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Question:
Is Haile Selassie God or Christ?
Answer:
"Give us the teachings of His Majesty<br />For we no want no devil philosophy." -Bob Marley (1945-1981)<br /><br /><br />TEACHINGS OF HIS MAJESTY<br /><br />Since its inception, Reggae music has been the primary medium for spreading the message of the Rastafari faith worldwide. While there is no set belief system that all rastas share in common, the veneration of Haile Selassie I (Ras Tafari) is one point that all believers of the faith can agree on. Many see Selassie as God on the Throne, others as Christ returned and some view him as the personage of Christ (or Christ in His kingly character). <br /><br />If you consider yourself Rastafarian, the name alone implies that you are a follower of Ras Tafari. And if you truly follow someone, it stands to reason that you would study their teachings, words and actions and make sure that your life aligns with their precepts. The same way that Muslims study the writings of Muhammad, or a Buddhists adhere to the teachings of the Buddha, it only makes sense that a true follower of Haile Selassie would carefully dissect his speeches, interviews and autobiography. Thankfully Selassie left us a plethora of teachings to follow. Here are just a few of his statements of faith... <br /><br />THE BIBLE<br />"We in Ethiopia have one of the oldest versions of the Bible, but however old the version may be, in whatever language it might be written, the Word remains the same, It transcends all boundaries of empires and all conceptions of race. It is eternal... from early childhood I was taught to appreciate the Bible, and my love for it increases with the passage of time... Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumbling before him. He is perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting. But he must realize that the Bible is his refuge and the rallying point for all humanity. In it man will find the solution to his present difficulties and guidance for this future action, and unless he accepts with clear conscience the Bible and its great message, he cannot hope for salvation. For my part I glory in the Bible."-Haile Selassie I (The Bible Speech)<br /><br />RASTAFARIANS<br />"Man cannot worship man."-Haile Selassie I (Interview with Bishop Yesehaq)<br /> <br />"I met certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that 'I am a man,' that 'I am Mortal,' and that 'I would be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or pretending that the human being is emanated from a deity."-Haile Selassie I (Interview with Bill Mc Neil)<br /><br />CHRIST & CHRISTIANITY<br />"With the birth of the Son of God an unprecedented, an unrepeatable, and a long-anticipated phenomenon occurred. He was born in a stable instead of a palace, in a manger instead of a crib. The hearts of the wise men were struck by fear and wonder due to His majestic humbleness. The kings prostrated themselves before Him and worshipped Him. "Peace be to those who have good will." This became the first message. When He sacrificed Himself at Golgotha for the atonement of our sin, He prayed with his last breath for the forgiveness of those who had tortured Him, saying, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Shame on those of us who are Christians and do not follow the way of the Savior of the world, Whose life was filled with kindness, humility, and martyrdom!" -Haile Selassie I (Tradition of Roots Christianity)<br /><br />SIN<br />When Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, from that time on He lived an exemplary life, a life which men everywhere must emulate. This life and the faith which He has taught us assures us of salvation, assures us also of harmony and good life upon earth. Because of the exemplary character of the life of Jesus Christ it is necessary that all men do their maximum in their human efforts to see to it that they approximate as much as they can the good example that has been set by Him.... From time to time we make mistakes. We do commit sins, but even as we do that, deep in our hearts as Christians we know we have a chance of forgiveness from the Almighty. He taught us that all men are equal regardless of sex, their national origin, and tribe. And He also taught us all who seek Him shall find Him. To live in this healthy life, a Christian life, is what makes me follow Jesus Christ." -Haile Selassie I (Interview with Dr. Oswald Hoffman, 1968)<br /><br />SALVATION<br />"I would tell a person who was considering the claim of Christ for the first time that it is necessary to have faith in the Almighty, that it is necessary to have love, and that it is necessary to conduct oneself in a manner that we have been taught to do in the Bible." Haile Selassie I (Interview with Dr. Oswald Hoffman, 1968)<br /><br />"However wise or however mighty a person may be, he is like a ship without a rudder if he is without God. A rudderless ship is at the mercy of the waves and the wind, drifts wherever they take it and if there arises a whirlwind it is smashed against the rocks and becomes as if it has never existed. It is our firm belief that a soul without Christ is bound to meet with no better fate. The love shown by our God to mankind should constrain all of us who are followers and disciples of Christ, to do all in our power to see to it that the message of salvation is carried to those of our fellows who have not had the benefit of hearing the good news." Haile Selassie I (Address to the World Evangelical Congress, 1966)<br /><br />EVANGELISM<br />"The propagation of the Christian Faith among the nations has become a task of paramount importance in this age.... We have labored that the Holy Scriptures and the books left to us by the Church Fathers be multiplied by means of modern printing techniques and be distributed to all.... We have helped and will continue to help the missionaries who are sent from other lands to preach the Gospel to those of our people who have not come to the knowledge of God's saving grace.... [T]his age above all ages is a period in history when it should be our prime duty to preach the Gospel of grace to all our fellow men and women. The love shown in Christ by our God to mankind should constrain all of us who are followers and disciples of Christ to do all in our power to see to it that the Message of Salvation is carried to those of our fellows for whom Christ our Savior was sacrificed but who have not had the benefit of hearing the Good News... Therefore, O Christians, let us arise and, with the spiritual zeal and earnestness which characterized the Apostles and early Christians, let us labor to lead out brothers and sisters to our Savior Jesus Christ, Who only can give life in its fullest sense!"-Haile Selassie I (Address to the World Evangelical Congress, 1966)<br /><br />Haile Selassie was a godly man-but according to his own testimony he was not God. He was a Christian man, but denied being Christ. By his own admission he was a sinner who heavily relied on the grace and forgiveness of his Savior Jesus Christ. Selassie He was an avid Bible reader devout follower Jesus Christ. <br /><br />If you consider yourself a Rastafarian I implore you to follow whom he followed and pray to whom he prayed. For the Bible clearly states that Christ is Lord, and the only One that can save you.<br /><br />"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)<br /><br />"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)<br /><br />"Which He exerted in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church..." (Ephesians 1:20-22) <br /><br />The Bible also states that God loves you. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)<br /><br />The Word of God further declares that you are a sinner and this sin separates you from God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)<br /><br />The punishment that you have earned for the sin you have committed is death and hell, "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). But God loves you so much that He took your place, and died for you. He paid your price as a substitute. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)<br /><br />As sure as the Wages of sin are death, the FREE, yes, I said FREE gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23). You cannot earn this gift, or work to receive it in any way. You need only to receive it and believe in His name.<br /><br /> "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10)<br /><br />TODAY IS THE DAY FOR YOUR SALVATION<br /><br />Do you desire to be saved from the punishment of your sin? Do you wish to have all of your sins forgiven and cleansed? Do you believe in Jesus and wish to make Lord and savior of your life? Do you desire to follow Him for all eternity? If so please pray the following prayer with your heart focused on Jesus:<br /><br />Jesus Christ, I realize that I am a sinner. I thank You Lord for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me of all my sins, and cleanse me of my unrighteousness. I thank You for raising from the dead three days later. In that same way please give me new life. Holy Spirit come inside. Take control of every aspect of my life. Jesus I make You Lord and Savior, help me to follow you all the days of my life. I love You Lord, Amen.<br /><br />If you just prayed this prayer please let us know! We would love to hear from you: info@christafari.com<br />
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