JESUS CHRIST IS THE MESSIAH FOR MEN IN THE QURAN Annunciation of Christ Quran: Behold! The angels said: O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee - chosen thee above the women of all nations. S. 3:42 Behold! The angels said: O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him: his name will be the Messiah Jesus, The son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the hereafter and of those nearest to Allah.. She said: O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me? He said: Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, be; and it is! S. 3:45,47. These passages confirm that Jesus is 1) Al Masih, the Messiah, 2) virgin born, 3) Kalimat Minhu - a word from God and one of those nearest to God. Relate in the book (the story of) Mary... She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then we sent to her our angel (Ruh - spirit) and he appeared before her as a man in all respects... He said: Mary! I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy (i.e. faultless) son (Ghulamin Zakiyyan). She said: How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste? He said: So (it will be): thy Lord saith, That is easy for me: and (we wish) to appoint him as a sign (ayat) unto men (alamin) and a mercy from us: It is a matter (so) decreed. Surah. 19:16, 17, 19-21. These verses further establish the fact that Jesus is 4) faultless and 5) a sign from God to the entire world, not merely to the Israelites. We can find in the Quran that that Jesus is The Messiah, Virgin born son of Mary,The Word of God, Sinless, A Sign and Mercy unto mankind. The Messiah Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the Earth set themselves, and the rulers take council together, against the LORD and His Anointed (Mashiach), saying, Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us. He who sits in the heavens laughs; The LORD has them in derision, then He will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. I will tell of the decree of the LORD; He said to me (the Messiah), You are my son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potters vessel. Now therefore, o kings, be wise, be warned o rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling kiss His Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; For his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2:1-11 And, The LORD says to my Lord [i.e. Davids sovereign]: sit on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool... The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:1, 4 These two passages point out the fact that the one specific Messiah predicted to come would be the Son of God, the King of all the nations and the Eternal Priest of God who sits on the right hand of majesty forever. The fact that Jesus is the one being referred to in these passages becomes quite clear when reading the Gospel accounts of the angels annunciation to Mary: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you! But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his Father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:26-33 ...and she (Elizabeth) exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Luke 1:42 Indeed Mary is so highly blessed due to the reason that she was to conceive the greatest man who ever lived; the Son of the Most High, the Savior of the World, Jesus the Messiah. The Virgin Birth Behold! The angels said: O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him: his name will be the Messiah Jesus, The son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the hereafter and of those nearest to Allah.. She said: O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me? He said: Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, be; and it is! S. 3:45,47. And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I have no husband? And the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35 The reason that the child is born of a virgin is because he is the Son of God and as such, he could not be conceived in the normal fashion. Had he been born otherwise he would have inherited a sinful nature like all the rest of mankind. In other words, the virgin birth was a necessity only for the fact that this was the only befitting way for the King of glory to become incarnate, since he is Gods unique Son. Hence, Christians do not believe that the virgin birth makes Jesus the Son of God. Rather, they believe that because Jesus is the Son of God he had to be born of a virgin. The Word of God In S. 4:171 we are told: O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the Son of Mary was a messenger of Allah, and His Word (Kalimatuhu), which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him (Ruhun-Minhu): so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not three: desist. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that has been made...The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth... John 1:1-3, 14a. Sinless Both Christians and Muslims affirm his perfect and sinless life. Not only is Christ the only sinless person amongst all the prophets mentioned in this tradition, but we have Muhammad once again confirming that Jesus is theWord and Spirit of God and not just a word or spirit from him. ...And those (false gods) whom they invoke besides God have no power of intercession. ONLY HE WHO BEARS WITNESS TO THE TRUTHand they know. S. 43:86 The only one who is not only a witness to the truth but is the very Incarnation of Truth is Jesus Christ: Jesus said to him I am the way and the TRUTH and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me. John 14:6 Due to the fact that Jesus is the Truth of God revealed to mankind and because he, among all men, is without sin, his intercession is welcomed and accepted. The short-comings of all the other prophets will prevent them from fulfilling this role: For there is one God and ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5 My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christthe Righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:1-3 Of humanity we are told that, None are righteous, no, not one. Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:10, 23 But of Christ we read that, He committed no sin, no guile was found on His lips, and that He is like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 2:22, 1:19 Jesus Christ is a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 7:26 He was one who in every respect was tempted as we are, yet without sin and because of this God made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21 So assured is the sinless life of Christ that He could ask His enemies, which of you can convict me of sin? John 8:46 Sign Unto Mankind The Quran itself bears testimony to the universal mission of Christ: He said: so (it will be): thy Lord saith, That is easy for me: and (we wish) to appoint him as a sign unto men and mercy from us. S. 19:21 And (remember) who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of our Spirit and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples. S. 21:91 Yusuf Ali states in two separate footnotes that Jesus was meant to be a sign for the world: Mary the mother of Jesus, chastity was her special virtue: with a son of virgin birth, she and Jesus became a miracle to all nations. This was the virtue with which they (both Mary and Jesus) resisted evil. (1:815, f. 2748) And when I (God) inspired the disciples, (saying): Believe in me and my messenger (Jesus), they said: we believe. Bear witness that we have surrendered (unto thee). S. 5:111 M. Pickhtall O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of God: As said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples, who will be my helpers to (the work of) God? Said the Disciples, we are Gods helpers! Then a portion of the children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved: But we gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed. S. 61:14 The Quran testifies that the Apostles were given the same inspiration (wahi) that the earlier Prophets and Muhammad afterwards were given. It also states that God would insure that the true disciples of Jesus Christ would prevail and dominate till the Resurrection Day. Since the Day of Resurrection has not arrived, this would mean that true Christianity still exists. This would also compel us to accept the Bible as authoritative and inspired since it is the only testimony given by the God-inspired Apostles to their followers, a testimony that Allah himself said would remain and prevail against the attacks of the unbelievers. Thus the Apostolic testimony recorded in the Holy Bible can be trusted, and it is within these inspired pages that the universal mission of Christ is confirmed. Again Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5 ... and I, when I am lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men to myself. John 12:32 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17 Jesus’ Qualities and Attributes: Spirit Of God As mentioned earlier, both the Quran and Traditions refer to Jesus as the Spirit of God (Ruh-Ullah). While it is true that the title given to Christ in S. 4:171, a spirit from Him (Ruhun-Minhu), implies that there are others who could rightly be called spirits from God (i.e. Adam), two other passages make it clear however that Christ is the Spirit of God incarnate: And (remember) her who guarded her chastity; We breathed into her of our Spirit, and We made her and her son a Sign for all peoples. S. 21:91 And Mary daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of our Spirit; and she testified to the truths of the words of her Lord and of His revelations, and was one of the devout (servants). S. 66:12 Thus he spoke to the people in the cradle and was able to read and write the Torah and the Gospel without instruction. He was also able to revive the dead and heal the sick and perform many other miracles. (2:146) Your Lord is the mighty One, the Merciful. This is surely revealed by the Lord of the universe. The Faithful Spirit brought it down into your heart, that you might warn the mankind in Arabic speech. S. 26:192-95 Dawood But He fashioned him (man) in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His Spirit... S. 32:9 Behold! Thy Lord said to the angels: I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud molded into shape; When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My Spirit fall ye down in obeisance unto him. S. 15:28-29 Christians believe that based on the Bible, the Holy Spirit is not Jesus Christ, but a distinct yet inseparable personality from Christ. God is Father, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit. The Father creates, bringing all things into existence through His Eternal Word, by whom He also reveals Himself to man. The Father imparts life into man and unites with him through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. [Genesis 1:1-3; 2:7; John 1:1-3, 14,18; 1 Corinthians 6:19] God as creator, the Father - Hebrews 3:4. God revealed, The Son - His Word - Matthew 11:27; John 