Q: Many Christian organizations and individuals refer to Jesus Christ as "the Lord." Other people variously refer to Him as "Savior," "Jesus" or "Christ." Are any of these expressions wrong? Are there additional expressions we could use? What is the correct name to use when speaking of the Messiah?

Published: August 13th, 2004

This is important to understand, and the Bible reveals Who Jesus Christ is and by what name we should address Him. Peter, in speaking before the Sanhedrin in defense of healing a lame man, said: "'let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole'" (Acts 4:10). Continuing in verse 12: "'Nor is there salvation in any other, for there in no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'"

At another time, Peter again taught the power and significance of Jesus Christ.

Q: In your new book, "Jesus Christ -- A Great Mystery," you state on page 91 that Jesus Christ became sin and a curse for us, when He died on the cross. I understand that Christ paid the penalty for our sins, thereby taking away the curse for breaking the law, but how could He have BECOME sin or a curse?

Published: November 5th, 2004

The Bible specifically states that Christ became both sin and a curse for us, when He died on the cross. Notice 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 3:13, in the New King James Bible:

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree')" (Galatians 3:13).

These two passages are correctly translated from the original Greek. The Interlinear Literal Translations renders the two passages as follows:

"For him who knew not sin for us sin he made... Christ us ransomed from the curse of the law, having become for us a curse..."

Q: Hebrews 5:8 tells us that Christ "learned obedience by the things which He suffered." Didn't Christ live a sinless life? Wasn't He therefore always obedient? If so, how did Jesus Christ LEARN obedience by the things which He suffered?

Published: November 26th, 2004

Jesus Christ, when He was here on earth as a human being, lived indeed a sinless life. He never sinned by breaking any of God's Commandments (compare 1 John 3:4, Authorized Version). Rather, He kept perfectly all of God's Laws. He said in John 15:10: "I have kept My Father's commandments."

The Biblical record is conclusive that Christ never sinned. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Christ "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." He was "separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26); and even when He suffered, He "committed no sin" (1 Peter 2:21-22). Christ challenged His listeners to convict Him of sin (John 8:46), knowing that they would be unable to do so. He also testified of Himself that "no unrighteousness" was in Him (John 7:18).

Q: Did Jesus Have Long Hair?

Published: December 24th, 2004

The Bible clearly reveals that Jesus Christ, when He was here on earth as a human being, did not wear long hair. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:14: "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?" It would therefore be inconceivable to assume that Jesus would have worn long hair.

Some have misunderstood a passage in the book of Matthew, erroneously claiming that Christ was a "Nazirite" (also spelled Nazarite in the Authorized Version) and that He therefore wore long hair. However, Christ was not a Nazirite, but a Nazarene. The passage in Matthew 2:23 reads:

"And he [Joseph] came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, 'He [Christ] shall be called a Nazarene.'"

Q: Would you please explain the last phrase in Isaiah 28:16?

Published: December 9th, 2005

Isaiah 28:16 reads: "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; WHOEVER BELIEVES WILL NOT ACT HASTILY."

What is meant with "Whoever believes will not act hastily"?

The context clearly refers to the announcement of God THE FATHER to lay in Zion (which many times describes the Church of God) a precious cornerstone for a foundation. This describes the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as many New Testament passages reveal (compare Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Romans 9:33; Ephesians 2:20; and 1 Peter 2:6-8).

Q: Does Revelation 3:14 teach that God the Father created Jesus Christ, and that Christ had a beginning?

Published: March 24th, 2006

The Bible teaches that God had no beginning, but that He has always existed. We read that God created all things; that is, human beings, animals and all physical things, as well as angelic beings and all spiritual "things." However, God is not just one Person, but a Family, presently consisting of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. We read that God created everything through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15-17)--proving that God the Father and Jesus Christ existed before there was anything else. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that God the Father created "the worlds" through His Son, Jesus Christ. John 1:1 says that the "Word"--Jesus Christ (compare Revelation 19:13)--was "in the beginning" with God and that the Word WAS God. John 1:3 tells us that "all things" were made through

Q: Why does the Bible say that Christ's body was broken, when we read that not one of His bones was broken?

