Proof in the Bible

Proof in the Bible, Tanakh, and Qur'an of Jesus’ role as a Mighty Prophet appointed by God

First off, let me begin by saying that no person can claim to be a Muslim without acknowledging Jesus as a Prophet and special messenger sent by God. Muslims also revere Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) as the 'Christ' or 'Messiah' (Christ or 'Christos' is the Greek translation of 'Mashiach', which is Hebrew for Messiah or 'anointed one' chosen one, the Arabic term is 'Al-Masih').

So we have no problem with Jesus fulfilling many of the earlier prophecies foretelling his coming as many Christians often point out. Indeed, the ancient Hebrew's knew that the Messiah was coming, although they never believed that the coming Messiah would be 'God incarnate' or the begotten 'Son of God' as some Christians mistakenly suggest.

You see, Muslims recognize that the Messiah came in the form of the great Prophet Jesus, however he is not to be deified. Also, Muslims are obliged to love Jesus and follow his true teachings of monotheism; this rule also pertains to all of the other Prophets that were sent down from God to mankind.

Indeed, all of the Prophets from Abraham to Muhammad all preached the same articles of faith with the essence of their message proclaiming the One-ness of God (monotheism) to mankind. So the irony here that many Christians may not realize is that true Muslims are indeed conscientious "followers of Christ", just as they are simultaneously "followers of the Prophet Moses", and likewise "followers of the Prophet Muhammad", and so forth for all of God's chosen Prophets.

And We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophet hood and Revelation: and some of them were on right guidance. But many of them became rebellious transgressors. Then, in their wake, We followed them up with (others of) Our apostles: We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah. but that they did not foster as they should have done. Yet We bestowed, on those among them who believed, their (due) reward, but many of them are rebellious transgressors. – Qur’an English Translation [57:26-27]

Muslims believe that Islam (i.e. the literal translation of the word 'Islam': surrendering one's will in peaceful submission to God) is the natural spiritual ideal and faith given to mankind since the creation of the first man, Adam.

Therefore Islam was not something that was suddenly created with the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad and the deliverance of the Qur'an, but was simply "finalized" by this event...kind of like a culminating work-in-progress.

Likewise, Muslims believe that the revelations given down to mankind from God to Moses, to Jesus, and to all the other messengers all contained the same theme and message. When you think about it, this only seems logical that God would send the same laws and messages throughout time.

Divine law and truth is not changeable, to express it mathematically, divine/universal truth is a constant, assuming that we all recognize that there is such a thing as a Universal Truth...in which there logically must be. And no matter what the differences may be amongst anyone's beliefs, we can all agree that this Universal Truth, whatever it may be, remains Universal Truth and will always be so, if you get my drift...ok, I hope I didn't lose you yet.

Now for my investigation, again this is not meant to offend anyone. So here we go...From my opinion and meticulous research I have come to the conclusion that some Christians today have misinterpreted Jesus' original teachings and have deified him into something in which he never claimed to be.

With that being said, lets now delve into the evidence relating to the true nature of Jesus and his teachings using nothing more than simple logic and the three holy scriptures as references.

Jesus’ true Role was that of a Prophet and a Messenger...not the Son of God nor a part of a triune god. Not once in the entire Bible is Jesus explicitly quoted as saying that he "is God" or that man should "worship him." However, the oneness of God is stressed throughout the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Qur’an, in very simple and obvious terms. I will prove this by using quotes from all three texts in a logical fashion.

In Islam, as a Messenger & Great Prophet of God, Jesus is accorded the same honor that all the Messengers are given, as the following verse attests to:

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah (God) and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. – Qur’an English Translation [2:136]

A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Qur’an mentions the names of 25 messengers and Prophets and states that there are others.

These Prophets include Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Their message is the same and it came from One and the Same Source; God, and it is to submit to His will and to obey His law; i.e., to become a Muslim (The word 'Muslim' literally means ‘one who submits to the will of God’).

