An Apologists guide to Islam

[TheSufi]

So is there is any article that deals with the Real Presence in Answering Islam? Can you point me to it?

MJ

What is real presence? I’m unfamiliar with this terminology…

Oh it deals with the Eucharist. Interesting.

 

[MartinJordan]

Why do you think there should be one? The subject wouldn’t come up in discussions and polemics between Muslims and Protestants.

Firstly Not All protestants disbelieve in the Real Presence ie Lutherans. However, Christianity wouldn’t even be discussed here nor anywhere without the belief of the Real Presence because it existed from the Beginning starting from Jesus from his OWN words.

Therefore it is integral that Answering Islam being a defense of Christianity cater to it. Any case I digress. Answering Islam is no longer a place I visit.

MJ

 

[MartinJordan]

Oh it deals with the Eucharist. Interesting.

Not only is it interesting, it’s fully authentic and True.

MJ

 

[Trebor135]

Firstly Not All protestants disbelieve in the Real Presence ie Lutherans.

Right.

However, Christianity wouldn’t even be discussed here nor anywhere without the belief of the Real Presence because it existed from the Beginning starting from Jesus from his OWN words.

Therefore it is integral that Answering Islam being a defense of Christianity cater to it.

On their “Who is “Answering Islam”?” page, we read,

This all said, we are Evangelical Christians and agree without reservations with the statement of faith as given, for example, by the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization [links omitted].

So, Answering-Islam will naturally give an incomplete and partly erroneous defense of Christianity.

Any case I digress. Answering Islam is no longer a place I visit.

But they have some very useful articles, and there isn’t a Catholic or Orthodox equivalent to Answering-Islam. Where do you suggest we go instead?

 

[MartinJordan]

Right.

On their “Who is “Answering Islam”?” page, we read,

This all said, we are Evangelical Christians and agree without reservations with the statement of faith as given, for example, by the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization [links omitted].

So, Answering-Islam will naturally give an incomplete and partly erroneous defense of Christianity.

Thanks for your comments. Appreciate you included the link. As I mentioned, I learned more about Islam from Answering Islam so it was quite useful.

Lately, I spend more time understanding my Faith as a Catholic; which itself is the best defense. Before I discovered AI I was a lukewarm Catholic.

But they have some very useful articles, and there isn’t a Catholic or Orthodox equivalent to Answering-Islam. Where do you suggest we go instead?

Church! Attend Mass regularly/daily (if possible).

MJ

 

[Trebor135]

Thanks for your comments. Appreciate you included the link.

Hope it helped. And thank you.

As I mentioned, I learned more about Islam from Answering Islam so it was quite useful.

A good thing.

Lately, I spend more time understanding my Faith as a Catholic; which itself is the best defense.

In some ways, perhaps. But see below.

Before I discovered AI I was a lukewarm Catholic.

Really? I never expected a site rebutting Islam could have such an effect on a Christian. Glory to God.

Church! Attend Mass regularly/daily (if possible).

This paragraph is what I was pointing to when I wrote “see below”. While this isn’t bad advice in general, going to church won’t help a Christian to become proficient in responding to the objections raised by a Muslim, nor in finding out what questions a Christian should pose to a Muslim. The only way daily or weekly attendance at Mass/Divine Liturgy would be helpful is that over time one would become increasingly familiar with the Christian Scriptures that a Muslim will probably seek to tear apart in the hope of “disproving” our faith.

 

[dronald]

We can sit up here any pick apart words. The hadiths related to this issue are many. Sometimes you’ll find contradicting wording between hadiths, much like you’ll find contradicting wording between the Gospels, and there are many. Contradicting words between what one understands from the Bible and what the bible actually says. And this is related to alot of things. And I am sure you are not interested in knowing the contradictions in your own bible.

It’s not uncommon that when I bring up the text of the Qur’an, Muslims are quick to turn the attention to the Bible instead of defending their position. Which makes me curious what Muslims do when the same objections are brought up by Atheists?

I know Christians can study their Bible and have answers to every “contradiction” without saying, “But the Qur’an has contradictions too!”

Well, to be honest, you know very few hadiths, there are literally over 1,000,000 hadiths. There are probably 10,000 hadiths without repetition of situation. And I have no idea how many hadiths are related to this particular situation, and one would have to read and study all the hadiths related to this situation. This point of 4 to 7 years is a very insignificant aspect of my religion.

