But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth; for it is his footstool, neither by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
(Matthew 5:34-37)
Article Excerpts
Note: This writing is directed to those who study any system of the martial arts (Chinese kung-fu/Japanese karate/ Judo etc.), not only to learn to fight but also for health reasons which often leads to the study and practice of Tai Chi Ch'uan (an internal or 'soft' form of Chinese kung-fu).
As a former martial arts practitioner, I have studied tae kwon do, kenpo and the wah lum (northern praying mantis) system of kung-fu. The vast majority of native Westerners (from the Western Hemisphere of the world) is ignorant of the main religions of the countries in which these arts originated. The martial arts were born from tradition, family life and religion, and it should be kept in mind that religion is the most important of these three as it determined tradition and family life. Training in the fighting arts cannot be separated from the religion/s in which they were founded. Christianity and the martial arts.
Part I-First Things First
In this lesson, which is divided into two parts, you will investigate the validity of the teachings of both Jesus A and B by comparing them to the scriptures of the Holy Bible. However, in order to do this, you must first have a rock solid understanding of some very basic truths that the Bible teaches you to protect you from being greatly confused by the many beliefs and doctrines concerning Jesus and from being deceived by those which are antichrist in reality but appear correct, logical and Bible based.
What are these truths? There are five very important things that must be thoroughly understood in order to truly take the Word of God as an invincible armor against even the most subtle deception concerning beliefs about Jesus. They are:
Firstbegotten Son Of God (Hebrews 1:6)
Consider the fact that the Bible calls Jesus the first begotten (Hebrews 1:6) and the only begotten Son of God (St John 3:16). In the natural meaning of 'first begotten', people understand this to refer to the first child born to his parents. In the natural meaning of 'only begotten', people understand this to refer to the only child that is or ever was born to his parents. Using the natural meaning only of the two words, it would not make sense to call an only child, a first born child also. Is there a reason why the Bible specifically calls Jesus both? Most definitely! The teachings of the Bible are spiritual and will never be discerned (understood) using man's natural reasoning (1 Corinthians 2:14).
In man's eyes, 'first begotten' and 'only begotten' refer to the first and to the only child born to his/her parents respectively. In God's eyes, however, these terms have three meanings; one natural which also refers to the first and the only child born in the family and two that are spiritual which have absolutely nothing to do with when a person was born to his parents or to how many siblings he has. What are these other spiritual meanings? Let's find out. We read:
And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn. (Exodus 4:22)
God refers to the entire nation of Israel, thousands of people, as His 'firstborn' son. Obviously, all of these people were not born at the same time! And notice that all of them are called His 'son' and not 'sons', in the plural. God tells us the reason for this. We read God's word to Israel:
For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2).
God called Israel his 'firstborn son' to indicate the high status to which He exalted them above all other people on the earth. To be the firstborn is to be in a special category of high status and great blessing and privilege. This is exemplified in the natural which is why the first born child received a birthright that none of the rest of his siblings born after him received (Genesis 25:24-34, 43:33, 48:13-20). He enjoyed certain special rights and blessings because he was the first child born to his parents. However, in the spiritual meaning, the birthright does not automatically go to the child who was born first but rather to the child whose status God chooses of His own will, to raise. Israel was not the first nation to exist on the earth; and Noah, Enoch, Abraham and Isaac had a relationship with God before the children of Israel (Jacob) were ever born. In the natural, they are not the firstborn, but in the spiritual, in God's eyes, they are the firstborn son because God gives the status that He wants to give to whomever He wants, regardless of the time and/or order in which they were born. Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebecca, however, his younger brother Jacob received the birthright with all of the blessing from God that came attached to it, as though he had been born first (Romans 9:10-11). Some will argue that Jacob stole Esau's birthright which indeed he did (Genesis 27:36). However, Jacob could never have stolen the natural birthright had Esau not willingly sold it to him (Genesis 25:31-34, Hebrews 12:16). The spiritual side of the birthright, nevertheless, was given to Jacob by God Himself (Romans 9:10-13). In the natural, Esau was the firstborn, but in the spiritual, Jacob was the firstborn by God's election. If you would like a thorough understanding of God's special election of Israel over all the other nations of the earth, you may want to read the book Saved by Destiny, Lost by Fate? by H. Henderson.
