Evangelism Part 8: The Destination Series
Evangelism Part 8: Destined to be adopted
Just as people are destined to die once and face judgment, Jesus Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many. It was prophesied that he would appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27–28). Many Christians believe that Jesus has returned and his human body was glorified and sanctified. Therefore, to see him with the physical body is the argument of today’s millennialist believers against the preterist who believes that Jesus already came back as he promised to come back soon.
God is a Spirit and must be worshiped in Spirit and Truth, and this truth was spoken from the mouth of the Son. We faithfully believe, according to the scripture, Jesus has brothers, namely: James the Just, Joses, Simon, and Jude, and sisters of the Lord (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55) that proved Jesus’ humanity who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood born of flesh by Mary, Anne’s daughter, under the law. (1 John 5:6).
During Jesus’ baptism, a voice from Heaven said, “You are my son whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.” This confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, and as the Son of God, Jesus is God. Remember, when confronted by his accusers, Jesus responded very well and said that we could all be gods. The anointing of Jesus has given him (Jesus) the confidence to carry out his mission. God is a Spirit, which makes Jesus a Spirit after he had given up his flesh on the cross. Wherever he is, Jesus’ physical body is beyond our reach.
When the Spirit of God descended on Jesus as a dove, God Himself anointed Jesus as His Divine High Priest. Jesus then became the final sacrifice without sin to atone for the sins of the Jewish People, who were the hope of other people. Christians who were called responded, and they will be saved. John 3:16… Whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life. “In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, by His pleasure and will…” (Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 4:5).
Romans 8:15, NIV: “The Spirit you received does not enslave you so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father. … Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his children.” The Gentiles who humbly and faithfully submit to the will of the Almighty Father through adoptions will receive the gift of salvation.
Romans 9:4 NLT: They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping Him and receiving His beautiful promises. Adoption to God’s family is the ideal choice for building righteous behavior that leads to salvation.
Every adopted child deserves to be part of the family because the child didn’t choose them but by them. In Roman customs and traditions, the adopted child had more rights in the family than the biological child. In the Christian theological concept, if the Israelites enjoy God’s providence as God’s chosen people, being the body of Christ (church), we are adopted children of God and deserve the right to enjoy the liberties and privileges given to them (Israelites).
When a gentile woman approached Jesus crying, asking Jesus to heal her daughter, “But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”…Matthew 15:23-24
Here’s what He said, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.”
Who are the nations that Jesus Christ commissioned to baptize? There are twofold interpretations of the nation in the Bible, like the word world, which is sometimes addressed to Egypt as the nation of milk and honey, meaning they have everything humans desire. As to the nation, the Bible sometimes refers to a country like Israel or a group of nations in Mesopotamia, like the Assyrians and the Medes or Medians. An individual or group of individuals has also been considered nations in the same area where the interpretations must be analyzed thoroughly.
“I did not know Him, but I came baptizing with water because He might be revealed to Israel. Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove and resting on Him. I did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” … John 1:31-33— Berean Study Bible
God is all in all