Category Archives: Jesus

Did Jesus Call Us Gods?

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Did Jesus call us Gods?

One response Jehovah Witnesses will have to their translation of John 1:1 , is that Jesus has called us all Gods. So lets take a look at the context of this scripture in KJV and NWT

 

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? John 10:33-36  (KJV)

3  The Jews answered him: “We are stoning you, not for a fine work, but for blasphemy;d for you, although being a man, make yourself a god.” 34  Jesus answered them: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “You are gods”’?e 35  If he called ‘gods’f those against* whom the word of God came—and yet the scripture cannot be nullified— 36  do you say to me* whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’ John 10:33-36  (NWT)

Here when we compare the two translations, we see a little difference. KJV has Jesus declaring he is God, while NWT says Jesus is only a God. This is a big difference as we see Jesus response stating the Pharisees are “gods”. Therefor the NWT would be making Jesus equal with the Pharisees, while KJV would be stating Jesus is deity over the Pharisees

Jesus is quoting Psalm 82, lets compare these to get the context of the scripture

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. Psalms 82:6-8 (KJV)

 6  “I have said, ‘You are gods,*jAll of you are sons of the Most High.  7  But you will die just as men do;kAnd like any other prince you will fall!’”l  8  Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,mFor all the nations belong to you.  Psalms 82:6-8 (NWT)

Basically the two translations are in agreement with each other here, but what is the context of the scripture? The scripture is referencing “Divine Authority”on Earth. Such as the religious leaders (Pharisees) that Jesus was addressing in John 10

But there is a clear distinction between Jesus as God and the Pharisees as gods. If we lower Christ to the same level as the religious leaders, that we would be just saying he is a mortal man. Then how could Jesus be the atonement for the sin of the world? Jesus has to be deity to be the Son of God as he stated

By this definition , I don’t believe we would all be “Gods” either, unless we have a divine position of authority given to us by God Almighty. Bottom line is if you reject the Deity of Jesus you also reject the atonement for your sins!

 

 

Easter Tract

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Why Do You Celebrate Easter?

Many people around the world will be celebrating Easter, but do you know why? Many claim that the word “Easter” is derived from paganism, but this is derived from the German word “auferstehung” which formed the word “Ostern” which means Resurrection

The word Easter literally means Resurrection, so we celebrate Easter to Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The Good News (Gospel) of Easter is that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so we may inherit eternal life. On Easter Sunday morning, Jesus defeated sin and death so we can be reconciled with God as his children

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” Luke 24:6-7

When his disciples went to check the tomb on the Sunday morning, they found that the Lord Jesus has Risen! Because of Christ , we can overcome anything including death. You might say what do I need to do to become saved?

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Repent (turn away from your sin) ask Jesus for forgiveness with Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10), believe that he is your Lord and died for your sins and you will be saved and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus wants a relationship with you! Pray often, study your Bible, fellowship with other Christians ,and let the Holy Spirit be your teacher

For more content please visit my site at unashamedofjesus.org or contact me at unashamedofyeshua@gmail.com

Family Reunion

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And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. Genesis 43:2

The time has come for Jacobs family to go back to Egypt and buy more food. The famine has been very severe and they have no choice. Now the risk is they might lose the youngest Benjamin, remember Joseph told them when they returned they needed to bring their youngest brother to prove they are not spies

At this point , they still don’t realize Joseph is the man they talked to in Egypt. They are still have presumed he was dead. So for Jacob to send his sons back to Egypt is a gut wrenching decision but due to the famine in the land they have no choice for the sake of the family

And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. Genesis 43:15

The brothers returned to Egypt with double the money of last time and gifts. If we remember last time Joseph gave them their money back without them realizing it until they returned home. Judah guaranteed his father that he would bring Benjamin back home safely.

And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. Genesis 43:18

Joseph instructed the brothers to come to his house, they figured they were in trouble due to the money mixup before. But Joseph was excited to see his family and was preparing a feast for them. He released Simeon to the rest of the family. Remember Simeon was being held in prison until they returned to Egypt with their youngest brother Benjamin to prove they were not spies

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. Genesis 43:30

Joseph asked them about his father and they said he was alive and well. And then when Joseph saw Benjamin he became emotional. Remember Joseph and Benjamin have the same biological mother and father. Joseph hid himself as he broke down in tears

The chapter ends with all the brothers sitting together and enjoying a great feast. The brothers are in astonishment of the hospitality they have received from the ruler of Egypt. Pretty soon they will find out why!

Every Knee Will Bow

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And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. Genesis 42:3

So the great famine , that was prophesied by God through Joseph , is now taking place. And because of Gods warning, Egypt stored up a lot of food. So Jacob (Israel) sent his sons to Egypt to buy food for the family so they don’t starve. Little do they know Joseph is now in charge of all of Egypt

However their father didn’t send Benjamin, as he is now the youngest son, because he still believes Joseph is dead. So Joseph is going to challenge his brothers to bring Benjamin to him before he reveals that he is actually Joseph

And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. Genesis 42:6

What an amazing story of how Joseph went from being a slave to now he is the ruler over all of Egypt. This was all done because of Gods grace, giving Joseph the knowledge to interpret dreams and finding favor in the eyes of his enemies.

