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Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 10:40:10 +0200
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: Catechism, 23
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP
Q. Why is he called Jesus, that is, Saviour?
A. Because he saves his people from their sins.
When the angel said to Joseph, that Mary would bring forth a Son, he
said: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) The
name Jesus is not new. Already in the Old Testament, there was Joshua,
whose name is derived from the same root. Joshua brought the people into
the land Canaan, the promised land. Likewise will Jesus bring His people
in the heavenly Canaan, the promised place. People, however, being full
of sins, cannot dwell in God's presence because of that filth. Therefore
Jesus saves His people from their sins, in order that they be clean.
Q. Is there no other Saviour?
A. No; for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved, than the name of Jesus. Acts 4:12.
No other Saviour than Jesus. There is no salvation in any other. Many
try to obtain salvation by obeying the law. Though that is a good thing,
when really done, they will never succeed. The law but thunders from
mount Sinai, but never will give any salvation. Who well listens to the
law, and not flatters himself by a so-called obedience, will be
perplexed and prostrated by its force, and lightnings, and thunders; but
never will he obtain any salvation. There is none other name under
heaven given among men, (no law or prayer or whatever) whereby we must
be saved, than the name of Jesus. "To him give all the prophets witness,
that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission
of sins." (Acts 10:43) Let then some people pervert the prophets, to
make them not speaking about salvation by faith; yet, the truth is, that
they spoke of Jesus Christ. All prophets give witness to Him. They all
point to Him as the one Means of salvation and remission of sins.
Q. Why is he called Christ, that is, anointed?
A. Because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost, and ordained by God the
Father, to be our chief Prophet, our only High Priest, and our eternal
King.
Jesus is called Christ, that is Anointed, because he received the Holy
Ghost. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost to His offices as Prophet,
High Priest, and King. Like David was anointed to be a king over Israel,
so is Jesus anointed to be eternal king over the new Israel, consisting
of the believers of both Jews and gentiles. The Father had ordained Him
to those offices. He did not take those Himself.
Moses already spoke about these things, when he said in God's Name:
"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto
thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them
all that I shall command him." (Deuteronomy 18:18) This Prophet, taken
from among the brethren, was Jesus of Nazareth.
Of Him is prophesied: "Thou art a Priest for ever after the order
of Melchizedek." (Psalms 110:4) Melchizedek was not priest forever, for
he died. Also Aaron lived not forever, neither his children. But Jesus,
being both God and Man, lives forever, and is forever our Priest.
Besides being Prophet, and besides being Priest, He is also our
King. He, as David's Son, is the eternal King over us. "And he (Jesus)
shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there
shall be no end." (Luke 1:33) The kingdom of Jesus Christ is not visible
for the unbelievers, but the believers both see and experience it. For
them, through their belief, Jesus is present. They see Him through their
eyes of belief. He is with them, and, as a true King, protects them
against their enemies. Let then the unbelievers say that Jesus did not
bring peace. It shows but their blindness. No, they have not peace, for
how shall anyone have peace outside the one Saviour Jesus Christ? Of
course, they have no peace, for they fight against Him. Everybody who
wages war against the truth shall perish, as will be seen in the
outcome. Peace? Yes, but only for those who shelter under His
protection. Let the tempests rage outside, but those who are in Christ,
through their belief, are safe. Peace? No, the wicked have no peace, as
is written: "[There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isaiah
57:21)
Jesus is our Prophet, Priest and King.
He, being the Prophet, instructs us and reveals the truth unto us.
He, being the Priest, sacrificed Himself for us, and prays for us.
He, being the King, rules us and protects us against all enemies.
Jesus is called Christ. Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew
Messiah. Though there were in the Old Testaments several messiahs, yet,
Jesus is _the_ Messiah.
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Teus Benschop | t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl | editor of the list Chr-Exp
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file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-037.txt
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