Where is Jesus Now?

Where is Jesus Now? Hebrews 7:24-27

24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

The Nicene Creed AD381 says of Jesus: Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

The Baptist Faith and Message AD2000 says of Jesus: He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

The Baha’is and Jehovah’s Witnesses say Jesus’ spirit is alive somewhere but His body is dead.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus’ spirit returned to earth in 1914 and in 1919 proclaimed the Watchtower Society as his only channel of communication with man.

Some Muslims believe Jesus did not die but went to heaven by special means such as with Enoch and Elijah.

Mormons teach that Jesus is on his own planet with his entourage of wives.

And the DaVinci Code novel has convinced some that Jesus died in France (probably of embarrassment) after being married and having a passel of kids.

Let’s see what the Bible says about Jesus and what He is doing today.

ASCENDED TO HEAVEN IN A BODY – Acts 1:9-11 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Greek thinking: material = evil; immaterial/spiritual = good

Biblical thinking: Heaven = redeemed creation, free of sin, death, and the curse where the believers live together with Jesus in physical bodies in God’s physical creation. See 1Corinthians 15

Ø Seated at the Right Hand of the Father Mark 16:19; Acts 2:34; 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Ephesians 1:2020 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places ; Colossians 3:11 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ; Matthew 26:64 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

o Occasionally Standing (could be interpreted continuing or abiding) Acts 7:56

> Reigning and Holding All Things Together Isaiah 6:1b-5; Hebrews 1:3,83 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ; Colossians 1:17-1817 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

; Revelation 4

HEAD OVER THE CHURCH Ephesians 1:22;

Ø Giving Authority to Believers Ephesians 2:6; 1Corinthians 6:3; Ephesians 6:10-13; James 4:7;

1Peter 5:8

Ø Guiding Believers

o Through the Spirit John 16:12-15 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

o Through His Abiding Presence 1John4:4 greater is He who is in you; Matthew28:20 I will never leave you; 1John3:16-17truth of God is not in him(1John4:9)

o Through His Working Presence Romans 12:4-8 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one ;

1Corinthians 6:1515 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the

members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

o Through His Sanctifying Presence Ephesians 5:25-2725 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

o Through His Chastening Presence Revelation 3:18-20 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
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.

MAKING INTERCESSION Hebrews 7:25

Ø Introducing to the Father John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me

Ø Mediating 1Timothy 2:5 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Ø Setting Free John 8:32,34 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

WHERE JESUS IN NOT RIGHT NOW

Ø Not on the Cross or otherwise Being Crucified –

o Mass The Roman Catholic Mass, which includes the Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper), is seen by the Roman church as re-crucifying the Lord. Hebrews 7:27 says that Jesus accomplished the substitutionary atonement once which was sufficient for all and all time. 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Ø Not in some Holy Closet

o Transubstantiated - The Romish doctrine of transubstantiation (that the elements of the Lord’s Supper actually become the flesh and the blood of Jesus) requires special handling of the elements not used in a service since they are only transformed into the flesh and blood of Jesus when prepared for the communion mass. So this requires the leftover “parts of Jesus” be stored in special holy places. The scriptures tell us that Jesus is seated, bodily, at the right side of the Father, not scattered around the world in holy giblets.

HE IS WITH THOSE WHO ARE “APART FROM THE BODY” 2Corinthians 5:8 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Ø He Led Some When He Ascended Ephesians 4:8 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. , Luke 23:43 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Ø He Has Met Others At the Earthly Death 2Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Ø He Is the Resurrection John 11:23-27 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

HE IS IN THE CITY* Hebrews 11:10 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

; 12:22-24 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

; Revelation21

Ø He is The Corner Stone 1Peter 2:6 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

, Ephesians 2:20-22 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

*Vintage Jesus by Mark Driskoll &Gerry Breshears 2007

Where Was Jesus (before His birth in Bethlehem

Where Was Jesus (before He was born in Bethlehem)

John 1:1-18; 8:58; 17:5

We continue our series considering who Jesus is. We will look at Him Biblically and historically. We will consider His natures, His words, His work on earth, where He is now, and today - where He was before He was born in Bethlehem. We will center our search in the gospel of John. John wrote his gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, after the other three gospels (“the synoptics”) with the expressed purpose of facilitating faith in Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, and eternal life-giver (John 20:31).

