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No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrection - 3/23/2008 12:32:25 AM
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Ezra
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Too many of us fail to grasp the power of the resurrection of Christ. Yet Paul says "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:17).
What are the implications of the resurrection of Christ?
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And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/23/2008 1:08:24 AM
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bob97
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Pretty simple…there is no forgiveness of our transgressions and we are doomed to eternal damnation. An eternity spent without God…I can’t image.
Bob
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/23/2008 7:12:11 PM
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Doghouse
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Holy cow! I get to agree with and fully support Ezra. Praise be to God....
The Resurrection is the defeat and conquering of death for all of us fleshy mortal types by one who wore the same fleshy suit we operate.
We no longer need to fear death but to realize that death is defeated by faith and hope, and in that there is the strength and dignity (the Grace, if you will...) to live the life that we have been instructed to live in Scriptures. Without it, we are as we were - lost and trying to figure out the punchline.
Nice post, Ezra - Happy Easter.
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/23/2008 7:24:24 PM
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Ps103
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Ezra, my brother, I think you have hit on something we can all agree on.
Have a blessed Easter!
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/24/2008 1:35:14 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
Too many of us fail to grasp the power of the resurrection of Christ. Yet Paul says "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:17).
What are the implications of the resurrection of Christ?
You have challenged me to begin studying your topic, which I started this AM. I feel totally inadequate to reply at this point. I'm excited where the Lord will lead me with this!
I find it no accident that it is not discussed or preached or taught on that much, at least in this "neck of the woods". Could it be we have allowed the enemy to put a fog over our brains to keep us from walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit?
It seems the resurrection of our dear Lord was what the early church proclaimed more than anything else?
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~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/25/2008 2:20:54 AM
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Ezra
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quote:
It seems the resurrection of our dear Lord was what the early church proclaimed more than anything else?
THE RESURRECTION AND THE GOSPEL
The resurrection of Christ is central to the Gospel, therefore it was indeed what the early church proclaimed emphatically.
There can be no true Gospel without the proclamation that (1) Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (2) that He was buried, and (3) that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
The apostle Paul states (vv. 1,2) that this is the Gospel:
a) which he declared to them
b) which he preached to them
c) which they also received
d) in which they stood
e) by which also they were saved
Notice how greatly he stresses the importance of these truths, and particularly the doctrine of the resurrection, to which he devotes the entire 15th chapter of this epistle.
Peter, likewise, made the resurrection of Christ central to the Gospel (Acts 2:22-36) and declared that because Jesus of Nazareth had risen from the dead, God has made Him both Lord and Christ.
Unless we believe that He is the Son of God, the living Lord and Savior, repent of our sins, and receive Him as our own Lord and Savior, we cannot have eternal life (Jn. 1:12,13).
THE RESURRECTION AND THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Many Christians continue to refer to the Lord Jesus Christ as simply "Jesus" or "Yeshua". But the New Testament reveals a distinct change in what Christ was called before and after His resurrection. He is generally called "Jesus" until His crucifixion, but after that He is called "the Lord" or "the Lord Jesus Christ". To call Him Lord is to also proclaim that He is God (Jn. 20:28) Why is this?
Because through the resurrection, Christ demonstrated to the spirits in prison, and established before all creatures in Heaven and earth (and under the earth) that He is indeed Lord over (1) sin, (2) Hell (the Lake of Fire), (3) death, (4) Hades, (5) Satan, and (6) the grave. And that's only the beginning. He is now enthroned as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Lord of the universe.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST GUARANTEES THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHRISTIAN
Christ said "I am the Resurrection and the Life" and He proved it by taking up His life on the third day (as He had prophesied repeatedly). That is also why the angels said at His tomb "He is risen, as He said".
Christ was the only human being since the creation of man who knew without the shadow of a doubt that death and the grave could not hold Him. The reason being that He was the only man who was completely without sin. He was and is the God-Man.
And that is why the one who believes on Him (and in whom He lives) shall live eternally, and shall also have a glorious resurrected body, even though he has died and been in the grave for centuries.
These truths are only the tip of the iceberg. There is much more to discover.
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/25/2008 2:28:11 AM
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Ezra
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quote:
Holy cow! I get to agree with and fully support Ezra. Praise be to God....
Indeed. Thanks Doghouse, and a Happy Easter to you too.
Christians should be in agreement at least 90% of the time. In a perfect world it would be 100%.
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And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/25/2008 8:19:32 AM
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DaveW
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Doc65
If Christ had not risen, Christianity would not only be false, it would be like all of the other major world religions (Buddhism, Islam, etc.) and be centered on a dead man/person/prophet; since Christ is risen and lives, we know that God's Word is true. Had He not risen, christianity would not even exist. Your only hope would be conversion to Judiasm.
