GENTLE BREEZE
By NELLY FAVIS VILLAFUERTE
Nelly Favis Villafuerte
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To those who believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, the resurrection is the strongest argument that Jesus is God. Romans 1:4 says, “. . . and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” In Romans 6:4, “Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father.”***
In at least three instances, Jesus categorically said, “I am the Son of God.” (Mark 14:51-62; John 9:35-37; John `0:36). Again, Jesus is called the Son of God in all four Gospels. God also called Jesus his own beloved son. (Luke 3:22) Even the evil spirits called Jesus the Son of God!***
In many parts of the Bible, we see people acknowledging that Jesus is Lord and the Son of God. We have Martha, sister of Lazarus (the man raised from the dead by Jesus), in John 11:27 saying: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” Again in John 1:49, Nathanael said of Jesus, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” In Acts 7:59, we see Stephen, while being stoned, praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”***
In the Book of John, Jesus declared the seven “I am” using expressions about himself that can only be attributed to a deity. Thus:”I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12; John 9:5)
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9)
“I am the Good Shepherd. The shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
”I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5)
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Many have denied that Christ is God because He “is come in the flesh” according to 1 John 4:23 and 2 John 7. To them, the phrase “come in the flesh” is defined as flesh and bones. A question that is worth pondering on this point is: “Before the Son of God came “in the flesh,” what was He? Rephrasing the question: Before the Son of God came down to earth, what was he? The answer is found in John 1:18; John 17:5, 24; Hebrews 1:8 and Psalm 45:6 which say:John 1:18: “No one has ever seen the God, but God the only (begotten) Son, who is at the Father’s side has made him known.”
John 17:5: “And now Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world.”
John 17:24 says: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
Hebrews 1:8; Psalm 45:8: But about the Son he says: “Your throne, O God will last forever and ever.”
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From these biblical passages, Jesus Christ was more than a man even before his coming in the flesh in this world. Otherwise why should His coming be described as “in the flesh,” if He was already a man before His coming to earth? This is the mystery of godliness described in 1 Timothy 3:16. Also, in Matthew 1:23, the name Emmanuel attributed to Jesus means “God with us.” (1987)(To be continued)
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This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com.)