Bible Studies
You may find this article somewhat upsetting. When you learn something and have become convinced of it, it's not easy to change. Plus we often take solace in going with the majority, as if there is safety in numbers. After all, the majority can't be wrong, can they? However, if you take a closer look at God's Word you will see that Jesus Christ himself often went at cross purposes with the established religions of the day. The Pharisees were the controlling body of the day and as such taught the people the Bible. Yet, Jesus often confronted them for their errors and illogic. The vast majority assumed the established leaders were right and in similar fashion accused Jesus of being a heretic. He spoke from the heart and revealed God's true heart to them which seriously confronted the religion of the day. He called them hypocrites and a generation of vipers. They weren't interested in finding the truth but rather protecting their established positions of influence and authority.
So, why does this topic cause such dissension and anger? Think of this in terms of a formula. The smallest deviation from the correct formula leads to ambiguous results. The adversary knows that truth is exact and precise so he works very hard to get us off track by subtle and not so subtle changes to God's Word. One change from the text takes us from truth to error. The consequence to our lives is a lack of results and power with God. The whole point for believing God and following Him is that we can claim His promise to live a life of abundance and have power in our daily lives. The reason so many people barely believe in God today is because nothing ever happens; they never get any results. Thus God turns into a fable and a source of false comfort. It is hard to have any faith in God when your prayers are never answered or worse when you get talked into the erroneous logic that God arbitrarily decides to answer one and not another. The reality is that God answers prayers in harmony with His Word - always, as long as we haven't screwed up the formula. Believing Jesus Christ is God screws up the formula. You reduce the great omnipotence and glory of God down to the level of a man, albeit a great, believing man, but still a man.
Jesus Christ himself said in many places that he came not to do his own will, but the will of God. Even before he was about to die for our sins, while wrestling with the reality of what he had to go through, he finally submitted himself to God fully and said, "Nevertheless let thy will and not my own be done." Jesus Christ has a will and God has a will. Jesus believed God perfectly by always, always choosing God's will over his own will. If Jesus Christ were God he would not have had any difficulty or turmoil as God is not affected by evil or difficulty ever. To say that Jesus Christ was part God and part man totally defies logic. In order for God to be just to man, to the Devil and to Himself, He had to accomplish man's redemption on legal grounds. Since Adam transgressed God's will and transferred his dominion and authority over to the Devil, God needed to redeem man on legal grounds. The first man, Adam, sinned - the last man, Jesus Christ paid the price for that sin. Jesus had to be a man, born of a woman in order to redeem us. However, because God created the seed in Mary, Jesus's blood was sinless. Jesus Christ had no sin in his blood and that is why he would be the only one with the potential to redeem us. (Sinless for the sinful) If Jesus Christ were God, God would not have accomplished man's redemption on legal grounds. God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man. By sheer logic - if God cannot be tempted with evil (it is impossible) then how could he turn Himself into a man and accomplish God's plan for redemption by standing against and refusing the evil? Jesus Christ was a man, through and through. He had emotions, feelings, and a will. He could have chosen his own course at any point yet he freely submitted himself to God's will above his own. If he was God to begin with, who isn't even tempted with evil - HOW COULD HE POSSIBLY ACCOMPLISH REDEMPTION ON LEGAL GROUNDS? He wouldn't be agonizing over his choices and suffering. He wouldn't have had sorrow and anguish in the garden. God doesn't feel pain, suffer evil or experience anguish.
I submit to you that someone has taught you incorrectly. The consequence of that error leads to a lack of power and results with God. Sure God looks on the heart, but when it's available to know better, then we change.
I John 4:1-3:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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.
And...
I John 4:14-15:
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
I didn't write the book folks. I'm not telling you these things to be smug or elevate myself in your eyes. In fact, these words probably made you angry and upset. But, in the end, you must be crystal clear in your doctrine in order to line yourself up with God. Harmony with God is where the power and deliverance in life reside.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1717 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Tony Washington or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1717 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
Yes, you have quoted many scriptures, all of which I believe and love... However, they donot prove your point at all. For example:
Genesis 1: Our image refers to the "majestic plural" because of God's vastness. Jesus was with God in His foreknowledge, just as Ephesians says we are in God's foreknowledge and that He called us before the foundations of the Earth.
