There are those that think the Bible is a book filled with a bunch of religious sounding stories, some historical accounts and others tall tales or myths, and that it is at best the "wishful thinking" of the authors. I am not talking about skeptics or nonbelievers, these are committed Christians who are uncertain of both the historical accounts and I suppose the afterlife. I disagree with them.
What if the Bible is true from Genesis to Maps? It is not my place to defend God or the Bible. That type of conjecture only causes people to be upset. The logical thinking process that substantiates this apparent theory, maintains it is all subject to faith, and therefore; can't be proven. Again, I disagree.
One of the things that I find intriguing about the Bible is that there is a thread which runs through it connecting the laws and events of the Old Testament to the historical and spiritual events of the New Testament. As an example of this principal, let's look at this verse from the Old Testament:
Genesis 11:9 That is why it was called Babel--because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
If there really wasn't a Tower of Babel, then this might appear appears to be one of those "myths" used to describe the beginning of all languages. Most intellectuals would say languages and dialects evolve over a long period of time; for example the five romance languages. I disagree, but that is the common argument. However; as God was able to confuse the language of man because of his pride, He was also able to restore them for His purposes a few thousand years later.
Here is the New Testament connection:
Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
At a time when the message of man was ungodly, God confused the language. The opposite occurred when the message of the Gospel was first preached - and from time to time, it still happens today.
Now that you understand the concept of finding God's connections in the Scriptures, here is one that shows that the events surrounding the life of Jesus were also predictably true. Deuteronomy 19:15 - "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
This principal is reiterated in the New Testament.
Matthew 18:16 - But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
The principal here is that all the events that the Bible claims are true, would be established by two or three witnesses. Now we can look at the important events of Jesus' life, those central to His divinity and purpose here on earth and in Heaven, to see who was in fact, witnessing them?
Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-7 Joseph was there with Mary. Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Start of Jesus' Ministry: Mt 4:18 - And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
The Transfiguration: Luke 9:27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Death of Jesus: Matthew 27:26-50 Jesus had two criminals beside him, and in verse 55 and 56, Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Again there were two or three.
The Tomb of the Dead Jesus: Matthew 28:1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards [there were two] were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The Empty Tomb: Matthew 28:5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Resurrection of Jesus: John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
Appearance of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35 13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
And a few things that have not yet been witnessed, but if the biblical track record is correct, it is going to be very exciting.
The Two Witnesses: Revelations 11:3 - And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
Return of Jesus: Matthew 24:29-31 RSV "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken [see Signs In The Heavens]; then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other"
How about you, is the Bible true? In what ways?
What if the Bible is true from Genesis to Maps? It is not my place to defend God or the Bible. That type of conjecture only causes people to be upset. The logical thinking process that substantiates this apparent theory, maintains it is all subject to faith, and therefore; can't be proven. Again, I disagree.
One of the things that I find intriguing about the Bible is that there is a thread which runs through it connecting the laws and events of the Old Testament to the historical and spiritual events of the New Testament. As an example of this principal, let's look at this verse from the Old Testament:
Genesis 11:9 That is why it was called Babel--because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
If there really wasn't a Tower of Babel, then this might appear appears to be one of those "myths" used to describe the beginning of all languages. Most intellectuals would say languages and dialects evolve over a long period of time; for example the five romance languages. I disagree, but that is the common argument. However; as God was able to confuse the language of man because of his pride, He was also able to restore them for His purposes a few thousand years later.
Here is the New Testament connection:
Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
At a time when the message of man was ungodly, God confused the language. The opposite occurred when the message of the Gospel was first preached - and from time to time, it still happens today.
Now that you understand the concept of finding God's connections in the Scriptures, here is one that shows that the events surrounding the life of Jesus were also predictably true. Deuteronomy 19:15 - "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
This principal is reiterated in the New Testament.
Matthew 18:16 - But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
The principal here is that all the events that the Bible claims are true, would be established by two or three witnesses. Now we can look at the important events of Jesus' life, those central to His divinity and purpose here on earth and in Heaven, to see who was in fact, witnessing them?
Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-7 Joseph was there with Mary. Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Start of Jesus' Ministry: Mt 4:18 - And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
First Miracle: John 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. Jesus turned the water into wine.
The Transfiguration: Luke 9:27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Death of Jesus: Matthew 27:26-50 Jesus had two criminals beside him, and in verse 55 and 56, Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Again there were two or three.
The Tomb of the Dead Jesus: Matthew 28:1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards [there were two] were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The Empty Tomb: Matthew 28:5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Resurrection of Jesus: John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
Appearance of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35 13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
And a few things that have not yet been witnessed, but if the biblical track record is correct, it is going to be very exciting.
The Two Witnesses: Revelations 11:3 - And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
Return of Jesus: Matthew 24:29-31 RSV "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken [see Signs In The Heavens]; then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other"
How about you, is the Bible true? In what ways?
2 comments:
Historically speaking, Some tales from the scriptures have been revealed as truth through archeological digs in the Middle East relating to times and places.
I will have to imagine as more digs are done, more facts will be revealed.
Still Genesis has to be carefully studied yet to reveal the facts that are in front of our eyes shrouded in parables.
Oh you had to pick my brain huh?
I don't know where I stand. I believe Jesus is who he says he is. But sometimes I have a hard time believing some of the war stories of the old testament. Like sometimes I think it has more of man's twist on them more than God.
nicodemusatnite.com
Post a Comment