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Jesus the Son of God (print)by Phillip HayesOriginally published in the "Trumpet Messenger" (No.84), a monthly
publication by World Outreach For Christ, Inc., P.O. Box 350, Pleasant Hill, TN
38578. HTML reproduction by Phil Maxwell and published at the internet
home of ScatteredSheep.com, a ministry of Simple Truth Ministries, Kansas City,
Missouri (USA), and presented here with permission of the author. May be
reproduced for non-profit purposes according to the terms and conditions stated
at www.scatteredsheep.com/copy-it-right.htm. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the Living God. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. [1Timothy 2:5] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, IntroductionThe Lord has shown me that the truth is available to all that will receive it, but we must understand that real Truth is revealed only by the Spirit of God. Many today will ask the question, "Are you in the truth?" "Are they in the truth?" And most will make the statement, "I've got the truth." Or, "Our church preaches the truth." Have you ever heard anyone say....? "We don't have the truth." OR perhaps, "Our church doesn't preach the truth." Of course not! Everyone believes they have the truth: Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, everyone. The Lord has shown me that we all have the truth! Because the Word of God is the Truth, and the only Truth there is. If you have a Bible in hand, you have the Truth! The problem is when men and women take the truth and pervert it, misrepresent it, disbelieve it, or disallow it. The fact remains, we are without excuse. Most everyone can read, and almost everyone that professes Christ also professes to have the Holy Ghost, and Jesus said the Holy Ghost would lead us into ALL TRUTH! Now these are the facts, whether we will receive it or not. Man has twisted and privately interpreted the Word of God instead of simply accepting the Word as THE REVEALED WILL OF GOD. And because men and women have refused to accept the Bible for what it says and clearly reveals, we find Christianity extremely cultist; split into thousands of denominations, organizations and such, each believing all the others are on their way to hell, and that they are the only ones that are saved. This article deals with a subject of great importance: "What did the Apostles preach concerning salvation through Jesus Christ?" Today, among believers we hear much about who Jesus is. We here terms such as "Trinity," "Oneness," "Twoness," "Jesus Only," and so on. Did the Apostles preach any of these doctrines, and if so, which one did they preach?! We know that we will be judged by the Apostle's doctrine, and also, we understand that the only place we can find exactly what they preached concerning how to be saved is found in the book of Acts. There should really be no argument as to what their doctrine was, and is concerning Christ and salvation. However, as we look at the arguments among the various groups, we find much division concerning this very subject. How could this possibly be, given the fact, we only have on Bible? And, we all proclaim the belief in ONE GOD!? How can thousands of groups of people confessing the same Lord, reading the same Bible, be so divided over the very Person they have committed their souls to? I believe it is because man continues to interpret what needs NO interpretation! The Bible we all have in hand, IS THE REVEALED TRUTH; it speaks for itself, and means exactly what it says! Now I know this is probably going to offend some of you, but please, hear me out, for God has spoken to me, as He did to Peter; concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. Frankly, the majority of Christians have been following the doctrines and teachings of men. What I am going to show you, with God's help, is the Truth concerning Jesus Christ, that is already REVEALED BY GOD in the written Word of God, which we all have in our possession. Remember, Jesus said, "For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." And the Truth that was revealed by the Father was, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." This is the true revelation of who Jesus is! Part 1Not long ago, the Lord kept me up all night with this revelation, and spoke over and over these words: "Jesus Christ is the Son of God - Jesus Christ is the Son of God - Jesus Christ IS the Son of God!" He further said, "The Apostles didn't preach a doctrine of Trinity, Oneness, Twoness, or Jesus-Only!" It is evident in Christianity today, that the battle line is drawn between the Trinity proponents and the One God proponents. If you do not believe in the Trinity, you are considered a heretic and antichrist by the Trinitarians. On the other hand, the One God proponents consider the Trinitarians pagans and followers of Catholicism. Neither side believes the other is saved! God has shown me plainly, by the Word, that the modern Apostolic Jesus only doctrine, as well as the Trinitarians, and Two God proponents ARE ALL WRONG in presenting their views, given the fact that the majority of them preach their positions as prerequisites for salvation! Children of God, we have argued, and divided, and even hated one another, over positions that are entirely the doctrines of men! The Lord HAS NOT been on either side of the proponents of this issue! The Oneness and Trinity doctrines are MAN MADE. God never intended for His church to be denominated because of particular doctrines or creeds. Mystery Babylon of Revelations was full of names, but the church was to be united: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." In fact, His will was for all to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and be one people, worshipping God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Although God is not the author of any of these earthly carnal movements, He has many people that are enslaved behind the sectarian walls men have erected in the name of God. Many preachers in the Oneness movement have pointed the finger of accusation at everyone demanding that you must believe that Jesus was Jehovah God incarnated in the flesh, and if you didn't, you were not saved, but on your way to hell. Within the Oneness movement are those that teach that