Published: April 4th, 2008

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He BROKE it and said, 'Take, eat; this is [meaning "represents"] My body which is BROKEN for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'"

John 19:31-37 reports that at the time of Christ's crucifixion, a soldier pierced His side with a spear and killed Him. When other soldiers came to break the legs of Christ and the two robbers, they noticed that Christ had already died. Therefore, they did not break His legs. Verse 36 informs us that "these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, 'Not one of His bones shall be broken.'"

Q: How, exactly, did Jesus Christ die? Why did a soldier pierce Him with a spear when He was already dead?

Published: May 30th, 2008

The answer to this question might be quite surprising to some who have never heard the truth before. The fact is, a Roman soldier KILLED Christ by piercing His side with a spear. Notice what happened.

The following is excerpted from our free booklet, "Jesus Christ--A Great Mystery," pages 78 and 79:

"How Did Christ Die?

"... Christ died by shedding His blood (Mark 14:24), and it is through His precious shed blood that we can be saved (1 Peter 1:18–19).

Q: Should we have and use crosses or pictures or statues, depicting Jesus Christ?

Published: June 6th, 2008

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding, "No."

Regarding pictures, images or statues of Christ (including those which picture Him on the cross), we clearly read that we are not to have images of God (Exodus 20:4). Since Jesus is God (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8; Titus 2:13), the creation and use of images or pictures of Christ violates this express prohibition.

Q: Did Jesus violate His own words, when He first said to His disciples before His crucifixion that He would drink no more wine, and when He later drank wine before His death?

Published: July 11th, 2008

Actually, this question has puzzled quite a few people. It is important to read all the relevant passages in context.

We read in Matthew 26:27-29 that Jesus gave wine to the disciples, symbolizing His shed blood for the forgiveness of sins. The entire passage reads (Authorized Version throughout, unless otherwise mentioned):

"And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament [covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

Q: Would you please explain the "Vision of the High Priest," as recorded in Zechariah 3:1-10?

Published: October 10th, 2008

As is the case with all the visions given to Zechariah, the vision of the high priest relates foremost to our days--even though it might also refer to an initial and preliminary fulfillment at the time of Zechariah.

Zechariah 3:1-10 reads as follows:

Q: Would you please explain the meaning of the coronation of the High Priest Joshua, as reported in Zechariah 6:9-15.

Published: February 6th, 2009

We mentioned in a prior Update, when discussing the vision of the High Priest Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-10, that Joshua is a type of Jesus Christ. This fact becomes even more obvious in the passage, which describes the coronation of Joshua.

Zechariah 6:9-15 reads:

Q: Would you please explain Mark 13:27?

Published: May 8th, 2009

Some have used this passage to teach a secret rapture just before or at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. However, that is not what Christ was referring to in this Scripture.

Mark 13:24-27 discusses the VISIBLE return of Jesus Christ (verse 26), AFTER the Great Tribulation and the heavenly signs (verse 24). Verse 27 reads: "And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven."

In the past, we discussed at length the false teaching of a secret rapture. For more information, please re-read our Q&A on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

In that Q&A, we also wrote regarding Mark 13:27:

Q: Is there any validity to the claim that we can only be saved if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior?

Published: June 5th, 2009

Although the biblical answer to this question is highly controversial, the Bible teaches very clearly that there is no other way to eternal salvation than through Jesus Christ. Non-christian religions reject this claim outright, and even many Christian organizations and denominations feel uncomfortable about this and think that they must apologize for the Scriptures and offer "alternatives," such as, "as long as we follow our conscience," or, "as long as we believe in someone or something," we are or will be saved.

Since we are not interested in humanly devised fables and interpretations, let us focus strictly on the clear teaching of the Bible.

Q: Does the Bible say anything about man's character development?