Jesus as a Prophet from God

The following verses from the Bible's New Testament clearly tell us that Jesus (peace be upon him) was a Prophet of God, there's no discrepancy there:

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." - New Testament (Matthew 21:10-11)

"What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a Prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. - New Testament (Luke 24:9)

"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a Prophet". - New Testament (John 4:19)

"On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." - New Testament (John 7:40)

"Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a Prophet." - New Testament (John 9:17)

Indeed, how did Jesus describe himself? Let us read:

"In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no Prophet can die outside Jerusalem!"- New Testament (Luke 13:33 )

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a Prophet without honor."- New Testament (Matthew 13:57)

Jesus, Mary, and the immaculate conception

Muslims also believe that Jesus was born immaculately of the Virgin Mary, and through the same power which had brought Adam and Eve into being without a father or a mother.

"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was." - Qur’an English Translation [3:59]

"It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is." - Qur’an English Translation [19:35]

So the Qur'an says when God ordains something, the command is simply "BE" and it is. Is there anything in the Bible that is similar?

"And God said, "Let there Be light," and there was light." - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Genesis 1:3)

She (Mary) said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah (God) createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is!" - Qur’an English Translation [3:45-47]

"Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure. And Our Command is but a single (Act),- like the twinkling of an eye." - Qur’an English Translation [54:49-50]

Truly, God needs only to speak the word of something and it manifests itself instantaneously. So just as God gave the command 'Be' and there was light, so was His Word 'Be' and Jesus was. As we see in the following verse, truly Jesus was literally "A Word" that came from God unto Mary:

"Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah (God) giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah. "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous." - Qur’an English Translation [3:45-46]

"He it is That hath made you the night that ye may rest therein, and the day to make things visible (to you). Verily in this are signs for those who listen (to His Message). They say: "(God) hath begotten a son!" - Glory be to Him! He is self- sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No warrant have ye for this! say ye about Allah (God) what ye know not?" - Qur’an English Translation [10:67-68]

So does the miraculous birth of Jesus make him a God or even the only begotten son of God? If being born without a male parent entitles Jesus to being the son of God, then Adam surely would have had a greater right to such an honor. Adam was born without either a human father or mother. Intuitively, this argument is very strong.

"Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food [like other mortals]. See how Allah doth make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth! " - Qur’an English Translation [5:75]

A noteworthy fact to mention is that the Virgin Mary is highly respected in Islam. In the Qur'an, no other woman is given more attention than the Virgin Mary. In fact, the nineteenth chapter of the Qur'an is named after her and is about her life.

Of the Qur'an's 114 chapters, she is among only eight people to whom have a chapter named after them. Mary is also the only woman specifically named in the Qur'an. In Islam, she is generally referred to as Maryam, Umm Isa (Mary, the mother of Jesus). For Muslims, the Virgin Mary is viewed as both an example and a sign for all people.

An interesting fact that many people do not know is that the Virgin Mary is mentioned 34 times in the Qur’an, More So than the entire New Testament.

“Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah (God) hath chosen thee and purified thee- chosen thee above the women of all nations. O Mary! worship Thy Lord devoutly: Prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down.” - Qur’an English Translation [3:42]

Chosen thee above the women of all nations! Such an honor is not be found given to Mary even in the Christian Bible!

On a personal note both my little sister and Grandmother are named Mariam, after the Virgin Mary. Also, on my maternal side, both my Mother and Grandmother's middle names are Mary.

Jesus' most important commandment

So back to the discussion on Jesus (peace be upon him). Some will say that this whole discussion over the divinity of Jesus is unnecessary. They say, the important thing is to accept Jesus as your personal savior. On the contrary, the Bible’s writers stressed that, in order to be saved, it is necessary to understand who exactly is God.

Failure to understand this would be to violate the first and greatest of all the commandments in the Bible. This commandment was emphasized by Jesus when a teacher of the Law of Moses asked him:

“‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ ‘The most important one’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is ONE. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” - New Testament (Mark 12:28-30)

The next bolded quote is from the Qur’an in which we see evidence confirming how Jesus in the Gospel reaffirmed the laws of God in which were sent before him to Moses in the Torah (Old Testament):

"...And in their footsteps, We sent Jesus, son of Mary confirming the Torah that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for the God-conscious).” – Qur’an English Translation [5:46]

So indeed we see proof from the Qur'an acknowledging Jesus’ references to the Torah. Very specifically in the Gospel of Mark from the New Testament we see Jesus quoting the first commandment from the book of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Jewish Shema.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is ONE. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Prophet Jesus confirmed not only that this commandment is still valid, but also that it is the most important of all the commandments. If Jesus thought that he himself is God, why didn’t he say so? Do you think Jesus was shy to let this point be known? Instead, he stressed that God is one.

The man who questioned Jesus understood this, and what the man says next makes it clear that God is not Jesus, for he said to Jesus:

“‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is ONE and there is no other but Him.’” - New Testament (Mark 12:32).

Interestingly enough, the above quote from the New Testament is in agreement with the Islamic Creed called the ‘Shahadah’…which means "to testify" or "to bear witness.”

The shahadah is the Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of God and in Muhammad as his final Prophet of all the Prophets; from Abraham on up to Jesus. Recitation of the shahadah is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam by Muslims. When a person wants to become a Muslim all he/she must do is simply recite the Shahadah:

Shahadah in Arabic: 'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāh, wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh

Shahadah English Translation: I testify that there is no god but God (Allah), and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction and unshakeable faith. If one is truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islam in all his life, he will find himself a new born person.

So again from the Gospel of Mark in the Bible we see that the Islamic Creed is exactly in line with what Jesus taught:

“‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him.’” - New Testament (Mark 12:32).

In The Qur'an, God reaffirms what Prophet Jesus taught, and warns people not to falsely deify Christ. Indeed, Christ also adhered to God's Command:

"They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of God, and (they take as their Lord) Christ the son of Mary; yet they were commanded to worship but One God. there is no god but He. Praise and glory to Him: (Far is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)." – Qur’an English Translation [9:31]

Now if Jesus was God, don’t you think he would have told the man so? Notice also how Jesus said "our God", which included him to be under GOD Almighty's creation and Divine Authority, and not someone or an entity that is equal to GOD Almighty. Instead, he let the man refer to God as someone other than Jesus, and he even saw that the man had spoken wisely:

“When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’” - New Testament (Mark 12:34).

If Jesus knew that God is a trinity, why didn’t he say so? Why didn’t he say that God is one in three, or three in one? Instead, he declared that God is one. If Jesus was God as many claim then I’m sure he would have just plainly said “I am God worship me” or that “I am one of three in God as a Trinity”, but if you’ve studied the New Testament you will see NOT ONCE did Jesus make this claim, nor does he ever ask his followers to worship him…NOT ONCE.

However, the God of the Old Testament often clearly says I am God. Why this difference in expression? Are we to believe that the same God who originally sent down the laws to Moses (peace be upon him) in the (Old Testament or the Tanakh) has suddenly become ambiguous in describing himself as God in the New Testament, this is counter-intuitive.

God from the Old Testament (Tanakh)

Examples from the Old Testament (Tanakh) where God lets it be known who he is:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Isaiah 41:10)

“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.’” - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Isaiah 41:13)

"See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand." - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Deuteronomy 32:39)

"This is what the LORD says — Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Isaiah 44:6)

"Not an apostle did We send before thee (O Muhammad) without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.

" - Qur’an English Translation [21:25]

Now, if Jesus was God, surely he would've spoke in a similar tone to that of the Old Testament verses, and their lies the simple truth when logically analyzed, Jesus wasn't God nor did he ever claim to be. In fact, all of the original writers of the Gospel believed that God was not Jesus.

The idea that Jesus is God didn’t become the official doctrine of Christian belief until after the Bible was canonized nearly some 300 years after Jesus at the Council of Nicaea, and took many centuries to become part of the faithful creed of Christians.

That’s right! The beliefs of Jesus in Christianity today are extremely different compared to what they were thousands of years ago during the early years of Christendom. I will discuss the corruption of the gospel further down the page.

The Christian Bible, Tanakh, and Qur'an all agree upon God's Essence

Both the Noble Qur’an and the Bible claim that GOD Almighty is an Absolute One and only One:

"Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.” - Qur’an English Translation [112:1-4]

Again from the Bible’s Old Testament:

"Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One" - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Deuteronomy 6:4)

From the Bible's New Testament:

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him:

"Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" – New Testament (Mark 10:17)

The Bible records Jesus as replying:

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good–EXCEPT GOD ALONE." - New Testament (Mark 10:18)

To me it is very obvious that Prophet Jesus here is saying why are you giving me all the credit as being good simply because I have a divine message for mankind? Indeed my message is from the One God, The Creator who sent me, whom truly encompasses all that is Good.

"Say (unto them O Muhammad): "I am but a man like you: It is revealed to me by Inspiration, that your God is one God: so stand true to Him, and ask for His Forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods with Allah,-" - Qur’an English Translation [41:6]

Jesus includes himself under the reign of God's power

"They do blaspheme who say: "(God) is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah (God), MY Lord and YOUR Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help." – Qur’an English Translation [5:72]

Now notice the next quote from the Bible how Jesus actually refers to the Almighty as His God and the People's God, just as the Qur'an makes mention.

"Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to MY Father and YOUR Father, to MY God and YOUR God." - New Testament (John 20:17)

So who is the "Father" that Jesus is referring to here? Is he claiming to be an equal entity to that of God, or is he in his own words claiming to be under the rule of God? Furthermore, Jesus' in the Bible expresses the use of the term "Father" as something that others may refer to the Almighty as.

Is he really claiming to be the uniquely begotten son of God, or has this idea been developed by men on Earth whom have created the term "Trinity" in order to reconcile this illogical reasoning? Indeed, you will not find the term "Trinity" anywhere in the Bible.

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." - New Testament (Matthew 23:8-9)

Did Jesus teach the Doctrine of the Trinity?

Now, I ask you, what does the Doctrine of the Trinity claim? According to the official Doctrine (that a Council of Men created), The Lord God Almighty-Creator of the Universe, is defined as: "God the Father, God the Son (Jesus the Messiah or Christ), and God the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) as all the same "one" thing."

The Trinity claims that all three "essences" of God are equal, yet one. This man made idea of the Trinity however clearly contradicts the logic of Jesus' own words as cited in the Bible.

The Trinity article in Encyclopedia Britannica states: "Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his followers intend to contradict the Shema in the Old Testament: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy 6:4)."

"They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah (God) . If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them." – Qur’an English Translation [5:73]

From the following Verse, clearly we see Jesus acknowledging himself as subservient to The Almighty God.

"Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." - New Testament (John 14:28)

This statement by Prophet Jesus clearly contradicts the idea of the Trinity in which each "essence of God" is suppose to be equal to one another. Jesus, in his own words, clearly didn't adhere to this belief.

The Trinity Shield below is in complete disagreement with Jesus' actual testimony. Now, some apologists may try to claim that the shield still holds true because Jesus was also a "man and God." However, who said Jesus was God? Jesus never said that. So, whose testimony would you rather put your faith in: a random clergyman whom created this idea or Jesus?

The evidence of Jesus simply being a Prophet and a messenger sent from the All-Mighty is further proved and supported from the Bible's very own accounts of Jesus' sayings:

"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." - New Testament (John 5:30)

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." - New Testament (John 17:3)

"Jesus answered, 'My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.' " - New Testament (John 7:16)

"And they say: "(Allah) God Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honor. They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong." - Qur’an English Translation [21:26-29]

Again, we see Jesus (peace be upon him) placing emphasis on the Creator whom sent him as being the ultimate loving guide, The All-Mighty, and indeed The All-Powerful. Jesus does not proclaim to be God here, nor anywhere else in the Bible.

In fact, Jesus himself prayed to God in the most humblest of ways with his face to the ground in prostration as Muslims do today:

"And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." - New Testament (Matthew 26:39)

Clearly, Jesus here does not claim to have equal Will-power to that of God. Also, if Jesus was God as many people claim today, would God pray to himself? What we find here rationally points to the conclusion that Jesus was simply a mighty Messenger and Prophet from God, as the Qur'an makes clear.

So how about the idea of Jesus being the Unique Begotten Son?

Some Christian Theologians may interpret certain verses from the Bible in which Jesus is referred to as the "son of God" as showing evidence of Jesus' role as the Unique begotten "son of God". However, throughout the bible the expression "son of God" is used many times referring to various Prophets and people other than Jesus.

According to the Bible's own words, Jesus is not the unique son of God because God refers to others as "his son", such as Israel and Solomon as shown in the following verses:

"And thou [Moses] shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first born." - Old Testament (Tanakh) (Exodus 4:22)

"He [Solomon] shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father and he shall be my son." - Old Testament (Tanakh) (II Samuel 7:13-14)

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me (David), ‘You are my son.Today I have become your Father."- Old Testament (Tanakh) (Psalms 2:7)

"And of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. He said to me, `It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my Son, and I will be his Father. "- Old Testament (Tanakh) (1 Chronicles, 28:5-6)

Also, Jesus himself is quoted in the Bible as using the phrase "son of God" referring to others than himself as shown in the following verse from the Gospel of Matthew.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called 'sons of God'." - New Testament (Matthew 5:9)

So what does Paul have to say about this issue?

"because those who are led by the Spirit of God are 'sons of God' " - New Testament (Romans 8:14)

The word “son” cannot be accepted literally as meaning "begotten" because according to the Bible's own account, God apparently addresses many of his chosen servants as “son” and “sons.” The Hebrews believed God is One, and had neither wife nor children in any literal sense. Therefore, it is obvious the expression “son of God” merely meant “Servant of God”; one who, because of faithful service, was close and dear to God as a son is to his father.

Christians who came from a Greek or Roman background, later misused this term. In their heritage, “son of God” signified an incarnation of a god or someone born of a physical union between male and female gods.

This can be seen in Acts 14: 11-13, where we read that when Paul and Barnabas preached in a city of Turkey, pagans claimed they were gods incarnate. They called Barnabas the Roman god Zeus, and Paul the Roman god Hermes.

"When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them." - New Testament (Acts 14: 11-13)

Furthermore, the actual Greek word used in some instances to refer to Jesus in the Oldest existing Greek manuscripts (remember there are no existing Hebrew or Aramaic Gospels today) is sometimes "pais" or "paida" which from its context in the Greek Bible has been used to mean; "servant, child, son, or manservant."

Now, you see, the problem I have here is the way this word is translated to English. Some translations of the Bible, such as the popular King James Version, have translated this word as "Son" when it is attributed to Jesus and "servant" for most everyone else.

Why did the English translators of today's Bible find it necessary to change the English translations inconsistently, as if trying to create unwarranted emphasis on the idea that Jesus is the begotten “Son” of God?

The exact same word "pais" is attributed to Jacob (Israel) in Luke 1:54 and translated as "servant":

"He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;."

It is also applied to King David in Luke 1:69, and once again, it is translated as "servant":

"....the house of his servant David;" (also see Acts 4:25).

However, when it is applied to Jesus (e.g. Acts 3:13, Acts 4:27), NOW it is translated as "Son." (notice that it is not only translated as "son" but as "Son" with a capital ‘S’)

All of the Greek New Testament originals were written in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS with no spaces and probably no punctuation, and all of the earlier manuscripts are in this style, whether on parchment or papyrus. This is because the Greek alphabet did not have punctuation until at least the II century, and there were no minuscule (lower case) letters until much late.

