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Back to Contents Previous Download 看中文 Next The Top Fifteen Excuses Used to Avoid the Sabbath(Part 2) Was the Sabbath abolished? Many Christians believe that Colossians 2:16, Galatians 4:10 and Romans 14:5 are referring to the Seventh day Sabbath and even some believe that Colossians 2:16 refers to the Ten Commandments rather than the referenced ceremonial law. Before continuing with these three very misunderstood verses, let’s give a quick explanation on how the Ten Commandments and the Ceremonial law relate to each other. If a man sinned, he broke LAW No. 1 - the moral law of the Ten Commandments. So then he brought his offering, according to LAW No. 2 - the law of sacrifices, and he received forgiveness. LAW No. 1 defines sin, for sin is the transgression of the moral law. (1 John 3:4) LAW No. 2 defined sacrifices, the Ceremonial law which was the remedy for sin. When the Israelite sinned, he broke the first law. To secure forgiveness he had to obey the second law. So here are two very distinct laws. This is the biggest area of confusion when it comes to concluding the Sabbath or Ten Commandments were abolished. Law No. 2 was ONLY for the Children of Israel and Jews until the cross while Law No. 1 is eternal and for EVERYONE. Colossians 2:16 reads, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat (offering), or in drink (offering), or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:” and so the argument is the fourth Commandment was deleted from stone. What was done away with here was called the ordinances (Ceremonial Law). This is seen by noting what Paul said two verses earlier. Colossians 2:14 states, “blotting out the handwriting (Moses) of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.” Paul then goes on to say, so “Let no man therefore judge you…of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:” Luke 1:6 KJV shows that the ordinances and the Commandments are two totally different things. It states, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” And Hebrews 9:1 explains that the ordinances of this ceremonial sanctuary system are now gone leaving only the Ten Commandments, “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.” It was the ordinances that were nailed to the cross, “not one jot or one tittle” of the law. The main differences between the Commandments and the ordinances are that the Commandments were written by God’s finger, written in stone, placed inside the Ark of the Covenant, are love, eternal, for everyone and it is sin to break them. The ordinances were in Moses’ handwriting, written in a book, placed on the outside of the Ark of the Covenant, are not love, not eternal and were only for the Jews and practised because of sin. The One great and perfect Sacrifice was offered that Friday afternoon, when the true Passover Lamb bowed His head and died. When He cried out, “It is finished”, the old ceremonial law that pointed the people to His sacrificial death was nailed to the cross. Note how every part of these verses in Colossians 2:14-17 refers to the ceremonial law. Unfortunately, most modern Bible translations have translated the phrase meat or in drink in verse sixteen incorrectly. The King James Bible is one of the few translations that has translated these words correctly and is therefore recommended in these studies. So much gets lost at times when translators don’t have a good understanding of Jewish culture and terminology. To be referring to clean or unclean foods here would be totally out of context for the passage but when it is kept in context, every single point here refers to the various feast days that belonged to the sacrificial sanctuary system. Further clarification is found in the book of Hebrews which is believed by most to be written by Paul. You will note that the context of this passage is undoubtedly the sanctuary service in regards to sacrifices and offerings, of which Christ became the One and final perfect sacrifice for us. The meat and drink described in this passage has to be meat and drink offerings by the unmistakable context of this passage in Hebrews 9:7-14 below. Paul speaks of meat and drink offerings and carnal ordinances which were imposed until the time of reformation, being Jesus Christ who obtained eternal redemption for us and brought an end to the sacrifices prescribed by the ordinances of the ceremonial law once and for all. This continues to illustrate the perfect context of Colossians 2:16 and as per Colossians 2:14, we see that everything referenced belongs to the ordinances of the ceremonial law which Paul said was against us and contrary to us and it was taken out the way and nailed to the cross by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Extra verses are given to show context. Hebrews 9:7-14 “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 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: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Nowhere in this passage are clean and unclean foods referred to and there never were unclean drinks, only unclean foods and these had no relationship to the ordinances that were nailed to the cross. What is spoken of here in both Colossians and Hebrews are references to meat and drink offerings that were part of the sanctuary service that are in the ordinances of the ceremonial law. This is all that can possibly be referred to and when done so it fits absolutely perfectly into the context of both passages as it remains totally in context with the sanctuary service. So let’s look at Colossians 2:14-17 again to see if everything does actually refer to the ceremonial law by the fact that the context of the passage remains the same throughout. “Blotting out the handwriting”, the ceremonial law was written in Moses handwriting. “Ordinances”, Strong’s dictionary also directly translates this word to ceremonial law, “that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way”, the ceremonial law is now against us and contrary to us, as Christ has become that One and perfect sacrifice for us. “Nailing it to his cross”, and of course now that Christ has become that perfect sacrifice for us, no longer are meat and drink offerings and animal sacrifices and all associated Holy days necessary, so the ceremonial law was nailed to the cross. Moving onto verse sixteen, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink”, and as we have now seen were part of the ceremonial law. “Or in respect of an holyday”, these Holy days included such days as Passover, Feast of Weeks and many others. “Or of the new moon”, new moon celebrations were also part of the ordinances. “Or of the sabbath days”, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and many others were all sabbath days. When spoken of in plural and the context of the passage is the ceremonial law, then the sabbaths referred to can be nothing else but ceremonial. Verse seventeen goes on to say, “Which are a shadow of things to come.” These sabbaths were called a shadow because Passover was a shadow of the crucifixion and Feast of Weeks was a shadow of Pentecost. These Old Testament feasts and holy days were shadows of what was to come and once those things had come and gone then the shadows disappeared. Here is one verse from Leviticus that refers to such feasts and Holy days, which involves meat and drink, that is meat and drink offerings. Leviticus 23:37, “These are the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything upon his day.” You can also find the perfect parallel between Colossians 2:16 and Ezekiel 45:17. You will note in Ezekiel 45:17 that this was a sin offering, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel for breaking God’s Commandments as prescribed by the ceremonial law until such time that Jesus nailed this law to the cross. Parentheses are added. This is what Israel had to do to make atonement for sin, which is the breaking of God’s Ten Commandments and of course includes the Seventh Day Sabbath. This clearly demonstrates the issue and leaves no doubt as to what Paul was explaining to the Colossians. Note first the Strong’s dictionary definition for holyday used in Colossians 2:16. You will note that the words “feast” and “holyday” are synonymous and so the following two verses are a perfect match. G1859 heorte, Of uncertain affinity; a festival: - feast, holyday. Colossians 2:16 “Let no man therefore judge you in meat [offerings], or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” Ezekiel 45:17 “And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, [holydays] and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.” Here is a table comparison for those who prefer this format. Colossians 2:16 Ezekiel 45:17 