THE PROLOGUE AND THE CLAIM TO JESUS’ ETERNALITY

Ø The Word existed before He showed up on earth (actually before there was an earth) John 1:1a

Ø God the Son existed (before the face of) with God the Father – John 1:1b

Ø God the Son is completely God – John 1:1c - and equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and there is only one God in three personal “subsistences”, coequal, coeternal, each having the full divine essence of God, the specific existence that belongs to God alone.

o Not Modalism – God appearing in three different roles (also called Sabellianism after Sabellius, an early proponent, and called patripassianism due to the view of God the Father being the One crucified).

construction 1) avoids modalism (i.e., the Word is not said to be completely co-extensive with theos) and 2) teaches that the Word has the same nature as God (a point that Paul will reiterate in Philippians).

Modalistic Monarchianism, also known as Modalism, is the view that God variously manifested Himself as the Father (primarily in the Old Testament), other times as the Son (primarily from Jesus’ conception to His ascension), and other times as the Holy Spirit (primarily after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven). God is not three Persons. Rather, Modalistic Monarchianism / Modalism teaches the God has simply revealed Himself in three different modes. Modalistic Monarchianism / Modalism is also known as Sabellianism, named after Sabellius, and influential early proponent of the view. Yet another aspect of Modalistic Monarchianism / Modalism / Sabellianism is Patripassianism, which is the view that it was God the Father who became incarnate, suffered, died, and was resurrected. Patripassianism essentially teaches that God the Father became His own Son.

o Not Dynamic Monarchianism – the idea that Jesus was not really God, rather He was “inhabited” by God.

Dynamic Monarchianism is the view that Jesus was not in His nature God. It is the view that God existed in Jesus, just as God exists in all of us – but that God existed in Jesus in a particularly powerful way. Jesus was God because God inhabited Him.

o Not Tri-theism – the idea that there are three gods who only seem to be one.

(more under the topic of Jesus’ Diety)

OTHER PLACES IN SCRIPTURE TELL OF

JESUS’ PRE-EXISTENCE

Ø The Prophets: Micah 5:2; ² But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Isaiah 9:6-7; ⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Zechariah 2:10-11 ¹⁰ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
¹¹ And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Ø Jesus Himself: (Jehovah Witnesses, among others, say that Jesus never claimed to be God) Consider:

o He said He came down from Heaven: John6:38, 41

o He said He was more than just a good man

Mark 10:17-18

o He said He is the Son of Man (80 times among all four gospels) re.Daniel 7:13-14 ¹³ I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
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.

o He said He is God –Mark 14:61-64; John10:30-33 contrary to C.T. Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, Baha’I, Creflo Dollar, Dan Brown (DaVinci Code)…

o He did miracles - multiple scriptures

o He was sinless - John8:46

o He forgave sin – Luke 7:48; 5:20-21

o He said He pre-existed – John8:56-58; John17:4-5; Revelation 22:13

Ø The Apostles: 1John2:14; 1Corinthians 10:1-4;

2Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:16-17

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF JESUS

Ø He is Deity and was while He became man in the incarnation (His birth to Mary) He has never stopped being God [contradicting the heresies of Ebionites, Dynamic Monarchianists, Nestorians, Unitarians, Arians, Mormons, Apollinarians…]

o He was also man at the same time – John 1:14 Hypostatic Union – Council of Chalcedon 451AD

Trinity Hypostatic = Hypo-under static-standing =

The humanity and the deity of Jesus were on equal, solid, standing. And the humanity and deity of Jesus were perfectly united so that He was both God and human in nature.

o The significance of His being human is so He could be our example, proof of God’s extravagant love for us, our high priest … greatest of all – our atoning substitute on the cross

o His Deity makes Him worthy of our love and adoration John20:28

Ø He is Life John1:4

o Creator / Sustainer Colossians 1:16-17

o He is our hope of resurrection John 5:21,11:25

Ø He is Light John 1:4; 8:12

o In the world of darkness Ephesians 4:17-19

o Calling us to be children of light John 12:36

Since Jesus is / has always been God, you can trust His offer of life and light AND

He cannot be destroyed John 1:5 AND

He cannot be ignored John 3:19-20; Romans 8:7; 5:10;

Colossians 1:21

Benediction Rev.1:4-6

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
⁵ 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,
⁶ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

His Name is Jesus - His Birth and His Mother

His Name is Jesus Philippians 2:5-11

Today we begin a new series to consider who Jesus is. We will look at Him Biblically and historically. We will consider His natures, His words, His work on earth, where He was before He was born in Bethlehem, and where He is now. Today is Mothers’ Day, so we will look at the woman who was highly favored in that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Emmanuel - God with us (Matthew 1:23),

But first we want to look at Jesus. Jesus was born of a woman, a virgin. He had a mother like you did. He fulfilled all righteousness so we know that he honored his mother, Mary, and his earthly father, Joseph. He even went to the extreme of seeing to Mary’s care after His death, speaking from the cross to John, His beloved disciple.

