World Blog by humble servant.Savior / Redeemer? Lamb? Messiah?

Savior / Redeemer? Lamb? Messiah?

One of the basic doctrines of modern Christianity is that

Jesus was crucified, suffered greatly, and died a humiliating

death in order to redeem mankind from its sins. The corollary

to this doctrine is that one must accept Jesus as a personal savior in order to enter the kingdom of God.

For many Christians these concepts have had what is the

effect of making Jesus the one to pray to, rather than to God. If

you believe that someone will save you it is natural that you

will implore him.

For other sincere believers this whole issue has led to doubt.

In some cases, this doubt has given rise to theories that question the validity of the crucifixion. Such theories range from

the unusual to the bizarre. Usually the theories are that someone else was crucified in Jesus’ place or that he survived the

event and went on to live and preach in one or more geographical locations.

Johnnie Ellington II

REASONS FOR DOUBT

One of the reasons that these doubts and theories exist is

that, from a purely logical point of view, the Christian concept

of the crucifixion is in conflict with another Christian concept,

that of God’s qualities of omnipotence and mercy. The combined doctrines of Jesus’ sonship to God and of his crucifixion

create a picture of a helpless deity who cannot defend his offspring, or worse yet, a heartless one who deliberately created

the circumstances under which his child was required to suffer

greatly. This is totally against the concept of a merciful, compassionate and omnipotent God.

Johnnie Ellington II

There is another crucial issue here—the issue of individual

responsibility. The idea of a single individual atoning for the

sins of humanity is in conflict with the concepts of free will and

personal responsibility. One of the basic principles of western

understanding is that no man can be held accountable for the

mistakes of another.

Johnnie Ellington II

Each person is individually responsible

for his own actions, with the freedom to make his own decisions and to reap the gain or loss resulting from those decisions.

Though this concept might be considered modern, it certainly is not foreign to the scriptures. The theme that ‘you reap

what you sow’ threads throughout the Bible:

When God, in the beginning, created man,

he made him subject to his own free choice.

If you choose you can keep the commandments;

it is loyalty to do his will.

There are set before you fire and water;

to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.

Johnnie Ellington II

[Sirach 15:14-16] – New American Bible

The above quote demonstrates the Biblical principle of freedom of choice. The next quote demonstrates that we are punished or rewarded according to those free choices that we

make.

Great as his mercy is his punishment;

he judges men, each according to his deeds.

A criminal does not escape with his plunder;

a just man’s hope God does not leave unfulfilled.

Whoever does good has his reward,

which each receives according to his deeds

Johnnie Ellington II

[Sirach 16:12-14] – New American Bible

It is in the epistle of Galatians that we actually find the

phrase “a person will reap only what he sows”:

Each one must examine his own work,

and then he will have reason to boast

120 | Development of the Christian Doctrine

with regard to himself alone,

and not with regard to someone else;

for each will bear his own load. . . .

God is not mocked,

for a person will reap only what he sows.

Johnnie Ellington II

The Quran also strongly supports this doctrine of individual responsibility:

Say, “You are not responsible for our crimes,

nor are we responsible for what you do.”

[Quran 34:25] – Quran: The Final

Testament

Johnnie Ellington II

It clearly states that no one can take on the sins of another.

Each of us is individually accountable to God:

No soul bears the sins of another soul.

Every human being is responsible

for his own works.

[Quran 53:38-39] – Quran: The Final

Testament

Johnnie Ellington II

GOD AS SAVIOR

The issue of Jesus Christ as savior comes into the picture

here. If each man reaps what he sows, how can Jesus be the

savior? How could he have taken on the sins of mankind, or

negated them? Only the One who accepts repentance can wipe

out sins

Johnnie Ellington II

Indeed, throughout the Old Testament, God alone is

referred to as the savior:

David sang the words of this song to the LORD

when the LORD had rescued him

from the grasp of all his enemies

and from the hand of Saul.

This is what he sang:

“O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,

Johnnie Ellington II

my God, my rock of refuge!

My shield, the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold, my refuge, my savior,

from violence you keep me safe.”

Johnnie Ellington II

In Isaiah God Himself speaks, saying clearly that He alone

is the savior:

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. . . .

