Muslims – La Vista Church of Christ

An Unbeliever’s Theory: Jesus Did Not Die

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:42:08 +0000

by Paul K. Williams

In December 1983, I debated Ahmed Deedat, head of the Islamic Propagation Society, on whether Jesus was raised from the dead. Deedat tried to show from the New Testament that Jesus did not die on the cross. He said Jesus became unconscious, that the thrust of the spear in his side was little more than a scratch which prodded him back to consciousness, that when Joseph of Arimathea buried him he realized that Jesus was still alive, and that before the guard could be placed on the tomb Joseph came back and took away the still living Jesus.

An ingenious theory. But a badly flawed theory.

First, since Deedat tried to prove his theory with the Bible, he had to twist many scriptures and ignore many others. He would have done better to spin his theory without regard to what the New Testament said. But since Islam’s holy book, the Koran, says that Jesus was a prophet and shows a regard for the New Testament, Deedat tried to fit his theory into what was written about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

I thought his theory was one of the best unbelievers have invented to explain the empty tomb. Unbelievers have a terrible time with the fact that three days after His crucifixion Jesus’ body was not in the tomb. They would deny it if they could, but the fact is too clear to deny, If the Jews could have produced Jesus’ body, they would have done so! His body was not in the tomb. So Deedat had to figure out something in order to “explain” why the tomb was empty.

But his theory flies in the face of the facts as reported by the witnesses, and it is contrary to common sense.

The eyewitnesses say that Jesus “yielded up His spirit,” “breathed his last,” and that the centurion in charge certified Jesus was dead. (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37,39,44-45) An officer in his position would be careful to make sure a prisoner was dead before he would give his word! According to the eyewitnesses, both friends and foes, Jesus died!

The other fact unbelievers cannot deny is that the apostles became changed men within a few days of Jesus’ crucifixion. They fearlessly preached that they had seen Jesus after He was raised from the dead, and they preached His death and resurrection as the central fact of the gospel. They never changed their testimony, and nearly all were killed because of what
they preached. Their actions were the actions of convinced men, men who truly believed Jesus had been raised from the dead.

Deedat explained that Jesus appeared to them after Joseph took him out of the tomb. The disciples mistakenly thought He had been raised and therefore preached what they truly believed.

But these hard-headed men could not have been deceived by a Jesus who was recovering from near death on the cross. Three days after His crucifixion, the women who went to the tomb reported that they saw Jesus and that He said, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me” (Matthew 28:10). There by the Sea of Tiberias Jesus appeared to His disciples and ate with them (John 21:1-14). Common sense says that a man who nearly died from hanging on a cross would not be in shape a few days later to make an 80-mile journey by foot or donkey over mountainous roads in order to meet His disciples! Such an explanation can never be believed except by those who close their eyes to facts.

Another problem with the theory is this: If Joseph of Arimathea knew Jesus did not die, why did he not tell the disciples? Why did he allow them to risk their lives for a lie? He surely needed help moving Jesus from the tomb and nursing him back to health. Why did not one of those who knew the truth stop the disciples from preaching a lie and throwing their lives away for it? And why would Jesus, Himself, let them believe a lie?

The theory that Jesus became unconscious on the cross but revived in the tomb and was taken from there alive is ingenious. But it cannot stand the scrutiny of men who are searching for truth. The eyewitness testimony is too clear and detailed, and the ridiculous assumptions required to believe the theory are so fantastic that the theory must be dismissed. It cannot be true.

The truth is that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and was raised on the third day. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father. He can be your Savior, and He will surely be your Judge on the last day. Believe in Him and obey Him. He is the Son of God.

Views of Heaven

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 18:08:14 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Views-of-Heaven.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Revelation 21:1-4

I. Most cultures have some view of an afterlife

A. It is a logical conclusion. Either there is an afterlife or there is not.

1. If there is no afterlife, then life becomes meaningless. There is no reason to go through hardship and suffering. There is no reason to live nobly.

2. If there is an afterlife, what is it like?

a. Is it endless bliss for all? Then why live righteously?

b. Is it endless suffering for all? Then again, why live righteously?

c. If there are two destinies, then there is incentive to live to reach the blessed side.

B. We see belief in the afterlife in history

1. The Egyptians saw the afterlife as a continuation of their current life, if one was judged worthy. The preserving of the body was so that the soul after death could have a body. Items were placed in the tomb so the soul had wealth and slaves. Failure meant annihilation.

2. The Greeks saw the afterlife as a gloom, shadowy existence under the earth for everyone. The shades living there were seen as sorrowful and forgetful. A few heroes were granted the right to go to the Isles of the Blessed, but this wasn’t based on morality. It was seen as a divine favor. Yet, even here, the souls preferred life on earth to where they were.

3. The native Americans had their happy hunting ground

II. The biblical view

A. The patriarchs knew of life after death - Job 3:11-19

B. Even children lived on, as David knew - II Samuel 12:23

C. It is through the gospel that life and immortality are brought to light - II Timothy 1:10

D. Here we learn that the patriarchs of faith saw life on earth as temporary and they looked for a better place - Hebrews 11:9-16

E. Moses knew there was a greater reward that made hardships on earth insignificant - Hebrews 11:24-26

F. Those enduring the hardship would receive a greater reward - Matthew 5:11-12

G. How we live our lives affect our lives to come - Matthew 6:19-21

H. A place is being prepared for the faithful - John 14:1-4

I. Our home country is heaven - Philippians 3:20-21

J. It is for the saved - I Peter 1:3-5

K. The saved will dwell with God - Revelation 21:3; 22:3-4

L. There is no sun or night to mark the days. God is its light - Revelation 22:5

III. The Muslim’s view

A. One author described it as a “bedroom” heaven. It is described as a place where every wish or desire is fulfilled.

1. “A sensual paradise, with blooming gardens, fresh fountains, and an abundance of beautiful virgins” [Phillip Schaff, 1894]

2. “As to the various felicities which await the pious (and of which there are about a hundred degrees), they are a wild conglomeration of Jewish, Christian, Magian, and other fancies on the subject to which the Prophet’s own exceedingly sensual imagination has added very considerably. Feasting in the most gorgeous and delicious variety, the most costly and brilliant garments, odors and music of the most ravishing nature, and above all, the enjoyment of the Hur Al-Oyun, the black-eyed daughters of paradise, created of pure musk, and free from all the bodily weaknesses of the female sex, are held out as a reward to the commonest inhabitants of paradise, who will always remain in the full vigor of their youth and manhood” [McClintock and Strong, 1969].

