IS GOD REAL

 
Firstly, It is necessary to understand some basic scientific facts. The First Law of Thermodynamics is, in simple terms, that energy or matter cannot be created or destroyed.  It's form can  be changed.  e.g.  wood or coal etc can be burnt to produce heat (very easy) and matter can be changed to other elements by altering the number of protons in it's atoms (very difficult). Energy can be changed into matter but only in a star  Elements up to iron can be created within a star and higher elements need at least a supernova. Matter and energy can be moved from one environment unless that environment is "closed"  i.e. totally isolated. The universe is one such closed environment. Many scientists are exploring Quantum Physics (the peculiar properties of the particles which make up atoms) and are desperately trying to prove some particles appear from "nothing" and then disappear, but so far all they can prove is that a newly appeared particle will decay back into it's components which can often be traced. The fact that they did not see it's origin does not prove it came from "nothing". Therefore, the current evidence of  science is that the Universe could not have come into existence from "nothing". The contents of our Universe must have had a beginning and must therefore have been created by an "Intelligence" far greater and more powerful than anything of which we have experience and which exists totally free of the laws of science as we know them. i.e. "God".  Therefore, the reality of "God" is a scientific fact. What we call and ascribe to "God" is a matter of faith.  As God is an infinitely superior being, in all respects, we cannot therefore understand Him unless he provides us with such knowledge.  If such knowledge is too intense for us, it will need to be released only when appropriate, God being the only judge thereof. God, as revealed in the Christian Bible ("the Scriptures") fulfils such requirements perfectly, revealing himself more and more as time went on.  From those Scriptures it is clear that "In the beginning" i.e. before time and the physical universe began, God was the centre of a "Spiritual Realm" where peace love and harmony reigned entirely. This is referred to in Scripture as the   "First Estate" 

Jud_1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

and we are given very little information of that . We know that Satan (Lucifer) held a high position but became proud and was cast out
 

Isa 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 

In it's immediate context the above text is a prophesy refering to the ruler of Babylon (at that time the Babylonians) shortly to be conquered by the Medes and Persians who preferred to make Babylon their capital. But many old testament prophesies  have both short term and long term fulfilments and there is other scriptural comment which leaves no doubt that "Lucifer" refers to Satan. 

Luk 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 

Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 

Compare with  

Isa 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 

Isa 14:13  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars (princes) of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 

Isa 14:14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 

Isa 14:15  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 

Eze 28:11  Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: 

Eze 28:12  Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 

Eze 28:13  You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 

Eze 28:14  You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.

Eze 28:15  You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. 

Eze 28:16  In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 

Eze 28:17  Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. 

Eze 28:18  By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you. 

Eze 28:19  All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.

Ezekiel 28 Refers to the king of Tyre but it clearly has a double interpretation. From verse 11 onwards the facets of the king of Tyre are clearly not those of a human being.  They can only be referring to a fallen angel.   Also 

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

It seems like, in some way, Satan issued a challenge to God with which God has to deal and the fall of man is involved.  In the same way as Satan was allowed to tempt Job, he has been allowed to temp mankind, within limits. This is conjecture, but something like this must have happened during the "first Estate"  for God to be restricted in his intervention into human affairs.  e.g.  We are given a certain freedom of choice over our actions, although the Scriptures make it clear we do not have a "Free Will"  

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

  We can choose  Who to obey but we are then bound to that choice, although if God so chooses, He can release us from obedience to Satan and change our Master to Himself but once a sincere faith in God is in place, neither Satan  nor any other power can remove it.  

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

 
The evidence is clear.  All reasonable scientists acknowledge that our Universe must have arisen from something else but can offer no evidence of that "Something ).

However many "Universes" they may claim to have pre-existed their main problem never leaves.  From what did the so called First Universe arise?

The Bible position is that there are in existence two "Universes".  One, the one in which we currently live and the other a pre existent  Spiritual state of which we know almost nothing, not because it is hidden but because our intelligence is unable to grasp an understanding of it, if we ignore the Bible.

The more scientists discover, the more the Bible position becomes more reasonable.

God IS eternally real.

1) I consider only the Christian Old Testament and the New Testament, both in the English language, as I have virtually no knowledge of the Scriptures in any other translations.

• 2) The Old Testament is available today in many editions/translations. To claim that all, or indeed any, are the completely Inerrant Word of God is clearly not true, as there are many verbal differences between them. Many do not even claim to be accurate in every respect, e.g. the Good news Bible which is acknowledged to be a general compilation of ideas of Scripture rather than a precise translation. No one can deny that at the very best, all we have are translations of  copies, of copies, of copies ............of copies of the originally divinely inspired Words of God. Since all of those copies of the Old Testament contain compelling warnings against altering even one letter of the original, the best that can be claimed is that a particular one best contains (preserves) the Inspired Word of God (along with some textual inaccuracies).  Fortunately, by diligently comparing scripture with scripture we are able to safely determine the truely God inspired word.

