WHO IS JESUS -- GOD OR “a god”?
THE TRIUNE GODHEAD
--A. Ralph Johnson
INTRODUCTION:
|
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
|
|
|
THERE WERE SIX MEN of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see an elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind. |
The First approached the elephant, And, happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the elephant |
|
The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried: “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of an elephant Is very like a spear!” |
The Third approached the animal, And, happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the elephant Is very like a snake!” |
|
The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee: “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain, “quoth he; “`Tis clear enough the elephant Is very like a tree.” |
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E'n the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an elephant Is very like a fan!” |
|
The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the elephant Is very like a rope!” |
|
|
And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! |
So, oft in theologic wars The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an elephant Not one of them has seen! -John Godfrey Saxe |
1Tim. 3:16. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God [1] was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Heb. 11:1. Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.
Rom. 8:24. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopes for that which he sees?
We do not understand magnetism but we believe in it because of evidence it exists. Those who deny there is mystery concerning God are in conflict with what His word says.
Isa. 55:8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (ASV)
Isa. 46:5. To whom will ye like me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Isa. 40:25.
25 To whom then will ye liken me, that I should be equal (to him)? saith the Holy One.
People try rationalize God by comparing Him to things with which they are familiar. Thus they confine him into a box of their own limitations and experiences.
Rom. 11:33.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
Deut. 29:29. There are things God has not revealed.
29 The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
ONE GOD
Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah [#3068] our God [#0430 eloihim --plural] is one [#259 echod] Jehovah [#3068]:
Mark 12:29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord [#2962 kurios] our God [#2319 theos --singular] is one Lord [#2962 kurios] KJV
Non-trinitarians argue that in Mark 12:29 Jesus translated “eloihim” (Deut. 6:4) with “Theos” (singular) and therefore the Hebrew must be singular. This is not grammatically correct. Eloihim is unquestionably plural. The difficulty has to do with Hebrew idiom which, in spite of the plural form, regards God as one. If Jesus had used the plural in Greek, it would have conveyed the idea that He is one of many Gods, which Deut 6:4 specifically rejects. That does not conflict with His plural nature.
Deut. 32:39. See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me
Isa. 43:10. Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Isa. 44:6 Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God….
8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto thee of old, and showed it? and ye are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any.
Isa 45:5 I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me; 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.
21 Declare ye, and bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.
TRIUNE NATURE OF THE GODHEAD
“Trinity” is formed from two Latin words—“tri” (three) and “uno” (one). Simply put, the “Trinity” is three persons in one God --Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mat 28:19).
It is often objected that "Trinity" is not found in the Bible. Many words we use to describe Biblical concepts are not found in our translations of the Bible. ("Incarnation," "theology," "eschatology," "hermeneutics," "omnipresence," "omnipotent," "omniscient," "sovereign" etc.) Nevertheless, the concepts are there. In fact, most of the words we read were not in the original. They are often inadequate descriptions of ideas represented by the original Hebrew and Greek words.
The Trinity is often confused with pagan concepts of a triad of three gods ruling together. The Trinity is one God in three persons.
THE NAME OF GOD IS “JEHOVAH” (Hebrew: "JHV")
Isa 42:8. I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another,
Exodus 3:13-15 13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God ['Elohiym] of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God ['Elohiym] said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM [hayah asher hayah]: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM [hayah] hath sent me unto you.15 And God ['Elohiym] said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah God ['Eloheey] of your fathers, the God ['Elohiym] of Abraham, the God ['Elohiym] of Isaac, and the God ['Elohiym] of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Exodus 6:3 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.
In Jesus (“Jehovah Saves”-Mat 1:21) His name was made known through all the earth.
Philip. 2:12 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3; Gal 3:27)
ONE NAME-- FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT
Matthew 28:19 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
Matthew 28:19
|
Go ye |
therefore, |
teach |
all |
the |
nations, |
baptizing |
them |
into |
the |
|
Poreuthentes |
sun |
mathēteisate |
panta |
ta |
ethnē |
baptizontes |
autous |
eis |
to |
|
name |
of the |
father |
and |
of the |
son |
and |
of the |
holy |
Spirit. |
|
onoma |
tou |
patros |
kai |
tou |
huiou |
kai |
tou |
hagiou |
pneumatos, |
“Name” is singular. There is only one name, but three persons are represented in that name.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
1John. 5:7 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.
Because this is not found in early manuscript most scholars regard this passage as not authentic. However, it is quoted as early as Cyprian, 250 A.D.:
“The Lord says, ‘I and the Father are one; [John 10:30]’ and again it is written of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, “And these three are one.” [1John 5:7] And does any one believe that this unity which thus comes from the divine strength and coheres in celestial sacraments, can be divided in the Church, and can be separated by the parting asunder of opposing wills?” --Treatises, Fragments, #1 “On the Unity of the Church,” 6. Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5.
HOW CAN THREE BE ONE?
The concept of three being one is not really so difficult to comprehend.
2. An egg is composed of shell, white, and yolk -- yet, the whole is one egg.
3. Water has three forms--gas, liquid and ice – yet, each is only a different form of the same substance.
4. Triangles have three corners --- still, the three make one whole.
“One” (Hebrew: “echod,” #259) may indicate unity in plurality.
Gen. 2:24. Two shall be one [echod] flesh.
Ezek. 37:16. Two sticks become one [echod].
Zech. 11:8. One month was composed of 28 days
Num. 12:23. The spies returned with one cluster of grapes.
The problem with such illustrations is that they are not directly addressing the nature of God and they are inadequate to fully picture Him. The triune nature of God is a mystery that we cannot hope to fully understand.
However, there is an excellent scriptural example. Man himself, created in the image of God (Gen 1:26), is three in one --body, soul and Spirit (1Thes 5:23).
Each of these is distinct, having its own independent part of our existence.
-Heb. 4:12. The word of God is able to divide the soul and spirit.
-Luke 1:46, 47. Mary's soul was magnified and her spirit rejoiced.
-Isa. 10:18. There is both a “soul and body”
-Mat. 10:28. “[Men]...kill the body but are not able to kill the soul”
-2Cor 12:2-4. Paul indicates a man might be conscious either in or out of the body.
The independent interactions between the three are evident. The flesh calls for satisfaction. The mind (soul?) reasons about the wisdom of doing so. The spirit (conscience?) urges the issue of right or wrong.
-Isaiah 26:9 9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee earnestly:
-Ephesians 2:3 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind,
Paul describes the resultant struggle:
-Romans 7:15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. 19 For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice. 20 But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
I. GENERAL EVIDENCE OF PLURALITY
Gen 1:26. And God [#430 Elohēm -plural] said, Let us make man in our image
“Us” (God) must include Jesus because Jesus made all things that were made (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb 1:2, 10).
This was said by someone to someone. This cannot have been said to angels. Nowhere are we represented as created by angels or in the image of angels, and Jesus is clearly distinguished from angels.
Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Genesis 1:27 And God [#430 Elohēm -plural] created man in his own image, in the image of God [#430 Elohēm -plural] created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen. 5:1-2; 6:7; Deut. 4:32; Isa. 45:12)
Gen. 3:22. And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil.
Gen 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 8 So Jehovah scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
OBJECTION: This is the “plural of majesty,” as a king who says, “we are not amused.”
ANSWER: The claim is scripturally without foundation in fact. We do not find this as the style of kings in the Bible (Gen. 41:15; Dan 2:3; 6:26; Ezra 1:2; 5:8).
