Biyernes, Marso 9, 2012

Is Jesus Indeed A Man In Nature And State Of Being?

Is Jesus Indeed A Man In Nature And State Of Being?






Jesus Himself told the truth that He is a Man
3H.1   What is the truth that Jesus told the people about Himself?

In John 8:40, the truth is written:
"But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. (NKJV)
Clearly and unambiguously Jesus said. . . .
  • That "He is a Man who has told the truth He heard from God".
The fact that Jesus Himself said that "He is a Man" who has told the truth He heard from God is undeniable proof that He is really a Man in nature and state of being, because. .
  • We can be sure that Jesus told the truth, for the scripture says "He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone" (1 Peter 2:22, NLT).
Jesus' statement also proves that the Man Jesus is not God Himself for He is clearly distinct (separate being) from God from whom He heard the truth.
Questions to Ponder: < Click for details
  If Jesus is indeed "God the Son" the incarnation of the eternal (non-created) second person of the Trinity or Triune God who took on a human body and nature and became both truly man and truly God simultaneously (Lesson-3C.1-4), then . . . .  .
  • Why did Jesus himself say that "He is a Man" and did not say that He is also God?
  • Why did Jesus himself say that "He heard the truth from God" if He is one and the same Triune God?
  • Who, then, is the God from whom Jesus heard the truth? Is He the Triune God?

  Jesus prove that He is still a Man after His resurrection

3H.2   How did Jesus Himself prove to His apostles that He is indeed a Man in nature and state of being, and not God, even after His resurrection?

Many things was experienced by Jesus' apostles and disciples after His resurrection and one of this is written in Luke 24:37-42:
36. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you.''
37. But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
38. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39. "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.''
40. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?''
42. So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43. And He took it and ate in their presence. (NKJV)
When Jesus appeared in the midst of His apostles, they were terrified and frightened because they supposed they had seen a spirit. But Jesus corrected them and said:
  • "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
    • "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.''
    • When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
  • But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?''
    • So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
    • And He took it and ate in their presence.
Clearly, Jesus undeniably proved to His apostles and disciples that He is a indeed Man in His state of being after His resurrection, as He physically showed to them that He is still a Man in nature with flesh and bones.
  • By physically proving to His disciples that He is not a spirit, He undoubtedly also proved to them that He is not God because He Himself taught them that "God is Spirit" (John 4:24)
Questions to Ponder: < Click for details
   If Jesus is indeed "God the Son" the incarnation of the eternal (non-created) second person of the Trinity or Triune God who took on a human body and nature and became both truly man and truly God simultaneously (Lesson-3C.1-4), then . . . .  
  • How could Jesus be "truly God", who is a spirit, and also be "truly Man", with flesh and bones, at the same time?



Jesus a Man with a glorious body sitting at the right hand of God
3H.3   What further proves that Jesus is really a Man in heaven? As a Man, what kind of body does Jesus possess in heaven proving that He is still a Man?

In the following verses these are written:
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, (Hebrews 10:12, NKJV)
What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These perishable bodies of ours are not able to live forever. (1 Corinthians 15:50, NLT)
who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:21, RSV)
52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. (1Cor.15:52-53)
Jesus is the Man who is sitting at the right hand of God (Heb.10:12). Still a Man with flesh and bones after His resurrection (Luke 24:39), Jesus does not have the ordinary man's body but He now possess a "glorious body" (Phil.3:21) which is fit to live forever in heaven (1 cor.15:50)
The fact that Jesus possess a "glorious body" is proof enough that Jesus is still a Man and not God, for God is spirit. Moreover, the fact that Jesus sat at the right hand of God, is proof enough that He is not God Himself but Man with a glorious body.
What kind of body is a "glorious body"?
From the above verses, we can read, a glorious body is unlike an ordinary man's body which is perishable (subject to decay) and mortal (subject to death). Jesus' "glorious body" is imperishable and immortal, the kind of body that will live forever in heaven. This is also the kind of body that will be given to those who will be resurrected and saved on Judgment Day (1Cor.15:52-53).
What further proves that Jesus is indeed a Man and not God?
In Romans 8:34, this is written:
who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? (RSV)
The same verse in another version of the Bible:
Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! (TEV)
Jesus is indeed a Man, and not God Himself, because He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us or pleading with God for us.
Questions to Ponder::
  The Trinity doctrine states that God is the Triune God, existing as three persons, but one being. Members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. (Lesson-2C.1)
  • If Jesus is indeed God, why did He sit at the right hand of God? How can they be one and the same Triune God if God the Son sits at the right hand God?
  • If Jesus is indeed God, then why would He still plead to God on man's behalf? How can they be one and the same Triune God, if God the Son pleads to God?
  • Who is the God mentioned in the above verses? Is it the Triune God or God the Father?

The Apostles declared that Jesus is a Man attested by God

3H.4   How did all the Apostles declare the truth about Jesus that He is indeed a Man and not God?

