John 1:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[b]
and that life was the light of men.
I was recently speaking to one of my friends from high school who happens to be Muslim. We very politely spoke on behalf of our religions. We ended up speaking for 5 hours on the differences between our religions. I have done my own reading of the Quran to see the difference between our belief of Jesus and his belief in Jesus. Of course, they see him as a great teacher and prophet but was only a man and did not die on the cross. And Muslims do not understand why we worship a man before God. So here we go I had to explain this very verse and all 7 references to I Am. Jesus was God as it says in John 1:1 the word was God. But in,
John 1:14Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 The Word became flesh[a]
and took up residence[b] among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son[c] from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
The Word became flesh only can be taken one way. So he tells me but did Jesus say at any time I am God. I told him well not in those exact words. We see his references to God's name he gives to Moses as I Am. In which according to my friend they believe in the old testament so I challenged him to study closely the prophecies which clearly point to the life of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. I have no idea if our chat made him think any different because he does not really practice his religion other than not eating pork. Which to me many people from all different faiths do not really know what they believe or have researched its truth. He was confused on why does Jesus call himself Son of God or Son of Man. I was trying to explain the Pharisees and Sadducees already wanting to kill him. So Jesus knew he could not fully come out and say I am God in a sense. Especially since Romans were told the Emporer's of Rome was not a man but a God. This is why it is so amazing to see Emporer Constantine I, around 312 A.D- 325 A.D. convert the Roman Empire to Christianity and stopped the persecutions of Christians. Even though Constantine was not perfect and was baptized on his death bed leading to the debate when he was converted. Without his role in God's plan the early church would not have spread so fast. This is beautiful to see the early church who was severely persecuted by Rome for over 300 years, now has spread all over the world and has converted Rome. Which was considered the world's Empire as they say all roads lead to Rome. Getting back on subject sorry I just love to see God move through history to further his plans for the world. My friend is a very smart and friendly guy which I would help out in a heartbeat. Even though we believe differently, two people from different faiths can still show love and kindness for one another. And I pray one day he believes Jesus as Saviour our Messiah. Keep spreading the Gospel my friends and above all give God all the glory.
References: HCSB Bible, BibleGateway.com, http://www.romanempire.net/decline/constantine-index.html
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[b]
and that life was the light of men.
I was recently speaking to one of my friends from high school who happens to be Muslim. We very politely spoke on behalf of our religions. We ended up speaking for 5 hours on the differences between our religions. I have done my own reading of the Quran to see the difference between our belief of Jesus and his belief in Jesus. Of course, they see him as a great teacher and prophet but was only a man and did not die on the cross. And Muslims do not understand why we worship a man before God. So here we go I had to explain this very verse and all 7 references to I Am. Jesus was God as it says in John 1:1 the word was God. But in,
John 1:14Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 The Word became flesh[a]
and took up residence[b] among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son[c] from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
The Word became flesh only can be taken one way. So he tells me but did Jesus say at any time I am God. I told him well not in those exact words. We see his references to God's name he gives to Moses as I Am. In which according to my friend they believe in the old testament so I challenged him to study closely the prophecies which clearly point to the life of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. I have no idea if our chat made him think any different because he does not really practice his religion other than not eating pork. Which to me many people from all different faiths do not really know what they believe or have researched its truth. He was confused on why does Jesus call himself Son of God or Son of Man. I was trying to explain the Pharisees and Sadducees already wanting to kill him. So Jesus knew he could not fully come out and say I am God in a sense. Especially since Romans were told the Emporer's of Rome was not a man but a God. This is why it is so amazing to see Emporer Constantine I, around 312 A.D- 325 A.D. convert the Roman Empire to Christianity and stopped the persecutions of Christians. Even though Constantine was not perfect and was baptized on his death bed leading to the debate when he was converted. Without his role in God's plan the early church would not have spread so fast. This is beautiful to see the early church who was severely persecuted by Rome for over 300 years, now has spread all over the world and has converted Rome. Which was considered the world's Empire as they say all roads lead to Rome. Getting back on subject sorry I just love to see God move through history to further his plans for the world. My friend is a very smart and friendly guy which I would help out in a heartbeat. Even though we believe differently, two people from different faiths can still show love and kindness for one another. And I pray one day he believes Jesus as Saviour our Messiah. Keep spreading the Gospel my friends and above all give God all the glory.
References: HCSB Bible, BibleGateway.com, http://www.romanempire.net/decline/constantine-index.html