1:1; Revelation 19:13. God the giver of life, the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:4b,11; 2 Corinthians 3:6b) Christ the Author Of Life The Quran portrays Jesus as the divine Creator and Author of life: And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and Gospel and (appoint him) a messenger to the children of Israel (with this message): I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allahs permission. And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allahs leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store. S. 3:48-49; 5:110 This is the closest the Quran comes to acknowledging the omnipotence of Christ. Christ is given a prerogative that is Gods alone, namely the ability to infuse life into non-living matter by the breath of his lips. This power bears a profound resemblance to the manner in which God fashioned the first man: And when thy Lord said to the angels: I am going to create a mortal of sounding clay, of black mud fashioned into shape. So when I have made him complete and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall down making obeisance to him. S. 15:28-29 From this we observe that Christ, similar to God, is a life-giving spirit. This fact is echoed in the Holy Bible: ...The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving Spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45 “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” John 1:3 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; For whatever He does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; For the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. John 5:19-30 The reason behind Christs authority to give life and to judge is that he is the eternal love of God and all must worship him as the Fathers beloved Son. The following passages also confirm this fact: And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased. Matthew 3:16-17 Father I desire that they (the disciples) also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 The Father and his Son have existed in perfect love from all eternity, making them the object of each others love. From this unconditional love flows the grace and mercy towards humanity, which has been revealed at the cross of Calvary: He (Satan) has no power over me; but I do as the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father... John 14:30b-31 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an expiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 The Quran only acknowledges what the Bible believing Christians have always known, namely that Jesus is the resurrection and life: Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in me though he die yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25-26 Knowledge Of The Unseen One attribute of God is the ability to know the unknowable (i.e., omniscience). No man or creature is capable of having the knowledge of the things invisible and hidden. This the Quran bears witness to: Say: The unseen belongs only to God. S. 10:20 The Quran attributes to Christ a function that belongs to Deity alone: ...And I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a sign for you if ye did believe. S. 3:49 According to al-Tabari based on the authority of Ibn Ishaq, When Jesus was nine or ten years old, his mother sent him to a religious school. But whenever the teacher tried to teach him anything, he found that Jesus already knew it. The teacher exclaimed, Do you not marvel at the son of this widow? Every time I teach him anything, I find that he knows it far better than I do. (2:142) Again al-Tabari states, this time based on Said ibn Jubayr, that Jesus would say to one of his fellow playmates in the religious school, Your parents have kept such and such food for you, would you give me some of it? (Ibid.) Al-Suddi relates, Jesus used to tell his fellow pupils what their parents ate and what they kept for them. He used to say to a boy, Go home, for your parents have kept for you such and such food and they are now eating such and such food. As the parents became annoyed by this, they forbade their children to play with Jesus, saying, Do not play with that magician. (Ibid.: 142-143) Christ Is Worshipped The Quran announces the birth of John the Baptist as a messenger sent to prepare the way for Jesus Christ: And the angels called to him (Zechariah) while he was he was standing at prayer in the sanctuary, God gives you glad tidings of John, confirming a word of God, a master, chaste man and a prophet, one of the righteous. S. 3:39 Mahmouds Translation That the word of God being spoken of here is Jesus, is almost unanimously held by all Islamic scholars, making John a witness to Christ. Mahmoud Ayoub, citing Tabarsi states: Tabarsi argues that John was obligated by God to be a witness to the fact that Jesus was in truth the word of God and His Spirit. (2:109) (We once again find confirmation that Jesus is THE Word of God, not just a word.) Zamakshari substantiates this by saying: It is related that John was the first to believe in Jesus. Jesus was called Word... because he came to being only by Gods word. It was His saying, kunn (be), and no other cause. (2:108) What is more interesting though, is not the fact that John came as a confirmation to Jesus, but what he actually did when he was in the presence of Christ: Qurtubi writes that when Mary conceived Jesus, her sister came to visit her during the time of her conception of John: The sister visited Mary and said, O Mary, do you perceive that I am