“And we have seen and do testify that the Father
sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14)
This unique title of the Lord Jesus Christ assures us that
when the Father sent His Son away from the glories of heaven
down to a world lost in sin, it was not just to be the
Messiah of the Jews, or to assume David’s throne as
King of Israel, or to punish the wicked Gentile
nations.
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might be
saved” (
John
3:17).
In fact, this special title is used only one other time in
the Bible, and it was used by Samaritans rather than Jews
when they came to know Jesus as He ministered among them for
two days. These people were mostly of Gentile background
with a mixture of Israeli blood who had become adherents of
a quasi-Jewish religion that was also part
pagan.
But they were actually looking for a Savior, and their
testimony after meeting Jesus was: “Now we believe . .
. and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of
the world” (
John 4:42).
They perceived that He had come to bring salvation to lost
sinners in every nation, not just to Israel or Samaria. As
He said later, “I came not to judge the world, but to
save the world” (
John
12:47).
And so He commanded His disciples “that repentance
and remission of sins should be preached in his name among
all nations” (
Luke 24:47).
He became to the Father “the propitiation . . . for
the sins of the whole world” (
1 John 2:2)
when He offered up His life as a sacrifice for sins, then
died and rose again. We who have believed on Him as our
personal Savior are now to be His witnesses “in all
Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth” (
Acts 1:8). HMM
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1)The Names and Titles of God our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior will be respected at all times.
2) Discussion is encouraged, however, respect for other people and their opinions is the rule---play nice.
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