In John 8:12 Jesus says, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in dark but shall have the light of life.
Here is a slight problem that arises to some, of which, they see as a contradiction when reading Matthew 5:14.
Jesus says to the disciples; Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Skeptics question, how can Jesus be the light of the world and the disciples as well?
The Hoopers - The Cross Noe Is Empty
http://gospel-wings-of-an-eagle4.com/The_Hoppers_The_Cross_Now_Is_Empty.mp3
2007-05-11 20:27:04 · 11 answers · asked by n_007pen 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
PS: I asked this question because of skeptics/ In 1 Peter 3:15 Peter writes; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and "be ready always to give an answer" to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
2007-05-11 20:42:14 · update #1
Answer: What appears to be a contradiction at first glance to some,
turns out to be, not one at all.
Let's take for an example the Moon which, we all know provides light for the Earth just as the Sun does.
Yet the "actual" source of Light for both the Sun and the Moon is the Sun.
For the Moon only "reflects" the light of the Sun upon the Earth.
Which by the same token
Jesus, is the Source of "All" Light.
Whereas the disciples and believers become the "Reflectors" in a darkened world, transmitting through our lives the True Light of the Eternal Son of God.
2007-05-12 01:56:25 · update #2
In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men.. and the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.
We are those beholding face to face this One who is Life and Light...The face of Jesus Christ is in our spirit and when we are those turning to Him.. calling on His name and experiencing His infusion into our being.. we will be those gradually being conformed to His image.. From glory to Glory.. even as from the Lord who is the SPirit (Corinthians)
We are reflectors of This One abiding in us... working His life into us day by day as we abide in Him. One brother on here said that We are the body of Christ and he is right... There is One life in our bodies.. the human life with all its nature and function... in like manner.. as members of Christ .. we have His life and nature in us.. working out all the negative things of the fall out of us and causing us to be brought from Glory to glory... there is Only One life in Christ's body and Its Him as Life and Light to and In us
This is so precious that we can be brought into such a union.
Reflectors and Illuminators of this WOnderful Light of the WOrld.. Jesus Christ...
2007-05-11 20:37:59 · answer #1 · answered by Broken Alabaster Flask 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christians overlook the fact that later on Jesus tells His followers that He is the light of the world WHILE He is in the world. This indicates that His status is temporary, not permanent. Over and over again Jesus told His followers that He was going away and was sending another to lead them. When you become one with the Spirit of truth within you, you become a light of the world as well. The Spirit of truth is the only one who can guide us out of the confusion created by the bible and christianity.
2007-05-11 23:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by single eye 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is the main light of the world. The disciple are the reflecting light from what they have learned from Jesus. like the "chip of the old block" saying people say about a child who is like their parent. The disciple learned enough from Jesus that they could reflect their light once he left this world as a man in the flesh.
2007-05-11 20:40:09 · answer #3 · answered by jew BE 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Light = allows others to see clearly; an example; illuminates. That's what Jesus is to us, besides the fact that He did say, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Light."
That's the man himself saying that ... and we are believers because that's what we do, we believe in what the bible says ... and that's faith.
2007-05-11 20:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by Vanessa Vanessa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only ones who are a light in this world spiritually speaking are the enlightened.
2007-05-11 20:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are all filled with the holy spirit....being the light of the world is done in so many way...a simple smile is a good start
2007-05-11 20:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by † H20andspirit 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You posted something on another question but left no place to respond to it, so here.
http://candst.tripod.com/studygd7b.htm
2007-05-12 01:57:45 · answer #7 · answered by U-98 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh brother go play with your xbox
I can give you 1,000,000 contradictions in the bible
2007-05-11 20:31:55 · answer #8 · answered by Johnny W 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are the Body of Christ!
2007-05-11 20:29:52 · answer #9 · answered by djmantx 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not 'either/or'
It's Both!
2007-05-11 20:31:11 · answer #10 · answered by wroockee 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