The New Testament teaches that Jesus rose from the dead and paid the price for the sin of the whole world, so everyone could be reconciled to God, and an invitation could be extended to every person to receive eternal life and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Compared to the Bible, the Quran teaches nothing of the sort. Although, there is reference to the Gospels and the Torah that gives a very clear indication that every Muslim should uphold the Ten Commandments and the Gospel message. This is what we learn the prophet Muhammad claims he was told by God:
- If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.[Sura 5:67]
The New Testament draws upon the Old Testament to demonstrate the plan and purpose of God as fulfilled in Lord Jesus Christ. In this respect, the Old Testament is understood when explained by the New Testament.
- For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.(Romans 15:4)
- From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures (Torah/Tanakh/Old Testament) which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
The Quran has many inconsistencies in respect to the claim that it is a clearer revelation of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Muhammad refers to Bible as the truth, but the Quran does not add new revelation to the Bible.
- And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.[Sura 5:48]
- And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ. [Sura 5:49]
- If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.[Sura 5:67]
Gospels/Epistles
Jesus is the Son of God.
- The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)
The Jewish High Priest understood that God had a Son.
- But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63)
The man to whom was given the Revelation on the Isle of Patmos understood that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God.
- These are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
Demons understood that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God.
- When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” (Luke 8:28)
The Roman Centurion who was guarding Jesus when He was crucified on the Cross of Calvary had the revelation that the Son of God was being sentenced to death.
- Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54)
Saul, the Pharisee, who persecuted the Church and desired to kill Christians, came to understand Lord Jesus Christ was the Son of God because He had risen from the dead.
- [Son of David according to the flesh] was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4)
The Quran does not acknowledge the New Testament truth that Jesus, the Son of Mary, was in fact the Son of God, the Messiah, who was to come. This, even though the Quran says that what is in the Gospels is true. Instead, the Quran seems to indicate that it is affected by dogmatic theology that is not Gospel theology.
The following taken from the Quran (Sahih International):
And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah ." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise. And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in Jesus before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness. For wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We made unlawful for them [certain] good foods which had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allah many [people],And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people's wealth unjustly. And we have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.But those firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you. And the establishers of prayer [especially] and the givers of zakah and the believers in Allah and the Last Day - those We will give a great reward. Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Psalms].And [We sent] messengers about whom We have related [their stories] to you before and messengers about whom We have not related to you. And Allah spoke to Moses with [direct] speech.[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after the messengers. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.But Allah bears witness to that which He has revealed to you. He has sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness [as well]. And sufficient is Allah as Witness.Indeed, those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allah have certainly gone far astray.Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong [or injustice] - never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path.
Except the path of Hell; they will abide therein forever. And that, for Allah , is [always] easy.
O Mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs. (Sura 4:158 -172)That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute.Itis not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.[Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path." (Sura 19:34-19:36)If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allah is over all things competent (Sura 9:39)
O, you who have believed, be supporters of Allah , as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, "Who are my supporters for Allah ?" The disciples said, "We are supporters of Allah ." And a faction of the Children of Israel believed and a faction disbelieved. So We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became dominant.(Sura 61:15)
In the Old Testament we are told that unless a person teaches in accordance to the Law and the Prophets that person is accursed. In the New Testament book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible finishes with a warning to anyone who adds or detracts from what is written in that book. This is written as warning to any who would attempt to teach anything other than what is written in the Scriptures.
- Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. (Isaiah 8:20)
- I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.(Revelation 22:18–19)
There are more matters where the Quran differs to the Gospel’s revelation of God to man, but the fact that the Muhammad claims that the Gospels and the Torah are to be obeyed, yet Muslims seem to be at odds with the teachings therein, is a problem for those who reject Jesus’ teachings. Surely, Muhammad cannot claim that the Gospels are to be acknowledged as the truth and then dishonor them. For on the point of Jesus’ death and resurrection, there is so much inconsistency in the Quran that this is alarming. Either Jesus is the Son of God in accordance with the Old and New Testaments or people are being misled, if they are told to disregard what is written; especially, when it comes to obeying what is written in the Gospels and the Ten Commandments written by the Lord God Himself.
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