Can Christ Be Hugged Today?

It seems a lot of people these days see God or Jesus Christ the Son of God; others are even hugging the triune God in their quiet times. Are they mistaken, or is it possible for us to touch God and Jesus Christ the Son of God? 

Christ's Earthly Ministry 

While Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, walked the earth, the disciples and many others touched Him, fell at His feet, hugged Him, and John even placed His head on Christ's bosom (chest). Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (John 1:14), so they did indeed touch God the Son. But because He was in human form, He could only be in one place at a time when this happened. 

After His resurrection, the risen Lord told Mary not to touch Him (John 20:17) but told Thomas to touch Him (John 20:27). He was telling Mary in essence not to hold on to Him or hug Him because instead of a long, drawn-out reunion hug, she needed to go tell the disciples of His resurrection. There were still things that needed to be done before He ascended to the Father. 

Christ's Heavenly Ministry 

Since His ascension, Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for the saints (Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22). This is the physical location of Jesus Christ today.

Because Jesus is still in human form, He can't physically be in two places at the same time. He demonstrated that when He was on earth. To leave the right hand of God where He is making continual intercession for the saints (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) to give someone a hug during their quiet time is inconsistent with what we read in the Bible. 

This is exactly why Jesus said it was expedient that He leave so that the Holy Spirit could indwell believers (John 16:7, John 14:16); meaning that the Spirit of Christ would be with us no matter where we go. So, instead of Christ being physically present, His Spirit makes us ambassadors of Christ wherever we are. And in that sense, we can say the touch of a Spirit-filled believer is the touch of Christ. But, to say Jesus, in the flesh, actually hugged you doesn't line up with Scripture. 

We Walk By Faith Not By Sight 

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, we read that we walk by faith not by sight. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. 

When we walk by faith, we don't need a physical hug from God because we trust from His word that our Abba Father is with us at all times. We trust that Christ is with us at all times—closer than any hug could bring us. A physical hug from God would defeat that purpose. 

God's plan is to mold us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29)—our Example of the faith (1 Peter 2:21). Even when Christ was in the Garden of Gethsemane groaning and sweating drops of blood for His coming pain and suffering, we don't read of Christ getting a big hug from the Father. Giving us physical hugs while we're on earth is counterproductive to faith-building. 

The Apocalyptic Christ 

John the Apostle, the one who laid his head on the Lord's bosom (John 13:23), fell at the Apocalyptic Christ's feet (Revelation 1:17). He was perhaps the closest human to Christ, yet what he saw that day led him to drop to his knees. 

There may be times in certain locations that don't have access to the word of God where the Lord will give visions (cf. Acts 2:17) and deliver people from horrific circumstances. But any vision of Christ must be in-line with the Scriptures or it's a false vision that can deceive us. But we're talking abut hugs right now.

Hugging Christ, is a different story. God has given us His word, a more sure word of prophecy that we're to rely on in faith (2 Peter 1:19). And God's word tells us that Christ is presently at the right hand of God and will return to set foot on the earth once more when He sets up His Kingdom (cf. Zechariah 14:4, Zechariah 2:10,12; Revelation 19:15). When Christ does return to earth, for many, it will not be pretty. He'll take vengeance upon all those who reject the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). 

If someone has hugged Jesus today, it would be a miracle that he/she could have, because everyone else would be dropping on the ground to worship Him (Revelation 1:17) or fleeing and hiding from Him (Revelation 6:16). 

Conclusion 

What we do know from the Bible is that Jesus Christ has ascended, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will return at the appointed time. The Father, no one has seen (John 1:18) or touched.  

Though our experiences may feel real, if they contradict the word of God, they're false. Those who claim to have seen God or Jesus Christ and hugged Him today are severely mistaken—their experiences are in conflict with the clear and plain teaching of the word of God (2 Peter 1:19). 

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By Jerry Smith 

Feature image source: freeimages.com 

What Does God Say About Same-Sex Marriage?

In today's American culture where gender is questioned and same-sex marriages are relatively accepted as a norm, seeds of doubt about marriage are being planted in Christian minds. Consequently, some Christians may be wondering if God really said that only a man and woman could get married. 

The serpent approached Eve in the Garden of Eden with a similar doubt-planting strategy (Genesis 3:1) saying: "Yea, hath God said," to get her to question if God really commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

The Devil's strategy hasn't changed. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11, "we are not ignorant of his [the devil's] devices." 

The continual coverage of same-sex marriages in the media and even certain churches blessing them creates a need for answers to this question. 

