Is Jesus The Only Way?

[peteyzen]

Originally Posted by kjw47

By obeying --every utterance from God-- That is the -way- Jesus showed all it is.

Absolutely, I`m interested however if that also applies to Gods direction through other - older- faiths, such as say hinduism?

[Morpheus]

In response to White Pegasus, and KJ.

After the perfect law was given through Moses, the Almighty went about establishing the atoning rituals, for the sake of peace for His people.
Because the law is perfect, but people aren't perfect.

Sin incurs judgement. There is no exception.

This atoning situation, involving the proxy or substitute, is the foundation of God, which the Lamb of God, the Savior, fulfilled for the sake of the whole world, at the Cross.
Who is BOTH the, "Chief Cornerstone", and as well the, "Capstone", thereof.
Which, resulting salvation we read, was planned from before the foundation of the world.
( EPHESIANS 1:4 )

We read how the Savior Himself spoke about the "wedding garment" and, robe.
(Mathew 22:11)

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by peteyzen

Absolutely, I`m interested however if that also applies to Gods direction through other - older- faiths, such as say hinduism?

When you say that, however, you fail to recognize something.

Christianity is not a new religion, which began with Jesus' appearance into the world. It is the fulfillment of something which began much earlier on.
The Judaic.
Christianity is Judaic- Christianity.

Most likely, what predated Hinduism is what the Almighty told the patriarch Abraham to foresake, involving idolotry.

Originally Posted by peteyzen

Absolutely, I`m interested however if that also applies to Gods direction through other - older- faiths, such as say hinduism?

Only the Israelites served the true God--They apostocised and were cut off) Matt 23: 37-39) Jesus started one religion---not the one that came out of Rome. He is only with One religion. It is a Christian religion. There are 33,000 to choose from. The one that is different from the rest of them.

Originally Posted by Morpheus

In response to White Pegasus, and KJ.

After the perfect law was given through Moses, the Almighty went about establishing the atoning rituals, for the sake of peace for His people.
Because the law is perfect, but people aren't perfect.

Sin incurs judgement. There is no exception.

This atoning situation, involving the proxy or substitute, is the foundation of God, which the Lamb of God, the Savior, fulfilled for the sake of the whole world, at the Cross.
Who is BOTH the, "Chief Cornerstone", and as well the, "Capstone", thereof.
Which, resulting salvation we read, was planned from before the foundation of the world.
( EPHESIANS 1:4 )

We read how the Savior Himself spoke about the "wedding garment" and, robe.
(Mathew 22:11)

If Jesus sacrifice covered alls sin, then none of them would need to die and pay their own wages of sin, but they do.

[Alex E]

Originally Posted by Green Tree

.

Do you believe Jesus is the only way?

If so, why?

What is to become of people who walk a path apart from Christianity?

It depends on what you mean when you say "Jesus". If it is "Jesus" as a being that is strictly related to a rigid religion only, such as the official christian ones of today, then no.

If it is Jesus as The Personal God, though, that may be known in a unique way for each individual, and that's how it is known by the true christian saints, just like all advanced practicioners of all traditions, then the answer is way more affirmative.

I say way more affirmative, and not just "yes", because it is a little bit more complicated than that. The Personal God, as the true Jesus is an avatar of, makes sense as a part of a trinity. So for it to be true, one has to get to know just as much the Impersonal God, and what can be called the True Self.

Now if you ask me,considering that, and as it is how i personaly experience all three forms of God, as one, then yes, i can say "Jesus is the only way"... just like i can say "Impersonal God(for example Allah, wich is a good avatar of it)is the only way", or "The True Self is the only way". Those three affirmations are actually true from such a point of vue.

Like Eliphas Levi said, lying is telling to someone something in a way you know is misleading to one. So though "Jesus is the only way" sounds actually very true to me, i wouldn't say that to anyone without at the very least the above explanations... and in most cases, knowing it would not work, i would just not say such a thing at all.

The question is, what is Jesus for you? What is your Personal God? To attain illumination, indeed you need union with that. But keep in mind, there is also Impersonal God, and the True Self. All three must be known well.

Swami Vivekananda says interesting things in his book, Bhakti Yoga, and also in Jnana Yoga, if i remember right, concerning this. Though his vision of trinity and Personal God is a bit different from mine, and both are different from the christian one, it might help to understand better.

As for the last question, let me interpret it as such "what if you don't seek union with the Personal God". I think it is a very good one. What if you focus only on the Impersonal God, like many muslims, bouddhists or taoist do?

Well, those three traditions work just as well. They have produced many great practicioners, of very high level. But, illumination involves Jesus in the real sense of the word. So though they don't theorize it, or personify it, they do know it, and are in union with it.

Think of it as two different boxing styles. One focuses on defense, the other one focuses on attack. The style is different, but both are boxing, and a high level boxer is good in both defense and attack, whatever one's speciality. It is the same here. One can succeed with any method if one practices correctly. Actually, all most known traditions, if practiced correctly, include everything one needs.

Two classics i like concerning the relationship of the True Self and the Personal God, wich form a holy couple in the glory of the Impersonal God, are the Bhagavad Gita, and the Vijnana Bhairava.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by kjw47

If Jesus sacrifice covered alls sin, then none of them would need to die and pay their own wages of sin, but they do.

