The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, will be judge of all. “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). The only way this may be proven false is to show that the statement does not represent the will of God. Given the teaching of the Bible, this can not be done. Proof for All Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (Acts 17:31). Note, there is evidence for all to know that Christ will be their judge. This is shown to be true in the following manner: Since the Bible is a historically reliable document, we may know and have confidence in what it teaches. The historical reliability of the Bible is here assumed, but it may be demonstrated. We have argued this for years in our Christian Evidences Class and the notes from this class are available from the Florida School of Preaching. You may also consult the field of Textual Criticism for this science is of great importance in demonstrating the historical reliability of our biblical text. If the Old Testament teaches that Christ was to be raised from the dead, and if the New Testament proves that Christ did rise from the dead, then what the Bible teaches about Judgment is true. …

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God” (Romans 11:22). The goodness of the Godhead is demonstrated in such passages as John 3:16: “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.” The severity of God can be seen in Hebrews 12:29: “For our God is a consuming fire.” The wrath of God is consistent with His being: The Divine wrath is to be regarded as the natural expression of the Divine nature, which is absolute holiness, manifesting itself against the willful, highhanded, deliberate, inexcusable sin and iniquity of mankind. God’s wrath is always regarded in the Scripture as the just, proper, and natural expression of His holiness and righteousness which must always, under all circumstances, and at all costs be maintained. It is therefore a righteous indignation and compatible with the holy and righteous nature of God (Numbers 11:1-10; Deuteronomy 29:27; 2 Samuel 6:7; Isaiah 5:25; 42:25; Jeremiah 44:6; Psalm 79:6). The element of love and compassion is always closely connected with God’s anger; if we rightly estimate the Divine anger we must unhesitatingly pronounce it to be but the expression and measure of that love (Jeremiah 10:24; Ezekiel 23; Amos 3:2). (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. v, p. 3113). Jesus was given all authority by God the Father (Matthew 28:18). God the Father recognizes Jesus as the righteous judge (2 Timothy 4:1). The New Testament has many references about the wrath of Christ and the coming judgment. …

The transfiguration was an amazing event in the life of Jesus Christ, and a memorable occasion for three disciples. Jesus, at this time, is in the closing months of his life on earth prior to his crucifixion. The account of this remarkable event may be found in Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9 and Luke 9:28-36. Our study will be taken from Matthew’s account (NKJV), which reads: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son …

The world took little note of an event which took place about 2,002 years ago in the hills of Judaea, in a small village called Bethlehem. However, that event — along with other subsequent and important events during the next thirty-three years — has changed the human race more than all other world events put together! That event was the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus Christ was according to God’s eternal purpose, but it was hid in God from the beginning of the world (Ephesians 3:7-11). Peter said the coming of Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20)! The first hint in the Bible of the coming of Christ was spoken by God to Satan in Genesis 3:15. Later, God promised Abraham that, through his seed, all the kindreds of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3; Acts 4:25). Still later, Moses declared that the Lord would raise up a Prophet like unto him and that every soul which would not hear him would be destroyed (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 4:22-23). All of God’s holy prophets foretold of the coming of Christ (Acts 4:24). Isaiah prophesied, over seven hundred years before Christ’s birth, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (‘God with us’)” (7:14, 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23). Balaam had prophesied “there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel …

On Tuesday prior to the Lord’s crucifixion the following Friday, Jesus engaged in a discussion with the Pharisees, who made no secret of their hatred for Him.  When Matthew recorded the scene in his Gospel, he first commented on an earlier skirmish the Lord had with the Sadducees: “But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together” (22:34). Jesus–with penetrating logic and an incomparable knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures–had routed the Sadducees completely.   No doubt the Pharisees thought they could do better.  Yet they were about to endure the same embarrassing treatment. In the midst of His discussion with the Pharisees, Jesus asked: “What think ye of the Christ? Whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:42).  They were unable to answer the questions satisfactorily because their hypocrisy prevented them from comprehending both Jesus’ nature and His mission.  The questions the Lord asked on that day, however, are ones that every rational, sane person must answer eventually. The two questions were intended to raise the matter of Christ’s deity.  The answers–had the Pharisees’ spiritual myopia not prevented them from responding correctly–were intended to confirm it.  Today, these questions still raise the spectre of Christ’s identity.  Who is Christ? Is He, as He claimed to be, the Son of God? Was He, as many around Him claimed, God incarnate? Is He, as the word “deity” implies, of divine nature and rank? Christ As A Historical Figure The series of events that would lead to …