WHAT THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Ø Mary, His mother was a virgin when Jesus was born.

o The prophesy – Isaiah 7:14 “virgin” alma ( vs bethulah) see Genesis 24:16 re. Rebekah (bethulah) – note extra clarification. The writers of the New Testament understood alma to be a woman who had never “known a man physically.”

o The announcement by the Messenger of God (angel) Luke 1:26-38 ²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,; Matthew 1:18-25 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. V.20

o The importance – Is the Word of God trustworthy?

Ø Jesus’ Birth was miraculous. Luke 1:37 “with God, nothing is impossible”; Matthew 1:20 (above)

Ø That being the God-man allowed Him to be our:

o Perfect example 1Peter 2:21-23 ²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

o Perfect high priest Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-17

o Perfect sacrifice for sin Mark 10:45 …came to give his life a ransom for many; Roman 4:25 ²⁵ Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

WHAT GOD’S WORD DOES NOT TEACH ABOUT JESUS’ BIRTH

Ø That His delivery was by some odd method … other than natural childbirth

Ø The Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her life… “ever virgin” – Second Council of Constantinople –533 semper virgo According to Mark Driskoll if Mary was simper virgin then Joseph would have been simper bummo. (Vintage Jesus)

§ God’s design for marriage Gen.2:24; 1Corinthians 7:4-5 (KJV defraud); Exodus 21:10 (marital duty KJV) (food, clothes, or sex GW)

§ “Until after Jesus was born” Matthew 1:25

§ other kids Mat.12:46-50; 13:55-57; Mark 3:31-35; 6:3-4;

Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19

Ø The belief in His virgin birth is equal to believing in His deity - JW, Muslim

Ø That our sin nature is passed on only through the male line… \women are less depraved … sin offering – Lev.12:6-7

Ø That Mary and God the Father had physical sexual contact… Mormon

Ø That Mary, because she was chosen as Jesus’ mother was/is:

Mother of the Church

Immaculately conceived (did not need a savior)

Assumed body and soul into heaven

Co-redemptrix & mediatrix

Queen of Heaven/Mother of God

WHAT KIND OF MOTHER WAS MARY? A BONDSERVANT Luke 1:38

Ø Trusting the Promises of her Lord

o Genesis 3:15; 22:17-18; 2Samuel 7:12,13,16 (and every book of the Bible)

o His promise to Mary Luke 1:31-37

Ø Trusting in the Places He Leads (Theos = God – root –theo = to put in place) God is the Placer Acts 17:26 hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

o 3 months in Jerusalem w/ Elizabeth, then home

o to Bethlehem for census/birth Micah 5:2

o 40^th day to the temple – Simeon Luke 2:34-35

o to Egypt – Matthew 2:1-11, 13-15, then Nazareth 19-23 Bondservant must be flexible … trusting the path God chooses.

Ø Trusting the Purposes of her Lord

o At Passover when Jesus is twelve – Luke 2:41-46,48,50 Their perception did not match their observation.

o Jesus’ submission V.51 --- Mary’s treasure

o The wedding John 2:1-5 “Whatever He says to you, do.”

o A busy day in Capernaum – Mark 3:19-21 She too must learn to submit.

Ø Trusting the Power of her Lord

o At home in Nazareth – Mark 6:1-6 …and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.⁴ But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. No indication that Mary was different.

o At the foot of the cross – John 19:26-27

o Waiting for the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8,12-14

This mother had to learn to trust the Lord:

His purposes though not easy to discern;

His will, done His way, by His power;

His leading from place to place;

His power to change the hearts of her sons (Acts 1:13-14);

His purpose and power in going to the cross to pay for her sin as well as the sin of all who would come to Him in faith…

That is what bondservants do. Mary is not our object of faith but rather

an example of faith in Jesus

The impossible happens when you surrender to Jesus.

The Word of God in History

The Word of God as History; The Word of God in History; The Word of God and History May 4, 2008

Romans 15:4; 1Corinthians 10:1-12;

1Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2

We have seen that the Word of God has been spoken and preached since the beginning creation. God was the first to write His Word. He wrote His Commands on tablets of stone for Moses to deliver to the people who were to bear his name (character) and the message of hope that was promised in the Messiah who would take away the sin of man (his rebellion against God), and its penalty (death and separation from God).

