THE NEW COVENANT WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS

This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 27:28 see also Mark 14;24; and Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25)

GOD FULFILLED HIS PROMISE TO ISRAEL IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

And we declare unto you GLAD TIDINGS, how that THE PROMISE which was made unto the fathers, GOD HATH FULFILLED the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. (Acts 13:32-33)

JESUS TRIUMPHED OVER ALL HIS ENEMIES IN HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION 

I (Paul) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, WHICH HE WROUGHT IN CHRIST, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE ALL principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:16-23) 

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM in it. (Colossians 2:15)

JESUS, THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, WAS VICTORIOUS OVER THE POWERS IF DARKNESS 

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that THROUGH DEATH he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:14-17)

JESUS REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (Galatians 3:13-17)

ABRAHAM IS THE FATHER OF ALL WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST 

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:27-29)

ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH IS INVESTED IN JESUS 

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (Authority)is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)

JESUS WAS ENTHRONED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD AT THE TIME OF HIS ASCENSION

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:29-32)

GOD PROMISED HIS SON THAT ALL HIS ENEMIES WOULD BE PUT UNDER HIS FEET

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: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they… to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Hebrews 1:3-4; 13)

• Jesus is the express image of God
• Jesus purged our sins
• Jesus was enthroned on the right hand of God 
• Jesus was reign until all His enemies are put under foot 

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15: 25-26)

JESUS TERMINATED THE OLD COVENANT THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby… (Ephesians 2:15-16)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Colossians 2:14)

Note- the hand writing of ordinance against us is a reference to the Law.

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take THIS BOOK OF THE LAW, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for A WITNESS AGAINST THEE. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.

This book of the Law, which was written or recorded by Moses, served as a witness against the people because they were rebellious and stiff-necked. God knew that they were going to forsake Him and serve other gods and God instructed Moses to record it as a witness against them. Not a witness for them.

After the exile into Babylon, Daniel prayed the following:

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore THE CURSE is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in THE LAW OF MOSES the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And he hath CONFIRMED his words, which he spoke AGAINST US, and AGAINST our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

When Colossians 2 refers to the BLOTTING OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES that was AGAINST US, this is exactly what is being referred to.

Through the death of Christ, the law covenant given to Israel through Moses was DONE AWAY WITH (2 Corinthians 3:7, 11) and ABOLISHED (2 Corinthians 3:13; Ephesians 2:15). It was TAKEN AWAY (Hebrews 10:2) and made OLD (Hebrews 8:13).

The covenant God made to Abraham was confirmed in Christ (Galatians 3:17) 430 years before the law.  The new covenant is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and the inheritance belongs to all who believe that Jesus is the Christ!

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that THE COVENANT, that was CONFIRMED before of God IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT ANNUL, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if THE INHERITANCE be of the law, it is no more of promise: but GAD GAVE IT TO ABRAHAM BY PROMISE. Wherefore then serveth the law? IT WAS ADDED because of transgressions, till the seed should come TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that THE PROMISE BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST MIGHT BE GIVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE. the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE. (Galatians 3:15-29)

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. ~ 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 

Some have attempted to use this text as if Paul is commanding the Gentiles to keep the Jewish feast of Passover, but if we read this in context we can see that Paul refers to the feast as a metaphor. The context deals with sin that was in the midst of the Corinthian church, namely fornication.

Notice that they (the Corinthians) were to be unleavened. Unleavened was never once applied to the people under the Old Covenant. It was always the bread and cakes which were to be consumed as a holy ceremonial observance unto the Lord that were unleavened. The Israelites were to put away leaven for seven days and to eat unleavened bread only. This was a type of the putting away of sin in exchange for purity.

The Unleavened bread has its fulfillment in Christ, by whom our sins are put away. The context of Paul’s words to the Corinthians has specifically to do with putting away the fornication that the Corinthians had allowed to go unchecked in their midst.

Under the law, the feast of Passover was to be kept by the Israelites on the 14th day of the month of Nisan which was the first month on the Jewish calendar, (see Ex 12:6,14,18,19; Numbers 9:2; 28:16; Deuteronomy 16:1; Joshua 5:10; Ezekiel 45:21).