While Elohēm is plural, it may be translated either, depending on context—like in English, “sheep” may be one or a whole flock. Deut. 6:4 says that Elohēm is one. 1Sam. 5:7 speaks of Dagon as Elohēm –translated singular, “god.” However, many times it is translated "gods" (Gen. 3:5; 31:30, 32; 35:2, 4)
1Thes 5:23. We have a “spirit, soul and body” (cf. Heb 4:12)
- These represent three personalities, each distinct from the other, yet all one.
- There is a struggle that goes on within us so that “we are not able to do the things we would” (Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:15-25).
- The flesh and mind have affections and desires (Eph. 2:3).
Like God who is –“Father, son and Holy Spirit” (Mat 28:19), man is “spirit, soul and body.” (1Thes 5:23)
Matt 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
That the Son and Holy Spirit share one divine “name” (singular) with the Father, suggests a relationship that transcends any identity less than God. Since the scriptures teach there is only one God, a triune relationship is the only satisfactory explanation. The more we look at the intertwined relationships between these three, the more the conclusion seems inescapable, so much so that non-Trinitarian groups often deny that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person from the Father, calling Him God’s “active force.”
This triune relationship is several times manifested in the New Testament.
2Cor 13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (ASV)
Gal. 4:6. And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (ASV)
Matt. 3:16 And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;17 and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, (even) the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall bear witness of me:
Rom. 15:30. Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; (ASV)
Rom 8:26, 28, 35. The work of all three is covered through this whole chapter.
Colossians 2:6-9 9 For in him [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead [#2320 theotēos] bodily.
#2320 theotes
¤ from 2316; feminine noun
¤ AV - Godhead 1; 1
¤ 1) deity
1a) the state of being God, Godhead
Compare: Rom. 1:19-20. 20 For the invisible things of him [God] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead [#2305 Theiotēs]; so that they are without excuse: KJV
Godhead (#2305 theiotēs).
¤ from 2304; feminine noun
¤ AV - Godhead 1; 1
¤ 1) divinity, divine nature
John 1:1
|
In |
Beginning |
was |
the |
word |
|
en |
Archi |
hēn |
ho |
logos |
|
and |
The |
word |
was |
with |
(the) |
God |
|
kai |
Ho |
logos |
hēn |
pros |
ton |
theon |
|
and |
God |
was |
the |
word |
|
kai |
Theos |
hēn |
ho |
logos |
OBJECTION: Jesus was a god, not the God. This is indicated by omission of the definite article (ho) before the second “God” in the sentence.
ANSWER:
The first and obvious response is that if the Father is one god and the Son is another, then we worship two gods. This puts us in conflict with scripture that says there is only one God and He only is to be served [Mat 4:10; Ex 34:14].
There is no sound evidence that this is speaking of a second lesser god. In the Greek, there is no distinction between capital letters and lower case. There is no Greek indefinite article (“a”). This omission of the definite article (ho) from before “God” is merely the way of distinguishing between the subject and predicate known as Colwell’s Rule.
The arbitrary and inconsistent nature of the non-Trinitarian claim is revealed by the fact that four more times in the same chapter the definite article “ho” is omitted before theos, and in no case do they translate or view it as meaning a lesser god.
Joh 1:6. There came a man sent from [a ?] God, who’s name was John
|
There came |
a man |
sent |
from |
God, |
|
Egeneto |
anthrōpos |
apestalmenos |
para |
Theon |
Joh 1:12. He gave to them power to become children of [a ?] God.
|
gave he |
to them |
power |
children |
of God |
to become |
|
Edōken |
autois |
exousian |
tekna |
theou |
genesthai |
Joh 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of [a ?] God.
|
nor |
of |
will |
of man, |
but |
from |
God |
born |
|
oude |
ek |
thelēmatos |
andros |
all |
ek |
theou |
egennēthxesan |
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen [a ?] God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
|
God |
No [one] |
has seen |
at any time |
|
theon |
oudeis |
heōraken |
pōrote |
MORE AN-ARTHEROUS SCRIPTURES (without the article before theos)
2Co 5:19 to wit, that [a ?] God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself
|
God |
was |
in |
Christ |
|
theos |
ēn |
en |
christō |
1Thes. 2:5, [a ?] God is witness;
|
God |
[is] |
witness |
|
theos |
|
martus |
1Tim. 2:5 For there is one [a ?] God, and one mediator also between God and men, (himself) man, Christ Jesus,
|
[there is] |
one |
for |
God |
|
|
heis |
gar |
theos |
Matt. 6:24. Ye cannot serve [a ?] God and mammon. (ASV)
2 Cor. 1:21. Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is [a ?] God;
Gal. 6:7. Be not deceived; [a ?] God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Eph. 4:6. one [a ?] God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Phil. 2:13. for it is [a ?] God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
Heb. 3:4. but he that built all things is [a ?] God.
Rev. 21:7. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his [a ?] God, and he shall be my son.
THE WATCH TOWER TRANSLATION OF JOHN. 1:1 RELIES ON PATHETIC AND DEMONIC TRANSLATIONS.
This demonstrates just how weak their case is. If they had better authority they would have cited it.
JOHANNES GREBER claims to have translated by his spirit-medium wife.
(See letter of introduction p.4 of his translation.
(See Watchtower statements at end of this document).
Watchtower. Citations of Greber:
Make Sure, p. 489 (1965)
Watchtower. 9/15/62, p. 554
Watchtower. 10/15/75, p. 640
Watchtower. 4/15/76, p. 231
The Word--Who Is He? (1962) p. 5
Aid to Bible Understanding. p.1669, p.1134
Watchtower statements against Greber:
What do Scriptures Say About Death? --p. 88 1955.
WT 2/15/56 p. 110, 111
WT 4/1/83 p. 31
However, as we see above, after they knew what Greber stood for they continued to cite him for authority.
Watchtower statements against spiritism
Live For Ever (see caption) p. 98 “burned books of spiritism”
WT 9/1/87 p. 5 (right column) Spiritism leads to death
JOHN S. THOMPSON, translated by “some being” who entered his room at night
In his Monotessaron, or The Gospel History, According to the Four Evangelists, 1829, he translated John 1:1 “a god”
He claimed to be directed by “some being” who entered his room at night and directed him to: “in all your writings, be careful to represent Jesus as only the instrument of God in all he does.”
American Quarterly Review, 1830, Vol. 8, pages 227-245.
(see Witnesses of Jehovah by Chretien, p. 169-171)
Cited by W.T.: Blue Kingdom Interlinear, p. 1139, Jn. 1:1, Appendix)
If there is only one God and both the Father and the Son are called God then God must be plural in nature.
OBJECTION:
There is only one supreme God. It does not rule out lesser gods.
ANSWER:
Non-Trinitarians insist that Trinitarians are polytheists because they claim three persons in one godhead. However, if non-Trinitarians believe in two gods, does that not make them polytheists? According to this reasoning, we could have a whole pantheon of gods to which we “do obeisance,” so long as we regard them as lesser than the chief God.
Is. 9:6 (cf. vss, 1, 2, 7). Mighty [#1368 gibbowr] God [#410 `el]
OBJECTION: Jesus is here only called “mighty god,” not “the almighty”
ANSWER:
If he is Mighty God then he is God.
Deut. 10:17 For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, --ASV (cf. Rev. 19:16 )
Hebrew text (word order opposite of English)
|
Lords of |
Lord and |
Gods, of |
God |
|
God your |
Jehovah |
|
haa‘adoniym-- |
wa-adōnēy |
haa’lohiym |
Elohēy |
huw’ |
‘elohiykem |
Yahweh |
|
113 |
136 |
430 |
430 |
1931 |
430 |
3068 |
|
terrible and |
mighty |
great |
God a |
|
w‘hanowtaa’ |
hagibor |
hagaadol |
haa-‘Eel |
|
3372 |
1368 |
1419 |
410 |
Isa. 10:21, 23, 24. Mighty [#1368] God [#410]
Isa 49:26. all flesh shall know that I Jehovah am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty [#1368] One of Jacob.