I, I am the Lord,

and besides me there is no savior.

[Isaiah 43:3 & 11] – New Revised Standard Version

Johnnie Ellington II

He repeats this categorical statement in Hosea:

I am the LORD, your God, since the land of Egypt;

You know no God besides me,

and there is no savior but me.

[Hosea 13:4] – New American Bible

Johnnie Ellington II

The Quran also clearly states that only God is the savior:

As for those who believe and lead a righteous life,

He will fully recompense them,

and shower them with His grace.

As for those who disdain and turn arrogant,

He will commit them to painful retribution.

They will find no lord beside God, nor a savior.

[Quran 4:173] – Quran: The Final Testament

Johnnie Ellington II

It is only in the New Testament that Jesus is mentioned as

the savior of men. Even then, the Gospels use the term only

twice to refer to Jesus, though the narrations of the Last Supper

may seem to imply it.

Johnnie Ellington II

The name ‘the Savior’ was not used by Jesus Himself, and traces

of its presence in the Gospel tradition are few and of late date. The

only Synoptic example is Lk. ii. 11, in the angelic message to the

shepherd, where Jesus is described as ‘a Savior, which is Christ

the Lord. . . . More surprising is the presence of only a single example in the Fourth Gospel, in Jn. iv 42, where the Samaritans say of

Jesus, ‘This is indeed the Savior of the world’.

Besides the two occurrences of the term “Savior” referred to

by Taylor, the only other occurrence in the Gospels clearly

refers to God, not Jesus, who was not even born yet:

Johnnie Ellington II

And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor

on the lowliness of his servant. . . . ’

[Luke 1:46-48] – New Revised Standard Version

Johnnie Ellington II

There is a related concept, the idea of “Redeemer”. In

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, all of the references

for this word are from the Old Testament (most in Isaiah) and

all refer to God alone. Here are just two as examples:

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,

who formed you in the womb:

I am the Lord, who made all things,

who alone stretched out the heavens,

who by myself spread out the earth;

[Isaiah 44:24] – New Revised Standard Version

Johnnie Ellington II

narrate these narration of what they claim. FROM THE GOOD BOOK>

Johnnie Ellington II

You shall know that I, the LORD, am your savior,

your redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

[Isaiah 60:16] – New American Bible

Reply37m

Johnnie Ellington II

Talk to me i want to allow a real spirit to visit you.

Johnnie Ellington II

God is the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. The concept

that Jesus had to suffer a painful and humiliating death in

order to save mankind is not in accordance with the scripture,

nor does it make sense. Why would a merciful and omnipotent

God require such a thing?

Johnnie Ellington II

Only the devil would twist you

Johnnie Ellington II

The demon who made you a slave and you can sign onto sin while saying you holy...

Johnnie Ellington II

THE CONCEPT OF JESUS AS SAVIOR/REDEEMER

It is in the letters of early Christians, the Epistles, that we see

the most references for Jesus being the savior with a redemptive role for human sins.

In a great many other verses baptism or believing in and following Jesus steadfastly are what saves believers

Johnnie Ellington II

Is what take you away from Your only SAVIOR...

Johnnie Ellington II

. For example:

The one who believes and is baptized will be saved;

but the one who does not believe will be condemned.

[Mark 16:16] – New Revised Standard Version

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved,

and will come in and go out and find pasture.

[John 10:9] – New American Bible

They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus,

and you will be saved, you and your household.’

[Acts 16:31] – New Revised Standard Version

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:

but he that shall endure unto the end,

the same shall be saved.

[Mark 13:13] – King James Version

There are verses that indicate that Jesus died for mankind.

For example:

‘I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down his life

for the sheep.’

[John 10:11] – New Revised Standard Version

124 | Development of the Christian Doctrine

Additionally, verses describing the Last Supper given in

Matthew indicate that Jesus’ death would remit sins:

And he took the cup, and gave thanks,

and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the new testament,

which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

[Matthew 26:27-28] – King James Version

Johnnie Ellington II

It is interesting that the verses describing the Last Supper in

the gospels of Mark and Luke are similar, but do not mention

the remission of sins. The gospel of John does not mention any

of this in reference to the Last Supper, but has Jesus giving a

difficult teaching on his flesh and blood quite a bit earlier in the

synagogue of Capernaum (John 6:35-59). This teaching was

difficult even for his disciples, and though it indicates that

those who eat and drink of him will have eternal life, it mentions nothing about the remission of sins.

