I am doing this Biblical Research Project, since there are some who say people who don’t have the same political views, aren’t on the same side of Roe vs Wade, don’t feel the same about gun rights, and those who are different from them by: skin color, ethnicity, culture, sexual preference, and whether they are tax paying citizens- are not going to heaven. Is that true? Does it say that in the Bible?
To do this research, I will use the New King James Version of the Bible, also known as NKJV, and internet resources, as needed. Since the Bible sometimes uses the word “him” and the word “he” within the same verse, I will include who is speaking and who is being spoken to within brackets if I determine it’s beneficial for clarity.
Additionally, I will put my analysis, comments, observations, and conclusions within brackets, as well. For those who would like to read this research or previous Biblical Research Projects in their entirety, you can go to either of these two blogs I felt led to create: Biblical Proof! found at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com or Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/
In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus says: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plan is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
[Note: The term: Gentiles meant any nation that wasn’t Hebrew, including others from different walks of life that they thought were different from themselves. So, when the Bible passage shows God’s love for the Gentiles, it means Jesus is showing God’s love for everyone, even for those who are not Hebrews or don’t fall in the category of the rich Pharisees, who looked down on others who are different for any reason.]
[Also remember, that God gives us a choice to love Him, so although He wants each of us to end up in heaven with Him someday when Jesus calls us, we have the choice to believe in Jesus as our Savior or not, which is what determines our Sallvation.]
Leviticus 19:32-34 says: “You shall rise before the gray headed [elderly] and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord. And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” [I’m concerned when I see many in the media telling others who isn’t going to heaven, and in the same breath they discriminate against many of different ethnicities and cultures, saying they should not get food, medical services, financial support, assylum, or safe housing, when that isn’t what Jesus says for He loves us all, no matter the ethnicity or culture.]
Deuteronomy 10:17-19 says: “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” [The Lord continues to remind us that we are to love and be there for the unfortunate, the fatherless, widows, and strangers.]
Hosea 2:23 says: Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people, And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” [God is saying in this passage that He will have mercy on those who are not His people [are not Hebrews], and they will tell Him they are His people, even though they are from other countries and walks of life, they will worship Him and say He is their God!]
Matthew 9:13 says: “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [This means that Jesus didn’t come to call the righteous Pharisees who think they’re perfect and judge others, but Jesus came to call those who are humble and know they are sinful human beings-which we all are. No one is perfect and sinless but Jesus.]
Jonah 4:10-11 says: But the Lord said, “You [Jonah] have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left- and much livestock?” [The backstory is: God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh to warn them to change from their wickedness or they would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah didn’t want to do that, so he bought a ticket going in the opposite direction. There was a mighty tempest on the sea where they thought the ship might not make it. Jonah said for them to throw him into the sea, because he knew the tempestuous sea was because he had refused to do God’s will. They reluctantly did what Jonah requested and immediately the sea calmed, and God provided a great fish that swallowed Jonah and after 3 days brought him to safety and spit him out near Nineveh. Jonah had time within the belly of the fish to rethink his declining God’s request, so Jonah went and warned Nineveh. The king and people of Nineveh took the warning God sent to heart, so they repented, fasted, and turned from their wicked ways. Because of their sincerity, God decided not to destroy Nineveh, which made Jonah angry to the point he wished for his death. Jonah went onto a hill to see if Nineveh would be destroyed and God had a plant grow that shaded Jonah, but the next day, God had a worm that caused the plant to wither. Jonah was so angry that he wished for death again. God said that Jonah had taken pity on the plant that he did not even grow- Shouldn’t God have pity on the reformed city, Nineveh, with 120,000 people and animals in it? So, if God went to such lengths to warn Nineveh, so they could be spared, don’t you think God would want every single person in the world who believes in Jesus as their Savior, as per the New Testament passages below to have Salvation?]
Matthew 12:14-21 says: Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him [Jesus]. How they might destroy Him. But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Yet He warned them not to make Him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name [the name of Jesus] Gentiles will trust.” [This means that Jesus wants everyone to come to believe in Him and He will give them justice and victory, which means they can go to heaven with Him some day when Jesus calls them to join Him.]