Jer. 32:18. the great, the Mighty [#1368] God, Jehovah is his name
Neh. 9:32. Our God, the Great, the Mighty. [#1368]
2. Rev. 22:12-16 Compared With Other Scriptures In Revelation Represents Jesus As The Almighty God.
Comparison of scriptures in Revelation, related to the “alpha and omega,” reveals Jesus as the “one who is coming” the “first and last” the “beginning and the end” -- “the almighty.”
Rev. 22:12. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. …16 I Jesus...
Isa. 44:6 Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God….
The following chart compares passages in Revelation concerning Jesus to those concerning almighty God.
|
JESUS |
Rev. 22:12-13 (cf. vs. 16). |
THE ALMIGHTY |
|
Rev. 1:7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him [Note 1:8]
Rev 2:16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [cf. 1:16; 19:15] Rev 2:25. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. [cf. 2:18] Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. [cf. 3:5; 1:16, 29] Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus
|
Rev. 22:12.
I come quickly;
|
Rev. 1:8. which is to come, the Almighty [Note 1:7]
Rev. 4:8. Lord God Almighty who is and who is coming
|
|
Rev. 1:18. These things saith the Son of God,... 23 I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. |
Rev. 22:12. my reward is with me, To render to each man according as his work is.
|
Jer. 17:10. 10 I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even To give every man According to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. |
|
|
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega,
|
Rev. 1:8. Alpha and Omega The Almighty
Rev. 21:6, 7. Alpha & Omega, I will be his God |
|
Rev 1:17. I am the first [#4413 prōtos] and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead.
Rev 2:8 These things saith the first [#4413 prōtos] and the last, which was dead, and is alive; |
Rev 22:13 first [#4413 prōtos] and last,
|
Isa. 44:6. “first [LXX prōtos] and last ...beside me there is no God” Isa 41:4 I Jehovah, the first, and with the last; I am he. Isa. 48:12-16. “...first and last, My hand laid the foundations of the earth.... I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord [Adonay] GOD [Jehovah], and his Spirit, hath sent me”. [cf. Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:10.] |
|
Rev 3:14. the beginning [#746 archē] of the creation of God; (Cf. #746 often = principalities or rule --Rom. 8:38; Rev. 6:12; Eph. 3:10; Col. 1:16; 2:10; 15; Tit. 3:1; Heb. 6:1; 1Cor. 15:24; Eph. 1:21 |
Rev 22:13 beginning [#746 archē] and the end 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches |
Rev. 21:6, 7 Beginning [#746 archē] and end I will be his God
|
Rev. 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (cf. 1:16; 19:15) KJV
Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (cf. 2:18) KJV
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (cf. 3:5; 1:16, 29)
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. KJV
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (cf. 2:18)
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [cf. Isa. 44:6, 8]
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come [Rev 1:7; 2:16, 20, 25; 3:11; 22:20],
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning [Rev 2:25; 3:14] and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come [Rev 1:7; 2:16, 20, 25; 3:11; 22:20], the Almighty.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning [Rev 3:14] and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life [John 4:10, 13, 14; 6:35; 7:37] freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Isa. 44:6 Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last [Rev 1:17; 2:8]; and besides me there is no God.
Isa. 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called: I am he; I am the first, I also am the last [Rev 1:17; 2:8]. 13 Yea, my hand hath laid the foundation of the earth [Heb 1:2], and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
B. JESUS CALLED “MY GOD” BY THOMAS” WITH APPROVAL
John 20:28. “My Lord and my God”
|
the |
Lord |
of me |
and |
the |
God |
of me |
|
Ho |
kurios |
mou |
kai |
ho |
Theos |
mou |
|
3588 |
2962 |
3450 |
2532 |
3588 |
2316 |
3150 |
Note: Jesus not only did not object to being addressed as “the God,” but pronounced a blessing upon those who believe without seeing.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed (are) they that have not seen, and (yet) have believed. (ASV)
OBJECTION: Did not Jesus deny he was God in Matt. 19:17?
Matt. 19:17. And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.
ANSWER: In response to the intended flattery of calling him “good,” Jesus poses to the man the logical conclusion that he then is God. Jesus was good (John 10:11; Heb. 4:15). If only God is good then Jesus, who is good, is God.
C. “GOD” IN THE WILDERNESS WAS “CHRIST”
1 Cor. 10:9 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Numbers 21:5-6 5 And the people spake against God [#0430 Elohiym], and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
D. JESUS IS “GOD WITH US”
Mat. 1:23. Immanuel which being interpreted is God [ho theos] with us
Mat. 28:20. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Mat. 18:20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
E. GOD (Jesus) PURCHASED THE CHURCH WITH HIS OWN BLOOD
Acts 20:28. Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God [ho theos] which he purchased with his own blood. (cf. Rom 16:16 – Churches of Christ)
Luke 5:21-24 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
OBJECTION: Did not God grant some people to forgive sins?
John 20:23 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
ANSWER: This was fulfilled in the church’s authority to make judgments between disputants and to declare what God revealed to them by inspiration.
Matthew 18:15-19 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven (the kingdom of God about to be set up on earth) and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The sacrifice of Jesus for our sins suggests that He had to be God. The atonement could not have been by the sacrifice of any mere mortal.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
OBJECTION:
John 17:3 Jesus prayed: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
ANSWER:
Here we have the true God set in apposition to false Gods—not in apposition to Jesus being God. It does not deny that Jesus, as the Word, is himself also included in the godhead nor does it intimate that Jesus is a false god. Jesus views the Father from the aspect of humanity and therefore did not assert his divinity.
G. GOD [no article] MANIFEST IN THE FLESH
|
Isa 42:8. I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, ASV |
1Tim. 3:16. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in (the) flesh, justified in (the) Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto (the) Gentiles, believed on in (the)world, received up into glory. KJV
*Other manuscripts have “hos”=”He who..” John 1:14. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. |
H. JESUS WAS IN THE VERY FORM OF GOD
|
|
Phi. 2:6. who, though he was in the form [3444 morphe] of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form [3444 morphe] of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; NRS
|
|
|
Col. 1:15. who is the image [#1504 eikōn] of the invisible God ASV
|
|
Isa. 42:8. I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, ASV |
Heb. 1:3 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint [#5481 charaktēr] of his being NAB
|
|
Isa. 48:11. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. |
Jn. 17:5. And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. |
OBJECTION: Being in the form or image of God does not make him God.
ANSWER: It is inconsistent to deny that being in the “form of God” means he was truly God yet being in the “form of a servant” means he was a servant.
I. JESUS IDENTIFIED WITH THE FATHER
|
Isa. 9:6. Jesus was called “Everlasting Father” (Father of eternity) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ASV
|
Jn. 14:8-11. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Jn. 10:30-38. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. |
J. JESUS AS “THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD” IS TRULY GOD.
Jesus is the “only begotten [monogenes] of the father” (John 1:14) and as such manifests the glory of his Father. He is of the very substance of the father (Heb. 1:3). He “became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He died for our sins and was raised, and ascended to the Father. He is now “in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18). All who do not believe on the only begotten son are condemned (John 3:18).
As a man’s only begotten son is truly man, so God’s only begotten son is truly God. The Jews themselves recognized this when they accused him of blasphemy for calling God his father. (John 10:29-33).
