The Mystery Which Hath Been Hid From Generations Is Now Made Manifest To His Saints - Part 1442

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:26-27)

"God manifest in the flesh." (I Timothy 3:16)

The sad irony within today's society is that people prefer to follow church dogma and long-standing traditions of men rather than search the scriptures for truth. When confronted with a scripture (or scriptures) that are contrary to their widely held beliefs, these shut down the discussion, which is not helpful in understanding the Word of God. It also suggests that God could be the Author of confusion, and as we know, He is not.

Today, I asked a simple question. How can ONE GOD who is God Almighty -- and similarly described as Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending -- be "three" persons? Especially when the scriptures clearly reveal God to be Spirit! Certainly, simple math teaches that one does not equal three, and that never changes, regardless of how we try to explain the concept away. But isn't this what is currently happening with the doctrine of the trinity, or God in three persons, as many church institutions dictate? These religious organizations ignore that we as believers in Jesus by faith are encouraged to learn about the first principles of the "doctrine of Christ." (Hebrews 6:1; Revelation 1:8, 11)

[Note also that the trinity is never cited within the scriptures. Rather, the trinity is a man-made concept with no scriptural basis from His Word. This is why arguments with those who have not searched the scriptures for truth become circular, with God having to be reduced to a "person" to make the connecting points somewhat coherent].

Nevertheless, it is important to know that when we fully understand the "doctrine of Christ", it is only then that we can go on unto perfection -- "not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement." (Hebrews 6:1-2)

This is why it is critical for the "doctrine of Christ" to be our starting point for learning and understanding that God is indeed, all in all. For example, "In the beginning, God." (Genesis 1:1) "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. All things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-5, 10-11)

The same God who created man and woman in the beginning prepared Himself a body so that He Himself who knew no sin could bring us salvation. "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23) God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

However, far too often the ensuing dialogue is explained in a similar fashion to this -- "The most difficult thing about the Christian concept of the trinity is that there is no way to perfectly and completely understand it. The trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God. Though we can understand some facts about the relationship of the different persons of the trinity to one another, ultimately, it is incomprehensible to the human mind. However, this does not mean the trinity is not true or that it is not based on the teachings of the Bible."

A human explanation but void of Biblical principles and thus, making the explanation in and of itself confusing. But once again, the question is timely. "What saith the scripture? Why do we allow our thinking to supersede what Jesus Himself said, "I and My Father are One." (John 10:30) Jesus also said to Philip, "If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father." (John 14:6-10) But I digress somewhat.

From the very beginning, and throughout the old covenant, God has always been One God. And this same God (because He is God Almighty) has the ability to manifest Himself in whatever way He wants. It is we who attempt to reduce Almighty God to fit within our limited, and finite level of humans. And when we do, we relegate (or compartmentalize) Almighty God to being "one third" God (or just another "person") within the Godhead. 

But what does the scripture say? 

"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." (I Timothy 3:16)

"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and  in you all." (Ephesians 4:5-6)  "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9) "For it pleased [the Father] that in Him should all fullness dwell." (Colossians 1:19) 

"But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7) 

Moreover, the prelude to the first commandment cites God as ONE. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31; I Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20) The first commandment does not say God existing in three persons. 

And Jesus answered the scribe, saying, "The first of all the commandments is -- "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD" ... and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment." (Mark 12:29-30)

ONE God. Repeatedly, the scriptures refer to One God. Not a trinity or a triune God. Neither should this One God be represented as three coexistent, co-eternal persons when the scriptures themselves do not reveal God as such. And herein, lies the crux of the issue. When we do not understand how the Godhead comes together, we should search the scriptures for our own understanding so that we can learn how this ONE God reveals Himself in different ways to those He loves. And if/when the religious culture differs, the Word of God should remain true, and every man a liar.

"I, even I, am He that blots out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25) 

There is much more to come on this subject, but for now, let this suffice as a starting point for learning and understanding the doctrine of Christ, as it is written. In the interim, stand in the offering plate.