For God so loved us, that HE gave us the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ

(…continues from part 4…)

5)            The LORD God rather takes pleasurable delight in the one who exhibits kindness to others; and in humble faithfulness, finds out God’s will for man. God’s counsel has jettisoned religious animal sacrifices, which Muhammad makes an annual event of Islamic piety. “And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days. Then whoever hastens [his departure] in two days – there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third] – there is no sin upon him – for him who fears Allah. And fear Allah and know that unto Him you will be gathered” (Surah 2 verse 203). This Islamic sacrificial festival, Eid-ul-Adha, which takes place in conclusion of annual Hajj, is believed to serve as atonement for sins.

John 3:3 “Except a man be born again”

                The spirit behind Eid-ul-Adha becomes an incongruity when one understands the soteriological words of Jesus found in John 3:3 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” With the introduction of the New Testamentary order, involving the sinless sacrificial blood of the Lamb, there is no more, as far as scriptural irrevocability is concerned, any ritualistic offering for sin. By a new and living way, which Jesus has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; the offspring of Adam now have a celestial High Priest. (Hebrews 10:18-21). This New Testamentary order renders any dissenting religious didacticism an illegality before God, amounting to spiritual skulduggery. The word ‘new’ used in Hebrews 10:20 is prosphatos (pros’-fat-os): ‘lately slaughtered, freshly killed, lately slain, fresh-slain, (generally) fresh i.e. recent.’ This is the only time of its use in the New Testament and its freshness is eternal and available till the grand Parousia (pa-roo’-zhi-a) of 1Thessalonians 3:13 & 4:15; James 5:7-8; 2Peter 1:16 and 2Timothy 4:1. It is the final soteriological approach; which if not, Jesus, before ascending heaven after the Resurrection, will not commit its propagation to Christianity.

So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three” (Qur’an 4:171)

                “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” of Luke 24:47. In whose name? The preceding verse gives “Christ”, so Jesus was telling them about Himself. In the conclusion of His Luke 24:47 exegesis, He promised the Divine assistance of the Holy Spirit, the proof of Trinitarian participation of salvation. The Qur’an does not believe in the Trinity. An-Nisa’ 4:171 “O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.”

                We know that the Baptismal Formula involves the Trinity. Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” where the preposition ‘in’, eis (ice) means: ‘into (indicating the point reached or entered)’; teaching that, though three distinct Persons, the Three constitute One indivisible worshipped Jehovah God. Of the same Trinity is 1John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again (John 10:18).

                1Timothy 1:15-16 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” The ‘whosoever’ is in reference to anyone who would believe the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus, Whose mission to the world was to bring the light of salvation to the world, sacrifice Himself substitutionally, thereby providing the new and the living way: of eternal consequence. In all occurrences of phenomenality, the Fatherhood of the Son and the Spirit is the most astounding conundrum. John 3:16 is the sole, Divine solution to the sin question. Muhammad’s Allah says he has no ‘son’; the LORD God of the Bible says, “This is My beloved Son in Whom I Am well pleased.” Which one of Allah and Jehovah is the true God?

                Muhammad taught in An-Nisa’ 4:157 “…“Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it…. And they did not kill him, for certain.” What does one make of the asseveration of Jesus in John 10:17-18 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” The Lord Jesus prognosticated His Golgotha death according to the will of God the Father. And what does it connote by the fact that He has both the power to lay down His life – in death – and to take it back – coming back to life? Jesus simply tells us that He has the power of Divinity! Which of the Christian God – Jehovah – and the Islamic God – Allah – is to be believed? Selah! Jesus, indeed, died to save the world. Praise the LORD!

                Getting born again is a conscious effort on the part of an individual. Get born again. Say this sinner’s prayer.

“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!” 

(Concluded)

Read Part Four here

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