God Is A Spirit, and They That Worship Him Must Worship In Spirit and In Truth - Part 1637

Did you know that many of the religious terms used within the modern day culture cannot be found anywhere in the scriptures? And, taking this thought one step further, one must ask whether or not the omission from the Bible adds credibility to the term, or conversely, makes the terms meaningless. It is herein that I started a list -- one that is far from exhaustive, but one that can make us pause and think about the validity of citing a particular word to support a stance, when neither the word, or its meaning is reflected anywhere within the heavenly realm.

As an aside, believing disciples of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch. "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26)

Still, along the same line, we often hear of the trinity contrasting oneness in religious circles. Although God is most certainly One according to the first commandment, and as I Timothy 3:16 states -- "God was manifest in the flesh -- the term "oneness" is a label attached to those who others attest believe in certain teachings. On the other hand, there is no scriptural reference to a trinity, or a tri-une God, or God in three persons who are, according to the trinity doctrine, also co-existent, co-equal, and co-substantial. Further to this point, the other line used -- God in three persons -- in essence, means God cannot be a Spirit, even when His Word declares that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2)

"... even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God!" (I Corinthians 2:11)

"For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto Him]." (John 3:34)

"Behold, My servant, whom I have chosen; My beloved, in who My soul is well pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles ... " (Matthew 12:18; Isaiah 42:1-4; Isaiah 49:3; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5)

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

God is never shown to be a person, except when He chooses to take on a bodily form, as in Jesus, or Melchisedek, or as in the form of a man to Ezekiel.  For example, "for it pleased [the Father] that in Him should all fullness dwell," and "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" when referring to Jesus. (Colossians 2:9; 1:19)

It is also important to note that there are no scriptural references to "God the Son" in the Bible and neither God the Holy Ghost. While we are on this topic, this might be a good time to remind believers that neither is the emerging term Father God. The scriptures always refer to God in the capacity of God the Father.

"Wherefore, David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, "Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as Head above ..." (I Chronicles 29:10-11)

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever, amen." (I Timothy 1:17) The King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. His Name is Jesus!

As in -- "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)

Indeed, as we see from Act 1:2-3, "until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen ..." Just as Jesus said to His disciples, when He told them that they would see Him no more. Why? Because when Jesus ascended, He would send the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- to them, which occurred on the day of Pentecost. (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 1:8-9; Acts 2:1-47)

The same Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary in Luke 1:35.

Other religious terms that have no scriptural basis for forming a foundational teaching?

Purgatory.
Catechism.
Substantiation.
Modalism.
Trinity.
Mass.
Sacraments.
Confession by a priest.
Rosary beads.
Ash Wednesday.
Virgin Mary (as in praying to Mary)
Excommunication (as in shunned)

So, now that we have mentioned some of the terms used in religious ceremony, but not in the Bible, let's look at the foundational teachings we are supposed to be attuned to. That is, from Hebrews 6:1-2:

"Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us 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 judgment."

And if we do not understand these, we need to return to the milk, because ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Let them with ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.