Firstborn Of Every Creature (Colossians 1:15)
Likewise, Jesus, the man, was not the first man to be born on the earth, therefore, in the natural, He is not the firstborn of God's creatures. However, God places Him high above every creature that has ever been born or that ever will be and therefore He is the firtstbegotten of all creatures. God is the One who chooses who is the firstborn. In other words, God is the One who determines a man's status in the earth and with Himself. In reference to Jesus the man, (At this point we are speaking exclusively about Jesus the man, not Jesus the Lord, which we will come to). God declared:
...I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. (Psalm 89:27)
Firstbegotten Of The Dead (Revelation 1:5)
We come back to the 'first begotten' in order to teach the second spiritual meaning of the word. In addition to making reference to the special category or high status of someone, 'first begotten' also, refers to the first person to do something. On the natural side, the first begotten is the first one to do what? He is the first to be born. The spiritual meaning also refers to him being the first to do something, not in reference to his birth, but rather in being the first to do or accomplish some activity or feat. This is why in addition to the Bible calling Jesus the 'first begotten', He is also called the 'first begotten of the dead' (Revelation 1:5). Jesus the man, is the very first man ever to rise from the dead to eternal life, never ever to die again.
Knowing this, Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion (power) over him. (Romans 6:9)
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead... (Revelation 1:5) Jesus said:
I am he that liveth, and was dead: and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)
And now we ask: "But God raised from the dead, the son of the widow who served Elijah (1 Kings 17:18-24) and also Lazarus (St. John, chapter 11). Would not these people be the first to be raised from the dead?" Yes, they are the first to be resurrected from the dead. However, they are not the first to be resurrected from the dead NEVER TO DIE AGAIN!
Jesus, the man, is the first begotten of God because of His status above all the other sons of God, His body being the housing of God Himself who came to earth and dwelled among mankind (St. John 1:14, Matthew 1:23). He is the first begotten because He is the first son to be risen from the dead to eternal life (Rev. 1:5, 18, Rom. 6:9). He is the first begotten Son because He is the first Son of God to live a completely sinless life on the earth (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5).
Only Begotten Son Of God (St John 3:16)
Obviously 'only begotten', is not referring to Jesus the man being the only son of God to be born. God has many sons including the angels (Job 1:6), the saints (St. John 1:12) and the entire nation of Israel (Exodus 4:22). As one of the spiritual meanings of 'first begotten' refers to the person being the first one to do something, likewise, 'only begotten' refers to being the only Son of God to do something. (Again, at this point in our study, we are discussing Christ the man and not Christ, the Lord God. We are coming to that topic.)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:18)
...the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20)
Wherefore when he (Jesus, the man) cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not (do not want), but a body hast thou prepared me. (Hebrews 10:5)
All of the other sons of God have natural biological parents.
Will we say that Adam's creation is like that of Jesus the man, since he also did not have a biological mother or father? No, because what does the scripture say about Adam's creation?
And God said, Let us make man in our image... (Genesis 1:26)
For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (1 Timothy 2:13)
The scripture of Genesis makes reference to mankind in general of which Adam is just the first member. The scripture of 1 Timothy says that Adam was formed. It refrains from the use of the word 'fathered' to avoid the affectionate idea and thoughts that come with the use of the word 'fathered'. Parents who love their children do not refer to them as their 'formations', or even as their 'offspring', but rather, they call them their 'children', 'kids', 'sons' and 'daughters'. The use of the word 'offspring' is restricted to referring to the scientific side of a parent-child relationship and therefore its used is avoided in a parent's normal way of referring to his/her child which reveals the affection of the relationship. Have you ever heard anyone say: He went to far when he hit his offspring? Instead, we say: He went to far when he hit his child.