There are many different opinions between Islamic scholars, perhaps one scholars say 4 years and another one says 7 years. To me, I am like who cares?

I’m willing to accept that it doesn’t matter to you, and that’s fine. But at first you seemed very adamant that Muhammad’s mission went on for seven years. It seemed like a big deal for you in your first post so that’s why I pointed it out.

For example, what was written on top of the cross when Jesus was crucified? Each Gospel says something different. But to a believing Christian, what was written top of the cross is really unimportant. the thing that is important to most believing Christians is that Jesus was crucified, that is what is important, **not what was written on top of the cross. ** But the Muslim who is trying to convert you to Islam is trying to make this an important issue to create doubt in your heart. But it is an insignificant argument to a believing Christian. Just as this 4 or 7 years is pretty insignificant to me. So I won’t waste my time researching it.

I’m going to have to strongly disagree with you here my friend. What was written on the cross and why the four Gospels give different wording is extremely important to some Christians, especially those interested in Apologetics. You’re downplaying how important it is to defend the truth from all criticism.

I have to be prepared at any moment to explain to an Atheist who yells, “Contradiction!” at any time; one of which would be whats written on the top of the cross.

So now that I have study a little bit of Christianity, I know a few things. So now when I go to anti-Christian sites written by Muslims, I see alot of garbage. And the same is true when I go to anti-Muslim site written by Christians. 90% if not more that one finds on these anti-Christian and anti Muslim sites are garbage. To me it is proof that God is not pleased with such sites, as Jesus said, you judge a tree by the fruits it bears, and this is in reference to seeking knowledge or a teacher or a guide.

Yes, I avoid the garbage as well. I was careful to do my best to not present anything that I considered garbage.

Well you seem to have a simplistic way of looking at things. There were several gospels. And the many gospels that existed, only 4 were deemed authentic enough to be considered scripture. Now there were Gospels that the early Church fathers accepted but for some reason it didn’t meet a certain criteria to make it to the bible, but yet they considered parts of them to be true, so you’ll find them being quoted in liturgies, and by the early Church fathers.

Can you name more than four that came out of the first century? And if the Gospel of Thomas is your answer then would you show how such a Gospel points to Islam in any way and isn’t clearly just a Gnostic heresy?

So if you find a some quote in the Quran, which can be found in a Gospel outside the main four Gospels in the Quran, it doesn’t mean that God considered that Gospel to be true, it just mean, God considered that quote to be true, which is why it is in the Quran.

But these are extremely late Gospels. The psuedo-matthew Gospel is so late that it’s ridiculous to be in the Qur’an in my opinion. I know this is your belief but can you see how one could quickly reject this with a look the history of Christian apocrypha?

I do not follow Islam according your understanding, I follow Islam according to the understanding of Prophet Muhammad, his companions and those that followed them in righteousness up until the last day.

I was simply speaking of Qur’an 5:47And 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.

Keeping in mind, the Gospel was the same in the year 640 as it is now.

 

[MartinJordan]

Hope it helped. And thank you.

A good thing.

In some ways, perhaps. But see below.

Really? I never expected a site rebutting Islam could have such an effect on a Christian. Glory to God.

This paragraph is what I was pointing to when I wrote “see below”. While this isn’t bad advice in general, going to church won’t help a Christian to become proficient in responding to the objections raised by a Muslim, nor in finding out what questions a Christian should pose to a Muslim. The only way daily or weekly attendance at Mass/Divine Liturgy would be helpful is that over time one would become increasingly familiar with the Christian Scriptures that a Muslim will probably seek to tear apart in the hope of “disproving” our faith.

I have noted your comments. Thanks. I think I’ve derailed this thread enough

Take care my brother in Christ.

MJ

 

[TheSufi]

It’s not uncommon that when I bring up the text of the Qur’an, Muslims are quick to turn the attention to the Bible instead of defending their position. Which makes me curious what Muslims do when the same objections are brought up by Atheists?

I know Christians can study their Bible and have answers to every “contradiction” without saying, “But the Qur’an has contradictions too!”

It depends on the subject matter. It depends on the person.

I’m willing to accept that it doesn’t matter to you, and that’s fine. But at first you seemed very adamant that Muhammad’s mission went on for seven years. It seemed like a big deal for you in your first post so that’s why I pointed it out.

