Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Sermon: Man Is a Spirit

Scripture Readings:

Genesis 1:26–27
Genesis 2:7
John 4:23–24
1 Thessalonians 5:23

Introduction

Beloved, today we are going to look at one of the greatest revelations about our true identity: Man is a spirit. When God created us, He made us more than flesh and blood. We are not simply physical beings having spiritual experiences; we are spiritual beings living in a physical body. Understanding this truth will transform how we live, how we worship, and how we walk with God.

1. The Spirit Man Created in Genesis 1

In Genesis 1:26–27, the Bible says:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion…’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Notice here, man is created in the image of God. And John 4:24 tells us, “God is Spirit.” Therefore, if we are created in His image, then first and foremost, we are spirit. This is not about our bodies or our souls—it is about the eternal spirit God placed within us. That spirit is the real “you,” the part of you that can connect directly with God.

God gave this spirit-man dominion over everything He had created—the fish, the birds, the animals, and the earth itself. Spirit comes before flesh. Authority comes from the spirit, not from the body.

2. The Body and Soul Formed in Genesis 2

In Genesis 2:7, the Scripture says:
“Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Here we see the full picture:

Body from the dust (the physical container).
Spirit from the breath of God.
Soul came alive, which is the seat of our mind, emotions, and will.

So man is tripartite—spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23). But your spirit is the core of your being; it is eternal, made in God’s likeness.

3. Worship in Spirit and Truth

Jesus said in John 4:23–24, “The true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Your body may clap, your soul may rejoice, but true worship flows from the spirit. Why? Because only your spirit can directly commune with God, who is Spirit. This is why worship is not about rituals, songs, or places—it is about spirit-to-Spirit connection with the living God.

4. The Spirit Is Not Limited by Time, Space, or Matter

The body is bound by time, space, and physical laws. But your spirit is not. Your spirit will live forever. Even after the body returns to dust, the spirit continues—either in the presence of God or separated from Him.

This is why Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” The spirit man does not age the way the body does, for it is eternal.

This is also why prayer, intercession, and worship transcend physical boundaries. In the Spirit, you can touch heaven while standing on earth. In the Spirit, you can enter the throne room of God without leaving your room.

5. Living as Spirit-Conscious People

If man is a spirit, then we must live spirit-led lives. Too often, people are body-conscious or soul-conscious—they live by feelings, desires, and earthly appetites. But Scripture calls us to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

When you live spirit-conscious:

You will not be dominated by fear, because the spirit is eternal.
You will not be controlled by the flesh, because the spirit rules the body.
You will not be bound by circumstances, because the spirit is greater than time and space.

Conclusion

Man is a spirit, with a soul, living in a body. God created us to have dominion, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and to live beyond the limits of flesh. Beloved, let us rise up and walk in the reality of our true identity. We are not just earthly beings—we are eternal spirits, children of the Most High God.

Call to Action

Renew your mind daily with the Word of God, so your soul aligns with your spirit.
Discipline your body, so it serves the spirit and not the other way around.
Commit yourself to worship and prayer in the Spirit, for that is your true connection to God.

✨ Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for creating us in Your image and breathing into us the breath of life. Help us to live spirit-conscious lives, to walk in the authority You gave us, and to worship You in spirit and truth. May our spirit always lead our soul and body in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scholarly Rebuttal Outline: Trinity and Mary in the Qur’an

1. Qur’anic Claim

Surah al-Ma’idah 5:116 suggests Christians worship a trinity of Allah, Jesus, and Mary.
This forms the basis of the Qur’an’s alleged critique of Christianity.

2. Historical Christian Doctrine

Trinity: One God in three persons — Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Mary: Blessed among women, honored as Theotokos (Mother of God in Christ’s humanity), never divine.
Evidence:
- Nicene Creed (325 A.D.) – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Mary absent.
- Athanasian Creed – Confirms Trinitarian orthodoxy.
- Church Fathers (Irenaeus, Tertullian, Athanasius) – No doctrine of Mary as God.
Conclusion: Qur’anic claim is historically and theologically false.

3. Logical/Theological Analysis

God is truth (Titus 1:2; Numbers 23:19).
If the Qur’an were revelation from God, it could not misrepresent Christian belief.
Qur’an’s misrepresentation = logical impossibility for a true omniscient God.

4. Implications for Islam

Allah in the Qur’an:
- Misrepresents historical and theological facts.
- Demonstrates either ignorance or deception.
Muhammad as prophet:
- Claims false revelation.
- Therefore cannot be a messenger of the true God (Deuteronomy 18:20–22).

5. Scriptural Affirmation of Truth

Bible confirms:
- God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
- God revealed Himself as Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ is the eternal Word and Savior (John 1:1–14).

6. Debate Strategy

Ask the Muslim scholar: “Have any Christians ever taught that Mary is God?”
Cite historical evidence: Church councils, creeds, writings of early Church Fathers.
Expose the logical flaw: Omniscient God would not misrepresent human belief.
Contrast with Scripture: Highlight God’s truthfulness and Christ’s divine revelation.
Conclude firmly: Qur’an misrepresents, Allah cannot be God, Muhammad cannot be true prophet, only Jesus is Savior and God.