Please don't fail to understand how great God's love is for all of His sons and daughters. He demonstrated and proved His love for the entire world in giving His only begotten Son to die for sinful man even while they were His enemies (Romans 5:10, 1 John 4:10). Although the Christian's walk with God must be sound in his/her fear of Him as the Lord (2 Corinthians 7:1), it should also be solid in his/her loving God and being loved by Him (Romans 8:35). The eigth chapter of Romans teaches us that in spite of the tribulation and suffering that many sons of God endure for their obedience to the only begotten Son, this is never to overshadow the relationship with God which is to be an unbreakable bond of love. The sons of God who come to know the Only Begotten in the fellowship of His sufferings will someday reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). The sons of God are joint heirs with the Only Begotten (Romans 8:17). However, the sons of God will never and can never have a sonship that is identical to the Only Begotten. The status of 'only begotten' belongs to only one Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Jesus A, in his opening statement said: If you will follow me, you will have salvation and be a son or daughter of God in the identical way that I am. We have our first exposure of a lie! All that contradicts the word of God is a lie, which has a purpose, to deceive. This first statement made by Jesus A is very disturbing because it teaches that all the sons of God have a sonship that is identical and therefore equal to that of the Only Begotten Son. This lifts a mere man to the level of the Only Begotten and/or lowers the Only Begotten to the level of a mere man. We should now be highly suspicious of Jesus A. Let's continue our lesson.
Jesus Was Man. Jesus Is God.
We read:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (St. John 1:1)
Just a little further down in the same chapter (one) of the book of St John, we read:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (St. John 1:14)
The Word was God and the Word was made flesh, therefore, God Himself was made flesh! God was made a man!
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (St. John 1:18)
The man that God was made, lived on earth as the only begotten Son of the Father. Notice here another confirmation of the plurality of God.
...and the Word was with God. (St John 1:1)
Scripture does not say that God was with Himself. It says that God was with God. Obviously, God is God, and scripture says that the Word is God also, and we read that the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, is also God (Acts 5:3-4). Does this not equal God in three persons? One of the persons of the Godhead, the Word, was made flesh (became a man) and lived on earth among man. Does that mean that He ceased to be the Word, God? No, it does not. Does that mean that he was not a man? Scripture plainly says he was also a man, being made flesh, and living among the people as the only-begotten of the Father. Why would we say otherwise?
Who was this man who was the Word (God) in the flesh? What was His name? The scriptures say that the Word that was made flesh was life and the Light of the world (St John 1:4-5). We then read:
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (St John 1:4-8)
Of whom did this man named John bear witness? Was this not John the Baptist? Of whom did John the Baptist bear witness?
The next day John seeth JESUS coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (St John 1:29)
In the beginning Jesus was called the Word and God. The fact that He was made flesh for a period of time to live among mankind does not cause Him to cease being the Lord God.
Is there any more scriptural proof that He was truly man and yet truly God? The Bible repeats this truth over and over and in direct, plain language.
In the book of Hebrews, we see the Father Himself calling His firstbegotten, God!
...when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he (God) saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever... (Hebrews 1:6-8)
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
Again, in the first chapter of St. John, we read that the Word is the Creator of the world. God is the Creator of the world and God is the Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made. He was in the world, and the world was made by him... (St John 1:1-3,10)
To further help you to grasp this most vital truth, you may want to meditate upon the following pairs of scriptures which focus on the contrast between Jesus, the man and Jesus, the Lord God.
Unmasking The Impostor Jesus-Part II
Now let's compare the teachings of Jesus A and Jesus B with the Bible and see which one speaks the truth and which one speaks lies.
Jesus A
STATEMENT: If you will follow me, you will have salvation and be a son or daughter of God in the identical way that I am. EVALUATION: In part I we learned that Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God because He is the only one whose sonship is unique. It is not like the sonship of any of the other sons of God.
Statement: I was created by God as a mere man, just as you are.
EVALUATION: In part I we learned that the Bible plainly and forcefully declares the absolute divinity of Jesus.
Statement: If I were God, I could not have been tempted with sin because the Bible says that God cannot be tempted with evil (James 1:13).