meat, or in drink, meat offerings, and drink offerings, of an holyday, Strong's - feast, holyday in the feasts, or of the new moon and in the new moons, or of the sabbath days: and in the sabbaths, These various Holy days or festivals concerned days that took place at various times of the year as well as yearly Holy days such as the Day of Atonement and monthly like the New Moon celebrations already discussed. As these were a shadow of things to come and those things have past and the shadows are now gone, to still observe these days would be putting us back into unnecessary bondage. This is what Paul is talking about in Galatians 4:9-10 which says, “But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years.” Paul is definitely not saying you can ignore anything that is a day, month or year in the Bible. He is referring to something that includes all of these things, which is and can only be the ceremonial law. Compare with Colossians 2:16. See what is the law in Galatians for more clarity on this very misunderstood book. The ordinances of the ceremonial law was a law of servitude and bondage. Galatians 4:3 “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:” Paul continues telling the Galatians that they are no longer servants in Galatians 4:7 “Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” God’s Commandments on the other hand are a law of liberty. James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” And for further clarity James 2:11-12 reads, “For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law. So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” If we keep these points in mind and explore the context of the chapter when studying the Bible it will help us see what law is being spoken of. See Colossians 2:16 and Galatians 4:10 Commentaries. While still on this very misunderstood topic of the ceremonial law, let’s cover another scripture that is frequently misinterpreted. Such misunderstandings are common with God’s Ten Commandment law and this temporary law which pointed the way to Christ. I have chosen to use some Bible Commentaries for this scripture, as I believe they explain it very well. The scripture concerned, is mainly Romans 14:5, but I have given the surrounding verses so the context of the passage can be seen. Romans 14:1-5, “Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God has received him. 4 Who are you that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yes, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one [feast] day above another: another esteemeth every [feast] day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Note that the word “alike” in verse 5 does not exist in the Greek text and is an added word, which tends to convey an idea which the apostle never designed or intended. Parentheses are added. To begin with, it must be admitted that the word “Sabbath” is very significantly not even found once in this entire chapter. People assume Paul is talking about the Sabbath. But is he really? The chapter begins, “Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful disputations.” Romans 14:1. The NKJV reads, “disputes over doubtful things.” This chapter concerns “doubtful things” and is not a discussion of the Ten Commandments. God’s “Big Ten” are not “doubtful,” but exceedingly dear and written personally with the finger of God on two tables of stone. It becomes clear from Romans 14 and 15, that many misunderstandings existed between Jewish and Gentile Christians in relation to certain customs, which were sacredly observed by one but disregarded by the other. The main subject of dispute was concerning meats and days and the day issue is not over the Seventh day Sabbath but over the various feast days of the ceremonial law. The converted Jew retaining respect for the Law of Moses abstained from certain meats and observed ceremonial days while the converted Gentile understood that Christianity put him under no such obligation or regard to ceremonial points. It also appears that mutual and heartless judgments existed among them and that brotherly love and reciprocal tolerance did not always prevail. Paul exhorts that in such things no longer essential to Christianity, that even though both parties had a different way of thinking they might still have an honest and serious regard for God. Paul further explains they should not therefore, let different sentiments hinder Christian fellowship and love, but they should mutually refrain and withhold and make allowance for each other and especially not carry their Gospel liberty so far as to prejudice a weak brother or a Jewish Christian. The “weak” brother “eats” some things and “esteems one day above another” while the strong brother believes that he may “eat all things” and “esteems every day alike.” Romans 14:2, 5. The early Church was made up of Jewish believers and Gentile converts. Although Paul did not specify what “days” he was referring to, he could only be talking about the “esteeming” or “not esteeming” of certain Jewish fast or feast days and certain pagan feast days when people were especially “eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols.” 1 Corinthians 8:4. A “strong” Jew who knew that “an idol is nothing” would have no scruples about eating “meat in an idols temple” on a pagan feast day. 1 Corinthians 8-4, 10. Paul warned these “strong” Jewish believers, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. [the Gentile convert from idolatry]. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple [on a pagan feast day], shall not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish [if he is drawn back to idolatry], for whom Christ died? But when you sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth.” 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. There is NO evidence that the discussion about “the weak and the strong” in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 has anything to do with the Sabbath. God has never said “one man may choose to esteem MY Sabbath, while another man may choose to esteem Sunday, or every day alike.” He has NOT left it up to us to “pick a day.” Rather, God has commanded, “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy ... the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:8-10. The book of Romans is very clear, “by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20; 7:7, 12 When the context of the passage is about foods or various days and especially things associated with the sanctuary service, then we must realize that it is not possible that the Ten Commandments are being referred to. When God’s Moral law is being referenced, you will always know as the context of the passage will be centred around love, as that is what God’s law is. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8, “He that loves not, knows not God; for God Is Love.” As God is eternal, then Love also must be eternal. 1 John 4:16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.” Love and obedience are inseparable from God and the true Christian, as God is Love and Love is God. This is why the Ten Commandments are eternal and unchanging, as God changes not, and Love changes not. The Sabbath is a love Commandment! The remainder of this topic will now be left to some of the world’s best theologians so no doubt can be left as to what the meaning of this passage is all about. John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, Romans 14:5 - One day above another - As new moons, and other Jewish festivals. Let every man be fully persuaded - That a thing is lawful, before he does it. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, Romans 14:5 - One man esteemeth one day above another - Perhaps the word ημεραν, day, is here taken for time, festival, and such like, in which sense it is frequently used. Reference is made here to the Jewish institutions, and especially their festivals; such as the Passover, Pentecost, feast of tabernacles, new moons, jubilee, etc. The converted Jew still thought these of moral obligation; the Gentile Christian not having been bred up in this way had no such prejudices. And as those who were the instruments of bringing him to the knowledge of God gave him no such injunctions, consequently he paid to these no religious regard. Another - The converted Gentile esteemeth every day - considers that all time is the Lord’s, and that each day should be devoted to the glory of God; and that those festivals are not binding on him. We add here alike, and make the text say what I am sure was never intended, viz. that there is no distinction of days, not even of the Sabbath: and that every Christian is at liberty to consider even this day to be holy or not holy, as he happens to be persuaded in his own mind. That the Sabbath is of lasting obligation may be reasonably concluded from its institution (see the note on Genesis 2:3) and from its typical reference. All allow that the Sabbath is a type of that rest in glory which remains for the people of God. Now, all types are intended to continue in full force till the antitype, or thing signified, take place; consequently, the Sabbath will continue in force till the consummation of all things. The word alike should not be added; nor is it acknowledged by any MS. or ancient version. Let every man be fully persuaded - With respect to the propriety or non-propriety of keeping the above festivals, let every man act from the plenary conviction of his own mind; there is a sufficient latitude allowed. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Romans 14:5 - One man esteemeth - Greek “judgeth” krinei. The word is here properly translated “esteemeth;” compare Acts 13:46; Acts 16:15. The word originally has the idea of “separating,” and then “discerning,” in the act of judging. The expression means that one would set a higher value on one day than on another, or would regard it as more sacred than others. This was the case with the “Jews” uniformly, who regarded the days of their festivals, and fasts, and Sabbaths (i.e. ceremonial Sabbaths) as especially sacred, and who would retain, to no inconsiderable degree, their former views, even after they became converted to Christianity. Another “esteemeth - That is, the “Gentile” Christian. Not having been brought up amidst the Jewish customs, and not having imbibed their opinions and prejudices, they would not regard these days as having any special sacredness. The appointment of those days had a special reference “to the Jews.” They were designed to keep them as a separate people, and to prepare the nation for the “reality,” of which their rites were but the shadow. When the Messiah came, the Passover, the feast of tabernacles, and the other special festivals of the Jews, of course vanished, and it is perfectly clear that the apostles never intended to inculcate their observance on the Gentile converts. See this subject discussed in the second chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians. Every day alike - The word “alike” is not in the original, and it may convey an idea which the apostle did not design. The passage means that he regards “every day” as consecrated to the Lord; Romans 14:6. The question has been agitated whether the apostle intends in this to include the Christian Sabbath. Does he mean to say that it is a matter of “indifference” whether this day be observed, or whether it be devoted to ordinary business or amusements? This is a very important question in regard to the Lord’s day. That the apostle did not mean to say that it was a matter of indifference whether it should be kept as holy, or devoted to business or amusement, is plain from the following considerations. (1) the discussion had reference only to the special customs of the “Jews,” to the rites and practices which “they” would attempt to impose on the Gentiles, and not to any questions which might arise among Christians as “Christians.” The inquiry pertained to “meats,” and festival observances among the Jews, and to their scruples about partaking of the food offered to idols, etc.; and there is no more propriety in supposing that the subject of the Lord’s day is introduced here than that he advances principles respecting “baptism” and “the Lord’s supper.” (2) the “Lord’s day” was doubtless observed by “all” Christians, whether converted from Jews or Gentiles; see 1Corinthians 16:2; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10; compare the notes at John 20:26. The propriety of observing “that day” does not appear to have been a matter of controversy. The only inquiry was, whether it was proper to add to that the observance of the Jewish Sabbaths, and days of festivals and fasts. (3) it is expressly said that those who did not regard the day regarded it as not to God, or to honor God; Romans 14:6. They did it as a matter of respect to him and his institutions, to promote his glory, and to advance his kingdom. Was this ever done by those who disregard the Christian Sabbath? Is their design ever to promote his honor, and to advance in the knowledge of him, by “neglecting” his holy day? Who knows not that the Christian Sabbath has never been neglected or profaned by any design to glorify the Lord Jesus, or to promote his kingdom? It is for purposes of business, gain, war, amusement, dissipation, visiting, crime. Let the heart be filled with a sincere desire to “honor the Lord Jesus,” and the Christian Sabbath will be reverenced, and devoted to the purposes of piety. And if any man is disposed to plead “this passage” as an excuse for violating the Sabbath, and devoting it to pleasure or gain, let him quote it “just as it is,” that is, let “him neglect the Sabbath from a conscientious desire to honor Jesus Christ.” Unless this is his motive, the passage cannot avail him. But this motive never yet influenced a Sabbath-breaker. Let every man... - That is, subjects of this kind are not to be pressed as matters of conscience. Every man is to examine them for himself, and act accordingly. This direction pertains to the subject under discussion, and not to any other. It does not refer to subjects that were “morally” wrong, but to ceremonial observances. If the “Jew” esteemed it wrong to eat meat, he was to abstain from it; if the Gentile esteemed it right, he was to act accordingly. The word “be fully persuaded” denotes the highest conviction, not a matter of opinion or prejudice, but a matter on which the mind is made up by examination; see Romans 4:21; 2Timothy 4:5. This is the general principle on which Christians are called to act in relation to festival days and fasts in the church. If some Christians deem them to be for edification, and suppose that their piety will be promoted by observing the days which commemorate the birth, and death, and temptations of the Lord Jesus, they are not to be reproached or opposed in their celebration. Nor are they to attempt to impose them on others as a matter of conscience, or to reproach others because they do not observe them. Notice how the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, which primarily references other verses that are referring to the same topic, has referenced the passages that Paul discussed with the Romans, Galatians and Colossians regarding the ceremonial law also. This as we have now seen is because these verses are all referring to the ceremonial law. Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge. Romans 14:5 - esteemeth: Gal 4:9, Gal 4:10; Col 2:16, Col 2:17 People’s New Testament By B. W. Johnson. One man esteemeth one day above another. A second difference of opinion is now cited. Some, Jewish converts or Gentiles who did not understand that the old covenant was ended, believed that the Jewish Sabbaths and new moons should be kept sacred. Compare Colossians 2:16, and Galatians 4:10. This ends the Commentaries on Romans 14:5. You will note that the People’s New Testament commentary above also references Colossians 2:16 and Galatians 4:10. There can be no doubt that the context and the meaning of all these passages is the ceremonial law with all its various holyday festivals, new moons and ceremonial sabbaths. The following table should clear up any remaining misunderstanding between the ceremonial sabbaths and the Sabbath of our Lord. Please look at this table carefully and give the statements that follow some serious thought. Sabbath of the Lord Ceremonial Sabbaths Spoken by God personally (Exodus 20:1, 8-11) Spoken by Moses (Exodus 24:3) Written in stone by God Himself (Exodus 31:18) Written by Moses hand on paper (Exodus 24:4) Placed inside the Ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:5) Stored on the outside of the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:26) Breaking the Sabbath is sin (1 John 3:4) These were kept because of sin (See Leviticus) It is a law of love (Matthew 22:35-40, Isaiah 58:13-14) They were not love (Colossians 2:14, Galatians 4:9-10) It is a law of liberty (freedom) (James 1:25; 2:10-12) They were bondage (Galatians 4:9-10, Colossians 2:14) Was established before sin (Genesis 2:1-3) Were established after sin (Exodus 20:24) Was made at creation (Genesis 2:1-3) Were made after Sinai (Exodus 20:24) The Sabbath is for everyone (Mark 2:27) Only for the children of Israel & Jews (Read Old Testament) God calls it MY Sabbath (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:20) God calls it HER sabbaths (Hosea 2:11, Lamentations 1:7) The Sabbath is eternal (Exodus 31:16-17, Isaiah 