By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

In the last issue of this newsletter, I emphasized the perfection of Jesus – “For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 1:15; 2:9). While the fact that Jesus is fully God is the truth most frequently denied by cults and false teachers, there is also an opposite heresy concerning Jesus. “Docetism” states that Jesus was not a man in reality, but only in appearance. This is similar to so-called “theophanies” where angels appeared in the form of men. Docetism is a denial of the true humanity of Jesus Christ, claiming He is only a spirit being feigning flesh.

Really?!

By Dr. Don Bierle, FaithSearch President

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God…” (Luke 1:35-38).

Jesus is “the image of the invisible God… For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 1:15; 2:9). 

Thanksgiving Anticipates Advent

Thanksgiving may come first in our calendar today, but Christmas gives it its fullest meaning. Therefore, it is appropriate that Christians gathering for Thanksgiving would anticipate celebrating the advent of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Churches and Christian families do so with a centuries-old Christian tradition called the Advent wreath. It consists of a wreath with four candles in a circle around a fifth larger candle in the center. One candle is lit each week of Advent (this year on December 1, 8, 15, and 22), symbolizing the lighted path which leads to the ultimate spiritual light of the world. The birth of the Savior Jesus Christ is represented by the fifth candle, which is lit on Christmas eve.