Jesus The Only Way - 2

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV, BSB)

The Bible tells me that those who do not believe in Jesus as their saviour will go to hell when they die.

But some objected to this. They said that God is love and He will not do that.

I said that God sends everybody to death. So the same God also sends them to hell.

Those who objected says that death is a natural process. The loving God takes over after death and sends everybody to heaven.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NIV, BSB, CSB)

But from what I read from the Bible, death is not a natural process. Death is the result of sin. Those who sin go to hell after death.

The love of the loving God is manifested not by sending everyone to heaven, but by sending His Son to die for the sin of the world.

And whosoever who believes that He had died for our sin will not be punished but have everlasting life. And those who do not believe is condemned already.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 KJV)

Negotiation And Hardened Hearts

After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'"
But Pharaoh replied, "Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:1-2 BSB)

Did God ask Moses to lie when He asked Moses to request for a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to Him, implying that the Israelites will return after that? No. If the Pharaoh had accepted the request, it would be so.

So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go, worship the LORD your God," he said. "But who exactly will be going?"
"We will go with our young and old," Moses replied. "We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD."
Then Pharaoh told them, "May the LORD be with you if I ever let you go with your little ones. Clearly you are bent on evil. No, only the men may go and worship the LORD, since that is what you have been requesting." And Moses and Aaron were driven from Pharaoh's presence. (Exodus 10:8-11 BSB)

But God hardened the Pharaoh's heart, and he kept negotiating with Moses about the terms of release. But finally, after the ten plagues, he expelled all the Israelites from his land.

This is God's pattern of negotiation. First, He will give the best offer. For those whom God did not call, their hearts will be hardened, and they will reject the best offer. Then the offer will get worse and worse until everything is taken away.

In 1948, they were offered 50% of Palestine, but they rejected the offer and fought. They would have retained Gaza and West Bank if they had not fought again in 1967. Today they are still trying to negotiate for the two-state solution. Eventually, they will have nothing.

The Gospel offered a 100% redemption if we just believe. But many hardened their hearts and refused the offer because they thought it was humiliating to admit that they are sinners and can do nothing to save themselves. But God is merciful, and some will believe and accept the offer and be saved.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12 NLT)

Saved By Luck - 2

Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31 ESV)

When told of the good news of the salvation by Jesus Christ, many people like to ask, "What about those who have never heard of Jesus?" They feel like God is so unfair.

If you strike the first prize in lottery, would you ask questions like, "What about the other people who did not strike first prize? God is so unfair! I strike first prize and others don't. Maybe there are those who are dying of cancer and may need the money more than me!" You would never ask this question, right? You just accept the money! And you will thank whatever god, gods or good luck charms that you believe in, right?

Here we are offering something better than money, which you cannot bring beyond the grave. You are offered eternal life. So why is this question asked? Is it not the same for all religions and how they spread? The gospel, religions, ideas and diseases spread in the same way. It depends on population density, geographic location, communication technology and the fullness of time.

Today we have handphones and communication is so easy. Five hundred years ago, even a person as privileged as the emperor of China cannot communicate like us. And neither would he have the chance to hear the gospel.

But you are so lucky today. You heard that Jesus saves! Now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Accept it now! Don't wait till tomorrow. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:14). Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 BSB)

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:33 ESV, NIV)

For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. (Ephesians 1:4-6 BSB)

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 BSB)

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

In Death All Are Equal

One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease. His body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow. Yet another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, having never tasted prosperity. But together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both. (Job 21:23-26 BSB)

All men are equal at death. He might have been a rich man, a powerful dictator, a beggar, a murderer or claim to be a god, a buddha, a prophet or whatever, at death, they are all equal. They do not come back again. Almost nobody came back to prove that he is more equal than others. But there is one exception, only one who came back from death.

Today is Resurrection Sunday. We commemorate a unique event in history - the resurrection of Christ. All men are born of two parents and died. Jesus was uniquely born of a virgin, crucified to death, and then resurrected on the third day. This event serves as evidence of Jesus' divine nature, setting Him apart from others who simply made claims that they are gods or buddhas or some other supermen, without any proof to support them.

Why do we listen to men, born of one man and one woman, fusion of sperm and egg, who after speaking great things, claiming to be somebody great, die and return to dust, like all men before and after him? He who cannot conquer death is like me, and no better than me. Why should I listen to him?

Why not believe in the only one in the world, who was born of a virgin, died and was resurrected, and will be returning again? Believe in Him who had conquered death, proving Himself to be different from all men.

He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (1 Corinthians 15:4 NLT)

God's Choice

And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger." Just as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Romans 9:10-13 NASB95)

Consider this, why does God choose Jacob over Esau, Judah over Joseph and David over Saul? Using our normal human common sense, morality, karma and justice, we would do it the other way.

Jacob and Esau
Why does God choose the one who cheat over the one who was cheated to be the ancestor of His chosen people Israel?

Judah and Joseph
Why does God choose the one who enslaved over the slave to be the ancestor of the tribe where the kings of Israel would come from? Wasn't Joseph exemplary his in conduct when he forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery? Why wasn't he chosen?

David and Saul
Why does God choose the one who committed adultery and murder over the one who did not to become the ancestor of the Messiah?

Me and many others better than me
While I was pondering over this, I remembered that God also choose me over many people who are probably a better person than me.

Meritocracy is not in the dictionary of God. Rather, God is merciful. In His mercy, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die for our sins so that we can be saved, even though we do not have many good works or worse, none at all. Theologians called this salvation by grace.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30 ESV)

Jesus Saves

Since, then, we are God's offspring, we shouldn't think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. (Acts 17:29 CSB)

The Bible contains truth, but not all truth is in the Bible. We are told by the Bible that "The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4,Romans 1:17,Galatians 3:11,Hebrews 10:38)". But the evil also live by faith. Just about everyone live by faith.

When we see a young man declaring, "I am a free thinker. I don't believe in any gods. I believe in myself", this is a statement of faith by a young person with a healthy body and mind. When this healthy young man grows old and fat, starts having heart problem, kidney trouble, glaucoma and dementia, he will start losing faith in himself. He will even forget that he ever said, "I believe in myself."

A person worshipping some clay idol is also living by faith.

Faith does not save. It is the object of faith that saves. Jesus saves. All others don't. Believe in Jesus. Live by faith in Jesus.

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)

Grace means No Equal Opportunity

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)

Do not be deceived by false religions and vain philosophies that teach about equality of men. This is the truth, which you can see for yourselves if you are not blinded:

1. All men are born unequal;
2. All men are not given equal opportunities;
3. All men are sinners and will receive God's justice.

In the context of this truth, the Bible tells us that salvation is by the grace of God. Not everyone will be given the opportunity to hear the good news.

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." (Matthew 11:21-24 ESV)

If you have the opportunity to hear the good news that Jesus had died for your sins, grab it. Believe it! You are better than a person who strike first prize in lottery. You have won something that you can bring beyond the grave. You have eternal life.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3 KJV)

God Gave Jesus to Secure Our Salvation

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

When two persons break the same law, and one is punished and receive justice, but the other is pardoned and receive mercy, would this be fair?

Mercy is inherently unjust and grace is unfair. Thus every time when God pardons a sinner, He is committing injustice.

How does God reconcile mercy and justice? God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus had died for their sin. Mercy is now freely available to the sinner because God had paid the price for justice.

But justice remain for those who refuse to believe.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Introducing God To Those With No Bible Knowledge

"People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way, although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy." (Acts 14:15-17 CSB)

After Paul healed a crippled man, the Lycaonians thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods who came down to earth in the likeness of men and brought oxen and garlands to offer sacrifice to them. Paul quickly introduced God as a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them (Acts 14:8-20).

Be like Paul and proclaim the good news to people who know not the Bible by telling them that the God who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them has came to provide salvation for them too.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 CSB, NIV, NLT, BSB, NKJV, NASB, HCSB, CEV, NET)

For the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy. (Exodus 20:11 CSB)

People believe in many gods but the Bible has a test for these gods. If that god is not the creator of the heavens and the earth, then he/she/it is a false god.

