Why do you put so much credence in the Bible? It's really only superstition and fantasy, and certainly of no more importance than any other spiritual philosophy. -- Andrew S.
This is a very valid question, Andrew, and oft debated for centuries. We hope our answer is thought-provoking, even compelling and convincing.
As basic, scriptural Christians, we recognize no higher authority than the Bible1 and accept nothing that contradicts it. Understanding that we do not have the original "autographs" to study, we trust based upon archaeological evidence and external writings which validate it that the Bible version we now possess is very, very accurate and consistent with those autographs. But why, as you pose the question, would we place more confidence (or to use your word "credence") in the Bible than we would in any other "book of its type"?
While tomes have been written on this subject, we suggest just one facet we find unique, substantial and incontrovertible.
Have you heard of Michel Nostradamus? Or of Edgar Cayce? Perhaps there are others who "predict the future" you are aware of? (Gurdjieff, Tamo-San, Madame Blavatsky, etc.) Do you believe they "have a gift"?
How about the plethora of psychics so visible today, like John Edwards, Jeane Dixon and so on, or Shirley MacLaine's "spirit-guide Ramtha"? (Did you know that there is even a group claiming to have government "certified psychics"?) Perhaps you believe in none of them, or only one, or a few. That really doesn't matter. What matters is that much of the world does. What matters is why.
If I stood on a corner and said, "a red robin will land on my head in one minute," or, "the sky will darken as night at noon," or, "the President of the United States will be the first man to become pregnant," or, "Simon Percival, a man not even born yet, will come up with a complete cure for every type of cancer," would I gain and keep anyone's attention? Not unless some of those things actually occured! That is what draws attention, that is what creates belief!
Did you know that, in the Bible, God uses this same means (as well as others) to prove who He is? Over and over He foretells events, even things that no man could accomplish, so that His hearers will know it is God speaking. (Isa. 46:9-10, Num. 16:28-32, Num. 11:23, Isa. 41:4, John 13:19) Over and over He proclaims specific events. (Isa. 44:24-28, 1 Kings 13:1-5, Isa. 7:14) In fact, He even challenges men to have "their gods" do the same! (Isa. 41:21-23, Isa. 41:26, Isa. 48:5, Isa. 19:12) Isa 44:6
Unlike so many other times where Jesus chose to heal, there was neither a prior act of faith, nor a proclamation that the man's sins were forgiven. (John 9:6-7) There was nothing added to create confusion nor to mask the point. Jesus' response was no doubt meant very simply to stand opposed to Jewish thought and instead encourage a heart of compassion in His disciples. By that, they would show themselves true followers of His, for this we know: God has compassion for the suffering of men!
Amazed to see his vision restored (John 9:8-9), those who knew the man took him immediately to the Pharisees, most likely seeking an answer for how this "Jesus" was able to accomplish an "act of God." The Pharisees were of little use, themselves being forced to ask the man how such a thing could have happened. (John 9:15)
Unable to come to a consensus on whether Jesus acted with God or in opposition to Him (John 9:16), the Pharisees sought to deny the man had ever been blind and called for his parents. (John 9:18) Though fearful of the power the Pharisees held, his parents confirmed that indeed their son had been blind since birth. (John 9:20) Unable to find relief there, the Pharisees then sought to deny Jesus' involvement, demanding the man give credit only to God. (John 9:24)
It is important to note that, at the time of this incident, Jesus' reputation was well known and His following large. The response of the Jewish authority was to excommunicate anyone who professed loyalty to Him. (John 16:2) Because so much of a Jewish man's life was tied to his participation in the faith, this was no small threat.
Were a man cut off from his people, he could no longer participate in sacrifices, leaving him forever in guilt. Being "dirty," he could no longer enter the synagogue to receive teaching, nor could he participate in the feasts, nor look to those of his faith to settle disputes, nor assume his rightful inheritance. Because the Jews were forbidden from dealings with the "unclean," even the manner of providing for his family would be jeopardized. But most of all, he could not expect to share in salvation through the promised Redeemer.