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/25/2008 10:32:35 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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I feel so inadequate even asking questions on this thread. But since I am so interested...and feel it is so important, I will ask...
Do you think the resurrection and the apostles and disciples seeing the resurrected Christ helps explain the incredible rapid spread of Christianity in those early years?
Do you think it would help this current "church age" to re-focus more on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?
I know, when I was going through a severe crisis of faith a number of years ago, the Lord did direct me, in part, to study about the resurrection, albeit, through other people such as Alexander Maclaren and Lee Strobel...
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~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/26/2008 1:52:35 AM
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Ezra
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quote:
Do you think the resurrection and the apostles and disciples seeing the resurrected Christ helps explain the incredible rapid spread of Christianity in those early years?
Absolutely. At first, none of the apostles were prepared to believe that Jesus was actually alive. Even when they saw Him with their own eyes, it took some time for them to accept the fact that the One who had been crucified and placed in a tomb was actually standing in their midst, and even eating in their presence.
Imagine knowing that you had buried a loved one on one day and he was sitting at your table within three days enjoying a meal! That would be a shock to anyone's system. After the initial shock came the joy and comfort of knowing that Christ was not only alive, but He would remain so eternally, and He would be with His disciples continuously in the Spirit (as He is with us also).
The resurrected Lord spent forty days with His disciples teaching them and preparing them for His departure. He was seen by more than 500 Christians on one occasion (1 Cor. 15:6). But then, within 10 days of His departure, He sent the Holy Spirit, and that transformed the apostles from fearful and timid men during the Crucifixion to bold and unstoppable apostles who went throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, preaching the Gospel and performing miracles (and eventually sacrificing their lives for the sake of the Gospel).
It was both the preaching of the Gospel and the testimony of the miracles that brought sinners to repentance, and within a few decades churches were established throughout the Mediterranean region. It is because the power of God was in and with these men and in their Gospel that lives were transformed by the thousands.
quote:
Do you think it would help this current "church age" to re-focus more on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Christians today, by and large, have a superficial understanding of both the death and the resurrection of Christ. The meaning of both these events is designed to set us free from our human limitations, and empower us to take the Gospel to "every creature" in full dependance upon God. Not only that, but the indwelling Holy Spirit has been given to every believer to empower him or her to be an overcomer. These truths are not being taught sufficiently (if at all).
The full meaning of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ remains hidden to numerous Christians because preachers are failing to fulfil their calling. Too many are preaching "another gospel". If the living Lord were the focus of every Christian every day (instead of entertainment), and His presence was a real, daily, living experience, Christianity would be quite different.
Paul prays in Ephesians 1:19,20 that Christians would know experientially "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places".
< Message edited by Ezra -- 3/26/2008 2:03:55 AM >
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/26/2008 1:01:50 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
The resurrected Lord spent forty days with His disciples teaching them and preparing them for His departure. He was seen by more than 500 Christians on one occasion (1 Cor. 15:6). But then, within 10 days of His departure, He sent the Holy Spirit, and that transformed the apostles from fearful and timid men during the Crucifixion to bold and unstoppable apostles who went throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, preaching the Gospel and performing miracles (and eventually sacrificing their lives for the sake of the Gospel).
Well, we have the same Holy Spirit within us, so why are the majority of us not bold and unstoppable and many of us so timid? Because, as you post further in your reply, because we are not being taught correctly, or because some have sin in their lives, or unbelief, or????
Christians today, by and large, have a superficial understanding of both the death and the resurrection of Christ. The meaning of both these events is designed to set us free from our human limitations, and empower us to take the Gospel to "every creature" in full dependance upon God. Not only that, but the indwelling Holy Spirit has been given to every believer to empower him or her to be an overcomer. These truths are not being taught sufficiently (if at all).
I agree. And I have been in very good churches most of my life as a Christian - great teaching churches
The full meaning of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ remains hidden to numerous Christians because preachers are failing to fulfil their calling. Too many are preaching "another gospel". If the living Lord were the focus of every Christian every day (instead of entertainment), and His presence was a real, daily, living experience, Christianity would be quite different.
What a key this is! To have the living Lord our focus every day! To have daily, hourly encounters with the Lord Jesus Christ, I know, is a key in my own life. When I am most fruitful both in my gifts and callings and in my character is when I am having close encounters with my beloved Lord  It is no wonder the enemy does everything in His power to get our eyes onto anything else except our God!
Paul prays in Ephesians 1:19,20 that Christians would know experientially "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places".
I love the way God works A month or so ago, for about 2 or three weeks, every day I was praying this prayer over myself  But then I fell flat on my face  Maybe I had to so I really would experience the power of His resurrection!