EVALUATION: Notice the subtlety of this statement which attempts to use a Biblical truth to twist logic into a lie to make it appear true. The lack of understanding that Jesus was a man and is also God keeps the door open to this kind of satanic reasoning. You may review part I, section entitled: He Was Man. He Is God. which contrasts Jesus the man with Jesus the Lord.
Statement: I was not both God and man as some erroneously teach. This is why the Bible calls me the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:15).
EVALUATION: In part I we learned the true meaning of the Bible's reference to Jesus as the 'Firstborn' of every creature.
Statement: If the Father is your God and I am your god also, you have two gods. I am the way, the truth and the life by which man comes to God because the way of salvation was committed to me (St John 14:6) to point the world to God, not to take His place.
EVALUATION: Again, the lack of understanding that Jesus was a man and is also God keeps the door open to this kind of satanic reasoning. You may review this teaching in part I.
Statement: In Luke 18:18-19 the Bible says: And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God.
Evaluation: Here, Jesus A is implying that if Jesus isGod, He would not have given such an answer. You may review part I, section entitled: He Was Man. He Is God. which contrasts Jesus the man with Jesus the Lord. Also, coming soon, is a lesson dedicated specifically to this passage of Luke 18:18-19). Please watch for it. It will be a part of 'The If's, And's and Buts About the Bible'.
Statement: Observe that scripture says that I had to be taught. Does God have to be taught?
Evaluation: Review part I, section entitled: He Was Man. He Is God. which contrasts Jesus the man with Jesus the Lord.
Statement: All things will be made subject to God, myself included, according to the scripture of 1 Corinthians 15:23-25).
Evaluation: Jesus A is again attempting to deceive through man's logic and misunderstanding of the scriptures. He is saying that if Jesus was God and therefore, the Father's equal, why does 1 Corinthians 15:23-25 say that he will be made subject to God? Remember that in part I we learned that Jesus was fully man and is God and that the one does not cancel out the other. Jesus the man, indeed, will be made subject to the Word, who is God, and who he was before he was made flesh. He will be made subject to Himself! He will also be made subject to God the Father and to God the Holy Ghost. These three are the one God to whom he will be made subject and of whom He is. Review part I, section entitled: He Was Man. He Is God. which contrasts Jesus the man with Jesus the Lord.
Finally, we examinie the scripture of Hebrews 1:4:
Being made so much better than the angels, as he (Jesus) hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Made, has nothing to do with the making of the physical body of Jesus the man, in which Jesus the Lord dwelled. Hebrews 1:4 is not saying that his physical body was made much better than the bodies of the angels. First of all, angels do not have physical bodies, they are spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14). Second, the Bible tells us that the man part of Jesus, like any other man, was made a 'little lower than the angels' (Hebrews 2:6-7). Our scripture in question (Hebrews 1:4) speaks of the redemptive work of Jesus at Calvary. The name of Jesus is what is made far superior to any other name forever. God's name speaks of who he is. This is why he will not excuse those who takes his name in vain (Exodus 20:7). This is why one of God's Old Testament names is the capitalized and proper name of Holy (Isaiah 57:15). Mankind was not, is not, and cannot be redeemed through any work of any angel, who, like man, are themselves, created beings. The scripture says that Jesus obtained a 'more excellent name than they (the angels)'. Only in his name is salvation (Acts 4:10-12), yes to the promises of God (2 Corinthians 19-20), and all the power of heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). Only at his name, one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Only in him is the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9).
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 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 2:5-11
Jesus A Is An Impostor!
Jesus B
Statement: Please reread His entire statement.
Evaluation: His Entire Statement Is True!
Jesus B Is The True Jesus
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (schemes/tactics). (2 Corinthians 2:11)
We are to be keenly aware of the numerous tactics of Satan that are exposed in the Bible. These are tactics that God commands all of His people to recognize so they may avoid being deceived and ensnared. The schemes of Satan against which you are warned by the Bible are to give you a standard by which you will recognize every single erroneous teaching, antichrist doctrines, beliefs and the unholy so that you will not be led astray. Please understand, however, that even when we know these devices of Satan that are exposed in the Bible; our knowledge will in no way cancel our need to rely on the Holy Spirit for protection from the deception of evil. Satan does not easily give up. The Word of God makes the devil flee (Matthew 4:11), but he doesn't go away to stay. If he cannot deceive you through demonic doctrines or teachings, he will continue looking for other ways to destroy you.