In fact the whole plan of salvation hangs on the incarnation of Christ as God. Without that, God merely created a man to die for mankind. Only by the sacrifice of a part of Himself would the atonement have any real meaning as God's infinite love.
“Only begotten” is a translation of the Greek word, “monogenes” (#3439) indicating an only child (Compare Luke 9:38; 7:12; 8:42 ). It is derived from two words, (#3441) monos = one, or only and [#1096] ginomai = generate, make or born.
John 1:14 “The Word was made [ginomai 1096] flesh.”
Galatians 4:4 “God sent forth his Son, born [ginomai 1096] of a woman, born [ginomai 1096] under the law
K. BOTH JEHOVAH AND JESUS WERE CALLED “LORD OF LORDS”
|
Deuteronomy 10:17 For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.
|
1Tim. 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords |
|
Psalm 47:2 For Jehovah Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth. ASV |
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. KJV
Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. ASV
|
L. JESUS/GOD CREATED ALL THINGS THAT WERE CREATED
No creature, man or angel, could ever satisfy the exalted nature of creator of the universe.
|
Isa. 45:11-12. 11 Thus saith Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask me of the things that are to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command ye me. 12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and all their host have I commanded. Isa. 45:18. For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, God himself that formed the earth and made it, that established it and created it not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there is none else. (ASV)
|
John. 1:3. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. John 1:10 He was in the world and the world was made by him.
Eph. 3:9 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Col. 1:16. for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things consist
(Note: The Watchtower, translates Col. 1:16. “in him were all other things created,” contrary to the Greek.
|
|
Isa. 44:24. I Am Jehovah maker of all things, stretching forth the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone” Gen 1:1 In the beginning God [elohiym-plural] created the heavens and the earth.
|
Heb. 1:2 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in (his) Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; |
|
Psa 45:6 Thy throne, O God, [#430 Elohiym] is for ever and ever: A scepter of equity is the scepter of thy kingdom. ASV Ps. 102:24-27 I said, O my God [#410 'el ], take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations. 5 Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.
|
Heb. 1:8, 10-12 8 but of the Son (he saith,) Thy throne, O God [ho theos] is for ever and ever; And the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of thy kingdom
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail. |
OBJECTION: Jesus was only the agent in the creation. The world was made through [dia] Jesus (John. 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2)
ANSWER:
The world was also made through [dia] God (Rom. 11:36; Heb. 2:10).
OBJECTION: Heb. 1:8 should read, “God is your throne”
ANSWER: The passages being cited from Psalms 45:6 and 102:24-25 indicates he was being addressed as God. This is further confirmed by the fact that Hebrews 1:6 commands the angels to worship him.
Hebrews 1:8 (quoting Psalms 45:6 from the Septuagint)
Thy throne O God is for ever and ever.
|
(The ) |
throne |
of you |
(the) |
God |
unto |
the |
ages |
of the |
ages |
|
Ho |
thronos |
sou |
ho |
Theos |
eis |
ton |
aiōna |
tou |
aiōnos |
|
3588 |
2362 |
4675 |
3588 |
2316 |
1519 |
3588 |
165 |
3588 |
165 |
Psalms 45:6 (45:7 in Hebrew) (Note: Hebrew reads backwards)
Thy throne O God is for ever and ever.
|
ever and |
ever for |
God, |
throne Thy |
|
de`aaw |
maalwo` |
myiholE‘ |
aak’aciK |
|
5703 |
5769 |
430 |
3678 |
OBJECTION: Jesus has a God above him.
Mark 15:34. Jesus prayed, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.”
John 20:17. I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
1 Peter 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
ANSWER:
John 1:14 The Word became flesh--a part of the creation (cf. Rev. 3:14).
Philippians 2:7 He emptied himself and took upon himself the form of a servant. He took the position of a man, and as a man he was inferior to the father like all men. The Father was greater (John 14:28). He prayed to the Father. He did not know the day or hour of his return (Mat. 24:36). He was tempted, without sin (Heb. 4:15). He died (and raised his own body --John 2:19). As such, with regard to his humanity, He recognized the Father as his God. Most of the objections raised concerning the divinity of Jesus are resolved with recognition of this fact.
M. JESUS/GOD IS SPOKEN OF AS “I AM,” INDICATING TIMELESSNESS.
Jn. 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I am.”
|
Before |
Abraham |
was |
I |
am! |
|
prin |
Abraam |
genesthai |
egō |
eimi |
Ex. 3:14. “I am sent you” (Septuagint)
|
I |
am |
the one |
who is |
|
egō |
eimi |
ho |
ōn |
OBJECTION: This says nothing about Jesus being God.
ANSWER:
The concept presented of Jehovah in Exodus 3:13 is the same. “I exist” -- past, present and future. The tense is present. He has no beginning or end. That is the exclusive characteristic of God. If he intended to only say that he existed before Abraham, he would more likely have used the past tense. Making this mean “I was” is an attempt to maintain a theological bias. The parallel is obvious.
OBJECTION: John 8:58 is different from Exodus 3:14. The Septuagint translation adds “ho ōn”-- “who is.” If Jesus were referring to Exodus he would have added these words.
ANSWER: The Hebrew says, “I am who I am.” The Septuagint says, “I am who is” rather than repeating “I Am.” (see below).
Ex. 3:14. In Hebrew (read backwards)
And God said to Moses, I Am that I Am
|
AM I |
that |
AM I |
Moses, |
unto |
God |
said And |
|
HEYa HE‘ |
REHSa ‘ |
HEYaHE‘ |
hehsoM |
-le‘ |
myiholE` |
rem`oyaW |
|
1961 |
834 |
1961 |
4872 |
413 |
430 |
559 |
…I Am sent me unto you.
|
you unto |
me sent |
Am I |
|
mekyēla‘ |
yinachaalash |
HEYaHE‘ |
|
413 |
7971 |
1961 |
However, since Jesus did not repeat the “I am,” he was obviously not intending to quote the passage. The difference is that Exodus identifies him as the God who is, whereas Jesus was stating he existed before Abraham. Nevertheless, the present tense of both statements express the concept of existence without beginning or end. Exodus emphasizes this by having no object in the second sentence – “I Am sent you.” Jesus indicates this by having no object of “eimie.”
Ex. 3:13-14. “I am sent you” (Greek Septuagint translation of Hebrew Old Testament)
Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I am that I am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you. ASV
OBJECTION: “eimi,” is translated, “have been” in John 14:9.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?
ANSWER: The Greek is present tense, “Am I so long a time with you.” However, this passage is different than what Jesus said in John 8:58. In that passage there is no predicate after the non-transitive verb “eime,” and has no personal pronoun, “egō” preceding it. It says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” It is directly addressing time itself. John 14:9 has no personal pronoun, “egō” (I) before it and it has an object, “with you.”
“Jehovah” means “the existing one”
03068 Y@hovah
¤ AV - LORD 6510 times, GOD 4, JEHOVAH 4, variant 1; 6519 times total
¤ Jehovah = “the existing One”
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136
N. JESUS HAD NO BEGINNING OR END (Heb. 7:3).
“…without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.”
Melchizedek was a figure of the Son of God who has no beginning or end. Since the humanity of Jesus had a mother and he physically died, it is clear that this refers to his divine nature.
OBJECTION: Col. 1:15. Jesus is the Firstborn [#4416 prototokos] of all creation.
ANSWER:
Nothing in this verse warrants translating it – “the first one created.” This simply means that through the resurrection he held preeminence over the creation. Jesus being spoken of as part of the creation is no problem. He “became flesh” (John 1:14; Heb 10:5) and thus a part of the creation. As the Word, he was not created.
Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning [archē], the firstborn [prototokos] from the dead; [cf. Rev. 1:5] that in all things he might have the preeminence. [cf. Matt. 28:18 “all power in heaven and on earth”]
The fact that he was “firstborn from the dead” shows “firstborn” does not mean he was the first one created. This is further shown in Hebrews 12:23, which speaks of the “church of the firstborn ones” (plural). This is obviously not speaking of those literally born first. The firstborn in Egypt were saved by God and became His (Num. 3:13; 8:17, 18; Heb. 11:28; 1Cor. 5:7). We are called "firstborn" because we hold that special relationship as God’s own possession.
Gen 41:51-52 Manasseh was Joseph's "firstborn." The Septuagint Greek translates this with the word, "prototokos." However, in Jeremiah 31:9 God calls Ephraim his "firstborn." Thus we have another example where "firstborn" is used in the sense of the one who is special or preeminent—not the first created.
Rom. 8:29. Shows it is not speaking of the first one created. It says we were “foreordained to be conformed to the image of His son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Our being “born again” (John 3:3, 5) does not mean that we are literally created first. We were chosen to hold that position. For Jesus also it is a position rather than a literal birth.
OBJECTION: Jesus was created. Rev. 3:14. Jesus is the beginning [#746 archē] of creation.
ANSWER: As shown above, (Rev. 22:13) Jesus was the source of the creation, not the first thing created. The same word is used in Rev. 21:6-7; 22:13 concerning God (I am the beginning...). Was God created?
The same word is often used of one who is in first position or rules.
“magistrates” (Luke 12:11)
“power” ( Luke 20:20)
“principalities” (Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:4; Col. 1:16; 2:10, 15; Tit. 3:1; Heb. 6:1)
“rule” (1Cor. 15:24) (ASV)
OBJECTION: Prov. 8:22. Wisdom was “formed” in the beginning. 1Cor. 1:24 says Jesus is the wisdom of God.
ANSWER: The context of Proverbs 8:22 is Solomon encouraging his son to seek wisdom--sound thinking--the kind found throughout the book of Proverbs. He uses a form of speech called “personification,” describing something that is not a person, as being like a person.
It is not necessarily speaking of Christ every time the words, “power” or “wisdom” are used any more than of other statements speaking of him as a “door,” “vine,” “lamb” “stone” etc.
James says that if anyone lacks wisdom they should ask of God. Sound thinking comes from God.
Prov. 8:1-3; 9:1-4; 1:20-22 clearly shows this is a personification. It is in the feminine gender, likening wisdom to an attractive woman who his son is being encouraged to seek.
Prov. 1:20-22. Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places; 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse; At the entrance of the gates, In the city, she uttereth her words: 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? (ASV) (Was Jesus doing these things?)
Prov. 8:1-3. 1 Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice? 2 On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth; 3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: (ASV) (Did Jesus do this?)
Prov. 9:1-4. Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; She hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table: 3 She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city: 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,… (ASV)
Is this speaking of Jesus? It is as nonsense to assume that every time the word, “wisdom” is used it is speaking of Jesus.
It is speaking of sound thinking as we perceive it in the world. God gave man understanding. For those who insist that this is speaking of wisdom as Jesus the Word, we may ask, was there ever a time when God had no wisdom?
A. COMPARED PASSAGES, JEHOVAH AND JESUS
|
Isa. 28:16. therefore thus saith the Lord [#136 Adoni] Jehovah [#3069], Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of sure foundation: he that believeth shall not be in haste.
Joel 2:32. Whoever shall call on the name of Jehovah [Septuagint Gr. = “kurios” = Lord] shall be saved |
Rom 10:9. because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus (as) Lord, [#2962 Kurios] and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord [#2962 Kurios] over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13. Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord [#2962 Kurios] shall be saved. |
|
|
1Cor. 1:2. all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ |
|
|
Acts 10: 36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) |
|
Ps. 68:17-18 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the LORD [Jehovah] is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them."
|
Eph 4:8-10, Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things." |
|
Jer. 23:5-6 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, Jehovah our Righteousness." |
|
Isaiah (6:3-10) saw the glory of “Jehovah” = Jesus
|
Isa. 6:1-5. 1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.
|
John 12:36. These things spake Jesus and departed, and did hide himself from them. 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:...
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
|
Isa. 8:13, 14. Jehovah is a stone of stumbling = Jesus
|
Isa. 8:13. Jehovah of hosts, him shall ye sanctify; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
|
1Pet. 2:6. Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone [Christ. Acts 4:10; Eph. 2:20], elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. 7 For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; 8 and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. |
Is. 40:3. Make ready the way of Jehovah (Gr. LXX = Lord) = God = Jesus
|
Isa. 40: 3. The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah [Gr. Septuagint = Lord]; make level in the desert a highway for our God. |
Matt. 3:3. For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. |
Ps. 24:7, 10. Jehovah is Lord of glory = Jesus
|
Psa 24:7-10. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Yea, lift them up, ye everlasting doors: And the King of glory will come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Selah) |
1Cor. 2:8. which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:
Jam 2:1. My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. ASV |
OBJECTION: Zech. 2:10-11. It may be that this speaks of two Jehovah’s.
ANSWER:
Read the passage more carefully from the beginning. These words are from Jehovah, given by angels.
OBJECTION: Ps. 110:1 shows that Jehovah was different than Adoni--Jesus (cf. Acts 2:34).
Acts 2:34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, Jehovah [Hebrew: #3068] said unto my Lord [#113 Adoni], Sit thou on my right hand,
ANSWER: The problem here is no different than other passages such as when the father spoke from heaven, the Holy Spirit descended, and the son prayed to the Father. God is manifested in three persons. The Father, Jehovah (‘the one who is”), speaks to the son who has existed in the flesh, to join Him on His throne. It is picturing the divine relationship, not a literal distinction between two gods.
OBJECTION: It has been argued that Adoniy, in the singular, in every other passage is used only of men. The fact that in Psalms 110:1 it is also singular, suggests it does not view him as God. In all other places where speaking of God it is in the plural.
-Gen. 18:30 In this and the following verses it is plural. --Psa 22:31; 130:6; 136:3; Isa. 22:5; 28:2; Jer. 46:10; 50:25; Dan. 9:9; Mal. 1:14
ANSWER: The Messiah is here viewed as human, and thus singular. However, before coming into the world he is spoken of in the plural (Gen. 1:26, 27; 3:22). As the Word, he was a part of the godhead (Acts 17:29; Rom 1:20; Col 2:9) and thus God (John 1:1).