Published: July 24th, 2009

Actually, the Bible has quite a bit to say about this topic.

(1) To give a good definition of righteous character, as we want to apply this term in this Q&A, we would like to quote from several of Herbert Armstrong's writings, the late Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God.

In "What Science Cannot Discover About the Human Mind," copyright 1978, he wrote about righteous character as "the ability in a single entity to come to comprehend and distinguish the true values from the false, the right way from the wrong, to choose the right and reject the wrong, and, with power of will, to do the right and resist the evil."

In "Mystery of the Ages," copyright 1985, he elaborated, as follows:

Q: Please explain John 7:39. Why was it necessary that Christ be glorified in order for man to receive the Holy Spirit?

Published: September 18th, 2009

In John 7:38, Christ spoke of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the apostle John added in verse 39: "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom [better: which] those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Q: Was Jesus married?

Published: November 13th, 2009

There is more to this question than first meets the eye!

To begin, there is no statement in the Bible which says or implies that Jesus was married to anyone. In fact, if He had exchanged vows with someone, the absence of any supporting Scripture would be strange, especially considering it was not out of the ordinary for the ordained men of God to have a wife. Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 9:5 that other apostles as well as the brothers of the Lord had wives that traveled with them. Matthew 8:14 also mentions Peter's wife in passing. In addition to this, the Bible also takes the time to mention Christ's brothers and sisters, some by name; His mother and step-father, who raised Him; His cousin, aunt and uncle; but never mentions a wife.

Q: When Christ returns to set up the Kingdom of God, will He return visibly and bodily?

Published: January 1st, 2010

This seems to be a relatively simple matter to determine from the Bible, but there are myriads of different ideas that exist about this question. Let us look at some basic Scriptures.

In Matthew 24:26-30, Jesus Himself said:

Q: What was the exact hour of Christ's crucifixion (compare Mark 15:33-37)?

Published: February 12th, 2010

At first glance, it might appear that the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John gave inconsistent times pertaining to Christ's crucifixion. However, this is not the case. Apparent inconsistencies are explained when we realize that Matthew, Mark and Luke used the Jewish reckoning of time, while John gave the Roman reckoning.

(1) According to the JEWISH reckoning, a day of 24 hours duration begins at sunset and ends at sunset, and the (approximate) twelve hours of the daylight portion BEGIN WITH SUNRISE, while the (approximate) twelve hours of the night portion BEGIN WITH SUNSET.

Q: If Isaiah 53 prophesies about the first coming of Jesus Christ, why do the Jews reject this understanding?

Published: May 7th, 2010

It is true that most Jews today do not consider the passage in Isaiah 53 as a prophecy pertaining to the first coming of the Messiah. We will discuss their rationale later in this Q&A. First, let us briefly point out that Jesus Christ was and is the Messiah; and that He fulfilled precisely the prophecy in Isaiah 53.

For instance, Isaiah 53:1 ("Who has believed our report?") is quoted in John 12:37-38 in reference to Jesus.

Isaiah 53:3 ("He is despised and rejected by men") finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ (compare John 1:10-11; Luke 19:14; Mark 6:3).

Isaiah 53:4 ("Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows") is quoted in Matthew 8:17 in reference to Jesus.

Q: Did the Father really forsake Christ?

Published: July 16th, 2010

When Jesus was dying a terrible death on the cross, He cried out, just before He died, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). Did He really mean it? Did the Father forsake Him at that moment? If so, why? And if not, why would Jesus have uttered those words?

Some, not understanding the significance and deep meaning of Christ's words, say that He just shouted out these words to fulfill a prophecy from Psalm 22:1. They contend that Jesus repeated the words written down by David in the Old Testament, just to show that He was the Messiah.

Q: Please explain the passage in Habakkuk 1:5

Published: July 23rd, 2010

Even though most scholars feel that the prophet Habakkuk ministered during the "death throes" of the ancient nation of Judah--just prior to their Babylonian captivity--nothing is known about the prophet, including his age or his family.