Jesus-Only doctrine. They take it a step beyond Oneness, and flatly declare that the Father and Son were inseparable in flesh and spirit; in other words, Jesus' flesh and spirit was God, that in fact the Son had no soul, will, or thoughts separate from the Father. However, it seems that the modern day Oneness have evolved into this belief that God is a Spirit, and that the flesh of Jesus was no more than a body that God emanated from. Today, the majority within the ranks of Oneness and majority within the ranks of Oneness and Jesus-Only organizations deny that Jesus Christ was a living, breathing, human being with a mind and soul of his own! The Trinity proponents have countered that the Apostolics and Jesus-Only people were antichrist; that they didn't believe in God the Son, and were going to hell. Those in the middle of the issue pretty well believed they were the only ones right, and the Oneness and the Trinity were both on their way to hell. But does any of these positions bring salvation to the lost? Did the Apostles teach these doctrines as qualifications for being saved; or for that matter, staying saved? Did Jesus or the Apostles instruct new converts to preach or teach any of these doctrines? One thing that rings crystal clear when studying the scriptures about this subject, the word incarnation or incarnate is not in the Bible. We do not find that God was incarnated in the flesh! We do find these words: "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." (1Timothy 3:16) (Emphasis mine). Another plain scripture concerning this relationship between God and Christ is : "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." [2Corinthians 5:19] Without question, the overall view of the Deity of Christ among all modern day proponents is that Jesus was the INCARNATION of God, rather than the MANIFESTATION of God. Also they do not teach that God was IN Christ! The Oneness and Jesus-Only preach that Christ IS God. The Trinity and Twoness believers preach that Jesus was the beginning as a separate God Person; (God the Father, and God the Son. The Trinity teachers believing also in God the Holy Ghost). All sides however, including the Oneness, believe that Jesus IS the INCARNATE Son of God, or rather that Jesus is God the Son. Let me explain; neither side preaches that Jesus was the Son of the Living God, a MAN born of a virgin by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) of God, and that God was manifested IN Him, and He became the Author of eternal salvation! There is an extreme difference between the words, MANIFEST and INCARNATE! Incarnate, according to Webster's Dictionary: (endowment with a human body; in taking on of human form and nature by Jesus as the Son of God; any person or thing serving as the embodiment of a god or spirit). Manifest on the other hand according to Webster means, (to make clear or evident; to prove; be evidence of, or simply to "show openly"). Now children of God, the scriptures are very plain concerning what I am saying. I believe that we all seek truth! And I believe that you will agree with me that the only Truth is God's Word. Will you let God's Word speak for itself? Are you ready in these last days to be completely restored to the true apostolic doctrines of the Bible? And further, to know the truth, are you willing to lay aside everything that you have been taught concerning the Person of Christ, whether it has been Trinity, Oneness, Twoness, or Jesus only? You see, the Oneness demand the Trinity folks to admit they are wrong, and on the other hand, the Trinity folks demand the same of the Oneness. I ask, will all of you admit you are wrong, if proven wrong by the Word of God?! As the scripture has said, "Let God be true, and every man be a liar." If you will do this, you will see, as I have, that the unity of the faith is truly at hand, and we can unite together in the only message that will save the world! Let's start at the beginning, and I would like to open with the first verse in the Gospel according to Mark, chapter one: THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. [Matthew 1:18-20] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [Luke 1:30-32] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. [Luke 1:35] I am sure everyone is familiar with the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Old Testament prophets had prophesied that a virgin would conceive, and she would birth the Messiah into the world: "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a Son." As the story of His birth unfolds, we find that the Christ was named by the angels of God and proclaimed to be THE SON OF GOD: "That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." In Luke's account, the angel said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee," and the angel went on to say, "That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Thus the miracle of Christ's birth was that His mother had never had relations with a man. The Father of this child was God Himself! How could this be? Simply; the same God that spoke the worlds into existence, created in the womb of Mary an embryo, by the Spoken Word, that grew in the womb as any normal child would, and was born the Son of God! The scripture states plainly that Jesus is the "ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER." The word begotten (#1080) in the Strong's means: bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive. Again, the angel said in Matthew 1:20; "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." The word CONCEIVED here is #1080 in Strong's Concordance, the same as the word BEGOTTEN (#1080) used in every instance in the New Testament where it says, "This day I have begotten thee." See: Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, and Hebrews 5:5. He had no earthly father! Although he was born a normal human being in all respects, His Father was the Spirit from the beginning. There are some who have taught that Jesus was not begotten of God until He was baptized by John. The scriptures however, plainly state the contrary; therefore, this thought has no merit. At Christ's baptism, the Voice that spoke from Heaven simply said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It does not say, "Today, I have begotten you." To make this scripture say anything else is to add to the scripture. And this adding or taking away from the scripture is what has led most folks down the wrong road. Again, the scriptures are plain, and they reveal exactly what God intended they reveal! Jesus was begotten in the beginning by the Holy Ghost, just as the scripture indicates. And if you could possibly believe otherwise; then why did Jesus call God his Father when He was only twelve years old? And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a days journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business? Here is a glimpse of a twelve year old Jesus that astonished the wisest and most learned doctors of divinity of that day, and when questioned by His mother told her that He must be about His Father's business. It was certainly not Joseph's carpenter business that He was concerned with! He knew at that young age that Joseph was not His father. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. [Luke 2:40-52] We see by this last verse that Jesus was NOT born with all wisdom and power, but in fact, GREW as a man in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man. I have heard preachers teach that God ruled the universe while a little baby in Bethlehem! No where does the scriptures teach or imply any such thing! Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli. [Luke 3:21-23] I love how Luke inserted the phrase (as was supposed) in this text! It had been supposed that Jesus was the son of Joseph; when in fact, He was the Son of God! Notice, the scripture doesn't say that Jesus received the Holy ghost, but that the Holy Ghost descended "upon" him. Matthew said, "The Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." Clearly, neither account testified that Jesus received the Holy Ghost at this time. This vision John saw of the Spirit descending like a Dove upon Jesus identified Him as the One John the Baptist was looking for. Here is John's own testimony concerning Jesus' baptism: And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! [John 1:32-36] John bore record that Jesus is the Son of God! Also, please note that John the Baptist is the ONLY person recorded that actually saw the Spirit descending upon Christ, or for that matter, heard the Voice speak to Christ! Clearly, it was God's way of identifying who Jesus was to John. These scriptures are plain as to the record God the Father, and John the Baptist gave of Jesus: "JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD." Our message is declaring just who the Son of man, Jesus Christ is. The question was also poised by Christ Himself to His disciples with a remarkable reply: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [Matthew 16:13-17] The first question Jesus asked was, " Whom do men say that I am?" The second question, and far more important was "Who do you (His disciples) say that I am?" Men do not have the answer to this question, but there is one that does and that One is God! When Jesus asked this question of His disciples, Peter suddenly spoke and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." This answer didn't come from the reasoning of Peter's mind. The answer came by the REVELATION OF THE SPIRIT! Jesus answered Peter with these words, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven." This is the revelation that God has given in His Word, by the Spirit: Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God! I ask you, "What did the Father reveal concerning the Son of man.............?" "THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!" Has the revelation changed? NO! Six short days after this revelation was given, Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him up on a high mountain. While on this mountain, Jesus was transfigured before them, and there appeared Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. The three disciples saw all this! Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. [Matthew 17:4-5] Again, we find God giving witness that Jesus was the Son of God, and that only the Son was to be heard. No longer would God speak by Moses or the Prophets but by His Son Jesus. Jesus preached in Luke 16:16, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." We also find these glorious words in Hebrew 1:1-2: GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 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. What do these scriptures so loudly declare? Without controversy, that Jesus is the Son of God, and that God will only speak by Him! Part 2Look at the Gospel of John a moment: IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. [John 1:1-2] Look closely now. The word "Word" in this test is the Greek work "logos" (Strong's 3056), which means thought, and also, divine expression. Now, a word is a thought expressed! And this thought was made flesh, or expressed in flesh....... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [John 1:14] Again, please look at the witness the scripture is giving! Plainly: "The Word was God and the Word was made flesh, and we beheld his glory AS.....................THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER." How did the Disciples behold Him? As the only Begotten of the Father! Remember our other scripture? "God was in Christ." And then John says the following about the Only Begotten: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. [John 1:18] While in the Gospel of John, let's look a little further and see how John recorded we should believe on Christ. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [John 3:16-18] Here find those words again, "The only begotten." And here we also find the scriptures plainly revealing whom we should believe on and just what we should believe concerning Him. What should we believe to be saved? Simply, that Jesus is the Son of God, and if we will believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God we will not be condemned! John 3:36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Did you know that Jesus Himself did not know everything? But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. [Mark 13:32] Did you know that Jesus said He could do nothing himself? Look at the Record: Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. [John 5:19] I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. [John 5:30-31] "I can of my own self do nothing!" "I seek not my own will!" What is Jesus saying here? Clearly, Jesus is stating, without the Spirit of God that was in Him, He would not be able to do ANYTHING! Also, He is clearly stating here and in many other places that He had His Own will. Further, Jesus stated that He had a witness that was greater than the witness John gave of Him. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. [John 5:36-37] Obviously, if there was not any distinction between the Father and the Son, there would be no witness. The scriptures also plainly declare that God cannot be tempted. But Hebrews 4:15 states, "Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." To further prove that Jesus had His own will; please recall for a moment His experience at the mount of Olives where "In agony He prayed earnestly; and his sweat was as it were drops of blood falling to the ground." His prayer was, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." [See Luke 22:39-44]. Although there are many more scriptures, one more should be sufficient: For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. [John 6:38-40] Not only did Jesus have His own will, He also had a soul! Read on: Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. [Matthew 26:38] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [Acts 2:27, 31, 32] Before we move along, here is one more witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. [John 6:68-69] Dear reader, are you sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, or have you been taught to believe otherwise? Have you been taught that Jesus was His own Father? Or perhaps that He is God the Son, instead of the Son of God? Years ago, a Jesus Only brother that was close to me, and had been a Christian for over twenty years, told me, "No where in the Bible does Jesus ever say He was the Son of God!" Well, I was very young in the Lord at the time and even though the statement did disturb me somewhat, I filed it back in my mind, and thought that I would check it out later. I did, and to my surprise I found the following statements by Jesus: Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. [John 9:35-38] Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him. [John 10:36-38] When Jesus heard [that], he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. [John 11:4] Well, we have thus far heard from God the Father, Jesus Himself, His Disciples, and John the Baptist concerning just Who He is. But did you know that the Devils also testified of Christ's Sonship? Read on......... And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. [Mark 3:11] And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. [Mark 5:7] And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. [Luke 4:41] Nothing could be any clearer than what we have thus far seen recorded in the Bible! From all accounts: His miraculous birth, John the Baptist's witness, the Father's witness, and many others including Christ's own statements concerning who He is, we have to conclude that the Gospel writers clear intent was to prove that JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. Most of us have accepted as fact what the church and ministers have preached for years. I know most of you have heard preachers preach with quite a bit of excitement "how Jesus went down to hell, kicked the gates of hell down, snatched the keys of hell out of the devil's hand, and let the prisoners go free!" I challenge you to find this in the Bible! The devil is NOT in Hell and has NEVER been in Hell! But many times we accept what is said because it sounds good, and seems to be anointed! Well, this is the same concerning our subject! A lot of men and women have preached a lot of doctrine that sounded good, and it seemed to be anointed.....but, when examined in light of the Scriptures they were wrong. Let's look at a few key scriptures used by many to " prove" that Jesus is not the Son of God, but the Father......however, we will look a little closer and see what the scriptures say, and leave out man's interpretation..... My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. I and my Father are one. [John 10:29-30] "I and my Father are one!" Jesus said it! But, does this statement mean that Jesus is saying He is the Father as many claim? Certainly, I can say that my wife and I are one, because Jesus said, "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and, they twain shall be one flesh," but that would not mean that I am my wife! Let's go back to the tenth chapter of John and we will see the scriptures interpret themselves..... I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 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. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou Blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. [John 10:30-38] Now, when you read the entire passage you get a full revelation of what Jesus said. What was His testimony.... "I said, I am the Son of God." "And believe that the Father is in me, and I in him." Clearly, Jesus was not saying He was the Father, but that He was IN Him and He was IN the Father! To further define the type of oneness Jesus was referring to in this passage, I want to show you one more scripture that states boldly that we also are one with the Father IN THE SAME WAY that Jesus and the Father are one! And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. [John 17:11] " AS WE ARE ONE!" Our Lord's prayer was that we should enjoy the SAME oneness with the Father that He enjoyed! It should be conclusive to all that the "I and my Father are one" statement has been used out of context to preach the Godhead. Again, man's interpretation has made the scriptures say something they do not say. Let's look at another set of scriptures used to promote the Jesus Only doctrine: Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 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? [John 14:8-9] Here again we see Jesus stating a glorious truth that has been misused and abused throughout the ages. "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." It is incredible that so many use this statement to preach that Jesus is the Father, and never consider the next four verses! Remember our previous scriptures where we found that Jesus said, "He could of his own self do nothing," and, "the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do, also doeth the Son likewise." Also in John 5:37 Jesus said, "And the Father himself, which sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape." Now, children of God, the scriptures do not contradict themselves! The Apostle John said in 1John 4:12, "No man hath seen God at any time." But Jesus did say, "When you have seen me, you have seen the Father!" The answer....God is A SPIRIT, HE IS INVISIBLE! Colossians 1:15 says, "Who is the image of the invisible God." The man Jesus, a visible person, expressed God the Father fully in the flesh. "For God was manifested in the flesh." And again, Jesus does not leave us guessing concerning His statement, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." The next four verses, (John 14:10-13), defines the statement: 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. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [John 14:10-13] Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of God's children would let the scriptures speak for themselves! Believe me, there would be no confusion! Read John 14:8-13 again. Now in all honesty, how can anyone use those verses to preach that Jesus is the Father? Are they not clearly teaching that Jesus is the Son of God, and the Father was in Him; that it was the Father that was doing the works. Seeing Jesus do the works of God was seeing the Father in action. Let me conclude our examination of the Lord's two statements that have been so misused: ("I and my Father are one," and "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father") with this passage of scripture that states boldly that our Lord's prayer was that every believer would have the SAME glory that the Father had given Him, and that we should all be one in the SAME way as He and the Father are one. Read it carefully: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. [John 17:20-23] It should be noted here that true oneness is not a Godhead doctrine, but rather true oneness is God IN us! The teachings of Jesus concerning His relationship with the Father is His insistence throughout His ministry that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father. He never taught that He was the Father. I should cover one more set of scriptures concerning the Jesus-Only doctrine before we continue. Many use John 8:24, "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." After quoting this verse they will leave out verses 25, 26, 28, and 29 and quote verse 27, "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father." Their interpretation of these two verses put together is clear: "See," they say, "Jesus is saying He is the Father, and if you don't believe that, you will die in your sins." But what about those other verses? Well, one thing we have already learned is that you should never take a verse of scripture out of context to prove a doctrine! Let's look at all those verses together, and I believe you will see an entirely different message that the one that is promoted by the Jesus Only folk. [Verse 24] "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." [Verse 25] "Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning." (We have already studied and found who he said he was...the Son of God). [Verse 26] "I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him." [Verse 27] "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father." (This verse, of course, is following verse 26 where Jesus stated that "he that sent me is true" and "I speak of those things which I have heard of him." After this John wrote, "They understood not that he spake of the Father." No reasonable thinking person would ascribe this statement in verse 27 to what Jesus said back in verse 24!) [Verse 28] "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." [Verse 29] "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do alway those things that please him." (Verse 28 and 29 continues to verify that Jesus did nothing of Himself, that He was taught of the Father, that the Father sent Him, and was with Him.) Isn't it amazing how easily the scriptures are used out of context to prove erroneous teachings?! You don't have to be deceived children! I am showing you how to rightly divide the Word of Truth! After the resurrection, but before Jesus was glorified, He appeared to Mary Magdalene and said these words, "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." [John 20:17] Oh, children of God, how I wish that you could see this marvelous relationship of Jesus and the Father! Because if you could possibly perceive this glorious relationship, you might begin to glimpse what our Lord has truly done for us; for the knowledge of the Son of God will bring you unto a perfect man. Glory! After His ascension to the Father our Lord had this glorious testimony, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Glory to God, the Father has empowered the Son with all authority and power, and He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet............( more about this later) Part 3As you know Jesus sent His disciples into all the world to preach His glorious Gospel. "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." [John 20:21] As they went forth their message was Jesus Christ. As we journey through the Book of Acts and the epistles, you will find as I have found that they did not preach Trinity, Twoness, Oneness or Jesus Only, they preached God was manifested in the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Look at their message, listen to their preaching about Jesus Christ in Acts: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [Acts 2:22] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. [Acts 2:36] This is the Gospel message the Apostles preached in the beginning! Let's continue... Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. [Acts 2:37-39] Why baptism in Jesus' name? Jesus was the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. Giving a lamb as an offering to God goes back to the beginning. The Lamb of God that was to come is perfectly typed in the book of Genesis when Abel (who was the keeper of sheep) brought the firstlings of his flock (a lamb) for the first offering to the Lord ever recorded. And there was the passover lamb in the time of Moses. Always a lamb! All pointing to the Lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world. God had spoken, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." [Hebrews 9:22] Jesus, the Lamb of God shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary to take away the sin of every man, woman, boy, and girl that would ever be born. John said, "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." Praise the Lord. You are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sin! God the Father DID NOT die for you, Jesus died for you! God is a Spirit that cannot die! Let's continue with the Gospel message that the Apostles preached and compare it with the message modern Pentecostals preach today...Remember in the beginning I told you that the Trinity and Oneness proponents each teach that you must believe their doctrines in order to be saved?! Well, the Word of God is going to prove all men liars and god to be true. Are you willing to accept just what the Apostles taught? If you are, then I believe you will have no trouble accepting what I have said and what I am about to show you. Let's go directly to the Word and read together exactly what was taught in the beginning as the prerequisite for one to be saved.....Do you remember in the scriptures where Philip had a tremendous revival in Samaria? While in Samaria, Philip cast out devils, healed the sick, wrought many signs and miracles. Many believed the preaching of Philip and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Later, the Apostles came down from Jerusalem and laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. During this time an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip to go to Gaza. There Philip saw an Ethiopian sitting in a chariot. Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading, and he answered that he could not unless some man helped him. I know you have read this account in Acts chapter 8. Please note that Philip preached the same Gospel as the Apostles. There was no division! An angel of God directed him to the Ethiopian to preach the gospel. Now let's read exactly what Philip preached that this Ethiopian must believe to be saved: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. [Acts 8:35] (His message from Isaiah was Jesus, but who did Philip preach Jesus was?) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [Verse 36] (Now look at that moment... There should be no doubt here, Philip preached water baptism when he preached Jesus to this man). And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. (Believe what dear ones? That Jesus is part of some Trinity? Or perhaps that Jesus is God the Father? No, no! Philip didn't preach any of these doctrines. His Gospel was from Heaven, not man.) And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [Verse 37] Plain and simple! Philip preached to the Ethiopian eunuch that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and further that he must believe this with all thine heart to be baptized! "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" is the confession of faith that will save a man's soul! No other confession will suffice; believing in Trinity, Oneness, or Jesus-Only will never save a man's soul, because none of these are the Apostle's doctrine! What about Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles? What did he preach concerning Jesus Christ? The answer is the same as all the others... And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. [Acts 9:19-20] Let's look at the Apostle Paul's Gospel message to the people of Athens: Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the
Stoicks, encountered him.
And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of
strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive
that in all things ye are too superstitious. And now Paul begins to preach to them about the Godhead and of the man that God has ordained who He will judge the world by... Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans device. THAT MAN is of course our Lord Jesus Christ. And all the others were established in the same doctrine. Read on: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me
and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. The Apostle John wrote, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." [1John 4:15] And again, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" [1John 5:5] This is the message from the beginning! This is the message from the beginning! This is the Apostle's doctrine! Wake up friends, the message is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! There is abundantly more to be found in the scriptures that give clear evidence that you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in order to be saved! Here are just a few more: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [1John 4:3] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that
believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God
gave of his Son. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. [1John 5:20] Praise the Lord! "And we know that the Son of God is come!" The Apostle closes by saying, "This is the true God and eternal life." Jesus is the only ordained place of worship! Because the only place you will find God is in Christ! Therefore, there is no other to worship than Christ, for the fulness of the Godhead is in Him! Our worship must be directed to Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God! The book of Hebrews says this concerning the worship of the Son of God: And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he
saith, And let