I was taught it was 7 years, but I am not surprised if someone mentions a difference of opinion. Sometimes we get lost in the particulars missing the goal. “Its called Missing the forest for the trees. I see the trees but where is the forest.”

The point is that Prophet Muhammad completed his mission and died when God decreed, not when the lady who poisoned him wanted to. 4, 5, 7, or even 10 wouldn’t matter to me.

I’m going to have to strongly disagree with you here my friend. What was written on the cross and why the four Gospels give different wording is extremely important to some Christians, especially those interested in Apologetics. You’re downplaying how important it is to defend the truth from all criticism.

I have to be prepared at any moment to explain to an Atheist who yells, “Contradiction!” at any time; one of which would be whats written on the top of the cross.

The Gospels aren’t 100 percent historical. Each Gospel has a particular audience that it is addressing, so the Gospels were written to target that particular audience. Like the Gospel of Matthew was written for the Jewish audience, the Gospel of Luke was written for the Gentile, and Gospel of John was written for the Gnostic. This is what I understand from studying with the Orthodox Chrisitans. The Orthodox Priest told me that if the Gospel was intended to be historical, then what is written above the cross would be the same.

He was explaining how Orthodox and Protestants don’t look at the Bible the same way.

Can you name more than four that came out of the first century? And if the Gospel of Thomas is your answer then would you show how such a Gospel points to Islam in any way and isn’t clearly just a Gnostic heresy?

I don’t know any off the top of my head. I am moving, so most of my books are in storage.

But these are extremely late Gospels. The psuedo-matthew Gospel is so late that it’s ridiculous to be in the Qur’an in my opinion. I know this is your belief but can you see how one could quickly reject this with a look the history of Christian apocrypha?

That’s your opinion and you are entitled to it. To me it doesn’t matter how late they are, if it is true it is true. What is written in the later Gospel, doesn’t mean it wasn’t said by Jesus, it just means you can’t prove it with the same criteria that you have for the earlier Gospels.

I was simply speaking of Qur’an 5:47And 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.

Keeping in mind, the Gospel was the same in the year 640 as it is now.

Basically, what this verse is referring to, is that Christians should judge by their book. Jews should judge by there book, and Muslims should judge by their book. It doesn’t mean, I have to read and study the Gospel.

 

[Ontheway]

We can sit up here any pick apart words. The hadiths related to this issue are many. Sometimes you’ll find contradicting wording between hadiths,

That doesn’t surprise me, most Muslims are ignorant of their religion,

I know this is a fact, because when I was ignorant of my own religion, I use to be on the streets trying to convert Christians to Islam, using those websites. And most people don’t know how to respond.

1. My understanding is that the hadith is the word of god. So are you saying that he contradicts himself?
2. If Muslims are ignorant of their religion, then what religion do they follow? What religion did you follow when you were ignorant?
3. Some muslims on this forum and many I know personally, insist that they do not try to convert anyone to Islam and that the whole effort is 'unislamic". So when you go to the streets and try to convert people to Islam, what master are you serving? It can’t be Muhammed, who respected Christ and the Holy Scripture.

 

[jakasaki]

1. My understanding is that the hadith is the word of god. So are you saying that he contradicts himself?

• snip

The hadiths are not the word of god. They are a collection of traditions containing sayings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

 

[Trebor135]

Basically, what this verse is referring to, is that Christians should judge by their book. Jews should judge by there book, and Muslims should judge by their book. It doesn’t mean, I have to read and study the Gospel.

Why would Allah tell the Christians and Jews of Muhammad’s day to “judge by their book” if the only text they considered scripture, i.e., the Bible, had long before been corrupted?

 

[TheSufi]

1. My understanding is that the hadith is the word of god. So are you saying that he contradicts himself?

No one says the hadiths in general are the word of God.

1. If Muslims are ignorant of their religion, then what religion do they follow? What religion did you follow when you were ignorant?

I said most people are ignorant of their religion. They may know the basics, but they won’t know all the details. So most people are ignorant of particulars and details of the religion. Like the the specific meaning of a verse, or history of the bible etc.

1. Some muslims on this forum and many I know personally, insist that they do not try to convert anyone to Islam and that the whole effort is 'unislamic". So when you go to the streets and try to convert people to Islam, what master are you serving? It can’t be Muhammed, who respected Christ and the Holy Scripture.

