A SAINT IN SIN CITY

STEVE SIMON

CHAPTER 14

NARROW IS THE GATE AND DIFFICULT IS THE WAY WHICH LEADS TO LIFE, AND THERE ARE FEW WHO FIND IT. (Matthew 7:14)

“You’re on,” I told Saul Sallie with an eager grin.

He had just suggested that we should sit down and let the Bible verify itself to prove its authenticity. I wasn’t sure if my statement was a challenge, or a desire to learn. Maybe a combination of both. But I dashed out of his front door, jogged to my car, and returned to Saul’s house with my big, brand new, beautiful Bible, complete with tabs to easily find every book. “Okay, chump, show me why you call this compilation of several thousand year old writings, The Word of God.”

Although my words indicated a spirit of doubt, I was actually in the process of becoming a man of faith. This was due to Saul, my friend and baseball teammate. Actually it was primarily due to the Holy Spirit leading me. God’s Spirit simply used Saul as an instrument. For it was Saul’s courageous stand on the Sabbath that got me seeking like never before.

At first I searched history, rather than the Bible. History told me that Constantine was the main culprit that steered most of Christendom from the Sabbath of the Bible to paganism’s venerable day of the sun. From worshipping the God of creation, on the day He blessed and made holy, to worshipping on the day that honors paganism’s sun god. Yes, I know most people do this in ignorance.

Thankfully, the God of the Bible is a patient, loving, merciful God. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). And every verse in Psalm 136 ends with ‘His mercy endures forever.’ Or just look at the life of Jesus and realize He said, “He who has seen Me, has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Then I studied the history of the church after it thought to change times and laws (Daniel 7:25). The Sabbath being both a time and a law. Constantine also made the church of Rome a legal religion. In the centuries that would follow it became known as the dark ages. It persecuted and executed the true Christians that refused to follow their dictates, declaring them to be heretics. Along with the attempted Sabbath change, this persecution was also prophesied in Daniel 7:25.

“You just answered part of it yourself,” Saul smiled pleasantly.

“I did?” I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“This amazing compilation of writings that all harmonize,” he said happily.

“What about the contradictions?”

“If you study the Bible thoroughly and prayerfully, there are no contradictions. Just misinterpretation and misunderstandings.”

“Okay,” I replied a bit skeptically.

  “Sixty six books written on three continents, in three different languages, over a fifteen hundred year period. Written by forty different authors whose background and education varied greatly. Lets look at 2 Timothy 3:16 for starters… Do you want to read it?”

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,” I recited. “And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

I will leave you with what I found to be the most intriguing part of our study. It was the Old Testament prophecy’s that the historical figure of Jesus Christ fulfilled in the New Testament.

1. Predicted: Born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2. Fulfilled: Matthew 2:1

2. Predicted: Born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:4. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:18-23

3. Predicted: David’s lineage. Jeremiah 23:5. Fulfilled: Revelation 22:16

4. Predicted: Target of a murder attempt. Jeremiah 31:15. Fulfilled Matthew 2:16-18

5. Predicted: Betrayed by a friend. Psalm 41:9. Fulfilled John 13:18, 19, 26

6. Predicted: Sold for 30 silver coins. Zechariah 11:12. Fulfilled Matthew 26:14-16

7. Predicted: Crucified. Zechariah 12:10. Fulfilled John 19:16-18, 37

8. Predicted: Lots cast for His clothes. Psalm 22:18. Fulfilled Matthew 27:35

9. Predicted: No bones broken. Psalm 34:20. Fulfilled John 19:31-36

10. Predicted: Buried in a rich man’s tomb. Isaiah 53:9. Fulfilled Matthew 27:57-60

11. Predicted: Year, day, hour of His death. Daniel 9:26, 27; Exodus 12:6 Fulfilled Matthew 27:45-50

12. Predicted: Raised the third day. Hosea 6:2. Fulfilled Acts 10:38-40

If you would like to see our study on the scriptures, or you would like to learn about Bible prophecy, please look up Amazing Facts ministry for books and study guides. Or you could simply look for Amazing Facts or Doug Batchelor on YouTube.

THE END OF PART ONE OF ‘A SAINT IN SIN CITY.’

(Writer’s note: Dear Reader, Thank you for your interest. While I am rebuilding material in my head for a part two of the preceding story, I am going to post one of the three e-books I have written. These are actually available on Amazon. I plan on posting one chapter a week of my first book that is called ‘SPOILED PRODUCE.’ This book was loosely based on my time working at a wholesale produce company in my younger days. Although many of the humorous anecdotes are based on actual events I witnessed, the overall, heartwarming story is a work of fiction. I hope you like it!)