Matthew 18:10-14 says: “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father [God] who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. [Jesus is happier for one person who is humble and realizes they aren’t perfect than 99 rich self-righteous people who think they are.]
Matthew 19:19 Jesus says: ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”’ [The vast majority of Jesus’ teachings are about loving others and not being judgmental.]
Matthew 21:28-32 says: “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ “He [the son] answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him [Jesus], “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.” [Jesus is drawing attention that those others looked down upon were going to heaven to join Him, because they believed when John the Baptist told them that Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, but the Pharisees who look down on others didn’t believe in Jesus when they were told.]
Matthew 21:41-43 says: They said to Him [Jesus], “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” [The rich Hebrew Pharisees thought that they were better, more righteous than others, because they were Hebrews, but Jesus tells them that they won’t get to heaven because they are Hebrews or think they are more righteous, but the other humble people from all over the world bearing fruits of their belief in Jesus as their Savior, will have salvation.]
Mathew 22:37-40 says: Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” [It doesn’t sound like Jesus wants us to discriminate against others.]
Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus says: “When the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in,or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sich and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger of naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saing, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [Although I’m not to be judgmental of others, because I’m most definitely not perfect, but I get concerned about those who say they are Christians, but get very upset with the idea that we would help out those from other countries or those in our country who don’t have enough food, medical care, or are in prison, or those who need a safe place to stay. This significant passage is a lot to be prayerful about. In my opinion, we need to be prayerful about treating all people with the kindness and respect that Christ would want. We should be sharing our faith in Jesus, instead of spending our time going around telling people they aren’t going to heaven for this excluding factor or another, when Jesus says in many of these passages that anyone who worships Him as their Savior will be saved, even those that some feel are not worthy.]
Mark 2:15-17 says: Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [Jesus did not come to call the rich, self-righteous Pharisees to learn about Him as their Savior, because they already think they are perfect, but He came to tell the humble, who know they aren’t perfect and teach them more about His being their Savior.]
Mark 12:29-31 says: Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [In this passage, Jesus only talks about loving others, not discriminating against them.]
Mark 16:15-16 says: and He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature[person]. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” [Jesus wasn’t telling His disciples to teach just the Hebrews, just the self-righteous Pharisees, about Him. Jesus was telling them to teach every person throughout the world about His being their Savior, which means that Salvation is for ALL who believe in Him.]
Luke 2:30-32 says: “For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” [The Apostle Luke says that he’s seen the salvation that Jesus has prepared for all peoples including the Gentiles and others who choose to love and worship Him as their Savior.]
Luke 5:31-32 says: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [When Jesus spoke to the people teaching them of His love for them and their need for repentance, He came humbly to those who might have been overlooked by others and didn’t focus primarily on those who felt self-righteous and thought that they didn’t need to make any changes.]
Luke 6:31 Jesus says: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” [This passage focuses on being the Christians Christ would want us to be.]
Luke 9:55-56 says: But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. [Jesus came to forgive the sins of those who came to Him for Salvation.]
Luke 15:3-7 says: So He [Jesus] spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ``Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just person who need no repentance.” [Again, God rejoices more in heaven over one humble person who knows they aren’t perfect who come to love Jesus as their Savior than 99 self-righteous people who think they are.]
Luke 15:8-10 says: “Or what woman, having then silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost.’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [Jesus told people lots of different ways, so they would understand how much Jesus rejoices over one person who comes to know Him as their Savior.]
Luke 15:25-32 says: [This is the story of the Prodigal Son, but since it’s long, I am telling the last quarter of the passage.] “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he [your dad] has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ But he [the older brother] was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who had devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ And he [the dad] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for [I thought] your brother was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.” [Jesus tells again from another point of view about how happy God the Father is for humble people who realize they aren’t perfect who come to love Him and believe in Jesus as their Savior.]
Luke 19:9-10 says: and Jesus said to him [Zacchaeus]: “Today salvation has come to this house, because he [Zacchaeus] also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [Jesus came to save those who had gone on the wrong paths, to turn their lives around, to focus on Him as their Savior, and to grant them forgiveness.]