7. Optional Closing Question

“If God cannot lie, how can the Qur’an claim Christians worship Mary, when history and theology clearly prove they do not?”

Debate Closing Statement: The False Trinity of the Qur’an

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to close with clarity.

The Qur’an in Surah al-Ma’idah 5:116 accuses Christians of worshiping a Trinity made of Allah, Jesus, and Mary. But let history and theology bear witness: no Christian council, no creed, no Church Father, no denomination has ever taught such a thing.

The true Christian confession has always been: One God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Mary is honored as the mother of Jesus in His humanity, but never as God. To claim otherwise is to misrepresent two thousand years of Christian faith.

Now, here is the problem for Islam: If Allah is truly God, He should know what Christians believe. If the Qur’an is truly revelation, it should represent the Christian doctrine truthfully. But the Qur’an does not. It fabricates a false trinity and puts false words in the mouth of Jesus. That is not divine revelation; that is error.

And if the Qur’an contains error, then Allah is not all-knowing, and Muhammad is not a prophet of the true God. By contrast, the Bible tells us that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), His Word is truth (John 17:17), and His revelation is perfect (Psalm 19:7).

Therefore, the conclusion is unavoidable: The Qur’an is false, Muhammad is a false prophet, and Allah is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

But there is good news. The true God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word made flesh, who died for our sins and rose again. He is alive, He reigns, and He saves all who call upon His name.

So I leave you with a challenge:

Follow the book that misrepresents history, or follow the Savior who conquered death.
Trust in a prophet who lied, or trust in the Son of God who is the Truth.

As for me, I will stand with the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — the only true and living God, forever praised.

Thank you.

Sermon: The False Trinity of the Qur’an

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today we expose a great deception that has confused many. The Qur’an, in Surah al-Ma’idah 5:116, accuses Christians of worshiping a trinity of Allah, Jesus, and Mary. It claims that our Lord Jesus told people to take His mother as a deity. Let me say it clearly: this is a lie from the pit of hell!

No Christian in history, no Church Father, no council, no denomination—Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant—has ever declared Mary as God. She is blessed among women, yes; she is the mother of our Lord in His humanity, yes; but she is a servant of God, not part of the Godhead.

The True Trinity

The Bible is clear: One God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus commanded baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Paul blessed the Church with “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Mary’s name is never in this divine formula. The Trinity is eternal, holy, and perfect — and Mary is a created being redeemed by her own Son.

The Qur’an’s Error

Now, if the Qur’an truly came from God, it could not misrepresent the faith of Christians. God is all-knowing. God is truth. God cannot lie.

But the Qur’an does lie. It puts words in the mouth of Jesus that He never spoke. It fabricates a false trinity. And by doing so, it exposes itself as a counterfeit revelation.

This means that Allah, the god of the Qur’an, is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The god of the Qur’an is a deceiver. And Muhammad, who spread this deception, is not a prophet of God but a false prophet—for the Bible says in Deuteronomy 18:20: “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak…that prophet shall die.”

The Call to Truth

Church, the truth remains unshaken:

God the Father — the Creator of heaven and earth.
God the Son — Jesus Christ, eternal Word made flesh, our Savior and Redeemer.
God the Holy Spirit — the Comforter, our Guide, our Seal of salvation.

This is the holy Trinity, the true God, revealed in Scripture, worshiped by the Church, and confessed by the saints throughout the ages.

Therefore, let us boldly proclaim: The Qur’an is false. Muhammad is not a prophet. And Allah is not the true God. The living God is revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord — the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Conclusion & Proclamation

Brothers and sisters, lift your voices in faith:

We do not worship Mary.
We do not worship a false trinity.
We worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — one God in three persons, blessed forever.

Let the world hear it: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4), and that one Lord has revealed Himself fully in Jesus Christ.

Amen and Amen!

The Misrepresentation of the Trinity in the Qur’an

The Misrepresentation of the Trinity in the Qur’an:

A Theological Refutation of the Claim that Mary is Part of the Godhead

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

One of the most startling and historically inaccurate assertions in the Qur’an is its depiction of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. In Surah al-Ma’idah 5:116, the Qur’an records Allah as allegedly questioning Jesus:

“And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’”

This verse implies that Christians worship a triad consisting of Allah, Jesus, and Mary. The theological problem with this portrayal is obvious: at no point in the two millennia of Christian doctrine—whether in Scripture, Patristics, Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant theology—has Mary ever been considered a member of the Trinity. This Qur’anic statement is not only a misrepresentation of Christian faith but also evidence that the Qur’an is not divine revelation. A true God would not misrepresent the faith of His people.

