Teaching - The cross
| Preaching the cross
What is the teaching or preaching of the cross? [1] A typical short answer is: Jesus died for your sins.
You can already discern, in the context of the discussion on teaching, that there is something missing here. It does not answer the question of "How does the preaching of the cross reveal the invisible Father? Remember, man is separated from God by ignorance: Elohim.
- How does the death of Jesus make the Father known if no one learns who Jesus is? [2] [3] How will they know of the culmination of the teaching if they don't learn of the cross? [4] Without the teaching or preaching of the cross, the cross was pointless.
Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world teaching... [5] If you are not making the invisible Father known, then what is your point? What have you decided is more important?
|
- ↑ 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
- ↑ Joh 10:30 I and [my] Father are one.
- ↑ Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
- ↑ Ro 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
- ↑ Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
|
| The cross
Most theologians agree on some central points:
1. It is the culmination of God's revelation.
2. It is where Gods holiness and his love meet.
3. It is where one may be set free from the penalty and power of sin.
However, the use of the words is where the agreement ends.
- If it is the 'culmination of God's revelation', why do they look for bigger and greater revelation in some end times event? [1]Now they may shy away from confessing that the "end times" are bigger and greater, but 'culmination means 'climax'. Certainly the way the Book of Revelation is preached is as the climax of all human history.
- What does it mean that holiness and love meet? To some it means that the Father (of Old Testament fame), who is mean and judgemental, meets the Son (of New Testament fame), who is gentle and kind. The Father killed the Son, whom he loves more than anything, to show us how much he loves us, though it isn't as much as he loves the Son. This is not real encouraging if you think about it.
- What is the penalty of sin? Is it consequences in this world? Death? Eternal separation from God forever? Writhing pain and anguish in a burning hell forever? Among theologians there is no agreement.
- What is the power of sin? An inability to control one's desires? A possession by an evil entity?
As these questions are placed in the context of the foundational truth; that man is separated from God by ignorance: Elohim, the answers to these questions will become clear. The preaching of the cross is more than: Jesus died for your sins. [2] [3]
|
- ↑ Such as the coming tribulation , anti-Christ, rapture, and end of the world?
- ↑ Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
- ↑ Lu 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
|
MYHB - Cross - Culmination of revelation
MYHB - Cross - Holiness and love meet
MYHB - Cross - Victory over the penalty and consequence of sin
MYHB - Cross - Victory over the power of sin
MYHB - Cross - The cross and the kingdom
