Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works have I showed 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 blasphemes; 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."
Therefore they sought again to take Him: but He escaped out of their hand, and went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there He abode. ? (John 10:30-40)
Sadly, when one suggests that the modern day religious trinity/triad/triune gods teaching is false, or that trinitarians believe in three gods, you will soon hear loud proclamations that suggest this not to be true. Indeed, these will actually state that they do not believe there are three gods in the Godhead -- but rather, there is one God eternally existing in three distinct persons. For purposes of clarity, a trinitarian will cite God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as sufficient but without any scriptural references to back them up.
Why is this important? Because beyond God being described as a Father, there are zero scriptural references that attest to God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit. [As an fyi, the term Holy Spirit was originally translated in the scriptures as "Spirit in the Holies" -- a topic for another day!]
Moreover, when you read many modern day church statements of faith, we learn that these respective groups believe that each person of the Godhead is distinct, indivisible in essence, substance, unity, purpose, kingdom, and will. But again, this is never expressed in the scriptures. What is clear in the scriptures is the doctrine of Christ.
"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
Thus, the doctrine of Christ is foundational as well. But within the walls of man-made institutional religion, the doctrine of Christ has been replaced with a triune god that involves the worship of more than one G/god.
But the first commandment is clear -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Jesus repeats the same commandment in the New Testament side -- And Jesus answered him, "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 12:29-31)
So what has happened that the scriptures have been cast aside for another gospel that is not the good news salvation message of the Lord Jesus Christ? I believe it is because we who profess to believe have not studied the scriptures, and as a consequence, we have been led astray from the truths within His Word. For the nature of God from the very beginning was love -- in that even before God created the world, He looked to this very day for a family. It was His love for His beloved creation that motivated God to be manifest in the flesh, robing Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we might have abundant life in Him. (I Timothy 3:16; Acts 29:28; Isaiah 9:6)
But like satan was fooled -- thinking that he was killing "the heir" on the cross -- he wants us to view the One and Only God as three separate persons. (Matthew 21:38) Not as Almighty God who not only fills the heavens but the heavens of heavens, and vast enough to create the world as we know it, but the oppressor wants to reduce this same God whose love for His beloved is so vast and forthcoming-- to three separate persons. (Deuteronomy 10:14) Essentially, satan wants us to believe that God is a tri-theism, and not the body of Christ church's One and Only husband to be.
So in order to keep us in deception, we are told that these three persons are unified in will and purpose -- similar to a modern day board of directors, wherein agreement is sought to ratify decisions. But as we know from the scriptures, there is only One King of kings and Lord of lords; One Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8) One Throne! (Revelation 4:2) In the beginning, God, the same Spirit of the Lord God who moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)
The deception is further entrenched when we are led to believe that the trinity consists of only three persons -- no more or no less. To do so, would be denying that Jesus is described in the scriptures as "after the order of Melchisedec." (Psalm 119:4; Hebrews 7:1-3 ; Genesis 14:18) It would also be denying "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the Most High God" who came forth from the burning fiery furnace because these would not worship the image. (Daniel 3:15-26) And similarly, the burning bush that Moses saw -- wherein the Lord declared, "I AM -- the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:4) "The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is My Name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations." (Exodus 3:15)
And let's not forget either when God appeared in the door of Abraham's tent. (Genesis 18:1-3) Or that God walked in the cool of the day with Adam in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:8) In the New Testament side, the disciples in the ship thought they had seen a ghost -- before Jesus identifies Himself. (Matthew 14:26) So many examples in the scriptures to counter the false trinity teachings.
What are some of the other arguments used to convey that Jesus is not God (even though Jesus tells His disciples that "I and My Father are One!" and that if ye have seen Jesus, ye have seen the Father -- Jesus being the invisible image of the unseen God -- John 10:30; John 14:6-12; Hebrews 1:1-3)?