You are to say this to them: "The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under these heavens." (Jeremiah 10:11 CSB)

Presenting the Gospel

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." (Acts 2:36 NIV)

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4 NIV)

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone - an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:29-31 NIV)

Then I saw another angel flying in mid air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." (Revelation 14:6-7 NIV)

The first step in presenting the Gospel is always to tell the non-believer of a Holy God, of sin and judgement. We can see from the four examples given in the Bible. Sins (crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:36), persecution of Jesus (Acts 9:4), idolatry (17:29-31)) were identified in the first three and in the last example, the coming judgement (Revelation 14:6-7). God is always identified.

You must let the non-believer know who he or she has offended, what is the offence and what is the judgement or punishment will be.

Only when the non-believer is convicted of Holy God, sin and judgement, then he or she can see God's salvation as good news. When the non-believer understand the the enormity of sin against as a Holy God, that is when he or she understand the love of God in sending Jesus to die for their sins. Those who are forgiven much will love much.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." (Luke 7:47 NIV)

Questions And Answers That Led to Life

Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away - all who have been called by the Lord our God." (Acts 2:37-39 NLT)

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul said. "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting," he replied. (Acts 9:5 CSB)

Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." (Acts 16:30-31 NLT)

Believe In The Only One Who Was Resurrected

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. "Listen," he said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead." (Matthew 20:17-19 NLT)

Jesus predicted His death and resurrection (Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31–33). The prophet Isaiah also predicted the death and resurrection (Isaiah 53:7-10) of the Anointed One.

Unlike many religious leaders and founders of religions who popped into history without warning, the coming of Jesus was predicted in advance in the Old Testament. He came to fulfil the prophecies in the Old Testament (Psalm 40:7-8, Hebrews 10:7).

Unlike other religious leaders who were born of a father and a mother, Jesus was born of a woman, fulfilling the first prophecy (Genesis 3:15) given in the Bible, a prophecy that was given personally by God.

Unlike other religious leaders who preached their religion and then die, Jesus died and arose on the third day.

But how can we know if the resurrection is a true event in history? The existence of Christianity is the proof that resurrection is a true event. Unlike other religions, Christianity is not started by one man's ideas. Christianity is started by a group of people who witnessed an event - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were convinced by His resurrection that He is the Lamb of God, offered as the Saviour of the world.

The resurrection of Jesus still has an impact today. Whether you are a Christian or not a Christian, when you rest from work on Sunday, you are actually commemorating the resurrection of Christ. The pioneer generation of Christians shifted the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first day of the week because Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week.

Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day." (Luke 24:5b-7 NLT)

I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he. (John 13:19 CSB)

I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. (John 14:29 NLT)

I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will. (Isaiah 46:10 CSB)

If the resurrection is true, what does it mean to you? Because Jesus was resurrected and has eternal life, those who believe in Him will be like Him. We will also be resurrected to eternal life after we die.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. (John 11:25 CSB)

Heathen To Heaven In Four Stages

Joseph Ng, elder son of my church's late founding pastor came up with four stages of preaching the good news. Instead of the "God loves you and have a wonderful plan for you" stuff as the beginning, he replaced it with the introduction of the creator God and his coming judgement.

Stage 1

Then I saw another angel flying in mid air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." (Revelation 14:6-7 NIV)

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31 NIV)

You frightened the unbeliever sufficiently with God and judgement until he cried out, "What must I do to be saved?"

Sign of change:

Fear. Human growth equivalent - none that I can think of.

Stage 2

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household."  (Acts 16:31 NIV)

At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. (Acts 16:33 NIV)

You say, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." and he replied, "I believe!" and you get him baptized.

Sign of change:

Baptism. Human growth equivalent - birth of a baby.

Stage 3

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2 NIV)

You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. (Acts 15:29 NIV)

You feed him with 6-point milk and 4-don't porridge until he matures.

Sign of change:

No single significant moment. Human growth equivalent - reach puberty, voice change, grow hair, grow big.

Stage 4

A fully grown adult.

Others
These are some other things I wrote in this blog on Christian Living:
Bringing Up the New Man
Do
What Every Christian Must Do - 1 Overview
What Every Christian Must Do - 2 Read
What Every Christian Must Do - 3 Pray
What Every Christian Must Do - 4 Grow
What Change When One Becomes A Christian
How Should Christians Live
Christian Living Summary For April 2019

Salvation, Science And Truth

The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 CSB)

As I have said many times before, Christianity according to the Bible is the only religion where good people go to hell and wicked people go to heaven.

