tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85202483060878852972023-06-21T08:04:17.587+03:00Antioch Believer!Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-78152205054032141732012-05-31T16:34:00.002+03:002012-05-31T16:35:54.196+03:00SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS ARE CONFUSED ABOUT THE GODHEAD<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The following article was found in one Adventist publication: </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
<br />
<b>THE MODERN ADVENTIST’S VERSION OF THE TRINITY:<br />
</b><br />
<b>Arthur S. Maxwell: "Do Seventh-day Adventists believe in the
Trinity? They do. Reverently they worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ‘three
Persons in one God. And they do so because they believe this to be the teaching
of the Bible concerning God in His relation to this world and the human race." <i>A
Guide to the Religions of America, by Leo Rosten, p.136. What is a Seventh-day
Adventist? By Arthur S. Maxwell </i></b><br />
</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Gordon Jensen: "A plan of salvation was encompassed in the covenant
made by the Three Persons of the Godhead, who possessed the attributes of Deity
equally. In order to eradicate sin and rebellion from the universe and to
restore harmony and peace, one of the divine Beings accepted, and entered into,
the role of the Father, another the role of the Son. The remaining divine
Being, the Holy Spirit, was also to participate in effecting the plan of
salvation. All of this took place before sin and rebellion transpired in
heaven. By accepting the roles that the plan entailed, the divine Beings lost
none of the powers of Deity. With regard to their eternal existence and other
attributes, they were one and equal. But with regard to the plan of salvation,
there was, in a sense, a submission on the part of the Son to the Father."<i> Adventist
Review, October 31, 1996, p.12 (Week of Prayer readings) </i></b><br />
<br />
<b>J. R. Spangler: To me this signifies the interchangeableness of the members
of the Godhead since they are on in action and purpose." - <i>Review
& Herald, Oct. 21, 1971 </i></b><br />
<br />
A special issue of the Adventist Review devoted to the “27 Fundamentals” yields
the following declaration concerning the doctrine of the Trinity.<br />
<br />
<b><i>While no single scriptural passage states formally the doctrine of the
Trinity, it is assumed as a fact by Bible writers and mentioned several times.
Only by faith can we accept the existence of the Trinity. (Adventist Review,
Vol. 158, No. 31, p. 4) </i></b><br />
<br />
<b>THE SDA IS NOT TRULY TRINITARIAN </b><br />
<br />
Today the Modern SDA Church proclaims that it believes in the orthodox Trinity,
but actually it teaches a form of Tritheism.<br />
<br />
<b>The Nicean Creed, which is the basis for the modern Trinity doctrine states: </b><br />
“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of
all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. Light of light,
true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom
all things were made."<br />
Concerning the Holy Spirit, the orthodox Trinity doctrine teaches: “The Holy
Spirit proceeds from the Father, through the Son, and is shed upon the hearts
of the redeemed”.<br />
<br />
As can be seen by these quotes the Trinity doctrine teaches TRUE RELATIONSHIP,
and Substantial union of the persons of the Godhead. Christ was begotten before
creation from the Father, he is truly the Son. The Spirit flows like a river
from the Father who is the source, through the Son, and to the people.<br />
<br />
On the contrary the SDA teaches that before creation, there existed three
divine beings. Unrelated, who because of the fall of man entered into three
roles, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They plainly deny the Filial and Ontological
Son-ship of Christ. Here is a quote from their Bible Research Institute:<br />
<br />
<b>“The sonship of Jesus, however, is not ontological, but functional. In the
plan of salvation each member of the trinity has accepted a particular role”. - <i>The
Trinity In Scripture by Gerhard Pfandl, Biblical Research Institute, Silver
Spring, MD. June 1999. </i></b><br />
<br />
Truly this is a demonic doctrine which contradicts the Biblical and historic
teaching of Christ being the Son of GOD since before creation; and it is
anti-christ because it denies Christ's literal Sonship [1st John 2:22]. It is
also Trithe-istic since it denies the union of Relationship and Substance of
the Father, Son and Spirit.<br />
<br />
<b>FOR FIRST FIFTY YEARS THE ADVENTISTS REJECTED THE TRINITY AND TRITHEISM :<br />
<br />
There has been a shift in the SDA's Godhead doctrine over the years.</b><br />
<br />
To the Surprise of some Adventists, the pioneers of the SDA Church, including
their prophetess Ellen White, rejected these views and upheld a more Biblical
view of the Godhead. They taught that Christ was the Son of GOD, that by some
Divine Act Christ was brought forth from the Father before creation. And they
taught that the Spirit proceeded from the Father, through the Son, making them
both every-where present. This teaching was upheld until after the year 1900,
which is seen by the following publications from the SDA Church during that
time period.<br />
<br />
Ellen White clearly denied the Deomonic doctrine of role playing which is not
promoted by the Modern Adventist Church, when she wrote that Christ was the
eternal Son of GOD, begotten before he came to earth:<br />
<br />
<b>Ellen White: </b>“ But while God's Word speaks of the humanity of
Christ when upon this earth, it also speaks decidedly regarding his
pre-existence. The Word existed as a divine being, even as <u>the eternal
Son of God,</u> in union and oneness with his Father. From everlasting he
was the Mediator of the covenant, the one in whom all nations of the earth,
both Jews and Gentiles, if thy accepted him, were to be blessed.. {RH,
April 5, 1906 par. 5}<br />
<br />
<b>Ellen White:</b> “He gave His only begotten Son— not a son by creation,
as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, but a Son
begotten in the express image of the Father’s person, and in all the brightness
of his majesty and glory, one equal with God in authority, dignity, and divine
perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”. Signs
of The Times of May 3, 1895,<br />
<br />
<b>Ellen White:</b> "The Eternal Father, the unchangeable one, gave
his only begotten Son, tore from his bosom Him who was made in the express
image of his person, and sent him down to earth to reveal how greatly he loved
mankind. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald - 07-09-95<br />
<br />
<b>ANTI- TRINITARIAN PUBLICATIONS OF THE SDA DENOMINATION.<br />
<br />
For the first fifty years the SDA Church published numerous anti-trinitarian
articles. All endorsed by Ellen White and/or her husband James.</b><br />
<br />
<b>JAMES WHITE WROTE: </b>Jesus prayed that his disciples might be one as
he was one with his Father. This prayer did not contemplate one disciple with
twelve heads, but twelve disciples, made one in object and effort in the cause
of their master. Neither are the Father and the Son parts of the “three-one
God.” They are two distinct beings, yet one in the design and accomplishment of
redemption. The redeemed, from the first who shares in the great redemption, to
the last, all ascribe the honor, and glory, and praise, of their salvation, to
both God and the Lamb. (James White, 1868, Life Incidents, page 343)<br />
<br />
<b>JAMES WHITE:</b> The greatest fault we can find in the Reformation is,
the Reformers stopped reforming. Had they gone on, and onward, till they had left
the last vestige of Papacy behind, such as natural immortality, sprinkling, the
trinity, and Sunday-keeping, the church would now be free from her unscriptural
errors. (James White, February 7, 1856, Review & Herald, vol. 7, no. 19,
page 148, par. 26)<br />
<br />
James White was also the editor of the Signs of the Times in 1879.On May 22 of
that year there appeared an article strongly opposing Trinitarianism written by
A. J. Dennis.<br />
<br />
<b>Quote:</b> “What a contradiction of terms is found in the language of a
trinitarian creed: "In unity of this Godhead are three persons, of one
substance, power, and eternity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost."
There are many things that are mysterious written in the word of God, but we
may safely presume the Lord never calls upon us to believe impossibilities. But
creeds often do.”<br />
<br />
A.T. Robinson, in a thesis found in the James White Memorial Library at Andrews
University, declares that James White was not a Trinitarian.<br />
<br />
<b>Uriah Smith in the following article sets forth the early Adventist’s belief
about Christ up to 1898:<br />
<br />
URIAH SMITH:</b> God alone is without beginning. At the earliest epoch
when a beginning could be,--a period so remote that to finite minds it is
essentially eternity,--appeared the Word…This uncreated Word was the Being,
who, in the fullness of time was made flesh, and dwelt among us. His beginning
was not like that of any other being in the universe. . . . Thus it appears
that by some divine impulse or process, not creation, known only to
Omniscience, and possibly only to Omnipotence, the Son of God appeared. Uriah
Smith, Looking Unto Jesus, (Battle Creek, Mich.: Review and Herald Publishing
Company, 1898), p. 10. <br />
<br />
<b>Speaking of this time period [1850-1906] Ellen White wrote: </b><br />
<br />
"The leading points of our faith as we hold them today were firmly
established. Point after point was clearly defined, and all the brethren came
into harmony. The whole company of believers were united in the truth. There
were those who came in with strange doctrines, but we were never afraid to meet
them. Our experience was wonderfully established by the revelation of the Holy
Spirit".—MS 135, 1903. (Ellen G. White, The Early Years Volume 1 -
1827-1862, page 145)<br />
<br />
For the Adventist this must put them in quite a position. Here Ellen White and
the Pioneers of their Church deny the modern SDA’s Tritheistic teachings, and
on top of that Ellen White tells us this group of Pioneers were UNITED IN
TRUTH. If the pioneer’s version of the Godhead is truth, then the modern
SDA Church is in deep Apostasy. If the Pioneer’s teaching was WRONG, then Ellen
White is a false prophet, and the current SDA Church is a Church born from
Apostasy, that upholds a false prophet!<br />
<br />
<b>THE PIONEERS WOULD NOT JOIN THE SDA IF THEY WERE ALIVE TODAY </b><br />
<br />
Did you know that the SDA Church now admits that the Adventist Pioneers would
NOT be able to join the church today? Here is a quote from their Ministry
Magazine.<br />
<br />
<b><i>“Most of the founders of Seventh-day Adventism would not be able to join
the church today if they had to subscribe to the denomination’s Fundamental
Beliefs.<br />
<br />
More specifically, most would not be able to agree to belief number 2, which
deals with the doctrine of the Trinity. For Joseph Bates the Trinity was an
unscriptural doctrine, for James White it was that “old Trinitarian absurdity,”
and for M. E. Cornell it was a fruit of the great apostasy, along with such
false doctrines as Sundaykeeping and the immortality of the soul.”</i></b> (Ministry,
October 1993, p. 10)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Implications Concerning the Three Angels’ Messages </u></b><br />
<br />
<b>The first angel’s message carries “the everlasting gospel.” </b>False
concepts of God and Christ do not constitute the “everlasting gospel.” If the
Modern Seventhday Adventists tritheistic doctrine of the Trinity is true, then
the Advent pioneers presented what Paul called “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6)
and must surely be disqualified as the remnant. The remnant must preach “the
everlasting gospel”, not “another gospel.”<br />
<b><br />
The second angel’s message states that “Babylon is fallen.”</b> As noted
earlier, if the pioneers understood God incorrectly, then they were deluded,
and a part of Babylon. If they were correct, then the Modern SDA Church is
Babylon. If the Pioneers were wrong, then they were Babylon, and the Modern
Church is exalting a false movement and a false prophet!<br />
<br />
<b>The third angel’s message says that the saints “keep the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus.”</b> We break not only the first commandment, but
according to James 2:10 the whole decalogue, worshiping a false god.<br />
<br />
If the Adventists pioneers were wrong about the Godhead, then they were
breaking the Commandment, and could not proclaim the message. If they were
right, then the modern Church is WRONG and cannot proclaim the message. Either
way, the Modern SDA Church cannot be the Remnant, since she was either born in
Apostasy or has since went into Apostasy.<br />
<br />
<b>WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES? </b><br />
<br />
<b>You can now make two choices. </b><br />
<br />
<b>A. You can ignore the Truth, and continue believing a deluded sect is truly
God’s “Remnant”.<br />
<br />
B. You can love the Truth, and hopefully find a Church that Keep the
Commandments of GOD and has the Testimony of Jesus. Jesus testified that he was
the SON OF GOD, which is something Modern Adventism denies!</b>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-68908110040738001072012-03-23T14:12:00.000+03:002012-03-23T14:12:36.610+03:00John Chapter 14 and the Another Comforter<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To say that the Trinity is unscriptural
might hurt some people’s feelings but even Trinitarian theologians admit this.
Just the words of Jesus themselves is sufficient for us to know that the Father
is the one and only true God and that Jesus is His only begotten Son. If the
Father is not a Father and the Son is not a Son then why stop with just those
two beings in the Trinity? Why is the Holy Spirit just called the Holy Spirit?
Jesus calls God His Father... then I believe that God is His Father. God calls
His Son "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" so I
believe that Jesus is the Son of God. It's that simple. Now, what about the
Spirit? Well it is the Spirit of God; therefore it is a Holy Spirit not a
separate person of from the Father. The devil has a spirit and that spirit is
not holy but an unholy spirit. The spirit of devils (evil angels) can enter
into human beings... but do we believe that the spirit of Satan is a different
person than Satan? So why when we come to God we now step into something
strange and go beyond anything that the bible has shown us and we assume that
the Holy Spirit is a different person than God?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Let’s read John chapter 14 starting at
verse 16...</span></div>
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<i><sup><span lang="EN-US">16</span></sup><span lang="EN-US">And
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you for ever; </span></i><span lang="EN-US">In this verse above Christ
is talking about the Father giving the disciples another Comforter, and this
Comforter was to ABIDE with them forever.<i> </i>Now we will come back to John
chapter 14 in a moment but we need to read Matt. 28:20 <i>"... and, lo, I
AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen" </i>So Jesus
before being carried away in the air (never to be seen physically by us again)
says this crazy thing that He will be with us always, even unto the end of the
world!!!<i> </i>Ok now back to John 14:17<i> "Even the Spirit of Truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him;
BUT YE KNOW HIM..." </i>I am going to pause here because I need to ask you
a question... how did the disciples KNOW HIM, when this <i>"another
comforter was not yet given". </i>Let's
read John 7:39 <i>"(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that
believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because
that Jesus was not yet glorified.) </i>So we know from this verse above that
the Holy Ghost or this "another Comforter" would not be given until
Jesus was glorified. So we know that Jesus was glorified 10 days after He left
the disciples (50 days after the crucifixion) on the day of Pentecost. What
happened that day... well this <i>"another Comforter"</i> came into
the disciples.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now let’s continue in John 14:17... So why
did Jesus say to the disciples that they knew this "another
comforter"... well lets read on <i>"...but ye know him, for he
dwelleth with you </i>(present tense), <i>and shall be in you</i> (future
tense)." So who was presently
dwelling with them at that time? It was Jesus! Who was going to be in them at a
future point in time? It was going to be Jesus! Jesus was going away and He was
telling His disciples that He was going to come back to them in a different
sense, in another sense. No longer would He be with them physically but He
would be even nearer to them by sending His Own Spirit into them. But He could
not do this until He was glorified... and this happened on the day of
Pentecost.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Can anyone please tell me what John 14:18
says... does it fit with what I just explained? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Jesus physically is different than Jesus
spiritually... hence "another comforter of the same kind". Not only
that but the Bible is in harmony with the explanation provided above. See John
14:18. Also... in John 14, Jesus is talking to His disciples and telling them
about "another Comforter". Can someone read the rest of that chapter
and tell me who they believed this to be. Hint: John 14:22. If we fail to
understand this chapter in its proper context then we have nothing further to
talk about. We need to study the word of God and look at what it says with an
honest sincere heart. We cannot bring our pre-conceived ideas or conclusions
since they will obscure the meaning and the truth. Our biggest enemy is
ourselves... our own pride. The honest seeker of truth only has to read John 14
carefully and the truth will be revealed to them. Amen. </span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-53667977615484596402012-03-23T14:08:00.000+03:002012-03-23T14:09:06.600+03:00Is Gabriel the Holy Spirit?<span lang="EN-US">According to Muslims and some translations
of Qur’an the angel Gabriel is considered as the Holy Spirit. If we read all
the verses very carefully which is talking about the angel Gabriel and the Holy
Spirit in the Qur’an we will not find any verse says that Al Rouh (</span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الروح</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> = the Spirit) is the angel Gabriel... The meaning of ROUH is
purely SPIRIT. Yes, the angels are spiritual beings but it does not mean that
they are Spirit of God. We also have a spirit (Human Spirit) does it mean that
we are angels? In the Qur'an, the Holy Spirit is also known as the Spirit
of/from Allah.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">GOD tells us that our 'Soul' is called
'Nafs', and that this 'Nafs' is what is taken at death and what is judged on
j-day (then rewarded or punished). The 'Nafs' is YOU, it is your entire being,
it is your slate, which is burdened or lightened by your actions... So, if the
'Soul' is the 'Nafs', then what is the Rouh = Spirit?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“… <i>These are those in whose hearts he
has inscribed faith, and strengthened them with a <b>spirit from Him</b>…”</i>
(Qur’an 58:22). In his commentary on the Qur’an, Yusuf Ali says that the <b>phrase
used is stronger</b> than that for the Holy Spirit (Rouhul-Quds) in the Qur’an
who is identified in Islam as the Angel Gabriel. Ali implies that this Spirit
of God is greater than the mighty angel and says it is, “<b>the divine spirit
which we can no more define adequately than we can define in human language the
nature and attributes of God.”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Muslim commentator has, unintentionally
but very impressively, given a precise definition of the Holy Spirit as it is
in the Bible. He is the “divine spirit” who cannot be defined in human language
with terminology other than that used for God himself. God says in the Qur’an: <i>“They are asking
thee concerning the Spirit (the 'Rouh'). Say: ('The 'Rouh') The Spirit is by
command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little.” </i>(Qur'an
17:85) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Muslims believe Gabriel is the Holy Spirit
of Allah. If that is the case, then we can substitute Gabriel for Allah's
Spirit in the following Qur’an verses:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The Holy Spirit In regards to Adam:
Allah's Spirit was breathed into Adam.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">“</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US">So, when
I have made him and have <b>breathed into him of My Spirit</b>, do ye fall
down, prostrating yourselves unto him.”</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (Qur'an
15:29)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(“So, when I have made him and have <b>breathed
into him of Gabriel</b>, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him.”)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Such is the Knower of the Invisible and
the Visible, the Mighty, the Merciful, Who made all things good which He
created, and He began the creation of man from clay; Then He made his seed from
a draught of despised fluid; <b>Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of
His Spirit</b>; and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. Small
thanks give ye!</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (Qur'an 32:6-9)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(… <b>Then He fashioned him and breathed
into him of Gabriel;</b> …)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">And when <b>I have fashioned him and
breathed into him of My Spirit</b>, then fall down before him prostrate,</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (Qur'an 38:72)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(And when <b>I have fashioned him and
breathed into him of Gabriel</b>, then fall down before him prostrate<i>,</i>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Allah breathed something of his Spirit into
Mary.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">And she who was chaste, therefor <b>We
breathed into her (something) of Our Spirit </b>and made her and her son a
token for (all) peoples.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (Qur'an 21:91)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(And she who was chaste, therefor <b>We
breathed into her (something) of Gabriel </b>and made her and her son a token
for (all) peoples<i>.</i>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">And Mary, daughter of 'Imran, whose body
was chaste, therefor <b>We breathed therein something of Our Spirit. </b>And
she put faith in the words of her Lord and His scriptures, and was of the
obedient.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (Qur'an 66:12)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(And Mary, daughter of 'Imran, whose body
was chaste, therefor <b>We breathed therein something of Gabriel</b>. And she
put faith in the words of her Lord and His scriptures, and was of the obedient.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Some other verses where the phrase “Spirit”
occur, try to read Angel Gabriel instead of the Spirit:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 12:87</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
<i>Go, O my sons, and ascertain concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair
not of <b>the Spirit of Allah</b>. Lo! none despaireth of <b>the Spirit of
Allah</b> save disbelieving folk.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(<i>the Spirit of Allah</i> means Gabriel
of Allah?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 16:02</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
<b><i>He sendeth down the angels with the Spirit</i></b><i> of His command unto
whom He will of His bondmen, (saying): Warn mankind that there is no Allah save
Me, so keep your duty unto Me.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 40:15</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
<i>The Exalter of Ranks, the Lord of the Throne. <b>He causeth the Spirit of
His command</b> upon whom He will of His slaves, that He may warn of the Day of
Meeting,</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 58:22</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
<i>Thou wilt not find folk who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those
who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they be their fathers or their
sons or their brethren or their clan. As for such, He hath written faith upon
their hearts and hath <b>strengthened them with a Spirit from Him</b>, and He
will bring them into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will
abide. Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him.