So how did the translators all of the sudden decide to capitalize certain words at their discretion, and not only that, but capitalize the same word in one instance and miniscule (lowercase) it in another. Why the double standard? Why the dishonest translation techniques?

*The information about the Ancient Greek Capitalization rule was taken from the following website:

http://www.licoc.org/TBS/The%20Transmission%20of%20the%20Greek%20New%20Testament.htm

So the bottom line is, consistent with other verses, Jesus was merely saying that he is God’s servant. However, some people have mistakenly made him out to be something that he himself never claimed to be.

Jesus' mission was specifically to that of the Children of Israel

Additionally, Jesus' mission was intended only for that of the Lost Sheep of Israel and not the entire world as stated clearly in the Bible:

"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.

"He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour." - New Testament (Matthew 15:20-28)

His special mission to the Children of Israel is indeed reaffirmed by The Qur'an:

"And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel, "And (appoint him-Jesus) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "'I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah's leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses.

Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe; "'(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me. "'It is Allah Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him.

This is a Way that is straight.'" When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah." Said the disciples: "We are Allah's helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims. "Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger. then write us down among those who bear witness." And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah.

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

"As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help." "As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong." "This is what we rehearse unto thee of the Signs and the Message of Wisdom." – Qur’an English Translation [3:48-58]

The Prophet Muhammad's message (Qur'an), however, was intended to be God's book of guidance for the entire world:

"Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)! And Peace on the apostles! And Praise to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds. - Qur’an English Translation [37:180-182]

"But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds." - Qur’an English Translation [68:52]

"Verily this is an Admonition: therefore, whoso will, let him take a (straight) path to his Lord!" - Qur’an English Translation [73:19]

I'm not saying that one Prophet is better than the other. I'm just saying God assigned different missions to different Prophets as God tells us:

"And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some Prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms." - Qur’an English Translation [17:55]

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah (God) and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. – Qur’an English Translation [2:136]

In Conclusion

The Qur'an teaches us emphatically and without any doubt that the Creator considers the statement of the Trinity to be a great falsehood and that Christ was no more than one of God's Mighty Prophets. The Qur'an states:

“O FOLLOWERS of the Gospel! Do not overstep the bounds [of truth] in your religious beliefs, and do not say of God anything but the truth. The Christ Jesus, son of Mary, was but God's Apostle - [the fulfillment of] His promise which He had conveyed unto Mary - and a soul created by Him. Believe, then, in God and His apostles, and do not say, "[God is] a trinity". Desist [from this assertion] for your own good. God is but One God; utterly remote is He, in His glory, from having a son: unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and none is as worthy of trust as God.” – Qur’an English Translation [4:171]

They say: "(Allah ‘God’) the Most Merciful has begotten a son!" Indeed you have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin, that they should invoke a son for (Allah ‘God’) the Most Merciful. For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah ‘God’) the Most Merciful that He should beget a son: Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to Allah (God) the Most Merciful as a servant. – Qur’an English Translation [19:88-93]

In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah (God) is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth. For Allah hath power over all things." – Qur’an English Translation [5:17]

Former Christians explaining how the Bible led them to Islam:

http://oum_abdulaziz.tripod.com/WhyIEmbraced1.htm

http://www.islamdoor.com/bible.htm

http://www.why-christians-convert-to-islam.com/

For More on Jesus in Islam:

http://www.aimer-jesus.com/e/history_jesus_quran.php

http://al-furqan.5u.com/jesus.html

http://bama.ua.edu/~msa/jesus.html#disagree3

For more on the Virgin Mary in Islam:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_view_of_Virgin_Mary

http://www.islamfortoday.com/galvan03.htm

http://bama.ua.edu/~msa/mary.html

For More evidence from the Bible that Jesus was not God:

http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-10-1.htm

http://www.islamunveiled.org/eng/ebooks/christ/christ.htm

http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/contents.html

Click here for Video Debates between Islamic and Christian scholars on the subject of the Trinity and other issues:

http://webcast.challengeyoursoul.com/index.php?categoryId=16

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