The Christian Doctrine of the Trinity

Christianity has always confessed one God in three co-eternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (cf. Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). From the Nicene Creed of 325 A.D. to the Athanasian Creed, this Trinitarian confession has been universally held. Mary, while venerated as the Theotokos (“Mother of God” in the sense of giving birth to Christ in His humanity), has never been elevated to divine status within orthodox Christianity.

Even in the highest forms of Marian devotion within Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, Mary remains a creature, a servant of God, and never a deity. To suggest otherwise is to invent a caricature of Christian theology.

The Qur’an’s Error

The Qur’an’s reference to Mary as a member of the divine triad demonstrates either:

A profound misunderstanding of Christian doctrine on Muhammad’s part.
A deliberate distortion intended to ridicule Christian belief.

Both options disqualify the Qur’an as divine revelation. For if Allah were truly omniscient, He would not misrepresent what Christians believed. This is a theological impossibility—God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Numbers 23:19).

Thus, if the Qur’an asserts that Christians worship Mary as part of the Godhead, when no Christian sect in history has ever held such a belief, then the Qur’an has borne false witness. This exposes both the Qur’an and Muhammad as unreliable and false.

Patristic and Historical Witness

The writings of the early Church Fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, Tertullian, Athanasius, Augustine) consistently articulate the Trinitarian doctrine. The Cappadocian Fathers (Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Nazianzen) refined Trinitarian theology, distinguishing between essence (ousia) and persons (hypostases). At no point is Mary included.

Even apocryphal and heretical sects never suggested Mary was divine. The Qur’anic accusation is, therefore, not based on history, but on a fabricated polemic.

Theological Consequence: Allah as a False Deity

If the Qur’an misrepresents Christian theology, then Allah—the speaker of the Qur’an—is a deceiver. The Bible clearly teaches that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Therefore, the god of the Qur’an cannot be the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but a counterfeit spirit.

If Muhammad proclaimed this distortion as revelation, he stands exposed not as a prophet of God but as a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20–22).

Conclusion

Christians never claimed Mary is part of the Trinity. The Qur’an’s portrayal of Mary as a deity reveals historical ignorance and theological falsehood. Since God cannot err, lie, or misrepresent, the Qur’an cannot be divine. Consequently, Muhammad is not a prophet of the true God, and the Qur’an must be rejected as revelation.

The true Trinity remains: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the eternal God who saves.

📖 References

Holy Bible, ESV.
Nicene Creed (325 A.D.); Athanasian Creed.
Augustine, De Trinitate.
Basil of Caesarea, On the Holy Spirit.
Al-Ma’idah 5:116, The Qur’an.

Apostle Paul vs. Muhammad: Who Stands as the True Messenger?

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba | Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction
Muslims often accuse the Apostle Paul of being a false apostle, a corrupter of Scripture, and even claim he was the one who first called Jesus “God” and established Christianity as we know it today. These are serious allegations that warrant a careful, scriptural response. In this study, we shall weigh the lives, callings, teachings, and spiritual fruit of both Paul and Muhammad by the standards of divine revelation. Who truly stands as a legitimate apostle of God?

1. The Birth and Heritage of Paul and Muhammad

Paul’s Birth and Heritage

Paul declares in Acts 22:3, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia…” Tarsus was a significant city under Roman rule, famous for its intellectual culture and skilled artisans. As such, Paul was born not only into Jewish nobility but was also a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:25-28). Paul traces his lineage to the noble tribe of Benjamin, making him a true descendant of Abraham—the patriarch through whom all nations were to be blessed (Genesis 12:1-4; 22:15-18, Romans 11:1). Paul himself describes his credentials:

“…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee.” (Philippians 3:4-5)

Muhammad’s Birth and Heritage

Muhammad was born in 570 AD in Mecca, in the Arabian Peninsula. The Qur’an (41:44) acknowledges his Arab descent. According to Qur’an 34:44, no scripture or prophetic warning had ever been given to his people before him, meaning both Muhammad and his Arab contemporaries were born into spiritual ignorance, with no revealed book or knowledge of the true God. Islamic tradition records that pre-Islamic Arabs worshipped many idols and even objects such as attractive loaves of bread.

Theological Reflection:
Paul was born into a lineage of God’s covenant people, trained in the knowledge and worship of the one true God. In contrast, Muhammad emerged from a people who had neither knowledge of God nor His revelation.

2. The Education of Paul and Muhammad

Paul’s Education

Paul testifies,

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city [Jerusalem]. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.” (Acts 22:3)

Gamaliel was one of the most respected teachers of Jewish law (Acts 5:34). Paul excelled above his peers in zeal and knowledge (Galatians 1:14) and went on to author thirteen epistles by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 6:11; 2 Peter 3:15-17).

Muhammad’s Education

The Qur’an itself acknowledges that Muhammad was “unlettered” (Qur’an 7:157, 62:2), unable to read or write. Islamic sources confirm that neither Muhammad nor his tribe, the Quraysh, were educated in reading or writing.
His lack of formal knowledge led to teachings that diverge from common sense and sound doctrine, such as the recommendation to use dust for ritual purification (Qur’an 5:6) or the infamous hadith instructing followers to fully submerge a fly in a drink, asserting that one wing carries disease and the other cure (Mishkat al-Masabih, vol. 2, p. 152).