...Your adversary the devil, as a roaring (angry) lion, walketh about, seeking (looking for) whom he may devour (eat/destroy). (1 Peter 5:8)
If he can't destroy you by false doctrine, he will try other things. This often includes his use of other people who do not know God. Unless God chooses to reveal them, we do not know the thoughts and intentions of others, but God does (Hebrews 4:12). King Herod did not attempt to destroy the wise men through satanic doctrine, nevertheless, he was plotting their destruction, but God warned them and they did well to listen, had they not, we do not know what end they would have met.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. (Matthew 2:12)
Joseph, being warned of God not to return to Judea, instead went to settle down in the land of Galilee (Matthew 2:22).
As we grow in God's Word, we should grow in our dependence on the guidance of His Spirit. To the world, we are to be strong, mature and wise spiritual soldiers of the Lord Jesus who lives in us and whose coming was for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). However, to our Lord, we are to be as little children (Mark 10:15). We are to be poor in spirit, having no reliance upon ourselves. Those who trust in themselves cannot trust in God also. It is not the self reliant but the poor in spirit who are said to be blessed (Matthew 5:3). This does not mean that you do not use common sense, and of course you are to put into practice, for your protection, the truths that God teaches you. Nevertheless, you are never to loose sight of the great need you have to stay close and follow the voice of the Lord. We will never be clever enough to protect ourselves independently of God.
Jesus Or His Impostor?-Questionnaire/Essay Exam
*Every answer should be supported by scripture.
True or False? - Jesus Or His Impostor?
How To Receive Salvation
If you want to accept Christ Jesus as you Personal Lord and Savior, please do it now. It is extremely dangerous to put it off until later because you do not know if you will live to see tomorrow. Don't say you will come to Jesus after you have stopped doing this or that or have solved this or that problem or have finished such and such. Jesus cleanses you from all unrighteousness (sin), whatever your present condition may be (Isaiah 1:18). For a greater understanding of why we need God to cleanse us from sin, please read Sin Or Sins?
The Lord also said that when you hear his voice you should not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:7-8). If your mind is made up, you must pray. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
If you are thinking that you have done things so evil that even God has no more mercy or forgiveness for you, know that this thought comes from Satan who does not want you to be saved. The Bible tell us that Satan tries to deceive us (Revelation 12:19). But it is impossible for God to lie! (Hebrews 6:18, Titus 1:2). The Bible also says: God is not a man that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken,and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)
If your friends, family or acquaintances try to discourage your decision to accept Jesus as your Savior, please remember that the Bible has made it clear to us that no one else can stand in our place in the day of judgement.
Every man shall be put to death for his own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16)
For it is written. As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. so then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:11-12)
Remember also that the Lord loves you! ( St. John 3:16)
Of course you can pray in your own words but if you need help, you can use the following 'sinners prayer' as your own.
Father God, I know I am a sinner and that I need forgiveness. I repent of my sins and in the name of Your Son Jesus I ask that you forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness that has come as a result of my sins. I invite you to come into my heart and my life. I now confess you as my Savior and promise to follow you as my Lord. I thank you in Jesus' name for saving me.
What Does God Want You To Do Now?
First, be sure of your salvation and that Jesus has given you eternal life because this is God's promise!
Jesus said: Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me (God the Father), hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life (St. John 5:24)
For he that cometh to God must believe that he is (there), and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Second, God wants you to confess him publicly. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy (Psalm 107:2).
Continue in obedience to him by being baptized by immersion. (Acts 2:41, Matthew 3:16) and join a local church which follows the true Jesus. We suggest you read and study Jesus Or His Impostor?
Third, God tells you to grow spiritually, to become a faithful and strong disciple. Five things are necessary in order to grow:
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11)