They are Allah's party. Lo! is it not Allah's party who are the successful?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(<i>strengthened them with a Spirit from
Him</i> means strengthened them with a Gabriel from Him?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 70:1-4</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall upon
the disbelievers, which none can repel, from Allah, Lord of the Ascending
Stairway (whereby) <b>the angels and the Spirit ascend unto</b> Him in a Day
whereof the span is fifty thousand years</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 78:38-39</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>On the day <b>when the angels and the Spirit stand arrayed,</b>
they speak not, saving him whom the Beneficent alloweth and who speaketh right.
That is the True Day. So whoso will should seek recourse unto his Lord.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 97:4</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <b><i>The
angels and the Spirit descend therein</i></b><i>, by the permission of their
Lord, with all decrees.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Let’s compare Biblical explanations of the
Holy Spirit, since the Qur'an confirms the previously revealed scriptures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To understand the Holy Spirit in the Bible,
one must also understand the language used. The word "ruach" comes
from the Hebrew meaning "spirit", "wind",
"breath", or "air". The Greek equivalent is
"pneuma" and the Latin is "spiritus". Some examples of its
usage in relation to God:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-US">"Ruach Ha-Kodesh"</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> means <b>Holy
Spirit</b>.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-US">"Ruach Elohim"</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> means <b>Spirit
of God</b>.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Here are some verses that seem to best
represent what/who the Holy Spirit is from the books the Qur'an is confirming:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Taurat (Torah) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The Spirit of God was with God in the
beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Genesis 1:1-2</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the
earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and <b>the
Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Was it angel Gabriel <b><i>hovering over
the waters?</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Zabur (Psalms) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">God's Spirit can be with people.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Psalm 51:11</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>Do
not cast me from your presence or take <b>your Holy Spirit from me</b>.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">God creates when he sends his Spirit.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Psalm 104:30</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
<b><i>When you send your Spirit, they are created</i></b><i>, and you renew the
face of the earth.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Injil (Gospels)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Mary conceived through the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Matthew 1:18-20</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> See also: <b>Luke 1:26-37</b> <i>This is how the birth of Jesus
Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but
before they came together, <b>she was found to be with child through the Holy
Spirit</b>. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to
expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after
he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and
said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your
wife, because <b>what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit</b>."</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">People can be baptized with the Holy
Spirit</span></b><span lang="EN-US">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Matthew 3:11</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
See also: <b>Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, & John 1:32</b> <i>"I baptize you
with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than
I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. <b>He will baptize you with the Holy</b>
Spirit and with fire."<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The Spirit of God descended on Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Matthew 3:16</span></b><span lang="EN-US">
See also: <b>Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, & John 1:32</b> <i>As soon as Jesus was
baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he
saw <b>the Spirit of God descending</b> like a dove and lighting on him.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Qur’an and the Bible tells us that the
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. Thus, we can summarize what we have.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1. The Holy Spirit of God is NOT the angel
Gabriel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">2. The 'Rouh' is from GOD. The 'Spirit' – the
Rouh is a gift from GOD, it is NOT yours, you do not own it, all people have
access to it. The Spirit of God is not a created angel; the Spirit of GOD
(Rouh'u Allah) is within you. </span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-51735469513775691962012-03-23T14:05:00.002+03:002012-03-23T14:06:27.011+03:00The Sabbath and the mark of the beast<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We read in the Bible:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Rev 20:4</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>And
I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I
saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the
word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, <b>neither
had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands</b>; and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.</i></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span lang="EN-US"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The idea of the hand and forehead is not
only found in Revelation. It is by no coincidence that Moses speaking
of the Ten Commandments told the Israelites, “<i>These Commandments
that I give you today are to be upon your hearts…Tie them as symbols on your
HANDS and bind them on your FOREHEADS</i>” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 8). Note the KJV
translates “<i>on your foreheads</i>” to “<i>frontlets between thine eyes</i>”
which means forehead. Again Moses said, “<i>Fix these words of mine in your
hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your HANDS and bind them on your
FOREHEADS.</i>” (Deuteronomy 11:18). In other words, God said His Ten
Commandment law was to be a sign upon our hands and foreheads. Where does the
mark of the beast go? What about the Seal of God? So what is the symbolism behind
your HANDS and FOREHEAD?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US">What is a Mark?</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span lang="EN-US">A <b>Mark</b> (seal,
sign, token, frontlet) is placed upon the forehead or hands, either as a <u>sign
of a curse</u> or as a <u>sign of redemption</u>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Genesis 4:15<i>:</i> God places a <b>mark</b> on
the covenant breaking Cain, so nobody would kill him.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Exodus 28:36-38: Priests of God wore a gold plate upon
their <b>forehead</b>, symbolizing the <u>redeemed</u> man.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Exodus 13:9,16,<i> Deuteronomy 6:6,8; 11:18:</i> A <b>mark</b> upon
the <b>forehead</b> and <b>hand</b> was a symbol of
total <u>obedience</u> to God’s Law.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Solomon 8:6: A <b>seal</b> upon the <b>heart</b> and <b>arm</b> is
symbolic of a <u>love</u> for someone.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Isaiah 49:16<i>:</i> God has <b>graven</b> His
people on the palms of His <b>hands</b> as a <u>sign</u> that
he would not forget them.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ezekiel 9:4: A <b>mark</b> upon the <b>forehead</b> was
indicative of their <u>allegiance</u> to the Lord in the midst
of abomination.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 13:16-17: The Beast places a <b>mark</b> on
the <b>hand</b> or <b>forehead</b> of his followers
also. This mark is his <u>name</u> (which represents ones
character).</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20: Those who receive
the <b>mark</b> of the Beast (worship something other than God)
will be tormented. Which means...</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 9:4: Those who do not have the <b>seal</b> of
God in their <b>forehead</b> will be <u>tormented</u>. The
Beast’s mark is contrasted to God’s mark!</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 20:4: Those who do not receive the
Beasts’ <b>mark</b> will be the keepers of <u>God's
commandments</u> and have the testimony of <u>Jesus</u>.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 15:2: To keep the Word of God is to overcome
and be victorious over the <b>mark</b>, or name, or character, of the
Beast.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 3:12<i>:</i> The <u>name</u> of God
will be <b>written</b> upon those who overcome.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 7:3; 14:1; 22:4<i>:</i> Where will the name of
God be written? It will be <b>sealed</b> in their <b>foreheads</b>!</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 19:13: What exactly is the name of God that’ll
be written in their foreheads? It is <b><u>The Word Of God!</u> </b>(See
also John 1:1,14). In other words, Scripture, God's Word, will be in their
hearts, minds, and souls!</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What about the mark the Lord set upon Cain?
Was this a physical mark or was it symbolic? Genesis 4:15 reads, “<i>And
the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be
taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him
should kill him.</i>” Did Cain spend the remainder of his life with writing on
His forehead and if so, why would anyone have acknowledged it? This is
obviously also symbolic and as we have seen, the book of Revelation is also a
highly symbolic book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hebrews 10:16 “<i>This is the covenant
that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my LAWS
into their <b>HEARTS</b>, and in their <b>MINDS</b> will I write
them;</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Mark is symbolic and this should be
apparent by the fact that God also seals us with His Mark in our forehead and
by the fact that we are sealed with His law and that the law is to be a sign
upon our HANDS and FOREHEAD. This is not coincidence by any means. Do you
really believe it is by chance that the MARK competes for exactly the same
locations which symbolize our obedience to God’s law and especially when
Revelation shows so distinctly that those who do NOT get the mark of the beast
keep the Commandments of God?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">How many today teach that it is either no
Commandments or nine Commandments? And what Commandments show that we belong to
God the Father and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">1. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You shall have no other Gods
but me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is
there a sign in this commandment shows that we are belonging to God the Father
and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Yes. Having no Gods but Him means I am belong to Him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">2. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You shall not make for
yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No. Some might not make any idol, nor bow down
to it or worship it but at the same time they might not worship The Father too.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">3. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You shall not misuse the name
of the Lord your God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No. There are many who don’t misuse or do not
use His name at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">4. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You shall remember and keep
the Sabbath day holy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Yes. <i>Exodus 31:13 “…You must observe my
Sabbaths. <b>This will be a sign between me and you </b>for the generations to
come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” Ezekiel 20:12 Also <b>I gave them my Sabbaths
as a sign between us</b>, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy. Mat
12:8 <b>For the Son of man is Lord even
of the sabbath day. </b>Luk 6:5 And he
said unto them, <b>That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">5. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Respect your father and
mother.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son?
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No. Many good people are respecting their father
and mother but they do not know our Father in heaven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">6. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You must not kill.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">7. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You must not commit adultery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son?
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">8. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You must not steal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">9. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You must not give false
evidence against your neighbour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment shows that
we are belonging to God the Father and His Son?
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">10. Commandments:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> You must not be envious of your
neighbour's goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor
anything that belongs to your neighbour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Question:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Is there a sign in this commandment show that we
are belonging to God the Father and His Son?
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The answer is:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, one might keep 8 of Ten Commandments
but still we do not see any SIGN that he is belonging to the only true God the
Father. Keeping these 8 Commandments might makes us good person but it does not
show any SIGN that we belong to the Father. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Christians keeps the second, third, 5<sup>th</sup>,
6<sup>th</sup>, 7<sup>th</sup>, 8<sup>th</sup>, 9<sup>th</sup>, and the 10<sup>th</sup><sub>
</sub>Commandments but breaks the first and the 4<sup>th</sup> Commandments which
have the SIGN that we belong to the God the Father. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The SDA Church founded on </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Times;">doctrines
based upon the biblical truth but they </span><span lang="EN-US">break the first
Commandments which have the SIGN of BELONGING to the Father when they accepted
the trinity God. And now they are on their way to break the 4th commandments
which is also had the SIGN of BELONGING to the Father.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">EGW stated: <br />
"The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great
reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this
reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars
of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this
reformation to take place, what would result? <b>The principles of truth that
God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our
religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the
work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. </b>A new
organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A
system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this
system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. <b>The Sabbath of
course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it</b>. Nothing
would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would
teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place
their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their
foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away
the structure. Who has authority to begin such a movement? We have our Bibles.
We have our experience, attested to by the miraculous working of the Holy
Spirit. We have a truth that admits of no compromise. Shall we not repudiate
everything that is not in harmony with this truth? {1SM 205.1}1904</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I want you to think about her saying: <i>“<b>The
Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it</b></i>.”…
How many times we heard the trinitarian says: “Why is it important? Is this
salvific? Are there people being maligned by a belief in the trinity?” I
believe Satan now is attacking the Sabbath in every way and I see the Seventh-day
Adventist Church is going to give up on the Sabbath and break the fourth commandments
as they break the first one…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Every person on the planet will one day
either get the Mark of God (seal) or the Mark of the Beast. You will find
numerous times in the Bible that the forehead represents your heart and mind
while your hands represent your actions. Those who break the first Commandments
by believing in trinity will receive the mark of the beast in their forehead
and who break the forth Commandments by not keeping the Sabbath will receive
the mark of the beast in their hands. </span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-20696448672957012402012-02-22T13:34:00.002+03:002012-02-22T13:40:44.029+03:00Prophecy in the Bible and in the Qur’an<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My dear friend Adrian Ebens answered the questions
“is the Bible all inspired by God? And what does that mean?” on my blog titled <a href="http://www.maranathamedia.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1872:is-the-quran-inspired-by-god&catid=64:myblog&Itemid=122" target="_blank">Is the Qur’an inspired by God?</a> as following: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“For me personally, the proof of the
Bible's inspired position comes through the prophecies of the Bible and
specifically the prophecies about the coming of Christ. I lay out my evidence
in <a href="http://www.maranathamedia.com/site/?option=com_rokdownloads&view=folder&Itemid=84&id=1937:1">These
Charts</a><br />
<br />
On one of these charts I mention only 49 prophecies out of around 300
concerning Christ. The probability of these all being fulfilled is less that
the Big Bang, yet they all came true. This gives me powerful evidence for its
divine origin. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The prophecies provide independent evidence
of its divine origin. <b>It is hard to find this type of evidence in the Qur'an
like the 70 week prophecy with very specific time prophecy</b>. My
understanding of the Qur'an has been like the Apocrypha. It contains several
historical truths and good instruction, <b>but lacks the divine stamp of authority
in the Biblical sense</b>…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And few days ago another good friend of
mine visited me and during our conversation he made almost the same comment
about the Qur’an saying that the Qur’an does not contain prophecies as the
Bible does. Indeed when we compare the Qur’an with the Bible, especially with
the Old Testament, we will notice that the Qur’an is lacking prophecies!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What does prophecy in Scripture mean
exactly? The specific meaning of prophecy as used in Old Testament times is
actually means that the LORD God was speaking through certain people, prophets,
and giving them <b>special words to deliver that would "fore-tell"
things that were going to happen in the future</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As brother Adrian said above it is these
supernatural predictions that both strongly prove that the Bible is the Word of
God, and also <b>provides the framework for the things to come </b>that
believers must watch for.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The Purpose of Old Testament Prophecy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The books of prophecy stress <b>the future</b>
messianic life. They <b>proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ</b> as the coming
King (Zech 9;9), the "Anointed One" (Daniel 9:26) the "Prince of
Peace" (Isa 9:6) and the "Son of Righteousness" (Mal 4:2.) They
tell about Jesus Christ dying (Isa 53,) and reigning forever (Isa 9:7.) Old
Testament Prophets announce Christ's birth by a virgin (Isa 7:14), in the city
of Bethlehem (Mic 5:2), His Crucifixion (Zech 12:10), and His coming kingdom
(Dan 2:44; 7:13-14)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The books of prophecy look forward to
Jesus Christ as the coming Messiah.</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Old Testament
prophecy accurately <b>predicts</b> the unfolding Will of the LORD God, because
it is His words given to His chosen prophets to reveal. <b>Jesus Christ is the
center and the spirit of every prophecy </b>spoken by the LORD God through His
prophets. The anticipation of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament through
prophecy became the realization of Christ in the New Testament through witness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One red thread runs throughout the Torah
and Gospel, the core of the Bible is the Salvation. As Adrian noted above there
are around 300 prophecies concerning Christ. The books of prophecy look forward
to Jesus Christ as the coming Messiah and it’s impossible to find this kind of
prophesies in the Qur’an because the Qur’an revealed around 600 years after
Jesus Christ. Thus, we do not find any prophesies “fore-tell” things that were
going to happen in the future. But the Qur’an simply confirms the Old Testament
and the fulfillment of those prophesies. For example there is a prophecy in Old
Testament about Christ's birth by a virgin:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Isa 7:14</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and
bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And we read the fulfillment of this
prophecy in the New Testament:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Mat 1:18,23</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the
Holy Ghost. <sup>19</sup>Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not
willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. <sup>20</sup>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. <sup>21</sup>And
she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall
save his people from their sins. <sup>22</sup>Now all this was done, that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, <sup>23</sup>Behold,
a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And we read the confirmation of the
fulfillment of this prophecy in the Qur’an:<br />
<br />
<b>Qur’an 3:45,47</b> <i>Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth
thee glad tidings of a <u>Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus</u>, the
son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company
of) those nearest to Allah; </i><sup>46</sup><i>"He shall speak to the
people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the
righteous." </i><b><sup>47</sup></b><i>She said: "O my Lord! How
shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so:
Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to
it, 'Be,' and it is!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The prophecy is in the Old Testament, the
fulfillment is in the New Testament and the confirmation is in the Qur’an.<br />
<br />
And the following verse from Qur’an tells us that Islam is the same religion
that Abraham Moses and Jesus were teaching:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
<b>Qur’an 42:13</b> “<i>The same religion has He established for you as that
which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and
that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should
remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: …”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Also we read in the Bible and in the Qur’an
that Jesus is the <a href="http://www.maranathamedia.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1843&catid=64:myblog&Itemid=122">Word
of God</a>, and He is <a href="http://www.maranathamedia.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1831:what-does-the-quran-says-about-jesus-the-messiah&catid=148:outreach&Itemid=122">The
Messiah</a>. The Qur’an so clearly states that it’s <a href="http://www.maranathamedia.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1761:what-does-the-quran-say-about-the-truth-of-the-bible&catid=64:myblog&Itemid=122">CONFIRMING</a>
the Torah and the Gospel. Thus it’s confirms those prophesies and the
fulfillments in the Bible. Islam is not a new religion, Islam is the religion
which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of God, and it was
the religion of all the prophets sent by God to mankind. God gave us the Qur’an
in a time when the big majority of Christianity was in a very dark place, many
teachings had been clouded by false doctrines; the Church had destroyed many
vital truths with indulgence, trinity and other unbiblical doctrines. The
Qur’an simply pointing back and confirming the scripture that prophesied and
testified about Jesus. </span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-45357592437237951062012-02-12T02:10:00.003+03:002012-02-22T13:42:54.978+03:00Has Anyone Ever Seen God?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The answer to this question in the Bible is
yes and no!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Yes, many have seen him.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Genesis 12:7 The Lord appeared to Abram and
said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built can altar there
to the Lord who had appeared to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Gen. 18:1 Now the LORD appeared to him by
the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the
day.”</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Exodus 6:2-3 “God spoke further to Moses
and said to him, "I am the LORD; <sup>3</sup>and I appeared to Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself
known to them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Exodus 24:9-11 “Then Moses went up with
Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, <sup>10</sup>and
they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement
of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. <sup>11</sup>Yet He did not stretch
out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and
they ate and drank.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Num. 12:6-8 “He said, "Hear now My
words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to
him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. <sup>7</sup>"Not
so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; <sup>8</sup>With
him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he
beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My
servant, against Moses?"</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">(Acts 7:2), "And he [Stephen] said,
'Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham
when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran...'"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">No, God is invisible and cannot be seen</span></u><span lang="EN-US">. (Or if you do see him, you will die.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Exodus 33:20 “But He [God] said, "You
cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">John 1:18 “No one has seen God at any time;
the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">John 5:37 “And the Father who sent Me, He
has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His
form.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">John 6:46 "Not that anyone has seen
the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1 Tim. 6:15-16 “He who is the blessed and
only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, <sup>16</sup>who alone
possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen
or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Colossians 1:15 “who is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1 John 4:12 “No one has seen God at any
time …”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is evident above that God was seen. But,
considering the "can't-see-God" verses, some would understandably
argue that there would be a contradiction. One explanation offered is that the
people were seeing visions, or dreams, or the Angel of the LORD (Num. 22:22-26; Judges
13:1-21) and not really God Himself. But the problem is that the verses cited
above do not say vision, dream, or Angel of the LORD. They say that people saw
God (Exodus 24:9-11), that God was seen, and that He appeared as God Almighty (Exodus
6:2-3).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At first, this is difficult to understand.