Theological Reflection:
Whereas Paul was equipped with both spiritual and academic formation, Muhammad’s lack of knowledge is not presented in the Qur’an as a sign of humility, but as a limitation—contrary to biblical standards for prophetic leadership (Ezekiel 13:3).

3. The Faith of Paul and Muhammad

Paul’s Faith

Paul was raised as a devout Jew, strictly adhering to the Law and the prophets before his conversion (Galatians 1:13; Acts 26:4-5). Even after his encounter with Christ, he continued teaching from the Law and the Prophets to prove Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 28:23).

Muhammad’s Faith

Before Islam, Muhammad was a pagan among the Quraysh, worshipping the 360 idols of the Kaaba, including the black stone and deities like al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat (Qur’an 53:16-23).

Theological Reflection:
Paul’s faith was rooted in the progressive revelation of the one true God; Muhammad’s was rooted in polytheistic traditions before claiming prophetic status.

4. The Calling to Apostleship

Paul’s Calling

Paul was directly commissioned by the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-8). Christ’s command was later confirmed to Ananias in a vision (Acts 9:11-15), and Paul’s apostleship was validated by his preaching before nations and kings (Galatians 1:17; Acts 9:19-20, 17:16-22, 18:19, 28:16-30; Romans 15:24-28).

Muhammad’s Calling

According to early Islamic biographies, Muhammad received his calling through a mysterious encounter in a cave, where an unknown being (later identified as Gabriel) commanded him to “read.” Terrified, Muhammad returned home trembling and feared he was possessed or bewitched. His wife Khadijah and her cousin Waraqa bin Nawfal reassured him that he was a prophet, essentially bestowing the prophetic title upon him. There is no direct divine commissioning as seen with biblical prophets, and Muhammad himself doubted the nature of his experience.

Theological Reflection:
True prophetic calls in Scripture are direct, clear, and bring assurance, not confusion or terror. God forbids divination and fortune-telling (Deuteronomy 18:10-12), practices that surround Muhammad’s alleged calling.

5. Signs and Miracles

Paul’s Miracles

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11-12)

Muhammad and Miracles

The Qur’an explicitly denies that Muhammad performed miracles, instead claiming that miracles belong to Allah alone and are given at His discretion (Qur’an 29:50). Islamic sources further report that Muhammad was himself afflicted by sorcery (Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).

Theological Reflection:
Biblical prophets are validated by signs and wonders; Muhammad performed none, and even suffered affliction by sorcery—contrary to the pattern of God’s messengers.

6. Reception of Revelations (Visions/Wahy)

Paul

Paul received clear visions and direct messages from the Lord (Acts 16:9-10, 18:9, 26:19).

Muhammad

Muhammad described his experiences of “wahy” (revelation) as physically distressing, often likening them to the ringing of bells, leaving him disoriented (see Islamic sources).

7. The Danger of Rejecting the Apostle Paul

Peter warns,

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters… His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction…” (2 Peter 3:15-18).

Rejecting Paul’s apostleship and gospel is tantamount to rejecting the very foundation of salvation in Christ, bringing condemnation (Romans 2:16).

Conclusion
Those who deny the apostleship of Paul and the gospel he preached are described by Scripture as ignorant, unstable, and doomed to judgment. In every measure—heritage, education, faith, divine calling, miracles, revelation—Paul stands as a true apostle, whereas Muhammad’s claim is undermined by history and theology alike.

Come to Jesus, the true Savior!

Muhammad is found wanting before Paul.
It is all bluster—nothing more.

Shalom.

For further studies, visit Shimba Theological Institute or contact Dr. Maxwell Shimba.

THE DAUGHTERS OF ALLAH

Muslims have often been quick to tell others that God allowed the Bible to be corrupted. What they imply is that the Qur’an today is a trustworthy word of God while the Bible is not. The Bible indeed has many textual variants with minor differences, but evidence of doctrinal corruption is extremely weak. The Qur’an, however, contains far stronger evidence of corruption—according to Ubai, abrogated verses, ‘Uthman’s recension, and other Qur’anic problems. Yet the greatest doctrinal corruption in the Qur’an, introduced by Muslims themselves, is “the daughters of Allah.”

Summary

The Christian website answering-islam.org says:

“One of the most embarrassing incidents in Muhammad’s life occurred when Satan put his words into Muhammad’s mouth. Muhammad spoke Satan’s words as if they were God’s words. This event is documented in writing by several early Muslim authors and is mentioned in both the Hadith and the Qur’an. Later Muslims, ashamed that their self-proclaimed prophet had uttered the words of Satan, denied that this ever happened. Countless excuses and denials were offered by later Muslims to cover over Muhammad’s sinful error.”

It is important to understand that the incident of the “Satanic Verses” was not invented by non-Muslims. It is recorded in the earliest Islamic sources that existed during Muhammad’s lifetime. No one should think this story was fabricated by opponents of Islam. It is an account found directly in the earliest Islamic records.

