05-04-2009, 09:38 AM
Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.
<b>'AlShamms' </b>
Quote:Yes, Jesus was speaking to his disciples, however the call was universal; "If ANYONE desires", is indicative of including more than just the disciples he already had.
Not necessary, the interpretation might also be, "And Jesus SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, IF ANYONE <b>OF YOU </b>etc…, not a general call as you said, the verse can be understood differently, who can tell the intention of Jesus?
Quote:The Greek term for cross is stauros and is defined as an upright stake, especially a pointed one, a cross. So there is no difference between torture stake and cross.
Here is the Greek scripture and the definition of "Stau-ros":
Quote:“<b>There is no evidence that the Greek word Stau-ros meant here a "cross"</b> such as the pagans used as a religious symbol for many centuries before Christ to denote the Sun-god"
Source: The appendix of "The Christian Greek Scriptures" Rendered from the Original language Page 768.
As you can see, the word simply means a stake without crossbeam. <b>So is it a cross or stake</b>? Because they are not synonymous terms AlShams, even Oxford dictionary defined both terms differently:
Quote:STAKE
1 a strong post with a point at one end, driven into the ground to support a tree, form part of a fence, etc. 2 (the stake) historical a wooden post to which a person was tied before being burned alive.
CROSS
1 a mark, object, or figure formed by two short intersecting lines or pieces (+ or &mul;). 2 an upright post with a transverse bar, as used in antiquity for crucifixion. 3 a cross-shaped decoration awarded for bravery or indicating rank in some orders of knighthood.
Sourcec: AskOxford.Com
Quote:Wael, are you saying you understood Jesus' words in Luke 18:31-34? If you're saying you indeed understand,
Of course I did understand what is written, there was nothing hidden or vague in that verse and he was not speaking in parables, that's why I am wondering whether he was talking to deaf people or insane who couldn't understand these simple words.
Quote:did he tell the truth?
I don't believe that it is the truth; however I understood clearly what is written without the help of the Holy Ghost whom you claim that later on she helps the disciples to "understand" what he was talking about.
Quote:Jesus' message is not limited by time Wael,
And that's why he said:
"these twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying <b>GO NOT </b>into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans <b>ENTER YE NOT</b>. "But go ye rather unto the lost sheep of <b>THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL </b>
(to the Jews only)." MATTHEW 10:5-6
"But he answered and said, I am <b>NOT SENT</b> but unto the lost sheep of the <b>HOUSE OF ISRAEL </b>
(the Jews only). "Then came she and worshipped him, saying Lord, help me. "But he answered and said, it is not meet to take the children's bread and <b>CAST IT TO DOGS</b>
(the non-Jews). " MATTHEW 15:24-26
he came in a particular time to serve a particular group of people, not all mankind, that was his mission.
Salam
Wael.