Deu 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 

Deu 12:32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Some might claim that this verse applies only to the book of Revelation. Others  that because it is placed at the end of the last book in the New Testament, it applies to the whole thereof.  Personally, I prefer not to take any chance thereon and accept the latter.)

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Over the years, several obvious textual errors have crept in. Some through deliberate action, others by genuine copying mistake.  Most of them involve numerical items but some of them were clearly inserted to influence doctrine. A simple comparison of any suspect text with what is said elsewhere in the Scriptures will be enough to clarify the matter, often even with the numerical instances.  However, there is no point in getting into detailed discussions  (especially with non believers) over them where there is room for slightly different interpretations. Remember, each truly Bible believing Christian possesses and is possessed by the Holy Ghost who will lead him/her into all truth.

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The basic texts from which most English bibles are based is known as the "Masoretic Text".  By the 7th century AD, the mainstream Jews considered that their copies of the Old Testament  (the Torah) had become unreliable, so over the next 300 years a sect called "Maserites" diligently researched their records and recompiled them. That work is referred to as the "Masoretic Text"  or the "MS". Most of the English language bibles are based on this, some, like the NIV, with footnotes detailing differences. The MS was compiled by people who did not accept Jesus is the "Messiah" so they did amend some Messianic prophesies to reflect that. Also, the wording of the Old Testament approved by Jesus and the apostles (by their quotations therefrom) is not exactly "lost".  During the last 300 years BC, a massive library was established at Alexandria and the librarian thereof instigated the translation of the Hebrew text into Greek.  This became known as the Septuagint, carried out by 70 (it is claimed) Jewish Hebrew speaking teachers (scribes, Pharisees etc) who could speak Greek. and took 100 years or more. (clearly not all of the 70 were working at the same time). The text thereof, wherever comparable, concurs with that quoted by Jesus and the apostles and the Dead Sea scrolls, as well as the Samaritan Pentateuch (compiled without mainstream Jewish influence).  Therefore, I take the view that the Septuagint represents the most reliable version of the Old testament as used by Jesus and the apostles.

In fact, the vast majority of the Septuagint agrees with the MS , many differences being in numbers and ages but where it does differ, I prefer the Septuagint. One clear difference is in  1 Kings  6.1 where a period of 480 years is used in the Masoritic versions and 440 in the Septuagint. Using the 440 years brings us to a period of Egyptian history in which the events correspond to the Bible, whereas the 480 years gives us problems in relating thereto.

The New Testament.

Apart from the Revelation, there is no support similar to that given for the Old Testament. 

 Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 

(Some might claim that this verse applies only to the book of Revelation. Others  that because it is placed at the end of the last book in the New Testament, it applies to the whole thereof but it does use the words  "prophesy of this book"  ) 

What we do have is the clear authority for the teaching of the Disciples -  the 12 Apostles, Paul replacing Judas Iscariot - plus at least 1 of Jesus' half-brothers who were present when Jesus said

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

That covers every book of the New Testament except those written by Luke  (his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles). Jude and James were probably by Jesu's half-brothers but Paul apparently ranks that James alongside the Apostles.

Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

That is not to say luke's and James's's writings are unreliable, but anything they say which is not supported by other Scripture must be carefully considered.  In particular, the Acts must not be used as a source of doctrine.  It is an historical account and not covered by Inspiration. All it's doctrinal comments must be compared to the rest of Scripture. Paul was the Apostle appointed by The Lord to replace Judas (not Mathias who was selected by the disciples before they had received the Holy Ghost.)

Regarding Paul

1Ti 2:7  Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 

And several other verses.

Regarding Luke.  Mathew's statement that Judas hanged himself seems to be contradicted by Luke. The Apostle's version must be preferred.

Mat 27:5  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Act 1:18  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

And in

Act 19:11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 

Act 19:12  So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Seems to be a dubious practice as not supported elsewhere in Scripture.  I believe that one has to be very careful in determining doctrine solely from Acts.

Therefore, I believe that the God Inspired word is reliably available to us in written form. From the multitude of translations which have emerged since the First Century AD, I prefer the New International Version or the New King James Version as currently (2020) updated, provided they contain the margin notes detailing the known variations in the source material used.  Where there is a variation from the Septuagint, I believe that the Septuagint is preferable. Minor differences which do not affect Doctrine are probably of no importance and should be regarded in the light of the Apostle Paul's guidance

1Ti 1:3  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 

1Ti 1:4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Tit 3:9  But a void foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 

The Pre-eminence of Scripture.