It is clear, however, that Habakkuk's writings are not limited to the time of ancient Judah. Rather, the book of Habakkuk is a prophecy about our times today. For instance, we read in Habakkuk 2:1-3:

Q: Why do you teach that Jesus Christ is God? Others say that He is an angel, or that He is an immortal or glorified man, but not God.

Published: October 29th, 2010

The Bible teaches very clearly that Jesus Christ is God. As we will see in future Q&A's, the Bible also explains that Jesus Christ was God before His birth as a human being; who and what the Father is; and what is the potential of man. In this Q&A, we will address the biblical proof that Jesus Christ is God today.

In our free booklet, "Jesus Christ--A Great Mystery," we are stating the following:

Q: Who was Jesus Christ when He was here on earth about 2,000 years ago?

Published: November 12th, 2010

We have discussed in previous Q&As http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/9508 http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/9483 that Jesus Christ was God before He came to this earth, and that He is God today. From this it follows that He was and had to be God--the "Immanuel" or "God with us"--when He came to this earth during His First Coming. As we saw in the last Q&A, He confirmed this fact to the Jews at His time, when He called Himself the "I am"--the Everlasting One--the God of the Old Testament.

Q: You say that Jesus Christ was God since all eternity, and that He is God today. What about the Father? Isn't He God? How can there be two "Gods"?

Published: November 19th, 2010

As we explained in previous Q&As, (Who Was Jesus When On Earth?, What Was Jesus Before His Birth as a Man?, and Is Jesus God?) Jesus Christ--the Word or Logos or Son of God--was "WITH" God since all eternity, and He also "WAS" God. The difficulty in understanding this fact may be easily resolved when we recognize that the word "God" is a NAME that can refer to both the Father and the Son. It is, in fact, a FAMILY name. Ephesians 3:14–15 confirms this truth, telling us that it is "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is NAMED."

Q: Would you please explain Mark 2:27-28? In what way is Jesus “Lord of the Sabbath?” Since man was not made for the Sabbath, can we therefore work on the Sabbath?

Published: December 24th, 2010

To answer these and related questions, it is important to explain some of the background and to look at the context of the Scripture.

Q: Why do you teach that God consists of two Persons when the Bible says in Deuteronomy 6:4 that there is only one God?

Published: December 31st, 2010

First, we need to understand from the context what is meant with “one.” Christ said that the Father and He are ONE (John 10:30). Christ was not saying that the Father and He were one being. Rather, He addressed the concept of complete unity between the Father and Him. There was and always will be total harmony between the two members of the God Family. In fact, Christ won a legal argument with the Pharisees by proving that the Father and He, although “one,” were TWO beings (John 8:17–18).

Q: Was Jesus a homeless vagabond or a hippie, wandering around, without a place to live in?

Published: February 18th, 2011

Sadly, many have a totally wrong concept as to how Jesus Christ lived when He was here on earth. They might have read Scriptures saying that even though He was rich, He became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9), not realizing that Paul is using a comparison between the richness of the immortal God who owns everything, and, in contrast, the poverty of man whose insignificant riches might be here today and gone tomorrow (compare Proverbs 23:4-5).

But Jesus Christ was by no means a vagabond or a hippy. Even though some claim, for instance, that He wore long hair, the Bible is very clear that He did not (compare 1 Corinthians 11:14). [For more information, please read our Q&A, Did Jesus Wear Long Hair?].

Q: Who is “that” prophet, mentioned by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy?

Published: February 25th, 2011

The Old and the New Testament speak about the appearance of “THE” or “THAT” prophet. The concept of such a prophet is first introduced in Deuteronomy 18:15, when Moses announces to the people:

“The LORD your God will raise for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.”

In his speech before the Sanhedrin, Stephen makes reference to this passage, in Acts 7:37.

Q: Did animal sacrifices provide for forgiveness of sin?