3. “The Qur’an basically pictures heaven in terms of the life of seventh-century Arabia’s wealthiest nobles, men who enjoyed lavish feasts in lush private gardens, in the region’s richest oases. Being poor, most of Muhammad’s early followers only dreamt of such a life. Hence, this vision of the super-rich lifestyle, taken to the nth degree, had strong appeal to them. The Qur’an describes believers feasting in heaven amidst the richest of fabrics and furnishings, and of rivers flowing with not just fresh water—extremely scarce in the region—but also with milk, honey and wine” [Mark Anderson, “Muslim Views of Heaven,” Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies].

4. “Being firmly committed to the idea of physical resurrection, the Qur’an pictures believers enjoying consummate physical pleasure. Since we’re sexual beings, God’s provisions include everything believers need to be perfectly happy.” [Mark Anderson, “Muslim Views of Heaven,” Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies].

B. Women have a separate place since “they are not of a prominently spiritual nature,” and could not enjoy the male environment.

1. They believe the majority in hell are women due to their ingratitude toward their husbands.

2. “What about the reward of female believers in paradise? Judging by the fact that it says little about the topic, the Qur’an seems to have little interest in it:

a. It makes a few general statements to assure women that, being equally responsible to obey God, they’ll be rewarded along with their men (e.g. Q 4:124, 33:35).

b. But it otherwise pictures them only in relation to male believers, who will have their wives and children with them. (Q 36:56).

c. It never promises female believers sexual pleasure equivalent to that of their men, nor would any woman in Muhammad’s audience ever have expected such equality.

d. Indeed, the idea that women would have multiple heavenly male partners would have been as offensive to Muslims in Muhammad’s day, as today.

e. The Qur’an says nothing about how their husbands’ abundant sexual activity will affect their wives.” [Mark Anderson, “Muslim Views of Heaven,” Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies]

C. “God is presented as the believers’ host in paradise, with the best of those admitted favored with a vision of him. In qur’anic terms, they’re allowed to glimpse his face (Q 2:272, 13:22, 30:38-39, 56:11, 75:22-23, 83:24, 28). This joy is reserved for only some, however, and it suggests neither the intimacy of personal friendship with God nor of union with God.” [Mark Anderson, “Muslim Views of Heaven,” Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies].

IV. The Mormon view

A. Joseph Smith claimed there are three heavenly realms

1. The Celestial realm is blessed by the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is reserved for the faithful who accept the fullness of the Mormon belief, those who would have accepted it if they had been given the opportunity, children who had not each an age to accountable for their actions, and those who entered the covenant of “celestial marriage.” Eventually, all of these can eventually evolve into gods.

2. The Terrestrial realm is blessed by the presence of the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is for those who reject the Mormon belief, but are still morally good. It is also for those who had accepted the gospel but did not remain faithful and those who had “benefitted” from the baptism of the dead” (post-mortem salvation). Also, it includes those who never were exposed to the truth.

3. The Telestial realm (a made-up word) is for those who reject the Mormon gospel, liars, murderers, adulterers, and whoremongers. These experience the fires of hell but will be rescued from torment when Christ finishes his work. In other words, this is modeled after the Roman Catholic idea of pergatory. Only the Holy Spirit visits this place.

4. Only Satan, his angels, and those who commit the unpardonable sin are left in the Telestial realm.

V. The Jehovah’s Witnesses view

A. The Jehovah’s Witnesses concluded “the final number of the heavenly church will be 144,000, according to God’s decree” [Let God Be True, p. 113, 1946].

B. The rest of humanity will live on God’s glorified earth.

C. This idea is actually not unique to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was popular in the late 1800s

D. Commonly sited passages:

1. Isaiah 65:17

a. But notice that Isaiah 65:20 says people still die.

b. And people are still working and having children - Isaiah 65:23

c. Jesus said in heaven there is no marriage - Matthew 22:30

d. This is talking about a new order: the age of the church

2. Isaiah 66:22

a. Notice that Isaiah 66:20 talks about God’s holy mountain (Isaiah 2:2-4), which is a reference to the church.

b. There is still death - Isaiah 66:24

c. There is still a moon and a counting of days - Isaiah 66:23

d. This is again symbolically talking about the new age when the church is established.

3. II Peter 3:13

a. It cannot be this present world - II Peter 3:10-12

b. This is referring to another new order: life in heaven

4. Revelation 21:1

a. Again, it says the current earth passed away

b. This again is referring to heaven symbolically

VI. The Atheist’s view

A. They deny that there is any after life, and thus, there is no heavn.

B. Death is merely a mechanical process. The brain stops functioning, and your existence ends.

C. But have you notice that we have funerals and cemeteries for loved ones, but not for cars?

D. If there is nothing after death, what is the difference between a mass murderer and an exterminator eliminating bugs?

VII. The Scriptures present a view of heaven that no other religion offers

A. No longer are we separated from God.

B. No longer are we under the curse that Adam brought upon the world

C. Revelation 21:22-27

D. Do you want to go home? You can’t reach heaven while remaining in sin.

Based on “A Study of Heaven” by Wayne Jackson

Islam and Governments

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:14:50 +0000

by Larry Rouse

Here is the simplest way to explain what makes Islam fundamentally different from every other major religion, and why it is uniquely destabilizing.

Judaism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions, meaning they teach belief in one deity.

Islam adds a second, inseparable layer, and that is exactly what makes it problematic.

In Judaism, Sikhism, and Christianity, you are only required to believe in one God to be considered a monotheist. You can believe in God while living under any number of political arrangements without ceasing to be Jewish, Sikh, or Christian.

In Islam, you are required to believe in one God, Allah (monotheism) and one governing authority, Sharia (mono-cracy).

If you believe in one God but reject one governing authority, you are not considered a Muslim, even if you believe in Allah; this is called Alhakimiyya.