This remains one of the most controversial subjects in Islam: Satan caused Muhammad to speak his (Satan’s) words as if they were God’s.

What Did the Qur’an Originally Say?

Surah al-Najm (Chapter 53), verses 19–20 says:
“Have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza, and the third one, Manat?”

Allah was already known in Arabia before Islam as a god with three daughters: al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat. (Note: “al-” means “the.”)

Four early biographers of Muhammad wrote that originally these verses were followed by:
“These are the exalted cranes (intercessors) whose prayers are to be hoped for.”

Meaning: The daughters of Allah were thought to be heavenly beings who could intercede on behalf of others. The “lofty cranes” were their metaphor. The alternative wording for “to be hoped for” (turtaja) is “approved and confirmed” (turtada). (From Alfred Guillaume’s translation of The Life of Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq, p. 166.)

Later, this passage was removed and replaced with what we read today:
“What! For you the male, and for Him the female? That, then, is an unfair division.” (Qur’an 53:21–22)

Meaning: Those who believed Allah had three daughters were treating Allah unjustly, since they preferred sons for themselves yet ascribed only daughters to Him.

These are what came to be known as the “Satanic Verses.” In modern times, Salman Rushdie used the phrase only as the title of his fictional novel, but the Qur’an itself refers to the original event. The historical question remains: how can anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, know what the original verses were? The rest of this document presents both direct and indirect evidence that the Satanic Verses were original, alongside nine major Islamic objections and replies.

Evidence that the Satanic Verses Were Original

1. From the Qur’an Itself

Surah al-Hajj (22:52) says:
“We never sent a messenger or prophet before you, but when he desired, Satan threw (words) into his recitation. But Allah abolishes what Satan throws in, then Allah establishes His verses; Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

This verse openly admits that Satan influenced prophets, including Muhammad, by inserting words into their recitation. The verse then claims Allah cancels Satan’s additions. But if Satan could truly inspire Muhammad’s speech, it raises the question: how can one be sure which verses in the Qur’an are from Allah and which were not?

2. From the Hadith

Several Hadith collections, though not included in the later “canonical six,” preserve the incident. Early narrators did not shy away from reporting it. The embarrassment only arose later when Muslims wanted to defend Muhammad’s infallibility (ismah).

3. From Early Biographers

The earliest Islamic historians confirm it:

Ibn Ishaq (d. 768 CE), author of Sirat Rasul Allah, the earliest biography of Muhammad, includes it.
al-Waqidi (d. 822 CE) and his student Ibn Sa’d (d. 844 CE) both mention it.
al-Tabari (d. 923 CE) in his Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (“History of the Prophets and Kings”) also records it.

These are among the most respected authorities in early Islam. Their inclusion shows the story was widely accepted before later Muslims tried to suppress it.

4. From Non-Muslim Sources

Christian and other writers living during Muhammad’s era and shortly after also referred to this event, showing that the story was not just an internal Islamic tradition but something known broadly at the time.

Islamic Objections and Replies

Over time, Muslims who were uncomfortable with the idea of Muhammad speaking Satan’s words raised objections. Here are the main ones, with replies:

Objection: The isnad (chain of narration) is weak.
Reply: Multiple early sources with different isnads preserve the same account. When numerous independent chains exist, weakness in one does not invalidate the whole.
Objection: Allah promised to protect the Qur’an (15:9).
Reply: This verse was likely added later, after the scandal of the Satanic Verses, as a theological correction. Surah 22:52, by contrast, proves that Satan did interfere.
Objection: Prophets are infallible.
Reply: Infallibility (ismah) was a later doctrine. Early Muslims had no problem recording Muhammad’s mistakes — even major ones like this.
Objection: The verses are not in the Qur’an today.
Reply: Precisely because they were removed. The question is not whether they remain, but why early sources unanimously testify they were once there.
Objection: The story insults Muhammad.
Reply: Historical truth is not judged by whether it flatters someone. If multiple early sources — Muslim and non-Muslim — attest to an event, historians must consider it seriously.

More Islamic Objections and Replies

Objection: The wording “exalted cranes” (gharaniq) is strange and un-Qur’anic.
Reply: The Qur’an itself has many unique words. “Gharaniq” was a common Arabic metaphor for high, noble beings like birds soaring in the heavens. It fits the poetic style of Surah 53.
Objection: If Muhammad praised idols, why would Quraysh later persecute him?
Reply: The historical record shows that after Muhammad recited the Satanic Verses, the Quraysh were pleased and even joined him in worship. Only after he retracted and condemned the idols did hostility resume. This sequence explains the otherwise puzzling shift in Quraysh’s attitude.
Objection: The verses contradict Islamic monotheism (tawhid).
Reply: Exactly. That is why they were later removed. But their presence in the earliest sources shows that Muhammad at one point allowed polytheistic compromise, then reversed course.
Objection: Later Muslims unanimously rejected the story.
Reply: This proves the embarrassment, not the falsity. Early Muslims accepted it; later Muslims tried to erase it to protect Muhammad’s reputation. Suppression is not evidence of truth but of shame.
Objection: Satan cannot overpower a prophet.
Reply: The Qur’an itself (22:52) says otherwise — Satan does put words into prophets’ mouths, which Allah then cancels. This verse would make little sense unless such an event had actually occurred.

