Matthew 1:21
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And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. (ASV)
Pro
Edit this section if you suspect error.
JW:
- 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
- 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.
False prophecy. Everyone agrees that for two thousand years most Jews have died not believing in Jesus and therefore, according to Christian theology, were not saved from their sins.
--JoeWallack 07:25, 23 Jan 2007 (CST)
Con
A presumption is made by PRO in order to substantiate the claim that this is a false prophecy. PRO presumes, falsely, that Matthew points to the Jewish people when he writes that Jesus will save "His people" from their sins. However, "His people" refers first to the remnant of Jews chosen by grace explained by Paul in Romans and then to a great many gentiles that would be grafted into "His people." Paul further develops this in Galatians 3 where he explains that God made promises to Abraham and Christ regarding this salvation and that it is those with the faith of Abraham who are saved and thus it is those with the faith of Abraham who were promised to Christ and who are, therefore, "His people" and those whom Jesus came to save from their sins per Matthew 1.
To support his argument, PRO will have to show that it is the Jewish people who are in view in Matthew 1. As the Scriptures themselves do not support this conclusion, the only basis for developing this argument for error is for PRO to presume that which PRO wants to be declared false.
Neutral
Edit this section to note miscellaneous facts. An interesting point, but there is an alternative explanation: "His people" could refer to Christians only.
IMHO (in my humble opinion), the Jews will always have a place with God when all is said and done. An interesting verse in Revelations Chapter 7 indicates that the 144,000(ambassadors), will all come from the twelve tribes of Israel. This doesn't leave much room for those that are not of Isarel.
(Isa 45:17 KJV) But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. [This however indicates that the Jews must first accept The Christ of God first.]
(Rom 11:26-9 KJV) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
The idea that those that have died being dead is in error. The problem lies in the proper understanding of the "soul" of a person.