with child? Mary answered, Do you see that I am also with child? Her sister went on, I feel the child in my womb bowing down to the child in your womb. Qurtubi continues, It is reported that she felt the fetus in her womb bow down with its head turned toward Marys womb. (2:108) The Bible also records the incident of John leaping in the womb: ...And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:41-44 Elizabeth gives a reason for Johns joy. Mary was to conceive Elizabeths Lord, and because Jesus is Lord of all, everyone must bow down in reverence to the Messiah: When they (the magi) saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:10,11a ...And those in the boat worshiped him saying, Truly you are the Son of God. Matthew 14:33 And behold, Jesus met them and said, Hail!, and they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Matthew 28:9 And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. Matthew 28:17 Jesus heard that they had cast him (the blind man) out and having found him said, Do you believe in the Son of Man? He answered, And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him? Jesus said to him, You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you. He said, Lord I believe;and he worshiped him. John 9:35-37 And again, when he brings his first-born into the world, he says, Let all of Gods angels worship him. Hebrews 1:6 Because, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: You are worthy, O Lord. To receive glory and honor And power; For you created All things, and by your will they exist and were created. Revelation 4:9-11 The inhabitants of heaven worship Jesus: Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For you were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:8-12 Finally, And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein saying, To Him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever! And the four living creatures said, Amen! and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:13-14 The evidence compels us that to worship Jesus is to worship God. Christ Above The Law All creation is subject to the Laws of God. None can add or subtract from the divine decrees but must faithfully follow the commands established by the Creator. For a man to override Gods command is blasphemy. Yet, we find Christ doing precisely this in Matthew 5:21-44 when after quoting the Law, he redefines it on his own authority by boldly stating, But I tell you this... This places Christs authority on an equal level with Gods, indicating equality in essence and nature. The Quran itself bears witness to this Biblical fact: (I have come to you), to attest to the Law which was before me and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you... S. 3:50 According to Wahb bin Munabbih, Jesus came to relieve the Jews of some of the hardships which the Torah imposed on them. (2:149) Indeed, the more one analyzes the Quranic portrait of Christ the more amazing it appears. In fact, if it were not for the Qurans denial of Jesus divinity and unique Sonship in such passages as S. 5:72 and 9:30, one would be left with the impression that the Quran does in fact tend to suggest that Christ is both divine and human, two natures united in one person. Even the titles used of Christ in the Quran suggest this i.e., ibn Maryam (son of Mary) and kalimatullah (Word of God). The title Son of Mary is equivalent to the Biblical Son of Man, an epithet used by Christ in regards to his own person; whereas the title Word of God being a synonym for Son of God. (cf. Mark 14:61b-62; John 1:18, 3:16). Thus, Jesus Christ the man was limited to the extent of which all humans are limited. He hungered, thirsted, grew weary, slept and grew in wisdom and knowledge similar to all humans. Yet, as Gods own Word and unique Son he is the Bread of life, the Living Water, the Sustainer of the universe, the Judge of both the living and the dead, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. (cf. John 6:35, 4:10; Hebrews 1:3; John 5:26-29; Revelation 17:14, 19:16) The Biblical teaching is that Christ is God who became man, uniting two natures in one Person. These two natures did not fuse together but rather remained distinct, yet inseparable, in the person of Christ. Hence, we see time and again that Christ could not do in his humanity what he could do in his divinity and vice versa, displaying a perfect manifestation of both natures in one person. To finish with this aspect of our study, we would like to state that once the evidence has been objectively examined, one will surely arrive to the logical conclusion that Jesus is the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world. Methods Of Evangelism Muhammad: Fight those who believe not in God nor the last day... Nor acknowledge the religion of truth (Islam), (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay Jizya (tribute tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. S. 9:29 Say to the desert Arabs behind: Ye shall be summoned (to fight) against a people given to vehement war: then shall, ye fight, or they shall submit. Then if you show obedience, God will grant you a goodly reward, but if ye turn back as ye did before, He will punish you with a grievous penalty. S. 48:16 Apostle! Rouse the believers to fight! S. 8:65 Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords. Vol. 4:73 Jesus: But into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is nigh unto you. Luke 10:10,11 K.J.V. Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword die by the sword. Matthew 26:52 For the Son of Man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them. Luke 9:56 Eternal Security A Muslim can only hope for salvation, never knowing if his Lord will be pleased with him enough to allow him to enter into Paradise. But as for him who shall repent and believe and do right, perhaps he may be one of the successful. S. 28:67 Oh, ye who believe, repent toward Allah, with a sincere repentance. It may be that your Lord will remit from your evil deeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow. S. 66:8 Those only shall worship in the mosques of Allah, who believe in Allah and the last day and observe proper worship and give alms and fear none except Allah; and it might be that these are of the rightly guided. S. 9:18 Even those who are nearest in love to God (i.e. angels) can only hope for salvation: Even those (the angels and prophets) who are nearest. They hope for his mercy and fear his wrath.S. 17:57 In reference to hell, the Quran says, Not one of you but will pass over it (original: through it). This is a decree which must be accomplished. S. 19:71 Muhammad himself was not guaranteed salvation: By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do to me. Vol. 5:266 Truly thou (Muhammad) wilt die, and they (Muslims) (too) will die. S. 39:30 This is why a believer is told to pray for Muhammads salvation: God and his angels pray for the Prophet, and you who believe pray for him and ask for his salvation. S. 33:56 On the other hand, a Christian who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is guaranteed eternal life, Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and none can snatch them out of My hand. John10:27-28 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26 Jesus says to his followers, Because I live, you will live also. (John 14:19 N.K.J.V.) Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3 When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. John 17:1-3 Father I want those you have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory you have given Me because you loved Me before the creation of the world. John 17:24 For whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. Romans10:13 K.J.V. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have eternal life in His name. John 20:31 . In fact Jesus does not need us sinners to pray for him since He is eternal life and our advocate with the Father: ... the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaimed to you the eternal life (Jesus) which was with the Father and was made manifest to us... 1 John 1:2 Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life... John 14:6 My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 Christs superiority over the prophet of Islam, comes from Muhammad himself: Narrated Abu Huraira: Two persons, a Muslim and a Jew quarreled. The Muslim said, By him who gave Muhammad superiority over all the people! The Jew said, By him who gave Musa [Moses] superiority over all the people! At that the Muslim raised his hand and slapped the Jew on the face. The Jew went to the Prophet and informed him of what had happened between him and the Muslim. The Prophet sent for the Muslim and asked him about it. The Muslim informed him of the event. The Prophet said, Do not give me superiority over Musa [Moses], for on the day of resurrection all the people will fall unconscious and I will be one of them, but I will be the first to gain consciousness and will see Musa [Moses] standing and holding the throne (of Allah). I will not know whether [Musa (Moses)] has also fallen unconscious and got up before me, or Allah has exempted him from that stroke. Vol. 3:594 Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, Whoever says that I am better than Yunus (Jonah) Bin Matta, is a liar. Vol. 6:128 If Muhammad is not as great as either Jonah or Moses, then he cannot possibly be as great as Jesus Christ, since Christ is greater than both Moses and Jonah. Jesus was also greater than Solomon and the very temple of God: I (Jesus) tell you that one greater than the temple is here. Matthew 12:6 N.I.V. And now one greater than Jonah is here…And now one greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:41, 42 But do not think that I (Jesus) will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would have believed me, for he wrote about me. John 5:45-46 In fact, all the prophets beginning from Abraham, rejoiced in the knowledge of the coming Christ, hoping this event would occur in their day: Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. John 8:56 N.I.V. But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Matthew 13:16-17 The Bible, the Quran and Salvation I. THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD A. THE QURAN CONFIRMS Earlier Revelations, Prophets and Books: The Quran confirmed all the earlier revelations of God to Moses, David, the prophets and Jesus Christ. All their writings were considered sacred and true. The Books written by them were from God. Since it is the Word of God it cannot be altered or changed by anyone at anytime. It is a supreme and divine provision and success that the Word of God to stand forever. We are to receive guidance through them. 1. They include: The Law of Moses, The Psalms, The Prophets and The Gospel {/Koran Su 28:43; 4:163; 3:48} 2. They are Enlightenment for mankind, guidance and mercy {/Koran Su 28:43} 3. There are no distinction of Messengers and Books {/Koran Su 2:285; 2:87; 3:48, 5:111, 61:14) 4. Both Jews and