One argument is that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost share the same identical divine substance and indwell one another at the same time. Where is this found in the scriptures? Again, nowhere, because as we know -- after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) The Comforter that would come, when Jesus told His disciples that you would see Me no more. (John 14:19; John 16:10)
Again, before the cross, Jesus said, "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 testify of Me ..." (John 15:26)
The last to see Jesus? As apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 15:1-8, he was as one borne out of due time. You see, Jesus is not a lesser god, one third of God, or secondary to the Father because as the scriptures state, Jesus is the Word that was with God and was God made flesh. Not a created being, but a body that the Lord God prepared afore so that we could be saved. (John 1:1-3; John 1:1-18)
"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)
Not a different God but the One and Same God, showing how far He would go to show the world His abundant love for His beloved creation. After His kindness and love, He robed Himself in flesh so that we might experience everlasting life in Him. Toward man, He appeared in the form of a Son. Why? So that satan (the deceiver) would not know the truth. This is why we are warned to "take heed therefore unto [ourselves], and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)
If satan had known that Jesus was God robed in flesh, which he should have known from tempting Jesus in the wilderness (when Jesus said, "thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God!") he would not have had the crowds crucify the Lord of glory. (Matthew 4:7; Luke 4:12)
" ... which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:8)
Is there more than One Lord? Not according to Ephesians 4:5-6, but ontological trinitarians would have you believe so, by stating that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are co-equal, and co-eternal in power and glory. How could this be, if the Holy Ghost is a New Testament term -- wherein the Lord prophesied through Isaiah that He was going to do a new thing in this current dispensation of grace; the dayspring from on high visiting His people; the Lord's Christ.
"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8)
"... through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us ..." (Luke 1:78)
"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel." And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him." (Luke 2:25-33)
If Jesus had been co-eternal and co-equal with God the Father, why would Simeon (being clearly led of the Spirit) not have seen the Lord's Christ prior to that glorious day in the temple. Obviously, he knew the scriptures because he referenced that Jesus would be a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel -- "according to Thy Word."
Therefore, if the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest, how could He be co-equal and co-eternal from the beginning? The scriptures never state, In the beginning, Gods as plural. And neither is God the Holy Ghost, or God the Holy Spirit, or God the Son ever stated. But we do know that from the beginning of time, God has always given us a Name wherein we can know Him. Thus, after Jesus is taken up, and He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gives commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen, we have been given life through His Name.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
Again, if Jesus was co-eternal and co-existent from the beginning, why would the Lord by the prophet Isaiah have to state ahead of time that a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son who they shall call Emmanuel, being interpreted God with us? Or, later as Titus attests, have to manifest His Word through preaching -- according to the "commandment of God our Saviour." (Titus 2:10, 13; I Timothy 1:1; I Timothy 2:3; Titus 3:4; Jude 1:25)
Because God had a salvation plan from the very beginning, and that was to become our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
"I, [even] I AM -- the Lord; and beside Me [there is] no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
"Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and His redeemer the Lord of hosts; "I AM -- the first, and I AM the last; and beside Me [there is] no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
"Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye are even My witnesses. Is there a God beside Me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not any." (Isaiah 44:8)
"I AM the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me:" (Isaiah 45:5)
"... that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside Me. I AM the Lord, and [there is] none else" (Isaiah 45:6)
"Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? and [there is] no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside Me." (Isaiah 45:21)
Yes, God is One and there is no other beside Him. One Father who is above all and through all and in us all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
He is not some God talking to two others in undivided union, as some attest, because from His own declaration -- His own Word -- there is no others beside Him. Thus, when some speak of yet another blasphemy -- an economical trinity, wherein apparently, three persons work together to bring about the salvation of mankind, we can once again refer to scripture that shows God Himself willingly became our Saviour, after His kindness and love. (Titus 3:4-7)
Hear ye Him! (Matthew 17:5)
Believes in who? As the scripture saith, "whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 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)
"He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemn
Remember, the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a Son. Not another God but the One and Same God that was from the very beginning -- the Spirit in the holies. Note also that this happened at a specific time -- when the Lord God said, "This day have I begotten Thee."
"For unto which of the angels said He at any time, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:5)
"So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, "Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee." (Hebrews 5:5)
Remember, the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a Son. Not another God but the One and Same God that was from the very beginning -- the Spirit in the holies. Note also that this happened at a specific time -- when the Lord God said, "This day have I begotten Thee."
