See Jesus, See the God the Father

Jesus had an interesting conversation with Philip in John 14.

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 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. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. (John 14:8-11)

Philip desires to see God the Father. Jesus essentially says, “Here He is! He’s standing right in front of you.” (vs. 9) This was a startling revelation to Philip who, based on the context, was obviously looking elsewhere for the Father.

Jesus further confirms that when He speaks, God speaks. (vs. 10) So Jesus’ words are the very words of God which bring about the works of God. This is because Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him. This emphasizes the close relationship between the Son and the Father, similar to that referred to in the previous lesson in this series.

For this reason, Philip should believe that Jesus and the Father are one in the same based on the confession of Jesus Himself. (vs. 11) Otherwise, Philip should at least believe “for the very works’ sake.” Philip, nor anyone else, could argue against the works performed by Jesus being the work of God, due to their miraculous nature and the power displayed.

This passage is just one example of Jesus attributing deity to Himself. There are scholars who state that Jesus never claimed to be God, but they do this only by discounting Jesus’ own words. On the contrary, Jesus said it and we need to accept it.

Usury: Does the Bible Explicitly Prohibit It?

One of my pet peeves is politicians misusing Scripture.  I don’t care what letter they have after their name or what their political persuasion is.  Here the topic is usury in the Bible as it relates to U.S. interest rates.  (Relating these two things is a stretch anyway, since the biblical text’s statements about usury were between individuals, but here we go.)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-religious-right_n_5cde4ba3e4b00e035b8d3c38

usury interest

usury

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Should We Change the Lord’s Prayer?

Many news outlets have reported that Pope Francis wants to change the translation of the Lord’s Prayer.  Specifically, he objects that “lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13) makes it seem like the Lord leads us to sin. 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/07/pope-francis-wants-to-change-line-our-father-prayer.html

With all due respect, I strongly believe he is wrong.  The pope said, “That is not a good translation.”  Actually, it is an excellent translation as you’ll see in this article.  Continue reading

Atonement for Sin

Sin must be atoned. This something mankind cannot do. Adam and Eve tried to cover their sin and shame when they covered themselves with leaves. (Genesis 3:7) However, that’s not how sin must be covered. Atonement requires a reconciliation by blood. (Exodus 29:36; Hebrews 9:22; Ephesians 2:13-14; 1 John 1:7) And that’s what God provided.

And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:20-3:24)

Verse 20 simply appears to be an informative statement conveying that the woman’s name was Eve. The name “Eve” is a Hebrew name which means “life”. As the text states, this is appropriate because all human beings came from her. She was the first mother.