One of the most Controversial topics in the Christian church today is the subject of Jesus Christ being God. Christians (at times) get into heated arguments because of this subject, and are left in sheer anger because of it. So, I just wanted to see what God had to say about it in his word.
One thing I believe we can agree on is that he (Jesus) was born in Bethlehem and his mother was named Mary, and Her husband was Joseph. Matthew 1:16, Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:30-31, Luke 2:4-7
Jesus Christ, is a man, and was born in this world for a purpose. He was to be the redeemer of mankind. It was he who died on the cross, so that we may live. It’s by GRACE we are saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us this clearly:
8: For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
9: Not by Works, lest any man should boast.
It could not be by our works, for example: praying for our sins, it had to be by grace so everyone could come into the glory of God. God is no respecter of persons when it comes to who gets saved as it says in Romans 2:11.
So, if Christ (who is supposed to be God) came to do his father’s will, then why didn’t he just say in his word, I came to do MY own will? Why didn’t he just say, I came to earth as a man to do the redeeming. Why does it say that GOD SENT his only begotten Son?
As I look into this subject, I find that Jesus Christ was referred to as God’s Son 68 times. Nowhere in the Bible does it mention “God the Son”. So, some understanding needs to be shown.
I would briefly like to show both sides of the spectrum. Individuals who say Jesus Christ is God use some of the following Scriptures:
Genesis 1:26
And God said, “let us make man in our image, after our likeness: …..
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 20:28
And Thomas answered and said unto him, my Lord and my God.
I Timothy 3:16
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 the world, received up into glory.
Here are some scriptures showing the he is the Son of God:
Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 17:5
While he (Jesus) yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold voice out of the cloud which said, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him”.
John 10:36
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.’
Acts 8:37
And Phillip said, “if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” and he answered and said, “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God”.
I John 4:15
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.
These are just a few scriptures among many.
It also states that God is a spirit (Not a man of flesh & bones):
John 4:24
God is (a) spirit: and they that worship Him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Okay, lets go over some of the these scriptures:
Genesis 1:26
And let us make man in our image: This is the use of the plural of “majesty”, many Hebrew scholars identify “it” as a plural for emphasis, which are common expressions of Kings in their proclamations.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the “word” and the word was with God.
In Greek, “word” here is “logos” which is used as the whole word of God, which is the plan, purpose and wisdom of God, which was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. It explains the will of God being obeyed in the whole ministry of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 9:6
And his name shall be called: ...Mighty God, The Everlasting Father...
This verse is talking about the “meaning of his name”, not of his own nature.
A better translation for the English reader will be “divine hero” as Martin Luther translated in his bible. In the culture of the bible, anyone who began anything or was very important to something was called, “It’s Father”. Which means that Jesus Christ was the first one to be raised from the dead and now rule over it. He is also called, “the Father of the Coming Age”. (His everlasting Kingdom)
John 20:28
Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord & my God.
In the Hebrew and Greek language, the word “god” (lower case “g”) applied to men was a descriptive title applied to different authorities like the judges of Israel that are called, the gods of the congregation. Even the Roman governor in Acts 12:22 is called “god” by the people. Even the devil is called “god” II Corinthians 4:4. So it was generally used of someone who was believed to have divine authority. It was not limited to its absolute sense as we use it today.
I Timothy 3:16
God was manifest in the flesh…..
According to many Greek scholars the reading “God” was a deliberate alteration to the expression “He who” which is supported by the earliest and best manuscripts and the earlier Christian writers prior to the end of the forth century read it as “Who” or “Which” and not as “God”. For example “Which was manifest in the flesh” Talking about the “mystery or secret”.
There are so many other verses on this topic. I have come to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is not God, but the Son and also, my brother.
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S93e7uEapL8
Audio: On the Errors of The Trinity [Is God three-in-one?]http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1194
One God & One Lord
http://www.TruthOrTradition.com/book6
Chapter 1 - Christianity 101: Two Adams
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=163
Appendix A. An Explanation of Verses Commonly Used to Support the Trinity [The Top 100!]
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=170
Appendix G. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Historical Proofs of the Resurrection
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=207
Appendix H. 47 Reasons Why Our Heavenly Father Has No Equals or "Co-Equals"
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=37
Appendix I. 34 Reasons Why the "Holy Spirit" is Not a "Person" Separate from the One True God, the Father
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=57
Chapter 8 - The Gospel of John
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=230
Chapter 9 - "But What About John 1:1?"
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61
Chapter 10 - The Book of Acts: "A Man Accredited by God"
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=105
Chapter 12 - God’s Namesake in Action
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=121
Chapter 14 - The Book of Revelation: "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=108
Chapter 17 - Jesus Christ: Incarnated or Created?http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=213
Chapter 20 - Modern Trends and Final Thoughts
http://www.biblicalunitarian.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=256
"Go ye, and make disciples of all nations in my name''
http://www.geocities.com/fdocc3/in-my-name.htm (disappearing link, 26th of Oct., 2009)
No comments:
Post a Comment