Leviticus 23:5 says, In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S Passover. In Corinthians, Paul does not make reference to this day as the Passover. Paul does not refer to Passover as a time on the calendar, or a ceremonial festival when speaking to the Corinthians. On the contrary, Paul refers to Christ Jesus himself as our Passover.

All that was commanded by God regarding the feasts under the Old Testament were types and shadows pointing to Christ, and Paul applies the object lesson which was contained in the shadowy type of the Passover given to Israel and tells the Corinthians to walk in the reality of it.

In other words, Paul says, Put away this sin from your midst and serve God in Christ with sincerity and truth because Christ, who is our Passover, was sacrificed for you. Again, notice that Paul tells them to do this so that they would be a new lump and they would be as unleavened bread. 

There is nothing wrong with dedicating the Passover season as a time for the Lord to focus on Christ’s death for us. In fact that is a very good practice. The error comes in when the festival commanded  under the law becomes a law for Christians to observe. This is becoming more of a common place within some of the modern day Messianic movements, such as the Hebrew Roots Movement. 

The New Testament writers are the authoritative interpreters of the Old Testament scriptures and they gave us everything we need to know for godly and righteous living in Christ.

That which was foreshadowed in the feasts has become reality in Christ Jesus, and we can walk in the reality every day because the light has come and the shadow has been put away.

Therefore let no one judge you in regard to food and drink or in regard to [the observance of] a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.  Such things are only a shadow of what is to come and they have only symbolic value; but the substance [the reality of what is foreshadowed] belongs to Christ.~ Colossians 2:16-17  Amplified Bible

If you would like to study more about the cross you can do so by following this link:
https://rootedandgroundedinchrist.com/the-cross/?frame-nonce=18a5dd8a0c

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THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/the-blood-of-the-passover-lamb/

THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF PASSOVER IN CONTRAST TO HEBREW ROOTS TEACHINGS

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2018/04/01/the-biblical-doctrine-of-passover-in-contrast-to-hebrew-roots-teachings/

There are some who place an unhealthy emphasis the Hebrew Roots and attempt to impose the food laws on others. Yet, the food laws only applied to Israel under the Law. The food laws were not a universal command from God for everyone.

Notice the following from Deuteronomy 14:7:

Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore THEY ARE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU. (see verse 10 also)

Notice that God says to Israel, they are unclean to you. They were unclean to the Israelites, not to God. God gave Israel the food laws for various reasons:

• to separate them from the other nations
• to teach them the difference from clean and unclean
• for the purpose of the sacrifices and offerings.

In scripture there were things which were universally forbidden such as sexual sins, because such things are an abomination to God. On the other hand, there were things that were forbidden for Israel only because they were to be separated from all other nations. However, not everything Israel was commanded to do was a sin in God’s eyes for other nations.

Now notice verse 21 from the same context as the scripture provided above:

Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: THOU SHALT GIVE IT UNTO THE STRANGER that is in thy gates, THAT HE MAY EAT IT; or thou mayest SELL IT TO AN ALIEN: for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.

That which was unclean for the people of Israel was allowed to be food provision for the stranger within their gates and as food that could be purchased by an outsider.

The food Laws given to Israel under the Law were never imposed on people of other nations. In fact, it would be against the Law of Moses to impose the Jewish food Laws upon non Jews because the Law itself allowed those outside the nation of Israel to eat that which the Jews were not allowed to eat.

The food laws applied only to the Israelites because Israel was to be distinct from all other nations.

In Jesus Christ the separating wall between Israel and all other nations has been taken away (Ephesians 2:14-15). The food laws no longer have any relevance with regards to being separated as the people of God. In Acts 10 God gave the apostle Peter a vision of many animals that were forbidden for Jews under the Law. God told Peter to “arise, kill and eat.”

In Christ, God had removed the separating wall and the same salvation which had come to the Jews is also offered to the Gentiles.