66:22-23) Were nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 2:15) The Facts: God is all knowing. (Omniscience) He is a God of infinite wisdom. God is love. (1 John 4:8, 16) God’s Ten Commandments are a law of love. (Moral law) The ceremonial sabbaths were observed as a result of sin. (Are not love) The Sabbath of the Lord is for personal quality time with our Creator. (A love Commandment) The Questions: Why would our omniscient God put His Sabbath in His eternal law of love if it is not eternal? Why would our God of infinite wisdom put His Sabbath in His law of love if it is not a law of love? Why didn’t God put His Sabbath with all the ceremonial Sabbaths if it was to end at the cross? Why didn’t God put His Sabbath with the Jewish ceremonial Sabbaths if His Sabbath was only for the Jews? The Sabbath truth: God did not include His Sabbath with the ceremonial sabbaths that ended at the cross because His Sabbath is not a ceremonial Sabbath. And God did not include His Sabbath with the ceremonial sabbaths that were only for the Jews because His Sabbath is for EVERYONE. Why would our God of infinite wisdom place a temporary law in an eternal law or a law that is not love in a law that is love? Our God “is not the author of confusion…” 1 Corinthians 14:33. God put His Sabbath in His moral law because it is a law of Love and a very special one that is a sign that it is God we Love and Worship and that we are His children. It is also a sign that it is God that sanctifies us. What person who truly loves God would not want to be under this sign? It is NOT a sign when we keep another day. To do so is to profane the Holy and to try and make Holy the profane. Only God can make a day Holy. We are not under Law but under Grace We often hear this argument in an effort to belittle God’s law, “Well, since we are not under the law but under grace, we do not need to keep the Ten Commandments any longer.” Is this a valid point? The Bible certainly does say that we are not under the law, but does that imply that we are free from the obligation to obey it? The text is found in Romans 6:14-15, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” How easily we could prevent confusion if we accepted exactly what the Bible says. Paul gives a clear explanation of his statement. After stating that we are not under law but grace, he asks, “What then?” This simply means, “How are we to understand this?” Then notice his answer. In anticipation that some will construe his words to mean that you can break the law because you are under grace, he says, “Shall we sin (break the law) because we are not under the law but under grace? God forbid.” In the strongest possible language Paul states that being under grace does not give a license to break the law. Yet this is exactly what millions believe today, and they totally ignore Paul’s specific warning. Most do not seem to understand that God’s grace is His unmerited, undeserved favour that is preceded by the act of genuine repentance when we do sin. If there were no law, there would actually be no need for God’s grace. Suppose a murderer has been sentenced to death in the electric chair. Waiting for the execution the man would truly be under the law in every sense of the word, under the guilt, under the condemnation, under the sentence of death, etc. Just before the execution date the governor reviews the condemned man’s case and decides to pardon him. In the light of extenuating circumstances the governor exercises his prerogative and sends a full pardon to the prisoner. Now he is no longer under the law but under grace. The law no longer condemns him. He is considered totally justified as far as the charges of the law are concerned. He is free to walk out of the prison and not a policeman can lay hands upon him. But now that he is under grace and no longer under the law, can we say that he is free to break the law? Indeed not! In fact, that pardoned man will be doubly obligated to obey the law because he has found grace from the governor. In gratitude and love he will be very careful to keep the law of the state which granted him grace. Is that what the Bible says about pardoned sinners? “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. Here is the most explicit answer to the entire problem. Paul asks if the law is nullified for us just because we have had faith in Christ’s saving grace. His answer is that the law is established and reinforced in the life of a grace saved Christian. The truth of this is so simple and obvious that it should require no repetition, but the devious reasoning of those who try to avoid obedience makes it necessary to press this point a bit further. Have you ever been stopped by a policeman for exceeding the speed limit? It is an embarrassing experience, especially if you know you are guilty. But suppose you really were hurrying to meet a valid emergency, and you pour out your convincing explanation to the policeman as he writes your ticket. Slowly he folds the ticket and tears it up. Then he says, “All right, I’m going to pardon you this time, but...” Now what do you think he means by that word “but”? Surely he means, “but I don’t want to ever catch you speeding again.” Does this pardon (grace) open the way for you to disobey the law? On the contrary, it adds compelling urgency to your decision not to disobey the law again. Why then should any true Christian try to rationalize his way out of obeying the law of God? Consider carefully also what 1 John 3:4 says, “Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law.” Are we sinners? If we are not sinners, then why was Jesus nailed to the cross? Did Jesus break the Sabbath? Some say Jesus broke the Sabbath so it was not one of the Ten Commandments but a ceremonial law (Mosaic Law) but the Sabbath was never practised because of sin and this was also before the cross where that law ended and so is irrelevant anyway. 1 John 3:4 says that sin is transgression of the law and if Jesus broke the Sabbath then he would have broken His own law and sinned and hence those making this statement obviously have no idea of the implications of their accusation. Be thankful that Jesus only broke the Pharisees rules as breaking the Sabbath is sin and was also made before sin existed. Jesus was there when the Ten Commandments were given, but that does not mean that He can murder or break any one of the Ten Commandments. As a sinner He could not have been our one and final perfect sacrifice and redeemer. Let's look at the verses in contention just to clear up this fallacy anyway. The main passage is found in the book of John where Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and so the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. Note that John is quoting the words of the Pharisees in this passage and are not John's personal opinion. We will see evidence of this soon. This is what Jesus said about the Pharisees in Matthew 5:20, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” These are those who also had Jesus crucified. Whose words do you think we should listen to? The words of Jesus or the words of the Pharisees? John 5:5-18 “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. … 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. … 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” The Pharisees also accused Jesus of blasphemy because He made Himself equal with the Father. Were the Pharisees correct? They were no more correct on this allegation than they were on their accusation of Jesus breaking the Sabbath. In the book of Matthew, we have another account of Jesus healing someone and the Pharisees once again accused Him of breaking the Sabbath. However, this time we have the words of Jesus to establish if doing good deeds or things of absolute necessity are lawful on the Sabbath. Matthew 12:10-12 “And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” Why do the proponents quote the Pharisees but ignore the words of their own Lord and Saviour? Why would they put their faith in the Pharisees rather than Jesus Christ? Why do they quote John 5:5-18 but never mention Matthew 12:10-12 where Jesus says it was NOT unlawful to heal and do good on the Sabbath? Jesus thankfully did not sin and so did not break any of the Ten Commandments as He clarifies in this passage when He says “that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath,” such as healing people or pulling an animal out of a hole. Is the Sabbath in the New Covenant? Jesus said that He did not come to destroy the law OR the prophets, yet some say that you are putting us back under the Old Covenant and that the Sabbath changed to Sunday with the New Covenant. Not so. Basically, the only change to the New Covenant is the sacrificial