I read Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" right before I do my Bible Study in the AM. I could not believe the one this morning
"The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom he stands a substitute should go their way. In the midst of Egypt’s bondage, that voice rings as a word of power, “Let these go their way.” Out of slavery of sin and Satan the redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, “Let these go their way,” and forth come Despondency and Much-afraid. Satan hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise. Their way is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none shall dare to stay them in it." Charles H. Spurgeon
For the remainder of this devotion, please click below
http://blueletterbible.org/morneve/03/0326am.html
Sorry for my poor formatting. I don't know how to do it the correct way.
Where is everyone else in this discussion? - it is so rich.....
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~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/27/2008 2:21:59 AM
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Ezra
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CherishedbyGod:
I am glad to see that the Lord is driving home to you the powerful truth about the resurrection of Christ and the living Lord with us in the here and now.
Since you have committed yourself to going deeper into this subject, the Lord will surely bless you and strengthen you. Just keep in mind what Paul say: "When I am weak, then I am strong". God's power is manifested during our weakness.
As to where everyone else is, only the Lord knows. I agree that many more should be sharing their thoughts and insights about this crucial truth. This is a part of the "meat" of God's Word.
< Message edited by Ezra -- 3/27/2008 2:40:19 AM >
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/27/2008 2:35:09 AM
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Ezra
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quote:
Well, we have the same Holy Spirit within us, so why are the majority of us not bold and unstoppable and many of us so timid? Because, as you post further in your reply, because we are not being taught correctly, or because some have sin in their lives, or unbelief, or????
The lack of power within the churches is due to any and all of the above factors. Christians refuse to repent even when confronted with their sins and unbelief. And in some churches, the word "repent" has been banished altogether.
We are moving towards the end of the last days, and Christ said: "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" (Lk. 18:8). This speaks of the apostasy of the last days.
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/27/2008 10:49:10 PM
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PeterD
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
Too many of us fail to grasp the power of the resurrection of Christ. Yet Paul says "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:17).
What are the implications of the resurrection of Christ?
quote:
implications
Happy Easter,
John 6:60-65
The Words of Eternal Life
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
Jesus said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
Ezra why does Jesus say, "him" and does the him represent man in general?
Peter
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/27/2008 10:58:54 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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For years, I have wondered about this verse:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
I have sensed, in my spirit for a long time, that it is no accident that Paul wrote first, after knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, that then He would know the "power of his resurrection" and then following, the "fellowship of his sufferings".
What I am trying to say is, do you think to go through the "fellowship of His sufferings" in a way that brings glory to God, that we need to first experience the "power of His resurrection"?
< Message edited by CherishedbyGod -- 3/27/2008 11:11:58 PM >
_____________________________
~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/27/2008 11:05:43 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
CherishedbyGod:
Just keep in mind what Paul say: "When I am weak, then I am strong". God's power is manifested during our weakness.
Oh, thank you, so much for reminding me of that! I believe that is one of the reasons Paul had to go through so many, many difficult things? To keep him humble and dependant on God's power?
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~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/28/2008 12:05:59 AM
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GraceBro
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The Resurrection is salvation! Salvation is the restoration of the life of God, lost in Adam, to the spiritually dead. It is how the Holy Spirit was made available to indwell those who believe. It's the fullness of the Gospel.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15: 22
"For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;" John 11:25
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:12
"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." Romans 10:9
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Amen!!!
Grace and Peace
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/28/2008 1:23:30 AM
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CherishedbyGod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GraceBro
The Resurrection is salvation! Salvation is the restoration of the life of God, lost in Adam, to the spiritually dead. It is how the Holy Spirit was made available to indwell those who believe. It's the fullness of the Gospel.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15: 22
"For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;" John 11:25
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:12
"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." Romans 10:9
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Amen!!!
Grace and Peace
 Very joyful, your post makes me!
_____________________________
~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/28/2008 1:35:56 AM
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Ezra
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quote:
Ezra why does Jesus say, "him" and does the him represent man in general?
Peter:
A Happy Easter to you too. Although this passage is not directly related to this discussion, the "him" represents any sinner who refuses to believe the Gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore he cannot come to Christ for salvation. The Father grants salvation only to those who believe the Gospel.
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And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/28/2008 1:44:23 AM
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Ezra
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quote:
What I am trying to say is, do you think to go through the "fellowship of His sufferings" in a way that brings glory to God, that we need to first experience the "power of His resurrection"?
To understand the meaning of this verse, we need to examine the lives of the apostles. They experienced the "power of His resurrection" as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim the Gospel and do miracles.
