Posted on 01/12/2012 6:30:50 PM PST by count-your-change
What is Truth? That question was put to a man of truth by Roman governor Pontius Pilate over two thousand years ago.
That "man of truth" was, of course, Jesus Christ and evidently he recognized Pilate's question was more a philosophical one or didn't actually seek the truth Jesus spoke about so Jesus didn't give an answer. (John 18:38)
That doesn't mean there is no answer, particularly as it pertains to Jesus' followers. King David identified the God of truth, "Thou hast redeemed me, O Jehovah, thou God of truth." (Ps. 31:5 , ASV)
And Jesus said of himself, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) But what truth and whose truth? Truth in the broad and general sense? A truth perhaps claimed by philosophers and "holy men"?
It's not an idle question, just those two verses emphasize the importance of "the truth" and as Jesus prayed concerning his disciples "Sanctify them in the truth." (John 17:17, ASV)
To sanctify: meaning to set aside or cleanse for a holy or sacred purpose, thus knowing and following this "truth" would produce a "holiness" in Jesus' disciples. "For it is written, "Be holy because I [am] holy". (1 Peter 1:16, NAB)
And the source of that sanctifying truth, that truth that can make one holy in the sight of our heavenly Father? Jesus adds in that same prayer, "Your word is truth". (John 17:17, ASV)
There is a simple and logical sequence of thought in the Scriptures that allows us to find the answer to that question posed by Pilate.
That truth is God's Word and what it says about Him, his acts, his will for his creation and our part in all of it and how it is revealed to us.
God's spirit is truthful. To have that spirit one must be truthful and that "Spirit of truth" Jesus promised his disciples shortly before his death. (John 14:17, NAB)
Thus there is no "your truth" or "my truth" for the disciple of Christ, one who is disciplined or taught by him, there is but God's truth.
For example: An apostle of Christ Jesus, Paul, discussed the resurrection of the dead. Paul wrote with the aforementioned "Spirit of truth" when he told the Corinthians, "This I declare, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. nor does corruption inherit incorruption". 1 Cor. 15:50, NAB)
Paul has gone into detail to explain this last statement. In verse 45 he compares the earthly Adam with the "last Adam", Christ, who "became a life giving spirit".
No complicated terms or esoteric philosophical jargon, just a well reasoned argument that reveals that truth Jesus spoke of.
There were no bodies "assumed" into heaven, none. And thus insistence that there was is contrary the truth, the sanctifying truth Jesus spoke of, that "Spirit of truth", Jesus said his disciples would receive. Jesus said taking in accurate knowledge of his father and himself meant life. (John 17:3)
Being a disciple of Christ means knowing what HE called "truth" and by so doing we would be set free. (John 8:32)
Perhaps the best anagram ever made is the one which transposes Pontius Pilate’s question to Christ - Quid est Veritas? (What is the truth?) - into the answer, Est vir qui adest (It is the man who is before you).
Acts 1
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
I think there is a spiritual truth and a worldy truth, one defined as absolute and the other relative. Relative truth depends on the political climate of the day, what is judged as acceptable and maybe even flattering. But to see the real truth requires us to look beyond our own feelings, which I’m not claiming is an easy thing. Is truth something different to each person? That’s what it seems to me Pilate was asking, if only rhetorically, not expecting an answer.
How do YOU explain it in light of the apostle’s words?
No bodies assumed into Heaven?
According to the Scriptures, in addition to Our Lord’s bodily ascension into Heaven, two Old Testament patriarchs were also.
Enoch was bodily translated into Heaven: Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
And Elijah was, too: 2Ki 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
2Ki 2:10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Well, We should ask you what does assume mean. I always thought it was bodily taken into heaven or the heaven-lies from earth. What say you? Also if that is it. What about Enoch and Elijah?
Thanks scripture! I was typing when you posted.
From John 18:37. Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him.
The way I read it, Pilate said: "What is 'truth'?" I.e, "what do you mean by 'truth'?" When Jesus didn't answer, Pilate was satisfied that He was not a threat.
Jesus’ comment at John 3:13 is unambiguous and uncomplicated so “What about Enoch and Elijah?” What of Moses?
Whatever was in Pilate’s head, it is as you say, Jesus is no threat and perhaps he just wanted to pass the drachma off as quickly as possible.
If you say “according to Scripture” then I feel at liberty to ask you to explain “according to Scripture” what happened to Enoch and to define “heaven” and how Elijah could send letters from heaven and so forth.
That would be “according to Scripture”.
I’ve made it a rule to never try to reason with a Jehovah’s Witness.......because all you’ll get out of them is drivel like you just sent me!
I would assume when someone says “according to Scripture” they actually had at least a cursory familiarity with the subject and thus be able to reason upon them with others.
Respect for the “God of truth” would demand that, wouldn’t it?
I not only gave you the scripture references; I printed them out so you would not even have to look them up. Argue with THEM. Goodbye.
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