To be Muslim is not only to believe in one God (Allah), but also to affirm one governing authority, sharia.

Belief in God without submission to God’s law as governing authority is insufficient. A person may believe in Allah, pray, fast, and still be considered outside Islam if they reject the idea that only divine law should rule. In that sense, Islam is not just monotheistic, it is mono-cratic.

Under this framework, Muslims who reject the rule of sharia, Kurds, secular Arabs, or “moderate” leaders can be declared apostates or unbelievers.
This is also why figures like Mohammed bin Zayed can be labeled infidels despite being Muslim: political sovereignty, not personal belief, is the dividing line.

Most Muslims believe in one God and accept sharia as the ideal governing authority. What separates them from jihadists is not theology, but strategy and timing.

They may not seek to impose sharia themselves, but they accept its legitimacy, which is why jihadists are frequently rejected tactically while being defended ideologically.

This monocratic principle is not a fringe interpretation. It is what the Qur’an commands: “And whoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed, they are the disbelievers” (5:44) and what Muhammad, his companions, and the Islamic caliphates practiced throughout history.

The Whole Counsel of God

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:10:27 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

Paul said he had preached “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) but never the Quran or the Book of Mormon. Therefore, neither of those is part of God’s counsel, and we need not pretend or believe they are.

Jesus promised that His eye-witnessing apostles would be guided into all truth by the Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). But the Spirit did not guide them to write or preach the Book of Mormon or the Quran in their lives. Therefore, neither of those is part of the truth. All truth was delivered in the time of Jesus’ apostles. It was not that they were guided into some truth and then later men would deliver some more, but all truth would come through the first apostles, who were actual eye-witnesses and Ambassadors for Jesus.

They preached the gospel for all nations (Matthew 28:19), meaning there would not be “another testament of Jesus Christ” for the American nations and another gospel for the other nations. One gospel contained the whole counsel of God for all nations. Therefore, “if any man or even an angel from heaven preaches any other gospel than what we have preached, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-10). The Book of Mormon purports to be “another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Therefore, the Holy Spirit instructs us to “let them be accursed.”

If all nations could be saved by the gospel Paul preached, and Paul did not preach the Quran or the Book of Mormon, and Mormons themselves say their book is another testament, then it is not the same counsel given by the apostles of Jesus, and therefore, we have no choice but to “let them be accursed.” If people were saved by the whole counsel of God from the first century to the seventh century without the Quran, then we do not need the Quran to be saved or to give us any enlightenment about God. The whole counsel about what we need to know about God and His will was already fully revealed. The Scriptures “completely furnished” the man of God in the first century (II Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, the Quran does not furnish the man of God with anything needed.

If people were saved by the gospel of the New Testament of Jesus Christ from the first century to the 19th century, before the Book of Mormon was produced through Joseph Smith, we could be saved without the Book of Mormon. We will be accursed if we accept the Book of Mormon, another gospel and testament. When God gave the whole counsel in the first century, nothing can be added to it later. Jude said the faith was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3-4). John closes the book of Revelation with a warning of curses being added to those who add to this book (Revelation 22:18). Paul said that even if an angel from heaven taught something the apostles did not already teach, let even the angel be accursed.

So, God was serious about giving all truth through His eye-witness apostles, serious about giving the whole counsel through them, serious about us not accepting another piece of counsel later on, and serious about tampering with His completed Scriptures by adding additional things He did not reveal and confirm through those original apostles. Everything is to be checked by the Scriptures available in the first century. Anything later is fraudulent and to be rejected as accursed of God. Check everything, even claims of God talking directly to people today apart from the scriptures. They are deceived; we must not be gullible and accept their deception as truth from God. The whole counsel was delivered in the first century through Jesus’ specially chosen apostles, whom He fully equipped with miraculous signs to confirm their message was from God (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:1-4). The Bible alone is God’s full and final revelation, and it gives us the words that will judge us on the last day (John 12:48). No one will be judged by the Quran or the Book of Mormon. So, stay with the whole counsel that will be the source from which our lives will be judged.

The whole counsel of God is in the Bible alone. Take heed to read it diligently and act on the “perfect (compete) law of liberty” (James 1:21f). The truth and nothing but the truth can set you free from the many errors peddled by men today!

How do you prove Jesus was not a Muslim?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 22:49:49 +0000

Question:

Hello Brother Hamilton and the rest of La Vista Church of Christ,

I have two questions that I want to ask you. I want to start with this one in particular because they're two different ideas. As we know, the more time goes by, there will be a new concept or belief among men. People piggyback off the truth and create falsehoods that are being taught.

This one in particular pertains to Islam and the idea that Jesus is Muslim. I've had conversations with Muslims and they argue that Jesus is Muslim because of Abraham. No matter what logic I bring up like Islam being created 600 years after Christ, their idea of a Muslim is "one who submits to God" and they claim it has always existed and that's what makes you Muslim. They then bring up Arabic ideas to outweigh Scripture. Of course, they claim Muhammad has all the truth since he spoke to Gabriel.

It seems because this is a new argument, you need new methods to argue. Of course, I use the Bible as a source but as we all know they put that aside when it comes to Christ. How does one approach this idea that Jesus is not Muslim? It seems that using biblical principles isn't enough.

Answer:

If the Muslim religion pre-existed Mohammad, then Mohammad did not establish the religion. The greatest problem they would have is proving that the religion existed since there are no records of it prior to Mohammad's life. Sure, some of the ideas expressed in Islam did exist but that only establishes that Islam borrowed ideas from earlier religions. Since we know Mohammad had an interest in Judaism and Christianity early in his life, it is not surprising that he lifted some of the teachings.

Sharing some common traits also does not prove that a person was a follower of that religion. For example, a man being circumcised does not prove he is a follower of Judaism.

Interestingly, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, also claimed to have spoken to an angel. Does that prove he knows what God wants in a religion? In contrast, Jesus doesn't claim to teach second-hand information from an angel. Jesus claimed to talk by his own authority and his first-hand knowledge of God (Matthew 11:27).

Ultimately, you'll have to face the fact that no evidence that you give will be good enough for a person who does not want to consider it. "A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding" (Proverbs 14:6).