Actually there are two schools of thought about calling people to Islam. One school say one should be active going out and converting people.

The other school says by being Muslims, it is through your good character, kindness, that people would want to be like you, that will convert people to the religion.

Both methods have a place in Islam. So in certain places in the Islamic world, one method may be preferred or they only use one and consider the other method a baseless.

So both methods are acceptable.

 

[TheSufi]

Why would Allah tell the Christians and Jews of Muhammad’s day to “judge by their book” if the only text they considered scripture, i.e., the Bible, had long before been corrupted?

If Christians and Jews live in an Islamic society, they cannot be judged by Islamic Law in an Islamic court, they have to set up there own courts and judge according to their laws, even if the bible is corrupted.

Why? Don’t know. God said, that should happen, and we believe in it and obey. God says things with a wisdom. I am pretty sure some Islamic could tell you, the wisdom behind it, I just don’t know.

 

[dronald]

I don’t know any off the top of my head. I am moving, so most of my books are in storage.

Okay, well let me know when you get the chance. I do know the only rejected Gospel that came out of the first century is the Gospel of Thomas but it doesn’t fit with the Islamic school of thought. Therefore both Muslims and Christians reject it.

Remember what you said:

Well you seem to have a simplistic way of looking at things. There were several gospels. And the many gospels that existed, only 4 were deemed authentic enough to be considered scripture.

So I’m excited to read your list of rejected Gospels from the 1st century.

That’s your opinion and you are entitled to it. To me it doesn’t matter how late they are, if it is true it is true. What is written in the later Gospel, doesn’t mean it wasn’t said by Jesus, it just means you can’t prove it with the same criteria that you have for the earlier Gospels.

If it’s true it’s true, and if it’s not it’s not. If it was written in the middle of the 2nd century or the middle of the 4th, then it stands to reason that they would be rejected by… Well, everyone. Except Muslims.

Basically, what this verse is referring to, is that Christians should judge by their book. Jews should judge by there book, and Muslims should judge by their book. It doesn’t mean, I have to read and study the Gospel.

Why? Don’t know. God said, that should happen, and we believe in it and obey. God says things with a wisdom. I am pretty sure some Islamic could tell you, the wisdom behind it, I just don’t know.

You understand this is a tough question to get an answer to by any Muslim. Most have no idea why God would want Christians to read a corrupt text.

It’s kind of like how God saved Jesus from crucifixion and made it appear that He was crucified. You can see how this started the largest Religion in the world, yet there’s no real reason why Allah did such a thing to confuse billions. The answer to “why” is simply, “we don’t know, but Allah is wise.”

Christians know why Jesus was crucified.

 

[TheSufi]

If it’s true it’s true, and if it’s not it’s not. If it was written in the middle of the 2nd century or the middle of the 4th, then it stands to reason that they would be rejected by… Well, everyone. Except Muslims.

I think I could argue this with any rational person, who wasn’t being dogmatic.

You understand this is a tough question to get an answer to by any Muslim. Most have no idea why God would want Christians to read a corrupt text.

It’s kind of like how God saved Jesus from crucifixion and made it appear that He was crucified. You can see how this started the largest Religion in the world, yet there’s no real reason why Allah did such a thing to confuse billions. The answer to “why” is simply, “we don’t know, but Allah is wise.”

Well, I wouldn’t say God wants them to read the corrupt text, he wants them to read the last revelation the Quran. Because Allah doesn’t want to force Islam on anyone, he allows them to read their corrupt scriptures and to judge by them, giving people a choice. That seems like the wisdom behind it. This is my reflection.

Christians know why Jesus was crucified.

Ok. To me, I don’t get the whole crucifixion thing. It doesn’t fit my view of God. Why does God have to be cruxified in order to forgive people their sins? Can’t God just forgive them, and grant them salvation without crucifixion? Christians make it seem like God had to do this way and this is the only that could forgive His creation of their sins, by letting His creation commit the sin of killing, by killing God? Why would God allow his creation to kill Him, if killing is a sin? I don’t get it.

