more teaching regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ in contrast to Islam follow the links below:

THE HEAVENLY MAN
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/the-heavenly-man/

JESUS AND THE WORKS OF GOD
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/jesus-and-the-works-of-god/

KING JESUS
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/king-jesus/

DID JESUS DENY BEING DEITY?
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/did-jesus-deny-being-deity/

REFUTING ISLAMIC INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 5:7-8
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/refuting-islamic-interpretation-of-hebrews-57/

JESUS, PAUL, AND THE LAW
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/jesus-paul-and-the-law/

DID PAUL FAIL TO PREACH REPENTANCE?
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/did-paul-fail-to-preach-repentance/

DID PAUL TEACH OTHERS TO EAT FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS?
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/did-paul-teach-others-to-eat-food-offered-to-idols/