Jesus Christ Lived with Us here on Earth and the Bible description of Christ alone is already an image of Christ.
The following was taken from a manuscript in the possession of Lord Kelly, and in his library, and was copied from an original letter of Publius Lentullus at Rome. It being the usual custom of Roman Governors to advertise the Senate and people of such material things as happened in their provinces in the days of Tiberius Caesar, Publius Lentullus, President of Judea, wrote the following epistle to the Senate concerning the Nazarene called Jesus.
"There appeared in these our days a man, of the Jewish Nation, of great virtue, named Yeshua [Jesus], who is yet living among us, and of the Gentiles is accepted for a Prophet of truth, but His own disciples call Him the Son of God- He raiseth the dead and cureth all manner of diseases. A man of stature somewhat tall, and comely, with very reverent countenance, such as the beholders may both love and fear, his hair of (the colour of) the chestnut, full ripe, plain to His ears, whence downwards it is more orient and curling and wavering about His shoulders. In the midst of His head is a seam or partition in His hair, after the manner of the Nazarenes. His forehead plain and very delicate; His face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a lovely red; His nose and mouth so formed as nothing can be reprehended; His beard thickish, in colour like His hair, not very long, but forked; His look innocent and mature; His eyes grey, clear, and quick- In reproving hypocrisy He is terrible; in admonishing, courteous and fair spoken; pleasant in conversation, mixed with gravity. It cannot be remembered that any have seen Him Laugh, but many have seen Him Weep. In proportion of body, most excellent; His hands and arms delicate to behold. In speaking, very temperate, modest, and wise. A man, for His singular beauty, surpassing the children of men"
The letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar
This is a reprinting of a letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar describing the physical appearance of Jesus. Copies are in the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C.
TO TIBERIUS CAESAR:
A young man appeared in Galilee preaching with humble unction, a new law in the Name of the God that had sent Him. At first I was apprehensive that His design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day I observed in the midst of a group of people a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between Him and those who were listening to Him. His golden colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about 30 years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between Him and His bearers with their black beards and tawny complexions! Unwilling to interrupt Him by my presence, I continued my walk but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen. Later, my secretary reported that never had he seen in the works of all the philosophers anything that compared to the teachings of Jesus. He told me that Jesus was neither seditious nor rebellious, so we extended to Him our protection. He was at liberty to act, to speak, to assemble and to address the people. This unlimited freedom provoked the Jews -- not the poor but the rich and powerful.
Later, I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with Him at the Praetorium. He came. When the Nazarene made His appearance I was having my morning walk and as I faced Him my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement and I trembled in every limb as a guilty culprit, though he was calm. For some time I stood admiring this extraordinary Man. There was nothing in Him that was repelling, nor in His character, yet I felt awed in His presence. I told Him that there was a magnetic simplicity about Him and His personality that elevated Him far above the philosophers and teachers of His day.
Now, Noble Sovereign, these are the facts concerning Jesus of Nazareth and I have taken the time to write you in detail concerning these matters. I say that such a man who could convert water into wine, change death into life, disease into health; calm the stormy seas, is not guilty of any criminal offense and as others have said, we must agree -- truly this is the Son of God.
Your most obedient servant,
Pontius Pilate
These above extract are from http://www.thenazareneway.com/likeness_of_our_saviour.htm
Biblical Description of Jesus - His Attributes
When we look at the biblical description of Jesus from God’s perspective the image is magnificent. What attributes does God use for the One He exalts to the highest place, who is given a name above every name, whereupon every knee in heaven and on and under the earth will bow?
With God in the Beginning (John 1:1-4; 17:5) – There was no point at which Christ suddenly came into being or began a relationship with God. Jesus is eternal.
Word made Flesh (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16) – Christ did not “appear” as a man, but humanity was added to His deity when He became “flesh.”
Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:17) – Christ is the perfect manifestation of God—the very substance and embodiment of the Creator.
Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6) – There is only one way to approach God—through the Son of Man who gave Himself as a ransom for mankind.
Head over All Things (Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:27-28) – Christ’s name is not simply a title. It refers to His position of highest dignity and honor at the Father’s right hand.
Biblical Description of Jesus - His Self Examination
A biblical description of Jesus based on His own self-examination reflects practical, everyday concepts found in customs, nature, and life itself.
Light of the World (John 1:4-5; 9:5) – From the beginning, God desired to have a personal relationship with man, bringing him out of the darkness of evil, sin, and ignorance. Christ is the only true Light.
Anointed One (Luke 4:18-19; John 3:34) – Jesus confirmed that He was the Messiah who would bring the long promised Kingdom of God.
The Good Shepherd (John 10:14) – Jesus has an intimacy and personal interest in protecting His “sheep” from all harm.
Bread of Life (John 6:35, 51) – Jesus is an essential staple for our lives, providing an everlasting satisfaction.
Healer and Forgiver (Luke 5:22-25; Mark 2:5-11) – Forgiveness is always associated with God. Jesus has authority to heal broken lives—spiritually as well as physically.
The Way, the Truth, the Life (John 10:9, 14:6) – Access to God the Father, can come only from the One who is from the Father.
The Resurrection and Life (John 11:25-26) – Jesus, the Lord of Life, offers eternal life. With authority, He holds the keys of death (Revelation 1:17-18).
Biblical Description of Jesus - Life Altering
When He is personally experienced, the biblical description of Jesus is life-altering.