Luke 23:40-43 says: But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” [Admittedly, the criminal talking to Jesus justly deserves his punishment, but he believes in Jesus as his Savior. Even though it’s the last minutes of the criminal’s life that he turns to Jesus, Jesus in His last minutes before dying, forgave the criminal of his sins. Unfortunately, the other criminal didn’t choose to turn to Jesus as his Savior, so that wasn’t the case for him. Jesus granted the criminal talking to him, Salvation in heaven that very same day. Pretty amazing if you ask me! If Jesus can forgive the criminal all his faults, Jesus can surely do the same for you and for me, and for everyone else who turns to Him as their Savior!]
Luke 24:46-48 says: Then He [Jesus] said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. [Again Jesus tells His disciples that they to be His witnesses, since they saw what Jesus said and did, and how He arose on the third day. They are to tell everyone throughout the world that He is their Savior! There are no exclusions in these statements. Everyone means everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior will go to heaven some day when Jesus calls them to join Him.]
John 6:37-40 says: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [Jesus says that anyone who comes to Him, He will not cast out, because all who believe in Him as their Savior may have everlasting life with Him in heaven when He raises them up on the Last Day!!!!]
John 6:47-48 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.” [Jesus says again and again that whoever believes in Him as their Savior can have everlasting life in heaven with Him, when He calls them, for Jesus is the bread of life.]
John 10:27-30 says: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snactch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” [Jesus tells us that those who love Him as their Savior will have eternal life with Him in heaven some day, and we need to turn to Him when we are tempted, because He will protect us so that no one or nothing keeps us from being with Him on the Last Day.]
John 13:34-35 Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. But this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [As I was typing this, it reminded me of a song, so I looked it up on YouTube. This is the link for those who view this Biblical Research Project online. They'll Know We Are Christians (We Are One In the Spirit) Lyric Video, Written By Peter Scholtes, Re-written and Performed By Jars of Clay.
Video Footage From: "Helping The Homeless" By Bill Leazi Obviously, this video was filmed before the pandemic. You can find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfg5VTyDkyA It is pretty amazing! It shows them feeding the homeless and visiting prisoners!]
Acts 1:8 says: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [Jesus tells His disciples in the beginning of the Book of Acts that they are to be a witness of Jesus being our Savior to everyone, that means everyone who believes in Him as their Savior can join Him someday.]
Acts 2:7-12 says: Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, buth Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs- we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful words of God.” [On Pentecost when the disciples received the Holy Spirit and talked in all types of different languages they weren’t familiar with, is just more proof that Jesus Christ wanted everyone from every country to learn that He is their Savior, so that those who chose to believe in Him, could have Salvation with Him in heaven some day, when He called them to join Him.]
Acts 2:21 says: “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.” [That’s everyone in the whole world, no matter how tall or short, how thin or fat, how smart or not smart, how dark or light their skin is, whatever their sexual preference is, how young or old, whatever their cultural heritage is, how rich or poor, whatever their political orientation is as long as they believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior, they can go to heaven some day when Jesus calls them to join Him.]
Acts 2:38-39 says: Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” [Peter tells them that all who love Jesus Christ can have forgiveness of sins and Salvation.]
Acts 9:15 says: But the Lord said to him, “Go for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. [Jesus was speaking to Ananias about going to help Saul regain his sight. Ananias was afraid, because Saul used to hate and persecute the Christians. Jesus wanted Saul, who is later known as Paul to go to the Gentiles and others in the world, so Saul/Paul can tell them how his new belief in Jesus as his Savior has changed his life dramatically. Jesus used Saul who was a Roman share his faith with Gentiles and others who would pay attention to him, but might not have listened to the Jewish disciples.]
Acts 10:34-43 says: Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ- He is Lord of all- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree [cross]. Him, God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He [Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him [Jesus] all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
[In this passage, Peter shares several very pertinent points: 1. In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 2. Jesus Christ- He is Lord of all- [Not just people who think they are more righteous than others.] 3. He [Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. [Not people who go around telling people they won’t go to heaven.] 4. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him [Jesus] will receive remission of sins.” [It clearly says that whoever believes in Jesus will receive forgiveness of sins.]
