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MANY FACES OF RELIGION

The purpose of this religions brief descriptions column is not an idea to spark anybody to hatred but to encourage or enlighten the people to educate themselves about the different religions in the world. We appreciate your interest and hope that you find this column helpful.


Christianity
Christians follow the teachings of and about Yeshua of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Christians believed that Jesus Christ co-existed with God before the creation of the world. Many Christians believe that people are born and remain sinful; they will end up being eternally punished unless they repent of their sins and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Bahá'í
Bahá'ís believe that God is transcendent and unknowable. However, He has sent, and will continue to send, great prophets to mankind. A new prophet is not expected for many centuries.

Buddhism
Buddhists believe in reincarnation: the concept that one must go through many cycles of birth, living, and death. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. The title Buddha means one who has awakened.

Hare Krishna
Their religion is most commonly known as Hare Krishna, because of their principle mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare Krishna means "The All-Attractive," Hare addresses the energy of God, and Rama means "The Greatest Pleasure." These names of God and the Hare Krishna Mantra are derived from ancient Indian texts of knowledge called Vedas.

Confucianism
Confucianism is primarily an ethical system to which rituals at important times during one's lifetime have been added. Confucius's writings deal primarily with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers.

Muslim
Muslim teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God through Prophet Muhammad who is the founder of the Muslim (Islamic) religion. Muslims also believe that the Prophet Muhammad was a man chosen by Godly revealed Law.

Hinduism
At the heart of Hinduism is the principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well. Deity is visualized as a triad: Brahma the Creator who is continuing to create new realities Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preserves these new creations. Whenever dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnations.

(2006) Pastor Godwin E. Enogieru

What is The Gospel?

The gospel is the good news of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. The infallible and uncompromising words of God. Christ is the great theme of the gospel.

Everyone in the body of Christ has been given commissioned by the Lord to proclaim the gospel. These great commission implied to both men and women (MK 16:15), and it is our responsibility to see that the good news of His Birth, Death, Resurrection, Assension, and the second coming of Christ is being preached to the world. Your responsibility maybe to preach the Word, or financially support the Gospel.
Anyhow, you have a duty in the body of Christ to perform. Support the Gospel!

1. Each writer was confronted with a difinite need.
2. He formed a definite purpose for his gospel record.
3. He selected his material under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

MATTHEW - - Tax Gatherer or Publican * 45 A.D. - Hebrew; 50 A.D. - Greek
1. First gospel written
2. Written to meet the needs of the persecuted Christians
      A. They were regarded as being traitors by their fellow Jews - traitors to the Hebrew religion.
      B. They needed a gospel to show that was the fulfillment of the law of Moses.
3. His gospel deals with the "King" and his kingdom.
      A. "Kingdom of Heaven" - 33 times
      B. "Kingdom of God" - 4 times
      C. "Son of David" - 9 times
      D. Quotes from or alludes to Old Testament about 35 times
      E. Words "righteous" and "righteousness" occur more often than for the whole of the other three gospels.
4. He is the only writer who speaks of the kingdom as the church - Mt 16:18, 18:17
5. He traced the lineage of Christ from Abraham unto Christ.
6. He wrote of Jesus as King

LUKE - A Greek; a physician; probably a brother to Titus; 58 A.D.
1. Second gospel written - most literary of the four.
      A. His gospel has a "classical" preface such as the way the greeks wrote.
      B. Ex. Herodotus and Thucydades
2. Luke shows that in his day there were many narratives of Christ. He used oral and written information and his writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
3. Wrote for the Greeks
      A. Required a world outlook
      A. A Gentile book would need to be in good form.
4. Wrote more details of the early life of Christ than even Matthew.
5. Traced genealogy from Christ to Adam to show that the Gentiles were in God's plan.
6. He alone wrote of the Gentiles: widow of Zarephath; Naaman the Syrian; Samaritan leper. (Luke 4: 25-27; 10: 25-37; 17:16)
7. Women and Children are prominent.
8. Made much of prayer and praise.
9. He wrote of Jesus as the Redeemer.

MARK - Gospel of Deeds - 67 A.D. (Straightway, immediately, forthwith)
1. Third gospel written. Mark wrote what he had so often heard Peter preach, Peter mentioned by name.
2. Suited especially to a Gentile audience.
3. Wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit Quotes from O.T only once.
4. Justin says that Mark styled his gospel, "Peter's Memoirs."
5. Eusebius says that the Romans persuaded Mark to write the "Scripture called the gospel of Mark."
6. Scope of Mark's gospel corresponds to Peter's address at Caesarea (Acts 10:34-43).
7. External evidence points that Mark was dependent upon Peter for material.
8. Wrote for the Roman stoic mind which thrilled at one's achieving victory through apparent defeat.
9. His gospel is parallelled to Peter's discourse in Act 10
      A. Mark, like Peter, introduces John the Baptist.
      B. Mark, like Peter, represents the baptism and temptation of Christ.
      C. Mark, like Peter, sets forth the servant's defeat and final triumph.
      D. Mark, like Peter, declares that Christ manifested himself to his apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
10. Unlike Matthew, Mark wrote of Jesus as a servant rather than a king.

JOHN - A.D. 85 or 96 A.D.
1. Gospel written long after the three synoptics had been long in circulation.
2. Gives portrait of the incarnate Christ.
3. John wrote to supply information not supplied in the other three.
4. He opened with the pre-existence of Christ against the background ofGnosticism - John 1:1-11.
5. His real aim was spiritual.
6. He omits the account of birth, of genealogy of youth, of his baptism, his temptation, his transfiguration, and his ascension.
7. He is one who reports the early Judean ministry.
8. There are no parables in John.
9. There are only eight miracles, and six of the eight are peculiar to John.
10. John covers at most only twenty days of Jesus' ministry.
11. The 3 1/2 year ministry is established by Christ's visit to the feasts of the passover.
12. He wrote of Jesus as the Word, the logos.
13. Christ appears under numerous titles: the word; only begotten; lamb of God; Son of God; true bread; the light; the shepherd; the door; the way; the truth; the light; the resurrection; the vine.

My New Identity In Christ Jesus

I am Accepted in the beloved. => Ephesians 1:6
I am Blessed with all blessings (of DT. 28). => Ephesians 1:3
I am Chosen in Him. => Ephesians 1:4
I am Delivered from the powers of Darkness. => Colossians 1:13
I am Elevated to heavenly places. => Ephesians 2:6
I am Forgiven from all sin. => Ephesians 1:7
I am God's workmanship. => Ephesians 2:10
I am Healed by Jesus stripes. => 1Peter 2:24
I am Innocent before Him in love. => Ephesians 1:4
I am Justified by faith. => Romans 5:1
I am Kept by the power of God. => 1Peter 1:5
I am Loved. => John 3:16
I am More than a conqueror. => Romans 8:37
I am Not condemned. => Romans 8: 1
I am Overcoming the world. => 1John 5:5
I am Predestined to sonship. => Ephesians 1:5
I am Quickened with Christ. => Ephesians 2:5
I am Redeemed from the curses (of Dt.28). => Galatians 3:13
I am Sealed with the Holy Spirit. => Ephesians 1:13
I am To His praise. => Ephesians 1:12
I am Unto His glory. => Ephesians 1:14
I am Victorious through Christ. => 1 Corinthians 15: 57
I am Washed in His blood. => Revelation 1:5
I am Xcrucified with Christ. => Galathians 3:20
I am Yoked with believers. => 2Corinthians 6:14
I am Zealous of good works. => Titus 2:14

(c) 2004. Pastor Godwin E. Enogieru