God Almighty was seen (Exodus 6:2-3) which means it was not the Angel of the
Lord, for an angel is not God Almighty, and at least Moses saw God, not in a
vision or dream, as the LORD Himself attests in Num. 12:6-8. If these
verses mean what they say, then we naturally assume we have a contradiction. Actually,
the contradiction exists in our understanding, not in the Bible--which is
always the case with alleged biblical contradictions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The solution is simple. All you need to do
is accept what the Bible says. If the people of the OT were seeing God, the Almighty
God, and Jesus said that no one has ever seen the Father (John 6:46), then they
were seeing God Almighty, but not the Father. I suggest that they were seeing
the Word before He became incarnate. In other words, they were seeing Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If we know who really Jesus is then we will
understand the Bible perfectly. In John chapter one, John writes about the Word
(Jesus) and God (the Father). In verse 14 it says the Word became flesh. In
verse 18 it says no one has seen God. Since Jesus is the Word, God then refers
to the Father. This is typically how John writes of God: as a reference to the
Father. We see this verified in Jesus own words in John 6:46 where He
said that no one has ever seen the Father. Therefore, Almighty God was seen,
but not the Father. It was Jesus before His incarnation. How Jesus can be
seen as the Father? When we truly know Jesus we will get the answer to our
question. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Who is Jesus?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but
one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Only the Father is described in the words
“of whom are all things”. He is the great Source of all. There is only one
ultimate Source of all things, not two or three. This one great Source is God
the Father.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Son of God is not another second source
“of whom are all things”. This would make Him another God. He is rather
described as the one “by whom are all things”. He is the channel through which
all things come to creation. All things proceed from the Father through the
Son.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Christ is called God in the Bible, yet
there is a clear distinction between the Father and the Son. This only serves
as confirmation that the Father is the one great Source of all, and the Son is
the channel through which all things flow. This in no way means that Christ is
any less divine than His Father. He is just as divine for ‘by inheritance He
[Christ] obtained a more excellent name than they’ being the Son of the only
God, He inherited from His Father all the attributes of divinity, He was made
equal to the Father. It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness of
the Godhead dwell; (Colossians 1:19). Christ is fully divine; He is God
essentially, and in the highest sense. Seeing and knowing Jesus is seeing and
knowing Almighty God the Father. “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.” Joh
8:19</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Bible clearly states <i>“But He [God]
said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live !”</i> <i>(Exodus
33:20). </i>If the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in reality are 3 co-equal
"brother gods,” then we have big problem with the Bible. If Jesus and God
the Father is co-equal (brother gods in trinity) and if seeing God (the Father)
will kill me, then seeing Jesus must also kill me. If they are just the same in
every way then they must have the same effect on me in every way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Some might say, The Word (Jesus) becomes a
flesh and that’s how we were able to see Him. But we know that the Lord appeared
to Abram (Genesis 12:7) long before the Word became flesh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And we read in the Bible that the God does
not change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, <b>I change
not</b>;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, <b>who does
not change</b> like shifting shadows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If God in reality is 3 co-equal
"brother gods,” and the Bible clearly states that God does not change and if
the Father does not change then the Son, which in the trinity teaching he is
just like the Father, also cannot change. If the Father is invisible (Col 1:15)
then Jesus which in the trinity teaching is just like the Father, also must be
invisible. If they are 3 co-equal “brother gods” they must all be the same,
invisible etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Actually Jesus never claim that he is the
God nor he is the Father, but rather that his God and Father could be seen in
him, through his words and through his works, which were done in the name of
his God and Father, Yahweh, which agrees with the rest of the scriptures.<br />
<br />
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God [THEOS, mighty one] who
is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. -- John 1:18<br />
<br />
John was <b><i>not</i></b> saying that Jesus was the Supreme Being
whom no one had seen, but rather that Jesus was a mighty one begotten by the
only true Supreme Being, and that Jesus explained the only true Supreme Being.
-- John 17:3.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">John 10:25 - The works that I do in my
Father's name, these testify about me. -- In whose name did Jesus perform his
works? -- "Yahweh said... whoever will not listen to my words which he
shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." -- Deuteronomy
18:17,18<br />
<br />
When Jesus said: "He who has seen me has seen the Father," did he
mean that everyone who saw him walking around on earth had seen the Father? No,
because he also had earlier said to the unbelieving Jews: "The Father
himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice
at any time, nor seen his form." (John 5:37) And again in John 8:19:
"You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my
Father also." So Jesus could not have been speaking of seeing the Father
in him by physical eyes, but rather by means of the eyes of comprehension.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This indicates that Jesus meant that if his
disciples had seen him that they also had seen his Father, since Jesus did the
works of his Father. (John 8:38) As John said: "No one has seen God at any
time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared
him." (John 1:18) And Jesus also had said: "Therefore everyone who
hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me. Not that any man has seen
the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father." -- John
6:45,46.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">However, Jesus in the context does tell us
what he meant when he said that he who had seen him had seen the Father also:
"Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The
words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father living in me
does his works." (John 14:10) Rather than claiming to be God Almighty, he
is saying that he spoke the words of God Almighty his Father, and thus in this
manner the Father could be seen in him. This is in harmony with the prophecy
that Yahweh would put his words into his mouth, and that he would speak in
Yahweh's name. -- Deuteronomy 18:15-19.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Jesus was stating in John 14:9 that
he so reflected the Father's character, that to observe and learn of him was
tantamount to observing and learning of the Father. Literally, of course,
"no man has seen God at any time". -- John 1:18; 1 John 4:
12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">No mortal being could literally see the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus and live. (Exodus 33:20) Jesus’ statement in John
14:9 is to be understood in harmony with other scriptures. As it was
impossible for the Lord’s followers to actually see God, the Heavenly Father,
the only way then in which they could see God was in the representative sense.
Our Lord Jesus, fully and perfectly represented the Father. According to many
translations, Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. (1 Timothy 3:16, KJV) The
Father’s love, and mercy, justice, and wisdom, were all manifest in the Life
and teachings of the Lord Jesus. Those then, who became acquainted with the
Lord Jesus, were made acquainted with the Father. The Lord Jesus never claimed
to be the Heavenly Father personally; but always taught that He was the Son of
his God and Father. The Scriptures declare that God sent His only begotten Son
into the world. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself in the same
sense in which He will be “all in all” when the Son shall have delivered up the
Kingdom to the Father at the close of Christ’s millennial reign. — 1
Corinthians 15:17,28.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The answer to the question: Has Anyone Ever
Seen God? Yes, many have seen Him, many have known Him, because who ever see or
know Jesus, see and know God the Father Almighty. “And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent.” Joh 17:3</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-16379200054562851492012-01-12T21:13:00.003+03:002012-02-22T13:43:23.064+03:00The preparation day and the Sabbath in Islam<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The
Sabbath in the Qur’an</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the Arabic language, as in the Hebrew
language the "first day" of the week corresponds with Sunday of the
planetary week. The Islamic and Jewish weekdays begin at sunset. In Arabic,
days of the week is numbered except for Friday and Saturday. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Sunday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">يوم
الأحد</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الأحد</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as AL- AHAD means Day One from the
Arabic 'one'-wahid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Monday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">يوم
الإثنين</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الإثنين</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as AL-ITHNAYN means Day Two from the
Arabic 'two'-ithnayn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Tuesday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">يوم
الثُّلَاثاء</span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الثُّلَاثاء</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as ATH-THULATHA meaning Day Three
from the Arabic 'three'-thalatha.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Wednesday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">يوم الأَرْبعاء</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الأَرْبعاء</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as AL-ARBA'AA meaning Day Four from
the Arabic 'four'-arba'aa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Thursday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">يوم الخَمِيس</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الخَمِيس</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as AL-KHAMEES meaning Day Five from
the Arabic 'five'-khamsah.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">Friday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: red;">يوم الجُمْعَة</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الجُمْعَة</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as AL-JUMU'AH meaning Day of
Gathering from the Arabic 'gather'-jum'ah. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">Saturday </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: red;">يوم السَّبْت</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">السَّبْت</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> pronounce as AS-SABT meaning to Rest or Day of
rest. 'Sabt' in Arabic means "to hibernate, to not do anything".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 1.95pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.95pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.95pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue;">Arabic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue;">English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
al-Aḥad </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الأحد</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (means first day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Sunday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">2</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
al-Ithnayn </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الاثنين</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (second day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Monday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">3</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
ath-Thalaathaaʼ </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الثلاثاء</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (third day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Tuesday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">4</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
al-Arba'aa' </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الأربعاء</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (fourth day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Wednesday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">5</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
al-Khamīs </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الخميس</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (fifth day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Thursday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">6</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
al-Jumu'ah </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">الجمعة</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (gathering day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Friday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 1.65pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 17.4pt;" valign="top" width="23"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">7</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.0in;" valign="top" width="288"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">(Yaum)
as-Sabt </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">السبت</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span> (Sabbath day)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 1.65pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 227.8pt;" valign="top" width="304"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Saturday</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The preparation day of the Sabbath, the day
known in the West by its pagan name, Friday, is called yaum (or Yom) al Juma’ah
in Islam. The preparation to be made on this day is integral to the Sabbath
itself</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Quran states: <i>"When the call is
proclaimed to prayer on Friday, hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah,
and leave off business: That is best for you if ye but knew"</i> (62:9).
The next verse says:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Chapter Al-Jumu`ah (The Congregation,
Friday) 62:10 </span></b><i><span lang="EN-US">And when the prayer has been
concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah , and
remember Allah often that you may succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The period in the afternoon on the
preparation day, which is used for the preparation for the Sabbath. This is the
yaum al Juma’ah, which has become so central to Islam. They have lost sight of
its relevance to the Sabbath and separated it from and elevated it above the
Sabbath, contrary to the Law of God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The
practice of holding a special service on the sixth day of the week allegedly
dates from the time the Arabian Prophet was at Medina, but the divergences and
developments were from much later times (cf. The Encyclopedia of Religion and
Ethics (ERE), Vol. 10, p. 893).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The Qur'an,
at Chapter 62 Juma’ah (Congregation), enjoins this practice on Islam. The statement is that when Islam is summoned
to Juma’ah prayers, they are to hasten to the remembrance of Allah and cease
trading. This is a reference to the fact that in the afternoon of Friday all
trading ceased and people prepared for the Sabbath. The more cunning of later
Islam directed this to the afternoon of the sixth day alone, and abandoned the
Sabbath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Christianity
replaced the seventh-day Sabbath and made the first day of the week (known as
Sunday) their Sabbath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The Prophet
warned them clearly, at Chapter 62:5, that those to whom the burden of the
Torah was committed yet refused to bear it are “<i>like a donkey laden with
books”</i>. Despite that warning, Hadithic Islam abandoned the Torah and the
Sabbath enshrined in it. Instead of heeding the Prophet, they ignored him and
kept trading, not only on the sixth day – which they termed Juma’ah – but also
on the Sabbath, which he was trying to protect. He makes this point at Chapter
62:11, that no sooner do they see merchandise or merriment they flock to it <i>leaving
him (you) standing all alone. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">He can only
be referring to the complete preparation period and the Sabbath. It is absurd
to suggest that the Prophet established the Friday afternoon to replace the
Sabbath, when he elevates the Torah and the Scriptures in the same text. The
preparation period for the Sabbath, now known as the Juma’ah, is enshrined in
the Torah, Exo 16:5. All men must be given time to prepare for the Sabbath,
which is the true Day of Congregation or yaum al Juma’ah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The fact of
the matter is that the Friday afternoon assembly was used long before the
Arabian Prophet and the name of the day was reportedly given it by one of the
Prophet’s ancestors (cf. ERE, ibid., p. 894).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The term
juma’ah came to be used in place of the term al ‘arubah known from the Talmudic
references to the preparation eve for the Sabbath (cf. ibid.). Thus Hadithic
Islam came to change the emphasis from the preparation for the Sabbath to a
separate system of worship that was not envisioned or sanctioned by the Prophet
and the Qur'an. Christianity moved from the Sabbath to Sunday using similar
reasoning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The Qur’an,
when it was revealed, bore witness to Jews of the authority of Jesus, which
they had rejected by the time of the prophet. To Christians it bore witness
that Jesus was not the third of three, that is, a person in a Trinity, a false
doctrine that was well established but still new at the time of the revelation
of the Qur’an. Both Christians and Jews might have done well to take the Qur’an
more seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">On the
other hand, it may well be that Muslims would do well to re-evaluate the
Qur’anic injunctions in regard to the Sabbath. Sunni traditions report that the
prophet had the habit of performing two prostrations of Duha prayer in the Quba
mosque on Saturday mornings and only Saturday mornings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">"The
Prophet used to go to the Mosque of Quba every Saturday (sometimes) walking and
(sometimes) riding." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 284)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The Prophet
used to go to the Mosque of Quba (sometimes) walking and sometimes riding.
Added Nafi (in another narration), "He then would offer two Rakat (in the
Mosque of Quba)." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 285)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">In other
words, the Prophet kept the Sabbath. There are similar historical references to
the rightly guided Caliphs as well. Muslims do not follow this sunna of the
prophet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The Prophet
said of the Sabbath in Qur’an Chapter 4, which was written to the Jews as
people of the Scriptures and to the Trinitarians as prophecy from God:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">Qur’an
4:47-48</span></b><i><span lang="EN-AU"> O ye
People of the Book! believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was
(already) with you, before We change the face and fame of some (of you) beyond
all recognition, and turn them hindwards, or curse them as <b>We cursed the
Sabbath-breakers, </b>for the decision of Allah Must be carried out. <sup>48</sup>
Surely <b>Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with </b>Him,
and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever
associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.</span></i><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">This verse
also takes the same event as an illustration, and this is more carefully
described in chapter seven to come. It differs from the preceding verse in
being addressed to Christians as well as Jews. The worship of false gods always
has been associated with the Sabbath, and here the association reappears most
clearly. To this is added a third sin, the rejection of the Qur’an. That is, the
Qur’an makes appeal to the unity of God and the universal obligation of the
Sabbath as a witness that the Qur’an is true revelation. To reject the Qur’an
is to call down upon oneself the curse of the Sabbath-breaker. By the same
token, acceptance of the Qur’an implies acceptance of the witnesses to its
truth: the obligation to observe the Sabbath and to ascribe no partners to God
in a Trinity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">This clear
text was directed at the people who were following Trinitarianism. In the point
regarding the transgressing of the Sabbath, it has been rendered by Arberry as
cursed them as we cursed the Sabbath-men, thus concealing the real intent of
the curse which was for their transgression of the Sabbath </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 10pt;">(A.J. Arberry, The
Koran Interpreted, Oxford, 1964). </span><span lang="EN-AU">Dawood shows that it is specifically directed at Sabbath-breakers </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 10pt;">(N.J. Dawood, The
Koran, Penguin, 1983, p. 371).</span><span lang="EN-AU"> It seems there are vested interests on both sides aimed at preventing
the understanding of the Sabbath both in Islam and Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB">Qur’an
7:163</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-GB"> “Ask
them (O Muhammad) of the township that was by the sea, how they did break the
sabbath, how their big fish came unto them visibly upon their sabbath day and
on a day when they did not keep sabbath came they not unto them. Thus did We
try them for that they were evil-livers.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
Sabbath-breaking event is described in more detail here. According to tradition
this took place in a seaside Jewish community during the time of David. Because
of their injustice God gave them a trial. He caused fish to appear in their
weirs on the Sabbath, but not on other days. If they had not set out their
weirs on the Sabbath, this could not have occurred. In so doing they dared God
to punish them. At the same time, God tested their Sabbath observance by
bringing fish only on that day. He would not have done so had they been
obedient.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Many people
claim that Sabbath observance is impossible. It has become impossible for them
precisely because they have refused to observe it. In failing to observe it,
they have lost the spiritual capacity to appreciate it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The other
mention of the Sabbath is in chapter 16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB">Qur’an
16:124</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-GB"> “The
Sabbath was appointed only for those who differed concerning it, and lo! Thy
Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein
they used to differ.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Two other
translations run thus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">“The
punishment for profaning the Sabbath was imposed only on those who had differed
about it and thy Lord will surely judge between them on the Day of Resurrection
concerning that wherein they differed.” (The Holy Qur’an, Islam International
Publications Ltd., 1988.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Quran,
a new translation by Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, Curzon Press, 1971, gives the
following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">“The
penalty for profaning the Sabbath was imposed only on those who had differed about
it, and thy Lord will surely judge between them on the day of Judgment
concerning that wherein they differed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The words
“penalty” and “punishment” at the beginning of the verse are supplied by the
translators because they are implied in the word <b>ju’ila</b>. The meaning of
the verse is that there is a punishment for Sabbath-breaking, but it is to be
carried out upon those who dispute the obligation to keep the Sabbath.