Acts 10:44-45 says: While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [The Hebrews were surprised that also Gentiles-all other people who love Jesus Christ as their Savior could also have the Holy Spirit in their lives, as well.]
Acts 11:1-10 says: Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contented with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” but Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” “But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11:17-18 goes on to say: “If therefore God gave them [Gentiles] the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” [In the Old Testament there were lots of rules about what is clean and acceptable to eat and what wasn’t. In fact, Leviticus 11:9-12 says: ‘These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination. Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales- that shall be an abomination to you. The four-footed animals, creeping things, and birds of the air that Peter saw in his vision were those things that were not considered acceptable to eat, but Jesus told him to eat these formerly unacceptable foods saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” After prayerful contemplation, Peter came to realize that the vision was to let him know just like eating shrimp which used to be called an abomination in the same way that they wouldn’t associate with certain people in the Old Testament, but now God told Peter in his vision, He has made all things clean and should not be considered common, unclean, or abominations any longer. God let Peter know he was to preach about Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and all the others and not just the Hebrews, because God wanted them all to have Salvation, as well.]
Acts 11:15-18 says: “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” [It took the Hebrews some time to realize that Jesus really did mean what He said about that the Gentiles and the rest of the world who have faith in Him as their Savior, can have the Holy Spirit in their lives.]
Acts 13:38-39 says: “Therefore let be known to you, brethren, that through this Man [Jesus] is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” [The Hebrews used to think that they were the only ones who could go to heaven, but realize that everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior is justified.]
Acts 13:42 says: So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 13:44-49 goes on to say: On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with eny; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. [Some of the self-righteous Hebrews didn’t like the Gentiles and others learning about Jesus as their Savior. Paul and Barnabas explained that they told this to the Hebrews first, but since many didn’t believe in Jesus as their Savior, they are sharing it with the Gentiles and others, so that they may have eternal life in heaven some day when Jesus calls them to join Him.]
Acts 14:27 says: Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. [This is clearly saying that God wants others who have faith in Jesus as their Savior to have Salvation.]
Acts 15:3 says: So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversation of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. [When they shared that many of the Gentiles and others had become believers in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they were very happy!]
Acts 15:7-11 says: And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we are able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” [It is due to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that the Gentiles and others can have Salvation. Fort that I am so thankful. I am not Hebrew and wouldn’t have had Salvation, except that God lets anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is our Savior to have Salvation in heaven some day.]
Acts 15:14-18 says: “Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’ Known to God from eternity are all His works. [God even had this yellow portion predicted in the Old Testament in Amos 9:11-12 that the Gentiles and the rest of mankind who are called in His name, as had been said by the Lord who does these things.]
Acts 17:11-12 says: These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. [This is telling about how people in different countries were embracing the Salvation God offered them through the belief in His Son Jesus Christ as their Savior.]
Acts 19:23-26 says: And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way [another of many names for Jesus]. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made of hands.” [This passage shows that the disciples, especially Paul went throughout various countries and continents to share their faith in Jesus, their Savior.]
Acts 28:25-29 says: So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit had spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. [So, there still were some Hebrews, not all of them, who felt that the good news about Jesus’ death and resurrection and forgiveness of sins was only for them and not for the Gentiles and others. Fortunately, they didn’t stop Paul from sharing his faith in Jesus with the Gentiles and others.]
Romans 3:27-30 says: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. [This passage states that our Salvation in heaven is because of our faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior, not by works or Hebrew rituals.]
Romans 5:17-18 says: For if by the one [Adam’s] man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense [Adam’s] judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s [Jesus’s] righteous acts the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. [This is a very significant passage, because it tells how through Adam’s choice to sin, all are condemned, because we are all sinful. On the other hand, because of Jesus Christ’s righteousness and choosing to give His life to save us from our sins, all men who believe in Him as their Savior can someday have everlasting life in heaven.]