Also, the verse you have based your life upon in John, uses a distinct word when referring to Jesus (pros) together with, yet distinctly independent of..
The rest of those scriptures refer to my Lord and the kingdom God has promised him, which I believe fully...
My question from the very beginning was "Why are you arguing that Jesus is not God?"
You have responded several times that you want us to know the truth ... I submit to you that we do know the truth ... we know Jesus ... He is the truth (John 14:6).
Your profile states that you are a Christian writer and that you have been in the ministry for 22 years. If you are a Christian, then why are you rejecting one of the basic beliefs of Christianity ... the belief that Jesus is God? Please don't take offense at the questions. It is just that I am curious as to why a Christian would want to make such an argument.
This thread is hard to follow because the responses are out of order. I think the bulk of your last response to me was based on another person's post.
In response to a few of your comments ... I do not base my beliefs on what other people say. I am a student of the Word and I trust the Holy Spirit for discernment. After reading your article and your responses, it seems to me that your argument (Jesus is not God) negates the Trinity. While I appreciate the zeal in which you present your argument, I must disagree with you and stand on what I believe to be true.
In conclusion, I truly appreciate the freedom God gives each one of us as we grow in faith. Thankfully, salvation does not require us to understand everything about God; however, I do understand this ... that because of God's mercy, I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God, my eternity is secure. Thanks for the discussion Tony and with this I bid you farewell.
Amazed By His Grace -- Cheryl
God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ...
Tony
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Would this mean that God was beside Himself? LOL
You may check this for yourself on this website (or any website offering a critical greek lexicon)
www.studylight.org
I have a question about your use of 1 John 5:7 ... It says the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost are one ... This must mean they are one God. So, do you believe the Holy Ghost is God?
God is clearly revealed in the Scripture as Father and Son and Holy Spirit. All these three are God and yet they are distinct individuals. So it is no problem for Jesus to pray to His Father and it is no problem for the Holy Spirit to raise Him from the dead.
In support of my statements I submit:
Phil 2:6-11: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 8:11: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
esus is the only way to the Father. People are saved by confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing that God raised him from the dead.
Romans 10:9-10: "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Finally, in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10: "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him" --
but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
I encourage you to check your doctrine for errors caused by misunderstanding the nature of God.
My contribution is the following ... keep in mind these words are spoken by God...
HEB 1:8 But about the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
Note ... God calls Jesus "God".
I do have a question for you ... why do you want to argue that Jesus is not God? Just wondering...
In Christ's Love,
Julia
I John 5:6-7:
This is (5748) he that came (5631) by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is (5748) the Spirit that beareth witness (5723) , because the Spirit is (5748) truth. (Note by water and blood, not by spirit which is what God is)
Outov estin (5748) o elqwn (5631) di' udatov kai aimatov, Ihsouv Xristov; ouk en tw udati monon all' en tw udati kai en tw aimati; kai to pneuma estin (5748) to marturoun, (5723) oti to pneuma estin (5748) h alhqeia.
For there are (5748) three that bear record (5723) in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are (5748) one. Note below and study - there are no corresponding Greek words for Father, Son, Holy Ghost - check it for yourself.
oti treiv eisin (5748) oi marturountev, (5723)
And...
I John 5:20
And we know (5758) that the Son of God is come (5719) , and hath given (5758) us an understanding, that we may know (5725) him that is true, and we are (5748) in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is (5748) the true God, and eternal life.
(Note it says this is the true God not He is the true God. This refers to the understanding of the True God and eternal life - check the Greek)
oidamen (5758) de oti o uiov tou qeou hkei, (5719) kai dedwken (5758) hmin dianoian ina ginwskwmen ton alhqinon; kai esmen (5748) en tw alhqinw, en tw uiw autou Ihsou Xristw. outov estin (5748) o alhqinov qeov kai zwh aiwniov.
When you have seen me - you have seen the Father also - for it for Him that I write...
Neither could mere man assuage the aching void that Jesus (the God Who stooped) fills in each of us when we take Him as the Bread of Life. I could refer you to many, many scriptures, but the entire gospel of John is a good place to begin.
If God were Jesus Christ, then did he really die and if so who raised him from the dead?