Furthermore, it is concluded from this text that no punishment for
Sabbath-breaking is to be carried out before the Day of Judgment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is an
excellent illustration of how the Qur’an complements and completes the Bible.
In the Bible we are faced with two problems. The first is that the punishment
for Sabbath-breaking is death. In practice, this is not carried out in the
current age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
interpretation of Torah correctly shows that the Sabbath is ongoing and is
enforceable by the death penalty. Christ showed by his example how the
legislation of the OT was to be interpreted. He did not as Christianity claims
abrogate it. More importantly the OT shows that the Sabbath will be enforced
again in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. We know from Zechariah 14:16-21
that the feasts will be enforced during that time and that the punishment will
be no rain in due season which carries with it the death penalty by starvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"> The Qur’an provides an explanation, which
explains the practice in the current age. It has been totally misunderstood and
misrepresented by the Hadith and by both Jews and Christians. No visible
punishment is meted out for Sabbath-breaking. It is nonetheless real and
immediate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">In relation
to the concept of the Sabbath rest after the creation, the Prophet clearly says
that God then (after the work of creation) mounted the throne (Quran 7:54;
10:4; 32:4-5).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The
eschatological intent of the preparation period al ’arubah, now called Juma’ah
by Islam, regarding the resurrection is contained in Qur’an 62:6-8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Biblically,
this period covers the Last Days and the build-up to Messiah and the
subjugation of the nations. It has the same significance in the week as the
period from the Feast of Trumpets up to the Day of Atonement has for the Feast
periods in the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">All Islam
is duty bound to provide, each week, from the afternoon on the sixth day of the
week to end of day on the seventh day or Sabbath, a work-free period to its
entire people. Failure to do so results in penalty in the resurrection, as they
are in breach of the Torah and the Qur’an.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-AU">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">We are
obligated to prepare for the Sabbath on the sixth day. Through adequate
preparation we are all enabled to partake in the Sabbath-rest of God, and we
are enabled to keep the Sabbath holy. When Allah gave His preparation day and
Sabbath commands, He was clearing the way for us to follow Him. If we obey His
words and do not pursue our own “pleasures” (which does include our own work)
on the Sabbath, we can come to know the only True God and His Christ, which is
eternal life (Jn. 17:3).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-AU">(This article largely based on article found on
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.ccg.org/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.ccg.org</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-6217242518941794292012-01-11T18:56:00.002+03:002012-02-22T13:50:51.233+03:00Truth, Honesty & Trinity<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What the Bible Says About the honesty and truth?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. <i>Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me</i>. Joh 14:6 </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If Christ is Truth, then it follows that lying is moving away from Christ. Being honest is about following in God's footsteps, for He cannot lie. If the believers’ goal is to become more God-like and God-centered, then honesty needs to be a focus.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Heb 6:18</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> That by two immutable things, <b>in which it was impossible for God to lie</b>, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Honesty is a direct reflection of your inner character. Your actions are a reflection on your faith, and reflecting the truth in your actions is a part of being a good witness. Learning how to be more honest will also help you keep a clear conscious. Character plays a big role in where you go in your life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Luk 16:10</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">1Ti 1:19</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Pro 12:5</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">While your honesty level is a reflection of your character, it is also a way to show your faith. In the Bible, God made honesty one of his commandments. Since God cannot lie, He sets the example for all of His people. It is God's desire that we follow that example in all that we do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Exo 20:16</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Pro 16:11</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. <b>Psa 119:160</b> Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Pro 11:3</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Rom 12:3</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now, let’s start all over again:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Christ said that He is the Way, <b>the Truth</b>, and the Life. Joh 14:6 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If Jesus is <b>the Truth</b>, then He (as His Father) can not lie, Heb 6:18. The New Testament witness to the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ is undeniable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Father and the Son:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Matt 11:27, Matt 16:27, Luke 9:26, John 1:14, John 5:19, John 5:20, John 3:35, John 5:22, John 5:23, John 5:21, John 5:26, John 6:39-40, John 6:27, John 10:36, 1 John 4:14, John 17:1, 1 John 2:22,23, 1 John 2:24, 1 John 1:3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">God and His Son:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Matt 22:2, Matt 21:33, 37; Luke 20:9, 13, Luke 1:32, John 3:16, 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:20, John 17:3, Rom 1:1,3, Rom 1:9, Rom 5:10, Rom 8:29, 1:15,16, Gal 4:4, Gal 4:6, 1 Thes 1:9,10, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:9, 1John 5:10</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Son of God:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">John 11:4, 2 Cor 1:19, Gal 2:20, Rom 1:4, Eph 4:13, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 5:5, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My Father…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Matt 10:32,33, Matt 15:13, Matt 18:10, Matt 11;27; Matt 28:18; Luke 10:22, John 8:49, John 8:54, John 15:1, John 10:29, John 10:17, 14:28, John 14:21, John 15:23, John 15:24, John 14:23, 5:43, John 6:32, John 8:19, John 14:7, John 20:17</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">From the spirit of prophecy we read…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“A complete offering has been made; for "God so loved the world, that <b>he gave his only-begotten Son</b>,"-- not a son by creation, as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, <b>but a Son begotten in the express image of the Father's person</b>, and in all the brightness of his majesty and glory, one equal with God in authority, dignity, and divine perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, 30th May 1895</span><span lang="EN-US">)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“<b>The Eternal Father, the unchangeable one, gave his only begotten Son, tore from his bosom Him who was made in the express image of his person</b>, and sent him down to earth to reveal how greatly he loved mankind." (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">Ellen G. White, Review & Herald 9th July 1895</span><span lang="EN-US">)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Notice here we are told that Christ was <b>“made in the express image”</b> of God’s person whereas in the previous statement it is said that He was <b>“begotten in the express image of the Father's person”</b>. Both of these statements speak of something happening (begotten/made) in eternity but as Ellen White said, Christ is not a created being (see above). This is because He was not created as were angels but in eternity was brought forth of God (the Father).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ellen White asked the youth of her day</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Who is Christ? (Ellen G. White, Youth’s Instructor, 28th June 1894, ‘Grow in grace’)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She answered by saying</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“<b>He is the only begotten Son of the living God.</b> He is to the Father as a word that expresses the thought, -- as a thought made audible.” (Ibid)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“When Satan learned the purpose of God [the creation of our world],<b> he was envious at Christ, and jealous because the Father had not consulted him in regard to the creation of man</b>. Satan was of the highest order of angels; but Christ was above all. He was the commander of all Heaven. He imparted to the angelic family <b>the high commands of his Father.”</b> (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Volume 3, page 36, ‘The temptation and fall’, 1864)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Satan is <b>determined that men shall not see the love of God, which led him to give his only begotten Son to save the lost race</b>; for it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance.”(</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">Ellen White, Review and Herald, 20<sup>th</sup> March 1894</span><span lang="EN-US">)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is only when we realize that God gave His own dear Son to die for us that we can fully understand what it really cost God to save us. Unfortunately, the Seventh-day Adventist church officially says today that Christ is not really the Son of God. Instead they say He has only been role-playing the part (pretending to be a son) – which to a great extent conceals the love of God which led Him to sacrifice His Son. Needless to say, this realization requires us to make a choice regarding whom and what we believe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">No change – no deception<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Through the spirit of prophecy we have been told</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“<b>There had been no change in the position or authority of Christ</b>. Lucifer's envy and misrepresentation and his claims to equality with Christ <b>had made necessary a statement of the true position of the Son of God; but this had been the same from the beginning.</b> Many of the angels were, however, blinded by Lucifer's deceptions.” (Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 36, ‘Why was sin permitted’?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The conclusion is:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Christ was not pretending to be a son. He really was – and still is – the divine Son of God. We have His word for it (John 3:16-18, 5:25, 9:35-38, 10:36, 11:4). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But the Trinity Gods are pretending and playing the role of the father and son. So, where are the Truth and the Honesty in Trinity?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-56002178253658515292012-01-11T18:51:00.000+03:002012-02-22T13:50:25.643+03:00Preservation of the Bible by the People of the Book<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The written word of God is reverenced for its vital importance to the welfare of the Church of Jesus Christ, but it was never intended as a means of eternal salvation. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." - John 5: 39. Jesus Christ is the Living Word, and our salvation is wholly and completely in Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Law was revealed by God through an intermediary. The Angel of Jehovah delivered it to Moses who delivered the Law to Israel. God revealed His will through an intermediary to the prophets in the Holy Spirit. All revelation stands on the basis that it must be compared in relation to the Law and the Testimony. <i>If a prophet does not speak according to the Law and the Testimony there is no light in him (Isa. 8:20).</i> Thus the revelation of the NT must stand in relation to the Law and the Prophecy of the OT and must be interpretative of the OT, not contradictory to it. In the same way the Qur’an to be inspired must be interpretative of the Bible canon and not contradictory to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Old Testament Books<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Old Testament "oracles of God" were providentially committed to the Jewish, or Hebrew people (Romans 3: 1,2). The ancient Massoretes (students of Moses' law) devoted their lives to perfection in preserving and copying the Old Testament books. The story of their work is a marvelous testimony to God's preservation of His word to all generations. There is very little controversy regarding the Hebrew text. (History of the Bible Robert L. Webb)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The New Testament Books<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 5,000 copies of the Greek text of the New Testament exist in safekeeping around the world. The great majority of these are identical or almost identical to the "received text" (also called "majority text, "textus receptus," or "Byzantine text"). This text was used by the Waldenses, and was preserved by the true church through the ages. The King James Version in the English language was translated from this text. Currently published copies of the Greek "textus receptus" are readily available to be purchased by the inquiring student</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Roman Catholic Inquisition was one of the greatest disasters ever to befall mankind. In the name of Jesus Christ, Catholic priests mounted an enormous effort to kill all "heretics" in Europe and Britain. Heretics are defined whichever way Rome wanted it defined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a period in history when the Christian church did not permit the laity to have access to the Bible. Only the clergy had this privilege. Translation of the Bible into modern languages was expressly forbidden by the Catholic Church. During the early thirteenth century, copies of the Bible in the German language were burned by the order of Pop Innocent III. Several owners of the foreign Bible were imprisoned, whipped and sent to the galleys by the Roman Catholic Inquisition.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preservation of the Bible by the Waldenses; they lived and died for their faith.</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located in the valleys of the Alps lived a people who set themselves apart from the world, living out their faith according to the Bible. They were beloved of God but hated by the world. These men and women have since passed but their heroic faith will live on forever.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Spirit of Christ is also the spirit of missionary work, so it was with the Waldensians. They couldn’t just keep the truth they had learned for themselves, but they felt compelled to share it with others. And when the Bible was forbidden they copied it and taught their youth the true teachings from “The School of Barba”, in Pra del Torno. In the Dark Ages the Bible was reserved for the Catholic priests and was forbidden to copy it. Despite risking their lives they rebelled against these prohibitions, and they copied and smuggled out the Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">“The mountains that girded their lowly valleys were a constant witness to God's creative power, and a never-failing assurance of His protecting care. Those pilgrims learned to love the silent symbols of Jehovah's presence. They indulged no repining because of the hardships of their lot; they were never lonely amid the mountain solitudes. They thanked God that He had provided for them an asylum from the wrath and cruelty of men. They rejoiced in their freedom to worship before Him. Often when pursued by their enemies, the strength of the hills proved a sure defense. From many a lofty cliff they chanted the praise of God, and the armies of Rome could not silence their songs of thanksgiving.” </span><span lang="EN-US">(Great Controversy”, Ellen G. White, p.66, 1911.)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waldenses are traced back to the time of the apostles. The name Waldenses means "men of the valleys". Known as "people of the Book," scripture is what embodied the faith of the Waldensians — they lived by it and died for it. They were tortured, exiled and martyred, and still the faith that drove them from the Alpine Valleys of Italy to the foothills of North Carolina survived. The Trail of Faith is their story — each exhibit bearing witness to the journey that led them, from the time of the apostles, one continent to another in search of religious freedom and a future for their families.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Waldenses believed the Bible was open to interpretation by everyone and they took seriously the commission to share the message into the entire world. For centuries, they sought to serve God, sharing his love and spreading his Word. A peaceful people, they often found themselves at war as they sought to be true to their faith. They worshiped in secrecy for fear of being captured and killed, memorizing Scripture in preparation of their Bibles being burned. More than once, rulers thought them eradicated, but time after time, there arose a remnant to carry on.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The Waldenses are remembered for their great faith, doctrine, and way of living. The Waldensian way of life was simple. Secluded from the influence of the world they could focus on living for God and devote much time to study and missionary work. One great feat of the Waldenses was their ability to memorize the entire New Testament and part of the Old Testament. Not only did they memorize the New Testament but they were instructed in Latin, Romane and Italian. Perhaps learning God’s Word by heart and memory is what gave them their great courage and ability to live under the persecutions they endured. They understood 2 Timothy 2:15 and took it to heart. Without the influences of the world all they had was God and His Word”. (p. 3 Israel of the Alps) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were many persecutions against the Waldenses throughout the dark ages. On one account Pope Innocent III formed a crusaded against the Waldenses in France in the year 1209. He was able to get thousands in his crusade by promising forgiveness of sins. The crusade went on for twenty years in which hundreds of thousands were brutally murdered and tortured. They were thrown from cliffs, hanged, burned at the stake, disemboweled, pierced through, drowned, torn by dogs, and crucified. In one particular case 400 mothers with their babies took to the mountains and hid in a cave. When the Catholic crusaders discovered them they set a large fire outside the cave which suffocated all the refugees inside. (p.130-131 History of the Churches) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter what the persecution the Waldenses displayed great courage and faith in their Lord even unto death. One man by the name Geoffrey Varaille whose father led a crusade and himself had become a convert said this when his death sentence was announced to him, "Be assured, messeigneurs, you will sooner want wood wherewith to burn us, than ministers ready to burn in seal of their faith: from day to day they multiply; and the word of God endureth forever." He was then burned on March 29th 1558. (p.46-48 Israel of the Alps)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Waldenses were hunted and killed for several years during the Dark Ages. Religious suppression was their daily toil for those who chose not to follow Catholicism. The Church was responsible for deaths of more so-called ‘heretics’ than even the Roman Empire. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One example in France was when approximately 70,000 Protestants were killed during a two month long massacre arranged by the Catholic Church and King Ludwig XIV.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The massacre started on, ‘The Night of St. Bartholomew’s’ signaled by the sounding of church bells. Protestants were slaughtered in their bed, while the priesthood in Rome were jubilant.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Waldenses of northern Italy were foremost among the primitive Christians of Europe in their resistance to the Papacy. They not only sustained the weight of Rome's oppression but they were successful in retaining the torch of truth until the Reformation took it from their hands and held it aloft to the world. Veritably they fulfilled the prophecy of Revelation concerning the church which fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God. Revelations 12: 6, 14. They rejected the mysterious doctrines, the hierarchal priesthood and the worldly titles of Rome, while they clung to the simplicity of the Bible.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is interesting to trace back the Waldensian Bible which Luther had before him when he translated the New Testament. Luther used the Tepl Bible, named from Tepl, Bohemia. This Tepl manuscript represented a translation of the Waldensian Bible into the German which was spoken before the days of the Reformation. (Comba, Waldenses of Italy, p. 191.) Of this remarkable manuscript, Comba says:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the manuscript of Tepl appeared, the attention of the learned was aroused by the fact that the text it presents corresponds word for word with that of the first three editions of the ancient German Bible. Then Louis Keller, an original writer, with the decided opinions of a layman and versed in the history of the sects of the Middle Ages, declared the Tepl manuscript to be Waldensian. Another writer, Hermann Haupt, who belongs to the old Catholic party, supported his opinion vigorously. (Comba, p. 190.)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Comba we also learn that the Tepl manuscript has an origin different from the version adopted by the Church of Rome; that it seems to agree rather with the Latin versions anterior to Jerome, the author of the Vulgate; and that Luther followed it in his translation, which is probably the reason why the Catholic church reproved Luther for following the Waldenses. (Comba, p. 192.) Another peculiarity is its small size, which seems to single it out as one of those little books which the Waldensian evangelists carried with them hidden under their rough cloaks. (Comba, p. 191, Note 679.) We have, therefore, an indication of how much the Reformation under Luther as well as Luther's Bible owed to the Waldenses.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“. . . down through the centuries there were only two streams of manuscripts. The first stream which carried the Received Text in Hebrew and Greek, began with the Apostolic churches, and reappearing at intervals down the Christian Era among enlightened believers, was protected by the wisdom and scholarship of the pure church in her different phases; by such as the church at Pella in Palestine where the Christians fled, when in 70 A.D. the Romans destroyed Jerusalem; by the Syrian Church of Antioch which produced eminent scholarship; by the Italic Church in northern Italy; and also at the same time by the Gallic Church in southern France and by the Celtic Church in Great Britain; by the pre-Waldensian, the Waldensian, and the churches of the Reformation. This first stream appears, with very little change, in the Protestant Bibles of many languages, and in English, in that Bible known as the King James Version, the one which has been in use for three hundred years in the English speaking world.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second stream is a small one of a very few MSS. These last manuscripts are represented: (a) In Greek:--The Vatican MS., or Codex B, in the library at Rome; and the Sinaitic, or Codex Aleph, its brother (in the Russian Museum in Moscow). (b) In Latin:--The Vulgate or Latin Bible of Jerome. (c) In English:-- The Jesuit Bible of 1582, which later with vast changes is seen in the Douay, or Catholic Bible. (d) In English again:--In many modern Bibles which introduce practically all the Catholic readings of the Latin Vulgate which were rejected by the Protestants of the Reformation; among these, prominently, are the Revised Versions.” (Our Authorized Version Vindicated, 1930, Benjamin G. Wilkinson --p. 12, 13)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But let us see what the Waldenses believed, according to their own historian, Jean Leger. Wilkinson, page 32, says:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“This noble scholar of Waldensian blood was the apostle of his people in the terrible massacres of 1655, and labored intelligently to preserve their ancient records. His book, the <i>General History of the Evangelical Churches of the Piedmontese Valleys</i>, published in French in 1669, and called "scarce" in 1825, is the prized object of scholarly searchers. It is my good fortune to have that very book before me. Leger, when he calls (Robert) Olivetan's French Bible of 1535 "entire and pure," says: "I say 'pure' because all the ancient exemplars, which formerly were found among the Papists, were full of falsifications, which caused Beza to say in his book on Illustrious Men, in the chapter on the Vaudois, that one must confess it was by means of the Vaudois of the Valleys that France today has the Bible in her own language. This godly man, Olivetan, in the preface of his Bible, recognizes with thanks to God, that since the time of the apostles, or their immediate successors, the torch of the gospel has been lit among the Vaudois (or the dwellers in the Valleys of the Alps, two terms which mean the same), and has never since been extinguished." --Leger, General History of the Vaudois Churches, p. 165.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wilkinson also shows (pp. 42-43) that Erasmus recognized two parallel streams of Bibles:</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE TWO PARALLEL STREAMS OF BIBLES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apostles (Original)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apostates (Corrupted Originals)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luther's Bible, Dutch, French, Italian, etc.,(from Received Text).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This should be sufficient to persuade the reader not to regard these two streams of Bibles as equally pure or good.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus said let your light so shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify God (Matt. 5:16). But the world, mainly the Catholics hated the light (John 3:19). The Roman Catholics made many false accusations against the Waldenses and attempted to destroy them all. At the hands of the Roman Catholic crusades many Waldenses died a martyr’s death. Jesus said I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. By looking at the aggressive spread of Roman Catholicism and its heresies it would appear that the gates of hell did prevail against the church. The Roman Catholics tried to extinguish the light that was shining from the Alps. But God has kept His promise. He did not say there would be large numbers (Matt. 7:13-14). The Waldenses of that time are gone from this world but their light has not been put out, it still shines today.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the history there were honest people called “the People of the Book” who saved the Word of God. They were tortured, exiled and martyred, but still they kept their faith that they lived by it and died for it. In 18<sup>th</sup> century we read about another honest people who lived and dedicated their life for the truth of God. The Seventh - day Adventist:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">“…Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, <b>searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the word</b>. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, “We can do nothing more,”<b> the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. </b>Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood.<b> A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.” </b></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US">(White, Ellen G., “Special Testimonies,” Series B, No. 2, p. 57.)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The past fifty years have not dimmed one jot or principle of our faith as we received the great and wonderful evidences that were made certain to us in 1844, after the passing of the time….Not a word is changed or denied. That which <b>the Holy Spirit testified to as truth after the passing of the time, in our great disappointment, is the solid foundation of truth. Pillars of truth were revealed, and we accepted the foundation principles that have made us what we are--Seventh-day Adventists, keeping the commandments of God and having the faith of Jesus</b>.” {NYI, February 7, 1906 par. 4}</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if the great majority of the Christians went astray a portion of them stand for the right; they rehearse the Signs of God all night long, they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, they are in the ranks of the righteous. The <b>People of the Book</b> are on duty every time everywhere to protect the words of God.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-38849897041928991262012-01-07T18:45:00.000+03:002012-02-22T13:51:11.058+03:00REFINER’S FIRE... Until He sees His image in you!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">This verse puzzled a group in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">One of them offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.' </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eyes on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-21117181884892371972011-12-30T14:17:00.000+03:002012-02-22T13:52:36.637+03:00The Salvation in the Bible and Qur’an…<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Christianity and Islam share much common ground. Both the Christians and the Muslims trace their roots to Abraham. Both believe in Jesus as the Messiah and His second coming. Both believe in prophecy, God's messengers (apostles), revelation, scripture, and the resurrection of dead. But both agreed not to agree on the doctrine of salvation. Actually there are different teachings on salvation even within the Christians and the Muslims. Some Christians believe in salvation by faith alone, the others believe in salvation by faith plus works; the teachings of salvation are different from church to church. The Scripture clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us. Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been <b>saved through faith</b>; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not<b> by works</b> …" However, James says in James 2:24, "You see that a man is <b>justified by works</b>, and <b>not by faith alone</b>."</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Let us examine this topic from the Scripture and the Qur’an; please remember that there are several passages in the Qur’an which commands Muslims to affirm and to testify their belief in the Scripture: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 29:46</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “… and say: <b>We believe </b>in that which hath been revealed unto us and <b>revealed unto you</b>; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 4:136</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> O believers, <b>believe</b> in God and His Messenger and the Book He has sent down on His Messenger <b>and the Book which He sent down before</b>. Whoso disbelieves in God and His angels <b>and His Books</b>, and His Messengers, and the Last Day, has surely gone astray into far error. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 2:285</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> … and the <b>believers</b>; each one <b>believes</b> in God and His angels, <b>and in His Books</b> and His Messengers; we make no division between any one of His Messengers. …”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Muslim exegetes had no problem identifying the Scriptures as the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel etc., which these Books are still extant and available for examination. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God’s Words can never be changed:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 6:114-115</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “What, shall I seek after any judge but God? For it is He who sent down to you <b>the Book </b>well-distinguished; and those whom We have given the Book know it is sent down from thy Lord with the truth; so be not thou of the doubters. <b>Perfect are the words</b> of thy Lord in truthfulness and justice; <b>no man can change His words;</b> He is the All-hearing, the All-knowing.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 10:64</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter; <b>no change can there be in the words of Allah</b>. This is indeed the supreme felicity.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Did the Qur’an accept the Book of the Jews and the Christians as the word of God? Did it say that none can alter His words and it is a supreme success?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Accepted:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">They include: The Law of Moses, The Psalms, The Prophets and The Gospel 28:43; 4:163; </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">They are Enlightenment for mankind, guidance and mercy 28:433. There are no distinction of Messengers and Books 2:87; 2:285; 3:48 None can alter/change the words of God. 10:64, 6:35, 18:27</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur’an <b>confirms</b> those very Scriptures which were in the hands of the Jews and Christians. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:3</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, <b>confirming that which was (revealed) before it</b>, even as He revealed the <b>Torah and the Gospel.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 5:48</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, <b>CONFIRMING the scripture that came before it, and GUARDING it in safety: </b>…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 46:12</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> When before it there was the <b>Scripture of Moses, an example and a mercy</b>; and this is a <b>CONFIRMING Scripture in the Arabic language</b>, that it may warn those who do wrong and bring good tidings for the righteous.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 12:111</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a <b>CONFIRMATION of the existing (Scripture)</b> and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The question one should immediately ask in light of these texts is what was in this Scriptures which the Qur’an confirms and the Muslims were commanded to believe in? What is the one red thread runs throughout the Torah and Gospel? The answer is the SALVATION. Thus, when God command us to <b>believe </b>and when we say we <b>believe</b> in the Scripture it means we believe in <b>the salvation</b> which is recorded in the Scripture. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur'an teaches that Islam is the continued faithful religion in the same line as the Prophets who were before Muhammad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 42:13</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: <b>Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein</b>: …”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:84</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Say: <b>We believe in Allah</b> and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, <b>and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus</b> and the prophets from their Lord. <b>We make no distinction between any of them</b>, and unto Him we have surrendered.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 29:46</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “… and say: <b>We believe </b>in that which hath been revealed unto us and <b>revealed unto you</b>; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone who believes in Qur’an must believe in <b>the salvation</b> which is recorded in the Scripture and the Qur’an commends us to believe in. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">What is the salvation is written in the Bible? Are we saved by faith alone, or do we need works, too? Some might see the salvation issue little too complicated but, is it really so? Paul speaks of faith as a life-long process, never as a one-time experience (Philippians 2:12). He never assumes he has nothing to worry about. If he did, his words in (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) would be nonsensical. He reiterates the same point again in his second letter to Corinth (2 Corinthians 13:5). He takes nothing for granted. Paul tells us our faith can go through many stages. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Do our works mean anything? According to Jesus they do (Matthew 25:31-46). The people rewarded and punished are done so by their actions. And our thoughts (Matthew 15:18-20) and words (James 3:6-12) are accountable as well.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Many verses from Qur’an and Bible tells us that we have to believe (have faith) and work righteousness for salvation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Psalm 62:12</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> For you render to each one according to his <b>works</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 5:9</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “To those who <b>believe</b> and <b>do deeds of righteousness</b> hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Mat 5:20</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> For I tell you, unless your <b>righteousness</b> exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 7:42</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “But those <b>who believe and work righteousness,-</b> no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear, they will be Companions of the Garden, therein to dwell (forever).”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Proverbs 10:16</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <b>The labour of the righteous tendeth to life</b>: the fruit of the wicked to sin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 2:257</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “Allah is the Protector of <b>those who have faith</b>: from the depths of darkness <b>He will lead them forth into light</b>. …”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Joh 5:29</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> and shall come forth; <b>they that have done good</b>, unto the resurrection of life; and <b>they that have done evil</b>, unto the resurrection of judgment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 5:69</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Those who <b>believe</b>, those who <b>follow</b> the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any <b>who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness</b>,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:116 “Those who reject Faith,-</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: …”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 18:30</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “As to <b>those who believe and work righteousness</b>, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Jas 2:17</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Even so <b>faith</b>, if it hath <b>not works</b>, is <b>dead</b>, being alone..</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qu’ran 2.39</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “But <b>those who reject Faith</b> and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; ...”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 2:23</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> I will give unto every one of you according to your <b>works</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:131</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> And fear the Fire, which is prepared <b>for those who reject Faith</b>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 22:14</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Blessed are they that <b>do his commandments,</b> that they may have right to the tree of life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Jas 2:17</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not have any works, is dead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Jas 2:20-26</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Do you want proof, you foolish person, that faith without works is worthless? Our ancestor Abraham was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar, wasn't he? You see that his faith was active with his works, and by his works faith was made complete. And so the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." And so he was called God's friend. You see that <b>a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. </b>Likewise, Rahab the prostitute was justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them away on a different road, wasn't she? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so <b>faith without works is</b> also <b>dead</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur'an 17:57</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “…even those who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy…”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Prophet of Islam said:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and <b>receive good news</b> because one’s good deeds will NOT make him enter Paradise.” They asked, “Even you, O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “Even I, unless and until Allah bestows His pardon and Mercy on me.” (Sahih al Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 474)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"No one of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone." They asked, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allâh?" He said, "Not even me, unless Allâh covers me with His Grace and Mercy" (Sahîh Muslim, 4/2170, no. 2816)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Ephesians 2:8-9</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> For by grace you have been <b>saved through faith</b>, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, <b>not of works</b>, lest anyone should boast.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Up to here we read verses from Qur’an teach we have to <b>believe</b> and <b>work righteousness</b>, Prophet of Islam says it’s not by one’s good deeds that one will enter paradise but by Allah’s Mercy. The Bible says <b>faith by itself, if it does not have any works, is dead</b>, the same Bible says “have been <b>saved through faith</b>, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, <b>not of works”</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Actually the Scripture teaches that a person is saved by faith alone, not by faith and works combined. Being saved by faith alone means simply if you confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that He died for you and God raised him from the dead; he will give you eternal life. We do not have to do any specific thing to gain eternal life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Rom. 5:1</span></b><span lang="EN-US">, "therefore having been <b>justified by faith</b>, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Rom. 3:28, </span></b><span lang="EN-US">"For we maintain that <b>a man is justified by faith apart from works</b> of the Law.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Gal. 3:24</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> "Therefore <b>the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith</b>."</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Faith alone, without doing any specific work saved Mary in Luke 7:48-50, the blind man in Luke 18:12,42, the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, and the paralyzed man in Matthew 9:2 They all did different things that showed their faith.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The scriptures clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us. However, we cannot stop here without addressing what James says in James 2:24, "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">There is no contradiction. All we need to do is look at the context. James chapter 2 Verses 14-26 are about the relationship between faith and works.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">James begins this section by using the example of someone who says he has faith but has no works, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14). In other words, James is addressing the issue of a dead faith, a faith that is nothing more than a verbal pronouncement, a public confession of the mind, and is not heart-felt. It is empty of life and action. He begins with the negative and demonstrates what an empty faith is (verses 15-17, words without actions). Then he shows that type of faith isn't any different from the faith of demons (verse 19). Finally, he gives examples of living faith that has words followed by actions. Works follow true faith and demonstrate that faith to our fellow man, but not to God. James writes of Abraham and Rahab as examples of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">In brief, James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20). But, he is not contradicting the verses above that say salvation/justification is by faith alone.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We read in many verses in Qur’an the following phrases: -who <b>believe</b> and <b>do deeds of righteousness</b>, -who <b>believe </b>and <b>work righteousness</b>, -<b>who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness</b>, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. We must believe, we must have that faith (which is that faith will lead us to the godly works) to be saved. And this is exactly what James 2:20 says: "Faith without works is dead."</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur’an clearly teaches that nothing can save those who reject faith:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:116 “Those who reject Faith</span></b><span lang="EN-US">,- neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: …”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qu’ran 2.39</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “But <b>those who reject Faith</b> and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; ...”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Those who have Faith will be saved, but the big question is, have faith in what? Believing that there is one God? The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear (Jas 2:19). But this dose not saves them. Demons will go to hell with “<b>those who reject Faith</b>”. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God gave the Gospel to the People of the Book so that they could make it known to the whole world and preach the gospel to every nation: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:187</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> And remember <b>Allah took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it</b>; but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We read and confirm this from the Bible:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Mar 16:15-16</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> And he said unto them, <b>Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature</b>. He that <b>believeth and is baptized shall be saved</b>; but he that believeth not shall be damned.<br />
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What is “the Book” that “<b>Allah took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it”?</b> If someone has to squeeze the Bible and summarize it with one verse we will and up with <b>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.</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s all about God’s Love and Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">1Jn 4:9 </span></b><span lang="EN-US">In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The whole Bible is about Jesus and the whole foundation of the Christians faith is rested on death of Jesus. The historical reality of Jesus death is an essential of the Christians faith. Without Jesus death his resurrection becomes irrelevant, and without the resurrection Christianity itself is rendered meaningless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">1 Corinthians 15:14 </span></b><span lang="EN-US">"and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain."<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Rom 10:9 </span></b><span lang="EN-US">because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make the <b>Gospel</b> known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it<b> (</b>Qur’an 3:187 Mar 16:15). What is the gospel? Knowing the answer to this question is vital if one is to receive salvation and have a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a good summary of what the gospel is:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">1 Corinthians 15:1-4</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The gospel is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides full and free deliverance from the power and penalty of sin according to the grace of God alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make the <b>Gospel</b> known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it<b> (</b>Qur’an 3:187 Mar 16:15). But the church threw the gospel away, forbid God Words and start to preach pagan doctrines. The church hides the truth about The Father and His Son and preached the trinity. According to the trinity there is no Father and no Son but they are role playing Gods. According to the trinity Jesus is not the Son but he is another immortal God who can not die. And According to the trinity Jesus did not really died but he was sitting and watching his death!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God revealed the Qur’an to lead the Muslims and the entire world back to the Bible, back to the gospel to <b>the salvation</b> which is recorded in the Scripture and was hidden by the church. Having <b>faith in Jesus Christ is our salvation</b>. “<b>whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life</b> (Joh 3:15). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Romans 10:9-10</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. <b>For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified</b>, and it is with your mouth that <b>you confess and are saved</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 5:48</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, <b>CONFIRMING the scripture that came before it, and GUARDING it in safety </b>…</span></span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-49289602817533749752011-12-22T18:06:00.000+03:002012-02-22T13:52:56.027+03:00Is the Qur’an ALL inspired by God?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Before I answer this question let me ask you: Is the Bible all inspired by God? And what does that mean? Christians do believe that the Bible is inspired, but not nearly everyone is clear as to what that means. We read in the Bible:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">2 Timothy 3:16</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Is that means that God dictated the Bible word for word in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and that the writers were simply secretaries who recorded those words? I don’t think so, as we look at the writing styles of the various human authors, it is clear that their personalities are very much in evidence in what they write. For example, while the Gospel of John also covers the life of Jesus, his description of Jesus' life, words, and deeds comes from a much different point of view than Luke. Yet both were transmitting the inspired message which God gave them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We read in many of the Psalms (and other passages) the cries of imperfect, suffering people, who are voicing their own complaints or praises to God. They are words and thoughts emanating directly from the hearts of God's people, which he in turn allowed to be placed in the Bible so we could identify with these complaining, suffering or rejoicing people who are so much like us. God used their words and thoughts. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">In the Qur’an there are verses telling that its words are the inspired God's word like: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 6:19</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “this Quran has been revealed to me" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 53:4</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “it is only an Inspiration that is inspired.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 18:110</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “It has been inspired to me” </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">According to these verses the Qur’an inspired God's words, where Al-mighty God is the speaker and Muhammad is the receiver, but there are other verses having other indications, in them it seems that Muhammad is the speaker, like: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 6:104</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “…and I (Muhammad) am not a watcher over you.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 6:114</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “Shall I seek a judge other than Allah…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 11: 2-3</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “Serve none but Allah. Lo! I am unto you from Him a warner and a bringer of good tidings. Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 27:91</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “I (Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him)”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 42:10</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “…Such is Allah, my Lord in whom I put my trust,” </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">So if they were God' words, he wouldn't say the verses as if he is the speaker.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Islamic scholars explained that saying, it seems that God is saying “O Muhammad say I am so and so” but that's irrational as how could anyone dare to insert words not actually present in the original text into the verses, and what about those words inserted, do they exist in the preserved tablet before the beginning of time? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And we read in chapter At-Takwir 81 verses 19-21.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">81:19 Verily this is the word of a most honourable Messenger, </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">81:20 Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne, </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">81:21 Obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Here the Qur’an is “the word of a most honorable Messenger”. The Messenger who is endued with Power and Obeyed there in the heavens is the speaker and Muhammad is the receiver. So who is this Messenger (sent by God) that he is most honorable, Endued with Power and Obeyed in heaven? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I believe the Bible so clear about who is “Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne and Obeyed there (in the heavens) and trustworthy. And please remember that the Qur’an is confirming the Bible.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Depending on my understanding of the verses I quoted above, I believe that the Qur’an is inspired word of God as the Bible is. I believe that God provided the precise thought to the human author, and he then wrote it down in terms of his own vocabulary, culture, education, and writing style. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I believe that inspiration should be described as thought-for-thought rather than word-for-word. The human writers provide God's message in terms of their own personalities and historical circumstances, and yet they transmit the message fully and exactly as God desired.