Romans 6:10 says: For the death that He [Jesus] died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He [Jesus] lives, He lives to God. [Jesus conquered sin once in His death on the cross and resurrection for ALL which includes every single person. They then have the choice to love Him as their Savior or not.]
Romans 9:15-16 says: For He [Jesus] says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. [There are some who feel only certain people should be saved, but Jesus gave His life once, so all who believe in Him as their Savior can join Him some day in heaven when He calls us.]
Romans 9:22-26 says: What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As He [God] says in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people.’ There they shall be called the sons of the living God.” [This is a pretty amazing passage. I am prayerful I can do it justice! It sounds like it is saying that God could have shown His wrath through His power and destruction a long time ago, but that He chose to wait so He could show His mercy on the Jews and the Gentiles. God says in Hosea that He will call these people from other countries and walks of life, His people, who aren’t Hebrews. God will call them beloved, although they had not been treated as beloved and were told by the Hebrews they weren’t God’s people, but God says they shall be called the sons of the living God. Pretty impressive, if you ask me!]
Romans 10:10-13 says: For with the heart of one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him [Jesus] will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” [It’s pretty clear-whoever, whether they are Jew, Greek, Gentiles or any others that call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Since it says all, that means that every single person who loves Jesus as their Savior can come to join God in heaven when He calls them.]
Romans 11:11-14 says: I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. [After prayerful consideration, I think this passage is saying that because many Hebrews didn’t believe Jesus Christ was the promised Son of God, their Savior, salvation has been opened up to the Gentiles and others. But if the Hebrews are provoked to jealousy by the Gentile’s relationship with Jesus Christ, God would be happy, because more people would have salvation if[ more Hebrews loved Him, as well.]
Romans 15:5-13 says: Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.” And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse [Jesus]; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.” Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 15:15-16 goes on to say: Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [After prayerful contemplation, I think Paul is saying that it’s not the God of the Hebrews and the God of the Gentiles and others. God is the God of all who believe that Jesus Christ, His Son, is their Savior! So they should be like-minded in their faith of Jesus Christ and receive one another just like Christ received the disciples.]
Romans 15:17-21 says: Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient- in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” [Paul doesn’t want to take credit for someone else’s ministry, but he’s gone to areas where the Gentiles and others did not know about Jesus Christ giving His life as a ransom for our sins, so believers can have salvation some day, and now they understand.]
1 Corinthians 6:9-12 says: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers [those who are verbally abusive], nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [This passage talks about a lot of controversial topics. The point to note is, the Apostle Paul said that some of the people he was talking to had formerly fit into this controversial category, but they are washed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God. All of us are sinful human beings, deserving of eternal punishment, except for our faith and love of Jesus Christ who loves us all and will call us to be in heaven some day who choose to believe in Him as their Savior, even those who believe in Him and fit in this controversial category.]
Galatians 3:8-9 says: And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. [Paul is talking to those who feel it's important that the Gentiles and others be schooled in the rules of the Hebrew law. Paul tells them that the Gentiles and others are justified by their faith in Jesus Christ, because all those who believe of faith are credited in believing the promises given to Abraham.]
Galatians 3:13-14 says: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree [the cross]), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. [Paul reminds them that when Christ gave His life on the cross for us, He redeemed His believers from the curse of having to abide by every minute detail of the law. Things were changed when Christ suffered that curse for us, and all Gentiles and others who believe in Jesus as their Savior receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through their faith in Jesus.]
Galatians 3:26-29 says: For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [It’s not a faith of the Haves and the Haves Nots. All those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior are united as one in this faith of Jesus Christ!]
Galatians 5:13-14 says: For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use your liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [This important information from Jesus is shared by many disciples. Now, it’s our turn to pay it forward and help those in need.]
Ephesians 3:8-12 says: To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. [Paul who had been previously called Saul says that he is the least of all saints, because he had hated Christians and persecuted them often to death, but Jesus Christ came to him on the roadside and changed Paul’s life. God, in His infinite wisdom has chosen Paul to share his faith in Christ with the Gentiles and others who wouldn’t have known about Jesus, our Savior, otherwise and can now boldly have confidence in their faith in Him.]