Theological Significance of “The Daughters of Allah”

The Satanic Verses expose a major doctrinal problem: Muhammad once allowed the worship of Allah’s “daughters” — al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat — as legitimate intercessors. These were not just tribal goddesses; they were revered across Arabia. By affirming them, even briefly, Muhammad compromised the central doctrine of Islam: tawhid (absolute oneness of God).

Later Muslims tried to erase this by:

Removing the verses from the Qur’an.
Replacing them with condemnation of ascribing daughters to Allah.
Developing doctrines of prophetic infallibility.
Reinterpreting history to claim the event never happened.

But the earliest Islamic records remain stubborn evidence that the verses were real.

Conclusion

The story of “the daughters of Allah” — the Satanic Verses — is not a fabrication of Islam’s critics but an event preserved by the earliest Muslim historians, confirmed by the Qur’an (22:52), and remembered even outside Islamic circles. It reveals that Muhammad once spoke words inspired not by God but by Satan, then later reversed himself.

For Christians, this raises an unavoidable question: if Satan could inspire part of the Qur’an, how can any Muslim know which verses are truly from God? By contrast, the Bible has stood the test of history with integrity and transparency, despite minor textual variations, and it never compromises the nature of God.

The incident remains one of the most damaging proofs that the Qur’an is not the infallible word of God but a human book — subject to error, revision, and satanic influence.

Jesus as Lord Jehovah God in Revelation 1:8: An Exegetical and Comparative Study from the Peshitta Holy Bible

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

Abstract

This article explores Revelation 1:8 from the Peshitta Holy Bible translation, which declares: “I am The Alap and The Tau, says THE LORD JEHOVAH God, he who is and has been and is coming, The Almighty.” The passage provides a Christological affirmation of Jesus’ divine identity as Lord Jehovah God. Through exegetical analysis, this paper establishes that it is Jesus Himself who confesses to being Alap and Tau (the Semitic equivalents of Alpha and Omega). Furthermore, it argues that Islam, six centuries later, appropriated and distorted this divine self-revelation of Christ in its Qur’anic discourse of Allah. The conclusion affirms that Jesus, not Allah, is the eternal Lord Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

1. Introduction

The Book of Revelation opens with one of the most profound declarations of divine identity in Christian Scripture. Revelation 1:8 in the Peshitta, the Syriac-Aramaic version of the New Testament widely used in the ancient Eastern Church, attributes to Jesus Christ the titles Alap and Tau—the first and last letters of the Aramaic alphabet, corresponding to the Greek Alpha and Omega. This designation situates Christ as the beginning and end of all existence, thus affirming His ontological equality with God.

The significance of the Peshitta text is particularly important, as it preserves the Semitic idiom closer to the linguistic context of Jesus Himself. Unlike later theological speculations, the Peshitta grounds the confession of Jesus as THE LORD JEHOVAH God firmly in the biblical witness. This study demonstrates that Revelation 1:8 is not a vague theophanic utterance but an explicit Christological claim, distinguishing Jesus as Jehovah God Almighty, and that this divine claim predates and supersedes any later imitation within Islamic theology.

2. Exegetical Analysis of Revelation 1:8 in the Peshitta

The Peshitta text reads:

“ܐܢܐ ܐܠܦ ܘܬܘ ܐܡܪ ܡܪܝܐ ܐܠܗܐ ܗܘ ܕܐܝܬܘܗܝ ܘܗܘܐ ܘܐܬܐ ܐܠܗܐ ܚܝܠܬܢܐ”
(“I am the Alap and the Tau, says THE LORD JEHOVAH God, He who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.”)

Key theological observations:

“Alap and Tau”: These are the first and last letters of the Syriac alphabet, serving as a Semitic parallel to the Greek Alpha and Omega. It implies totality, sovereignty, and eternity. In declaring Himself as both beginning and end, Jesus situates Himself beyond time and space, encompassing the entire created order.
“THE LORD JEHOVAH God”: The Peshitta uses Marya Alaha (ܡܪܝܐ ܐܠܗܐ), an explicit title for the God of Israel. This is not a metaphorical honorific but a direct identification of Jesus with Jehovah—the covenantal God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures.
“He who is, who was, and who is coming”: This phrase resonates with God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14 (Ehyeh asher Ehyeh – “I AM WHO I AM”). It emphasizes the eternal existence and unchanging nature of Christ.
“The Almighty” (Elaha Haylthana): This phrase attributes omnipotence to Jesus, affirming His divine sovereignty over all creation.