Comparison of Old Testament text with the New Testament
Acts 2:34 Greek and English
|
said |
The |
Lord |
to the |
Lord |
of me |
|
eipen |
ho |
kurious |
tō |
kuriō |
mou |
|
2036 |
3588 |
2962 |
3588 |
2962 |
3450 |
Ps 110:1 Hebrew and English (Hebrew text reads backwards)
|
lord my to |
Jehovah |
Said |
|
la-’Adoniy |
Yahweh |
num |
|
136 |
3068 |
5002 |
1. His name
2424 Iesous
Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”
2. Jesus is called “savior.”Jehovah God says He is the only saviour.
|
Isa 45:21. who hath told it from that time? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides me. KJV Isa 43:11. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no savior. KJV Hos 13:4. Yet I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no savior beside me. |
2Pet 1:1. to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: RSV 2Pet 1:11. for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ASV Titus 3:6. which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; ASV Luke 2:11. for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ASV Phil 3:20. For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (ASV) |
3. Jesus is called both “The Great God” and “savior” in the same passage.
Titus 2:13 awaiting our blessed hope and the glorious appearing
|
Looking for |
that |
blessed |
hope |
and |
appearing |
the |
glorious |
|
prosdechomenoi |
tēn |
makarian |
elpida |
kai |
epifaneian |
tēs |
doxēs |
|
4327 |
3588 |
3107 |
1680 |
2532 |
2015 |
3588 |
1391 |
of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
|
of the |
great |
God |
and |
Saviour |
of us |
Jesus |
Christ |
|
tou |
megalou |
Theou |
kai |
sōthēros |
hemōn |
lēsou |
Christou |
|
3588 |
3173 |
2316 |
2532 |
4990 |
2257 |
2424 |
5547 |
The “great God” is speaking of Jesus
a. The lack of the definite article before “Savior” which is linked to “the great God” by “and” suggests that both nouns refer to the same person. Thus, “The Great” refers to both “God” and “Savior.”
b. In the above passage (Titus 2:13), the “appearing” (2015 epiphaneia) of “the Great God,” is Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing [epiphaneia] and his coming. RSV
1Tim. 6:14. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing [epiphaneia] of our Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
2Tim. 1:10. But is now made manifest by the appearing [epiphaneia] of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (KJV)
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing [epiphaneia] and his kingdom: RSV
2Tim. 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing [epiphaneia]. (KJV)
Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. [#4352 proskunew]
Matt. 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship [#4352 proskuneō] the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
4352 proskuneō
¤ from 4314 and a probable derivative of 2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand; verb
¤ AV - worship 60; 60 times total
¤ 1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence
3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication
3a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank
3a1) to the Jewish high priests
3a2) to God
3a3) to Christ
3a4) to heavenly beings
3a5) to demons
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers [#4353 proskunētēs] shall worship [#4352 proskuneō] the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers [#4352 proskuneō]. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship [#4352 proskuneō] him must worship [#4352 proskuneō] in spirit and truth.)
Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
(Note: Jesus made all things that were made John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb 1:2, 10.)
Such worship was not to be to others than God
Acts 10:25 And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [4352 proskuneō] him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Rev 19:10 And I fell down before his feet to worship [4352 proskuneō] him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship [4352 proskuneō] God…
Rev 22:8 And 1 John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship [4352 proskuneō] before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. 9 And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship [4352 proskuneō] God.
Acts 12:22, 23. Herod died for not giving God the glory
Matt. 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [3000 latreuō].
3000 latreuo
¤ from latris (a hired menial); verb
¤ AV - serve 16, worship 3, do the service 1, worshipper 1; 21 times total
¤ 1) to serve for hire
2) to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen
2a) in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship
2b) to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship
2b1) of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office
Rom. 1:25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and served [4573 sebazomai] the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
4573 sebazomai
¤ middle voice; verb
¤ AV - worship 1; 1 time total
¤ 1) to fear, be afraid
2) to honour religiously, to worship
Col 2:18 Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping [2356 threskia] of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
(Note: If Jesus was the arch-angel, Michael, as some claim, he should not be worshipped)
2356 threskeia feminine noun
¤ AV - religion 3, worshipping 1; 4 times total
¤ 1) religious worship
1a) esp. external, that which consists of ceremonies
1a1) religious discipline, religion
OBJECTION: Rev. 3:9 God makes some to worship at the feet of others.
ANSWER: This does not say God approves the worship of creatures. It may be indicating the place of worship, not the object of worship, or it may be the ignorant response to the terrible consequences of God’s judgements upon them.
John 5:23. that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.
(Do you honor the Son as you honor the Father?)
Heb 1:6 And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship [proskuneō] him. (cf. Psa. 97:7)
Note: The Watchtower “New World Translation” translates proskuneō here as “do obesience.” However, wherever they think it is speaking of God they translate it “worship.” Such arbitrary translations perverts the scriptures. Actually, we are not to even “do obesience” to creatures, but the Watchtower organization plays mind games, to make it appear that this is something less than worship.
Every Knee should bow.
|
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, [#430 Elohiym] and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 Surely, shall one say, in the Jehovah have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. KJV |
Phil 2:10-11. that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (things) in heaven and (things) on earth and (things) under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ASV)
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (KJV) |
2 Pet 3:18. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him (be) the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Rev 5:8-9. The heavenly elders fell down before Jesus
And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood (men) of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation
Rev. 5:13-14. Both the Father and Son are worshipped.
13 And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, (be) the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever. 14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped [proskuneō].
Acts 7:59. Stephen prayed to Jesus.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon (the Lord), and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.: 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
John 14:13. Jesus answers prayer.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.
1 Cor 1:2. The church called upon the name of Christ
unto the church of God which is at Corinth, (even) them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called (to be) saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their (Lord) and ours:
2 Cor 12:8-9. Paul prayed to Jesus
Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for (my) power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
3. WORSHIP OF JESUS WAS ACCEPTED.
John 20:28-29. And Thomas answered and said unto him, the Lord of me and the God of me. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed (are) they that have not seen, and (yet) have believed.
Matt. 8:2. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him [proskuneō], saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Matt 9:18. While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him [proskuneō], saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
Matt 14:33. And they that were in the boat worshipped [proskuneō] him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Matt 15:25. But she came and worshipped him [proskuneō], saying, Lord, help me.
Matt 20:20.. Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping (him) [proskuneō], and asking a certain thing of him.
Matt 28:9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him [proskuneō].
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped (him) [proskuneō]; but some doubted.
Lk. 24:52. And they worshipped him [proskuneō], and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
John 9:38. Blind man
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him [proskuneō]
OBJECTION: The scriptures distinguish the Father as “God” from the Son.
1Cor. 8:6. One God, the Father and one Lord, Jesus Christ.
1Tim. 2:5 For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, (himself) man, Christ Jesus,
ANSWER: These statements do not deny that Jesus is also a part of the godhead any more than the fact that when it says Jesus is “lord” that it denies that the Father is also Lord. From the perspective of the humanity of Jesus, the Father represents the role of God while Jesus represents the role of Lord.
Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him. (John 14:10-11)
Colossians 2:2 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
4. ALL THINGS TO BE DONE IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Col. 3:17. And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Note: There are many scriptures speaking of doing things in the name of Jesus. If the godhead is not triune, why does the scriptures place so much emphasis upon a mere creature and much less on doing things in the name of God?
VI. THE SPIRIT OF GOD, SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND HOLY SPIRIT ARE THE SAME
Rom. 8:9-15
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
1Peter 1:11
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
2 Peter 1:20
21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
OBJECTION: Jesus was Michael the archangel.
ANSWER: The scriptures say no such thing. On the contrary, they show he was not.
Heb. 1:4-5. God never said to an angel, as he said to His son, “This day have I begotten thee.”
Rev. 12:5, 7. Jesus, the Man-child, was not the same as Michael who cast Satan out of heaven.
Col. 2:18. No one is to worship angels, but angels were to worship Jesus (Heb. 1:6)
Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9. When John fell down before the angel he was rebuffed and told to worship God. If Jesus were an angel, why did he not decline worship also?
Jesus did not return to being Michael after his resurrection (Ac. 7:55; 9:5; 1:11; Heb. 13:8; Rev. 22:16). In Ac. 22:8 Jesus said to Paul, “I am Jesus.” However, Michael was still an angel in Revelation 12.
Daniel distinguishes between the vision of Jesus and Michael, who was not “the archangel” but only “one of the chief princes.”
|
Note the distinction in Daniel 10, between Michael (above) and the man in linen, (below), who in Revelation 1:13-15 pictures Jesus.
