500 years of a provision of the Word in the language of the peoples

English: page of the Acts of the Apostles from the last edition of the bible originally translated by Johann Dietenberger, published in Augsburg 1776 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In past generations, especially when God’s word was first available for people to read in their own language, God’s offer of “salvation” was embraced by many. Let us read God’s word ever more fervently – and let it ‘infect’ our hearts, so that there is the same reaction in us as when Paul’s preached to the Gentiles!

We read, when they “heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). May we be among the “appointed”.

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For those who believe Jesus is God

Jesus of Nazareth (book) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Those who think Jesus is God have they ever considered if they believe everything God Himself says?

When you believe Jesus is God do you believe that God is always telling the truth?  According to the Bible He does not tell lies.

“"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19 NAS)

 “in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18 NAS)

God also tells us it is impossible for man to see God and to live.

“But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"” (Exodus 33:20 NAS)

As such nobody has ever been able to see God. Though those who claim Jesus is God forget that Jesus was born and was seen by many people.

That man who was born some 2000 years ago (in 4bce) was the realisation of what God had spoken in the Garden of Eden. At that time of Roman oppression God His Word came into the flesh. He was the sent one from God who had to shed light on the world and had to make his heavenly Father to be known to many. When you look carefully at the texts of the Bible you should see that it was not God Himself who was there but some one else.

 “He was not the light, but [came] that he might bear witness of the light.” (John 1:8 NAS)

“"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 NAS)

 “30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:30-35 NAS)

 “21  Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased." 23 And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being supposedly [the] son of Joseph, the [son] of Eli,” (Luke 3:21-23 NAS)

 “"[You know of] Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and [how] He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 NAS)

 “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12 NAS)

The child born to us, is a son given to us, to be a mediator between man and God, being seated next to God in the heavens. We are told God gave him authority and as such the government will rest on his shoulders and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Of all the gods the world knows this god is not The God, like angels, Moses, Pharaoh, Baal and all others who are called god as well are also not The God. But of all those gods mentioned in the bible Jesus is the highest, though he was at first lower than angels.

It was only after Jesus having giving his body for the sins of others that he was made higher than angels.

“7 "Thou Hast Made Him For A Little While Lower Than The Angels; Thou Hast Crowned Him With Glory And Honor, And Hast Appointed Him Over The Works Of Thy Hands; 8 Thou Hast Put All Things In Subjection Under His Feet." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, [namely,] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:7-9 NAS)

For those who believe Jesus is God did they realise that the Bible tells us no man can ever harm God and that death can not do anything to God. God being an eternal Spirit cannot die.

 That Al-knowing eternal Spirit is the God of gods, Lord of lords or Lord of hosts.

“"For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17 NAS)

Them telling that Jesus has to be God because he gave his blood to save us and now all people are saved for ever, do forget that a spirit has no blood and flesh and that Jesus after his death proofs to his disciples he is not a spirit.

“33 And they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, "The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon." 35 And they [began] to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. 36  And while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst. 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40 [And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.]” (Luke 24:33-40 NAS)

“"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."” (John 4:24 NAS)

Jesus being a being of flesh, blood and bones told those around him that they should not worship him but his heavenly Father Who is the Only One True God, the God of Abraham. It was also that God Who said about Jesus that he was His only begotten son.


Those who say Jesus is God ignore all those saying from God and from Jesus, who knew very well he could not do anything without God his heavenly Father Who is greater than Jesus. In case Jesus would have been God they both would be of the same greatness.

“17  But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." 18 For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless [it is] something He sees the Father doing; for whatever [the Father] does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel. 21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 in order 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. 24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. 26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is [the] Son of Man.” (John 5:17-27 NAS)

 “27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. 28  "You heard that I said to you, ’I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 "And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe. 30 "I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; 31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.” (John 14:27-31 NAS)

Those who claim Jesus had to be God because otherwise we could not be saved should wonder if that does not mean God would have been a horrible potentate Who created rules or commandments of which He knew nobody could keep them.

Therefore we would like to propose to you to continue reading about this mater.
Please do read:

A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it

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Additional reading

1. Only one God
2. God is One
3. God of gods
4. The Trinity - the truth
5. God's salvation
6. Jesus Messiah
7. Jesus begotten Son of God #10 Coming down spirit or flesh seed of Eve
8. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
9. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #14 Prayer #12 The other name

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Believing what Jesus says

How many people are really willing to believe what Jesus says. In Christendom we do find many Christians who prefer to keep to the traditional doctrines of the doctrinal churches, instead of willing to take the words of the Bible like they are written there.

Evangelistar von Speyer, um 1220 Manuscript in the Badische Landesbibliothek, Karlsruhe, Germany Cod. Bruchsal 1, Bl. 1v Shows Christ in vesica shape surrounded by the "animal" symbols of the four evangelists. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The barrier to fully accepting Jesus’ words is the cost involved in following him and his teachings. To follow his teachings, and the teaching of the Bible at large, requires a different type of focus. That is, one not focussed upon material or present benefits, but rather upon following the truths of God no matter what the present cost, because something far greater has been purposed and promised by God.

You as a Christian or as a unbeliever, what do you want to come to believe? Where do you want to put your focus?

What does it mean to you when Jesus says God is greater than him? What does it mean when he says we do have to pray to God his Father and do not may worship him, but should give all honour to the Only One Divine God, Creator of heaven and earth?

Jesus concentrated himself on the words and works of his heavenly Father and asked others not to focus on his (Jesus) works, because he (Jesus) could do nothing without his Father. Jesus his focus was on his heavenly Father who had appeared above him and had spoken "This is my beloved son." How many Christians are willing to accept those words of God Who spoke about His only begotten son?

Do you want to focus on the doctrines of the many churches, or are you willing to focus on the Word of God as it is presented to the world in the Bible?

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Please read also:  A Different Life Focus

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