Most certainly understanding the risk, the man nonetheless refused to deny Jesus (John 9:25), and with apparent sarcasm pointed to the Pharisees' spiritual blindness our Lord would later confirm. (John 9:30) Unable to break the man or his story, the Pharisees did what many who refuse the truth will do: they separated themselves from it, and cast the man out. (John 9:34)
When news of this reached Jesus, He went looking for the man, and asked if he had faith in the "Son of God." (John 9:35) Though this requires an entire study of its own to fully appreciate, do not let its significance pass you by. Jesus did not wait for this man to seek Him, but rather He went to the man. So He does for all, that any willing to hear might be saved! (Rev. 3:20) "I believe," he replied, and then he worshipped Him. (John 9:38)
One might picture Jesus turning to the crowd that had gathered, and using this episode as symbolic of His purpose, raising His voice to them in a bold proclamation. (John 9:39) His words were not without barbs, and no doubt with contempt the Pharisees who heard them challenged, "You can't be insinuating that we are blind?" (John 9:40) Jesus' answer was predictably direct. "You say you see. Therefore you are without excuse!" (John 9:41)
Following His admonition, Jesus offers a parable (John 10:2-3) the men do not grasp. (John 10:6) Expanding the analogy, He expresses who He is (John 10:7, John 10:14), His purpose (John 10:9, John 10:10), and more than once confirms His willingness to fulfill that purpose. (John 10:11, John 10:15, John 10:17) In verse 16 (John 10:16), Jesus foreshadows the fulfillment of that which was promised in Isaiah (Isa. 49:6), and later would be shown to Paul (Acts 9:15 ) and to Peter. (Acts 10:9-16)
And so we arrive on the doorstep of our study verse.
"No man taketh it from Me,"
In verse 17 (referenced above), Jesus forewarned of His death, but immediately and unequivocally declared it will not be an act of man! Though it will demanded by Jewish leadership and executed by Roman government, neither body can claim responsibility.
"but I lay it down of Myself."
"It is My decision," the Lord is saying here. This fact, and the willingness it implies, is manifested in many ways beyond just the Lord's pronouncements recorded in verses 15 and 17.
Let us first look at His foreknowledge, shared openly with His disciples. Though they seemed not to understand, Jesus spoke plainly of His impending death, while promising He would be raised up again! (Matt. 16:21, Mark 8:31) As we read these scriptures, we must not be fooled into believing He had knowledge of His destiny but not control. Standing in opposition to that view are several descriptions of how He, perhaps even supernaturally, denied those that sought to kill Him as He waited for His time to come2. (John 7:30, John 8:59, John 10:39)
Prior to these events we have another indication that Jesus' death was by choice. At the time of His troubling declaration to the Jews that, "unless you eat of My flesh and drink of My blood you have no life in you" (John 6:53), our Lord used clear and specific language: the "living bread" would be a gift! (John 6:51) Apostles Paul and John showed a clear understanding of that fact in their later epistles. (Gal. 2:20, Phil. 2:8, 1 John 3:16)
Then, with only days left in His ministry, Luke records Jesus' attitude toward the destiny which He had come to fulfill. Warned that Herod might seek to kill Him, Jesus boldly laid out His plans, what He would be doing, when He and His mission would be completed, and where He must be when His death was finally allowed. (Luke 13:31-33)
Finally, that night in Jerusalem when He was confronted by the Roman guard set to arrest Him, Jesus confirmed that even the Father Himself would support His resistance were He only to pray. (Matt. 26:53) For you, for me, for us all, He did not pray that prayer. Instead, He marched forward to the humiliation, torture and death that had forever been a necessary part of His plan for our salvation! (Isa. 53:3)
"I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."
This next declaration is not simply a restatement of the thoughts we just studied. In fact, so profound was His announcement that it is unlikely anyone hearing it even understood!
The Greek word translated "power" is "exousia" (ex-oo-see'-ah). To fully appreciate the significance of what Jesus was conveying, we need to be aware of every nuance of its meaning. "Exousia" can alternately be translated "privilege," "capacity," "competency," "freedom," "authority," "jurisdiction," "liberty," "power," "right," or "strength." As well, it connotes the sovereign mastery necessary to accomplish the objective, even toward the superhuman.
While each one of these meanings is worthy of reflection, let us not miss that which Jesus was ultimately proclaiming. It is one thing for a man to lay down his life for a cause, to allow it to be taken, to give it up with the hope of accomplishing something worthy of death in the process. Had our Lord and Savior only made the first half of His claim, we would be thankful and amazed to learn He considered it a privilege to do so. But He did not stop there. Far from it!
When Jesus entered the Temple, and in righteous anger overturned the tables of the moneychangers (John 2:14-15), the Jews He offended demanded a sign that would prove His authority to do so. (John 2:18) His cryptic answer (John 2:19) was too mysterious for His audience to comprehend. (John 2:20-21) It was only after His resurrection that even His disciples understood (John 2:22), and here in verse 18 Jesus only confirms that which He had previously declared.