Dan. 10:5-6. I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: 6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. Dan. 10:13. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:...
Daniel 12:5-7 5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. |
Notice the difference between Jesus (who had the fiery eyes), and Michael.
Rev. 1:13-15. and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. 14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, (white) as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. Rev. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Rev. 12:7 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, |
OBJECTION: Jn. 14:28. Jesus was not equal with God. He said, “My Father is greater than I.”
ANSWER: Jesus emptied himself and took upon himself the form of a servant (Phi. 2:7). With regard to his humanity the Father was greater. Before He emptied himself He was in the form of God (John 17:5).
OBJECTION: 1Cor. 15:28. In the resurrection the Son will be subject to the Father.
ANSWER: No problem with that. His relationship in the Godhead does not prevent him from being a part of the Godhead. Note: Yielding up the kingdom to the father does not exclude him from participating in the kingdom (Luke 1:33; Isa 9:7)
OBJECTION: Mat. 24:36. If Jesus is God, how could he not know things the Father knew?
ANSWER: Ph'p. 2:6-8, Jesus emptied himself.
John 1:1-3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
Note that "in the beginning was the Word" –the Word already existed – it had no beginning (Heb. 7:3).
John 1:9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:14. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the father), full of grace and truth.
John 1:15. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
John 1:30. “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
John 3:13. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 6:62. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
John 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
John 8:58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am. (ASV)
John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (ASV)
1 Cor 10:9 "Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents;" (compared with Num 21:6).
2 Corinthians 8:9 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Ph’p 2:6. who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; NRS
Ephesians 3:9 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Col. 1:16-17. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Heb 1:2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:6. And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Heb 1:10. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Spoken to “the son” verse 8. Compare Psalms 102:25-28)
Rev. 22:12. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (verse 16 “I Jesus”).
Isa. 48:12. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. 13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. 14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? Jehovah hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. 15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. 16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord [Adonay] GOD [Jehovah], and his Spirit, hath sent me.
VIII. THE ONENESS “JESUS ONLY” CLAIM AGAINST THE TRINITY
The Oneness doctrine claims there is only one person—not three. They deny the plural nature of God and insist that if there are three persons this necessarily makes them three Gods. The Arian view contrasts with this by holding that these are distinct persons but denying the divinity of Christ—making him a lesser god.
John 14:23 Jesus himself uses the plural to describe his relationship to the Father.
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The oneness view is vulnerable to the problem of explaining how three—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, can be one. They explain that one person can be at the same time, father, son and husband. However, this flies in the face of many scriptures that indicate there are three distinct persons who talk to each other and some are sent by others.
Matthew 28:19 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
Matt 3:16 The Father spoke from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and sat upon Jesus.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
John 12:27-28 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
John 15:26 Jesus sent the Holy Spirit from the Father.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Gal 4:6 God sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (John 14:26)
John 8:42 The Father sent Jesus
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (cf. Acts 3:26)
John 17:1-5 Jesus prayed to his Father
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
2 John 1:3 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
John 20:17 The Father was God to Jesus
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
1 Peter 1:3 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Mark 15:34 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Psalm 110:1 Jehovah said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Mat 22:4; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet 3:22)
Mark 12:36 36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Ps. 110:1)
Mark 16:19 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Acts 2:34-35 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Acts 7:55-56 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
Mark 13:32 Jesus did not know the day or hour of his return
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
IX. ADDENDA
A. ANTE-NICENE FATHERS ON THE TRINITY
It is often claimed that Constantine was responsible for the doctrine of the Trinity. Actually, long before Constantine, the early church fathers held that Jesus is God.
Athenagoras [175 AD]
Who, then, would not be astonished to hear men who speak of God the Father, and of God the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and who declare both their power in union and their distinction in order, called atheists? --Writings, 10 Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2
Justin Martyr [160 AD]
“And that Christ being Lord, and God the Son of God, and appearing formerly in power as Man, and Angel, and in the glory of fire as at the bush, so also was manifested at the judgment executed on Sodom,…” --Dialogue, 128 Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I.
Clement of Alexandria [195 AD], “This visible appearance cheats death and the devil; for the wealth within, the beauty, is unseen by them. And they rave about the carcass, which they despise as weak, being blind to the wealth within; knowing not what a “treasure in an earthen vessel” we bear, protected as it is by the power of God the Father, and the blood of God the Son, and the dew of the Holy Spirit.”
--“Who Is The Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?” 34. Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol 2
Hippolytus [205 AD]
“Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” And by this He showed, that whosoever omitted any one of these, failed in glorifying God perfectly. For it is through this Trinity that the Father is glorified. For the Father willed, the Son did, the Spirit manifested. The whole Scriptures, then, proclaim this truth.”
--Fragments, “Against the Heresy of One Noetus,” 14. Ante-Nicent Fathers, Vol. 5
Tertullian [212 AD]
“For the very Church itself is, properly and principally, the Spirit Himself, in whom is the Trinity of the One Divinity — Father, Son. and Holy Spirit.”
--“On Modesty” Chap 21 Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 4
Novatian [210-280 AD]
“In what way do they receive Christ as God? For now they cannot deny Him to be God. As God the Father, or as God the Son? If as the Son, why do they deny that the Son of God is God?” --“Concerning the Trinity” Chapter 12, Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 5
Origen [225 AD]
“From all which we learn that the person of the Holy Spirit was of such authority and dignity, that saving baptism was not complete except by the authority of the most excellent Trinity of them all, i.e., by the naming of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and by joining to the unbegotten God the Father, and to His only-begotten Son, the name also of the Holy Spirit.” --De Principis, Book 1, Chap 3, 2 --Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 4
Cyprian [250 AD]
“ ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’ He suggests the Trinity, in whose sacrament the nations were to be baptized.”
--Epistle 72, paragraph 5; Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5
Lactentius [260-330 AD]
“Some one may perhaps ask how, when we say that we worship one God only, we nevertheless assert that there are two, God the Father and God the Son:…
--Book 4, chap 29 –Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 2
Etc.
B. WATCHTOWER NOTES ON JOHN 1:1
1. WATCHTOWER QUOTATIONS OF JOHANNES GREBER TRANSLATION
1955 - It comes as no surprise that one Johannes Greber, a former Catholic clergyman, has become a spiritualist and has published the book entitled “Communication with the Spirit World, Its Laws and Its Purpose.” (1932, Macoy Publishing Company, New York) In its Foreword he makes the typical misstatement: “The most significant spiritualistic book is the Bible; for its principal contents hinge upon the messages of the beyond to those existing in the present.”