Christ or Muhammad?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 18:38:49 +0000

by Jefferson David Tant

The rapid spread of Islam has caused concern among Bible believers. Some 40 nations are majority Muslim, and most of the terrorism around the world has been fostered by Muslim extremists. While some experts have made a distinction between the terrorist activities of Muslim fundamentalists and true Islamic beliefs, it is apparent to many that the fundamentalists are actually practicing what the Qur’an teaches.

In order to strengthen the faith of Christians and help us to understand the claims that are made for Muhammad, we want to present some vivid contrasts between these two historical figures. And, obviously, there are things for Muslim readers to consider.

Christ Was Born According to Prophecy, but No One Foresaw the Birth of Muhammad

Old Testament writers previewed the career of Jesus in such detail that honest first-century observers could have picked him out of a crowd. These prophecies are throughout the Old Testament, as well as the New. J. Barton Payne has listed 3,348 verses that are prophecies of Christ. Liddon has counted 330 separate prophetical statements (Matthew 5:17-19, Luke 24:44; I Peter 1:10-12). Specific mention of Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace appears in Micah 5:2.
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In view of God’s plan to prepare the people for Christ’s birth and ministry, it is amazing that there was no such effort concerning the birth of Muhammad. The claim is made that Muhammad was a prophet of God, the last and the greatest. Muslims say that Christ is a prophet, but that he is surpassed by Muhammad. Honest souls should be able to see a vast difference here, in that the foundation for Christ’s work is solid, while Muhammad’s is based on shifting sand, as there is no special attempt by God for his coming.

We admit Muslims claim there is a prophecy concerning Muhammad in Deuteronomy 18:15: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.”

There are obvious problems with this interpretation.

Moses was an Israelite, and the prophecy says the prophet to come was “from among you, from your countrymen.” Muhammad descended from Esau, not Jacob, and thus was not from the Israelite people.
Christ promised that all truth would be revealed within the first century, within the lifetime of the apostles. John 16:12-13 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth …” (See also Jude 3.) This leaves no room for further revelations of Muhammad, the Pope, Joseph Smith, or any other latter-day so-called prophet.

Is it conceivable that God would propose to establish a world religion on one for whom he announced nothing to prepare the people for his arrival? Much attention is made by the Father and the angels over Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem -- the Magi, (Matthew 2:1-2) and the shepherds (Luke 2:1-11), but what did they have to say about Muhammad’s birth? Absolutely nothing! People acquainted with the Old Testament knew of Jesus' birth and made their way there. Did similar interests surround the birth of Muhammad?

Islamic denial of Christ’s deity is partly based on his being born of human flesh. Islam has no concept of deity inhabiting the flesh, and thus believes that for God to have a son, he must have had a wife. “They say: ‘(God) Most Gracious has begotten a son!’ Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains fall down in utter ruin, that they should invoke a son for (God) Most Gracious. For it is not consonant with the majesty of (God) Most Gracious that He should beget a son” (Sura 19:88-92).

Such views lack an understanding of the power of God, for if he could create Adam out of the dust, could he not plant a seed in the womb of Mary?

Christ's Genealogy Was Foretold in the Old Testament, But Where Was the Divine Interest in the Genealogy of Muhammad?

We note again God’s plan for the coming of Christ into the world. To prepare the people, especially the Israelites, to whom he would first come, God gave definite information. Part of the identity of Jesus was set forth in the genealogies found in the New Testament records of Matthew 1 and Luke 3.

The importance of this lies in the Jew’s insistence on the importance of the lineage of Jesus. Unless verified, the Jews could definitely reject his Messianic claims. Jesus’ royal lineage is found in Matthew 1, where his rightful claim to David’s throne is verified, while Luke gives his rightful legal family line back to creation.

Consider Jesus’ lineage:

Seed of woman (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4),
Seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; Galatian 3:16),
Tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Hebrews 7:14),
House of David (Isaiah 11:1; Acts 12:23),
Divine in nature (Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2),
Equal to God (Zechariah 13:7; Philippians. 2:6).

In vivid contrast to this abundant evidence, God evidently had no plans for the coming of Muhammad upon earth’s scene. There were no predictions of his coming. There was no announcement of his coming. There was no celebration to herald his entry

In fairness to Islam, we note their claim that Muhammad, not the Holy Spirit, was the comforter or paraclete, promised by Christ to his apostles in John 14:16. But this claim completely fails in considering the context of Christ’s promise.

The Holy Spirit was someone sent to the apostles, not someone coming 500 years later. It was someone the apostles would know, not some future stranger (John 14:17). He would come in the name of Christ (John 14:26). He would remind them of Jesus’ teaching. (John 14:26). Muhammad (570-632) meets none of these qualifications. He was not sent to the apostles. He came too late to be known by the apostles. He did come in the name of Christ, i.e., authorized by Christ to teach. He certainly did not repeat the teaching of Christ or glorify him (John 16:14).

Jesus Worked Undeniable Miracles to Confirm His Claims, but Muhammad Worked No Miracles

It was common in the Old Testament period for God to validate the claims of the prophets by the miraculous power given to them. Such was the purpose of the miracles worked by Moses, Elijah, and others. We recall Moses’ confrontation in Egypt with Pharaoh and Elijah’s confrontation with the 400 prophets of Baal.

Jesus worked miracles to prove his claim to be the Son of God and the Messiah. Note the healing of the lame man in Mark 2:7-11, and what transpired after. While enemies attributed his powers to Satan, they never denied the reality of his miracles. Even the apostles confounded their enemies (Acts 4:16).

By means of his miracles, Jesus convinced many of his followers that he was indeed the Messiah and the Savior of the world. Muhammad gave no signs but depended upon the sword to “convert” people. On one occasion when Muhammad went to Medina and became the ruler, he resorted to killing those who refused to believe his message. What miracles could not do, for he performed none, he accomplished with the instrument of death.

Thus, Islam became a religion of physical conquest, as opposed to Christ depending upon the power of truth to persuade people. The Qur’an had no miracle to prove it is true, just as Muhammad had no sign to prove his claim to be God’s prophet.

On the other hand, the Bible stands on the solid proof of countless miracles performed by Jesus and his disciples. The Qur’an resorts to parts of the Bible when it serves its purpose, such as in trying to prove that Muhammad’s prophetic office was foretold, but then turns and claims the Bible is full of distortion, corruption, and incompleteness when it contradicts Islamic beliefs.

