The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Son of God

  • Philip

    “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

    Acts 8:35

    Philip went to Samaria to share the Gospel Message of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Many of the people believed in Jesus. Philip listened to God when He spoke to him – for when God sent him away from the many people who were being saved into a desert land, Philip went. While Philip was there, he met one man who was searching for the truth about Jesus. This man needed someone to teach him, and God sent Philip to be that one who could show him how to know Jesus.

    An Ethiopian eunuch had been to Jerusalem. He was on his way home, reading the writings of Isaiah. (Isaiah is the Major Prophet in the Old Testament which includes the most prophecies of Jesus.) The Spirit told Philip to join that chariot (see Acts 8:27-29). When Philip ran to meet that chariot, he heard the man reading from Isaiah, which told of the Messiah (Jesus) who was to come. Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading. “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:31). Philip immediately recognized that this man was open to hearing the message of Jesus. “32. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth” (Acts 8:32-33). This Scripture is from Isaiah 53:7-8. The eunuch asked of whom this was speaking. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35). Philip preached Jesus right out of Isaiah chapter 53. Preached means “to proclaim the good news; preach the gospel.” Philip told the Ethiopian Eunuch about Jesus. One can only imagine the message that Philip shared! The death and resurrection of Jesus was still recent enough that many people were still talking about the event, not fully understanding what had transpired. But Philip preached Jesus from the Old Testament Scriptures, revealing what had taken place.

    What was the Ethiopian Eunuch’s response to this “good news?” “… And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). This man understood that Jesus had died for sin, was buried, and lived again. By the Scriptures in Isaiah and Philip’s preaching, this Ethiopian Eunuch believed in his heart that, “Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” How had this happened? “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Because Philip was faithful to share the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, the Ethiopian Eunuch found Jesus and believed upon Him – and was saved.

    The Ethiopian Eunuch wanted to be baptized to identify his life with Jesus (see Romans 6:3-6). “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38). Read the interesting thing that happened next. “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Philip disappeared, but the Ethiopian Eunuch went on his way rejoicing.

    Read what God had revealed to David, which he then recorded in the Psalms. “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God” (Psalm 68:31). God knew that one day an Ethiopian Eunuch would go to Jerusalem to worship – searching for God (see Acts 8:27). (Also read Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:32-33 for God to hear a stranger calling to God.) God sent Philip to tell that Ethiopian Eunuch how to be saved. This should be an encouraging thing to understand that if someone is searching for God, God will send someone to show that person how to find Him. Just like God sent Philip to the Ethiopian Eunuch. Read what is specifically written for each Christian: “13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14). Preacher means “apostles and teachers to preach, publish, or announce religious truth; the gospel with its privileges and obligations.” Every Christian can teach someone else the truth about Jesus. These verses in Romans were quoted from the Old Testament book of Isaiah (Isaiah 52:7). Notice that these verses are found in the chapter right before Isaiah 53 that tells about Jesus’ suffering death – the very chapter that the Ethiopian Eunuch had been reading! And God sent him one, Philip, so that that man could be saved.

    Believers are supposed to tell others about Jesus. Do you think that Ethiopian Eunuch who had been searching for Jesus, finally finding Him, told others how to meet Jesus? Imagine the people he was able to teach about Jesus once he returned home! Christians must understand the necessity of telling others about Jesus, so that that someone can tell can tell someone else. That is how the Gospel message has always been shared – from one person to another.

    Do you know of someone special that you can tell about Jesus.

  • Who is Jesus to You?

    “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”

    Matthew 16:15

    Most people remember that Micah was the Old Testament prophet who declared Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). But other than that, most people do not take time to hear the message God gave Micah to deliver. Micah called the people to “hear” God’s Words. He warned them that God saw their sin, and judgment was coming because of habitual sin. He declared that there would be a time that the Jewish people would not be considered a people (Assyria and Babylon carried them captive from their land, ending the kingdom years). However, God promised that He would restore them as His people – one day.

    After hearing that God would discipline His people (showing He truly loved His people), remove idol worship from them (only allowing place to do what is right – worshiping the one and only true God), and promising to restore them one day, recognize something else. “18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19). Did you notice the final question Micah asked as he was closing the book? He asked “Who is a God like unto thee?” God in that verse means “might; power; strength.” God wanted to be more than a name to His people, He wanted to be a reality to them – someone they deemed as all powerful; one who can do anything. God would never fail to keep a promise He made to His people, so they were to live on that hope, remembering to watch for that Promised One (Jesus who was to come). No matter how far away from God the Israelites strayed; God would not forsake His people forever. One day, when they recognize Jesus as their Lord (see Hosea 5:15 and Philippians 2:6-11), God will fulfill His promise to them. Because He is a merciful God, He will take those sins and cast them into the depths of the sea, where they can never be retrieved – never to be seen again. The book ends with this reminder: “Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old” (Micah 7:20). This is another reminder that God will keep His promises – including sending Jesus.