Law of Moses ended (Hebrews 9:1) and where God writes His law. God’s law changes not, for He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) God also said the fault was with the people in they did not obey it, so He now writes His law in our hearts. (Hebrews 8:8-10) See also “Who is Israel Today and the New Covenant.” I had just finished preaching on the subject of the Sabbath in one of my evangelistic crusades. As I stepped off the platform to greet people as they left, three young men blocked my way in the aisle. One of them addressed me in quite a loud voice… loud enough to cause about fifty people near the front of the auditorium to stop and listen. “Dear brother” he said, “we were disappointed tonight with the way you put us back under the Old Covenant. Don’t you realize that we are living under the New Covenant now, and should keep Sunday instead of the Sabbath?” Although most of the congregation were leaving the Church, the group near the front gathered closer to hear all that the young men were saying. It was obvious that I would have to take the time to answer this trio’s challenging question. As I suspected, they turned out to be young seminarians in training at a local Bible college. Eagerly they held their Bibles in their hands and waited triumphantly for me to answer. Usually, I do not like to debate controversial matters in a public forum for fear of stirring combative natures, but there seemed no way to avoid dealing with these ministerial students. Anyway, they had my path completely blocked and the circle of listeners looked at me expectantly for some explanation. “Well, it seems as though you have studied the subject of the covenants quite deeply,” I suggested. “Oh, yes,” they affirmed, “we know all about the covenants.” “Good,” I replied. “You undoubtedly know when the Old Covenant was instituted.” One of them spoke up quickly, “It was instituted at Mt. Sinai.” “And how was it ratified?” I asked. Without a moment’s hesitation one of them answered, “By the sprinkling of the blood of an ox.” “Very good,” I commented, “and how was the New Covenant ratified?” All three chorused the answer, “By the blood of Jesus on the cross.” I commended the young men for their knowledge of the Scriptures and asked them to read me two verses out of their own Bibles. Galatians 3:15 and Hebrews 9:16-17. They responded eagerly to the invitation, and read the verses, commenting on each one after reading. “We agree that the New Covenant did not go into effect until after Christ died, and nothing can be added or taken away after He ratified it on the cross,” the spokesman for the group asserted. All three nodded their heads emphatically over this point. I said, “Now you must answer two more questions for me. Here is the first one, and you must think carefully to give me the correct answer: When did Sunday-keeping begin?” There was a moment of shocked silence, and then another, and another. The boys looked at each other, and then down at their feet, and then back at me. I gently prodded them for the answer, “Surely you can tell me the answer to this question. You have known all the others, and have answered correctly. When and why do you think people began keeping Sunday?” Finally, one of them said, “We keep Sunday in honour of the resurrection of Jesus.” I said, “Then I must ask you my last question. How could Sunday keeping be a part of the New Covenant? You just stated that nothing could be added after the death of Christ. He died on Friday and was resurrected on Sunday. If Sunday was added after Jesus died, it could never be a part of the New Covenant could it?” The three young men shuffled their feet, looked helplessly around, and one of them said, “We will study into that and talk to you later.” They then fled from that auditorium as fast as they could go. I can assure you that they never returned to talk further about the covenants. How could the majority be wrong about the Sabbath? The simple answer is because Satan nearly wiped out the fourth Commandment during the dark ages through the death of millions. And by the time Protestant reformation began, all the Protestant Churches continued keeping Sunday in ignorance. It is always harder to restore a lost truth and even more so when people do not want to know because it would disrupt their Church or lifestyle. See a true story on how the Sabbath was nearly lost. And in Christianity especially, the majority is hardly ever right. How many were right in the time of Noah? Only eight! Revelation says that God is going to destroy a Church for its abominations and yet the majority of Christians belong to this Church. The majority are wrong because Satan works hard to keep this truth from Christians and this is his BEST accomplishment on the Christian Church and the majority have no idea. Why? Because Satan has the majority busy making excuses or perpetuating the last persons excuse instead of studying this out. Sadly, the majority are not searchers of truth and don’t study the Word or see only what they want to see. 2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” After the Sabbath and other truths were revealed to me in my search, I attempted to share these truths with large numbers of people and was astounded to find more than 98% would not even consider the possibility because they said how could so many be wrong or they just simply did not want to know. This is sad when you consider God created us, sent His Son to die for us and we can’t be obedient to Him in love as it would mean some sacrifice on our part. It is no longer a mystery to me why the majority are wrong. It is because our adversary still has Christians perpetuating those same excuses they were previously told because it means changes they don’t want to consider or they are ignorant of the fact that Satan accomplished the change by the death of millions of Christians over several centuries. Hence the majority continue to stay wrong and only five hundred plus Sabbath keeping Churches of different denominations remain obedient to God in love. Until the majority stop making excuses and start saying let’s investigate this, the majority will remain wrong. Many also do not know that the attack on this Commandment and Sun-day worship actually began with the worship of Satan as early as 2000 B.C. See the Sabbath to Sunday change or who changed the Sabbath to Sunday and how 666 relates to this change. Was the Sabbath changed to Sunday in the Bible? Read the Sabbath to Sunday change for a very detailed account on how and who changed the Sabbath to Sunday. Did God amend the original stone tablets Sabbath Changedthat John saw in heaven in Revelation 11:19 to, “Remember to keep the first day”? Never. You can’t change a memorial day of creation. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:19, “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God’s Commandments is everything.” Paul plainly identifies here how important God’s Commandments are in comparison to circumcision. Yet this law of circumcision that was changed, and does not have the importance of the Ten Commandments, Paul mentioned more than 33 times and up to 10 verses at a time, and they were not verses you were left to make assumptions on. Yet there is not one clear verse in the whole Bible that says the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. Paul’s letters always had plenty to say when people needed correcting or misunderstood the scriptures but the Sabbath was so ingrained in the culture that Paul never had to correct them. Observing the Pharisees reaction to breaking the Sabbath clearly shows this also but they went overboard and turned the day into a burden instead of a blessing, which Jesus found need to correct them on several times. In John 5:18 they accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath by healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus said that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whose words should we trust and listen to? The Pharisees or Jesus? In Matthew 12:10-12 Jesus heals a man and He says to them, “…it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Jesus shows that they misunderstood the intent of the Sabbath day, not the day to keep it. Imagine if Jesus had proposed changing the Sabbath, what a dreadful uproar would have ensued by the Jews that would be heard in several books of the Bible. View a short video of a Sabbath miracle. When Christ was in the flesh, and lived on this earth, how did He regard the Sabbath? Luke 4:16, “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as HIS CUSTOM was, He went into the synagogue on the SABBATH DAY, and stood up to read.” Jesus made the seventh day Sabbath and He also kept the seventh day Sabbath. He