Could this be the nasorean they refer to when Jesus is called Jesus the Nasorean?
I dont know. It could be. I know the Mandaeans are under terrible persucution from the arabs and they do not hesitate to kill them. I think they have some different beliefs that are different from the bible, but I really have not researched what all there beliefs are or where they originated but it sounds like some form of Christianity.
The passage which states his family questioned his sanity is Mark 3:20 - 21.
Jesus cast out devils. I dont think his friends thought he was mad, they just did not understand how he had the power to do it. I see them as more concerned and shook up than mad. I dont see the word MAD used in the scripture there.
If you have ever seen a devil cast out then you will understand what that is like. It was the scribes that came down and called him Beezlbub, which was the name they used for Satan (the leader of devils). Then Jesus explained How can Satan cast out Satan and divide his own house.
By what you say it sounds that you perceive Jesus to be God.
That teaching came out of Rome in about 390 AD. Everyone here knows I do not believe he is God or the traditional way it has been passed down, but they also know I do not make him anything less than that which the scriptures claim him to be. LORD SAVIOR MESSIAH. REDEEMER FIRSTBORN KING OF KINGS. SON OF THE LIVING GOD. Jesus is the express IMAGE of the invisible God.
It all started right there at Jordan. When someone does not understand what I am trying to say, I stop talking about it. It is deeper than most can understand what I am trying to say, so I stop.
Do you believe in the virgin birth?
Yes I do. God can make a man from dirt and a woman from flesh, he is certainly capable of making a man from the flesh (womb) of a woman. I do not see it the same traditional teaching that has been passed down. I see a different purpose in it than needing that to claim he was without sin or an incarnation of God.
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
John the Baptist had a large following of people. In fact many revered him instead of Jesus. This is found in Acts chapter 19. Paul was in Ephesus and asked some disciples if they had reeived the holy spirit to which they replied no. They had only heard of the baptism by John. Now if you look at a map, the river Jordan where we first hear of John is a log way from Ephasus. This suggests his fame was widespread and that he had a significant following.
John the baptist never rose from the grave. Yes this was almost 4 years after John prepared the way of Jesus. There in Acts Those that were baptised unto Johns baptism were baptised in water AGAIN, in the name of Jesus. So I think this takes priority over Johns baptism.
According to the gospels John baptized for those repenting of sin and for forgiveness. If we take this at face value then Jesus was baptized to repent and ask for forgiveness for sin.
John baptised unto repentance for the remission of sin. Jesus said that baptism was to fulfill all righteousness but John did not understand that and did not want to do it . The way I see it, that baptism was to fulfill all righteousness or Jesus would not have done it. How as Jesus without sin... it was his obedience and life, His love for God and man, and righteousness and hating inqiuity, is what made him the man he was.
Who do you say that Jesus is, Didymus?
Who do you say that Jesus is, Didymus?