Thus, the Peshitta leaves no room for interpreting Revelation 1:8 as referring to a generic deity. The text explicitly attributes these divine qualities to Jesus Christ Himself.

3. Christological Confession: Jesus as the Source, Not the Copy

It is significant that in the New Testament canon, Jesus Himself is the one making this self-declaration. The divine “I am” formula (Ana Alap w-Tau) belongs to Christ alone. Historically, this predates the rise of Islam by six centuries. The Qur’an, however, presents Allah with similar eternalistic claims, e.g., “He is the First and the Last” (Qur’an 57:3). This Qur’anic formulation is clearly derivative, reflecting an attempt to mimic the divine confession of Christ.

While the Qur’an divorces this title from its Christological foundation, Revelation situates it squarely in the person of Jesus. Islam’s Allah, therefore, appropriates divine language already established in Christian Scripture, yet empties it of its Christological substance.

4. Alpha and Omega as Divine Essence

The theological import of Alap and Tau (Alpha and Omega) is not limited to linguistic symbolism. It points to God’s essence as eternal origin and consummation of all things. If these titles define the very essence of deity, then their first articulation in Revelation 1:8 constitutes a divine self-revelation unique to Jesus.

By contrast, Allah in Islam is presented as “The First and the Last,” but this claim appears centuries after the canonical Christian Scriptures, suggesting theological borrowing rather than original revelation. The timing itself demonstrates that Jesus, not Allah, is the eternal Word who discloses the fullness of God’s nature.

5. Theological Implications

For Christology: Revelation 1:8 provides one of the strongest textual proofs of the deity of Christ in the Peshitta tradition. Jesus is not merely the Messiah or prophet but Jehovah God Almighty.
For Apologetics: This verse undercuts Islamic claims that Jesus was only a human messenger. If He is Alap and Tau, He is the eternal God, not a created being.
For Comparative Theology: The Qur’an’s use of eternalistic titles for Allah reveals a pattern of imitation. What was confessed by Jesus in the first century was echoed and reappropriated six centuries later, but without the essential Christological truth.

6. Conclusion

Revelation 1:8 in the Peshitta Holy Bible affirms with clarity that Jesus is THE LORD JEHOVAH God, the Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come. The titles Alap and Tau (Alpha and Omega) reveal His eternal essence as divine origin and end. Historically and theologically, it was Jesus who first made this confession. The later Qur’anic appropriation of similar titles for Allah represents a derivative borrowing rather than divine revelation.

Therefore, the Christian confession remains firm: Jesus Christ is God Almighty, the eternal Lord Jehovah, and not the Allah of Islam.

📌 Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

JESUS IS GOD ALMIGHTY

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba

Introduction

The question of the divinity of Jesus Christ has been central to Christian theology since the apostolic era. While some heretical movements have attempted to reduce Christ to a prophet, moral teacher, or angelic being, the canonical Scriptures consistently affirm His full deity. This article defends the claim that Jesus is God Almighty, drawing on key biblical passages, intertextual analysis, and Strong’s Concordance references to establish a scholarly foundation for this doctrinal truth.

Jesus as the Alpha and Omega

In Revelation 1:8, the Lord declares:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (KJV)

The term Alpha and Omega (Greek: ἄλφα καὶ τὸ ὦ, alpha kai to ō, Strong’s G1 and G5598) is a metaphor for eternity and sovereignty. In the Hebrew Scriptures, Yahweh alone declares Himself the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12). When Jesus later says in Revelation 22:13:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last,”

He is directly identifying Himself with Yahweh, the God of Israel, thereby claiming the title of the Almighty (παντοκράτωρ, pantokratōr, Strong’s G3841).

Jesus as “I AM”

In John 8:58, Jesus declared:

“Before Abraham was, I am.”

Here, He employs the divine name ἐγώ εἰμί (egō eimi, Strong’s G1473 & G1510), echoing God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM” (Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh). The Jewish leaders understood this as a direct claim to deity, which is why they picked up stones to execute Him for blasphemy.

Jesus as Creator and Sustainer

The apostle John identifies Jesus as the Creator in John 1:1–3:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”

The Greek word for “Word” is λόγος (logos, Strong’s G3056), which in Hellenistic and Jewish thought referred to divine reason and wisdom. Paul echoes this in Colossians 1:16–17, where Christ is described as the agent of creation and the one in whom all things consist (συνέστηκεν, synestēken, Strong’s G4921). Only God Almighty has such creative and sustaining power.

Jesus as “The Mighty God” in Prophecy

Isaiah foretold the Messiah’s divine identity:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The Hebrew term for “Mighty God” is אֵל גִּבּוֹר (El Gibbor, Strong’s H410 & H1368), the same title used of Yahweh in Isaiah 10:21. Thus, the prophecy affirms that the child to be born—fulfilled in Jesus Christ—is none other than God Almighty.