In response to the doubt-engendering, same-sex marriage culture of today, Christians can look to the word of God for answers. The Bible is very clear on this matter: only men and women are to be married—becoming husband and wife. 

1. God Created Man and Woman

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27). 

Only two genders were created by God. The question involves only two types of people: male and female. From this, everything else flows. 

2. God Ordained Marriage Between Males and Females

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). 

God commanded that the male be joined to his wife (the female). Traditionally, this means in marriage. The joining between man and woman as husband and wife goes as far back as the beginning with Adam and Eve. It's God's design for mankind. 

3. It Is Reinforced in the New Testament

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25). 

In the New Testament, the joining of man and woman in marriage is further developed as being an image of Christ and the church, His bride. 

Christ wedding a male church is inconsistent with the clear and plain teaching of the Bible. Since we know Christ is male, He could not be female to marry another female (the church). The idea that same-sex marriages are approved by God just doesn't add up. 

Within the same chapter, the concepts of male and female, man and woman (Ephesians 5:28), and husband and wife (Ephesians 5:23), are quite clear in reference to marriage. 

Final Thoughts

There is no room for doubt. In the current trend of American culture, do not be deceived—God tells us that only men and women should be married. Anything else is in direct contradiction to the commands of God and flies in the face of the clear teaching of Scripture. 

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By Jerry Smith
Feature image source: James Bold on Unsplash
Man and woman no heads image source: Tom The Photographer on Unsplash

What Is the Difference Between the KJV and the NIV?

In a discussion of this topic, manuscript evidence only leads to endless debate (cf. 1 Timothy 1:4). But that's a smokescreen to keep believers from looking at the differences in doctrine between the two versions. 

Look at the differences and judge the doctrines for yourself: 

Proverbs 16:6 

(KJV) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 

(NIV) Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. 

"Mercy and truth" are external; "love and faithfulness" are things that we have or do. The NIV teaches that forgiveness is attained by working for it. I can use the NIV to cast doubt on salvation by grace. 

The KJV teaches that by something outside of ourselves we can find forgiveness—mercy and truth from the LORD. And that is what we understand to be true regarding salvation. The KJV supports the doctrine of salvation. 

Colossians 1:14 

(KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

(NIV) ...in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

Redemption means salvation from sin and its penalty. The blood of Christ is missing for redemption in the NIV. The doctrine of Christ's atoning blood is detracted from. 

In the KJV, the blood is an essential element (cf. Ephesians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 1:7). 

Luke 2:33 

(KJV) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 

(NIV) The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 

Joseph was Mary’s husband in the KJV but not the father of Jesus Christ. The deity of Jesus Christ cannot be attacked. 

The "child’s father" in the NIV supports the idea that Jesus Christ had a human father. The doctrine of the deity and sinless perfection of Christ can now be questioned. 

John 6:69 

(KJV) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 

(NIV) We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. 

This was Peter's testimony of Jesus Christ the Anointed One, the Messiah. Where is Christ in the NIV? The doctrine of Christ loses efficacy in the NIV. 

Any religious man (such as the Pope) can be called the Holy One of God. I can use the NIV to cast doubt on the need for Christ to be saved. I could argue that the Bible says any holy person is the path to salvation. 

In the KJV, there is no doubt who Peter testified of. The doctrine of Christ is supported. 

Acts 16:31 

(KJV) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 

(NIV) They replied, Believe in the LORD Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household. 

Do we believe on Jesus or Jesus Christ to be saved (2 Corinthians 11:4)? There is a HUGE difference. 

The NIV leaves the door open to salvation by believing in a historical Jesus, a good man, a good teacher. The KJB elevates salvation to believing on Jesus the Christ. 

There is soooo much more… 

In the end, it isn't the endless debates about the genealogies of manuscripts but what these versions teach. Again, the so-called "manuscript evidence" and "original manuscripts" debates are simply distractions. One version teaches the fundamentals of the faith, the other removes them. 

As a Christian, which do you feel more comfortable with? 

Which one is safer? 

Which one makes more sense? 

Which supports basic Christian doctrines?

And keep in mind, there can be only ONE magnified (Psalm 138:2), inspired (2 Timothy 3:16), preserved (Psalm 12:6-7), settled (Psalm 119:89), truth (John 17:17). 

With the differences in wording and (often) meaning, they can't all fulfill these criteria. 

So, which version is it? It’s pretty clear. 

What do you think? You're invited to share your comments.

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Written by Jerry Smith

Feature Image Source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/skhoward 

Open KJB: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/crucifixion