Son of David (Mark 10:47) – Blind Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as David’s descendant. The crowds proclaimed Jesus the designated Messiah-King (Matthew 21:8-9).
Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 8:16-17) – Our sins and weaknesses were not Jesus’, but ours. He bore them for us.
Sinless/Holy (Hebrews 7:26) – Jesus needed no sacrifice for Himself, rather offering Himself as a sacrificial Lamb for our impurities (Acts 8:32).
Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) – The prophet speaks of the Messiah who will bring to pass the time of millennial peace. Christ’s legacy was “peace with God” and the “peace of God” (John 14:27).
The Power and Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:2-3) – Paul understood that through Christ, knowledge is the acquisition of Truth and wisdom is Truth applied to life (John 10:9; 14:6).
A comprehensive biblical description of Jesus requires a glimpse into the eternal. At nearly 94, my father was blind and frail when he passed away. A final smile rested upon his lips. “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives . . . and after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:25–27).
This above extract is from http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/biblical-description-of-jesus.htm
Now my words, People's conviction are different but one thing is real and that is the fact that we cannot all be right in our judgement. Catholic Church was just not the first Church but they took over from the Apostle Peter, and ever since then there have been problem. When i read in the newspaper today about the attitude of Priest of catholic, it does not surprise me because Catholic have survived hardest time and worst time ever.Therefore, everything you see in Catholic Church did not start today. Please read more about the history of the church and ask questions when necessary. sometimes back in Nigeria, a rich woman from my country Nigeria visited the Holy Ground during the pilgrimage in Middles east. When she came back from the Pilgrimage, she went to Catholic Church and ask them to baptized her. Her reason was very simple. She became convinced after seeing that all that was written in the bible was not just real but exactly the way they were written. And more so everywhere she went, she was attended to by catholic. At a point she asked why then all these Pentecostal pastor and member all flock to this holy land supervised by catholic and everywhere were under catholic, they told she has found the truth herself. You should know the history of the church and how people started living catholic to form their own churches. Many today will do everything humanly possible to forced their children to be pastor cause when they die, their children takes over. It is now everywhere and all over the world not Nigerian Pastors alone do it. It is either their son or wife. It is a family business.
when you talk about images, again you will agree with me that if truly the catholic church are wrong in their principle of upholding the images in the church, then i doubt if anyone will enter the kingdom of God including you and me. That means you should never take a picture neither take try to work with any photograph.
The truth is, it would have been hard for men after the death of Christ when the evangelism started, to believe this Jesus without the image. The catholic have the history of how people became convinced world wide after beginning to see the image of Christ. Catholic Church have not calved the Image of God, they don't know what Jesus looks like in heaven other than the way the Bible described Him. Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:17) – Christ is the perfect manifestation of God—the very substance and embodiment of the Creator.
Now let us look at the bible verses and what God meant by condemning images.
Exodus 20:1-10
And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...
Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
First, one must understand what a graven image is in the context of the Old Testament. To make a graven image is to create an image out of some medium, such as clay or wood, AND WORSHIP IT AS A GOD. The statues or pictures of Mary are NOT WORSHIPPED as a God. If a Catholic worships a statue of Mary as a God, they are guilty of idolatry.
The Lord did not forbid the making of images. In fact, God commanded Moses to shape a brazen serpent. This serpent was able to cure the people of the serpent bite, if they looked upon it (Numbers 21:8). Later, when the people turned to idolatry of the serpent, Hezekiah had it destroyed (II Kings 18:4). Here you see the balance. Images are good, if they are helpful, but not if they encourage idolatry.
Moreover, the Lord commanded that the image of two Cherubim be constructed on the top of the Ark of the Covenant on either side of the Mercy seat. Was this the sin of idolatry? I think not.
Mary is the mother of God and the saints are the friends of God. If keeping their pictures or statues helps to inspire us to a more holy life, then it is a good thing. Don't you have pictures of your family in your home? Is this idolatry? Or when someone dies, should you destroy all images or pictures of them, lest you be guilty of worshiping them?
check more on it...
http://roman-catholic-church.peperonity.com
http://www.amen.co.nr
If you look at the image in the catholic Church, they are not different from those you used in your scriptural books and evangelism posters everywhere. Now Tell me how you came about those picture, they were drew by you or who? Please let us ask questions when we are not clear with some aspect of life. It will help us to grow. The problem will have with catholic is just the first impression thing. When people usually act on first impression, they usually make mistakes in a verse aspect. You heard catholic worship images and you haven't being there, that makes you jump to conclusion. No, don't commit sin by judging so quickly. I have seen many catholic people praying at the sight of image, if they feel in their heart that such environment is conducive for them to pray, then it is good because you might might tell what they have in mind or their motive for praying. I have also seen some ignorantly bow down and even some kiss the image. Well it is all left for God to Judge. I do educate some when i can and the Church are doing a lot to teach them. Usually we are human being, it is politic, should we say the right to freedom of speech is bad just because some misused it or should we trow away the baby and the bad water, just because the water is bad. No sir. My email adress is edf4u@yahoo.com and my twitter ID is @kennethJeta. you can like my page on facebook and let us together work for humanity
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World BEST Hero/heroine (share the untold story)......it is discovering the unsung hero that have sacrifice for humanity.
thanks, i will be delighted to hear from you
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