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The name Jesus or Yahoshua (Hebrew) means "God Saves", or more specifically "Yahweh saves". Yahweh is the Hebrew (see "What's with Jews") rendition of the one true God. The God who was recorded in the Bible as one who existed since the beginning of time. ... Now, one might ask, surely if this is to be true, then this one true God must have persisted at the outset of some of the oldest cultures in the world, no? Well, we know that it's nearly impossible to trace so far back into human history that we can say with absolute certainty, "This is the very origin of this culture, and this is exactly what the people worshipped". Preservation of accurate history over a period of thousands of years is almost humanly impossible. What's impossible for human, however, is not impossible with God. And perhaps this is the reason, according to Christian belief, that God have chosen a race of people (Israel) for himself in order to preserve his word, (the Bible), in order that He may testify to his creation, and his message for mankind through it. Nevertheless, I believe that by looking far enough into some of these cultures, we may be able to piece together and find some significance and consistency between what the people worshipped, and what is described in the Bible as one true God who existed before all mankind. For one thing, I know that the Chinese culture from which I come from worshiped a God called Shang-Di (上帝), long before Buddhism was introduced. This Shang-Di(上帝), described in the history books of China, is translated "Above Sovereign", "Above", or "Lord On High"...Shang-Di is never represented with images or idols in Chinese tradition. (see Wiki). Isn't it ironic these are the same terms used to describe the God as it is recorded in the Bible? Below are a few more examples to help us ponder and ask "Could the Bible really have been true?"

In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy" - Acts 14:16

上帝 (Shang Di) - Lord on High Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan (鄭玄), in one of his works, said: "Shangdi is the parent of all peoples" in his annotations of the Shangshu, he says: "Everyone is a child of Heaven" (凡人皆天之子). The earliest references to Shangdi are found in Oracle Bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty. Shangdi is first mentioned in Chinese Literature in the Five Classics, (五經, pinyin: Wujing) allegedly compiled by Confucius in the 6th century BC. The Wujing was a collection of five books that represented the pinnacle of Chinese culture at that time. The oldest parts of the Wujing were first written around 1000 BC, apparently relying on older texts. All of the five classics include references to Shangdi. (source: Wikipedia)

神州 (Shen Zhou) - Land of God For five thousand years the Chinese have called their native land "Shen Zhou"--the Land of God. Strong traditional and archeological evidence suggests the early Chinese were devoted to one heavenly God. The earliest Chinese recounted their origins through oral storytelling. This history was later documented in books when written language was invented. Within this body of ancient literature, the origin of the Chinese people can be found. There are claims the Chinese people came from 'God.' In Old Testament book of Genesis, we are told 'God' made man to rule over the land and all the creatures in it. From man's rib woman was made. He called her bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. In Arab and Indian tradition, the original man and woman are known as 'Ah Dan' and 'Hao Wa.' In Chinese legends, 'An Deng' and 'Nu Wa.' And in Hebrew, 'Adam' and 'Chavvah.' ...more...

天壇 (Tian Tan) - Altar of Heaven From the earliest eras of Chinese history, Shangdi was officially worshipped through sacrificial rituals...The ruler of China in every Chinese dynasty would perform annual sacrificial rituals to Shangdi at the great Temple of Heaven in the imperial capital. During the ritual a completely healthy bull would be slaughtered and presented as an animal sacrifice to Shangdi. It is important to note that Shangdi is never represented with either images or idols. Instead, in the center building of the Temple of Heaven, in a structure called the "Imperial Vault of Heaven", a "spirit tablet" (神位, or shénwèi) inscribed with the name of god is stored on the throne. That name is "Supreme Sovereign God of Heaven" (皇天上帝, Huangtian Shangdi).


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