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:7 </span></b><span lang="EN-US">“He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: <b>In it are verses basic or fundamental</b> (of established meaning); <b>they are the foundation of the Book:</b> others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, <b>but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah</b>. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I believe the verses I quoted above shows that all scriptures are from God, regardless of the format, whether in direct command form or multiple forms.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-39881807000040269342011-12-22T15:27:00.000+03:002012-02-22T13:53:27.330+03:00The teachings about the immortality of the soul in the Qur’an.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First of all please keep in mind that I am not a scholar neither am I an expert in the Qur’an. Do I understand all of the Qur’an; certainly not. Do I have any problem with verse(s) in the Scripture? Sure I do. My doubt is not about the veracity of the Qur’an or the Bible but my doubt is about the veracity of my understanding. Since I rejected my religious leaders precepts that require blindly following the opinion of the scholars and clerics, and since I accepted the God Words as the only source of my religion, whenever I encounter a problem with my understanding of a verse, I follow the divine advice to act patiently in seeking knowledge (Qur’an 20:114, Jeremiah 33:3), ask the experts (Q. 21:7) without following them blindly (Q. 17:36), and know that God is the one who will teach me and ultimately provide explanation (Q. 75:16-19, Q. 2:186, John 14:26). I try to convey the best of what I know and if I make a mistake, please bring it to my notice...</span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Immortality of the soul<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Let us see what the Qur’an says about the immortality of the soul.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We read in Qur’an 32:7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 32:7</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “Who perfected everything which He created and began the creation of man from clay.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 32:9</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit; …” </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Remember what the Old Testaments says: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Gen 2:7</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God promised eternal life (immortality) in heaven to the righteous:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 15:45-48</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “The righteous will be amid gardens and fountains of clear flowing water. Their greetings will be 'Enter ye here in peace and security. And we shall remove from their hearts and lurking sence of injury. They will be brothers, joyfully facing each other. There no sense of weariness shall touch them, nor shall they ever be asked to leave.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 50:32-34 </span></b><span lang="EN-US">[It will be said], "This is what you were promised - for every returner [to Allah] and keeper [of His covenant]. Who feared the Most Merciful unseen and came with a heart returning [in repentance]. "Enter ye therein in Peace and Security; this is a Day of Eternal Life!"</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The sinner will become the citizens of Hell. Like the heaven or paradise described in symbolic terms too is hell. A man's Hell is within his own heart as in chapter 104:2-7:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 104:2</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Who pileth up wealth and layeth it by,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 104:3</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 104:4</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 104:5</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> And what can make you know what is the Crusher?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 104:6</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> (It is) the Fire of Allah kindled,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 104:7</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Which leaps up over the hearts,</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">What kind of fire will leaps up over the hearts? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“How do you say goodbye forever? How do you say goodbye to children you have created, loved, gifted, blessed and dreamed about? It did not have to be this way but they still believe the lies about you. Wouldn't you want to take them in your arms one last time and tell them how you felt about them? And as they felt your heart, the realization brings torment unimaginable. This is the torment of Hell, the coals of fire, the torment of a broken relationship for which the pain of physical fire pales into nothingness” (<a href="http://vimeo.com/15823227" target="_blank">God's Love in the Flames of Hell</a> By Adrian Ebens)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">After these wonderful words from Brother Adrian let us read again the Qur’an 104:6-7 “(It is) the Fire of Allah kindled, Which leaps up over the hearts,” It seems brother Adrian understood these verses very well even without reading them from Qur’an, while the Muslims who are reading the Qur’an are failed to got the meaning.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And we also see clearly from these verses that there will be NO immortal soul in hell. Verse 3 says “He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.” Verse 4 says “No! (he will not be immortal but) “He will surely be thrown into the Crusher.” When he will be thrown into the hell and if he will be a live there forever then he is immortal. Even if its in the hell if he gonna live there forever then he is immortal. But the verse says, his wealth will not make him immortal. Eternal life granted to those who will enter the heaven only.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The word KHuLD (eternal, everlasting) is not used for Hell, but it is used as an adjective to describe Paradise (25:15). On the other hand the same adjective is not used to describe Hell, but to describe the punishment IN HELL (10:52; 41:28).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Remember Jonah. When he escaped from his duty he was swallowed by a whale. “But had he not been of those who glorify, he would have stayed in its belly to the day of resurrection.” (37: 143-144)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">It is a fact that neither Jonah nor the whale was immortals that could live to the day of resurrection. God knows this. Thus, this Quranic expression simply informs us that Jonah would die or end up in the belly of the whale. Although both would perish in a short time, whale would be the ultimate destiny of Jonah until the day of resurrection. Had Jonah was not going to be resurrected (together with the whale, 6:38), using the same logic, the verse would state: “he would have stayed in its belly eternally.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Similarly, verses informing us about disbelievers or idol worshipers staying in Hell eternally do not necessarily mean that the Hell is eternal, unless we are informed that Hell itself is eternal. It simply means that disbelievers and idol worshipers would end up in Hell and nothing else. If Hell together with its inhabitants one day ceased its existence, then the disbelievers or idol worshipers would have stayed in Hell eternally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 8:24</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall (all) be gathered.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">From the above verse, it is fair to infer that those who reject the divine message will lose eternal life. Will they die in Hell? The answer is No: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 20:74</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> “Anyone who comes to His Lord guilty will deserve Hell, <b>wherein he never dies, nor stays alive</b>.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The verse clearly says “he never dies, nor stays alive” then, the alternative is obvious: total annihilation, ontological extinction together with Hell. After resurrection they will experience a period of diagnosis, justice, regret and then with <b>the creation of a new earth and heaven (Q. 14:48)</b>, they will be hurled to non existence together with Hell. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God is Just and Merciful<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Quran repeatedly comfort us by reminding us God's perfect justice. Many verses provide us with a precise idea of God's justice and mercy: </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Suffering in an eternal Hell creates a contradiction between this divine justice, since eternity can not be equal to an evil committed in during a limited life span of a human. However, eternal punishment in life time of a non eternal Hell avoids such a contradiction. After receiving an equivalent punishment the chief evil-doers like those referred in verse 4:48, will be eliminated from existence. They will end up in Hell and Hell will end up in nothingness.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-18157149862223299112011-12-19T14:03:00.002+03:002012-02-22T13:53:53.458+03:00Jews, Christians and Muslims agreed… Not to follow The Word of God.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Jews, hundreds of years after Moses's death created Mishnah and Gemarrah and uphold them and the invented laws in them rather than the TORAH (revealed word of God). Thus, the Jews give up on the Old Testament and never recognize the New Testament. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">In the city of Nicene 300 years after the death of Jesus, the pagan Trinity was accepted, and is now the primary source of a Christian's belief in defiance of the Bible which advocates the absolute worship of God Alone. By believing in trinity the Christians denied the Father and the Son. They forbid the Holy Scripture and “speak great words against the most High … and changed times and laws… (Dan 7:25) So, the Christians ignored the Bible and went astray.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Muslims 150- 200 years after the death of Muhammed created another source of their religion with the Qur’an, "Hadith and Sunnah", falsely attributed to the prophet Muhammed, and in defiance of the Qur’an. Today most Muslims have discarded the Qur’an in favor of Hadith and Sunnah. Some Muslims claim that the "Hadith & Sunnah" are divine revelations. Obviously, they are not aware that the criterion of divine revelations. Since the so-called Hadith & Sunnah of the Prophet have been vastly corrupted, they can never meet the criterion of divine revelation. It is an acknowledged fact that the vast majority of Hadiths are false fabrications. With small research and study you will find that as much as 99% of the Hadiths alleged for the prophet were lies and fabrications. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Among the books of hadith regarded as 'Sahih' (authentic), we read the following:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"The prophet said : "Do not write down anything from me except the Quran. Whoever wrote other than that should delete it." [Sahih Muslim, Book 42, Number 7147, also Ahmed, Vol. 1, Page 171]</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Abu huraira said that the prophet said, "The 'Ummam' (nations/peoples) that preceded you have gone astary when they wrote books and upheld them besides God's scripture" (Ahmed Ibn Hanbal).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The same message is documented in other Islamic references of repute:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"Abu Huraira said : The messenger of God came to us while we were writing his sayings and said: "What is it you are writing?" we said "sayings (hadith) we hear from you messenger of God" he said, "A book other than God's book?" then Abu Huraira said, "so we gathered what we had written and burnt it all" (Taqyeed Al-Ilm, by Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdady) also (Oloom Al-Hadith, by Ibn Salah).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Most of the Muslims ignore many verses in the Qur’an talk about the veracity of the Bible and believe that the Bible has corrupted and they suppose to keep away from it. And I even witnessed a Turkish Imam ask Muslims in one of his preach not to read the Bible. He said; “reading the Bible is <b>sin</b>, for the Bible has undergone substantial changes”. And he even claimed to be said so in the Qur’an! However, the Qur'an does not support this claim unanimously! We see in Qur'an 3:61 and 3:64 Muslims are asked for a discussion with people of the Book and invited to investigate ways to the truth. And here we see the Muslims also ignore what the Qur’an teaches about the Bible and walk hand in hands with the Jews and the Christians and so they all agreed NOT to follow the Bible. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Let us leave the Jews and the Christians a side and see what the early Muslims think about the veracity of the Bible.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Tabari (he died in 923 AD), was one of the greatest Muslim scholars. He has written many Qur'an commentaries. Tabari asks: what were Ibrahim's faults? He sums up three lies of Ibrahim (Abraham): </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“By saying: 'I am ill' to avoid worshipping idols (Qur'an 37:89). </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Isn't this a white lie?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">When he denied that he destroyed statues of idols, because he said God did it (Qur'an 21:63). </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Again an innocent lie.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">When he said that Sar'ai was not his wife, but his sister.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">You will not find event number three in the Qur'an. It is in the Bible, in Genesis 12:11-13. The great Muslim scholar was reading the Bible to answer the question!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Like Tabari, some Muslims read the Bible, because it gives a much fuller knowledge. There is a call in the Qur'an to examine and an opening to use the Gospel as source (Qur'an 10:94). We can not say the Qur'an claims to give the absolute truth about Jesus, the whole story of his life, or a definitive pronouncement. Yes, indeed, the Qur'an propounds statements of faith about Jesus, but with the intention to stimulate human study, not to give the final answer. In other words: every Muslim should overestimate his capacity by saying he has the absolute truth about Jesus. Even Mohammed was asked to question those who received the Scriptures before him: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">“If you (Mohammed) doubt what we have revealed to you ask those that have read the Scriptures before you”</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (Qur'an 10:94).</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">For better understanding for more details we must sit down with those who read the Scripture and study the Scripture with them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">But we must be very carful here. When God says “<i>ask those that have read the Scriptures</i>” we must find and ask those who <b>read the Scripture and do the will of God</b>. Because they are the true believers and Muslims must study the Scripture with those people who live their life according to the Bible. Jesus made this very clear in the Bible when He said: <i>“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”</i> (Mat 7:21) There are many Christians who call Jesus “Lord, Lord”, they have prophesied in His name, and in His name have cast out devils, and in His name done many wonderful works (Mat 7:22). Yet, Jesus will “<i>profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity</i>” (Mat 7:23). Calling Jesus Lord, Lord means nothing if we do not do the "<i>will of the Father which is in heaven”. </i>In other words, it’s not enough to call Jesus Lord but we must do the will of the Father which revealed to us in the Scripture. We must keep His commandments. Jesus said: If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh 14:15 When we try to find the truth we must go to the Scripture and ask those people who keep God’s commandments. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur’an says:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.” Qur’an 3:113,114</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The People of the Book stand for the right; <b><i>they rehearse the Signs of God all night long</i></b>, they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, <i>they are in the ranks of the righteous.</i> Lets read from Ellen White: <i>“I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and <b>sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the word</b>.” (White, Ellen G., “Special Testimonies,” Series B, No. 2, p. 57.)</i> How perfectly match the verse in Qur’an describing the people of the book; Ellen White and the Pioneers! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Those who “<i>speak great words against the most High </i>… <i>and think to change times and laws</i>… (Dan 7:25) are not the People of the Book. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus …</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> Rev 17:6</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The History says:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Roman Catholic Inquisition was one of the greatest disasters ever to befall mankind. In the name of Jesus Christ, Catholic priests mounted an enormous effort to kill all "heretics" in Europe and Britain. Heretics is defined whichever way Rome wanted it defined.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Since history books have been largely rewritten, few people know specific details of this murderous campaign that lasted over 1,200 years, killing 75 million people. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">There was a period in history when the Christian church did not permit the laity to have access to the Bible. Only the clergy had this privilege. Translation of the Bible into modern languages was expressly forbidden by the Catholic Church. During the early thirteenth century, copies of the Bible in the German language were burned by the order of Pop Innocent III. Several owners of the foreign Bible were imprisoned, whipped and sent to the galleys by the Roman Catholic Inquisition.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">In 1452, the first printed Latin Bible, known as the Gutenberg Bible, was printed in Germany. An English Protestant reformer, William Tyndale, made a translation of the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament into English of exceptional literary quality, but he was betrayed and arrested near Brussels in 1535. He was burned as a heretic in October 1536.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible was forbidden by the Christians church to the true believers for many years. We see the same satanic power now is trying to forbid the Muslims from reading the Bible by making them believe that the Bible has been corrupted. And the same Christians church who forbids the Bible to the true believers plays a big role with their satanic doctrines to convince Muslims that the Bible has been corrupted. It would be presumptuous for Muslims to believe that they know full truth about Jesus, and to refuse to pursue the way opened by the Qur'an in seeking other witnesses. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur'an confirms the Gospel and refers for more information to it. Such as in 12:111. <i>There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it, a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to any such as believe”. </i>And 5:48<i> “To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, CONFIRMING the scripture that came before it, and GUARDING it in safety: …”</i> (See also 2:41, 6:92, 10:37, 35:31 etc.) God Himself commanded His prophet Mohammed to “<i>ask those that have read the Scriptures before”</i> (10:94). </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur’an teaches that Jesus is Kalimatullah, meaning The Word of God, Ruhullah, meaning The Spirit of God (4:171), Al-Masih, meaning The Messiah (3:45; 4.157; 4.172; 5.17; 5.72; 5.75; 9:31) Wajeeh, meaning worthy of esteem in this world and the next (3:45), Mubarak, meaning blessed (19:31). We read about His virgin birth in Qur’an (3:42-47; 19:16-31), His marvelous works (3:49; 5:110), His death, resurrection and ascension (4:157; 19:33,34; 3:55; 4:158) and we read about His second coming in (43:57-61). Every Muslim must follow God’s commandments and examine Jesus in the Gospel to know the full truth about Him. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The sacred Scripture of Islam opens a wide door for effective witness. The common testimony of both the Christian and the Muslim Scriptures to Jesus as the long awaited Supremely Anointed One provides a platform on which Christians can build the message of the Gospel and show Muslims the real meaning and implications of the title.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-37427916362260929622011-12-12T00:00:00.001+03:002012-02-22T13:54:22.327+03:00What does the Qur’an says about Jesus: The Word of God…<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">In the Qur’an 4:171 Jesus is called, God’s Word. In Chapter 3:45 the Quran states that the angels, when announcing the unique conception of Jesus to Mary, told her that Allah was giving her good tidings “of a Word from him.” The expression here used, in the original Arabic, is kalimatin-minhu. Broken up, it means kalima (word), min (from), hu (him). Note this—Jesus is the only human being who ever lived who is called a <b>Word from God</b>. The same title is applied to him in the Bible:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is the Word of God. (</span></b><span lang="EN-US">Revelation 19:13). See also John 1:1 and John 1:14.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Once again Jesus is given a title in the Qur’an which the Bible gives him as well. Like the Messiah, this is a very distinctive and remarkable title. It is important to emphasize two specific features of this title. Jesus himself, in his actual person, is the Word. Secondly, the source of this Word is God. Neither book says that he delivered the word of God as other prophets did, or that he was learned in it, or that he embodied and represented it. He is expressly declared to be a Word from God, or THE Word of God. Other prophets received the messages of God, but Jesus, in a unique way, is himself the message of God to the world!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">There is obviously something about the person of Jesus himself that makes him the Word of God in a way no other man has ever been or ever will be. Key to understanding the title is the emphasis of deity as its source. The Word is from God. He himself is the communication and revelation of God to men. He does not merely bring the word of God, he is the Word of God.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We have to turn to the Bible to find the ultimate meaning of the title in view of the fact that the Qur’an attributes it to Jesus without explanation. We go to the very beginning of John’s gospel where this subject is treated in more detail:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made </span></b><span lang="EN-US">(John 1:1-2).</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">But why is Jesus the Word of God? In what way was Jesus uniquely the communication of God in himself to mankind? We go a bit further down the first page of John’s gospel and find these words:</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The title signifies two unique things about Jesus, and distinguish him from all other prophets of God:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"><span lang="EN-US">Every word of Jesus was the word of God. All the prophets who went before him spoke the Word of God when moved by the Holy Spirit, but in general conversation their speech was entirely their own. Muslims are taught to distinguish between the Quran—which Muhammad received and conveyed as the word of God—and his own teachings which are recorded in the Hadith as inspirational but not divine. Jesus, however, at all times spoke the word of God, whether in public preaching or in private conversation. He confirmed this on various occasions, such as:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me (John 12:49-50).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works (John 14:10).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span dir="LTR"><span lang="EN-US">Jesus himself is God's message to mankind. Being the Word of God, Jesus himself is the complete revelation of God to the human race. The following text expresses this perfectly:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-19).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus himself is the Word of God. There is no independence, therefore, between God and His Word. In human form Jesus embodied the divine being. He was not a created messenger. He is, and for all eternity will be, the eternal Word of God.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Word which proceeds from God gives expression to God's will and to His acts, and also reveals what He is like in a comprehensible way. Thus the Bible says: </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.... No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known." (John 1:1-4,14,18)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Qur’an 4:171 tells Christians not to exaggerate in their religion and to say nothing of Allah but the truth. <b>“O People of the Book! Commit no exaggerate in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ (The Messiah) Jesus the son of Mary was a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit from Him: …”</b> We have already seen that the titles <a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-does-quran-says-about-jesus.html" target="_blank">Messiah </a>and Son of God are synonymous. The title Word of God is also interchangeable with the title Son of God. But the verse continues: <b>“… so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity"…” </b> The Qur’an obviously confirms the Son of God but denies the pagan teachings called “Trinity”. The Trinity denies the Father and the Son and teaches three role playing gods! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">For Muslims, as for Christians, the Word of God is eternal, even as God is eternal. It is through His Word that God acts, creating and sustaining the universe and revealing His will. Even though the Muslims regard <a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-does-quran-says-about-jesus-is-he.html" target="_blank">Jesus as only a prophet</a>! could not their idea about His being "the word of God" be filled with the Biblical significance of the same expression? As He is God's eternal Word, so He is God's eternal Son (John 1:14). Muslims must know that there are some of the People of the Book believe in only one God, and they do not set up the Son as another God, nor do they displace God by the Son, nor do they make a man into God.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-29348121036862040532011-12-10T16:58:00.001+03:002012-02-22T13:54:44.958+03:00What does the Qur’an says about Jesus: The Messiah…<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Al-Masih Isa - "the Messiah Jesus". We read that when the angels first appeared to Mary they said of the holy child they had been sent to announce: Ismuhul Masihu Isabnu Maryam - "his name shall be the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary" (Chapter 3.45). Even before the conception of Jesus, therefore, the angels gave him the one title that is applied to him on no less than eleven occasions in the Qur'an, namely Al-Masih - "the Messiah".