Published: April 8th, 2011

We read in the New Testament that animal sacrifices did not forgive sin, nor did they clean or purify the ancient Israelites from an evil conscience. That was never the purpose of the animal sacrifices. Forgiveness of sin and the opportunity to inherit eternal life was only made possible through the supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 3:14-17).

Hebrews 10:1-4 makes it very clear that animal sacrifices were just reminders of sins, but that they could not take away or forgive sin. They were foreshadowing the death of Christ. We read:

Q: Would you please explain 1 John 5:6-8?

Published: April 15th, 2011

1 John 5:4-8 reads, in context:

“(Verse 4) For whatever is born [better here: begotten] of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (Verse 5) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (Verse 6) This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who [better: which] bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. (Verse 7) For there are three that bear witness (in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (Verse 8) And there are three that bear witness on earth): the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”

Q: Can you please elaborate on what is meant by the phrase “in the likeness of sinful flesh”?

Published: January 6th, 2012

In a recent Q&A ("Bound by Human Nature?") we mentioned the following in the context of the false concept that we are born with an evil human nature:

“Also, if it was passed on genetically, then Christ could not have lived a sinless life, having been born of Mary - but He did (Hebrews 4:15). Of course, we read that Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3), as He was begotten in Mary's womb and born of her. He had human nature, but He never sinned, showing that His nature or flesh did not automatically force Him to sin.”

While many do not recognize this truth, they are willing to concede the fact that Christ was not born into a sinful situation though they believe that the rest of mankind was.

Q: What does the Bible say about Christ’s battle with hostile armies at the time of His return?

Published: February 3rd, 2012

In previous Q&A’s, discussing the seventh plague of the seventh trumpet, mentioned in the Book of Revelation http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/11097 , and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/11159 we described the resurrection and the change of the saints. As immortal beings and born-again members of the Family and Kingdom of God, they will meet the returning Christ in the air and descend with Him on the Mount of Olives, where Christ’s decisive battle against the evil forces of this world will take place.

Q: What will Jesus do after Satan has been banished?

Published: February 24th, 2012

In a previous Q&A on Daniel 9, we explained that Jesus, the Messiah, would be cut off after His public ministry, but not for Himself (verse 26); and that He will confirm a covenant for a week; but that in the middle of the week, He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering (verse 27). We explained that Jesus Christ was killed quite literally in the middle of the week—on a Wednesday—in 31 A.D. In addition, we showed that He began His public ministry of one prophetic week [of seven prophetic days or seven literal years, applying the principle of “one day for one year” (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:3-6)], but that He was killed or cut off after 3 ½ years of His public ministry. He began preaching publically in the year of 27 A.D., and He

Q: Does Ezekiel 38 describe events before, during or after the Millennium?

Published: March 2nd, 2012

The events described in Ezekiel 38 and 39 will occur after Christ’s return, at the very beginning of His rule over mankind—not 1,000 years later. In a previous Q&A, we discussed the fact that Jesus Christ will have to complete 3 ½ years of His public ministry to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, before His rule over all nations in the Millennium can really begin to flourish. We saw that Christ will free the modern descendants of the houses of Israel and Judah from captivity and bring them into the Promised Land. They will build the waste cities and inhabit them, live in peace and safety, and God will forgive all their iniquities and enter with them into the conditions of the new covenant.

Q: Why will there be animal sacrifices in the future? Did not Christ abolish them when He died?

Published: March 16th, 2012

The Bible shows that at the beginning of the Millennium, after Gog’s armies were destroyed (compare Ezekiel 38 and 39), God will reinstitute animal sacrifices at a newly built temple in Jerusalem. It is possible that the Jews will build a third temple PRIOR to Christ’s return, which will survive the partial end-time destruction of the city of Jerusalem and which will be identical with the millennial temple, described in the book of Ezekiel (compare our Q&A http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/5352 , answering the question whether the Jews will build a temple in Jerusalem prior to Christ’s return. Compare also another Q&A on the same topic, http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/782 ).