is our perfect example. We also find after the cross that Sabbath observance continued as we see by Paul’s example. In Acts 13:42-44 there is no conflict between Jews and Gentiles over the day to keep the Sabbath. The Jews of course still continue to keep the seventh day Sabbath today. What a perfect opportunity for the Jews to bring a valid accusation against Paul. But the allegations against Paul were always false and never involved an accusation for breaking the Sabbath such as those the Pharisees falsely brought against Jesus. Acts 13:42-44 “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” Again in this example, we find no conflict between the Jews (who still keep Saturday today) or Greeks in regard to the day. Paul “came to Corinth ... he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” Acts 18:1, 4. “He continued a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (verse 11). Paul did not preach the traditions of men, but only “the word of God.” “Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized,” including “Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue” (verse 8). Crispus was a Sabbath keeper who probably became one of the leaders (see 1 Corinthians 1:14) of the early New Testament Sabbath keeping Church of Jesus Christ in Corinth. Paul’s letters, First and Second Corinthians, were written to this Church. After Paul was finally arrested in the Temple in Jerusalem, in his trial before the Sanhedrin, even the Pharisees said, “we find no evil in this man” Acts 23:9. Before Felix, Paul declared, “so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” Acts 24:14. Before Festus, “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all...to the Jews have I done no wrong” Acts 25:8, 10. Before Agrippa, “I continue unto this day ... saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” Acts 26:22. The prophets and Moses did not say that “Sunday keeping should come.” Finally, Paul spoke to the Jews in Rome, “persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening” Acts 28:23. During all his trials, the Jews NEVER once accused Paul of breaking the Sabbath. Why? Because he NEVER did! Paul was a Pharisee since his childhood. We also see Paul going into a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica and “as his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures…” Acts 17:1-4. As already stated, all practicing Jews still keep the seventh day Sabbath today, always have and undeniably did then and so there is no mistake as to what day Paul kept the Sabbath on as was “HIS CUSTOM” as this was a Jewish synagogue. As for his custom, Paul was a Jew and a Pharisee since childhood. Acts 26:5-6 “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.” Jesus also said in Matthew 5:18, “…Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law...” Not even a comma of the law will be altered. We never have to make assumptions when it comes to important issues in God’s Word. When anything significant changed we were always told. The Ten Commandments are the only thing that God personally added to the Bible. There is no way in this universe that God would not unmistakably tell us in His Word if He were to alter the Ten Commandments by even the smallest amount. Now for that one verse assumption that some use to argue that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday. In Acts 20:7 we find a religious meeting on the first day of the week but it was not a Sunday meeting. It was after sunset, prior to midnight on the first day of the week. At that time in history the first day of the week did not start at midnight but at sunset. All Bible days begin and end at sunset. Therefore this meeting and Paul’s preaching took place on what we call Saturday night. It was not a Sunday meeting at all. Regardless of this fact anyway, breaking bread is commonly understood by the Jews as having a meal together and was not the Lord’s Supper. Note how the Good News Bible translates it “The fellowship meal.” Here are examples using the King James, Good News and the New English Bible. (Acts 20:7 King James) “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7 Good News Bible) “On Saturday evening we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day.” (Acts 20:7 New English Bible) “On the Saturday night, in our assembly for the breaking of bread, Paul, who was to leave next day, addressed them, and went on speaking until midnight.” (Acts 2:42 King James) “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42 Good News Bible) “They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.” The following verse shows not only that breaking of bread was having a fellowship meal but also demonstrates that this breaking of bread was done every day of the week! Therefore, even if it was the Lord’s Supper, which it is not, it was done every day of the week making the argument of the Saturday night meeting irrelevant anyway. (Acts 2:46 King James) “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” (Acts 2:46 Good News Bible) “Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts,” Sunday keeping in Corinth? In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Paul wrote: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come...whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” Please carefully notice what the apostle said, and also, what he did not say. Many have assumed that a religious meeting was held and a collection plate passed. This is not the case. Paul was writing special appeals to the churches in Asia Minor, because many of the Christians in Jerusalem were suffering greatly for lack of food and daily necessities. Paul asked the church at Corinth to gather food, clothing, etc., and store it up at home until he could send men to transport it to Jerusalem. The expression “lay by him in store” in the original Greek gives the clear connotation of putting aside at home. Even Sunday advocates agree to this. There was no service held on the first day of the week. The gathering up and storing was to be done on that day. Why did Paul suggest that this work be done on Sunday, and what was involved in getting it done? First of all, the letter would have been shared with the church on the Sabbath when they were all gathered for worship. The first opportunity to do the work would be the next day - the first day of the week. Keep in mind that there was an apparent food shortage in Jerusalem, and the need was not primarily for money. Such famine conditions were not unusual in areas of the Middle East, as Luke reminds us in Acts 11:28-30. Paul urges them to return carnal, or material, gifts in appreciation of the spiritual truths received from them. This throws light on Paul’s counsel to the Corinthian Christians to do their work on the first day of the week, “so that there be no gatherings when I come.” Such work as gathering and storing up produce from the field would certainly not be appropriate on the Sabbath. Sunday is identified again as a day for secular activities and gives no indication of religious observance. Besides the two assumptions that are used to try and justify Sunday keeping, the Bible and history show them not to be correct. We have already seen that both Jesus and Paul kept the Sabbath and there can be no doubt that it was the seventh day Sabbath that Paul kept as he was a Jew and a Pharisee and kept it as was his custom since childhood. It has also been established by many historians and theologians holding PhD’s in their field that Matthew and Luke were written between 60 and 80 A.D. and there was never a better time for Luke to tell us of a day change but instead he states in Luke 23:56, “…And they rested on the Sabbath according to the Commandment.” Jesus also showed that the Sabbath would still be kept after the cross and speaks of no day change when He is talking to the Apostles about the destruction of the temple in about 70 A.D. Jesus says in Matthew 24:20, “And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.” Read Sabbath in the New Covenant for more information on this verse and topic. World leading historians also confirm this and that the Sabbath was kept by Jews and Gentiles till about 90-120 A.D. where persecution of the Jews became so great that some Christians changed to Sunday using the justification that it was in honour of the resurrection in order to avoid persecution and death. Later you will find out how the Sabbath got changed to Sunday and was made law about 364 A.D. As a result it was early in the fourth century when Sunday was officially named the Lord’s Day. Previous Back to Contents Next Top