</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus alone is called the Messiah in the Qur’an. No other prophet, patriarch or priest is given this title. In Arabic it is simply al-Masih. The Qur'an's acknowledgement that Jesus was indeed the Messiah comes, therefore, as something of a surprise. He is not only called Al-Masih Isa but on some occasions the title Al-Masih appears by itself (Chapter 4.172), and on others he is called Al-Masihubnu Maryam - "the Messiah, son of Mary" (Chapter 9.31). What is most significant is that the title is applied solely to Jesus in the Qur'an and that its definitive quality is carefully defined by the use of the article - Al-Masih, namely, the Messiah. Indeed the title is never used in the Qur'an without the definite article. This rules out any possibility that the title can be applied to anyone else. No one else in the Qur'an is, or accordingly possibly could be, the Messiah. Jesus is not a messiah or one of the messiahs, he is Al-Masih - the Messiah. This leads to the third feature that must occupy the attention of all who seriously consider the use of this title in the Qur'an, namely that it is obviously used in a particular sense. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Over 300 Old Testament prophecies speak of the coming Messiah (Christ) and describe him as a man that stands above all other men, including the other messengers of God, and that he would have a regality, majesty, splendor and excellence above all other men. Indeed, he would have divine attributes. Jewish believers in Jesus used the term Messiah and Son of God interchangeably. For example, Peter, one of the first Jewish followers of Jesus said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16)." Nathaniel (John 1:49), Mark (Mark 1:1), and Martha (John 11:27) are examples of others who used the terms Messiah and Son of God interchangeably. Caiaphas, the Jewish High Priest also used the terms Messiah and Son of God together. When Jesus was on trial, Caiaphas asked Jesus, "I adjure you, by the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 26:63)."</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, by saying that Jesus is the Messiah, the Qur’an has duly given Jesus a title -the Son of God.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“The Qur'an again and again speaks of Jesus as the 'Messiah', and thus tacitly admits his superiority over all other prophets. It gives him the title, but fails to give any reason for the honour thus put upon Jesus; but in the Bible we learn more fully who this great one was who was thus honored by God”. (Goldsack, Christ in Islam, p. 12).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">In the Qur'an that Jesus was indeed the Messiah; People of the Book have a golden opportunity to witness meaningfully to Muslims. The Qur'an attempts no explanation of the title, yet its very inclusion in the book and we read at least in 15 verses that the Qur’an confirming the Bible. Such as in <i>3:3 “He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, CONFIRMING that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel” </i>and <i>5:48 “To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, CONFIRMING the scripture that came before it, and GUARDING it in safety: …”</i> (See also 2:41, 6:92, 10:37, 35:31 etc.) </span>If the Qur’an <i>CONFIRMING the scripture that came before it, and GUARDING it in safety </i>then it means the Qur’an confirming the Old Testament prophecies speak of the coming Messiah and also it conform the New Testament which is all about Jesus Christ, Isa Al-Masih.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The sacred Scripture of Islam opens a wide door for effective witness. The common testimony of both the Christian and the Muslim Scriptures to Jesus as the long awaited Supremely Anointed One provides a platform on which Christians can build the message of the Gospel and show Muslims the real meaning and implications of the title.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-40669955823690240172011-12-08T20:42:00.000+03:002012-02-22T13:55:13.224+03:00What does the Qur’an says about Jesus: Is He merely another prophet?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur’an teaches that Jesus is <b>Kalimatullah,</b> meaning <b>The Word of God</b>, <b>Ruhullah,</b> meaning <b>The Spirit of God</b> (4:171), <b>Al-Masih,</b> meaning <b>The Messiah</b> (3:45; 4.157; 4.172; 5.17; 5.72; 5.75; 9:31) Wajeeh, meaning worthy of esteem in this world and the next (3:45), Mubarak, meaning blessed (19:31). We read about His virgin birth in Qur’an (3:42-47; 19:16-31), His marvelous works (3:49; 5:110), His death, resurrection and ascension (4:157; 19:33,34; 3:55; 4:158) and we read about His second coming in (43:57-61).</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We see that Jesus God’s Word and "a Spirit proceeding from Him (4:171). If Jesus is The Word and The Spirit of God then there is no need for further discussion or any need for asking any questions because no ordinary man can get this title of "Word of God" and "Spirit of God." God's Word and His Spirit must be eternal as He is. Calling an ordinary man "Word of God" and "Spirit of God is blasphemy. When we look in the Bible we see that Jesus was called the "Word of God" too. Word of God means very words of God that was spoken by God. God spoke and created heaven and earth. God spoke and mighty things happened. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Joh 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, ..."</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Joh 1:14 " And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ..."</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Qur’an expressly says that Allah sent Jesus born of a virgin as both a <b>sign</b> to men and a mercy from him:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“And mention in the Book Mary when she withdrew from her people to an eastern place, and she took a veil apart from them; then We sent unto her Our Spirit that presented himself to her a man without fault. She said, 'I take refuge in the All-merciful from thee! If thou fearest God ... He said, 'I am but a messenger come from thy Lord, to give thee a boy most pure. She said, 'How shall I have a son whom no mortal has touched, neither have I been unchaste?' He said, 'Even so thy Lord has said: "Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a <b>sign</b> unto men (ayatan lil-nassi) and a mercy from Us; it is a thing decreed.” (Qur’an 19:16-21 See also Qur’an 21:91)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Quran says that, "Jesus is the sign of God". And the Bible says the same thing. Isaiah the prophet prophesied more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ that God will give a <b>sign</b> as we read in Isaiah, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a <b>sign</b>: Behold, the <b>virgin</b> shall conceive and bear a <b>Son</b>, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus has a special position in the Qur'an. Jesus is The Word of God, and a Spirit from Him (4:171), He is The Messiah (3:45; 9:31 etc.), He is a Sign (19:21; 21:91), a Mercy (19:21) and a Witness (5:117). He is a person with extreme dignity both in this world as in the other world (3:45). All commentaries agree with the fact that this implies both holiness and blessings. Only Jesus can do the actions 'create' and 'to give life' (3:49). No prophet in the Qur'an has done such actions. Therefore the position of Jesus is above all other persons and exalts him to a level no human being ever reached. Jesus was born of a virgin (19:20-22). Jesus was faultless (19:19), Jesus was a great healer of the sick (3:49; 5:110), Jesus was taken to heaven by God (4:158) and Jesus will come back again (43:61). Now my question to my Muslim brothers and sisters; what do you think about Jesus? Can you say that he is merely another prophet?</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-72950027175587781522011-11-23T02:51:00.002+03:002012-02-22T14:00:22.085+03:00You Are What You Worship<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Every religion is based upon some conception of God. Unfortunately many religions are based upon a conception of false gods, and some are even based upon false conceptions of the true God.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">One thing is sure, for those who choose to worship, their whole life and character is molded by the type of person they perceive their God to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><sup><span lang="EN-US">1</span></sup><span lang="EN-US">Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your loving kindness, because of Your truth. <sup>2</sup>Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?” <sup>3</sup>But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. <sup>4</sup>Their idols are silver and gold, The work of man’s hands. <sup>5</sup>They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; <sup>6</sup>They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; <sup>7</sup>They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat. <sup>8</sup>Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them.<br />
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Also God says in 2 Kings 17:15 "… They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves..." We read the same in Jeremiah 2:5: “…They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves”.<br />
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Many of us grew up probably hearing the old saying, "You are what you eat." What God here is saying, "You are what you worship." </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">People who worship a harsh and cruel god will generally become harsh and cruel themselves. People who worship a pretender, role player god will become generally role player and pretender themselves. People who worship a loving and caring God will become generally loving and caring themselves. So a person’s perception of God dramatically affects whether that person is a good person or not, and it ultimately will determine whether that person will live forever or be destroyed in the lake of fire.</span></div>
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So here's my question. What will you worship today? What are the things that we worship today besides God? What is it that we fix our eyes and even our hearts on that serves as our modern day idols? American idols or football stars? What are the worthless things that we revere that cause us to become like them, worthless? Is it Muscles? Is it Music? Is it the opposite sex? Is it money? Is it your occupation? Is it Games? Is it your Television? Or is it a celebrity?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">What you worship becomes you. If it is Muscles, your eyes, mind and mouth will also keep being related to Muscles. You might keep looking at other people’s muscles, comment on them. Even when doing things you might think of what muscles you will train, you might even decide you daily activity depending on them. You might decide depending whether you can go gym in time, or whether you will lose your muscle mass. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">All these apply to having opposite sex, money, occupation, Games, Television, Celebrity and all that you can name as something that people worship. Your mind, mouth, eyes and ears will all be focus on what you worship, <b>you become what you worship</b>.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I think this is why the author of Hebrews encourages us to, "...lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2). </span></div>
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Transformation and conformation to the image of Jesus is truly a gift from God. It comes from us constantly gazing at and seeking Him. From glory to glory and slowly but slowly He changes us to be like Himself but we must keep our eyes and our hearts fixed upon Him and not the worthless things. </span></div>
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2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-63884755388162888042011-11-22T03:33:00.002+03:002012-02-22T13:56:25.461+03:00Hell - eternal torture by a loving God?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">What is Hell?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The word HELL in the Bible is translated from GEHENNA- (Ge.hen'na) [Gr. form of the Heb. Geh Hin.nom', "Valley of Hinnom"]. This name appears 12 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Gehenna was a the deep, narrow Valley of Hinnom, later known by this Greek name, and lay to the south/southwest of ancient Jerusalem and is the modern-day Wadi er-Rababi (Ge Ben Hinnom). (Jos 15:8; 18:16; Jer 19:2, 6) Judean Kings Ahaz and Manasseh engaged in idolatrous worship there, which included the making of human sacrifices by fire to Baal. (2Ch 28:1, 3; 33:1, 6; Jer 7:31, 32; 32:35) God said this was "a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart" (Jer 7:31; 32:35). God looked at this as a terrible thing. Why would he use this as a picture of what he himself wanted to do? Where God planning to do the same, or was this the place they choose, away from God?</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">According to Jewish commentator David Kimhi Gehenna was "… a place in the land adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw their unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones is called parabolically Gehinnom."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">This was a symbol, not of eternal torture, but of utter destruction (Matt. 10:28, Luke 12:4,5). Also see Rev. 20:14, where death is thrown into the fire. Death obviously cannot be literally burned. But death can be destroyed, as God promised it would one day, it will be gone (Rev. 21:4).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The word hell is also sometimes translated from SHEOL. The Hebrew word she'ohl' occurs 65 times in the Masoretic text, and are not always translated to hell, but often translated as grave.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> Regarding Sheol, the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1971, Vol. 11, p. 276) noted: "Sheol was located somewhere `under' the earth. ... The state of the dead was one of neither pain nor pleasure. Neither reward for the righteous nor punishment for the wicked was associated with Sheol. The good and the bad alike, tyrants and saints, kings and orphans, Israelites and gentiles all slept together without awareness of one another."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And what does the Bible say about the condition of the dead? Can they feel or think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> "The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all ...All that your hand find to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going." (Eccl. 9:5, 10)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> "His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish." (Ps. 146:4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The idea of hell came from other religions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> The idea of an eternal burning torture sneaks into Judaism and later Christianity in the so-called "inter-testamental era," circa 330 B.C. to 100 A.D. in various Jewish writings called the Pseudepigraphia and Apocrypha. A "Hellenized Religion" a blend of Hellenized Greek metaphysical concepts with other Ancient Near Eastern beliefs. The "Books of Apocrypha" mention how some Jews, including priests, accepted Hellenized Greek concepts and tried to change the Jewish faith by accepting Greek beliefs into the Temple at Jerusalem. This movement was resisted by the Maccabees, who sought to restore Judaism to its pre-Hellenistic Greek teachings (cf. the Book of 1st Maccabees for the story). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">In ancient Babylonian and Assyrian beliefs the "nether world ...is pictured as a place full of horrors, and is presided over by gods and demons of great strength and fierceness." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">(The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria Boston, 1898, Morris Jastrow, Jr., p. 581) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Hell is found in the religion of ancient Egypt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">(The Book of the Dead, New Hyde Park, N.Y., pp. 144, 149, 151, 153, 161) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Depictions of hell portrayed in Catholic churches in Italy have been traced to Etruscan roots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="NO-BOK">(La civilta etrusca, Milan, 1979, Werner Keller, p. 389)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And so on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">But scripture says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> "The wages sin pays is death." (Rom. 6:23)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> "He who has died has been acquitted from his sin." (Rom. 6:7) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">After one's death, is he still subject to further punishment for his sins?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life" (Rom. 2:6,7)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> So if eternal life is a gift for those who seek good, how can the ones that do not seek good also get eternal life (in hell)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"God is love." (1 John 4:8) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Is eternal torment of the wicked compatible with God's personality?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p><b>By Camilla Tourniaire</b></o:p></span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-84549754179441153162011-11-22T03:21:00.003+03:002012-02-22T14:01:03.364+03:00The Ten Commandments in the Qur’an<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Comparison of the Ten Commandments with similar passages in the Qur’an</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Do not associate another deity with God.(Q 17:22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> Know therefore that there is no god but God. (Q 47:19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God... (Exodus 20:4-5)</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">No visions can encompass Him, but He encompasses all visions. (Q 6:103)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols.(Q14:35)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> There is nothing that equals (like) Him. (Q42:11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Do not use God's name in your oaths as an excuse to prevent you from dealing justly. (Q 2:224)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> Remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him exclusively. (Q 73:8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> Glorify the name of your Lord morning and evening. (Q 76:25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath; We said to them: "Be ye apes despised and rejected." So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity, and a lesson to those who fear Allah. (Q 2:65-66)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. (Q 62:9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you. (Exodus 20:12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">You shall be kind to your parents. If one or both of them live to their old age in your lifetime, you shall not say to them any word of contempt nor repel them, and you shall address them in kind words. You shall lower to them the wing of humility and pray: "O Lord! Bestow on them Your blessings just as they cherished me when I was a little child." (Q 17:23-24)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And do not take any human being's life - that God willed to be sacred - other than in [the pursuit of] justice. (Q 17:33)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">You shall not commit adultery. Surely it is a shameful deed and an evil way.(Q 17:32)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from GOD. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise. (Q 5:38-39)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And (know that the true servants of God are) those who do not bear witness to falsehood. (Q 25:72)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">#10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Do not covet the bounties that God has bestowed more abundantly on some of you than on others. (Q 4:32)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> By </o:p></span>Camilla Tourniaire</span></b></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-90815425121231443112011-11-09T02:34:00.000+03:002012-02-22T14:09:42.675+03:00Qur’an Trinity & Mary<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Qur’an Trinity & Mary<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial. According to this doctrine, God exists as three persons but is one God, meaning that God the Son and God the Holy Spirit have exactly the same nature or being as God the Father in every way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And also many Christians have turned Mary into a godly figure:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">“Pope Benedict XV said of Mary that "One can justly say that with Christ, she herself redeemed mankind." Pope Pius IX said: "Our salvation is based upon the holy Virgin... so that if there is any hope and spiritual healing for us we receive it solely and uniquely from her." </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US">(Did the Quran get the Trinity wrong? Sami Zaatari)</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Quran attacks both the Trinity, as well as Christians who have wrongly raised Mary to such a high degree that she has become like a god.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Qur’an 5:73<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One God. …</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Islam fights a heresy is found in paganism, it teaches that God has sexual relations with women to create other gods. And this heresy also finds its way to the Roman Catholic Church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“Mary is “the faithful spouse of the Holy Spirit” since the Spirit formed Jesus Christ within Mary’s womb, and remained with her in raising the child Jesus. It follows, then, that the Holy Spirit wills to fashion Jesus in His chosen ones and unite them to God by giving all of His gifts in and through Mary.” </span><i><span lang="EN-US">(<span class="apple-style-span"><b>Michael McShurley -</b></span>The Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary- VOICES - Vol. XX No. 2 - Michaelmas 2005)</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“Mary's Divine motherhood is based on the teaching of the Gospels, on the writings of the Fathers, and on the express definition of the Church. St. Matthew (1:25) testifies that Mary "brought forth her first-born son" and that He was called Jesus. According to St. John (1:15) Jesus is the Word made flesh, the Word Who assumed human nature in the womb of Mary. As Mary was truly the mother of Jesus, and as Jesus was truly God from the first moment of His conception,<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><b>Mary is truly the mother of God. Even the earliest Fathers did not hesitate to draw this conclusion as may be seen in the writings of St. Ignatius , St. Irenaeus, and Tertullian. </b>” <i>(</i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US">(MARY WORSHIP? A Study of Catholic Practice and Doctrine. By (A Former Catholic Nun) Mary Ann Collins)</span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US">)</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Qur'an 5:116<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US">“And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">Didst thou say unto men, 'Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah'?"</span></i></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US">He will say: "Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing thou wouldst indeed have known it. …”</span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-24530833021454411032011-11-08T23:47:00.002+03:002012-02-22T14:10:11.177+03:00Muslim believes that God has a Son<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">How come a Muslim believes that God has a Son?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We read in the Bible and Quran that God will answer our prayer. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Qur’an 2:186 “And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, …”</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2011/11/quran-and-father-son-relationship-in.html" target="_blank">We read in the Bible that God has a Son</a> and He gave His Son to save us: </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Joh 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.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I believe the Bible is so clear on this issue; “God gave his only begotten (unique) Son”. But the problem starts when the Christians deny the Son of God and believes in trinity – three Gods who play role and one of them pretend to be the Father and other pretend to be the Son; if the Father and the Son pretending to be the Father and the Son then there is NO Father and No Son. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He who denies the Father and the Son is antichrist.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Quran denying the trinity: Islam fights the major doctrine in Christianity. First, the doctrine of devils and seducing spirits had found its way into the church through the teachings of the trinity. And we know that there was many form of trinity in early church history. This condemned teaching is taught by the Churches and Quran attacks it very clearly;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Qur’an 5:73</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One God. … </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And secondly Islam fights a heresy is found in paganism, it teaches that God has sexual relations with women to create other gods. And this heresy also finds its way to the Roman Catholic Church. Even today there is some Catholic Christians who believe that Mary preexist in heaven and was also pregnant and gave birth to Jesus in heaven!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Many Christians believe that the Quran denying <a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2011/11/quran-and-father-son-relationship-in.html">Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ</a>. If that’s true then the Quran must deny the New Testament. For the New Testament witness to the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ is undeniable. The consistency and repetition observed in the gospels is striking. We do not have one single verse in Quran denying the Bible but we have many verses says that the Quran is</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2010/10/truth-of-bible.html"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #020290;">CONFIRMING</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">the Bible. If the Quran Confirming the Bible it must confirm the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"> </span></span><a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2010/10/who-is-jesus-son-of-mary.html"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #020290;">as it is in the Bible</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">and as it is understood and taught by the true believers.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-9021705955729183292011-11-08T21:46:00.000+03:002012-02-22T14:11:13.505+03:00Quran and the Father-Son relationship in the Bible.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Many Christians and Muslims believe that the Quran denying Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ. If that’s true then the Quran must deny the New Testament; for the New Testament witness to the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ is undeniable. The consistency and repetition observed in the gospels is striking. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Father and the Son in the Bible:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Matt 11:27, Matt 16:27, Luke 9:26, John 1:14, John 5:19, John 5:20, John 3:35, John 5:22, John 5:23, John 5:21, John 5:26, John 6:39-40, John 6:27, John 10:36, 1 John 4:14, John 17:1, 1 John 2:22,23, 1 John 2:24, 1 John 1:3</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">God and His Son in the Bible:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Matt 22:2, Matt 21:33, 37; Luke 20:9, 13, Luke 1:32, John 3:16, 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:20, John 17:3, Rom 1:1,3, Rom 1:9, Rom 5:10, Rom 8:29, 1:15,16, Gal 4:4, Gal 4:6, 1 Thes 1:9,10, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:9, 1John 5:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Son of God in the Bible:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">John 11:4, 2 Cor 1:19, Gal 2:20, Rom 1:4, Eph 4:13, 1 John 4:15, 1 John 5:5, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:1 </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">My Father…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Matt 10:32,33, Matt 15:13, Matt 18:10, Matt 11;27; Matt 28:18; Luke 10:22, John 8:49, John 8:54, John 15:1, John 10:29, John 10:17, 14:28, John 14:21, John 15:23, John 15:24, John 14:23, 5:43, John 6:32, John 8:19, John 14:7, John 20:17</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We do not have one single verse in Quran denying the Bible but we have many verses says that the Quran is <b>CONFIRMING</b> the Bible. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Testimony of the Qur'an about the Reliability of the Bible<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Qur’an 5:48 To thee We sent the Scripture in truth,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">CONFIRMING</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="float: none;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">the scripture that came before it, and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">GUARDING</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="float: none;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">it in safety: …</span></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">See also <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">5:68-69</span>, 10:64, 2:41, 2:91, 2:101, 3:3, 6:92, 10:37, 10:94, 12:111, 16:102, 35:31, 46:12<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">If Quran Confirming the Bible it must confirm the Father-Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ as it is in the Bible and as it is understood and taught by the true believers.</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-30293760261373313062011-11-08T01:56:00.006+03:002012-02-22T14:11:44.917+03:00The Jews The Christians & The Straight Way.<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Straight Way <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">(Sirat Al-Mustaqim)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Sirat al-Mustaqim is the Arabic term for the <b>straight way</b>. In Islamic context, it has been interpreted as the <b>right path</b> or the <b>right way</b>. There are five obligatory daily prayers in Islam. Al-Fatihah is the prayer where the believer requests Allah for guidance on the path of those upon whom He has bestowed favors, not those upon whom wrath is brought down, nor those who went astray. During each prayer is the following phrase included<b>: “</b><i>Ihdina <b>s-siraata l-mustaqeem,</b> Siraata l-latheena anamta alaihim ghair al-mughdoobi alaihim wa la daaleen</i>”. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Means: “<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Guide us to <b>the Straight Way</b></span></i></span><i>, The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).</i>” (Quran 1: 6,7)</span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">G<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">uide us to <b>the Straight Way</b></span></span>, to <b>The Way</b> of those on whom God have bestowed His Grace. <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">What is the Straight Way and who are those people that God bestowed His Grace on them? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">The Straight Way but </span></b></span><span lang="EN-US">not (the way) of <b>those who earned His Anger</b> (such as the Jews), nor of <b>those who went astray</b> (such as the Christians). Obviously the Quran says the Jews and the Christians are not on the right Way. What is the way that they are walking in and why<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> the Jews earned God’s anger and how the Christians went astray?</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