But you cannot have it both ways. Both the Qur’an and the Book of Mormon quote from the Bible, yet both claim the Bible has been corrupted.

The Father in Heaven Raised Jesus from the Dead to Verify His Deity, but Muhammad's Grave is Untouched

The evidence for Christ’s resurrection is abundant. Both the Old and New Testaments predicted his resurrection {Psalms 16:10; John 2:19-21). Over 500 witnesses could testify of his resurrection (I Corinthians 15:4-8). The changed lives of the disciples were amazing, as they turned from a band of discouraged and fearful people to fearless proclaimers of the resurrection who were willing to die for their faith. People do not die for what they know is a lie.

Even the enemies of Christ admitted the tomb was empty (Matthew 28: 2-4; 11-15). No theory has been able to explain away the resurrection, which was cited as the final proof of who Christ was (Romans 1:1-4).

Located in Medina, Muhammad’s tomb is a beautiful showplace with gardens and fountains surrounding it. It stands as a monument to the fact that Muhammad is dead. In the absence of any miracles or resurrection to mark him as a prophet, why should we believe in Muhammad or his teachings? The contrast between the empty and occupied tombs is quite revealing.

The Vast Difference Between the Qur'an and the Bible Says Much About the Differences Between the Two Founders

Neither man wrote the revelations that are attributed to them. Jesus wrote no part of the New Testament but made provision for the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and prophets in their teaching and writing. It is claimed that Muhammad was illiterate, and thus wrote nothing.

Authentic copies of both sacred books do exist. This does not mean that both convey truth, but that they fairly represent what the original documents said. But the Bible claims it is complete and allows no addition or change (John 16:13; II John 9; Revelation 22:18-19). Therefore it is God’s final revelation (Jude 3). The New Testament also affirms there is no need for a Qur’an, as it contains all we need (II Timothy 3:16-17).

The Qur’an could not be God’s revelation, because it contradicts both the Bible and itself.
The Qur’an has numerous contradictions with the Old Testament with respect to Noah, Abraham, Potiphar, Joseph, and Moses. The Qur’an contradicts the New Testament concerning Jesus, retaliation, marriage and divorce, and the taking and breaking of oaths.

Furthermore, the Qur’an’s internal contradictions also present a problem. Belief in God by the Jew or Christian will reward them (Sura 2:62) “Those who believe (in the Qur’an) And those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), And the Christians and the Sabians, —Any who Believe in God And the Last Day, And work righteousness, Shall have their reward With their Lord: on them Shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Sura 3:85) “If anyone desires A religion other than Islam (submission to God), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks Of those who have lost (All spiritual good).”

The requirement to slay the pagan, and the prohibition against coercion. (Sura 9:5) “But when the forbidden months Are past, then fight and slay The Pagans wherever ye find them, And seize them, beleaguer them, And lie in wait for them In every stratagem (of war)…” (Sura 9:29) (Sura 2:256) “Let there be no compulsion In religion: Truth stands out Clear from Error…”

The nature of the two books stands in sharp contrast. Only a divine being could reveal truth over 1,500 centuries with no errors and no contradictions like that of the Bible. But the contradictory nature of the Qur’an’s teachings shows a flawed human origin. Why would anyone who knows the difference accept such a book?

Furthermore, Muhammad’s own words show he is not a true prophet. On the Plain of Arafat, near Namira mosque, Muhammad delivered his last sermon in 652: "No apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born." I do not know that we can count the number of “new faiths” that have come since then.

The Modus Operandi of Christ and His Followers vs. Muhamand and His Disciples Reflect Radically Different Attitudes and Approaches

The work of Jesus and his followers always followed the method of teaching the Gospel and offering proof through miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4). Moral persuasion was the means of affecting conversions, for it was based on truth (John 8:32).

The propagation of the gospel was not to be by force (John 18:10-11, 36-37). Christ taught his disciples to love their enemies, do good to them, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44).

Muslims have long employed the sword of death to spread their religion. Nations have fallen to the sword, and history records multiplied thousands who died by the sword at the hands of Muslim conquerors. This continues even today in African nations in persecution against Christians and other non-Muslims.

When Muhammad returned to Mecca, he sent letters to all known rulers promising them safety if they embraced Islam. “When he died, unbelievers were brought to the faith by force of arms. A vast empire bowed before the shibboleth, ‘Koran, tribute, or sword.” (Lincoln Library, p. 2056) The call for jihad (holy war) against the United States and its allies is the basis for much of the terrorism and killing that exists today. An Islamic scholar defines jihad as “'An effort or strife’ Holy Fighting in the Cause of Allah or any other kind of effort to make Allah’s word superior. Jihad is regarded as one of the principles of al-Islam” (M. Zakiuddim, A Basic Dictionary of Important Islamic Terms), [Reiber, p. 9].

Conclusion

The respective books and the religions they reveal stand or fall upon the evidence.

There is absolutely no evidence to support Muhammad as a prophet of God, or of the Qur’an as a divine revelation.
But the evidence is overwhelming that supports Christ as the Son of God and the Bible as a revelation of the mind of God.

Which will you take, Christ or Muhammad? Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). He is the one who now lives and works on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).

Will you accept him and obey his will? “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

The Superiority of Christ

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:06:48 +0000

by Jefferson David Tant

Hebrews chapter one contains a wealth of information as to Christ’s identity and his unique position in all creation. This is what sets him apart from all other so-called “prophets” and would-be “saviors.” No other can match his credentials. Neither Joseph Smith, Muhammad, Zoroaster, Buddha, Mary Baker Eddy, Ron Hubbard, Vishnu, Charles Taze Russell, nor Ellen G. White, to name a few. Indeed the whole Hebrews epistle confirms the fact that God’s New Covenant with man is superior to Israel’s Old Covenant. But the beginning focuses on Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

There are seven characteristics in the chapter that are worth considering, as well as a few other noteworthy statements.

Christ Is God’s Spokesman

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

While God revealed himself through various means in the Old Testament, he unfolded the mystery that had been hidden from eternity through Jesus Christ. Paul, in contrasting the wisdom of the world with God’s wisdom, said, “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory” (I Corinthians 2:6-7).