Thomas’ Confession of Jesus as God

When Thomas encountered the risen Christ, he declared:

“My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)

The Greek text uses ὁ κύριός μου καὶ ὁ θεός μου (ho kurios mou kai ho theos mou). Thomas does not utter a mere exclamation but makes a direct confession of Jesus’ deity. Jesus does not correct him but blesses his faith, thereby affirming the legitimacy of recognizing Him as God Almighty.

Paul’s Witness to Christ’s Deity

Paul unequivocally affirms the deity of Jesus:

Titus 2:13 calls Him “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Romans 9:5 identifies Him as “God over all, blessed forever.”
Philippians 2:6 states that Jesus existed in the form of God (μορφῇ θεοῦ, morphē theou, Strong’s G3444 & G2316) before taking on human likeness.

Jesus as the Judge of All

Scripture teaches that God alone is Judge (Genesis 18:25; Psalm 75:7). Yet Jesus Himself declares that He will judge all nations (Matthew 25:31–32). John 5:22–23 states:

“The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.”

To honor the Son equally with the Father confirms His identity as God Almighty.

Patristic and Theological Commentary

Early Church Fathers consistently affirmed Christ’s divinity:

Athanasius (4th century) declared, “If Christ were not truly God, He could not bestow divine life upon us.”
Ignatius of Antioch (1st century) referred to Jesus as “our God” in his epistles.

From a systematic perspective, the ontological unity of the Father and the Son is essential for Christian worship and salvation. If Jesus were not God Almighty, worshiping Him would constitute idolatry. Yet Scripture commands worship of Christ (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:12–14).

Conclusion

The testimony of Scripture, affirmed by linguistic analysis and theological tradition, makes it unequivocally clear that Jesus is God Almighty. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the eternal “I AM,” the Creator, Judge, and Savior. The strong concordance of biblical terms—from El Gibbor in Hebrew to Pantokratōr in Greek—confirms that the titles of Yahweh in the Old Testament are applied to Christ in the New Testament. Any denial of His divinity is a departure from apostolic faith.

Therefore, the Christian confession remains unchanged across the ages:
“Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

Spiritual Misinterpretations and Their Consequences: A Theological Reflection on Galatianism, Ceremonialism, and Antinomianism

Spiritual Misinterpretations and Their Consequences:

A Theological Reflection on Galatianism, Ceremonialism, and Antinomianism
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Abstract

This article examines three significant errors of biblical interpretation—Galatianism, Ceremonialism, and Antinomianism—and their detrimental effects on the believer’s spiritual and physical life. These theological distortions, rooted in confusion and propagated by Satanic deception, result in spiritual abuse and a distorted understanding of grace and salvation. Using scriptural exegesis, this paper underscores the centrality of faith in Christ as the sole work required by God and clarifies the believer’s motivation for good works.

Introduction

False interpretations of Scripture, particularly those concerning salvation and sanctification, have led to widespread spiritual abuse within the Christian community. The Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Galatians addresses similar distortions, where believers were pressured to rely on works of the law for justification (Galatians 1:6–9; 3:1–3). Such errors persist today in various forms, notably Galatianism (seeking justification through works), Ceremonialism (placing salvific value on rituals), and Antinomianism (rejecting moral obligation under grace). These deviations from biblical truth enslave believers, producing guilt, confusion, and spiritual trauma.

The Nature of Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse occurs when religious teachings distort the believer’s understanding of God, compelling them to strive for acceptance rather than rest in the finished work of Christ. Victims of spiritual abuse often believe they must “work to please God” or perform religious duties to regain His favor. This mindset fosters either true guilt for forgiven sins or false guilt for imagined offenses, resulting in internalized shame and physical consequences of spiritual distress.

Jesus Himself addressed this works-based mentality:

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” (John 6:28–29, KJV).

Thus, the only “work” God demands for salvation is faith in His Son, not the accumulation of meritorious acts. Good works flow from salvation, not toward it.

Biblical Clarification: Salvation by Grace Through Faith

The New Testament consistently affirms that salvation is an act of divine grace, not human effort. John writes:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17, KJV).

Furthermore, Jesus assures His followers of eternal security:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27–28, KJV).

Believers do not perform good works to earn salvation but because they have already received it. This distinction is vital to prevent spiritual abuse and to cultivate genuine Christian discipleship rooted in love and trust (#LOVE #TRUST).

Perseverance of the Saints

Misinterpretations of passages such as Matthew 24:13—“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”—have also been used to burden believers with insecurity regarding their salvation. Proper exegesis recognizes this verse as a call to perseverance amid tribulation, not a condition for earning salvation. The doctrine of perseverance affirms that those truly saved by grace will indeed endure to the end, not by their own works but by the sustaining power of God.

Conclusion

Confusion in biblical interpretation—whether Galatianism, Ceremonialism, or Antinomianism—is not from God but from Satan, who seeks to distort the believer’s understanding of grace and truth. Such errors create spiritual abuse that “rapes the spirit” and trickles into physical and emotional well-being. The antidote is a return to sound doctrine: salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, with good works flowing naturally from a transformed life. This theological clarity restores believers to freedom, love, and trust in the Shepherd who holds them securely in His hand.