QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (111)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Quotes about questions:

1.    The answers you get depend on the questions you ask.

2.    Good questions inform.  Great questions transform.

3.    He who asks a question remains a fool for five minutes.

He who does not ask remains a fool forever.

 

B.   Questions are extremely valuable.  We even learn this lesson from the Christ.  He asked individuals numerous questions during His ministry (Ex., The Parable of the Good Samarian, Luke 10:36).

 

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?

 

1.    The answer:  “He that shewed mercy on him” (Luke 10:37a).

2.    The response:  “Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37b).

 

C.   Because of their importance, we have a Q&A Lesson once a month.  Today is our Q&A Sunday for June.  Let’s consider three questions in this study.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  King of the Jews

 

A.   Stated:  Was calling Jesus “King of the Jews” an insult?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The Old Testament contained prophecies and promises of a coming Messiah.

a.    This word simply means “anointed one.”

b.    Three prophecies of a coming ruler:

1)    Genesis 49:10

 

The scepter shall not depart out of Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

 

2)    Isaiah 9:6

 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder;  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace.

 

3)    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.

 

c.    When the wise men came to Jerusalem, they asked:  “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:2).  This did not offend the Jewish leaders, they immediately pointed to Micah 5:2 which reveals that a ruler, a Governor should come forth out of Bethlehem.

d.    The term prior to the ministry of Jesus was held in high esteem.  The Jews could not wait until the day when the King of the Jews would be born.

2.    Jesus, however, did not meet the thinking of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.

a.    They thought their king would be a human being.  Jesus, however, claimed to be the Son of God (Mark 14:60-61).

b.    They believed the kingdom would be physical in nature and would be exalted above all kingdoms of the world.  Instead, Jesus proclaimed a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36).

c.    Therefore, they rejected the Christ.

d.    Thus, when they used the term King of the Jews in relation to Jesus, they used it in derision (Matt. 27:42).

 

He saved others; himself he cannot save.  If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

 

3.    There were others who were fully convinced that Jesus was the King of the Jews.  Several made the confession:  “Thou art the Christ” which means “Thou art the Anointed One.”

a.    Peter (Matt. 16:16)

b.    The devils (Luke 4:41)

c.    Martha (John 11:27)

4.    There was one other person who made the statement.  This was Pontius Pilate.

a.    He had a sign, written in three languages, put above the head of Jesus on the cross that read:  “THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19-22).

b.    The question we might ask is:  “Why did Pilate have this written?”

1)    Was it to aggravate the Jews?

2)    Was it to proclaim the truth?

3)    Was it to show the world what had happened to the man who proclaimed Himself to be a king while Rome ruled the world?

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Jesus Possessing a Sense of Humor

 

A.   Stated:  Does God possess a sense of humor?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    This is an interesting question.  Recently, I was reading a book entitled, The Character of Christ, by Jonathan Cruse.  In the third chapter he asked, “Was Jesus a happy person?”

a.    I asked that question to several preachers.

1)    One said he did not think so because Jesus came into a sinful world and was rejected.

2)    Another pointed me to Isaiah 53:3 where Jesus is described as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”

3)    When I think of Jesus, I think of Him as being a very serious individual, that is, very intent on doing the will of God.

b.    The answer Mr. Cruse gave is that Jesus was definitely a happy individual.

1)    External proofs:

a)    He attended marriage feasts and festivals.

b)    In teachings like the beam in one’s eye versus the speck in his brother’s eye, there is a picture that makes one laugh a little.

c)    When the prodigal son returned, Jesus noted the joy of the father and the expression of his happiness in having a great celebration.

d)    Jesus was also a man who had little children who migrated toward him.  Children are not drawn to stern, harsh individuals.

2)    The Bible also notes that Jesus possesses joy and gladness.

a)    John 15:11

 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

b)    Hebrews 1:9

 

…therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

 

c)    Matthew 25:21, 23

 

…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

 

c.    Jesus said that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father (John 14:9).  Thus, if Jesus was a joyful person, then the Father is also a joyful individual.

2.    But, what about a sense of humor?

a.    Humor:  to be comical or amusing

b.    Jesus was not a person who was bent on humor.

1)    Humor can become too much.

2)    Humor can be at the expense of others.

3)    Humor can become sinful.

c.    This is not to say that Jesus and God are not merry.  The Bible affirms the benefits of being merry.

1)    “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…” (Prov. 15:13).

2)    “…he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Prov. 15:15).

3)    “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” (Prov. 17:22).

d.    Interesting example:  Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1Kings 18:27)

 

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud:  for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awakened.

 

1)    We find humor in this story.

2)    Did Elijah intend it to be humorous? 

3)    His words drip with sarcasm that intend to press upon the false prophets the fact that Baal is not a god at all.  He was a figment of the imaginations of the followers of Baal.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Question stated:  God clearly states in Romans 6:3 that we are baptized into Jesus’ death wherein He shed His blood.  Those who preach “faith only” claim that it is the blood that saves.  How do they connect the blood of Jesus with faith only salvation?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The faith only advocates could use Romans 3:25 as an answer.

 

Whom God hath sent forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

 

2.    NOTE:  The entire process of salvation in a faith process.  Thus, the question that must be asked is:  “When is the blood of Christ applied in order for sins to be removed from the sinner?”

a.    If it happens at the moment a person believes Jesus is the Son of God, then were have the blood of Jesus cleansing one before he has died to sins.  We say this because repentance is when one dies to sin.  Faith comes before repentance.

b.    The Bible teaches that forgiveness takes place in the waters of baptism.

1)    Two plain verses:

a)    Acts 2:38

 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

b)    Acts 22:16

 

And now why tarriest thou?  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

2)    Two additional verses:

a)    Romans 6:3

 

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death.

 

-      A sinner is baptized into the death of Christ.

-      It was in Jesus’ death that He shed His blood.

-      Thus, in baptism we reach the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

-      NOTE:  This is something that is believed by faith.  Literal blood is not applied to the person when he is baptized.

b)    Colossians 2:12-13

 

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.

 

-      Paul teaches that in baptism we are buried and raised.

-      In this process, an operation occurs. 

-      Prior to baptism one was dead in sins.  When he comes forth the from baptism, he is quickened or made alive.

-      This occurs because in baptism God forgives all trespasses. 

-      If it is the blood that cleanses one from sin, and it is (Eph. 1:7), then the blood must have been applied in the act of baptism.