Furthermore, we are told that there will be no further revelations, no more so-called prophets, for Christ told the apostles that he was soon leaving them, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” (John 16:13). If that promise was fulfilled, then no one today has any new truth to reveal. He said the Spirit would guide them into all the truth! Joseph Smith, the Mormon “prophet,” Ellen G. White, the Seventh Day Adventist “prophet,” and all such are false prophets. If Christ’s promise to the apostles did not come to pass, then Christ is a false prophet, and we are all without hope.

Christ Is Conqueror

The fact that he was “appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2) indicates that he is living, and thus conquered death through his resurrection. Those who are dead do not inherit. My wife and I have a will for the disposition of our earthly goods when we leave this world. But if any one of our children, our heirs, had preceded us in death, that one would not be considered an heir.

Revelation 1:5 indicates that Christ is “the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” That’s present tense, not past tense. He is the ruler and thus is living, having conquered death. Christ referred to his conquering of Satan and death in his message to the church at Laodicea: “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21). As one of our hymns states, “We serve a risen Savior.”

Josh McDowell was speaking to a group of college students in Uruguay on the topic of evidence. He said a Muslim student spoke to him, and expressed sympathy in these words. “I feel sorry for you Christians. We know where the tomb of our prophet Muhammad is, but all you Christians have is…,” and he hesitated. McDowell said a strange look came over the young man’s face as he realized the implication of what he was saying. The “empty tomb” means that our prophet is alive, while the Muslims' prophet is dead. Josh said he wished he had a camera to capture the look on the student’s face.

While it is not the purpose of this writing to consider the evidence for the resurrection, let it be known that the evidence is overwhelming. I can say that the evidence for the resurrection is as strong as, or even stronger than any event in ancient history. Muhammad is dead; Joseph Smith is dead; Ron Hubbard is dead; Christ is alive!

Christ Is Creator and Sustainer

The writer of Hebrews goes on to state that Christ is the one “through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:2-3). Hebrews 1:10 continues the thought: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands.”

The familiar statement in John 1:1-3 reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” Then John goes on in John 1:14 to identify this being: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (“consist” ASV).” (Colossians 1:17) “The meaning is, that they are kept in the present state; their existence, order, and arrangement are continued by his power” (Albert Barnes Commentary).

What other prophet has ever claimed to have created the universe, or to have the power to keep the universe humming along smoothly?

Christ Is Deity

He is referred to as “Son” in Hebrews 1:2,5,8, and “firstborn” in Hebrews 1:6. Note Hebrews 1:4-5: “having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You'? And again, 'I will be a Father to Him and He shall be a Son to Me'?”

This presents a real problem for various groups, including Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim Christ is really Michael the archangel. “Previous to the Son’s coming to earth as a man he was not known in heaven as Jesus Christ, but as Michael; when we read in Jude 9 about Michael the archangel, we are to understand this expression as a designation of Jesus Christ in his prehuman state.” (New Heavens and a New Earth, pages 28-30, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, Brooklyn, NY).

Muslims are horrified at the thought of God having a Son. “They say: ‘(God) Most Gracious has begotten a son!’ Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains fall down in utter ruin, that they should invoke a son for (God) Most Gracious. For it is not consonant with the majesty of (God) Most Gracious that He should beget a son” (Qur’an, Sura 19:88-92). To them, having a son means God had a sexual relationship with Mary, not considering that the God who created the universe could implant the seed in Mary’s womb.

Hebrews 1:3 claims that Christ “… is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (NASV). Other renderings read: “who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person” (KJV); “He brightly reflects God’s glory and is the true image of his substance” (Weymouth’s New Testament).

“Radiance” or “brightness” is from the Greek “apaugasma,” “an off-flash, i.e. effulgence: --brightness” (Strong’s). “The word augasma is that which has splendor in itself apaugasma is the splendor emitted from it; but the inherent splendor and the exhibited splendor are radically and essentially the same.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary). The idea is that if you look at the sun in a mirror, you see the exact brilliance and image.

This is further emphasized with the phrase “exact representation,” or "express image.” “The very image of his substance (charaktêr tês hupostaseôs). Charaktêr is an old word from charassô, to cut, to scratch, to mark. It first was the agent (note ending =têr) or tool that did the marking, then the mark or impress made, the exact reproduction” (Robertson’s NT Word Pictures).

How could an angel or any other created being be an “exact reproduction” or be the “splendor in itself” that emanates from God? The truth is, Christ is divine, as the apostle John declared in John 1:1-2, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God….And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Christ Is Priest

“…when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). The function of the priests in the Old Testament was to intercede with God on behalf of the people. They did this through a multitude of sacrifices and offerings. The problem was that the blood of bulls and goats would not suffice to take away sin.

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4).

It took something much greater to be efficacious in making provision for our sins—the perfect sacrifice, i.e., the sinless Son of God.

There is something significant in the statement in Hebrews 1:3: “When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” In Hebrews 10:11-12, the writer contrasts the actions of the Old Testament priests with Christ. “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.”

The priests, in a sense, could never “sit down,” for their work was never finished. They had to make sacrifices day after day, week after week, and year after year. Why? Because their sacrifices were not perfect. But when Christ made the perfect sacrifice, he “sat down,” because the work was finished. What a beautiful illustration of the superiority of Christ.

Christ Is King

Hebrews 1:8 claims: “But of the Son He says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His Kingdom.'”

This presents another problem for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, and others who deny the deity of Christ. Why would we think that any created being would be made the spiritual ruler over the creation? Consider Paul’s declaration in I Timothy 1:14-15, as he writes about the “Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time -- He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light”

Note that this Sovereign King and Lord “possesses immortality.” Adam Clarke notes in his Commentary that “All beings that are not eternal must be mutable; but there can be only one eternal Being, that is God; and he only can have immortality.” If Jesus Christ is immortal, then he is not a created being.

Consider this. Our writer states that Christ is both priest and king. In one of Zechariah’s prophecies about the Messiah, he says, “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices." (Zechariah 6:13). What is the point? At the same time Christ is priest, he is also ruling on his throne.

This presents a problem for the premillennialists, for while they may accept Christ as our High Priest now, they do not believe he is King, for the kingdom will not be established until he returns for the 1,000-year reign. But in both Hebrews and Zechariah, Christ is presented as being both High Priest and King AT THE SAME TIME, not at separate times. This, and other Scriptures show that the premillennial theory of a future 1,000-year reign on earth is not true.

Christ Is Worshipped

“And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, "And let all the angels of God worship Him" (Hebrews 1:6). It is forbidden for us to worship angels. When an angel appeared and spoke to John, we are told what transpired in Revelation 22:8-9: “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, "Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.'"

This is another dilemma for those who say Christ is not divine, but merely an angel, a prophet, or some superhuman. Such beings are not to be worshipped. Only God is to be worshipped, and the Father told the angels to worship the Son, who is Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, in Hebrews 1:5,13, a distinction is made between Christ and the angels. “For to which of the angels did He ever say, 'You are My Son…'” (Hebrews 1:5); “But to which of the angels has He ever said, 'Sit at My right hand…'” (Hebrews 1:13). It is clear that God never said those words to an angel, nor to any human being. Only the Son occupies that exalted position, and thus is worthy of worship.

We remember when Peter came to the house of Cornelius. “When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, 'Stand up; I too am just a man'" (Acts 10:25-26). And when the one called “Doubting Thomas” saw the resurrected Christ in person, his doubts fled. Christ “said to Thomas, 'Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God.’” (John 20:27-28). Note that Christ did not correct him as Peter corrected Cornelius. Why? Because Christ is deity and worthy of worship. At least 14 passages show Christ received worship, including the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-2, 11), a leper (Matthew 8:2), a ruler (Matthew 9:18), the apostles (Matt.hew14:33), a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:25), two Marys and the disciples (Matthew 28:9, 17), etc. The Greek word for worship is proskuneo, the same word Christ used in his rebuke of Satan: “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10). If Jesus can rightfully be worshipped, then he must be divine!

Truly, as the song says, “There is none like him, none can compare.” Thus we can understand the significance of Christ’s response to Thomas in John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”

Christ is truly superior. He is God. He is eternal. He is the only way through whom we can have hope of salvation and eternal life. May we ever serve and honor him.

(All Scripture quotations from the New American Standard, unless otherwise noted.)

What did Jesus mean by “I can do nothing on my own?”

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 20:27:05 +0000

Question:

Doesn't John 5:30 resemble Mohammed's role which was listening and writing and being sent? Here Jesus says that he is nothing without God.

Answer:

"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ruly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 5:22-30).

In the context of this passage, Jesus' authority to heal on the Sabbath was being questioned by the Jewish leaders. "For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God" (John 5:18). Jesus responds by discussing his relationship with God the Father and his work.

In this section, Jesus discusses his rights.

A right to receive honor

Jesus claims that his unified relationship with the Father gives him the right to receive equal honor from man. A rejection of him is equal to a rejection of the Father.

The power to give life

Jesus lays out the criteria for receiving life from him. A person must listen to his teachings and believe that the Father holds everlasting life (Hebrews 11:6). The time has come for the spiritually dead to hear the voice of Jesus and live (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). Hearing is not a passive activity, but in the same sense your mother used when she asked, “Did you hear me?” A person who listens to Jesus is a person who does what he asks of him.

Just as God has independent life and the ability to give life to others, Jesus has the same power.

Authority to execute judgment

One day Jesus will call forth all the dead from the graves and pass judgment on them based on their deeds in life. Jesus’ judgment will be righteous because the standard on which the judgments will be based will be in complete harmony with God, the Father’s will. Jesus’ judgments will be unbiased because he is not promoting an agenda separate from the Father (Psalms 40:7-8). That is why Jesus said, "I can do nothing on my own initiative." He is saying he cannot, in his role of Judge of all mankind, go off to implement his own separate agenda.

In each right claimed by Jesus, he is further demonstrating the unity of the Father and himself in all things. This is nothing like the claims Mohammed made hundreds of years later. (And by the way, Mohammed, being illiterate, did no writing so it wasn't a part of his role.)

Quran and Book of Mormon

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 19:23:49 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

These books or the people peddling them as books of God are way too late to be considered as equal to the Bible as inspired books of God.

Jesus told His apostles that they would be guided by the Spirit into all truth (John 16:13). All truth from God was therefore completely given through the apostles of Jesus in the first century. If the apostles didn't preach it and deliver it, it is not God's truth. Paul wrote that "if we or an angel from heaven preaches any other gospel than what we have preached, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-10). The Quran (630 AD) is something the apostles did not preach. Therefore, those who preach the Quran are under the curse of God. The Book of Mormon (1830) is not what the apostles preached. Therefore, those who support the Book of Mormon are likewise under the curse of God.

The scriptures of the Bible "completely furnish the man of God" (II Timothy 3:16-17). God's complete truth is in the 66 books of the Bible. All the truth God wants us to follow is in the Bible alone. The Old Testament section was for the Jews to prepare for the coming Messiah who turned out to be Jesus the Christ. The New Testament is the testimony and covenant of Jesus Christ. We are "complete" in Him (Colossians 2:10) which means that all our spiritual needs are completely met in Christ. Therefore, we do not need the Quran or the Book of Mormon. These are forgeries and fakes.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way to a right relationship with God. Other paths will take you away from the true and living God (John 14:6). Be sure you are not being misled about such matters.

Death

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 01:13:33 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Death.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Job 14:1-15

I. Death is first mentioned in Genesis 2:17 as a consequence for partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil

A. In the punishment of Adam, death is mentioned - Genesis 3:19

B. Yet, Adam lived 930 years before dying - Genesis 5:5

C. God said they would die in the day that they eat of the fruit. Obviously, God had a different meaning in mind than physical death.

