Searching for the Christ (eBook)

Preface

It was in November of 1978 when I first heard the statement that Jesus Christ is the subject of the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. That truth thrilled my soul that day and continues to do so to this day. The notion that there was a plan behind the Scriptures — that there was a reason why the various stories and details are included — not only gave meaning to the Bible, but also to life. As someone who has always been concerned with the why behind the way things are, I was inspired by this truth to spend the next four decades studying the Bible to learn about Jesus Christ. Searching for the Christ is a result of that study.

Stating that Jesus Christ is the subject of the Bible does not mean that every verse from Genesis 3:15 through Revelation 22:21 is talking about him. It means that all of the scriptures are connected in some way to the Christ. Understanding that the Old Testament is concerned with the coming of the Christ is so important that God says those who read the writings attributed to Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) without knowing and believing in the Christ are reading with a veil over their hearts and are blinded (II Corinthians 3:14-16). They can read and even understand the words, but they cannot see what those words really mean, which means that they cannot know God for it is in knowing the Christ that people gain an understanding of God. The Old Testament reveals God’s promise to send a savior, what Satan did to prevent the savior from being born, events that affected the bloodline of the promised savior, stories of and writings by people who believed in that promise, what happened when people did not believe in that promise, and what God did to keep that promise. Of course, right after the Old Testament come the four Gospels which tell many of the details of Jesus Christ’s ministry. The Gospels are followed by the Book of Acts and the New Testament epistles which explain what Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and lordship mean to those who believe in him. Finally, the Book of Revelation deals with Jesus Christ returning to earth to carry out the judgment of God as the king of kings and lord of lords.

My quest to understand the Christ in the Scriptures was not primarily an intellectual endeavor. It was a search for identity, for purpose, and for power. It was evident to me as I read the Book of Acts and the Church Epistles that Jesus Christ was real to the believers of the first century. They literally believed that they represented him and that he was supporting them. Serving Jesus Christ was the passion of their lives. They carried themselves as people who had Christ’s authority and power. I wanted all of that in my life. I wanted Jesus Christ to become so real to me that his love for me would become the driving force in my life. I wanted to represent him with the confidence of someone who knows the lord over heaven and earth is on his side. I wanted to bring honor to his name by making known the Scriptures and by using his power and authority to help people. I wanted to live up to the word God uses to describe His people: believer. I have not yet fully attained my goal, but I’m closer than when I began my quest, and by God’s grace, I’ve been able to help others get closer as well.

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The basis for the stories and insights included in this volume is the Bible. No attempt was made to promote the views of any denomination. There are points that are presented with each Biblical record, but to the best of my ability, I have tried to set forth points that are supported by considering the Bible as a whole. I began this project with only one assumption: if the Bible is the Word of God, then there can be no errors in it. If God really is the author, then all of the scriptures must fit together perfectly. In seeking to see how individual scriptures fit together, I have endeavored to read exactly what is written in the verses, to consider words that have been used in light of their Biblical usage, to make sure that all scriptures related to the same topic are in agreement, and to examine multiple records when one record only tells part of the story. In addition, I have considered the various scriptures in light of the context in which they are written, and I have studied God’s previous uses of a word for help in determining what He means. I have also considered to whom the various scriptures are addressed as well as the Biblical time periods in which scriptures were originally set forth. I have also considered the use of figures of speech, as well as Orientalisms which refer to manners and customs from the lands and times of the Bible. These are some of the crucial steps that a workman of God’s Word must take if he or she is to see the beauty and accuracy and reliability of the Bible.

I should add that, since my goal was to grow in my love and believing, I wanted to do more than simply see how the scriptures fit with each other. I wanted to understand how they fit with life. To rightly divide God’s Word, we need to have more than an academic appreciation of the Scriptures. We need to know how to apply them in our lives. That’s one reason why studying the Bible is not primarily an intellectual endeavor; it is a spiritual endeavor. It requires spirit. It requires having a deep, intense respect for God. It requires having God work within us to help us understand. The right dividing of the Bible will always produce, among other things, greater reverence for God, greater appreciation for Jesus Christ, greater love of the brethren, and greater passion to help those that are not yet part of God’s family. If we are not seeing these results when we study God’s Word, then we are erring in our studies.

The King James Bible was the starting point for my reading and study, but I have consulted numerous other texts whenever I thought I might be able to glean additional insights into a verse or record. In telling the story of the Christ, I have tried to write simply and concisely. I am firmly convinced that if the Scriptures are truly understood, then they can be presented in a way that even young people can understand. Truth is always simple. Error is very complicated. In an attempt to present the story in a simple, yet pure form, I have modernized the language and selected words that better communicate the original intent. For example, the dialogue that is included is not taken word for word from any translation. Rather it is an attempt on my part to capture the original heart by incorporating insights from the context and other scriptures that relate to the topic. In each case, I have sought to handle the verses honestly and with the utmost respect for my heavenly Father Who had these words written down many years ago.

I should add that most of the work included in this text is not original. (I cannot tell you how many times I have thought I was seeing something “new” in God’s Word only to learn sometime later that I had read or heard that same truth in a teaching years before!) However, I have endeavored to search the Scriptures to see whether or not what others have taught is true. Thus, although I have been introduced to many truths through many individuals’ ministries, none of what is included is done so because someone else said it. As any workman who wants to stand approved before God must do, I have only included what I have worked for myself and believe to be true.

The person whose research has had the greatest influence on me is Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille. He is the one from whom I first heard that Jesus Christ is the subject of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. (I should point out that Dr. Wierwille made it very clear that much of what he taught was not original.) I have borrowed extensively from Dr. Wierwille’s teaching series Power for Abundant Living, which encompasses his books Power for Abundant Living and Receiving the Holy Spirit Today, as well as his other research books, most notably Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed, Jesus Christ Our Passover, and Are the Dead Alive Now?. Other works that were particularly helpful were Reverend Walter Cummins’ The Acceptable Year of the Lord — the chronology of Jesus Christ’s life found in my text is largely from that magnificent work — and A Journey through the Acts and Epistles. In addition, Reverend John Schoenheit’s work on the Old Testament was very enlightening, especially in my study of the records involving the Tower of Babel and the sin of Moses, Reverend Ken Petty’s work on the book of Romans, particularly as it applied to the records involving Abraham, was extremely beneficial, and Reverend Christopher Geer’s works have provided wonderful insights into many topics. Most notable among the others who have opened my eyes to truths in God’s Word that are a part of Searching for the Christ are Reverend Joe Armstrong, Reverend Jerry Carr, Reverend Bob Chatten, Reverend Michael Gilmore, and Reverend Steve Zolezzi. The points of understanding these men have offered me are far too numerous to mention here. To the men and women whose efforts I’m omitting, I apologize; however, God will never forget their work and labor of love.

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At the end of every chapter is a list of scripture references that were used in composing the story. This is so readers can search the verses themselves to check if what they are reading is accurate. It also provides a greater opportunity to grow in understanding of God and His Word. (Searching for the Christ is NOT meant to replace the Bible. The Bible is The Word of God. It alone reveals God and His will for mankind. Through the...