North Korea is first on Open Doors International's “World Watch List”

North Korea.

Updated 21 January 2013

“Amnesty called on North Korea, one of the world's most secretive states, to close all political prison camps and to release all prisoners of conscience.”
North Korea is first on Open Doors International's “World Watch List”... Read more...

As always I encourage readers to seek more information by reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2013

This page was written using Open Office 3.3.0, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Jesus being baptised by John has been called a “perfect testimony of grace”

Jesus' Baptism.

At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But John tried to make him change his mind. "I ought to be baptized by you," John said, "and yet you have come to me!" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires." So John agreed. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him. Then a voice said from heaven, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased." Matthew 3:13-17 Good News Bible

Jesus being baptised by John has been called a “perfect testimony of grace” because the saviour of the world humbled Himself to identify (see also: Hebrews 4:15-16) with the ordinary people in baptism.ⁱ

Even though Jesus was sinless, it was proper for His forerunner, John to show approval of Him in baptism at the beginning of Jesus' ministry.ⁱⁱ “At Christ's baptism there was a manifestation of the three Persons in the sacred Trinity.ⁱⁱⁱ” Jesus, God the Son, God the Father spoke from Heaven and the Spirit came down on Jesus in the form of a dove. This proved to John that Jesus was the Son of God:

John said, "I saw the Spirit come down as a dove from heaven and stay on him. I didn't know who he was. But God, who sent me to baptize with water, had told me, 'When you see the Spirit come down and stay on someone, you'll know that person is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen this and have declared that this is the Son of God." John 1:32-34 “God's Word” Translation of the Bible

God showed John that this is the one for whom he was preparing the way, that Jesus was (and is) the saviour of the world (Messiah).

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible and commentaries in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2013 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.3.0, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iJohn Darby's Synopsis, notes for Matthew 3:13-17

iiAlbert Barnes' commentary on the Bible, notes for Matthew 3:15.

iiiMatthew Henery's concise commentary, notes for Matthew 3:13-17

 

Predictions of Jesus as Saviour

Predictions of Jesus coming into the world.

The following is an only an introduction to the predictions of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the saviour of the world.

“I'm declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He'll wound your head, you'll wound his heel." Genesis 3:15, The Message.

The first prediction of the Jesus as the saviour is in the wake of the first sin event.ⁱ This is a gracious promise to deliver a fallen humanity from Satan's power. “Here was the dawning of the gospel day.” The wound to the head of the serpent signifies being destroyed and ruined by the redeemer (Jesus Christ). “His subtle politics shall all be baffled, his usurped power shall be entirely crushed, and he shall be for ever a captive to the injured honour of divine sovereignty.”ⁱⁱ

Here God gives notice of 3 things concerning Jesus Christ:ⁱⁱⁱ

1. That He would be born of a woman.

2. That He would suffer and die.

3. That He would be victorious over Satan.

GOD, your God, is going to raise up a prophet for you. GOD will raise him up from among your kinsmen, a prophet like me. Listen obediently to him. This is what you asked GOD, your God, for at Horeb on the day you were all gathered at the mountain and said, "We can't hear any more from GOD, our God; we can't stand seeing any more fire. We'll die!" And GOD said to me, "They're right; they've spoken the truth. I'll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen. I'll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him. And anyone who won't listen to my words spoken by him, I will personally hold responsible. Deuteronomy 18:15-19, The Message.

Though some take Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to refer to a line of prophets this in fact refers to Jesus Christ as a prophet.^iv John 5:45-47 is taken as Jesus stating that Moses referred to Him in Deuteronomy 18.^v

The LORD says, "Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times." Micah 5:2, The Good News Bible.

Bethlehem was often not mentioned when the cities of Judah were listed, because it had an insignificant size and population. When the Gospels say Bethlehem is not the least, they really saying it is the greatest from God's view point as the birth place of the saviour. God chooses the insignificant things of this world to eclipse the greatest.^vi

When the wise men came from the East, this prophecy was quoted^vii to tell where to find the king of the Jews. The birth place of the Messiah was predicted to be Bethlehem as a way of encouraging the faith of God's people.^viii

Bethlehem was formerly known as Ephrathah^ix. In this prophecy both names are used to give greater certainty. Ephrathah also means “house of bread” which is a proper place for Jesus to be born as He is the bread of life.^x

The Messiah is described in Micah 5:1-6 as:

1. Being eternal.

2. Being a mediator as the ruler of Israel.^xi

“So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us).” Isaiah 7:14, The Message.

It was predicted that Jesus would be born to a virgin hundreds of years before it happened.^xii This prediction was also an assurance that the city and nation would not be destroyed by the current threat.^xiii Being born of a virgin signifies Jesus' divine power and purity.^xiv The name Immanuel is a description of Jesus' character, being the Son of God.^xv

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David's kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.” Isaiah 9:6-7 Contemporary English Version.