1 Colossians 3:8-11 says: But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ in all. [Now that we are Christians, it doesn’t matter whether we are Hebrew, Greek, barbarians, Scythian, slaves or free or are from any other walk of life. It doesn’t matter to God whether we follow the Hebrew laws of circumcision, etc., but God wants us to put off our old bad habits like: anger, wrath, malice, using God’s name in vain or using bad language and become a new man in our faith of Jesus Christ and try to be an example of that faith!]
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 says: For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. [Paul and the disciples that are with them are happy that the Gentiles and others have embraced the word of God and have taken on the works of that belief in Jesus. He warns there are some who were part of Jesus’ crucifixion who persecute them and try to keep them from sharing their faith in Jesus as their Savior with the Gentiles and others, in hopes it will cover up what these people have done to our Lord.]
1 Timothy 1:15 says: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. [Paul, formerly named Saul, used to persecute Christians until their death, yet Christ forgave him, despite all Paul had done in the past. After that, Paul/Saul dedicated his whole life to teach others about Jesus Christ our Savior, despite his being imprisoned and persecuted from those who would want to squelch Paul’s sharing how Christ Jesus came in the world to save sinners.]
2 Timothy 4:17-18 says: But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! [The Lord Jesus Christ went to great lengths to convert and empower Paul, so that he could teach Gentiles and others about Salvation through belief in Jesus Christ. The Lord delivers him from his weakness and every evil work, so that because of his faith in Jesus, Paul can join the Lord in heaven some day when He calls him.]
Titus 2:11-14 says: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. [Our Salvation in heaven is through the Grace of God, because Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross, died, was buried, and arose to conquer sin, death, and the devil. If we turn to Him as our Savior, He will help our sinful, human nature, so that we can live as the examples of our faith in Christ. Personal Note: Christ knows we are all sinful human beings. He knows that we aren’t going to be perfect, but if we continue to turn to Him with all our shortcomings, He will continue to forgive us and lead us in the path we need to go.]
James 2:1-9 says: My brethren, do not hold the faith of our lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
1 Peter 4:8-10 says: And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [I especially like the portion of being hospitable to others without grumbling. I have to be honest, that I have probably grumbled under my breath more times than I would like to admit. Fortunately, Jesus forgives me when I ask Him, and leads me to be a better witness for Him.]
2 Peter 3:9 says: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. [The Lord would like every single person would repent of their sins and come to know Him as their Lord and Savior, so they can join Him in heaven some day when He calls them to join Him.]
Revelation 22:16-17 says: “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. [Jesus would like us all to come to know He is our Savior and choose to take water of life freely in heaven with Him when He calls us.]
[In all my research on this topic, I feel that Jesus Christ loves all of us and wants us all to go to heaven, that’s why He was willing to give His life for us on the cross to conquer death, sin, and the devil when Jesus arose from the grave on the third day. Of course, God gives us freewill to choose to love Him or notso, that part is in the hands of each of us.]
[Additionally, I don’t think anything I read read reinforces Jesus’ approval of others looking down on those who don’t have the same political views, aren’t on the same side of Roe vs Wade, don’t feel the same about gun rights, and those who are different from themselves by: skin color, ethnicity, culture, sexual preference, and whether they are tax paying citizens and telling them that they aren’t going to heaven. The following passage is significant proof of that.]
John 8:1-12 says: But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him [Jesus], “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him [Jesus], that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He [Jesus] stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
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[One of the ways that God shows that He loves each and every one of us was His willingness to let His Only Begotten Son die for us and arise again, to save us all from eternal punishment. Again, we all have choices to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior or not. God went to great lengths to have the exact things about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection predicted 100s of years before His birth to Mar, so people would know He is our Savior. Here are some of those predictions.]