Any tradition of any so called  "Church" which adds to or detracts from the Scriptures, must be regarded with great caution, as they will divert attention from the guidance of scripture and Satan will always seize any opportunity to corrupt the truth. As examples I list a few of such traditions/practices:

1. The appointment of a man as "Christ's representative on Earth".  That office is solely the province of the Holy Spirit

Joh_14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Joh_14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Joh_15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Joh_16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

2. The elevation of the exhibition of Spiritual Gifts beyond that clearly stated in scripture.  This is clearly an emotive subject and it is not for any true Christian to deny an experience claimed by another true Christian.  All true Christians possess and are possessed by the Holy Spirit. However, exhibition of  things like the Gifts of the Spirit, good works and Scriptural text knowledge can be fabricated and do not constitute evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. That is evidenced solely by the emergence of the  Fruit of the Spirit.

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 

Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 

Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 

Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

3. The practice of repeating physical actions mentioned in scripture, (where they were used to illustrate an important doctrine), just because "they feel good". e.g. Group participation in foot washing based on 

Joh 13:6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 

Joh 13:7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 

Joh 13:8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 

Joh 13:9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 

Joh 13:10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean,

Here, it is made absolutely clear that the incident foreshadowed the necessity of daily, or more frequently, spiritual cleansing  by repentance and confession directly to The Lord.

To ascribe to this any lessor function is demeaning. The physical practice of foot washing was very necessary in those days and the disciples would have fully understood the Humility aspect.  It is solely the spiritual aspect which they "shalt know hereafter".

4. The appointment of certain individuals long deceased as "Saints" with special powers, to whom prayers can be directed.  All true believers are "Saints".

Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:  And many other references.

5.       The claim by some to be "Apostles".

1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 

1Co 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Paul emphasizes that the "time" for appointing Apostles had passed, but as a special dispensation, he had been so appointed.  The Old Testament prophesied that one Apostle would be lost and be replaced. The other apostles acknowledged this interpretation in

Act 1:20  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Psa 109:8  Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

It is also clear that to be an Apostle, one would have to have "seen Jesus" physically in order to be a witness of His Resurrection.

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 

Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, 

Although the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, have been in existence for two thousand years or more and for the vast majority of that time subject to manual copying, the originals available to us clearly contain very little deviation from later copies. No other ancient written work has anywhere near the written support of the Bible documents, yet we rarely query their authenticity, even if we have only one copy thereof.

Furthermore, as time passes, we find more and more Bible supporting references of events in non-scriptural records.

However, unbelief in the Scriptures is rife and it is a matter of faith. We are entitled to believe what we choose BUT we cannot choose to avoid the consequences of our beliefs.  It is a matter of utmost importance that we choose our beliefs wisely whilst we are are in this life.. We cannot rectify matters after our bodies are dead, no matter what we come to know after that event.  

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

 Several so-called "christian sects" try to claim that while  Jesus is the Son of God, he is not God. That view includes denying that the Holy Ghost is God. Such a view is born out of a human's pride and belief that he/she is fully capable of understanding all  things - eventually. Whilst the concept of "The  Trinity" stretches hunan understanding beyond it's limits, there is no doubt that it is clearly taught in the New Testament and prophesied in the Old Testament.

The clearest Old Testament prophesy of the promised Messiah is

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

This leaves no doubt that the Messiah will be born on Earth as a"Child" but even so will also be  "The mighty God, The everlasting Father,".  and that the child will be born  but a son will be given.  i.e. The Son of God will be given to the World, not born into it. The Son pre-existed, the child did not.

 Bearing in mind the first commandment 

Exo 20:3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

and

Exo 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: 

the basis of the mysterious (humanly speaking) "Trinity" is clearly established.

The fact that Jesus is clearly worshipped with full heavenly authority is further proof

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 

Rev 5:11  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 

Rev 5:12  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 

Rev 5:13  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 

Rev 5:14  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. 

The Gospel of John also leaves no doubt.

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Jehovah's Witnesses claim that the word "a" should be placed between "was" and "God" but that is based on a false understanding of Greek grammar and they also ignore that John makes it very clear  

Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one. 

Joh 10:31  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 

Joh 10:32  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 

Joh 10:33  The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

Quite clearly it was Jesu's blood and it says "God's blood".

Joh 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 

"I am"  is the name first used by God in his dealings with Moses.

Exo 3:13  And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 

Exo 3:14  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 

Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 

Jesus clearly accepted Thomas' worship of Him as "God".

Paul clear;ly equated "God"  with "Jesus"

1Ti_1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

1Ti_2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

1Ti_4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

Here, the Greek word for word "and" after "God" is not a conjunction but a participle.with the meaning best expressed by placing a "comma" after "Saviour"  and is correctly trabslated in the NIV

Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, .(NIV)

2Pe 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 

God confirms Jesus as God

Heb 1:6  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 

Heb 1:7  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 

Heb 1:8  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 

Jesus directly confirms the Divinity of the Holy Ghost.

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: