THE TRUTH IN PRINT, October 2001

A Publication of the Valley Church of Christ,

Yuma, AZ. Vol.7, Issue 9

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THINGS IN CHRIST NOT FOUND IN ISLAM

By Bob Lovelace

One simple but effective way of explaining the difference between a major “world” religion and the gospel of Christ (the New Testament, Matt. 26:28) is to show the things found “in Christ” that are not found elsewhere. The following are things found in Jesus Christ that are not found in Islam.

I. THINGS CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

The Bible clearly teaches that “God” raised up Jesus from the dead (read Acts 2:24). Furthermore, this information is found only in the Gospel (read 2 Timothy 2:8). Believing that God raised up Jesus from the dead is important enough that man cannot be saved without this belief: Romans 10:9-10

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

II. THINGS CONCERNING THE BLOOD OF JESUS

A. The “Propitiation”

God accepted Christ’s blood as an appeasement of His justifiable wrath. 1 John 2:2 states,

“ and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” Notice that the scope of the propitiation is the whole world! It is not man’s obedience ( which is certainly necessary on man’s part for salvation, Heb. 5:9) that satisfies the penalty for sin but the blood of Christ. God Himself declares Christ’s death to be the acceptable sacrifice for Sin. This does not mean that everyone has been saved by Christ’s death, but that “the way” has been provided for anyone who desires to be saved through Christ’s death (John 14:6; Rom. 3:25-26). In this propitiation we see God’s love for man (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10; I John 4:9; I John 4:9-10). This means that those who do not understand this have not seen God’s love. Have you?

B. We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins

Ephes. 1:7 states,

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Whatever method that Islam prescribes for forgiveness of sins is sorely lacking in effectiveness or ability. The meaning of redemption is “to release on payment of ransom” and the price paid was the life of Christ (read Romans 4:25; Matt. 20:28).

C. Ratified the New Covenant

Jesus blood, that appeases God’s wrath and saves man, is the blood of the New Testament (Matt. 26:28). And that’s not the Koran! In His new covenant He states all that is necessary for man to do in order that he might have eternal life (2 Pet. 1:2-3; 2 Tim. 3:16-18; Heb. 13:20-21). As christians we are “complete” in Him (Col. 2:10).

D. Purchased the Church, Acts 20:28

The church, His body (Ephes. 1:22-23) belongs to Him. (see I Cor. 6:20). “How” one receives the remission of their sins and becomes a member of Christ’s church is explained in I Peter 1:18-22. They had purified their souls “by obeying the truth” (I Pet. 1:22). The blood of Christ provides the “way” of salvation, but we must obey the truth if we want salvation. (What is the truth? It is “the gospel” as stated in Eph. 1:13, and Col. 1:5.) Later, in I Pet. 3:21, Peter identifies “when” or at what point this cleansing of all our sins takes place ~ at Baptism (I Pet. 3:21). Reading Acts 2:38 along with 2:41 will show when one is baptized for the remission of their sins that they are added to Christ’s church. Jesus is the head of the church, and the “savior of the body” (Col. 1:18). The “body” that makes up the saved is the church (Eph. 1:22-23). The church is the saved here on this earth! Can one be saved without being a part of that which is the saved? When one is baptized they put on Christ and become spiritually a child of God (Gal. 3:26-27). Unlike Christians, Muslims are not baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).

E. Destroyed Satan’s power, Heb. 2:14

Jesus’ through death and the resurrection destroyed Satan’s “power of death” because of sin (Heb. 2:14; read I Cor. 15:56-57)

F. Gives us Boldness in Prayer

Muslims pray several times a day. Christians can approach God’s presence any time knowing Christ ever lives there to make intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

G. Cleanses Christians As Long As They Walk In The Light, 1 John 1:7

Muslims are not baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), nor do they walk in the light of Christ’s Word the New Testament.

III. ISLAM DENIES THE PURPOSE OF JESUS' ASCENSION TO HEAVEN

A. That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, Lk.24:44-49

This is what Peter preached as recorded in 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. To Receive Glory, 1 Peter 1:18-23

God raised Jesus and “gave Him glory” that man’s faith and hope might be in the God who raised him! Notice that the distinct belief in God that offers the hope of redemption (read all these verses) is a belief wherein one comes by or through Christ to believe in God. John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Again, in John 12:44 “Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.” And in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Did God impose upon all the world the obligation to seek Christ? It says “no man”!

Note that God gave Jesus glory (I Pet. 1:18). This statement means that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had glorified his Son (Acts 3:13); that Jesus was given all power in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18; I Peter 3:22); that Jesus fulfilled what the prophets of old foretold (I Peter 1:11); that He rules in heaven on behalf of His church (Ephes. 1:20-23); that the Father has committed all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10); that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father (John 5:23; Phil. 2:9-11); that those who reject Christ Jesus reject the Father (Lk. 10:16); that Jesus was given glory as Lord and King (I Tim. 5:16). Dear reader Jesus Christ is man’s only hope!

IV. THINGS CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE RESURRECTION DAY, JOHN 11:25

Islam says that it believes in a resurrection day. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the resurrection and the life ( John 11:25; 2 Cor. 4:14; Col. 3:1-4). Those who do not obey the Gospel will be ashamed on that Day the Lord comes again (2 Th. 1:8-9; I John 2:28).

V. THINGS CONCERNING JESUS AND THE WRATH TO COME,

ROM. 5:9

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” (John 3:16; I Thes. 1:10; 2 Th. 1:7-9).

Why should you be baptized for the remission of “your” sins?

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