返回研究目录 上一篇 下载中文 Read in English 下一篇 圣父和圣子按着祂们的形象造男造女 圣父和圣子按着祂们的形象造男造女（先祖与先知，第2章，创造） 唯独基督是天父本体的真像 [引言] 人类在外貌和品格上都赋有上帝的形象，惟有基督是天父 “本体的真像”（来1:3）; 但人类也是照着上帝的形象造的。他的性情是合乎上帝旨意的。他的心智能领会天上的事。他的爱情是纯洁的；他的食欲和情绪都受理智的支配。他既赋有上帝的形象，并完全顺从他的旨意，所以他是圣洁而幸福的。{原文第45页} [分析] 这句引言要求只有两位神性生物有相同的形象。如果上帝是三位一体，而三位按着他们的形象一同创造人类的话，那基督如何是天父本体的唯一真像呢？天父本体的另外一位真像呢？ [分析] 唯有基督是天父本体的真像，因为祂是父的独生子，承受了祂父所有的本性，形象和特性。如果圣灵也是父本体真像的另一位神性生物的话，那天父就有两位亲生儿子了。上帝生了两个儿子吗？不是的! 基督是上帝的独生子（约1:14; 3:16）。又或者基督有两位父亲吗？不可能! 天父只有一位（太23:9; 约20:17; 林前8:6; 弗4:6）。 只有一位与上帝同等 [引言] 在上帝所造地上的一切动物中，没有一种是与人同等的。所以 “耶和华上帝说：那人独居不好，我要为他造一个配偶帮助他。”（创2:18）上帝造人不是要他独居；乃是要他群居的。人若没有伴侣，则伊甸园美丽的景色和愉快的工作，就不能使人得到完全的幸福。即或有天使与他交往，也不能满足他对同情和友谊方面的愿望。他还没有一个与他性情相同的对象，和他彼此相爱。{原文第46页} [分析] 夏娃还没有从亚当身上被取出之前，没有任何活物是与亚当同等的。然后上帝造了一个与亚当性情相同，与他同等的女人。男人女人都是按着上帝和基督（上帝本体的真像）的形象造的。正如基督是从父上帝生出来的，并与上帝同等一样，照样，夏娃是从亚当出来，并与亚当同等的，她是亚当本体的真像，因为他们倆是按着上帝和祂儿子的形象造的。 [分析] 如果上帝是三位一体，而亚当夏娃是按着父，子，圣灵的形象被造的话，那上帝应该多造两个人给亚当，因为三个同等的人才能反映三位一体的形象! 基督是上帝的第二个自己 [引言] 所以上帝亲自给亚当造了一个伴侣。“为他造一个配偶帮助他，”──与他相配的一个助手──是专为作他的伴侣而造，并能彼此相亲相爱，合而为一。夏娃是由亚当的一根肋骨造成的，表明她不应作他的首脑去管辖他，也不应作他的奴隶任他践踏，乃是要以平等的地位站在亚当的身边，为他所亲爱，所保护。女人既是男人的一部分，是他骨中的骨，肉中的肉，她便是他的第二个自己；这是要说明夫妻之间应有亲爱密切的联合。“从来没有人恨恶自己的身子，总是保养顾惜。” “因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。”（弗5:29；创2:24）{原文第46页} [分析] 亚当夏娃之间的密切联合反映出圣父圣子的密切联合。两位神性生物在品德和旨意上是一致的。基督作为上帝的儿子，并不比上帝劣等低级，而是以平等的地位站在上帝的身边。祂既从上帝而生，便是上帝的一部分，是上帝的第二个自己，正如夏娃是亚当的一部分，亚当的第二个自己一样。就如亚当夏娃之间没有小三，父子之间也没有第三位神性生物的存在了。 [分析] 如果亚当夏娃是按着三位一体之上帝的形象造的，那么婚姻就应该是三个人之间的事。"二人成为一体" 就应该是 "三人成为一体" ，这样才能贴切地反映三位一体的创造主啊! 圣父和圣子创造了两个人来反映祂们的形象，又叫两人彼此相亲相爱，合而为一，这事实足以告诉我们，有两位神性生物参与创造之工，而非三位。 感谢赞美造物主圣父和圣子两位 [引言] 如果亚当和他的伴侣能继续效忠上帝，他们就必能管理全地。管理一切生物的无限大权已经赐给他们。狮子与羔羊和平相处地围着他们嬉戏，或一同卧在他们的脚前。快乐的雀鸟毫无畏惧地在他们头上跳跃；当它们宛转清脆赞美的歌声升到造物主面前的时候，亚当和夏娃也同声应和着感谢圣父和圣子。{原文第50页} 上一篇 返回研究目录 下一篇 到最頂

今年的帐棚大会将在亚庇的 Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam 举行，主题是“一上帝，一教会”。所计划的节目旨在鼓励基督教的弟兄姐妹团结​​起来，作为上帝的真教会一起交流，并宣传独一真神的真理。我们的节目于 10 月 24 日星期四晚上开始，10 月 28 日星期一下午结束。 感谢上帝的恩典，有 7 位来自南韩、澳大利亚和菲律宾的 Restitution Ministries 的传道人。他们将分享非常重要且生动有趣的圣经主题，包括圣经中的上帝、上帝之子、上帝的圣灵、安息日、罪的真相、健康信息、但以理书和启示录的预言研究等等。 我们诚心邀请您参加这些激动人心的节目。我们希望把每一个人都带回到圣经的真理和真正的教会。以弗所书 4:4-6 “身体只有一个，圣灵只有一个，正如你们蒙召，同有一个指望；一主，一信，一洗，一上帝，就是众人的父，超乎众人之上，贯乎众人之中，也住在众人之内。” 约定大家参加今年 10 月的帐棚大会。期待到时与你们相见! 中文 English 主题： 一上帝，一教会 日期： 2024年10月24至28日 地点： Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam, Jalan Kionsom, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 费用： 入场：免费 膳食：免费 住宿：每人每夜 RM 40 (四夜共 RM 160) (如需入住营内) 报名查询： 网上报名: Google Form 链接 电话/WhatsApp: +601155086547 (Marvin)丨+601155096390 (Esther)丨+60178378848 (Victoria) 电邮: onetruegodchineseministry@gmail.com 其它： 每日安排免费专车往返市中心(需预先联络我们)。 营内设有销售处售卖预言之灵中英文版的书籍和独一真神T-Shirt。 按此 下载详细流程表 。 独一真神中文事工的使命是传扬三位天使的信息和独一真神及其独生子的真理。随着基督降临的临近，我们被召去活出并向世界传达这些重要的信息。 今年的帐棚大会将在亚庇的 Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam 举行，主题是“一上帝，一教会”。所计划的节目旨在鼓励基督教的弟兄姐妹团结起来，作为上帝的真教会一起交流，并宣传独一真神的真理。我们的节目于 10 月 24 日星期四晚上开始，10 月 28 日星期一下午结束。 感谢上帝的恩典，有 7 位来自南韩、澳大利亚和菲律宾的 Restitution Ministries 的传道人。他们将分享非常重要且生动有趣的圣经主题，包括圣经中的上帝、上帝之子、上帝的圣灵、安息日、罪的真相、健康信息、但以理书和启示录的预言研究等等。 我们诚心邀请您参加这些激动人心的节目。我们希望把每一个人都带回到圣经的真理和真正的教会。以弗所书 4:4-6 “身体只有一个，圣灵只有一个，正如你们蒙召，同有一个指望；一主，一信，一洗，一上帝，就是众人的父，超乎众人之上，贯乎众人之中，也住在众人之内。” 约定大家参加今年 10 月的帐棚大会。期待到时与你们相见! 按此 填写Google Form网上报名，或直接联络我们 。 帐棚大会 一般资料 证道讲题 加入我们学习如何正确认识独一真神和祂儿子耶稣基督。理解两大基督教谬论——三位一体神论和星期日崇拜的真相。学习末世圣经预言的解读，领受上帝赐给世人的最后怜悯信息——三天使信息，辨识谁是兽，又何谓兽印记。还有更多重要内容和课题为上帝子民在末世做好准备! * 早上及26/10安息日的下午时段 ： 每节长度为一小时半，两节之间有十五分钟休息时间。 用餐时间等其它时间安排请参照详细流程表 。 主讲者 高泰峰 Raymond Mendiola Neville Doherty Carlos Romero Restitution Ministry South Korea Restitution Ministry Philippines Restitution Ministry Australia Restitution Ministry Philippines Loie Deguit Daryl Famisaran Narcisa Raymundo Restitution Ministry Philippines Restitution Ministry Philippines Restitution Ministry Philippines 赖永成(翻译员) 独一真神中文事工 大会期间所有证道内容都会以中英双语 同时进行! 承蒙上帝的恩典，我们邀请了几位在外国热心为上帝工作的独一真神传道人来访马来西亚并为我们带来证道。 因大部份主讲嘉宾都会以英文讲道，我们会提供即时翻译，把英文翻译成中文，或中文翻译成英文。 膳食 大会期间，我们将免费提供健康美味的蔬食(含蛋类)。上帝的旨意是要末时的子民放弃多受污染、引至各种疾病痛苦的肉食。健康改革乃三天使信息的一部份，我们应严格执行健康改革的原则，在身体上荣耀上帝。 交通 免费专车往返市中心 我们在每日大会的开始前和结束后，都会安排专车往返市中心，方便住在营外的弟兄姐妹出入营。有需要的弟兄姐妹请预先联络我们 。 专车接送地点 ：Taman Tun Fuad Stephens @ Bukit Padang Parking Lot 自行到访 大家可自行驾车到访，营内有免费停车位供大家使用。 地点 ： Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam, Jalan Kionsom, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah(在 Mari Mari Cultural Village 旁边) 住宿 营内住宿 欢迎大家在大会期间与我们同住在Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam 内。 我们的营地坐落在大自然的中心，为我们提供一个宁静祥和的环境，专心赞美上帝和学习上帝的真理。大家可在自由时间体验舒适美丽的自然环境，营内也有一个清凉的游泳池供我们使用。 费用 ：每人每夜 RM 40 (四夜共 RM 160) *最迟需在入住一天前通知营地负责人 **如有个别要求(eg. 只入住二夜, etc.)，请向我们查询 。 营外住宿 非本地的弟兄姐妹亦可选择留宿在营外市中心的旅馆，最好是靠近我们接送地点 的。如在寻找适合的地方上需要协助，可联络我们 。 报名参加 为帮助我们预备充足的食物及安排调动资源，敬请大家尽早报名! 按此处填写Google Form 报名! 查询 电话/whatsapp: +601155086547 (Marvin) +601155096390 (Esther) +60178378848 (Victoria) 电邮: onetruegodchineseministry@gmail.com 独一真神中文事工 One True God Chinese Ministry 将在Facebook直播证道内容! 独一真神中文事工One True God Chinese Ministry @OneTrueGodChineseMinistry 独一真神中文事工頻道 OTG Chinese Ministry Channel @OTGChineseMinistry Theme : One God, One Church Date : October 24 to 28, 2024 Location : Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam, Jalan Kionsom, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Fees : Admission: Free Meals: Free Accommodation: RM 40 per person per night (total RM 160 for four nights) (if you’re staying in the camp) Inquiries : Online Registration: Google Form link Tel/WhatsApp: +601155086547 (Marvin)丨+601155096390 (Esther)丨+60178378848 (Victoria) Email: onetruegodchineseministry@gmail.com Others : Free transportation to and from the city every day (please contact us in advance) There is a sales counter in the camp selling Chinese and English versions of Spirit of Prophecy books and One True God T-shirts. Click here to download our programme. One True God Chinese Ministry's missions are to promote the Three Angels' Messages and the truth of the One True God and His Only Begotten Son. As we are near the advent of Christ, we are called to live and to give these important messages to the world. This year's camp meeting, being held at Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam in Kota Kinabalu, carries the theme - "One God, One Church". The programmes are designed to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ to unite and have fellowship together as the one true church of God as well as to promote the truth of the One True God. Our programmes begin on Thursday evening, 24th October and end on Monday afternoon, 28th October. We are blessed to have 7 speakers from Restitution Ministries South Korea, Australia and the Philippines. They will be presenting interesting and important biblical topics about the God of the Bible, the Son of God, the Holy Spirit of God, the Sabbath, the truth about sin, health messages, Daniel and Revelation prophetic studies and many more. We warmly invite you to be a part of these exciting events. We hope to bring you all back to the truth of the Bible and the true church. Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Make plans now to attend the camp meeting this October. Hope to see you there! Click here to fill in the Google Form to register online, or contact us directly. Camp Meeting General Information Sermon Topic Join us to learn how to truly know the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ. Understand the truth about two major Christian falsehoods - Trinity and Sunday Worship. Learn the interpretation of End Times Bible Prophecies, receive the last message of mercy given by God to the world - the Three Angels' Messages, identify who the Beast is, and what the Mark Of The Beast is. There are many more great contents and lessons to prepare God's people for the end times! *Morning and afternoon sessions on Sabbath 26/10 : Each session is one and a half hours long, with a 15-minute break between sessions. Please refer to the detailed programme for meal times and other time arrangements. Speaker Stefan Skucy Raymond Mendiola Neville Doherty Carlos Romero Restitution Ministry South Korea Restitution Ministry Philippines Restitution Ministry Australia Restitution Ministry Philippines Loie Deguit Daryl Famisaran Narcisa Raymundo Restitution Ministry Philippines Restitution Ministry Philippines Restitution Ministry Philippines Marvin Lai(Translator) One True God Chinese Ministry All sermons during the meeting will be delivered in both English and Mandarin ! By the grace of God, we have invited several ministers of the One True God who are passionate about working for God in foreign countries to visit Malaysia and bring us important biblical messages. Since most of the guest speakers will preach in English, we will provide instant translation from English to Mandarin, or Mandarin to English. Meals During the camp meeting, we will provide healthy and delicious vegetarian meals (with eggs). God's will is for the people in the last days to give up the use of flesh meat, which is poisonous