In reference to the title “Redeemer”, it is not used in the

New Testament, but the Epistles do speak of redemption in

Galatians 3:13 and 4:5, also in Titus 2:14 and Hebrews 9:15.

In Titus and Hebrews Jesus redeems men from transgression and sin, while in Galatians he is seen as redeeming them

from the covenant of Mosaic Law itself:

But when the fullness of time had come,

God sent his Son, born of a woman,

born under the law,

in order to redeem those who were under the law,

so that we might receive adoption as children.

[Galatians 4:4-5] – New Revised Standard

Version

Johnnie Ellington II

Paul the fabricator.

Johnnie Ellington II

This latter seems to fit with our earlier discussion about

Paul’s conflict with the Mother Church in Jerusalem where the

original apostles held to Mosaic Law.

Johnnie Ellington II

MESSIAH

The Jewish concept of the Messiah might be seen as much

political as spiritual. The following illustrates this. (We have

more closely examined part of the following verses from Isaiah

in Chapter 3.):

[T]he yoke that burdened them,

the pole on their shoulder,

The rod of their taskmaster,

you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle,

every cloak rolled in blood,

will be burned as fuel for fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

Johnnie Ellington II

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast

and forever peaceful,

Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom,

which he confirms and sustains

By judgment and justice,

both now and forever.

Johnnie Ellington II

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

[Isaiah 9:3-6] – New American Bible

Thus the expected Messiah would be a ruler from the family of David who would remove the yoke of Roman oppression

and restore sovereignty to the Jewish people. They looked for

a mighty leader, not a simple carpenter. Even the Romans

spoke of the king of the Jews and mocked Jesus with the title at

the time of his crucifixion:

And they clothed him in a purple cloak;

and after twisting some thorns into a crown,

they put it on him. And they began saluting him,

‘Hail, King of the Jews!’

[Mark 15:17-18] – New Revised Standard

Version

Johnnie Ellington II

For Christians Matthew 1:1 makes it very clear that Jesus

was the expected Messiah:

An account of the genealogy

of Jesus the Messiah,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

[Matthew 1:1] – New Revised Standard

Version

Though the Gospel of Matthew leaves no doubt about

Christian acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, there is some discussion as to whether or not Jesus ever openly used the title for

himself. In Chapter 3 we saw that in 1987 the Jesus Seminar

came to the conclusion that Jesus never publicly claimed to be

the Messiah. Frances Young, who is quoted extensively in

Chapter 4, mentions this issue. Here again is part of that quote:

“Mark’s gospel conveys the impression that Jesus attempted to

keep his identity as Messiah a secret divulged only to his inner

circle” (Ibid., p.17).

Johnnie Ellington II

This desire to keep his being the Messiah secret is repeated

in Matthew 16:20:

Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell

anyone that he was the Messiah.

[Matthew 16:20] – New Revised Standard

Version

By the time of the writing of the Gospels Jesus was known

as Jesus Christ; “Christ” being the English for “Khristos”, the

Greek equivalent of “Messiah”. This Anglicized Greek term is

used over 50 times for Jesus in the Gospels as translated in the

New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, and over 450 times in

the epistles (often given as an alternate translation).

It seems safe to say that though Jesus may have wished to

keep his role as Messiah quiet it was indeed something that he

taught to his disciples. Thus this doctrine is indeed founded in

the Bible.

Johnnie Ellington II

Interestingly we also find Jesus called the Messiah several

times in the Quran. For example:

The angels said, “O Mary, God gives you good news: a Word

from Him whose name is ‘The Messiah, Jesus the son of

Mary.’ He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter,

and one of those closest to Me.”