Reference to “A child” in this verse is taken to be a mention of the Messiah, not only by Christians, but by Jews. The prophets often speak of things that will happen as though they have already happened, here the statement that: “A child has been born for us” could be stated as “A child will be born for us”.^xvi

Isaiah 53 speaks of how the Saviour was to be rejected by His own people.

Even though he had performed all these miracles in their presence, they did not believe in him, so that what the prophet Isaiah had said might come true: "Lord, who believed the message we told? To whom did the Lord reveal his power?" John 12:37-38 Good News Bible.

There's much more on this subject, I encourage my readers to search the Scriptures themselves.

© Ken Glasgow 2011 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iGenesis 3:15.

iiMatthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Gen 3:15

iiiJohn Wesley's explanatory notes. Gen 3:15

ivJohn Darby's Synopsis, Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Deuteronomy 18

vAlbert Barnes' Notes on the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:15-19

viJamison, Fausset & Brown Commentary. Micah 5:2

viiSee Matthew 2:1-6.

viiiMatthew Henry's concise commentary. Micah 5:1-6

ixSee also Genesis 35:19.

xJohn Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Micah 5:2

xiMatthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Micah 5:1-6

xiiIsaiah 7:14.

xiiiJohn Wesley's explanatory notes. Isaiah 7:14

xivMatthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Isa 7:14

xvJamieson Fausset & Brown Commentary & John Wesley's explanatory notes. Isa 7:14

xviJohn Wesley's explanatory notes. Isaiah 9:6

Guarding the wonderful treasure.

"You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you. " 2Timothy 1:14, CEV.

In the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy, he urged him to 'guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. (1Timothy 6:20, Message).

© Ken Glasgow 2013 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.3.0, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Completing God's Law.

"Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.

"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom. "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.'

Murder.

I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.

"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.

"Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail.

If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.

Matthew 5:17-26 “The Message” paraphrase of the Bible.

I have refered to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program (translations in other languages are also downloadable). For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2011 Last edited 14 March 2021

 

The significance of Easter to Christians.

Easter is central to Christianity this post will attempt to give a brief summary of it's significance to Christians.

The background to the Easter story.

Ancient History.

God created Adam (the first man) and Eve (the first woman).ⁱ God told Adam that he was allowed to eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because when you eat from it you will die.ⁱⁱ

Adam & Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. At this time God made the first prediction of the coming of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.ⁱⁱⁱ There are many more predictions (usually known as prophesies) of the coming of Jesus Christ recorded in the Old Testament.

The Birth of Jesus.

God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin by the name of Mary who was engaged to marry a carpenter by the name of Joseph (who was a descendent of King David). Gabriel told Mary she would conceive and give birth to a son who would be named “Jesus”. This son would be known as the Son of God. Mary said “I am the Lord's servant, may what you said happen to me.” Then the angel left.^iv

When Caesar Augustus ordered a census of the Roman Empire Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem and took Mary, his finance with him. While they were there Mary gave birth to a son. The child was named “Jesus”.^v

The Show Trial.

Jesus predicted that he would be handed over for crucifixion on the passover day, at the same time the high priests, religious leaders and the chief priest were in a meeting conspiring to kill Jesus.^vi

Judas Iscarriot went to the high priests and asked what they would give to hand Jesus over to them. The price was settled at thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas looked for the right time to hand Jesus over.^vii

On the night when Jesus was betrayed He said to His disciples that one of them would betray Him. The disciples responded surely you don't mean I will betray you. When Judas Iscarriot said this Jesus said “Don't play games with me Judas”^viii.

Later that night Judas Iscarriot did betray Jesus. Jesus was arrested by a large crowd sent by the chief priests and the elders.^ix The crowd took Jesus to Caiaphas the High Priest, the teachers of the Law and the elders. They tried to find people who would testify against Jesus until somebody came forward saying that Jesus had said He would tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days. When confronted with this Jesus said nothing. When asked if He was the Messiah, the Son of God Jesus replied in the affirmative. On hearing this the High Priest tore his clothes and declared Jesus to be guilty of blasphemy.^x They tied Jesus and took Him to the Pilate, the Roman governor.^xi

Pilate was in the habit of setting one prisoner chosen by the people free at the time of the passover. He gave the people a choice of Jesus Barabas (a murderer) or Jesus (Christ) who is called the Messiah and incited by the Jewish authorities the crowd called for Barabas to be freed and for Jesus Christ to be crucified. Pilate asked what crime Jesus Christ had committed, but the crowd just kept yelling “crucify him”. So Pilate took a bowl of water and washed his hands in front of them saying that he was not guilty of this man's death. The people replied that the guilt should rest on them and their children. Then Pilate had Jesus whiped and handed Him over to be crucified.^xii

Jesus' Torture and Crucifixion.

The whole company of soldiers gathered, stripped Jesus of His clothes and put a scarlet robe on Him. They made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, put a stick in His right hand and mocked Him saying “Long live the king of the Jews”. They spat on him, and took the stick and hit him over the head. When they had finished mocking Him they took the robe off and put His own clothes back on Jesus and led Him off to crucify Him.^xiii

When they arrived at Golgotha, the place of the skull, they crucified Him between two thieves and divided His clothes among them by throwing dice.^xiv

Jesus' Death.