Remember! Only God holds the power of life and death, and yet Jesus proclaimed not both the power to lay down His life and further the sovereign right, freedom and capacity to take it up again! The significance of this bold assertion is inescapable! Jesus was claiming the full authority to recreate His own life from Himself, even after death! Within this statement, Jesus is affirming that He is God!
"This commandment have I received of my Father."
Certainly Jesus realized these assertions could never be comprehended by those seeped in tradition, bound by the letter of the Law while devoid of Its spirit. Nevertheless, He answered the question that most definitely would have been asked by any who understood. "By whom do you receive this authority?" "By the Father!" (John 5:30, John 8:28) Even before Pilate, Jesus held firm: No authority to act exists beyond that which is granted of the Father! (John 19:10-11)
Imagine if you will the power of these words. Yes, Jesus bluntly declared the Pharisees and Scribes did not know the Father. (John 8:19, John 8:42) But then He made even more drammatic assertions: He alone had seen the Father (John 1:18); He alone knew the Father (Matt. 11:27); the Father was in Him and He was in the Father (John 14:10); from the Father He had come and to the Father He would return! (John 16:28) Therefore, to lay claim to the Father's authority was neither exceptional nor surprising. Jesus was, as always, consistent, unwavering, immutable. His relationship with the Father was unique and everlasting! (John 17:5)
The need for Jesus death, for the perfect sacrifice, certainly originated with the fall (Gen. 3:6), but it is confirmed with each and every one of our sins (Isa. 53:5-6, Rom. 6:23). The fact of His death, though troubling for the Jew (John 12:34) who understood a Savior ruling and reigning forever (Exo. 15:18, Psa. 45:6, Isa. 9:7, Eze. 37:25, Dan. 7:14, Mic. 4:7), was clearly prophesied by God's messenger (Isa. 53:8). Yet so too was His eternal victory!
As far back as the Garden, God proclaimed the "serpent's" ultimate fate, promising a human incarnation whereby satan would be defeated. (Gen. 3:15) It would seem that the enemy understood well, and his battle for authority over the world, his voracious appetite for power, his unbounded hate for everything good, has been visible ever since.
There are some who believe it was satan's plan to eliminate the possibility of the Savior by infecting the human gene pool. (Gen. 6:4) God's response was the flood, eradicating the spoiled genes and leaving a pure line through Noah.
No doubt satan was active again when the king of Egypt ordered the midwives to destroy all Jewish baby boys. (Exo. 1:16) The Savior's line was nearly eradicated during the time of Ruth (Ruth 1:3-5), yet God moved in the righteousness of one man, Boaz. (Ruth 4:10) Were it not for the courage of Esther, satan would have been victorious through Haman, whose wrath was so great that he sought to kill all the Jews. (Esth. 3:5-6)
When the birth of our Lord was finally accomplished, satan moved once more in the form of Herod, seeking to destroy Him directly. (Matt. 2:16) God's warning, carried to Joseph by an angel (Matt. 2:13), blocked satan again. Finally, satan sought to tempt the Lord Himself into abandoning God's plan. (Matt. 4:1)
Imagine what must have been on his mind when satan entered Judas to accomplish what he had been trying for thousands of years! (Luke 22:3-4) Oh, but our God is the true and living God, the only God, a God of love, of wisdom, and of mercy. And so, fulfilling His own Law, He offered Himself up in the form of a man. (Phil. 2:7)
Though the minds of His disciples were most certainly in turmoil as they watched His death, we now know the truth! An empty tomb stands as evidence (John 20:11-12), Thomas has been satisfied (John 20:24-25), and despite the claims of those who would deny Jesus' deity, Thomas then responded for us all, "My Lord and My GOD!" (John 20:28)
The enemy's time is short, his fury growing as God's plan plays out before us. Wars and rumors of wars, pestilence and plagues, earthquakes in diverse places. (Matt. 24:6-8) If you know Him, give thanks that He had the will, the power, and the authority to give Himself up for us all. (1 John 2:2) If you do not know Him, are you not longing to know a true peace, a peace that surpasses understanding (Phil. 4:7), the peace of receiving forgiveness and assurance of your eternity with God? (John 10:27-28, Acts 2:21, John 3:16)
No matter the circumstances that come upon us here, those in the faith have His assurance. His death was not defeat, rather His resurrection was victory! (John 16:33) May all come to know Him and salvation through His atoning death!