Also remember when Joseph was a young boy, he prophesied that his brothers would bow before him. This prophecy has now become true, as his brothers are now literally bowing before him as the ruler of Egypt

And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. Genesis 42:36

Jacob was in great distress at the thought of losing Benjamin. He still believes Joseph is already dead and now Simeon is in prison until they return to Egypt with Benjamin. Reuben tries to calm his father by guaranteeing he will bring back Benjamin and Simeon alive.

However we end this chapter with Jacob in great distress over this request, and at first he refuses to allow Benjamin to be taken to Egypt

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Notice the foreshadow of Christ, as Jesus went from the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) to the King of Kings. Just as Joseph went from a servant to a King where everyone bowed before him

Josephs Prophecy Part 2

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And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. Genesis 41:1

Now remember from the last Chapter , God gave Joseph the ability or knowledge to interpret dreams/visions. Remember when Joseph interpreted the cupbearers dream, he asked him to remember him to put a good word in with the Pharaoh. And originally the cupbearer forgot Joseph even existed until now.

Pharaoh had a disturbing dream and he was immediately looking for answers. Unfortunately none of his “magicians” or “wise men” could interpret the dream. However the cupbearer remembered Joseph

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14

As soon as Pharaoh heard about Joseph he sent for him immediately. Pharaoh was very disturbed by these dreams and wanted answers! But notice Josephs response he says “I cant interpret your dream but God can” (Genesis 41:16) Joseph wasn’t stealing the glory from God. He admitted that he was Gods vessel. How many “Christians” today could learn from this example?

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Genesis 41:39

Pharaoh decided he needs to put someone with great wisdom in charge, he said since Joseph has the “Spirit of God” (Genesis 41:38) he should be in charge over all of Egypt

Now think about this for a second, Joseph who was a Hebrew slave and a prisoner, is now ruler over all of Egypt. This is all because Joseph relied on Gods wisdom and power and not his own

Notice the foreshadows of Christ, Jesus was the suffering servant for our sins and became the King of Kings.

Josephs Prophecy Part 1

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And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. Genesis 40:8

Joseph is now in prison, falsely accused. While in prison he meets a baker and a butler (cupbearer) each man had a dream (vision) but they didn’t know how to interpret it. Joseph told them that only God can interpret these dreams, so they explained what they saw and he prayed to God to reveal the meaning of their visions

God revealed to Joseph that the butler would be restored to his position in 3 days , however the baker would be hanged. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he’s released and put in a good word for him to the Pharaoh

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Genesis 40:23

Well everything went exactly how God predicted it would, however when the butler was restored back to his position, he never mentioned or remembered Joseph. While it may seem that this was another failure or setback for Joseph, we are going to see in the next Chapter God will use this moment to exalt Joseph again

Lesson learned here, even when your doing the will of God, don’t always expect instant results or vindication. Amen!

Is Jesus God or A God?

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Is Jesus God or A God?

We are going to take a look at 2 English Bible translation , the King James and the New World Translation used by Jehovah Witnesses.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (KJV)

 In the beginning was the Word,a and the Word was with God,b and the Word was a god John 1:1 (NWT)

We have 2 choices based on these texts, either Jesus is God or Jesus is a God. Now if Jesus is another God apart from the Father, what kind of God is he? How many Gods are there? Can we worship more than one God?

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

 

6  For a child has been born to us,dA son has been given to us;And the rulership* will rest on his shoulder.eHis name will be called Wonderful Counselor,f Mighty God,g Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6  (NWT)

I think we can agree that the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 is about Jesus. So here we see in both translations Jesus is given the title of “Mighty God”, again how many Gods are there? Can we worship multiple Gods? Do we worship Jesus?

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Matthew 28:16-17 (KJV)

However, the 11 disciples went to Galʹi·leel to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them to meet.m 17  When they saw him, they did obeisance, but some doubted Matthew 28:16-17 (NWT)

Now here the NWT translators tried to be clever and changed the translation of the original Greek word (proskuneo) to obeisance. If you look up proskuneo throughout the New Testament you’ll find this word always means “worship”. The word obeisance itself means to bow, kneel. So instead of using the English word worship , they try to downplay it with obeisance

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Revelation 5:13-14 (KJV)

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and underneath the earthv and on the sea, and all the things in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the thronew and to the Lambx be the blessing and the honory and the glory and the might forever and ever.”z 14  The four living creatures were saying: “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshipped. Revelation 5:13-14 (NWT)

Now the interesting thing here in Revelation 5, the NWT translates “proskuneo” as worship. Why are they not consistent in Matthew?  Secondly even from their translation its pretty clear, The Lamb (Jesus) is worshipped

The bottom line is as Christians we worship Jesus. Even Jehovah Witnesses have to admit they worship Jesus. So if we worship Jesus and hes not God then we are all idolaters. However because John and Isaiah made it clear Jesus is God, we are worshipping the one true God incarnate.