Christians should believe in them {/Koran Su 5:68-69} 5. All Muslims must believe in them too {/Koran Su 2:136; 4:136}. Otherwise, they will go to go astray and go to Hell {/Koran Su 2:85,87} 6. The BOOKS were existing during Christ’s Time {/Koran Su 2:40,41;3:48,50} {Jn 5:39; Mt 22:29} 7. And still existed during Muhammad’s Time (600 A.D.) {/Koran Su 10:94,32:23} 8. NONE CAN ALTER OR CHANGE HIS WORDS {/Koran Su 6:34,115} 9. God’s word cannot be changed and it is a Supreme Success {/Koran Su 10:64} B. THE BOOKS, THE BIBLE CONFIRMS IT AS: The Bible declared itself us the incorruptible, unchanging word of God. It is the Book of the LORD and therefore its source and author is the LORD. He Himself is responsible for its preservation and endurance. He commanded His prophets to write all the words that He has spoken to them in a book. 1. The Book of the LORD {Jer 30:2; Is 34:16; Mal 3:16; Rev 22:9-10} 2. Preserved Forever {Ps 12:6-7; 102:18;119:89; Mt 24:35} 3. Commanded to be Written {Deut 31:24; Jer 30:2; Rev 1:17-19 /Koran Su 7:145} II. JESUS IS THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE BOOKS The Quran and the Bible confirm its teachings on Christ as the Sign and Mercy to all Mankind, His virgin birth, and He the Mercy and the Messiah from God. Jesus is God’s way of salvation for man. His name was given for man to believe whereby he must be saved. A. JESUS IS THE WAY OF SALVATION {Jo 14:6,Ps 2:12} 1. The Sign To All Mankind {/Koran Su 19:21;21:91} {Lk 1:31-32;2:27-32;1Jn 4:14} 2. Virgin Birth {/Koran Su 3:45-47; Lk 1:34-35; Is 7:14} 3. Mercy from Us {/Koran Su 19:21; Lk 24:44-47} 4. Messiah {/Koran Su 3:45; Mt 16:16; Jn 4:42;Mt 26:62-64} B. EARLIER BOOKS, MESSENGERS AND REVELATIONS POINT AND CONFIRM A MESSIAH WHO SUFFERED, WAS CRUCIFIED, WHO DIED AND RESURRECTED: All Bible Translations today dozens of them and since the time of the apostles never changed the Message. We can read from all the books and the scriptures— Christ suffered, was crucified, died and rose from the dead. For almost two thousand years this one message of the cross has been preached and believed by hundreds of millions of believers. 1. Books of the Prophets {Is 53:4-6,12; Ps 22:1; Mt 27:46} 2. Christ Himself Foretold and Confirmed His Death and Resurrection {Ps 16:10; Lk 24:44-46; Jn 2:19; 10:18} 3. God’s Way of forgiveness in the Old Testament Law of Moses/Torah {Ex 19:5-6; Lev 16:11; 17:11} C. FULFILLED IN CHRIST AS THE LAMB OFFERING {Ps 40:6-7; Heb 10:1-10; Zec 3:8-9} III. ETERNAL SECURITY The Bible promises it as a present possession {Jn 5:24, 3:36, 10:27-28, 11.25-26, 1Jn 5:9, 11-13} What is the worth of having a religion if one does not know where his soul is going after death. Only in the Bible that we are told to posses’ salvation and eternal life because of what the Son of God Jesus has finished and done on the cross. Jesus was the only founder of a religion that proclaimed that He was the Son of God that He came down from heaven. He brought and made the will of the Father known to us— and that is Eternal Life through Him. V. HOW TO BE SAVED The Bible’s Message is simple. God provided the salvation for man through His Son Jesus Christ. If anyone repents from his sin and believes in Him, he is forgiven. Salvation is done and our sin atoned for already by Christ on the Cross. Forgiveness is appropriated to us only after turning away from our sins and looking unto Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. A. REPENT FROM YOUR SINS {Mk 1:15; /Koran Su 11:52} B. ASK FORGIVENESS {Ps 79:9 ; /Koran Su 3:16} C. BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 1. He is the I AM {Jn 8:24}. Is Yahweh {Ex 3:14} 2. Confess Jesus as the Lord and has risen from the dead {Ps 2:1-6, 12; Rom 10:9} 3. He is the Christ the Son of the Living God {Mt 26:62-64; Pr 30:4}, the Savior of the World {1Jn 4:14} 4. He is Mercy from God {/Koran Su 19:21; /Jn 3:16} D. RECEIVE JESUS/MERCY FROM GOD {Jn 3:36, 1:12-13; /Koran Su 6:16} CONCLUSION: Is the Bible the word of God that teaches the Way of salvation? THE ANSWER IS A BIG YES AND AMEN! Four Books(THE TORAH, THE PROPHETS, THE PSALMS AND THE INJEEL/GOSPEL) testifying and confirming each other: that the Lord Jesus is indeed the Sign to all Mankind and the Mercy from God a matter that is already decreed--- He is the Saviour sent by God the Father for His people to receive forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. FINALLY, CRITICS SAY THAT BIBLE TRANSLATIONS OR VERSIONS DON’T AGREE WITH EACH OTHER. EACH BOOK HAS A DIFFERENT MESSAGE THEY CONVEY. WE SHOULD KNOW THAT A TRANSLATION OR VERSION IS DERIVED FROM THE ORIGINAL HEBREW, ARAMAIC AND GREEK LANGUAGE WHERE IT WAS WRITTEN. THERE ARE DOZENS OF TRANSLATIONS TODAY OF THE BIBLE AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF COPIES PRINTED SINCE IT WAS WRITTEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO INTO DIFFERENT LANGUAGES HAVE THE SAME MESSAGE PROCLAIMING THAT JESUS CHRIST CAME WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND THAT HE IS THE SON OF GOD OUR THE LORD AND SAVIOR. NONE OF THESE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF BIBLES PRINTED DENY THE DEATH, CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST BUT RATHER ALL HAVE THE SAME VERSES AND MESSAGES PROCLAIMING IT. BRING A SINGLE BIBLE THAT DENIES HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION. YOU SHALL FIND NONE AND THERE IS NONE.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 08:49:06 +0000
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