>> Ok, so you managed to prove that Christ was a Jew, something that I wasn't aware was in dispute... <<
Christ was son of David, who came from the line of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob/Israel. so yes, Christ was of the Jews.
the concept that people will not grasp unless they devote their time to studying the Sacred Scriptures is that all faithful Christians are the true Jews as well. all faithful Christians are a part of the true Israel of God.
it all boils down to one critical concept. do you derive your definition of just who is a Jew and who is not a Jew based upon the foolish notions of men? or do you base your understanding on the definition given us by God.
the viewpoint of man vs. the viewpoint from God's revelation of the truth are in opposition to one another.
until you turn away from the foolish wisdom of this world and seek enlightenment from above you will be confused by these issues.
as you said, Jesus was a Jew. it would not be incorrect to say that Jesus IS a Jew.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. --Matthew 12:47-50
Christ in his own words made it explicitly clear that you are his brother, sister, and mother if you do the will of his Father in heaven. if Christ is a Jew and you are his mother, sister, and brother, and you share the same Father in heaven, how could not be a Jew yourself?
the scriptures are clear that once you become an adopted son or daughter of God, you share the same Father as Christ, you are his brethren, and you are a child of Abraham as well.
isn't this what most "Jews" according to the flesh boast of? Abraham is our father so that makes us a Jew?
the Savior of the world said otherwise.
I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. --John 8:37-39
so Christ was explicitly clear that boasting of a fleshly relation to Abraham did not make you a child of Abraham--a hebrew.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. --Galatians 3:7
faith in Christ Jesus makes you a true Jew and child of Abraham.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. --Galatians 3:26-29
how much clearer can it be? if you want to be a child of God you MUST have faith in Christ.
if you want to be a child of Abraham you MUST be Christ's.
now the scriptures are also explicitly clear that there are people who do go around calling themselves jews but are not Jews, they are liars and of the devil.
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. --Revelation 2:9
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. --Revelation 3:9
all we have to do is go back to John 8 and continue reading where we left off to see just who these liars who call themselves children of Abraham and call themselves Jews.
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 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. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. --John 8:39-44
this passage in John 8 encapsulates the whole issue with regards to the current assertions of today's modern so-called "Jews".
what does your typical present day "Jew" who does not accept Christ proclaim?
1) "We be Abraham's seed"--Abraham is our father. just as the "Jews" did in John 8:33/39
2) we have one Father, even God.
what was Christ's response to this carnal boasting?
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do" (John 8:44)
the modern-day Jews that reject and blaspheme Christ in their synagogues of Satan were identified for us nearly 2,000 years ago.
they are not the children of God, or the "chosen" of God.
they do not have God as their father, they are children of the devil.
O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: --Matthew 3
you see, St. John the Forerunner told the unbelieving Jews the exact same thing. |