Families have been often recognized as the foundation of society. Generally, families are the closest units of any society. Family members strengthen each other, help each other and defend each other. To write about the family of Christ is very needful but it is more needful for us to truly make the church the body of Christ as the family of Christ. The phrase “family of Christ or family of God” is not used directly in the King James and American Standard versions of the New Testament. However, the relationships are clearly expressed so that it is certainly Scriptural to speak of the family of God and the family of Christ. The Scripture repeatedly calls God Father. The term brethren is used many times as an address of faithful Christians. They are beloved brethren and faithful brethren. The term sister is likewise used to express the closeness of one member of Christ’s body to the rest. The entire fellowship of the church is described by the term brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; Rom. 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9). Hebrews 2:11-12 indicates that Christ is what some call our elder brother. “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.” Many see in this Christ as the first brother or the elder brother. As one reads all of these Scriptures speaking of the relationship between brothers, sisters and father and elder brother one is impressed with the fact that Christ’s family is important …

In Volume Three of his eleven volume series of historical works, the great American historian Will Durant says that some have attempted to prove that Jesus Christ was a myth.  They denied that Jesus lived. Among these was Bruno Baer, who in 1840 began his series of passionate controversial works in which he attempted to prove Jesus was a myth.  Later in the 19th Century, some Dutchmen laboriously attempted to prove Jesus never lived.  Among these were Peirson, Naber, and Matthas.  Durant says that in England J. M. Robertson and W. B. Smith made attempts to prove  Jesus never really lived. It is obvious that Will Durant did not believe that he New Testament was written by men who were directed by God in what they wrote.  However, following what he wrote about those who deny Jesus actually lived, Durant said that it would be easier to believe the  miracles recorded in the New Testament than it is to believe hat a few simple men in one generation invented so appealing a personality as Jesus and the lofty ethic attributed to him, and the inspiring vision of human brotherhood which Jesus is pictured as presenting. Durant goes on the say that after two centuries of  “Higher Criticism” the outlines of the life, character and teaching of Christ remain reasonably clear, and that there is no feature in the history of Western man as fascinating as this story of Jesus Christ. (See: Volume III of Will Durant’s works entitled: Caesar and Christ, …

A gifted writer and sensitive soul has offered this description of Jesus as He came to John to be baptized in the River Jordan. “His appearance, wholly different from that of all who had thronged to His ministry, at once arrested the prophet’s eye. The holy devotion and heavenly repose which marked Him as He stood in prayer, spoke of a purity and greatness before which the soul of John did instant reverence. He might have stern words for the proud and self-righteous, but, in the presence of such a vision as that before him, he has only those of lowliest homage. The light, as of other worlds, shining from the depths of those calm eyes; the radiance of a soul free from all stain of sin, transfiguring the pale face — full, at once, of highest beauty, tenderest love, and deepest sadness, was hereafter, even when dimly seen by the light of midnight torches and lanterns, to make accusers shrink backwards and fall, overcome, to the ground [John 18:6], and Simon Peter pray — “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”[Cunningham Geikie, The Life And Words Of Christ, rev. ed. (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1894), I:389. Geikie dedicated his work to his friend Frederic W. Farrar, who also addressed this matter: “There is not one syllable in the Gospels or in the Epistles respecting the appearance of His form or face. Nor is there the vestige of any reference to it in the literature …

