Dear Sirs,

I have to say that your web page and all others by Farsinet are remarkable and very well done. Moreover I have to ask a question, not for the sake of an answer but rather for the sake of discussion about two things:

1. If Jesus Christ ('3lieh ElSalam) is God , howcome he has to suffer for our sins and he said that we are the ones who will be punished for our sins.

2.If Jesus Christ ('3lieh ElSalam) is God and he is repersentative of God's nature, (How do we know what is God nature?) and of course God the Almighty can save his word but cannot save himself from humans (by being Crossified).?

3. Why are you using the book of the Jews when you say that Jesus Christ said when he was on the cross (I'm the beggining and the end)?

4. Jesus christ with his nature that God gave him said that the only way to know God is by knowing him; in consequence, (Jesus having some of the charateristics of God) can be known by being good in nature and has nothing to do with the belief i.e. some of the people who believes in Jesus Christ and have nothing from his nature cannot go to Heaven if others who doesn't know him and have his nature will not go.

I hope I was clear enough and I'm sure that you'll answer me back.

Kind Regards, AJ S

Greetings! Thank you for your e-mail message. Regarding your questions:

1. Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (Mark 10:45;Matthew 16:21; Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). He did this willingly and by his own choice (John 10:14-18). Nobody forced Him. There must be a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins (Leviticus. 17:11; 8:15; Exodus 29:21; and Hebrews 9:22). If we do not accept Him as our Lord and Saviour and His sacrifice on our behalf upon the cross, then the penalty of our sins, eternal death, will be on us (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; John 3:16-18; Mark 16:16).

2. Again, Jesus died for our sins to save us from the penalty of sins, fires of hell. He did this willingly. This was his purpose for coming to this world. John 10:14-18

   "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. [17] The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

3. The actions of Jesus which could be seen, were the actions that only God could perform (such as: healing the blinds (John 10; Matthew 9:27-31), healing the dumb (Matthew 9:32-34), deaf (Matthew 11:5-6), paralyzed person (Matthew 9:1-8), raising the dead to life (Luke 8:49-56), creating loaves of bread and fishes as food for people (John 6:1-21). Jesus has the power over nature (Luke 8:25), over demons (Luke 8:26-30; Mark 1:29-34), over illnesses (Luke 8:40-48), and over death (Luke 8:49-56).

4. The words of Jesus were the words that only God could say. He forgives peoples' sins by his own authority, and in his own name (Matthew 9:6). He invited people to believe in Himself (Matthew 11:28-30). He declared God's word to people by saying: I tell you. Not God says? Matthew 5:21-22

   "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

5. The names and tiles used for Jesus are the names and titles used only for God (Exodus 3:13,14; John 8:57-59; Leviticus 24:16; Hebrews 1:8; Psalms 45:6,7).

6. His all-knowing knowledge is a characteristic of only God.

7. Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end, which is another evidence of His divine nature. This title means that he is the beginning and the end of all God's revelation, he is the beginning and the end of God's plan of salvation for mankind. God gave the Torah and all the books of prophets of Israel and we believe in them. The Lord God, who spoke to Moses in the burning bush and identified Himself as Yahweh, is no other than the Lord Jesus Himself (John 8:48-59).

   Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

8. The word of God the Bible teaches us, that without repentance from our sins and trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, there is no salvation from the wrath of God on sin and sinners (Acts 4:12). At the same time. The word of God, the Bible, teaches us that faith without deeds is dead (James 1:14-26). When we commit our lives to Jesus, and are born again in His name, the spirit of God enters our lives and the fruits of the Spirit of God start to develop in us. The only way to heaven is Jesus Himself, but at the same time, our belief in Him must produce results in our character and behavior. Other wise our faith is not alive.

9. Jesus Christ possesses the attributes of God:

   Omnipresence: Matthew 28:10; Ephesians 4:10
   Omniscience: John 21:17; John 6:64.
   Omnipotence: Forgive sins (Matthew 9:6); All power (Matthew 28:18); to give
   eternal life (John 17:2).
   Preexistence: John 16:28; Micah 5:2; John 1:15,30.
   Eternalness: Micah 5:2; John 8:58.
   Immutability Hebrews 13:8
   He received worship: John 9:38; Matthew 28:9.

   We hope these informations will be helpful for you. We pray that you may also come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Loves you and died for your sins on the cross so that by faith in Him you may have an abundant life.

   The Lord Bless you.

   Iranian Christian Church of San Diego

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   From: Cyrus
   To: iccsd@farsinet.com
   Subject: Christian literature

   Please send me any available literature explaining you position on social issues.

   Regards, Cyrus

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   From: iccsd@farsinet.com
   To: Cyrus
   Subject: ICCSD's position on social issues

   Dear Cyrus;

   Greetings and thank you for your question regarding our position on social issues.

   The best literature for explaining our social position or any other kind of position is the Bible itself. Your question is too broad so we can only answer it in general terms.

   In general, our position regarding any issue is what the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God, the Bible teaches. In regard to governments and those in authorities, the Bible says: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." ( Romans 13:1-7 )

   "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." ( Titus 3:1-8 )

   "Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:18-20)

   "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles." (1 Tim. 2:1-7)

   Based on these biblical commands every Christian is supposed to:

   1. Honor those in authority
   2. Respect them
   3. Pray for them
   4. Obey them as long as it does not contradict with obedience to Word of God, The Bible.

   People, societies, and nations are changed for the best through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit which we receive, by repenting from our sins and putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.Political upraising is not the answer.

   The Lord Bless You , Iranian Christian Church of San Diego