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Life is? Part 7
*** If all ministers of the Gospel operated in the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did and as He told us we can do then we would get the results that Jesus got. ***
Date: 2/4/2017 6:03:16 PM ( 7 y ) ... viewed 597 times
Life is more than just food, drink and physical actions: It involves the very heart and soul of each individual who ever lived upon the earth!
In the Book of John 10th Chapter we see where Jesus has spoken with Nicodemus a member of the Sanhedrin of the Jews!
Little is known of Nicodemus, since John was the only Gospel writer to mention him.
By comparing John 3:1 with 7:50-51, we can see that Nicodemus was a Pharisee (see note 2 at Matthew 3:7) and a member of the religious governing body of the Jews known as the Sanhedrin. He was also rich, as we can see from the costly spices he brought to anoint the body of Jesus for burial (John 19:39).
The brief sketch that we have of his actions in John could be interpreted in at least two ways. His coming to Jesus by night may have been out of fear of his peers (John 9:22) or embarrassment. This would lend itself to the context where many had believed on Jesus, but He would not commit or entrust Himself to them, because He knew their hearts (John 2:23-25, see note 2 at John 2:24).
Also, John 12:42-43 states that many of the chief rulers (the group to which Nicodemus belonged) believed on Him, but they would not confess Him, because they loved the praises of people more than the praises of God. Nicodemus’ attempt at defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin and also his anointing of Jesus’ body before His burial could be interpreted as deeds of a secret disciple.
However, Nicodemus’ nighttime visit with Jesus could be viewed as him using wisdom to escape persecution even as Paul did (Acts 9:23-25). He did stand up for Jesus before the other rulers of the Jews in John 7:50-51, and this brief account does not necessarily show shame on his part. Also, Nicodemus’ costly gift for Jesus’ burial (worth thousands of dollars) could have been an outward action of an inward commitment.
There is simply not enough evidence to make a conclusive statement.
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What convinced Nicodemus that Jesus was of God?
It was the miracles that Jesus performed.
It wasn’t Jesus’ teaching or preaching but His miracles. Jesus Himself said the works He did bore witness to who He was :
(John 5:36) :
“I have testimony Greater than that of John.
For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
( John 10:25 - 30) :
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
(John 10: 37-38) :
37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
God validated Jesus’ ministry by signs and miracles (Hebrews 2:2-4) :
2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
How arrogant on our part today to think that we can impact our world with less demonstration of God’s power than Jesus had.
If all ministers of the Gospel operated in the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did and as He told us we can do then we would get the results that Jesus got.
(John 14:12) :
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.
Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary
AWMI.net.
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