SOTERIOLOGY MINUS JESUS [III]
“…all things were created by him, and for him:” [Colossians 1:16]
(…continued from part two…)
III) 2Corinthians 13:8 “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” The first word of this verse, ‘for’ is gar (ğar’), ‘a primary particle assigning a reason.’ The active ‘can do’ is the Greek word dunamai (d̮ï ’-na-mai). It means ‘to be able or possible.’ The word ‘nothing’ comes from an ou (ou): ‘no; not (with definite article); none; not the one; neither; nor;’ and tis (tiys’) –an interrogative pronoun—: ‘some or any person or object [enclitic indefinite pronoun].’ The word ‘truth’ is aletheia (a-lee’-thei-a): ‘truth, reality.’ The conjunction ‘but’ is alla (al-la’): ‘1. (properly) other things. 2. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations).’ The second ‘for’ is a different huper (hï-per’), a preposition, in this context is: ‘(causal) on behalf (of); (by extension, rarely) concerning.’
The truth is a personage. It is the reality of Divinity. The Divinity is the Almighty Author of creationism. Nothing, absolutely, comes close to Him in power, authority, wisdom, supremacy and senescence. The physical personality of the truth comes to manifestation in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The Greek for ‘way’ is hodos (ho-d̮os’) ‘1. a road. 2. (by implication) a progress (the route, act or distance). 3. (figuratively) a mode or means.’ How can Jesus be the mode, means, road or the progression to the celestial bliss and not be very God of very God? As the ‘Truth’ (aletheia), Jesus is the physical ‘reality’ of Divinity. ‘Life,’ in this verse, is zoe: ‘God’s immortal kind of life.’
“For God so loved the world…” John 3:16
Peterine kergma affirms soteriology in Acts 10:42-43 “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” The noun ‘remission’ is the Greek aphesis (a’-fe-sis) ‘1. a removal. 2. (figuratively) a pardon, a release (from guilt and penalty).’ Almost all the prophets foretold the Messianic reality. Acts 26:22 says, “…prophets and Moses did say should come:” Isaiah 53:11 has, “…for he shall bear their iniquities.” Jeremiah 31:34 promises “…and I will remember their sin no more;” Daniel 9:24 ”…And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut of…”
The finger that wrote the 10 Commandments wrote on the ground to save
Part of Ezekiel 36:25-26 reads, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness.” Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage…” Zechariah 13:1, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;…” (confer Luke 24:25-27; Luke 24:44-46; John 1:45; John 5:39; John 5:40; 1Pet 1:11; Rev 19:10).
“…and without him was not any thing made that was made” [John 1:3]
The Bible says, in John 3:36, “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.” What is ‘believeth’? It is pisteuo (piy-stev’-ō) ‘1. to trust (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit. 2. (passively) to be convinced. 3. (also) to entrust (especially with one’s spiritual well-being to Christ).’ The auxiliary ‘hath’ is, echo (e’-chō) σχέω scheo (sche’-ō) [alternate form, certain tenses only]: ‘to hold (such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation, or condition).’ Belief in Christ gives you a possession. What possession? ‘Everlasting’ is aionios (ai-ō’-niy-os): ‘perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well);’ and ‘life’ is zoe (zō-ee’) ‘1. life†. (more than merely the present physical or natural life). 2. life-above.’ Belief in Christ puts in your possession, the eternal life of Jehovah. Praise the Lord!
Get born again. Say this simple prayer, believing it with all your heart. Say:
“Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and I receive Him now as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen!”
(…to be concluded…)
Click here to read part two
Read part four here
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