We saw that God’s Word was inspired specifically to communicate who Jesus is, the way to follow Him as personal Savior, and the way that the church of Jesus Christ is to carry out the work and works that He began to do. All that speaks of the authority of God’s Word. Today I want us to consider the reliability of God’s Word, the resilience of God’s Word, and the result of God’s Word in history. Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19 God made it clear that we are to believe the Bible and respect the Bible, but there has been many a battle over the Bible, and those continue today. It is denied. It is dissected. It is distorted, And, it is disregarded. But there are still some who believe it, who know that it is the God-breathed, inerrant, infallible, authentic Word of God that is trustworthy for daily inspiration, for salvation (1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever) and for sanctification (John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy Word is truth).

THE RELIABILITY OF THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD

Ø Science – mainly written to teach us about a relationship with God, but the God of salvation is also the God of creation.

To judge, need to know Bible and science.

o French academy of science pamphlet 1861 – 51 undeniable truths that prove the Bible in error. Today none of those irrefutable contradiction to science are still seen as contradictions.

o Earth suspended in space – Job 26:7

o "God sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22). The word translated here as "circle" was more commonly translated "sphere."

o Ptolemy counted 1026 stars versus Jeremiah 33:22

o Black plague – Leviticus 13:46 The Old Testament command to quarantine people with a plague was put into action to stem the tide of the plaque.

Ø History - not primarily a history book, but records history

Secular historians contested the account of the Bible saying there were inaccuracies. However, archeology has proven the Bible Word of God true rather than men.

o Historians said that Moses could not have written the Pentateuch because there was not written language at the time it was supposed to have been written – then archeologists discovered the Tel Elarmona tablets.

o Historians said there was no evidence of a king named Belshazzar who is told of in the book of Daniel – then archeologists discovered an ancient inscription the described Belshazzar as co-regent with King Nabinitus.

RESILIANCE (DURABILITY) OF THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD

Ø 1,400 BC – Ten Commandments

Ø 500 BC – all Hebrew manuscripts of 39 books of Old Testament

Ø 200 BC – Septuagint, Greek Old Testaments, 39 books + 14 apocryphal books complete

Ø 100 AD- Greek manuscripts of 27 books of New Testament complete

Ø 382 AD – Jerome’s Latin Vulgate

Ø 500 AD – Scripture in over 500 languages

Ø 600 AD – Scripture only allowed in Latin The Roman Catholic church sought to destroy any copies or copiers of scripture in the languages of common people.

Ø 1384 Wycliffe – whole in English Bible from Vulgate (40 years after death, bones crushed, burned, and thrown in river).

Ø 1415 John Hus – burned using Wycliffe’s manuscripts for kindling

Ø 1450 – Gutenberg printing press – first book – Latin Bible

Ø 1496 – John Colet – began to read English NT (translated from Greek) in St Paul’s Cathedral in London to 20,000 hearers

Ø 1516 – Erasmus – published Greek-Latin parallel; versus Vulgate

Ø 1522 – Martin Luther – German New Testament (from Erasmus)

Ø 1526 – Tyndale – English New Testament – printed – strangled and burned at stake 1536 by Henry VIII

Ø 1539 – Great Bible at bequest of Henry VIII

Ø 1560 – The Geneva Bible – Bible of the reformers and Puritans

Ø 1589 – Rheims NT and Douay OT by Roman Church from Vulgate

Ø 1611 (1769) – King James English Bible

This was a very saddening study as I found out many of those who sought the freedom of common man to have access to God’s Word -- those who were severely persecuted -- once they had the scripture in the language of common man, became persecutor of any who disagreed with their doctrines (which were often unbiblical, such as infant baptism, transubstanciation, and the “ever virgin” status of Mary).

RESULT OF GOD WORD IN HISTORY

Ø A people with a promise - Jews

Ø A Savior on whom time pivots - Jesus

Ø Nations conquered and ruled according to their trust in God’s Word.

Ø A “New World” with freedom to read and believe

Ø A Nation founded on free access to God’s Word

Ø Missions and Benevolence around the world

66 Books, 40 Authors, 1600 years, 13 countries, with a unique unity.

Men have preached its funeral. But the corpse has outlived its pallbearers. The Bible has survived. Despite all the attempts to bury the Bible, it has continued to endure.

Finally, the Bible is not a book of the month, but the Book of the ages. (Adrian Rogers)

1 Peter 1:25 “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”