II. Death is a separation

A. In the day Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, they were thrown out of the garden - Genesis 3:23-24

1. Their sin had separated them from God

B. Luke 15:24 - His son was dead, but now alive

1. His son was separated, but has now returned.

C. Ephesians 2:5 - Our sins cause us to be dead, but God has made a way for us to return to life.

D. Revelation 20:11-15 - The second death is a permanent separation from God. One where there is no return to life.

III. Physical death is the separation of the body from the spirit and soul - James 2:26

A. Since we cannot see the spirit, we have difficulty in determining exactly when a person dies.

1. Clinical death - a person has stopped breathing and their heart stops pumping

2. Biological death - the body tissues begin to decay

3. Legal death - when there is no response to resuscitation efforts.

B. You cannot see a spirit, but you know its effects - John 3:8

1. We know that somehow the spirit sustains the body, but we don’t know how or when that substance ends until the effects stop.

IV. Attitudes toward death

A. Most people are loathe to change. Change is scary.

1. We like things to stay somewhat constant and predictable.

2. We get nervous when we don’t know what to expect or what is expected of us

a. A new job, moving to a new location — any major change brings on fears of the unknown.

3. Death is the ultimate uncertainty. We don’t know what the other side is like. Everything we take for granted in this physical world will not apply in the spiritual. It is a scary thought!

B. A prime focus of religion is an explanation of what happens after death

1. The Egyptians

a. Believed the physical affected the spiritual.

b. The body was preserved so that the spirit would go on living.

c. Things were buried with the dead so they would have there use.

2. Hindu

a. Predominately a religion of India

b. Described as a “vague, amorphous, many-sided, and all things to all men.”

(1) It welcomes the worship of a large number of diverse dieties

(2) It accepts “truths” from many different and often contradictory sources.

(3) A devout Hindu believes there is room in Hinduism for Jesus, Mohammad, Zoroaster, and Moses.

c. Two fundamental beliefs

(1) There is a rigid hierarchical ranking of society into castes.

(a) There are 2,000 castes in India, organized into 5 general groups

(b) Brahmans (priests) are at the top followed by warriors, commoners, serfs, and the untouchables.

(2) Reincarnation of the soul after death

(a) A person’s status in his reincarnated life is determined by how he lived in a previous life.

(b) A morally upright untouchable may be rewarded by returning to life as a serf in the next life.

i) An upright woman may be rewarded by returning as a man

ii) An evil individual could be demoted to a lower caste, or even return as a bug.

(d) The top of the earthly cycle of lives is being reincarnated as a cow, hence the sacredness of cows in India.

d. The goal of the Hindu, through all of these deaths and rebirths, promotions and demotions, is to reach a state of release from the cycle of earthly life and become a part of the cosmic consciousness.

3. Buddhism

a. Like Hinduism, includes a broad mix of beliefs and ideas borrowed from numerous sources. It is difficult to list a set of beliefs and say this is what a Buddhist believes.

b. Started by Buddha in sixth century B.C.

(1) Claimed that he was the source of truth, which he found through his own efforts and qualified him to teach others.

c. The central idea is to obtain Nirvana.

(1) However, Buddha would not define what Nirvana was, only how to live one’s life so as to attain it.

(2) An over-simplification might be to say that Nirvana to a Buddhist is like salvation to a Christian.

(a) There is an idea that it can be obtained while living here on earth.

(b) After death, Nirvana brings greater blessings to those entering the spiritual realm.

(3) Buddhist believe this material world is an illusion and the spirit world is all that is real.

(4) One obtains Nirvana when he finally succeeds in making that belief consume his thinking and causes him to abandon material thoughts and possessions until he united with the spirit world.

d. Buddhist’s idea of a soul is different from Christians or even Hindus

(1) They believe in reincarnation, but the soul that returns is not literally the same being that died, but a new inheritor of the results of the previous life’s actions.

e. Buddhist believe in a multiple levels of heavens, hells, and in-between life (including animals like Hindus).

4. Chinese

a. Believe in impersonal, abstract powers associated with natural forces and objects.

b. These mini-gods are thought to be the souls of the deceased. The spirits of the dead are thought to be able to influence the events among the living. Dead ancestors are venerated so as to gain favor upon life’s activities.

c. A person of distinction might attain the status of one of the nature gods, becoming a god of a place or activity he had been associated with during life.

d. There is no belief in punishment after death.

e. Confucianism and Taoism generally centered men’s thoughts on achieving harmony with nature and fellow men, and gaining prosperity in this present life.

f. Most Chinese accept the basic “this life only” outlook and do not concern themselves with life after death.

5. Islam

a. Started by Mohammed ibn Abdullah of Mecca about A.D. 610.

b. Much of his religion was borrowed from Judaism and Christianity. The major focus of his teaching was his concept of judgment day.

c. Islam believes in a resurrection of the dead and the living to appear at a great judgment.

(1) The Muslim judgment scene is walking a tightrope over the flames of Hell. The unrighteous fall off, while the righteous reach Paradise on the other side.

d. Paradise is suppose to consist of delicious foods, abundant cool water, shade, and beautiful women for the enjoyment of men.

e. Hell is suppose to consist of torture, rotten food, hot water to drink, and foul odors.

C. Death is not an annihilation or extinction.

1. Some read Matthew 10:28 and think that destroy means ceasing to exist

a. Romans 14:15 - the same word, but does not mean annihilation.

b. In Romans 14:21 - destroy is equated with causing to stumble.

c. Luke 16:19-31 - Abraham, the rich man, and Lazarus all die, but continue to exist.

(1) They discuss, feel their environment, and remember their past life.

D. Death is not a punishment on individuals

1. God said the wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23

a. But this refers to spiritual death, not physical

2. Jesus showed this false line of reasoning - Luke 13:1-5

3. God did use death as a consequence on occasion, but it was rare and never used as often as people sinned.

4. Sinful living can hasten death - Proverbs 1:17-19

5. When people die at an early age from disease, accident, or calamity; it is not evidence that God singled them out for punishment.

V. It is proper to weep for the dead

A. Examples

1. Abraham wept for Sarah - Genesis 23:1-2

2. The disciples wept for Dorcas - Acts 9:36-39

3. Jesus, Mary, and some of the Jews wept for Lazarus - John 11:31-36

B. Grief is not a sign of a lack of faith, but to say “I will miss you.”

C. For Christians, grief is not permanent. We know our separation is temporary - I Thessalonians 4:13-18

D. If you are not a Christian, how will people grieve for you? As one who is lost to them forever because you would not obey the Savior’s call? Or, as a fellow traveler who has reached our destination in advance?