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Turning the World Upside Down
At times the opponents of Christianity can be very accurate in describing the effects of the gospel. In Acts 17, the mob which dragged Jason and other brethren before the rulers of the city accused them, saying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” The gospel had indeed turned the world upside down.
But how did the gospel turn the world upside down? The gospel did not turn the world upside down with riots and protests. There was no insurgency or revolution to overthrow the Roman government. There was not even, to the surprise of many today, a movement to liberate all the slaves of Rome. The early Christians preached a gospel of liberty, yet taught people to be disciplined in their conduct. They taught that Christians were citizens of another kingdom, yet they were to be subject to and honor the authorities in the present world. They taught that all men and women were equal in the sight of God, yet taught wives to submit to their husbands and slaves to obey their masters. In addition, the gospel taught respect for parents, respect for elders, and respect for the bonds of family and community. The gospel did not threaten the political and social order of Rome, yet the gospel had the power to change everything.
How, then, did the gospel turn the world upside down? The gospel created a revolution in thought in the hearts and minds of men. The gospel taught men that honor and glory was achieved in selfless service and sacrifice, not in heroism in warfare or achieving positions of great power. The gospel taught that life is a short journey with heaven as its destination, not a frantic pursuit of wealth, comfort, and pleasure. The gospel taught that life is all about serving God and others, not about selfish pursuits. The gospel taught that despite suffering, persecution, and injustice Christians can have great joy and peace that surpasses understanding. The gospel taught that we must love all people and seek their good, even those who hate us and are determined to destroy us. The gospel taught purity in heart and conduct. The gospel taught the virtues of humility, kindness, mercy, and forgiveness. The gospel taught that the true God “does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24-25). And finally, the gospel taught that the Jewish system was a temporary “schoolmaster” to bring the Jews to Christ. The gospel revealed the fulfillment and the end of the Jewish system of worship.
The gospel turned the world upside down by turning the hearts of men upside down one at a time. The gospel has the power to change the whole world, but it must start in each individual heart.
So, I ask three questions:
- Has the gospel message turned your world upside down?
- Is that change evident to those around you?
- What are you doing to help others make the same change?
- Pat Gaughan
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Islam’s View of Jesus
Anyone familiar with the New Testament knows that Jesus is there emphatically portrayed as:
- the “only begotten”, divine Son of God
- the savior of the world
- who died on the cross and rose from the dead
The official teaching of Islam denies each of these truths. While acknowledging Jesus to be among the great prophets (of whom Mohammed was one), the Koran expressly repudiates His deity. In Surah 43:59 it is said that Jesus is “naught but a servant on whom We bestowed favor.” Surah 4:171 says, “Jesus, son of Mary, is only a messenger of Allah . . . Allah is only one God; far be it from His glory that He should have a son.”
The denial of the Biblical concept of the triune godhead is a cornerstone of Muslim theology. Islam’s first “pillar of faith”, called the Shahadah, asserts:
“There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah.”
Jesus’ claims concerning who He was will not allow us to accept Him as a prophet of God (who spoke the truth) and at the same time deny that He is the divine Son of God and only Savior of mankind.
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Who is Lucifer in the Bible?
The name “Lucifer” is widely believed to be an alternate name for Satan. Interestingly, the word Lucifer occurs only one time in the Bible: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” - Isaiah 14:12
That is the rendering of the King James Version. Many modern translations read “the morning star” rather than “Lucifer”. Our English word “Lucifer” comes from the Latin “lux” (light) and “ferre” (to bear), and was simply a name applied to the planet Venus.
Verse 4 of Isaiah 14 clearly indicates that the one being addressed is the king of Babylon. This pagan ruler is pictured as arrogantly boasting, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” (vs. 13) God is announcing through the prophet Isaiah that He is going to cast this godless king and his nation down.
Our spiritual enemy is named “Satan” (the adversary) or “the Devil” (the slanderer). He is referred to in a number of ways in scripture: “the tempter,” “Belial,” “the great dragon,” “the god (prince) of this world,” “the prince of the power of air,” “the wicked one,” “the father of lies,” “Beelzebub,” etc. However nowhere in scripture is Satan called Lucifer.
