William H. Smith                                                                                               February 4, 2002

1204 Christmas Tree Lane                                                                     about 785 words

Pearce, Az. 85625

303-36-7671

(520) 826-1029

 

 

 

 

 

Christ

By

William H. Smith

 

            Christ is mentioned sixty-one times in the Gospels, in Matthew there are eighteen notations, in Mark he is spoken of eight times, Luke has eleven entries of his name, in John you will find twenty times Christ’s name has been used.  In the book of Acts His name was referred to thirty-two times, for a total of ninety-three introductions.     

            Jesus Christ the son of Mary and Joseph; Joseph was from the lineage of Abraham and David, twenty-eight generations.  Before Joseph and Mary came together, Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, and was taken into Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod.  After Herod died they returned to Israel, where they resided in Nazareth.

            Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized by him.  When he came up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

            The Holy Spirit then led Jesus into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.  He fasted for forty days and forty nights, the tempter came to tempt him.  After the devil had tried to tempt him and failed, angels came to minister to him.  He went out preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. 

            John had been cast into prison, and Jesus went into Galilee.  While walking by the Sea of Galilee he started collecting his Apostles, the first two were, Peter and Andrew who were there

fishing.  The next two were James and John who were also fishermen.  The fifth was Matthew, Jesus found him while he was working in a tax office, the collection of Apostles continued until the number of twelve was reached.  Jesus then went forth preaching the word of God.

            Jesus took three of his Apostles with him, Peter, James, and John, into a high mountain where he was transfigured before them.  Here again God proclaimed Jesus as his Son.  The three were charged, not to tell of this to any man until he rose from the dead.

            Jesus was asked by his disciples, “What shall be the sign of your coming and the end of time.”  Jesus answered, “Take heed that you are not deceived, for many will come claiming to be Christ and deceive many.”  “You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, these must come to pass.”  “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be pestilences and earthquakes in different places.”  “These are the beginning of sorrows.  You will be delivered up to be afflicted and be killed.”  “Many will be offended and will betray one another, because iniquity shall abound and love shall wax cold, but those that will endure unto the end shall be saved.”

            Jesus was betrayed and delivered into the hands of his tormentors, and the disciples were afraid and they fled.  He was then taken to the chief priests and elders who took council against him, and took him before the governor where he was accused and then crucified.  Afterward Jesus was in the heart of the earth for three days, and for three nights.  He then arose and ministered to his Apostles, and was taken up into the air fifty days later; the Church was formed ten days after that.

            Jesus Christ was born a human by the Holy Spirit, through Mary, and Mary and Joseph raised him.  Being born a human he probably grew to the age of accountability, doing the things those boys did during his adolescent, young man, and young adulthood years.

            John the Baptist, who was baptizing for the remission of sins, baptized him, He then received the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.  God then announced, “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.”

            Jesus then went forth spreading the Gospel, gathering his Apostles, and gave his life on the cross, for our sins.  He defeated death by rising from the dead after three nights and three days, and was raised into the air at Pentecost.     

            It has been about two thousand years (two days in God’s count) since the crucifixion of Christ; his return to take up his Church is growing near.  Each and every person that has not accepted Christ, maybe should think about it, his return will be soon.  None knows when this will take place, but are you ready?

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