Other religions teach that good people go to heaven and wicked people go to hell and they ask you to be good but they do not give a specific KPI on what is good.

The law of gravity is true. When a good person decides to defy the law of gravity and jump from 100 storeys, will he die, or will he live because if his good works?

1 + 1 = 2 is true. When a good person decides that 1 + 1 is not 2, will he pass his mathematics because of his good works?

How did I know that Christianity according to the Bible is true? Because the law of salvation is designed in the same manner as the law of gravity and the law of mathematics. The same God created both.

So sinners and wicked people listen here. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. You and your household. This is the law of salvation.

Good people listen here. The same law applies to you.

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12 NLT) 

The Gospel of Jesus - Bible vs Koran

Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11 CSB)

How do Muslims see Jesus? They see him as son of Mary (Quran 3:45, 3:46, 4:171, 5:17, 5:78, 5:112, 5:114, 19:34, 23:50, 33:7, 43:57).

This is the good news from the Quran:
Remember when the angels proclaimed, "O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest to Allah. And he will speak to people in his infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous." (Quran 3:45-46 Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran)

Where is the good news? I do not see any good news for me from Jesus in the Quran. It was good news for Mary because she would give birth to a son.

Here is the good news for the people of the world from Jesus in the true word of God:
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

The good news for us is that Jesus will save us from our sins. But how does Jesus save his people from their sins?
"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)

Why is Jesus qualified to save us from our sins? It is because of who He is. When Jesus was regarded as the son of Mary, he brought joy to Mary. When Jesus is the Son of God, He brings joy to the world.

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16 NIV)

Good Old Man and Bad Young Girl

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking. (Hebrews 11:17-19 CSB)

By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn't perish with those who disobeyed. (Hebrews 11:31 CSB)

It does not matter whether you are a good old man or a bad young girl. You will have eternal life if you believe in Jesus.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:29-31 KJV)

Fundamentals of Faith

These are the core beliefs of Christianity which anyone who truly interpret the Bible correctly will agree upon:

1. The Inerrancy of Scripture (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20)
2. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9)
3. The Virgin Birth of Christ (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27)
4. The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14)
5. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:14-15)

The core of the core is statement 4, that Jesus had died for our sins and anyone who believe that He had died for our sins will be saved (John 3:36; 1 Peter 2:24). One of the themes of the Bible is God saves and He is choosing a people for Himself (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9).

Believe And Live

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, 'Go and wash and be cured!'" (2 Kings 5:13 NLT)

People like to believe that the greater the reward, the greater effort is needed. Great thing like eternal life will certainly mean that some extremely great effort must be required of those who wanted it.

First, the bad news. No man can attain eternal life by their own effort.

Next, the good news. You only need to believe in the One who can give eternal life to you.

But nobody believe that eternal life is just a matter of believe. They will try all kinds of difficult tasks and do all kinds of good works. It is so difficult to believe.

And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31 ESV)

ABC of Salvation

Taken from the following video, Amir Tsarfati Special Update: The Coronavirus and the Middle East - YouTube:

1. Admit you are a sinner;
2. Believe that Jesus died for your sins;
3. Confess Jesus before men.

Going Viral

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

How do viruses spread?
How do invention and knowledge spread?
How do religions spread?
How does the gospel spread?

This is how Collins English Dictionary described the term "Go viral" - If a video, image, or story goes viral, it spreads quickly and widely on the Internet through social media and e-mail.

We actually find viruses, ideas and religions spreading like much in the same way. It depends on population density, geographic location, communication technology and the right time. It goes viral when the conditions are right.

In the Bible, the good news spread in the same way. God chose a people and placed them in a location and spread the message.

If you live far from China and where few Chinese visit, then you have a lower chance of getting the covid-19 virus. If you live far away from Israel, then the Gospel will take a longer time to reach you. Especially when the Holy Spirit bid Paul to go west.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." (Acts 16:6-9 NIV)