---------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute. ---------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words. If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Words from the Founder" (a column from the Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 2: Number 6, 1989, page 5) by Dr. Walter Martin. The editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes. ------------- _The Newsletter staff is pleased to introduce this new column, based on excerpts from the writings and taped messages of the late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- founder of Christian Research Institute. The following excerpts are from Dr. Martin's tape, "Best of Martin: Questions and Answers at Bible Class" (Part 1)._ *_Please clarify the apostle Paul's statement, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22)._* Paul is saying, "I will do nothing to offend any person's sensitivity, and I'll do whatever I can to make others sensitive to the gospel. I become all things to all people. When I'm with the Jews, I'll talk as a Jew. When I'm with the Gentiles, I'll talk as a Gentile. Depending on my audience, I become as a Jew or I become as a Gentile." Now, Paul is _not_ saying he would deny Christ when he talked to the Jews; nor is he saying he would ignore Judaism when talking to the Gentiles. He's saying, "when I'm talking to different people, I talk in _their_ context, on the common ground of _their_ lives. I'll do that every time," says Paul, "that by all means I might win some to Christ." But Paul _never_ compromised his commitment to the gospel, no matter _who_ he was talking to. *_After Jesus had taken the sins of the world on Himself at the cross, what happened to those sins so that Jesus could once again be in the Father's presence?_* You need to understand that Jesus Christ _paid the penalty_ for _our_ sins on the cross. Jesus Himself did not become a sinner. That's a very important distinction. Let me repeat: _He didn't become a sinner._ Jesus did not have to go and present Himself to God the Father with sin on His soul. He was utterly holy and righteous. He bore _our_ sins by dying _in our place,_ as a _substitute._ And our sins were completely paid for by the blood Christ shed on the cross. *_Jehovah's Witnesses sometimes ask: If Jesus is God, then why did He address the Father as "My God" in John 20:17?_* Jesus is man as well as God. As a man, He was a Rabbi. As a man, He was circumcised as a Jew and was identified with the Hebrew race and the covenants of Israel. He was a _true_ man. And then -- paradoxically at the same time -- He was the eternal God living in human flesh.... When Thomas worshipped Jesus, he said "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Jehovah's Witnesses run from this passage; they literally run from it! I've had them read the passage aloud in dialogues hundreds of times, sometimes publicly. I would say, "Now read the passage aloud." And they would read, "Thomas said unto Jesus, 'My Lord and my God.'" Then I'd say, "according to your own translation (_The New World Translation_), the Greek word for 'God' in this verse is 'Jehovah'...._Thomas worshipped Jesus as Jehovah._ Look at it." Next I'd say: "Now, if Thomas called Jesus _Jehovah,_ and Jesus doesn't deny it, He must be Jehovah, right?" "Wrong! I can explain that passage," one Jehovah's Witness responded to me. He then said, "When Thomas saw Jesus, he got so scared that he said, 'O my lord, O my God.'" So I said to him, "Wait a second. Are you suggesting that Thomas took the name of Jehovah God in vain? If he did, as a Rabbi Jesus would have had to rebuke him. After all, Exodus 20:7 says 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.' But Jesus didn't rebuke him; He _congratulated_ him. He said, 'Because you have seen me, _you have believed;_ blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" This is an excellent passage to use with Jehovah's Witnesses. Another good verse to show Jehovah's Witnesses is Hebrews 1:8 where _the Father calls the Son "God"_: "Your throne, _O God,_ will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom." Who is the Father talking to? The Son! And the Father addresses the Son as "God." * _This tape (catalog number C-127, $5.95) may be ordered from CRI._ ------------- End of document, CRN0017A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Words from the Founder" release A, March 21, 1994 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- YOURS FOR THE ASKING The Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- is a clearing house for current, in- depth information on new religious movements and aberrant Christian teachings. We provide well-reasoned, carefully-researched answers to concepts and ideas that challenge orthodox Christianity. Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various topics that is yours for the asking? We offer a wide variety of articles and fact sheets free of charge. Our informative newsletter is freely available upon request as well. Write or call us today for information on topics of interest to you. Our first-rate staff will do everything possible to help you. Christian Research Institute P.O. Box 500-TC San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 855-9926 --------------- End of file.