Posted on 08/12/2013 1:35:36 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
This poll likely counts as Christian people who think Jesus was a “good man” like Gandhi or something.
Wouldn’t that include many self-proclaimed atheists and agnostics?
Several. Jesus gave a NEW commandment in John 13:34.
a lot of people estimate that ten percent of China is now Christian; but many are in the underground “home church” movement so may not be counted...
I agree that probably 80 percent of the US are not “true followers” but Jesus will even work with wishy washy Christians...
RE: a lot of people estimate that ten percent of China is now Christian; but many are in the underground “home church” movement so may not be counted...
I agree. Based on the testimonies of numerous short-term “missionary” lay people I’ve spoken to, I would say that China’s Christians are significantly UNDER COUNTED.
The truth is that Jesus Christ is the furfillment of all the OT or Hebrew scriptures prophecy so there is NO breaking of what was first promised to the Jewish people.
Besides what Jesus did on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins to all who come to Him.
After having watched as much as I could, the closing Sunday mass in Brazil for WYD, realizing up to 3.7 MILLION folks had attended, all I could say is WOW, what a GREAT HUNGER for God/Jesus Christ out there.
Blame it on the weaking of the Christian faith and the breakdown on the family in the USA.
I am surprised you said several commandments and then offered one.
The Gospel books in the New Testament did not occur in succession. The events depicted occurred concurrently. Jesus’ words as described by John do not trump Jesus’ words as described by Matthew but rather compliments Matthews’s words. John was probably the more colorful writer but the events are the same as the events in Matthew. Luke was a physician and his gospel offers a more caring description but the events described are the same.
The Ten Commandments existed inside the people before the Messiah arrived. The Ten Commandments were in the natural whilst Jesus is in the spiritual. For example, the commandment that says do not do murder is already in the hearts of the Hebrew people.
Matthew 22 : This depiction of the events in this case refers to the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus by asking him the loaded question; “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?” The God’s law referred to is the Old Testament Hebrew laws and they felt Jesus’ answer would expose him. They were not prepared for the wise answer they received.
The Most Important Command
34-36 When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them; posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”
37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”
Please allow me to add the question Jesus asked of the Pharisees.
41-42 As the Pharisees were regrouping, Jesus caught them off balance with his own test question: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said, “David’s son.”
43-45 Jesus replied, “Well, if the Christ is David’s son, how do you explain that David, under inspiration, named Christ his ‘Master’?
God said to my Master,
“Sit here at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
“Now if David calls him ‘Master,’ how can he at the same time be his son?”
46 That stumped them, literalists that they were. Unwilling to risk losing face again in one of these public verbal exchanges, they quit asking questions for good.
John 13 :I trust you can see the similarities.
A New Command
31-32 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!
33 “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’
34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
It is virtually impossible for a Christian to love God and their neighbor and fail to follow the Ten Commandments.
Judaism contains over 600 hundred laws that adherents of Judaism are expected to follow. These are not God’s laws but rather laws that the Jewish scholars created over the years. The Jewish laws do not bind Christians. God gave man free will and if a Christian takes the decision not to eat pork it is because of his choice and not because of the Old Testament laws.
Jesus said it was "new". He wasn't lying, as it was 'new'. He said this at the last supper, which would place it after mentioning the 'greatest commandments'.
For other new testament commands, see:
Acts 17:30
1 Cor 7:10-11
1 Cor 14:37
1 Thess 4:2 8
2 Thess 3:6
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