Outright error.

So here is the question KJ. What is it about the shed blood of the atoning Lamb of God for sins, which escapes you?

"How shall we expect to ESCAPE if we neglect so great a SALVATION?"
(Hebrews 2, New World Translation, KJ. What else does Paul state in Hebrews 2 KJ, about salvation through the atonement of Jesus Christ?)

What of the old testament believers?
Were they "saved" because they kept the law explicitely, and were perfect in all their ways?
Such as example, with King David?

Or... because they LOVED the law... and made sacrifice according to the instruction of God, with the priests? Which atoning sacrifice provided their redemption?
Why the neccessity of the sacrifices, from the beginning K.J.? Even before the Law was given such as demonstrated with Cain and Able?

And again, because of?
The situation of this fallen and sinful world, in which we find ourselves, and are born into?
This is something basic and essential which you, and the J.W. teaching... is missing!

The world had changed at the fall. Sin is something everyone is born into, without exception.

Who is it K.J. ... who seeks to diminish the power, neccessity, and total effectiveness of the atoning sacrifice which Christ made for us, but the devil?
Which healing and saving power is based on His shed blood for sins?
(Leviticus 17:11)
Who is it who tries to place the responsibility of salvation, redemption, and peace with God wholly on the individual?
( Which is impossible. As, "Saved" means rescued.)

The devil.
Which errant reasoning... which seeks to bypass the Savior's sacrifice and atonement, is based on EGO.
(Proverbs 16:18)

Originally Posted by Morpheus

Outright error.

So here is the question KJ. What is it about the shed blood of the atoning Lamb of God for sins, which escapes you?

"How shall we expect to ESCAPE if we neglect so great a SALVATION?"
(Hebrews 2, New World Translation, KJ. What else does Paul state in Hebrews 2 KJ, about salvation through the atonement of Jesus Christ?)

What of the old testament believers?
Were they "saved" because they kept the law explicitely, and were perfect in all their ways?
Such as example, with King David?

Or... because they LOVED the law... and made sacrifice according to the instruction of God, with the priests? Which atoning sacrifice provided their redemption?
Why the neccessity of the sacrifices, from the beginning K.J.? Even before the Law was given such as demonstrated with Cain and Able?

And again, because of?
The situation of this fallen and sinful world, in which we find ourselves, and are born into?
This is something basic and essential which you, and the J.W. teaching... is missing!

The world had changed at the fall. Sin is something everyone is born into, without exception.

Who is it K.J. ... who seeks to diminish the power, neccessity, and total effectiveness of the atoning sacrifice which Christ made for us, but the devil?
Which healing and saving power is based on His shed blood for sins?
(Leviticus 17:11)
Who is it who tries to place the responsibility of salvation, redemption, and peace with God wholly on the individual?
( Which is impossible. As, "Saved" means rescued.)

The devil.
Which errant reasoning... which seeks to bypass the Savior's sacrifice and atonement, is based on EGO.
(Proverbs 16:18)

Jesus death was an opening to all. Only those who repent will be forgiven of their sin.. Jesus teaches it will be-FEW who find the road.
1Cor 6:9-11, Gal 5:19-21-- see the words--Will NOT enter Gods kingdom.
That is what some of you were( past tense) they stopped doing those sins. The ones continuing in those sins will not be forgiven.

[Morpheus]

Of course KJ, the regenerated and redeemed of God want to please Him, and not sin.
That is redundant, KJ. But who is perfect?

You rail against Catholicism for various reasons, yet here is something Catholicism has right.
Also?
You seem to neglect the valid issue of,
"The Elect".

Yes, through the millenia, comparitively few enter the straight gate. As can be observed in the world, and evidenced in this very Forum!
Through the ages though, still amounts to billions.

Something else.
What makes JW's any different from any other religion with high ideals, if you don't understand the saving power of Christ's shed blood for sins?
Nothing really.
The atonement of the Lord of Glory for sins, is what makes Christianity unique.
As Peter also declared in the Book of Acts. (Acts 2:36)

Which means of rescue and salvation God established from early on.

Originally Posted by Morpheus

Of course KJ, the regenerated and redeemed of God want to please Him, and not sin.
That is redundant, KJ. But who is perfect?

You rail against Catholicism for various reasons, yet here is something Catholicism has right.
Also?
You seem to neglect the valid issue of,
"The Elect".

Yes, through the millenia, comparitively few enter the straight gate. As can be observed in the world, and evidenced in this very Forum!
Through the ages though, still amounts to billions.

Something else.
What makes JW's any different from any other religion with high ideals, if you don't understand the saving power of Christ's shed blood for sins?
Nothing really.
The atonement of the Lord of Glory for sins, is what makes Christianity unique.
As Peter also declared in the Book of Acts. (Acts 2:36)

Which means of rescue and salvation God established from early on.

The problem for those serving the trinity---it does not exist--it is satan posing receiving the worship--Not Gods will. They are being mislead into breaking Gods #1 commandment daily. Makes them a worker of Iniquity-Matt 7:22-23