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<b>Why the Jews earned God’s anger?</b><br />
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God preferred them over all others at their time. God sent them prophet after prophet, and sent the Holy Scriptures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Jesus is the reason for everything given to the people of God in the Old Testament!</span></span><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">The entire Old Testament, with all its laws and traditions, is the story of God's preparation of His people for the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><strong><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">"So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">The purpose of all the Old Testament Scriptures was to prepare God's people for salvation through Jesus Christ! As we read and study the Old Testament, we too are made wise for salvation through faith in Jesus, by all the accounts of faith displayed by the great men and women of the Old Testament. We also gain a better understanding of God the Father and the reason He sent His Son to die in our place. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><strong><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> 2 Timothy 3:14-15. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-weight: normal;">The Old Testament</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></strong><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-weight: normal;">is all about Jesus!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></strong><span lang="EN-US">Yet the Jews rejected Him because He failed, in their eyes, to do what they expected their Messiah to do—destroy evil and all their enemies and establish an eternal kingdom with Israel as the preeminent nation in the world. The prophecies in Isaiah and Psalm 22 described a suffering Messiah who would be persecuted and died, but they chose to focus instead on those prophecies that discussed His glorious victories, not His crucifixion. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Act 14:2</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up some people who were not Jewish and poisoned their minds against the believers.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Act 13:45</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>When the Jews saw the crowds, they became very jealous. They used insulting language to contradict whatever Paul said.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">John 3:36 </span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, he will see God's constant anger."</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Two thousand years after He came to the nation of Israel as their Messiah, the Jews still reject Jesus Christ. They do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah and they still waiting for the Messiah to come. John 3:36 says “<i>but whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, he will see God's constant anger</i>” They rejected the Son of God they rejected the Messiah. Therefore the Jews “<i>will see </i><b>God's constant anger</b>” and their Way is NOT the right Way.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">How the Christians went astray?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The church was troubled by heretics from the beginning. Before the end of the apostolic era, false teachers were already introducing novel ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">“…</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; …”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">(1Jn 2:18)</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"><span style="float: none;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">“...there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies”</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;"><span style="float: none;"> </span></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">(2.Pet2:1)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">The Church had been faced with heretics and heresy throughout its existence</span>. </span><span lang="EN-US">On the top of the list of heresies and human traditions adopted and perpetuated by the Church are the Trinity and worshiping Mary. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">There is absolutely NOTHING in the Bible leading Christians to recognize Mary, adore Mary, or talk to Mary. The Bible declares that there is one mediator:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">1 Timothy 2:5,6</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>For there is one God, and <b>one mediator between God and men, the man Christ</b> Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">But most of the Christians believe that Mary and the Saints are their mediators to God. Here are a few excerpts from the book "The Glories of Mary" written by St. Alphonsus Liguori. All quotations are taken from the chapter entitled "Mary Our Mediatrix."</span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Mary, the most faithful mediatrix of salvation. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">She has been made the ladder to paradise, the gate to heaven, the most true mediatrix between God and human beings. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">No creature has since received any grace from God except through the hands of Mary. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Are we then going to scruple to ask her to save us when (as St. Germanus says) no one is saved except through her?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">St. Laurence Justinian asks, "How can she be otherwise than full of grace, who has been made the ladder to paradise, the gate of heaven, the most true mediatress between God and man?"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">St. Anselm says, "that although God could create the world out of nothing, yet, when it was lost by sin, he would not repair the evil without the cooperation of Mary"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">St. Germanus had said the same thing, speaking of Mary: "No one is saved but through thee" </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">St. Antoninus says the same thing: "All graces that have ever been bestowed on men, all came through Mary" (P. 4, tit. 15, c. 20, #12).</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">St. Bonaventure says, that "God will not save us without the intercession of Mary"</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Moreover, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 969, affirms that Mary is a mediatrix:</span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.... Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”</span></li>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Illustrated Bible Dictionary records: "The word Trinity is not found in the Bible… It did not find a place formally in the theology of the church till the 4th century."</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Encyclopedia of Religion And Ethics records: At first the Christian Faith was not Trinitarian. . . It was not so in the apostolic and sub-apostolic ages, as reflected in the New Testament and other early Christian writings."</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Encyclopedia of Religion admits: "Theologians today are in agreement that the Hebrew Bible does not contain a doctrine of the Trinity."</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Encyclopedia of Religion says: "Theologians agree that the New Testament also does not contain an explicit doctrine of the Trinity."</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The New Encyclopedia Britannica reports: "Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament."</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Yale University professor E. Washburn Hopkins affirms in the Origin and Evolution of Religion: "To Jesus and Paul the doctrine of the trinity was apparently unknown; … they say nothing about it." </span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Historian Arthur Weigall records in The Paganism in Our Christianity: "Jesus Christ never mentioned such a phenomenon, and nowhere in the New Testament does the word 'Trinity' appear. The idea was only adopted by the Church three hundred years after the death of our Lord."</span></li>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Himself, tells us that there is only one God! The great Apostle Paul tells us this same truth:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">1Co 8:6</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> But to us <b>there is but one God, the Father</b>, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Mar 12:29</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <i>And Jesus answered him, <b>The first of all the commandments</b> is, <b>Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:</b></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Eph 4:6</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> <b>One God and Father of all</b>, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">1Ti 2:5</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> <b>For there is one God</b>, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">What is the Apostle Paul trying to reveal to us? First of all he states emphatically that there is <b>one God</b>—<b>the Father. He goes on to tell us that everything that exists comes ultimately from this one God, the Father!</b></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">This one God is the source of all life and power. He further states that there is one</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Lord, Jesus Christ,</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">through whom He has done everything.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">This Jesus, is the link between Heaven and earth—our mediator. It is through Jesus that God and man are reunited.</span></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Jesus also states this emphatic truth that there is only one God—the Father—and that eternal life is to know this God and Jesus whom He sent. In the famous prayer of John 17 we read:</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Joh 17:3</span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> And this is life eternal, that they might know<b> thee the only true God</b>, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Edward Gibbons's History of Christianity notes: "If Paganism was conquered by Christianity, it is equally true that Christianity was corrupted by Paganism. The pure Deism of the first Christians . . . was changed, by the Church of Rome, into the incomprehensible dogma of the trinity. Many of the pagan tenets, invented by the Egyptians and idealized by Plato, were retained as being worthy of belief."</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Trinity did not find a place formally in the theology of the church till the 4<sup>th</sup> century. At first the Christian Faith was not Trinitarian. . . It was not so in the apostolic and sub-apostolic ages, as reflected in the New Testament and other early Christian writings.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">But in the 4<sup>th</sup> century the church adopted it and today the teaching of the Trinity is the foundational teaching upon which almost all of professed Christianity rests. To be a member of the World Council of Churches an organization must profess belief in this doctrine.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible clearly states that there is One God; but most of the Christians believe in three in one god called Trinity. And also Bible teaches that there is “… <i>one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” </i>(1 Timothy 2:5) but most of the Christians put Mary and the saints as their mediator. Therefore the Christians <b>went astray</b> and their Way is NOT the right Way. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible teaches that the ONLY way to have eternal life is through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">John 3:36</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Jews still reject Jesus Christ. They do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah and they still waiting for the Messiah to come. And the Christians rejected Jesus Christ as the only Mediator and rejected Him as the Son of God, They believe in Mary and the saints as their mediators and they believe that Jesus not really the son of God but he is God by himself who play the role of the son. The Bible says there is only one true God the Father (1Co 8:6) but the Christians believe in three gods who plays the role of the Father and the Son!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">1John 2:22</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Jews do not believe that Jesus was divine, the Son of God, or the Messiah prophesied in Jewish scriptures. He is seen as a "false messiah." This is denying the Father and the Son. This is antichrist. [<b>1 John 2:22</b>]</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“<span class="apple-style-span">The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons </span>God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit<span class="apple-style-span">. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial. According to this doctrine, God exists as three persons but is one God, meaning that God the Son and God the Holy Spirit have exactly the same nature or being as God the Father in every way.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">This is denying the Father and Son. This is antichrist doctrine [<b>1 John 2:22</b>].</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">"In order to eradicate sin and rebellion from the universe and to restore harmony and peace, one of the divine Beings accepted, and entered into, the role of the Father, another the role of the Son. The remaining divine Being, the Holy Spirit,... By accepting the roles that the plan entailed, the divine Beings lost none of the powers of Deity.... The divine Beings entered into the roles they had agreed upon before the foundations of the world were laid." (The Week of Prayer issue of the Adventist Review, October 31, 1996)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">This is called pretending. This is denying the Father and Son. This is antichrist doctrine [<b>1 John 2:22</b>]. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">John 14:6 </span></b><i><span lang="EN-US">“<b>I am the way</b>, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Jews do not believe in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. And the Christians failed to follow His teachings:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Now let’s go back to the Qur’an:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">G<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">uide us to <b>the Straight Way</b></span></span> <span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage">“… <i>not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).</i> The Jews and the Christians are denying the Messiah Jesus Christ, the Son of God. If you deny Jesus Christ you are denying “</span><b><i>the way</i></b><i>, the truth, and the life”. </i><span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"> When the Quran was given to man, it was already the majority of Christians was led astray, just like the Bible itself predicted. “… <i>and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; …” </i><b>(1Jn 2:18)</b> <i>“...there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies”</i> <b>(2.Pet2:1)</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">But still the Quran say some of them are different as we read in chapter 3 verses 113 and 114:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i>“Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.” </i><b>Qur’an 3:113,114</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And also we read in Quran chapter 5 verse 68:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">"Say: 'O People of the Book!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel</span></i></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></i></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">...'"</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">(Quran 5:68)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"><span lang="EN-US">There are </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Of <b>the People of the Book</b> who stand for the right. They do not believe in role playing, pretending gods but they believe in One God the Father and in His Son Jesus Christ as their only Mediator and Saviour. They strongly believe in the infallibility of Scripture. They accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. They </span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">stand fast by the Law, the Gospel</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">and all the revelation that has come to them from their Lord</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> Therefore they are “</span></span><span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">the People of the Book</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US">”. </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: inherit;">The Quran calls all the believers to study together: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i>“… and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.”</i> (Quran 29:46)</span></div>
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“<i>Allah! There is no Allah but He―the Living, the Self-Subsisting Eternal. It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (Of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)”</i> (Quran 3:2,3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, CONFIRMING the scripture that came before it, and GUARDING it in safety:</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> … (Quran 5:48) </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">See also <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">2:41,</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> <span class="apple-style-span">2:91</span>, <span class="apple-style-span">2:101,</span> <span class="apple-style-span">3:3, 5:48, 6:92, 10:37</span>, <span class="apple-style-span">12:111,</span> <span class="apple-style-span">16:102, 35:31</span>, <span class="apple-style-span">46:12)</span><span style="color: #993300;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">God say in these verses; he sent Torah and Gospel and sent Quran to confirm the Scripture. TO CONFIRM and GUARDING it in safety!</span></div>
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Confirm = Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts, Strengthen or make more firm, Support a person for a position. </span></div>
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<b>John 14:6</b> “… I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">T</span></span><span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"><b><span lang="EN-US">he People of the Book<i> </i></span></b><span lang="EN-US">are </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">strongly believe in the infallibility of Scripture. They accept the Bible as their only creed. They </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">stand fast by the Law, the Gospel</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">and all the revelation that has come to them from their Lord.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> Therefore they are “</span></span><span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">the People of the Book </span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US">that<b> God</b></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fffff2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-US">have bestowed </span></i><span lang="EN-US">His<i> Grace on them. </i>They believe in Jesus as “<b>The Way</b>, the truth, and the life”. This is the straight Way… </span></span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8520248306087885297.post-63465144542236600642011-11-04T00:32:00.005+03:002012-02-22T14:12:48.011+03:00Dhimmi & Jizyah<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“Dhimmi” (Arabic: </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">ذمي</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="EN-US"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, meaning "protected person")</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">We have one verse in Quran talking about Jizyah or Jizya (Arabic: </span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">جزية</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="AR-SA"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span></span><span lang="EN-US">) is the extra tax imposed on non-Muslims (Dhimmi) who live under Muslim rule; Quran Chapter 9 verse 29 says:</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“<i>Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the <b>Jizya</b> with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”</i> (Quran 9:29)</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Who are the “Dhimmis” that must pay Jizya? The verse above so clear, even if they are of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) if they “<i>… believe not in <a href="http://antiochbeliever.blogspot.com/2011/08/god-in-islam.html">Allah</a> nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth… </i>” they are unbelievers and if they are living in Islamic countries they are “dhimmis” and then they have to “<i>… pay the <b>Jizya</b> with willing submission …”</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Think about a person called him self “a Christian” but do not believe in God or the Last Day, he does not hold on what forbidden by God and have no idea about the religion of Truth. Can we call this kind of man a Christian? Sure not.<br />
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Most of those people who call themselves Christians do not believe in God but believe in gods (so-called trinity). They do not hold on what forbidden by God and drink alcohol, eat pork, break the Sabbath, bow to image and idols, etc. Most of the Christians “<i>have no idea about the religion of Truth</i>”. They ignore One True God and believe in gods. They ignore Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and men (1Ti 2:5) and took Mary and the saints as mediators. So, even if they are of the People of the Book if they do not acknowledge the religion of Truth they are not Believers. <br />
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And we read in the Quran:</span></div>
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<span class="messagebodytranslationeligibleusermessage" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">“Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.” </span></i><b><span lang="EN-US">Qur’an 3:113,114<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">And now let us read an article written by Muqtedar Khan …</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">- In 628 AD, a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery came to Prophet Muhammed, requesting his protection. He responded by granting them a charter of rights, which is reproduced below in its entirety.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The Promise to St. Catherine:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">The first and final sentences of this charter are critical, as they make the promise eternal and universal. Prophet Muhammed asserts that Muslims are with Christians near and far. Thus, totally rejecting any future attempts to limit the promise to St. Catherine alone. By commanding Muslims to obey it until the Day of Judgment, the charter again undermines any future attempts to revoke the privileges. These rights are inalienable. Prophet Muhammed declared Christians as his allies and equated ill treatment of Christians with violating God’s covenant.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">A remarkable aspect of the charter is that it imposes no conditions on Christians for enjoying its privileges. It is enough that they are Christians. They are not required to alter their beliefs, they do not have to make any payments and they do not have any obligations. This is a charter of rights without any duties!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">…”</span></div>Asf Aslanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329654799943052404noreply@blogger.com0