In Acts 2:14 & 22, these are written:
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, . . . . .  
22. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know (NKJV)

The same verses, in another version of the bible:
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: . . . . . . . .
22You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him [right] in your midst, as you yourselves know-- (Amplified Bible)
Apostle Peter together with the eleven Apostles declared the truth about Jesus, that He is indeed a Man, when He said . . . . . . .
  • "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested (affirmed to be correct, true, or genuine) by God.
The fact that Jesus was attested by God Himself that He is a Man is undeniable proof that Jesus is truly a Man and not God, for He is clearly distinct (not the same being) from God who attested that He is a Man by doing the miracles, wonders and signs through Him.
Questions to Ponder::
  • If the Apostles believe that God and Jesus are one and the same Triune God, then, why did the Apostles' say that God attested, pointed out or showed that Jesus is a Man?

The Man Christ Jesus is the only Mediator between God and men

3H.5   How did Apostle Paul reveal the truth that Jesus is indeed a Man and not God?

In 1 Timothy 2:3-5, these are written:
3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4. who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
(NKJV)

The same verse in another version of the Bible:
3. This is good and pleases God our Savior,
4. for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
5 For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humanity, himself a human being, Christ Jesus, (NJB)
Apostle Paul reiterated the desire of God for men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. And the truth that men must know is . . . . .
  • There is only one God, and
  • There is only one Mediator between the one God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 
The Fact that the Man Christ Jesus is the Mediator between God and men, is proof that Jesus is a Man and not God, for He is clearly distinct and  not the same being, from the God whom He is mediating for.
How was the role of the Man Christ Jesus as the one Mediator between God and men made clear?
In Galatians 3:20, this is written:   
Now there is no mediator when only one party is involved, and God is one. (New American Bible)
The same verse in the New King James Version of the Bible:
Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. (NKJV)
Apostle Paul explained further that there is no mediator if only one party is involved, that is,
  • Jesus being the mediator could not be God Himself at the same time, because that would lead to the ridiculous notion that Christ is a mediator of one. 
  • It is however perfectly correct to say that He (Jesus), the mediator, is Man, because there is not only one man but rather many men, that is being mediated for, to the only one God.

God (only one)
(First Party)
The Man Christ Jesus
(as Mediator)
Humanity (many men)
(Second Party)

The fact that the Man Christ Jesus was made a Mediator by God, is undeniable proof that Jesus is Man and not God Himself, for He is clearly distinct (not the same being) from God whom He is mediating for. 
Questions to Ponder:
  • Why will God still need Jesus as a "Mediator between God and men" if God and Jesus are one and the same Triune God?

Jesus the Man chosen by God to judge the world for Him

3H.6   How did the Apostles explain that Jesus is still a Man even when He returns the second time on the Day of Judgment?

In Acts 17:31, this is written:
He has set a day when he will judge the world's people with fairness. And he has chosen the man Jesus to do the judging for him. God has given proof of this to all of us by raising Jesus from death. (Contemporary English Version)
The same verse in another version of the bible:
For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead." (NLT)
The Apostle Paul taught the following to the men of Athens
  • That God has chosen or appointed the "Man Jesus" to do the judging for Him.
  • That God has given proof or proved to everyone who this Man is by raising Jesus from the dead.
The above teaching clearly proves the following
  • The fact that it is God who chose the "Man Jesus" is undeniable proof that Jesus is a Man and not God, for He is clearly distinct (not the same being) from God who chose Him.
  • And the fact that Jesus died is further proof that Jesus is a Man and not God, for God does not die, God is immortal (1Timothy 1:17).
  • The fact that it was God who raised the Man Jesus from the dead is undeniable proof that Jesus is a Man and not God, for He is clearly distinct (not the same being) from God who have the power to bring Him to life.
Questions to Ponder:
  • If Jesus is truly God, why did he die? 
  • If Jesus is truly God, why did God still need to raise Him (Jesus) from the dead?
  • What happened to the Triune God when God the Son died?
  • Why would God still need to appoint the Man Jesus to judge the world for Him if He and Jesus are one and the same Triune God?
  • Who is the God mentioned in the above verses? Is it the Triune God or God the Father?

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The scriptures are very clear indeed that Jesus is a Man in nature and state of being. For Jesus Himself said that He is a Man who heard the truth from God (John 8:40). A Man attested by God by doing the miracles, wonders and signs through Him (Acts 2:22).  A Man with a glorious body sitting at the right hand of God (Heb.10:12) pleading to God on men's behalf (Romans 8:34). For there is only one God and only one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Tim.2:5). And Jesus is the Man chosen by God to judge the world for Him (Acts 17:31). Thus according to the scriptures, Jesus as the Son of God is unquestionably a Man in nature and state of being and He is distinct (separate being) from God who proved to everyone by raising him from the dead (Acts 17:31).

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