Prediction in Psalm About Jesus being God’s Son
[God Letting David Know Something He Will Say to His Only Begotten Son, Jesus]
· I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Psalm 2:7
· New Testament Proof this prediction was fulfilled: God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art My Son, this day, have I begotten Thee. Acts 13:33
Predicting a Virgin will Bear the Son of God
· Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. Isaiah 7:14-16
· New Testament Proof of Prediction fulfilled: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. '' and she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25
Plot to Betray Jesus:
Predicting the 30 Pieces of Silver Judas was Given to Betray Jesus, is Used for Potter's Field
· And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was [priced] of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Zechariah 11:12-13
· New Testament Proof of the Prediction fulfillment: And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, “and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” Matthew 27:7-10
This Predicts Jesus' Disciple, Judas, Would Betray Him
· Yea, Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread, hath lifted up his heel against Me. Psalm 41:9
· This is More than just New Testament Proof of fulfillment, because this particular Bible passage shows Jesus knows full well He is going to be betrayed by Judas. Who else could do that, but God’s Son, Jesus? : When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him [Judas]. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast, “ or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately, And it was night. John 13:21-30
· More New Testament Proof of the Prediction fulfillment: And while He [Jesus] was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. Matthew 26:47-50
Predicts That Jesus Will Be Beat and Spit Upon Before They Crucify Him
· The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave My back to the smitters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:6-7
· New Testament Proof of the Prediction fulfillment: Then released he Barabas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head. And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. Matthew 27:26-31 [Jesus knew He would have to go through all of this in order to save us from our sins, so that believers could have salvation in heaven with Him, some day. If it were me, and I knew people were going to spit on me, mock me, and beat me, it would have been a real game changer, but Jesus went through all of this for us anyway, knowing all of this in advance!]
Predicting Bystanders Would Divide Jesus' Clothes & Cast Lots for His Coat
· They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture. Psalm 22:18
· New Testament Proof of the Prediction fulfillment: Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them. And for My clothing they cast lots.” Matthew 27:35
100’s of years before Jesus was Born, It was predicted What Jesus would Say on the Cross When He Died for Our Redemption:
· My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why art Thou so far from helping Me, and from the words of My roaring? Psalm 22:1
· New Testament Proof this verse was fulfilled is in Matthew 27:45-46: Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Predicts The Piercing of Jesus' Hands & Feet When They Nailed Him on the Cross
· For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have [enclosed] Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. Psalm 22:16
· New Testament Proof of the Prediction fulfillment- the same day Jesus arose from the grave: Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, he showed them His hands and His feet. Luke 24:36-40
Predicting Jesus Wouldn't Suffer Corruption [His body wouldn’t rot!]
· For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Psalm 16:10
· The fulfillment of this verse is in John 20:25-29 when Jesus shows Himself to the disciples the second time after arising from the grave: The other disciples therefore said to him [Thomas], We have seen the Lord.” So he [Thomas] said to them, unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
[You’ve heard all these predictions of Jesus being the Only Begotten Son of God, His Birth, Betrayal, Death, and Resurrection and the Fulfillment of these. Here are some additional noteworthy passages that show that God loves everyone and how He wants believers to join Him in heaven some day when Jesus calls them.]
Jude Forewarns Us of Those Trying to Lead Believers Astray from Love of God and Jesus Christ, His Son
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude v.1-4
Jesus Christ, God's Son, Washed Our Sins From Us When He Died and Arose from the Dead
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5-6
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[Why is it significant that God gave His Only Begotten Son to Save Us?]
Romans 6:23 says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 4:9-10 says: In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation/substitute for our sins.
1 Peter 1:17-21 says: And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’ work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
[Not only do I base my analysis on everything thus far, but also on the following Bible passages that reinforce that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.]
When He [Jesus] had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan [River]. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
And John [the Baptist] bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon HIm [Jesus.] “I did not know Him, but He [God the Father] who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” Again, the next day, John [the Baptist] stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:32-36
At Jesus’ Transfiguration before He betrayed: While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matthew 17:5
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Mark 9:7
While he [Peter] was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Luke 9:34-35
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” John 12:27-28
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 2 Peter 1:16-17
Remember John 3:16-21 where Jesus says:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
[My advice to you is to follow Jesus, the Light of the World, that can lead believers to Salvation in Heaven with Him someday.]