    Just as Micah called God’s people to “hear,” we too, are to “hear” God’s Words today. Even Peter, as he preached in the early church, said. “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). Peter understood the importance of preaching the Gospel message so people could believe. What is the word of the Gospel? How can one believe?

    There is nothing anyone can do (no works: see John 6:28-29) that can save anyone. How then can one be saved? One must recognize his or her sin, asking for forgiveness from God, and believe that He will save one (through faith in His Son, Jesus). Only belief in Jesus as the One who came to pay the penalty for sin can save. Jesus told them how. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Once one recognizes that a life apart from Jesus, there is a decision to be made. One must decide who Jesus is to him or her. Remember what Jesus asked his disciples. “13. When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him,Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealeditunto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-17). Each person must choose if they will recognize Jesus for who He is: “the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Christ means “anointed, that is, the Messiah.” Messiah means “Christ, the anointed; the Saviour of the world.” Just as God’s people in the Old Testament had to decide just who God was to them, today, one must decide who Jesus is to them. Is He your Saviour, the one who came to forgive your sins, giving you a new life in Christ? “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

    Be encouraged to understand the importance of hearing and obeying God’s Words, deciding who Jesus is to you. Also, remember that Christians are to be living examples in the world today. What kind of an example do you want to be? One like Judah and Israel (who failed miserably and were eventually carried away from their homeland, disciplined), or do you want to be an obedient example, like Jesus – who obeyed his Father unto death, even the death of the cross (see Philippians 2:8).

    Who is Jesus to you?

    Find out How to be Saved Here

  • Do you Believe?

    “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
    John 3:18

    The many miracles Jesus did, and the many things Jesus taught were very important – for many people believed upon Him, becoming His followers. However, we can understand that not all who saw and heard believed. Jesus explained how one must come to Him – not with an educated mind, challenging the things of God (as the religious leaders continually did). After teaching some of the people, children were brought to Jesus. The disciples tried to keep the children from Jesus. However, Jesus was displeased. He called for the children to come to Him. Jesus then explained to the people how to receive the kingdom of God (receive means “to accept an offer deliberately and readily”). Understand the kingdom of God by the following: When the Pharisees asked Jesus when it should come, read His reply. “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20). Not with observation means, “you cannot see it with human eyes.” He went on to say. “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Within you means “it is located in your heart and affections; not external.” That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into your heart.” You cannot see it with your eyes. Jesus wanted the people to understand this. To children, things are simpler, less convoluted. The gospel message is very simple – one must only believe – just as a child. In other words, simply believe and receive without question.

    “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him …” (Mark 10:17a). The placement of this event with this one that comes running to Jesus is interesting. It follows the recording of Jesus explaining that one must come to His kingdom as a child. Keep that thought in mind as we look at this “rich young ruler.” He is called a “young man” in Matthew’s accounting (see Matthew 19:16-22) and a “ruler” in Luke’s accounting (see Luke 18:18-27). He is often called The Rich Young Ruler.

    He asked Jesus, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17b). Read the events. “18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:18-22).

    In this event, the first thing we notice is that the young ruler thought he had to “do” something to inherit eternal life (see Mark 10:17). He had already obeyed God’s Word (the Law), but Jesus told him what was lacking (see Mark 10:20). His faith was in his earthly possessions – not in Jesus. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the difference. One cannot do anything to inherit eternal life, but believe in Jesus.

    “23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27. And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:23-27). See that Jesus called them “children.” He was talking to His disciples – those who believed upon Him. Yet in that explanation, one can almost sense that Jesus wanted them to remember that one must come to Him as a child – not with anything they can bring. One must have faith just trusting and believing in Jesus.

    When Peter acknowledged that they had given their all (see Mark 10:28), Jesus explained that they would be rewarded in heaven. While they lived on the earth, man may not see Jesus’ followers as important, but in heaven, God will reward them according to their faithfulness to Him. The Rich Young Ruler chose unwisely, while Jesus’ disciples chose wisely. For one must come to Jesus, simply with the heart and mind of a child, just believing in Jesus. One has to believe in the heart – not actually having to see the “kingdom of God” with the eyes. Then one must follow Jesus.

    Have you come to Jesus, simply with the heart as a child in faith, just believing in Jesus?

    How to be Saved