 

[MartinJordan]

Ok. To me, I don’t get the whole crucifixion thing. It doesn’t fit my view of God. Why does God have to be cruxified in order to forgive people their sins? Can’t God just forgive them, and grant them salvation without crucifixion? Christians make it seem like God had to do this way and this is the only that could forgive His creation of their sins, by letting His creation commit the sin of killing, by killing God? Why would God allow his creation to kill Him, if killing is a sin? I don’t get it.

God’s ways are NOT man’s ways. We have no problem understanding this because we can trace back our beliefs. The sufferings of Christians in the early days attest to the difficulty by others who just can’t make sense of it.

Keep in mind…The Father is NOT the Son, The Son is NOT the Father but only in essence. God the Father wasn’t crucified, but the Son who was sent by the Father took the world’s sin on Himself. God loves his greatest creation Man thus the sacrifice of His Own Son for the Redemption of Man.

Plus I can see how Muslims can find this difficult to grasp: “Be perfect…as your Heavenly Father is perfect” Right? The Sufi?

MJ

 

[TheSufi]

God’s ways are NOT man’s ways. We have no problem understanding this because we can trace back our beliefs. The sufferings of Christians in the early days attest to the difficulty by others who just can’t make sense of it.

Whatever that means…

Keep in mind…The Father is NOT the Son, The Son is NOT the Father but only in essence. God the Father wasn’t crucified, but the Son who was sent by the Father took the world’s sin on Himself. God loves his greatest creation Man thus the sacrifice of His Own Son for the Redemption of Man.

In essence there is no difference, between God the Son and God the Father, they are the same, because they are one. If they are not the same you don’t believe in One God, but three Gods, and thus you do not worship the God of Israel who is One God.

One cannot experience the Son without experiencing the Father, and one cannot experience the Father without Experience the Holy Spirit, because they are One, and that is what I understand about Christian Theology I guess according to the Orthodox church.

So you cannot kill the son unless you kill the father, because they are one, or the sacrifice is null and void. Because according to Catholic theology, the sacrifice has to be equal to that which one sinned against. This is the whole reason why Jesus must die or be sacrificed. So in order for the Son to be equal to God, the Son would have to be God, and there no God but the Father.

If Mike stole $ 5 from a poor man, and John stole $ 5 from a king, according to Catholic theology, the sin against the king is more harmful, and thus the punishment is more severe. This is why God has to become man to offer Himself as a sacrifice for man.

For me, the sin against the poor man is greater because $5 may be 5 meals for the poor, and while $5 for the king, may not even cover 1/5th of his one meal. So the King will able to eat that day, but the poor man may be without food for at least 2 days or 5 days, if he eat one meal a day.

Plus I can see how Muslims can find this difficult to grasp: “Be perfect…as your Heavenly Father is perfect” Right? The Sufi?

MJ

Be you perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect, actually makes sense to me. The reason for crucifixion doesn’t make sense.

 

[dronald]

Ok. To me, I don’t get the whole crucifixion thing. It doesn’t fit my view of God. Why does God have to be cruxified in order to forgive people their sins? Can’t God just forgive them, and grant them salvation without crucifixion? Christians make it seem like God had to do this way and this is the only that could forgive His creation of their sins, by letting His creation commit the sin of killing, by killing God? Why would God allow his creation to kill Him, if killing is a sin? I don’t get it.

You see, the Christian beliefs are cohesive with the old Jewish law. Essentially, God had to die on the cross, because He said that He would.

If you know anything about Judaism you know that the Jews are still awaiting their new covenant:,

31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
32 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to[a] them,**”
declares the Lord.
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”

This new covenant happened at the time of the Messiah:

Mark 2:18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?”

19 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

And

Matthew 5:1717 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

So let’s look at what God said about Jesus:
Isa 9
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

…10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes[c] his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life[d] and be satisfied[e];
by his knowledge[f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,[g]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,[h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power;** all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.**

So basically, Jesus had to die for us because God said that He would.**

 

[dronald]

There is much more I could say TheSufi, and it makes me sad that I can’t explain things in more detail in person to you. Essentially, God want’s only perfection in His kingdom and without perfection one cannot enter His kingdom.

Let’s see what Hebrews says on your question:

10:3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4** It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
**
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—**though they were offered in accordance with the law. **9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”**
17 Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”[c]
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[e] 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,

“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”[f]
38 And,

“But my righteous[g] one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”[h]
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Also

Hebrews 9:11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,** he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands,** that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.**