- What do the Scriptures Say About “Survival After Death”? 1955, p. 88
- The Watchtower 10/01/1955 p. 603
1956 - Says Johannes Greber “. . . My experiences are related in a book that has appeared in both German and English and bears the title Communication with the Spirit World: Its Laws and Its Purpose. . . .Under this impression Greber endeavors to make his New Testament translation read very spiritualistic. - The Watchtower 02/15/1956 pp. 110, 111
1962 - Similar is the reading by a former Roman Catholic priest: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without it nothing created sprang into existence.” (John 1:1-3) - The New Testament—A New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts, by Johannes Greber (a translation from German into English), edition of 1937, the front cover of this bound translation being stamped with a golden cross. - “The Word” Who Is He? According to John, 1962, p. 5
1962 - Similar is the reading by a former Roman Catholic priest: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without it nothing created sprang into existence.” (John 1:1-3)
The New Testament—A New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest
Manuscripts, by Johannes Greber (a translation from German into
English), edition of 1937, the front cover of this bound translation being
stamped with a golden cross. - The Watchtower 09/15/1962 p. 554
1965 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God; and the Word was a god.”—The New Testament—A New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts (a translation from German into English; 1937), by Johannes Greber. - “Make Sure of All Things Hold Fast To What Is Fine,” 1965, p. 489
1971 – [About John 1:1] A translation by a former Roman Catholic priest, Johannes Greber (1937 ed.) renders the second appearance of the word “god” in the sentence as “a god.” - Aid to Bible Understanding, 1971, p. 1669
1980 - [Watchtower Bible and Tract Society wrote an acknowledgment of the receipt of Greber's The New Testament and Communication With the Spirit World of God.] - See Thus Saith the Governing Body, by Randall Watters, Bethel Ministries, Manhattan Beach, CA, 1982, p. 57 and Dialogue with Jehovah's Witnesses by Duane Magnani and Arthur Barrett, Witness, Inc., Clayton, CA, 1983 p. 62
1981 – [Watchtower Bible and Tract Society wrote to individuals who had asked how to obtain a copy of Greber's The New Testament, telling them they did not know where to obtain one.] - See Thus Saith the Governing Body, by Randall Watters, Bethel Ministries, Manhattan Beach, CA, 1982, p. 58 and Dialogue with Jehovah's Witnesses by Duane Magnani and Arthur Barrett, Witness, Inc., Clayton, CA, 1983 p. 61
1983 - The Watchtower said the foreword to Greber's 1980 ed. shows connection to spiritism - The Watchtower 04/01/1983 p. 31 (Note that they cite the 1980 edition)
2. WATCHTOWER ON THE NEW TESTAMENT, IN AN IMPROVED VERSION
(Full Title: The New Testament, in an Improved Version, Upon the Basis of Archbishop Newcome's New Translation: with a Corrected Text - Unitarian.)
(Archbishop Newcome's New Testament was printed in 1796) The text was altered
by Mr. Thomas Belsham after Newcome's death and reprinted in 1808. Note:
“Unitarian” Check out their belief system. They are a cult and do not agree
with Watchtower theology.
1962 - But most controversial of all is the following reading of John 1:1, 2: “The Word was in the beginning, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This Word was in the beginning with God.” This reading is found in The New Testament in An Improved Version, published in London, England, in 1808.
The title page reads: “The New Testament in An Improved Version, upon the
basis of Archbishop Newcome's New Translation: with a Corrected Text, and Notes
Critical and Explanatory. Published by a Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge and the Practice of Virtue, by the Distribution of
Books.”—Unitarian. - The Watchtower 09/15/1962 p. 554
We cannot claim to be the first to render the sentence in John 1:1, “and the word was a god.” We find an early publication reads that way, namely, The New Testament, in an Improved Version, upon the Basis of Archbishop Newcome's New Translation: with a Corrected Text, printed in London, 1808. It renders John 1:1: “The Word was in the beginning, and the Word was with God, and the word was a god.” - The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, 1969, p. 1160
1808: “and the word was a god.” The New Testament, in an Improved Version, Upon the Basis of Archbishop Newcome's New Translation: with a Corrected Text. - Should You Believe in the Trinity? 1989, p. 27
Benjamin
Wilson (published by WT BIBLE & Tact Society since 1902)
Wilson was not a Greek scholar, and followed John Thomas, false prophet and
Christadelphian founder who denied the trinity.
The history of the Diaglott is interesting. It was prepared by Benjamin Wilson . . .Mr. Wilson was reportedly a Christadelphian. Cristadelphians believe the organized churches are apostate, do not believe in the “trinity," do not believe in the “inherent immortality of the soul” or in “eternal torment”, but hold that eternal death is the punishment awaiting the wicked. . . .today The Emphatic Diaglott is published exclusively by its owners, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. - Consolation 11/08/1944 p. 26 {compare John 1:1 in Wilson's parallel translation in The Emphatic Diaglott}
Yes, at first glance Christadelphianism appears to be of God, but not upon closer examination. . . .all combines to stamp it to be deserving of the Scriptural description: “This scheme and this work is from men.” - The Watchtower 08/01/1962 p. 478
=============================
INDEX
Creation:
Firstborn, not Created. Col. 1:15
Jesus is the beginning of creation. Rev. 3:14 Rev. 3:14
“Wisdom” formed in the beginning Prov. 8:22
Pre-existence
1. Before Abraham, I am John 8:58
2. From everlasting Micah 5:2
3. In the beginning with God, created all things John 1:1-3
4. He came into the world John 1:9
5. Word became flesh John 1:14
6. He was before John John 1:15
7. He was before John John 1:30
8. He came down from heaven John 3:13
9. He ascends up where he was before John 6:62
10. Jesus “came” John 8:14
11. He came from the father into the world John 16:28
12. He had glory with the Father before the world was John 17:5
13. He was rich and became poor 2 Corinthians 8:9
14. He was in the form of God and emptied himself Ph’p 2:6
15. From the beginning of the world all things were created by Jesus Ephesians 3:9
16. By him all things created and he is before all things Col. 1:16-17
17. By whom he made the worlds Heb 1:2
18. Firstbegotten brought into the world. Heb 1:6
19. Jesus in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth Heb 1:10
20. Jesus the Alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end Rev. 22:12
21. Jehovah is the first and last, who laid the foundation of the earth Isa. 48:12
Jesus = “God”
Mystery of God manifest in the flesh 1Tim. 3:16
There is one God Deut. 6:4
Trinity Matthew 28:19
I and the Father are one John 10:30
Three are one 1John. 5:7
Man is triune—body, Soul and Spirit 1Thes 5:23
Soul and Spirit Isaiah 26:9
Flesh and mind Ephesians 2:3
Struggle within Romans 7:15
A. God is Plural
“Let US make man” Gen 1:26
One name –three persons Matt 28:19
Jesus—God—Holy Spirit 2Cor 13:14
God—Spirit—Son Gal. 4:6.
Jesus—Spirit—voice Matt. 3:16
Comforter—Jesus—Father John 15:26
Jesus—Spirit—God Rom. 15:30
B. We Manifest Triune Natures 1Thes 5:23
C. Jesus Is The Fullness Of The Godhead
Fullness godhead bodily Colossians 2:6-9
Eternal power and Godhead Rom. 1:19-20
No article -- “A god”? Joh 1:6 Joh 1:12 Joh 1:13 Joh 1:18
III. JESUS CALLED “GOD”
Jesus called “Almighty” Rev. 22:12-16
Thomas called Jesus “The God of Me” John 20:28
Jesus is “God with us” Mat. 1:23
Jesus/God Purchased The Church With His Own Blood Acts 20:28
Jesus Is The True God [Ho Theos] 1 John 5:20
God [No Article] Manifest In The Flesh 1Tim. 3:16
Jesus Was In The Very Form Of God Phi. 2:6
Jesus Identified With The Father
Jesus As “The Only Begotten Son Of God” Is Truly God.
Both Jehovah And Jesus Were Called “Lord Of Lords”
IV. JEHOVAH = JESUS
As Savior, Jesus Is Jehovah God
1. His name means "Jehovah is salvation"
2. Jesus is called “savior.”Jehovah God says He is the only saviour
3. Jesus is called both “The Great God” and “savior”
3. Worship Of Jesus Was Accepted
4. All Things To Be Done In The Name Of Jesus
VI. THE SPIRIT OF GOD, SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND HOLY SPIRIT ARE THE SAME
VIII. THE ONENESS “JESUS ONLY” CLAIM AGAINST THE TRINITY
IX. Addenda –ANTE-NICENE FATHERS ON THE TRINITY