Concerning the new heavens and the new earth, Revelation 21:22-27 and Revelation 22:14-15 should be interpreted in view of Revelation 21:7- 8

Revelation 21:22-27 says:

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 22:14-15 says:

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Revelation 21:7- 8 says:

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Nothing impure will enter, nor anyone who does shamefully or deceitfully because they will be condemned to the lake of fire.

Those who are considered dogs, and those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood, are “outside” the city because they are condemned to the lake of fire.

These verses are not telling us that there will be holy people living in a holy city, while the wicked are on the other side of the wall in the new heaven and new earth, but rather those who are “outside” the city are banned to their punishment which is the lake of fire.

Without question,  Jesus tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). Death is the judgment, or the condemning sentence for sin. In this way alone, Jesus suffered God’s judgment when he died on the cross.

In obedience to God, Jesus gave his life by dying on the cross (Philippians 2:8) and by his blood he provided both redemption from, and cleaning for sin. 

The condemnation of Jesus wasn’t because he had become substitutionally sinful in the sight of God, for he offered himself without spot to God. Jesus was condemned wrongfully by sinful men who deprived him of justice.

The cross was not the demonstration of the justice of God towards Jesus. The resurrection was the demonstration of the justice of God towards Jesus. When God raised his Son from the dead, he overturned the verdict of sinful men who viciously murdered him, and exalted Jesus at his own right hand.

This is why the apostles (throughout the book of Acts) blame the people for the death of Jesus, and the resurrection they attribute to God in opposition to what the people had done in crucifying him.

Yet, it was the will of God, for Jesus to lay down his life to redeem us with his precious blood. In the sight of God, Jesus died as an unblemished lamb, accepted and not rejected by God.

In the resurrection, God demonstrated his justice by raising his Son from the dead and enthroning him at his own right hand. The resurrected and enthroned Son, is triumphant over sin and the power of darkness, and all who believe in him are triumphant through him.

This is the manner in which God overthrew the sentence of death and the power of darkness which held humanity in bondage because of sin. 

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 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. (1 Corinthians 2:6-8)

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15)

Jesus was “approved of God” therefore the pains of death could not hold him (Acts 2:24). Death had no power to hold Jesus because Jesus was holy and just in the sight of God, and it is his blood which sets us free from the power of sin.

Therefore, only in respect of his giving to God what we could not, (i.e., a completely holy and righteous life) should we think of his death on the cross as a substitution.

Conversely, the theory of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) advocates that Jesus Christ, God’s son, became the object of God’s wrath because God’s wrath had to first be satisfied before God can truly forgive the sinner.

Such theories put God in need of reconciliation rather than man.

In scripture, it is the unrepentant sinner who incurs God’s wrath, not the repentant sinner. According to the Bible, God’s delights in showing mercy and forgiveness, even to the ungodly.

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11).

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)

Those who teach according to the theory of Penal Substitutionary Atonement often over look important passages in the Bible, passages such as Stephen’s statement to the religious leaders of Israel, saying they had been the betrayers and murderers of Jesus (Acts 7:52).

If the crucifixion of Jesus was indeed a murder, then how was God’s wrath satisfied and his justice served?

According to the prophet Isaiah, Jesus was deprived of justice from the time of his arrest until he died on the cross. Only in the resurrection was God’s true justice demonstrated towards Jesus.

Those who killed Jesus did so because they hated him without a cause (John 15:24-25) and when they condemned him they were gathered against God in Heaven and against Jesus.

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. (Acts 4:26-27)

Acts 4:26-27 (mentioned above) is taken from Psalm 2. According to Psalm 2, it is those who were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ who are under the wrath of God. The words of the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 agree with this.

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

It wasn’t the wrath of God which was levied against Jesus in his death: it was the wrath of sinful men as stated in Psalm 2 and Acts 4.

Why did THE HEATHEN RAGE and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Christ was vindicated in His resurrection when God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him at His own right hand. This is why the apostles, throughout the book of Acts, lay blame for the death of Jesus on the people, yet the resurrection they attribute to God in opposition to what the people had done in condemning and crucifying Him.

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/