[Quran 3:45] – Quran the Final Testament

To recap my understanding, while Jesus was the Messiah, if

we are each responsible for our own works and if God is the

Savior and Redeemer, his role as Messiah was not that of a savior or redeemer. In my understanding the word “messiah”

simply means “anointed” and, thus, indicates having a special

God-given mission. Indeed Jesus did have a special mission.

Among other things, his entire life was devoted to God, even

as an infant, and so he serves as a wonderful example for us of

how to live our own lives devoted to God. In any case, that

Jesus had to suffer a painful and humiliating death in order to

save mankind is not in accordance with the scripture, nor does

it make any sense

Johnnie Ellington II

WHY IS THERE SUFFERING?

In Chapter 5 we looked at the concept that Jesus was God’s

“son” in the sense that all the righteous are “sons” or “children” of God. So why does God allow suffering to afflict anyone? If God cares about His creation, why doesn’t He abolish

all suffering and render the world perfectly happy and

secure?

There is very strong evidence that Jesus, in fact, did not suffer at all. This startling concept is explained in detail along

with scriptural evidence in Chapter 9 dealing with his death.

In summary, Jesus’ body was tortured and crucified after the

real person of Jesus, i.e., his soul, had departed. Jesus had completed his mission, and his soul had departed at a precisely

predetermined moment prior to any torture or crucifixion. Jesus’

tormentors were unknowingly torturing and crucifying an

empty shell devoid of any feeling. Thus Jesus did not suffer at

all.

Johnnie Ellington II

GOD’S “CHILDREN” DO NOT SUFFER

Actually I find lots of evidence that God’s “children”, those

who are righteously devoted to Him, do not suffer. This appears

to be an unrealistic concept, but it is prevalent throughout the

scripture. In the Psalms, we read the following:

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,

who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

Say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will rescue you from the snare

of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence.

With his pinions he will cover you,

and under his wings you shall take refuge;

his faithfulness is a buckler and a shield.

You shall not fear the terror of the night

nor the arrow that flies by day;

Not the pestilence that roams in darkness

nor the devastating plague at noon.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right side, near you it shall not come.

Rather with your eyes shall you behold

and see the requital of the wicked,

Because you have the Lord for your refuge;

you have made the Most High your stronghold.

No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction

come near your tent,

For to his angels he has given command about you,

that they guard you in all your ways.

Upon their hands they shall bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the asp and the viper;

you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.

[Psalm 91:1-13] – New American Bible, 1970

Johnnie Ellington II

This Psalm proclaims a consistent Biblical premise: that

God’s “children” are fully protected from suffering. This is in

direct contradiction with any doctrine requiring the kind of

suffering that Jesus—one of God’s favorite “children”—supposedly endured

Johnnie Ellington II

The Psalmist informs us that God “has given

command to his angels that they guard you in all your ways.

Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your

foot against a stone.”

Yes, there are exceptions to this Biblical rule, but such

exceptions can be explained. The righteous may first have to

pass what some have termed “admission tests”, before being

admitted into God’s kingdom. Like academic tests, these tests

are also learning experiences. Once the candidate is shown to

be unshakably devoted to God, he or she is admitted into

God’s grace and perfect happiness.

The example of Job is a perfect illustration. We are told that

Satan challenged Job’s piety, and was allowed to afflict Job,

within limits imposed by God, in order to demonstrate Job’s

sincerity and steadfastness in his devotion to God:

Then Satan answered the Lord,

‘Does Job fear God for nothing?

Have you not put a fence around him and his house

and all that he has, on every side?

You have blessed the work of his hands,

and his possessions have increased in the land.

But stretch out your hand now,

and touch all that he has,

and he will curse you to your face.’

The Lord said to Satan,

‘Very well, all that he has is in your power;

only do not stretch out your hand against him!’

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

[Job 1:9-12] – New Revised Standard Version

Johnnie Ellington II

Satan proceeded to test Job with affliction after affliction,

but Job was not shaken from his devotion:

Savior/Redeemer? Lamb? Messiah? | 133

Job . . . cast himself prostrate upon the ground,

and said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I go back again.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything

disrespectful of God.

