A response to Chapter 12
Islamic faith: Some details


Christian faith: some details

Nature of God

There is one God eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16,17; 2nd Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19,20; Genesis 1:1,2,26; Hebrews 11.3; Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 22:13; John 1:1,14; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15,16).

The Bible

The Holy Bible with 66 books (Old Testament 39 and New Testament 27) is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative spoken word of God and Jesus the Living Word (2nd Peter 1:21; 2nd Timothy 3:16-18; Isaiah 28:9,10; Isaiah 34:16; John 1:1-4,9, 10 and 14; Hebrews 1:1,2,3).

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and the Church is the body of Christ. Also, the Church is the bride and Christ the bridegroom (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:6; Ephesians 4.15,16; Romans 12:5; 1st Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:23,30; 5:25-27; Revelation 21:2,9; 19:7).

We believe in the virgin birth of Christ, His teachings, His Crucifixion, His burial and resurrection, His ascension, His Second Coming, His Millennial reign, and His White Throne Judgment.

Salvation

Salvation is possible only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our sins. (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 10:45).

Repentance toward God

Repentance is godly sorrow for sin with a renunciation of sin. It is the outcome of a broken and contrite heart before God. (Acts 3:19; 20:21; 2nd Corinthians 7:10 Mark 1:15; Isaiah 55:7; 2nd Chronicles 7:14; Ezekiel 18:21; Psalm 51:17).

Reconciliation

Our Lord's teaching on this is: first be reconciled to your brother who has anything against you and then come and offer your gift before God (Matthew 5.23,24; Matthew 18:35).

Justification & Regeneration

Justification is that act of God's free grace by which we receive remission of sins (Romans 3:24-26; 5:1; Acts 13:39; 1st Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 3:24; John 3:3; John 1:12).

Sanctification

We are sanctified when we are truly yielded to God's written word (John 15:3; John 17:17; Acts 20:32).

Water Baptism

By immersion. Jesus went into the water and came up out of the water giving us an example. (Mark 1:9,10; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12). The Lord's command is to baptize believers. John's Baptism was only a shadow baptism since Christ was not yet glorified. The New Testament Baptism on the other hand has the promise of the Holy Ghost. In New Testament Baptism one shares the death of Christ and at the same time the body of sin is destroyed. Herein one's own natural man's death takes place and the newness of life by the water of regeneration begins.

Since Christ was the end of the law of Moses (fulfilled in Christ), any symbolism or shadows ended then and there. In New Testament Water Baptism, therefore, "the old man's" death is realised. Thus, the deliverance from the inherited sin, enables the immaculate Spirit of God to come and indwell for ever. The New Testament water baptism is to become in the likeness of Jesus' death in order to become in the likeness of his resurrection. Jesus was resurrected by the glory of the Father. When the glory of the father comes upon a person or one is baptized in the Holy Ghost, again a reality of spirit filled experience of resurrection is realized. On rare occasions, one may receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the endowment of power (Luke 24:49; Acts.1:4; Matthew 3:11; John 7.38,39). At the Baptism of the Holy Spirit He comes to abide with us forever (John 14:16,17). This is a promise given to the repentant and water baptized believer in Jesus Christ (Acts.2:38).

By the baptism of the Holy Spirit one is baptized into ONE body, the body of Christ. (1st Corinthians 12:13). The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Mark.16:17; 1st Corinthians 14:21.22). The gift of the Holy Ghost is the promise of the Father to the saved or to them that obey Him (Acts 2:38,39; 5:32). Spiritual gifts given to the Spirit baptized Church, by the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. There are nine special spiritual gifts given to the church for its edification: 1) Word of Wisdom 2) Word of Knowledge 3) Faith 4) Gifts of Healing 5) Working of Miracles 6) Prophecy 7) Discerning of Spirits 8) Divers kinds of tongues 9) Interpretation of Tongues (1st Corinthians 12:4-11).

Divine Healing

Our sicknesses and infirmities were borne by Jesus (Matthew 8:17, 1st Peter 2:24). Christ healed the sick and commissioned His disciples to do the same (Matthew 12:15; 10:8; Luke 10:9; Mark 16:18; James 5:14-16).

The Lord's Supper

Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper that we might show His death till He come again (1st Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 22:17-20)

Ministry

The New Testament Ministry entirely differs from the Old Testament priesthood. The Old Testament priesthood namely Aaronic or Levitical, ended in Christ. It was given under the Mosaic Law which was only a shadow of things to come (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1; Romans 10:4). Christ had perfected them that are sanctified by one offering i.e. His body and His atoning blood and the Law was thus fulfilled in Him. Under the Mosaic Law, only the descendants of Levites could only become priests but Jesus who sprang from another tribe, namely Judah became High Priest in the order of Melchizedek for ever. (Hebrews 7:3; 7:11; 5:6,10).

Marriage & Divorce

Marriage is binding for life and there should be no divorce. Under the Law of Christ, there is but one cause for separation - adultery - and no right to marry again while the first companion lives (Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19.9; Romans 7:2-3).

The Second Coming of Jesus

The Second Coming of Jesus. The return of our Lord is just as literal as His going away (Acts 1:9-11).

Millennium

Millennium is the 1000 years reign of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints on the earth which would be renewed and restored. During this time the devil will be bound (Revelation 20:2-4). It will be a reign of peace and blessing (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Zechariah 14:9-20; Isaiah 2:2-4).

Great White Throne Judgment

The general resurrection will take place after the millennium when God shall judge the living and the dead according to their works (Revelation 20:11-15; Acts 10:42; Matthew 25:31-46; 1st Peter 4:5).

Eternal Heaven and Eternal Hell

The Bible teaches that hell is as eternal as heaven (Matthew 25:41-46). The wicked shall be cast into a burning hell (everlasting punishment) a lake of fire burning with brimstone forever and ever (Revelation 14:9,11; Luke 16:24; Mark 9:43,44; Matthew 25:46; Matthew 13:42-43). The righteous go into everlasting life and the punishment of hell will be of the same duration as the bliss of heaven.

New Heaven, New Earth & New Jerusalem

At the end of millennium this heaven and earth shall pass away and God shall usher in a new heaven and new earth in which righteousness shall dwell and the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of new Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem shall be the bride, Lamb's wife, Holy City the glorious church (Revelation 21:1-3; Matthew 24:35. 2nd Peter 3:12,13; Isaiah 65:17; 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:24).


The Rebuttal to "What Did Jesus Really Say?"
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