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -- (John 15:13)
"Father, yet again we come before the throne in the everlasting name of Thy Son Jesus. How unfathomable are Thy thoughts, how great are Thy ways, how eternal are Thy tender mercies! We thank you for the gift of Your word in which mysteries are revealed, the gift of His death upon the cross through which we are granted salvation, the gift of Your love beyond measure upon which we rely. There is no God like You! Dear Lord, we know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Abba Father, may You open ears, may You soften hearts, may you draw all back to Yourself, that none should perish but all might partake in the willing death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ! Amen."
Footnotes:
1Groups such as Catholics (who place tradition and the Pope above the Bible), or Mormons or Jehovah Witness or others (who place the "prophets" of their church above the word), when confronted with contradictions to Biblical scripture resolve those issues by accepting the higher authority or their higher authority's explanation. Some groups, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, are discouraged from even studying the Bible without the aid of Watchtower (their "higher authority") study guides to aid them. Conservative, "scriptural Christians" such as we are do not allow for this. No other person or writing or authority exists, and though we are sometimes accused of "circular reasoning," whenever an interpretation of a Bible verse contradicts another we assume a problem with our interpretation until we have resolved the contradiction. {back}
2 see "Know And Understand" {back}
References (all verses are KJV):
Num. 11:23,
Nu 11:23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
Isa. 46:9-10
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Isa. 41:4 Isa 41:4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
John 13:19
Joh 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
cyrus Isa. 44:24-28
Isa 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
josiah 1 Kings 13:1-5
1Ki 13:1 ¶ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.
4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
5 The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
Isa. 7:14
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa. 41:21-23
Isa 41:21 ¶ Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.
23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
Isa. 41:26
Isa 41:26 Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.
Isa. 48:5
Isa 48:5 I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
Isa. 19:12
Isa 19:12 Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
John 10:18 "No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father."
John 9:1-2 And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
John 9:3 Jesus answered, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
John 9:6 When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam," (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
John 9:8-9 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, "Is not this he that sat and begged?" 9 Some said, "This is he:" others said, "He is like him:" but he said, "I am he."
John 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, "He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see."
John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, "This man is not of God, because He keepeth not the sabbath day." Others said, "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?" And there was a division among them.
John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
John 9:20 His parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:"
John 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, "Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner."
John 16:2 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
John 9:25 He answered and said, "Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."
John 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, "Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes."
John 9:34 They answered and said unto him, "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?" And they cast him out.
John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"
Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." (footnote to page?)
John 9:38 And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshipped Him.
John 9:39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
John 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with Him heard these words, and said unto Him, "Are we blind also?"
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, 'We see;' therefore your sin remaineth."
John 10:2-3 "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."
John 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them.
John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep."
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine."
John 10:9 "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."
John 10:15 "As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep."
John 10:17 "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again."
John 10:16 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
Isa. 49:6 And He said, "It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth."
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"
Acts 10:9-16 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill, and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean." 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Matt. 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
John 7:30 Then they sought to take Him: but no man laid hands on Him, because His hour was not yet come.
John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at Him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
John 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take Him: but He escaped out of their hand,
John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you."
John 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Phil. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Luke 13:31-33 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto Him, "Get Thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill Thee." 32 And He said unto them, "Go ye, and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' 33 "Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem."
Matt. 26:53 "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?"
Isa. 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
John 2:14-15 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 5 And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, "What sign shewest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things?"
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
John 2:20-21 Then said the Jews, "Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?" 21 But He spake of the temple of His body."
John 2:22 When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
John 5:30 "I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me."
John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, "When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things."
John 19:10-11 Then saith Pilate unto Him, "Speakest Thou not unto me? knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee?" 11 Jesus answered, "Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin."
John 8:19 Then said they unto Him, "Where is Thy Father?" Jesus answered, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father: if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also."
John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, "If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me."
John 1:18 "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him."
Matt. 11:27 "All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him."
John 14:10 "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works."
John 16:28 "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."
John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."
Gen. 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Isa. 53:5-6 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 12:34 The people answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest Thou, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up?' who is this Son of Man?"
Exo. 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
Psa. 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Isa. 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Eze. 37:25 "And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob My servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and My servant David shall be their prince for ever."
Dan. 7:14 "And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
Mic. 4:7 "And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever."
Isa. 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.
Gen. 3:15 "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel."
Gen. 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Exo. 1:16 And he said, "When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live."
Ruth 1:3-5 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Ruth 4:10 "Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day."
Esther 3:5-6 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Matt. 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Matt. 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."
Matt. 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Luke 22:3-4 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
Phil. 2:7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
John 20:11-12 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said unto them, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe."
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto Him, "My Lord and my God."
Matt. 24:6-8 "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 "All these are the beginning of sorrows."
1 John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 10:27-28 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand."
Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
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