THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD
By: Dr. Mike Jones
This chapter focuses on three additional aspects of the Godhead. Does God have a body? Father, Son and Holy Spirit? And, why we baptize in Jesus name?
When discussing whether God has a body, it’s important to mention that most world religions view Jesus as a prophet, a good man (leader), etc. The most they would say is, “Jesus is the Son of God, but not God. He came in the authority of God. He was sent by God to proclaim the Kingdom of God; therefore, He is a God. God the Father gave Him authority to forgive sin, heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, save the world, and to be witness for the Father.”
Islam is one of, if not, the fastest growing religion in the world to call Jesus a “good brother,” a prophet like Muhammed that Allah raised up during His time. Let’s draw a comparison between Christ and Muhammad and in the midst, point our that Christ is truly the Messiah.
1. The prophecy of their coming
Jesus prophecies foretold in the Old Testament before His birth. Some 700 years before His birth, the city of His birth was foretold, even though it wasn’t the home of His parents. (Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall He come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.”)
1,000 years before His birth, King David predicted His death, though the method wasn’t even known. (Psalms 22:14-16, “I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and My tongue cleaveth to My jaws; and thou hast brought Me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet.”)
500 years before His birth, He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12-13, “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give [me] my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty [pieces] of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was priced at of them. And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver, and case them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”)
Concerning Muhammad’s coming – no predictions in the Koran nor other books of Islam. He appeared without any prior notice or prophecy.
2. Comparison of their births
Jesus birth predicted in Bethlehem.
He would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”)
He was named before His birth. (Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”)
Muhammad’s birth: History indicated he was born into a poor family. His father died before he was born; his mother passed away before he was 6 years old. He was raised by his grandmother and uncle. There are no claims made by Muslims concerning his birth.
Birth of Jesus was miraculous; He was born of a virgin. Muhammad had 2 parents, therefore his birth was ordinary.
3. Comparison of their lives
The Bible declares Jesus lived His life without sin (Hebrews 4:15). The Bible records many signs, wonders, and miracles performed by Jesus, such as walking on water, feeding 5,000 men (not including women and children) with fish and loaves, raising the dead, casting out demons, etc.
Jesus claimed to be God, Savior of mankind from all sins. He didn’t fight or attack anyone, He healed a man that came to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane as recorded in St. Luke 22:50-51, “And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And He touched his ear, and healed him.”
Dr. Fazlur Rahman, Professor of Islamic Thoughts (University of Chicago) and Edwin M. Yamauchi of the Institute for Religious Research, informed as that the Koran makes NO claim that Muhammad ever worked a miracle.
However, Muslims do acknowledge that Muhammad committed sins, but was cleansed of all unworthy thoughts at age 12; this, in affect, permits him to intercede for sinners.
Muhammad’s approach to violence was opposite Jesus’. According to Muslim scholars, he commanded an army of 10,000 followers to kill many that opposed his leadership.
JESUS CHRIST CLAIMED TO BE GOD; MUHAMMAD CLAIMED ONLY TO SPEAK FOR GOD!
4. Comparison of their Marriages
Jesus never married and had no biological children. Isaiah 53:8 asked, “who shall declare His generation, for He shall be cut off out of the land of the living?” As a result of His death, burial, and resurrection, He acquired a bride (called the CHURCH – the “called out” group). That has given birth to many children. “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth greatly, because of the bridegroom’s voice (St. John 3:29).”
Muhammad had many wives. His first bride (Khadija), a business woman who was 20 years older. When she died, he had at least 10 others whom he married, the youngest being 9 years of age. Her name was A’isha. She brought her toys with her. (…TO BE CONTINUED)
(Adapted from The Mystery of the Godhead Manual; all Scripture references are taken from the KJV unless otherwise noted.)