"For unto which of the angels said He at any time, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:5)
"So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, "Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee." (Hebrews 5:5)
There wasn't three persons working together in unity because if there were, there would not have to be a declaration by the Lord saying "this day have I begotten Thee." Rather, according to the false economical trinity teaching, the begotten would have already been co-equal -- a third of the Majesty on High. But this is not the case, as the scriptures clearly attest. This may also explain why the word trinity or God in three persons is never discussed in the holy book. But I digress somewhat.
" ... having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ ..." (Ephesians 1:9-10: Ephesians 1:1-23)
You see, the Lord gave His right arm for salvation. Not another but Himself so that we might have life in Him; that in the fullness of times He might gather together in ONE all things in Christ. "And He saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore, His arm brought salvation unto Him; and his righteousness, it sustained Him." (Isaiah 59:16)
"O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory." (Psalm 98:1)
So, if God gave His right hand and His holy arm for our salvation, how can the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost be co-equal? Does anyone remember who builded the house? "... who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house. For this [man] was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some [man]; but He that built all things [is] God." (Hebrews 3:2-4)
"For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." (Matthew 12:8)
"And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them." Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist." (Matthew 17:8-13)
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I AM the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life." The Pharisees therefore said unto Him, "Thou bearest record of Thyself; Thy record is not true." 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. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I AM one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me bears witness of Me." Then said they unto Him, "Where is Thy Father?" Jesus answered, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father: if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for His hour was not yet come."
[As for the term persons, please note that Tertullian was the first person to use the word persons to describe the Godhead. (Letham, Robert, The holy trinity, pg. 99) But again, God is never described as three persons in the scriptures, and neither is the Godhead described as having members.]
Remember, God is not the Author of confusion. He has clearly given us insight into the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning -- the doctrine of Christ. (II John 1:9) Wherein we see that he who has the Son hath the Father also. Not two different persons but one and the same -- wherein as Jesus clearly said, "If ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father and know Him." (John 14:6-12)
Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Light of this world. The Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep.
And once risen, He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gives commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) Not Jesus and a Holy Ghost but through the Holy Ghost which is the very same Holy Ghost that overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. The same Son of man is the Lord of the sabbath.
"And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them." Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist." (Matthew 17:8-13)
Why not until after the Son of man be risen from the dead? Because if the devil knew that Jesus was not just an heir, but the King of kings that owns the cattle on a thousand hills, he would never have allowed the Lord of glory to be crucified. But as we know, the devil does not know love, but instead, only seeks to devour and destroy whom he can. But we are made in the image of the Lord our God, and thus, can know abundant love in Him.
And that raises yet another point. Where in the scriptures does it ever state that God is them, or that we are to believe in God in three persons? Again -- never! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Believe in who? His only begotten Son -- JESUS, who shall save His people from their sins. We are to believe in Him. As Jesus said, "I AM -- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
If the trinity were true, why would Jesus not have said to Nicodemus to believe in them -- plural. Because Jesus knew that before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:57-58) For those who may not know, I AM is one of the one hundred plus names God used to describe Himself in the Old Testament. It is no wonder the Pharisees took up stones against Him, because Jesus was clearly telling them who He was.
For clarity, the scriptures leading up to this from John 8:12-20:
"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)
"Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
And a time was appointed for this same Lord to come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
"For in Him dwelleth ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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." (Colossians 1:14-16)
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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." (Colossians 1:14-16)
"... who being the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:3)
The doctrine of Christ, displayed and revealed to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. And unlike the word trinity, the doctrine of Christ as a foundational doctrine is clearly stated in the Bible. There is no three-ness. This is where trinitarians would insert citations and quotes from men's wisdom -- sigh!
Let me instead interject another analogy into the mix. That is, what kind of a loving God would He be to send His son to die? Wherein would be the greatest love story ever told? And would we not want to love the Good Shepherd who died for us, shedding His precious blood on the cross so that we would have life.
My hubby likes to say it this way -- if my wife were kidnapped, and I offered my son instead, what kind of character would I have? Desiring to do away with my son so I could keep my wife? In the same context, the body of Christ church is the bride, destined to join in marriage to ONE HUSBAND. (II Corinthians 11:1-3)
The salvation message? "For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:30-36; Ephesians 4:5-6)
Through Him -- the Lord thy God is One Lord -- singular.
"Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, [and be] their God." (Revelation 21:3)
"Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, [and be] their God." (Revelation 21:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
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