[Job 1:20-22] – New American Bible

Johnnie Ellington II

When Job had proven himself and passed all of Satan’s tests,

God removed the afflictions:

Also, the LORD restored the prosperity of Job,

after he had prayed for his friends;

the LORD even gave to Job twice as much as he had before.

[Job 42:10] – New American Bible

Once the tests were over, Job was accepted as a “child of

God”, and was generously rewarded for his steadfastness in

the face of the suffering inflicted upon him by Satan.

Johnnie Ellington II

The New Testament confirms the idea of perfect happiness

for God’s “children”. A good example is found in Luke 12:28-

31 where God’s “children” are exhorted to stop worrying

about the provisions of this world. They are told that God is

fully aware of their needs, and will automatically fill such

needs once they belong with Him:

But if God so clothes the grass of the field,

which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!

And do not keep striving for what you are to eat

and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.

For it is the nations of the world

that strive after all these things,

and your Father knows that you need them.

Instead, strive for his kingdom,

and these things will be given to you as well.

[Luke 12:28-31] – New Revised Standard

Johnnie Ellington II

Suffering, by definition, includes an element of feeling hopeless, an element of despair. Thus one may undergo trials and

yet not suffer because there is no despair, no loss of hope and

trust in God.

Johnnie Ellington II

The Quran, though a later scripture, also reminds us never

to despair:

Proclaim: “O My servants

who exceeded the limits,

never despair of God’s mercy.

For God forgives all sins.

He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.”

[Quran 39:53] – Quran the Final Testament

Of course there may be times that we find ourselves having

problems. I personally have found that when this happens

there is almost always something that I can identify that I am

doing or have done that is causing the issue. As soon as I recognize the problem and ask God to forgive me and help with

the issue, things straighten out. Sometimes it requires a great

deal of soul searching, but I have not really suffered.

Johnnie Ellington II

CONCLUSIONS

The scripture clearly states that we each reap what we sow.

Jesus will not save us. God, not Jesus, is the savior of each and… See more

Johnnie Ellington II

These guidelines apply to all of God’s “children”:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God

are children of God.

Johnnie Ellington II

In Chapter 5 we looked at the concept that Jesus was God’s

“son” in the sense that all the righteous are “sons” or “children” of God. So why does God allow suffering to afflict anyone? If God cares about His creation, why doesn’t He abolish

all suffering and render the world perfectly happy and

secure?

Johnnie Ellington II

There is very strong evidence that Jesus, in fact, did not suffer at all. This startling concept is explained in detail along

with scriptural evidence in Chapter 9 dealing with his death.

Johnnie Ellington II

In summary, Jesus’ body was tortured and crucified after the

real person of Jesus, i.e., his soul, had departed. Jesus had completed his mission, and his soul had departed at a precisely

predetermined moment prior to any torture or crucifixion.

Johnnie Ellington II

tormentors were unknowingly torturing and crucifying an

empty shell devoid of any feeling. Thus Jesus did not suffer at

all.

THE BIBLE Johnnie Ellington II August 18, 2015 at 2:09pm · Herod was extremely pleased to see Jesus. From the reports about him he had wanted for a long time to see him, and he was hoping to see him work some miracles. He questioned Jesus at considerable length, but Jesus made no response. The chief priests and scribes were at hand to accuse him vehemently. Herod and his guards then treated him with contempt and insult. [ Luke 23:8-11 ]2 X8=16+3=19+1+20-1=19 Johnnie Ellington II August 18, 2015 at 2:09pm · Herod was extremely pleased to see Jesus. From the reports about him he had wanted for a long time to see him, and he was hoping to see him work some miracles. He questioned Jesus at considerable length, but Jesus made no response. The chief priests and scribes were at hand to accuse him vehemently. Herod and his guards then treated him with contempt and insult. [ Luke 23:8-11 ]

Johnnie Ellington II

August 18, 2015 at 2:09pm ·

Herod was extremely pleased to see Jesus. From the reports about him he had wanted for a long time to see him, and he was hoping to see him work some miracles. He questioned Jesus at considerable length, but Jesus made no response. The chief priests and scribes were at hand to accuse him vehemently. Herod and his guards then treated him with contempt and insult. [ Luke 23:8-11 ] 2X8=16+3=19+1=20-1=19