At noon the whole country was covered in darkness for three hours. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, My God why have you abandoned me?” Jesus gave another loud cry and died.^xv

According to other information I have come across God knew at this time the day and the hour that Jesus Christ would die on the cross.

At that moment the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom^xvi and the earth shook with a violent earthquake which caused rocks to split.^xvii

The religious leaders of the time went to Pilate the next day and requested that a guard be placed at the tomb because Jesus had predicted He would rise on the third day and they did not want the disciples to steal the body in order to claim Jesus had been raised.^xviii

“This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about--not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.”^xix

The Resurrection of Jesus.

When the Sabbath was over Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Salome bought spices to embalm Jesus' body. On the Sunday morning they went to the tomb. On the way they were wondering who would roll away the stone from the tomb. Suddenly there was an earth quake. An angel of the Lord rolled the stone away from the tomb and sat on it. The guards shook with fear and fell like dead men. When the women arrived they walked straight into the tomb and saw an angel (who looked like a young man) sitting on the right side wearing a white robe. They were frightened.^xx

The angel said to the women “ Do not to be afraid. Jesus isn't here because God had raised Him to life, look here is the spot where Jesus' body was laid. Go quickly, tell His disciples that Jesus has been raised to life and is going ahead of them to Galilee. They will see Him there. The women hurried off to tell the disciples the good news. At first the disciples did not believe them.^xxi

Peter and John took off running to the tomb. John got there first, stopped outside, looked in and saw the linen cloths laying there but didn't go in. Peter arrived and went straight in. Peter saw the cloths lying there with the cloth that had been around Jesus' head rolled up separate from the others. John went in also. Then they walked away wondering what had happened.^xxii

Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection on the 3^rd day are the climax of God's plan of salvation.

Jesus said that no one will ever see the Kingdom of God unless they are “born again”, in other translations this is “born from above”, “a new birth”, “generated from above” and “born anew”. All are to convey the concept of receiving spiritual life.

So the question must surely be, how does a person receive the new birth?

Jesus said: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”^xxiii Just before Jesus was taken up to Heaven He told His disciples to go into all the world telling the Gospel (that is the good news about Jesus) and that those who believe will be saved while those who do not believe will be condemned.

As the apostle Paul^xxiv wrote we are made right with God^xxv through faith alone, we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths that Jesus Christ is boss (or Lord) of our lives.^xxvi I therefore encourage all readers to ask Jesus Christ to be boss of their lives.

Jesus came into the world to suffer and die to pay the price for our sins so that we could be made right with God (righteous) through faith in Him. That's the significance of Easter to Christians.

Now the question is, do you want to make Jesus the boss of your life? If so, pray like this:

• God I admit that I have fallen short of your standard, doing bad things known as sins.^xxvii

• Thank you that you sent your only son by birth, Jesus to pay the price for the bad things (sins) I have done.^xxviii

• I believe in my heart and say it with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.^xxix Fill me with your Spirit.^xxx I pray in the name of Jesus.^xxxi

If you just prayed like this for the first time, you need to join a church where you will be taught to obey everything Jesus commanded.^xxxii You also need to get in the habit of reading the Bible,^xxxiii if possible in your first language, every day.

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program (translations in other languages are also downloadable). For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2011 Last edited 4 April 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iGenesis 1 & 2.

iiGenesis 2:16-17.

iiiGenesis 3:1-24.

ivLuke 1:26-38.

vLuke 2:1-7.

viMatthew 26:2-5.

viiMark 14:10-11.

viiiMatthew 26:20-25, Mark 14:17.

ixMatthew 26:46-50.

xMatthew 26:57-66.

xiMatthew 27:2, Mark 14:43-46.

xiiMatthew 27:15-25.

xiiiMatthew 27:27-31.

xivMatthew 27:33-38.

xvMatthew 27:45-46, Mark 15:33-34.

xviMark 15:38.

xviiMatthew 27:54.

xviiiMatthew 27:62-66.

xixJohn 4:9&10, The Message Bible.

xxMatthew 28:1-4.

xxiMatthew 28:5-7.

xxiiJohn 20:3-10.

xxiiiJohn 3:16, Good News Bible.

xxivSaint Paul to Catholics.

xxvRighteous

xxviRomans 10:8-10

xxvii Romans 3:23

xxviii John 3:16

xxix Romans 10:9-10

xxxLuke 11:13 see also John 14:26

xxxi John 14:13-14 & 16:23-24

xxxii Matthew 28:20

xxxiii 1Peter 2:2

Tithes & Offerings.

I have heard this being compared to paying for a meal at a restaurant, if you are fed you pay. If you are fed spiritually in a church you pay there...ⁱ

© Ken Glasgow 2011

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iThis was Pastor Col Stringer, then Senior Pastor at Faith Centre Christian Church, Darwin.