all the angels of God worship him. From the beginning of His miraculous birth wise men have sought to worship Him: Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. [Matthew 2:2] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. [Matthew 2:11] After the resurrection, our Lord opened the understanding of the scriptures to the Apostles. After this the scripture says: And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: [Luke 24:52] Matthew recorded the disciples worship of Jesus this way: 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. [Matthew 28:9] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. [Matthew 28:16-17] Before we move along, let me show you one more set of scriptures that should be sufficient proof to anyone that the Father's will is that Jesus is to be worshipped: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:10-11] Friends, there is nothing clearer than the fact that all the Holy Scriptures declare that Jesus Christ is the Son of God! Paul said in Romans, "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" [Romans 1:3-4] What has caused man to stray from this awesome truth? The answer is mans seemingly unquenchable thirst to pervert! For some reason man cannot accept the Word of God as it is stated. They feel they must interpret what needs no interpretation! Man's interpretation of the scriptures has brought all the division! We all have the same Bible, we say we believe in the same God, yet we are divided into thousands perhaps millions of ineffective little groups holding on to our interpretation of the Bible instead of simply believing what it plainly states. The Godhead has probably brought more division than anything else. Yet, when you look at the scriptures supporting the various positions you find that most if not all were taken out of context, as we have previously demonstrated, to prove what they think is right. Now let us approach what the Bible teaches concerning the relationship of Jesus Christ and the Godhead. A large Oneness denomination has a tract entitled, "Is Jesus Christ in the Godhead, or is the Godhead in Him?" An interesting question, and the answer to this question should satisfy all true seekers as to the truth concerning Jesus and the Godhead. I asked a Oneness brother not long ago what did he and his organization believe, is Jesus in the Godhead, or is the Godhead in Him? His answer was, "Oh, we teach that Jesus IS NOT in the Godhead, that the Godhead is IN Him." I said, "then you believe that Jesus is not God, but that God is in Him?" He quickly replied, "Oh no, I believe Jesus is God!" Well, I could see that this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere for it was clear to me that this brother along with countless others have little idea what they believe, let alone how to convey their belief! As I looked at the question on that Oneness tract I realized that they were promoting a thought that they actually didn't believe. For I knew that for the most part many of the Oneness brethren had drifted into the Jesus-Only philosophy, and in fact, did not believe that the godhead was in Jesus but rather that Jesus is the Godhead. But, no matter what anyone believes or teaches, the Word is the FINAL AUTHORITY. So, what does the Bible teach about the Godhead, is it in Christ or is Christ in the Godhead? As we continue our search of the scriptures we will find that there are NO PERSONS in the Godhead! The Truth we shall find that is abundantly clear is that God is a Spirit; (as the wind, breath; invisible), not a person; (physical, presence, countenance, face, outward appearance, substance, a human being). The Apostle Paul made it abundantly clear in his writing just what his beliefs were concerning the Father and the Son. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. [1Corinthians 8:6] There is but one God! "Hear O'Israel, the Lord they God is one Lord." That is the commandment to all generations. Not two God's, or three God's, just One! The Bible teaches us plainly that God was manifested in the flesh, not incarnated, as we have already discussed. Yet, many Oneness believers use that very same scripture to prove their doctrine that Jesus is the Father. Let's look at it again: "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." [1Timothy 3:16] Now there is no question about it, Paul is referring to the manifestation of God in Jesus Christ. But, by no stretch of the imagination could anyone conclude from this scripture that it is saying that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of the Father! 2Corinthians 5:19 says, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." Look at the word "in" for both are saying virtually the same, "God was manifested in the flesh," "God was in Christ reconciling the world." Neither scripture implies an incarnation! Both are teaching the same, God IN Christ! Let's look at another scripture many use to prove their doctrine: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Children of God, nothing could be more simple to understand. The fulness of the Godhead is where? The scripture says, "IN HIM dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." It doesn't say that Jesus is any part of the Godhead! How can He be when there is only one God? Do you know what the word Godhead means? It means, "That which is Divine, the Divinity, the state of being God, GOD." It simply means God! This scripture does not say that Jesus is the Father! It says the same as every scripture you will find pertaining to our subject that God the Father was in Christ! Remember when we discussed Jesus' statement, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father?" Lets look at how the Apostle Paul no doubt alluded to this revelation. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son: As we have concluded, God is an invisible Spirit, but Christ was a man, born of a virgin, in whom the Father was fully manifested. This scripture further states that Jesus was the firstborn of every creature. God is not a creature (a creation) neither was God born, but Jesus was the first man born of God and He became the firstborn of God and He became the firstborn of the new creation of God. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [Colossians 1:19] There it is again! In Him! It pleased the Father (God) the IN Jesus Christ ALL THE FULNESS of God should dwell! Again, this verse is not promoting or supporting any of the Godhead theories being promoted today! This verse supports all the other scriptures in their plain declaration that God the Father was IN Christ. GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers
by the prophets, A beautiful scripture! God has spoken by His Son! This is Jesus in the glory of the Father! The man Christ Jesus fully manifested the image and glory of the invisible God that no man has seen! Jesus is the person (physical presence, outward appearance ) of God! There are NO PERSONS in the Godhead! There is One God, the Father, who is an invisible Spirit that fills ALL things! And Jesus is the man, the Son of the Living God that God dwelt in fully. The simplicity of the truth is just awesome! God has exalted Christ! The scripture says that God gave him a name above every name! Where for God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Not many Jesus-Only preachers will quote the next verse.... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:9-11] Yes, Jesus gave all the glory to the Father as He ministered in the days of His flesh. And the Father crowned Him with all His glory because Jesus: Philippians 2:6-8 Oh yes, Jesus suffered, He wept, and He learned obedience! Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Some of you may be surprised that Jesus was not born perfect, nor was He born the author of eternal salvation. The Word of God says plainly that He was MADE perfect and that He BECAME the author! Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. [Hebrews 5:10] Not much is preached concerning the priesthood of Christ, but the writer of Hebrews testified of His priesthood in Hebrews 4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." Jesus, the Son of God is the message clearly revealed over and over, throughout the New Testament. Well, I don't know who you are waiting on to come back for the church, but I'm waiting on the same One Paul said he was waiting on in Thessalonians: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. [1Thessalonians 1:10] Now, Jesus has all power in heaven and in earth. God gave it to Him, I know you believe that. But, did you know that in the end after all adversaries have been put under Him, Jesus will deliver up the kingdom (church) to the Father and will once again become subject to God that gave Him all power? Let's read about it. From 1Corinthians 15:23-25 and verse 28: But every man in his own order: Christ the
firstfruits; afterward they that are
Christs at his coming. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. [1Corinthians 15:28] Yes, the Only Begotten Son of God will again be subject to the Father. Throughout the ages our Lord has brought many sons into His glory and He will freely share all that is His. And although they are adopted sons, the heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, they will inherit the fulness of the promise, and they along with their Elder Brother will rule and reign for eternity. God will truly be all in all in the fulness! I know we could get into quite a discussion concerning these few verses and the deep revelation they contain that points to the glory that will soon be revealed, but our present attention to these verses is the plain teaching that Jesus will once again become subject to the Father that put all things under him. This is a glorious truth that proves without a shadow of doubt that there is the Father who is God, and the Son who is the Son of God. Although there are countless other scriptures concerning our subject, there is one that concerns me very much and I hope also concerns you. It is found in 1John chapter 2, verses 22 through 24: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. I must ask each reader, do you deny the existence of the Father and the Son? If you don't believe in the Father and the Son, the scripture says you are a liar and an antichrist. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Again, I must ask you, do you acknowledge the Father, but deny the existence of the Son? Oh dear reader please consider what the scripture says. I you deny the existence of the Son of God you can never have the Father, but if you will simply acknowledge (fully acquaint, recognize) that Jesus is the Son of God, you will have the Father also! No Godhead mumbo jumbo doctrines to believe! If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God you have the Father! It is impossible to not have Him when you believe on Christ. Why? Because the Father is in the Son. Glory to God! There is no escaping the truth! The true light shines once again as the prophet foretold, "There shall be light in the evening time." Praise the Lord! Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. What was said from the beginning concerning the Father and the Son? Simply, God was in Christ! In closing I would like to ask another question. Why did the writers of every epistle in the New Testament acknowledge the Father and the Son and make a clear distinction between the two if they believed they were the one and the same? Let's look at just a few opening remarks in the epistles: [Romans 1:7] To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [1Corinthians 1:3] Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [2Corinthians 1:2-3] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [Galatians 1:3] Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, [Ephesians 1:2-3] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [Ephesians 3:14] For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Philippians 1:2] Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [Colossians 1:2-3] ...Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [1Thessalonians 1:1] PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2John 1:3] 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. Need I go on? Read them for yourselves, the Father and the Son are preached throughout the epistles of the Apostles, this cannot be denied! I will close asking you to believe on Christ as the scripture saith! At the close of John's Gospel he said these words that I feel is most appropriate for this message, and I quote: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." [John 20:31] My prayer for you all is found in Colossians chapter two, verses two and three, where the Apostle Paul said, "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Originally published in the "Trumpet Messenger" (No.84), a monthly publication by World Outreach For Christ, Inc., P.O. Box 350, Pleasant Hill, TN 38578. HTML reproduction by Phil Maxwell and published at the internet home of ScatteredSheep.com, a ministry of Simple Truth Ministries, Kansas City, Missouri (USA), and presented here with permission of the author. May be reproduced for non-profit purposes according to the terms and conditions stated at www.scatteredsheep.com/copy-it-right.htm. |
