...could it be interpreted as Jesus saying, 'do what I do, and you'll go to heaven', rather than having to actually acknowledge him by name? Whilst I am in no way an expert in biblical studies it would seem his message was meant to affect the Jews of the time, rather than to start a whole new religion (albeit one with strong ties to Judaism). Could this mean that he was simply saying, 'be nice'?
This is not meant to offend anyone so I apologise if this is the case, but I am also looking for serious, open-minded answers only...thanks!
2006-10-08 07:59:21 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus intends us to follow Him. We cannot do what He does or He needn't have come in the first place. The idea is, He has done the work for our salvation.
As I've said before context is everything in study of scripture. And the fact is, the scripture says, the only way to the Father is through me, not if it says that, it does indeed say that.
We are worth a Son to God.
2006-10-08 08:10:15 · answer #1 · answered by thomasnotdoubting 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was not about goodness. Jesus was a rebel and he did shocking things! Good but shocking!
Jesus was for all: Jews, gentiles, the disabled, prostitutes, the grieving everyone at a time when these people could not even enter the temple because they were considered unclean by the priests. Jesus said he called everyone!
He began a new religion by making Peter the rock that he would build his church on. (He said church not synagogue) He told us to have Communion with bread and wine and that we could eat all the things Jews are told not to eat. He said it was the new agreement or covenant.
Bible study is really hard without guidance. If you do not understand 1st century culture you will misinterpret it.
Christ did teach by example your right there but the demands he made on humankind were much harder than simply being good.
An excellent bible is 'the message' because its written in modern English and its so easy to understand! You can buy it on line or at a christian book shop. Another good one is 'the bible for dummies' which ex planes everything clearly and simply.
2006-10-08 09:23:44 · answer #2 · answered by Nicola H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do realise that you have unleashed the American Bible basher brigade with this question. Jesus told us to love - and yes that means be nice but it also means have respect for others and their beliefs and opinions. Core messages from the bible have been papered over by holyier than thou, self righteous people (who are entitled to their beliefs so long as they dont try and tell the rest of how to live). If your heart is in the right place and you show compassion and understanding for others, forgive those who have wronged you and show you are a child of God by what you do rather than what you say or how much scripture you can quote - then your reward will come from the people around you and you are already in heaven.
2006-10-08 09:15:05 · answer #3 · answered by Josef H 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Bible states very clearly that belief in Jesus Christ (and not in Jesus + good works, "being nice", "being good" or any thing other than belief in Him) is the only way to Heaven. The Book of John is our Guide to getting to heaven :) and it says "believe" time.. after time... after time....Jesus tells the thief on the cross next to Him that because the thief believes in Jesus at that moment that he will have a home in Paradise. The thief didn't have the time to get off the cross and go and do a bunch of things to "earn" his way to heaven!
It's good that you are exploring and open-minded. Do some more studies in "saved by grace" as opposed to "saved by works" and I believe that you'll be further enlightened!
2006-10-08 08:10:25 · answer #4 · answered by damad31 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Actually, there is no "If" to this question. Jesus did indeed say
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
It does make a difference as to our "acknowledgment and who we think HE is. IF we think Jesus was simply a good man, even a good prophet, we will die in our sin. Jesus claimed and is the GREAT I AM in John 8:28
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
(He literally said then shall ye know that I AM)
IF we could have eternal life simply by doing and following HIS example, then our salvation would be based upon WORKS.
Ephesians 2:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
God said ALL our works are as filthy rags. ALL includes our good works so there is no great cosmic scale weighing our good and bad works. IF we have not trusted Jesus for full payment for our sin, we are rejecting GOD's plan and HIS SON
IF we do not do it HIS way...we can hit the low way because it sure ain't the HIGH way.
2006-10-08 08:11:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are correct in your assumption that Jesus(PBUH) was essentially a teacher of the Jews and we should never forget that he was Jewish himself,when you read the |Bible you will find many references to him saying things that were directed at the Jews,and the story of the woman who was not Jewish asking for help,and at first he refused to help and said something along the lines of "I do not feed the dogs under my table" somewhat harsh but the story goes on to intimate that he was only there to teach the Jews the error of their ways. I don't profess to be an expert and am in fact a Muslim,but I read the Bible because I feel you have to in order to know what guidance and misguidance it contains.
2006-10-08 08:27:11 · answer #6 · answered by alantreloar1955 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:36 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.
The only way to get into heaven is by accepting Jesus as the man who died on the cross for your sins, and repent of those sins, and turning your life over to Jesus, giving up your old sinful lifestyle. That is what Jesus said.
2006-10-08 08:05:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
You're right, he was speaking to the people of the time,in the language of the time.He had to begin with their beliefs,and expand on them,to lead them to freer realms of understanding.When he is refering to himself,he is actually,saying what any individual must inevitably come to say about himself."I am a child of god... ,only through me...,I am the truth the light and the way....There are many ways besides christian terms to interpret and translate truth.A rose by any other name is still a rose.
2006-10-08 08:20:44 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That statement directs Christians to abide by His rules of which the most paramount was that of "loving your neighbour as much as you love yourself". Jesus' teachings affected the Jews, but they also affect us because noone has annulled His laws to this day.
2006-10-08 08:16:37 · answer #9 · answered by marizani 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is the way the truth and the light. Only through him we are saved. He paid the price for us and we need to honor that. to be a Christan is to be Christ like. Only He can cleanse us clean enough to stand before God. So be nice and be Christ like but also know that without Jesus you have no chance in Hell
2006-10-08 08:06:15 · answer #10 · answered by autumnbrookblue 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