E.F. Harrison wrote: “Some religions, both ancient and modern, require no historical basis, for they depend upon ideas rather than events. Christianity is not one of these” (1968, p. 11). The religion of Jesus Christ stands or falls upon the events of history. Did Jesus of Nazareth ever live? Are the New Testament data regarding Him reliable? This is a crucial issue. In the 9th century, German historian Bruno Baur alleged that Jesus was the mental invention of a few second century Christians who were influenced by Graeco-Roman philosophy. More recently an atheist associated with the Freedom From Religion Foundation argued that “the New Testament Jesus is a myth” (Barker, 1992, p. 378). More careful scholars, however, have been forced to acknowledge the historicity of the Lord. German historian, Adolf Harnack (1851-1930), declared that Jesus was so imposing that He was “far beyond the power of men to invent” and that those who treat Him as a myth are bereft of “the capacity to distinguish between fiction and the documentary evidence . . .” (as quoted by Harrison, p. 3). Joseph Klausner, the famous Jewish scholar of Hebrew University (who did not accept Christ as the Son of God) conceded that Jesus lived and exerted a powerful influence, both in the first century and subsequent thereto (1989, pp. 17-62). Even rabid skeptics have had to bow bloody heads to the blows of solid historical evidence. Entertainer Steve Allen has written some bitter diatribes against the Bible. Nevertheless, he confessed: “My …

“. . . We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psa. 100:3).  “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand . . .” (Psa. 95:7). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, cares for the sheep individually.  “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:3). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, leads his sheep in the right way.  “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice” (John 10:4). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, saves the sheep.  “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, gave his life for the sheep.  “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).  “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: an I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, protects the sheep.  “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose won the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, an scattereth the sheep” (John 10:12). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, unifies the sheep.  “And other sheep I …

More has been written about Jesus’ life than any man who has ever lived.  More has been written about His death than His life, yet the material is not exhausted. Writers can find no more appealing story and readers never tire of the theme.  He faced a trial of grief before Pilate when justice was executed before He was.  Then there was a trail of tears as Jesus was led to Calvary as the women followed weeping over His eminent demise.  A fascinating angle to explore is the different functions of Jesus in light of those who interacted with Him on the way to Golgotha. Christ, judge of all men, stood in front of Pilate, a judge.  He who will judge all men (Rom. 14:10), knows what if feels like to be judged.  The Prosecutor knows what it feels like to be the defendant.  Jesus promises to be fair, and merciful (to His own, 2 Tim. 4:8), something that was foreign at His trial.  He will say to many imperfect and undeserving children on that day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).  Though perfect and deserving, He heard no such words.  The words He heard went something like this, Illum duci ad crucem placet.  We learn this  from Barclay, who writes: “The Roman ritual of condemnation and routine of crucifixion were fixed.  They did …

Frank Higginbotham is a renown Gospel preacher in the Upper Ohio River Valley. For about three and half decades he has served the Chester, West Virginia congregation in an outstanding way. Brother Frank’s claim to fame, so to speak, is his unfailing use of transparencies and an overhead projector. With tongue in cheek, he has been accused of using the overhead projector on his radio program and even using transparencies when he performed the wedding for his sister Nita a few years ago. I have seen the (re-enactment) photos of the wedding ceremony! Seriously, his transparency sermons in conjunction with basic and simple biblical truths have contributed greatly to edifying the Virginia Avenue church of Christ. Additionally, those well-illustrated sermons have built up audiences wherever brother Higginbotham has preached in Gospel meetings, camps and lectureships. About 2,000 years ago, before the advent of electricity, overhead projectors and transparencies, Jesus Christ proved himself to be the master illustrator. Jesus did this through the effective use of picturesque speech. Frequently, our Lord employed parables in much the same way brother Frank uses the overhead projector. Christ’s discourses were often accentuated with parables as a vehicle through which to endear heavenly truths among his auditors. In his parables, Jesus referred to physical circumstances with which his audiences were abundantly familiar to teach them spiritual truths about which they knew little or nothing. One popular definition of the biblical parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Jesus Christ was a master in the use of pictorial …