At the same time, they entered into "the fellowship of His sufferings" by being beaten, mocked, persecuted, and eventually martyred. So the two realities must go hand-in-hand in every Christian.
Obedience to Christ will generate the power of His resurrection in fruit-bearing, but will also bring rejection and persecution, and sometimes death.
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/28/2008 8:08:13 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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Now, how about this verse?
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant
Hebrews 13:20
I still have your post about it from another thread I started but I would love to know everthing I can from this verse! Anyone?!
There is a Fountain Filled With Blood
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
For the remainder of this hymn, please click below
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/f/tfountfb.htm
< Message edited by CherishedbyGod -- 3/28/2008 8:23:29 PM >
_____________________________
~For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ~
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/30/2008 2:25:48 PM
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Ezra
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quote:
Now, how about this verse?
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Hebrews 13:20
This verse should not be taken in isolation but joined to verse 21 in order to understand Paul's benediction.
The God of Peace
Because there is perfect peace and harmony within the Godhead, God is indeed the God of peace. Sin brought warfare into the universe when Satan rebelled against God, and then enticed the first man and woman to rebel. Humans have been (and remain) enemies of God without God's provision for peace and reconciliation -- the Lamb of God. This is a promise of peace to the child of God.
Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus
While it is true that Christ raised Himself from the dead, it is equally true that the Father and the Holy Spirit were inseparable from His resurrection. The resurrection of Christ was the demonstration of God's power, and it is the source of the power given to all believers. This is a promise of power to the child of God.
That great Shepherd of the Sheep
Christ has three titles in connection with His being our Shepherd, and each one denotes a separate aspect of His love and care for His flock. (1) Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep (2) He is the Great Shepherd who goes before us, leads us, guides us, feeds us, and watches over us. He also corrects His sheep. (3) Christ is the Chief Shepherd who is over all his under-shepherds and is the example for how they should fulfill their ministries. This is a promise of provision (material and spiritual) for the child of God.
Through the blood of the everlasting covenant
This teaches us that:
1. God cannot make a covenant with sinners without the shedding of blood.
2. The Old Covenant was a temporary covenant in that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin.
3. The New Covenant is an everlasting covenant in that the Lamb of God not only shed His own precious blood, but keeps on, and will continue to keep on applying that blood to our souls. It is only through the washing with that blood that you and I can come before a holy God.
4. There is no other provision given to mankind to be reconciled to God, and those who have the blood applied to their souls have been "redeemed by the blood of the Lamb".
Make you perfect in every good work
God's plan for His children is to transform them into the likeness of Christ, which is perfection. We are perfect, are are being perfected, and we shall be perfect when we see Christ. However, while we are on earth, it is the power of the blood and the power of the resurrection that enables us to be perfect in every good work, not only to do God's will, but also to do that which is wellpleasing in His sight. This teaches us that it is God who works in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure, and nothing that we do is from ourselves. Christ said that "Without me ye can do nothing" and this is a lesson that every Christian needs to learn and re-learn. Christ is indeed our All-Sufficiency.
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And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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RE: No Christians nor Christianity without the Resurrec... - 3/30/2008 5:24:14 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 2819
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Ezra
quote:
Now, how about this verse?
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Hebrews 13:20
This verse should not be taken in isolation but joined to verse 21 in order to understand Paul's benediction.
The God of Peace
Because there is perfect peace and harmony within the Godhead, God is indeed the God of peace. Sin brought warfare into the universe when Satan rebelled against God, and then enticed the first man and woman to rebel. Humans have been (and remain) enemies of God without God's provision for peace and reconciliation -- the Lamb of God. This is a promise of peace to the child of God.
Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus
While it is true that Christ raised Himself from the dead, it is equally true that the Father and the Holy Spirit were inseparable from His resurrection. The resurrection of Christ was the demonstration of God's power, and it is the source of the power given to all believers. This is a promise of power to the child of God.
That great Shepherd of the Sheep
Christ has three titles in connection with His being our Shepherd, and each one denotes a separate aspect of His love and care for His flock. (1) Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep (2) He is the Great Shepherd who goes before us, leads us, guides us, feeds us, and watches over us. He also corrects His sheep. (3) Christ is the Chief Shepherd who is over all his under-shepherds and is the example for how they should fulfill their ministries. This is a promise of provision (material and spiritual) for the child of God.
Through the blood of the everlasting covenant
This teaches us that:
1. God cannot make a covenant with sinners without the shedding of blood.
2. The Old Covenant was a temporary covenant in that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin.
3. The New Covenant is an everlasting covenant in that the Lamb of God not only shed His own precious blood, but keeps on, and will continue to keep on applying that blood to our souls. It is only through the washing with that blood that you and I can come before a holy God.
4. There is no other provision given to | | |
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