and causes all kinds of diseases and sufferings. Health reform is part of the three angels' messages. We should strictly implement the principles of health reform and glorify God in our bodies. Transportation Free Transportation To and From The City We will arrange transportation to and from the city before and after the daily meetings for brothers and sisters who reside in the city or stay outside the camp. Those who require transportation please contact us in advance. Pick-up location ：Taman Tun Fuad Stephens @ Bukit Padang Parking Lot Self-Arrival You may drive here by yourself. There are free parking spaces in the camp for everyone to use. Location ：Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam, Jalan Kionsom, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah( Beside the Mari Mari Cultural Village) Accomodation Accommodation Inside The Camp Everyone is welcome to stay with us at Nuluhon Garden Retreat House Inanam during the camp meeting. Our site is nestled in the heart of nature, providing a serene and peaceful environment for us to fix our mind on praising God and learning His truth. Everyone can experience the comfortable and beautiful natural environment in their free time. There is also a refreshing swimming pool in the camp for us to use. Fees ：RM 40 per person per night (total RM 160 for four nights) *Must inform the campground manager at least one day before check-in **If you have any special requirements (eg. staying for only two nights, etc.), please inquire with us . Accommodation Outside The Camp Non-local brothers and sisters can also choose to stay in a hotel outside the camp in the city, preferably near the retreat house or our pick-up location . If you need help in finding a suitable place, please contact us . Registration To help us prepare sufficient food and allocate other resources, please register as early as possible! Click here to fill in Google Form to register online. Inquiries Tel/WhatsApp: +601155086547 (Marvin) +601155096390 (Esther) +60178378848 (Victoria) Email: onetruegodchineseministry@gmail.com 独一真神中文事工 One True God Chinese Ministry Sermons will be broadcast live on Facebook! 独一真神中文事工One True God Chinese Ministry @OneTrueGodChineseMinistry 独一真神中文事工頻道 OTG Chinese Ministry Channel @OTGChineseMinistry contact Pick-up location Contact us ENG Eng pickup

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Stephen N. Haskell on the Trinity Stephen N. Haskell on the Trinity More words from one of the founding members of the Seventh day Adventist Church and the truth the Adventist Church was founded on. “The rainbow in the clouds is but a symbol of the rainbow which has encircled the throne from eternity. Back in the ages, which finite mind cannot fathom, the Father and Son were alone in the universe. Christ was the first begotten of the Father, and to Him Jehovah made known the divine plan of Creation. The plan of the creation of worlds was unfolded, together with the order of beings which should people them. Angels, as representatives of one order, would be ministers of the God of the universe. The creation of our own little world, was included in the deep-laid plans. The fall of Lucifer was foreseen; likewise the possibility of the introduction of sin, which would mar the perfection of the divine handiwork. It was then, in those early councils, that Christ's heart of love was touched; and the only begotten Son pledged His life to redeem man, should he yield and fall. Father and Son, surrounded by impenetrable glory, clasped hands. It was in appreciation of this offer, that upon Christ was bestowed creative power, and the everlasting covenant was made; and henceforth Father and Son, with one mind, worked together to complete the work of creation. Sacrifice of self for the good of others was the foundation of it all.” — (S.N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pp. 93, 94, 1905) “Before the creation of our world, “there was war in heaven.” Christ and the Father covenanted together; and Lucifer, the covering cherub, grew jealous because he was not admitted into the eternal councils of the Two who sat upon the throne.” — (S.N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pages 217, 1905) "Christ was the firstborn in heaven; He was likewise the firstborn of God upon earth, and heir to the Father's throne. Christ, the firstborn, though the Son of God, was clothed in humanity, and was made perfect through suffering. He took the form of man, and through eternity, He will remain a man.” — (S.N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pp. 98, 99, 1905) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

返回研究目录 上一篇 下载中文 下一篇 圣经中的心和灵 圣经中的心和灵 心和灵的经文 创世纪41:7-8 这法老醒了，不料是个梦。到了早晨，法老灵里不安。 出埃及记 6:9 摩西将这话告诉以色列的孩子们，只是他们因被残酷的奴役和灵里的痛苦，不肯听从摩西。 出埃及记 28:3 你又要吩咐一切心中有智慧的，就是我用智慧的灵所充满的，可以给亚伦做衣服，使他分别为圣，可以给我供祭司的职分。 出埃及记 31:3 我也以上帝的灵充满了他，使他有智慧，能理解，有知识，能做各样的工艺。 出埃及记 35:21 凡心里受感和灵里乐意的，都拿耶和华的奉献来，用以做会幕和其中一切的使用，又用以做圣衣。 民数记 5:14 她丈夫被嫉恨的灵所附，他因妻子嫉恨，她也被玷污了；或者她丈夫被嫉恨的灵所附，他因妻子嫉恨，而她并没有被玷污。 申命记 2:30 但希实本王西宏不容我们从他那里经过；因为耶和华你的神使他的灵刚硬，他的心顽梗，为要将他交在你手中，像今日一样。 申命记 34:9 嫩的儿子约书亚，因为摩西曾给他按手，就被智慧的灵充满，以色列人便听从他，照着耶和华吩咐摩西的行了。 撒母耳记上 1:15 哈拿回答说：我主啊，不是这样。我是灵里愁苦的妇人，清酒浓酒都没有喝，而是将我的魂倾倒在耶和华面前。 撒母耳记上 16:14 但耶和华的灵离开了扫罗，就有一个邪灵从耶和华那里来搅扰他。 历代志上 5:26 因此，以色列的上帝激动亚述王普勒和亚述王提革拉毗尼色的灵，他们就把流便人、迦得人、玛拿西半支派的人掳到哈腊、哈博、哈拉与歌散河边，直到今日还在那里。 历代志下 36:22 波斯王居鲁士第一年，耶和华为要成就借耶利米口所说的话，就激动波斯王居鲁士的灵，使他下诏通告全国，说： 约伯记 21:4 我岂是向人诉冤？若是诉冤，我的灵为何不焦虑呢？ 诗篇 32:2 凡灵里没有诡诈、耶和华不算为有罪的，这人是有福的。 诗篇 51:12 将你救恩之乐恢复与我，用你乐意的灵托住我。 诗篇 77:3 我想到上帝，就烦燥不安；我沉吟悲伤，灵便发昏。 诗篇 106:33 是因他们惹动他的灵，以致他以嘴唇说了急躁的话。 诗篇 142:3 我的灵在我里面发昏的时候，你知道我的道路。在我行的路上，敌人为我暗设网罗。 诗篇 143:4 所以，我的灵在我里面发昏；我的心在我里面凄惨。 箴言 18:14 人有疾病，灵能忍耐；但灵若受伤，谁能承受呢？ 传道书 1:17 我又专心认识智慧、狂妄和愚昧，乃知这也使灵忧愁。 传道书 2:11 后来，我察看我手所经营的一切事和我劳碌所成的功。谁知都是虚空，使灵忧愁；在日光之下毫无益处。 传道书 2:17 所以，我恨恶生命；因为在日光之下所行的事我都以为烦恼，都是虚空，使灵忧愁。 以赛亚书 29:24 灵里偏离的必得明白；发怨言的必学道理。 以赛亚书 54:6 耶和华召你，如召被离弃、灵里忧伤的妇人，就是幼年所娶被弃的妻。这是你上帝所说的。 以赛亚书 61:3 赐华美与锡安悲哀的人，代替灰尘；喜乐油代替悲哀；赞美衣代替沉重的灵；使他们称为公义树，是耶和华所栽的，叫他得荣耀。 以赛亚书 63:10 他们竟悖逆，使主的圣灵忧伤。他就转作他们的仇敌，亲自攻击他们。 以赛亚书 65:14 看哪，我的仆人们因心中高兴歌唱，你们却因心中忧愁哀哭，又因灵里忧伤哀号。 以西结书 18:31 你们要将所犯的一切罪过抛弃，你们要造一个新心和新灵。以色列家啊，你们为什么死亡呢？ 以西结书 36:26 我也要赐给你们一个新心，将新灵放在你们里面，又从你们的肉体中除掉石心，给你们肉心。 但以理书 2:1 尼布甲尼撒在位第二年，他做了梦，灵里烦乱，不能睡觉。 但以理书 2:3 王对他们说：我做了一梦，灵里烦乱，要知道这是什么梦。 但以理书 7:15 我但以理的灵在我里面愁烦，我脑中的异象使我惊惶。 何西阿书 4:12 我的民求问木偶，以为木杖能指示他们；因为他们淫乱的灵使他们失迷，他们就行淫不顺从上帝， 哈该书 1:14 耶和华激动犹大省长撒拉铁的儿子所罗巴伯的灵和约撒答的儿子大祭司约书亚的灵，并剩下一切百姓的灵，他们就来为万军之耶和华他们上帝的殿做工。 撒迦利亚书 12:10 我必将恩典和恳求的灵浇灌大卫家，和耶路撒冷的居民。他们必仰望我，就是他们所扎的；必为我悲哀，如丧他的独生子，又为我愁苦，如丧他的长子。 玛拉基书 2:15 虽然上帝有余剩的灵能造多人，他不是单造一人吗？为何只造一人呢？他是要得虔诚的种子。所以当谨守你们的灵，谁也不可以诡诈待他幼年的妻。 玛拉基书 2:16 耶和华以色列的上帝说：休妻的事和以衣服遮掩强暴的人，都是我所恨恶的。所以当留意你们的灵，不可行诡诈。这是万军之耶和华说的。 诗篇 51:11 不要丢弃我，使我离开你的面；不要从我收回你的圣灵。 诗篇 139:7 我往哪里去躲避你的灵？我往哪里逃躲避你的面？ 哥林多前书 2:11 除了在人里头的灵，谁知道人的事？像这样，除了上帝的灵，也没有人知道上帝的事。 马太福音 3:16 耶稣受了浸，随即从水里上来。天忽然为他开了，他就看见上帝的灵仿佛一只鸽子降下，落在他身上。 马太福音 5:3 灵里贫穷的人有福了，因为天国是他们的。 马太福音 26:41 警醒祷告，免得你们入了试探；你们的灵确实愿意，肉体却软弱了。 马可福音 2:8 耶稣灵里深深地叹息，说：这世代为什么求迹象呢？我实在告诉你们，没有迹象给这世代看。 马可福音 8:12 耶稣灵里看出他们里面这样议论，立刻对他们说：你们心里为什么这样议论呢？ 马可福音 9:17 众人中间有一个人回答说：师傅，我带了我的儿子到你这里来，他被哑巴的灵附着。 路加福音 1:47 我灵以上帝我的救主为乐； 路加福音 1:80 那孩子渐渐长大，灵里刚强，住在旷野，直到他显明给以色列的日子。 路加福音 2:40 孩子渐渐长大，强健起来，充满智慧，又有上帝的恩在他身上。 路加福音 4:18 主的灵在我身上，因为他膏我，叫我传福音给贫穷的人；他差我医好伤心的人，宣告被掳的得释放，瞎眼的得看见，叫那受压制的得自由， 路加福音 9:55 耶稣却转身责备他们，说：你们的灵如何，你们并不知道。 路加福音10:21 正当那时，耶稣灵里欢乐，说：父啊，天地的主，我感谢你！因为你将这些事向智慧、精明的人就隐藏起来，向婴孩就显露出来。父啊！是的，因这在你眼中看为好。 约翰福音11:33 耶稣看见她哭，并看见与她同来的犹太人也哭，他就灵里悲叹，又忧愁， 约翰福音13:21 耶稣说了这话，灵里忧愁，就明说：我实实在在地告诉你们，你们中间有一个人要出卖我了。 使徒行传2:4 他们就都被圣灵充满，按着圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来。 使徒行传11:12 圣灵吩咐我和他们同去，不要疑惑。此外，同着我去的，还有这六位弟兄；我们都进了那人的家。 使徒行传16:7 他们来到每西亚，试着要往庇推尼去，圣灵却不许。 使徒行传17:16 保罗在雅典等候他们的时候，看见满城都是偶像，他的灵就在里面搅动； 使徒行传18:5 西拉和提摩太从马其顿来的时候，保罗灵里迫切，向犹太人证明耶稣是基督。 使徒行传18:25 这人已经在主的道路上受了指教，灵里火热，殷勤地将主的事讲论、教导人；但他只知道约翰的浸礼。 使徒行传19:21 这些事完了，保罗心里定意，经过了马其顿、亚该亚，就往耶路撒冷去。又说：“我到了那里以后，也必须往罗马去看看。” 罗马书1:4 按圣洁的灵说，借着从死里复活，以大能显明是上帝的儿子。 罗马书7:6 但我们既然在捆我们的律法上死了，现在就脱离了律法，叫我们服侍，要按着灵的新样式，不按着字句的旧样式。 罗马书8:4 使律法的义成就在我们这不随从肉体、只随从圣灵的人身上。 罗马书8:11 然而，叫耶稣从死里复活者的灵若住在你们里面，那叫基督从死里复活的，也必借着住在你们里面他的灵，使你们必死的身体又活过来。 罗马书8:14 因为凡被上帝的灵引导的，他们就是上帝的儿子。 罗马书8:15 你们所受的，不是奴仆的灵，仍旧害怕；但你们所受的，是得儿子名分的圣灵，因此我们呼叫：阿爸！父！ 罗马书8:26 照样，我们的软弱有圣灵帮助；我们本不晓得当怎样祷告，只是圣灵亲自用说不出来的叹息为我们代求。 歌林多前书2:10 但是上帝借着他的圣灵向我们启示了，因为圣灵鉴察万事，就是上帝深奥的事。 歌林多前书2:12 我们所领受的，并不是这世界的灵，而是从上帝来的灵，叫我们能知道那些上帝白白赐给我们的事。 歌林多前书2:14 然而，属肉体的人不接受神圣灵的事，反倒以为愚拙，并且不能知道，因为这些事唯有属灵的人才能辨别。 歌林多前书4:21 你们愿意怎么样呢？是愿意我带着杖到你们那里去呢？还是要我存慈爱，温柔的灵去呢？ 歌林多前书5:3 我身体的确不在你们那里，但灵却在你们那里，好像我亲自与你们同在，已经判断了行这事的人。 歌林多前书5:4 你们聚会的时候，我的灵也同在；奉我们主耶稣基督的名，并靠我们主耶稣基督的权能， 歌林多前书5:5 要把这样的人交给撒但，败坏他的肉体，使他的灵在主耶稣的日子可以得救。 歌林多前书6:17 但与主联合的，便是与主成为一灵。 歌林多前书7:40 然而按我的意见，若她安于现状更有福。我想我也有上帝的灵。 歌林多前书12:3 所以我要你们明白，借着上帝的灵说话的，没有说耶稣是可咒诅的；但若不是借着圣灵，也没有能说耶稣是主的。 歌林多前书16:18 他们叫我和你们的灵都快活。所以，这样的人，你们要认可。 哥林多后书3:3 你们明显是基督的信，借着我们的侍奉写成的。不是用墨写的，乃是用永生上帝的灵写的；不是写在石版上，乃是写在心的肉版上。 哥林多后书3:18 我们众人既然敞着脸，像从镜子里观看主的荣耀，就变成主的形象，荣上加荣，如同从主的灵变成的。 哥林多后书4:13 但我们既有信心，正如经上记着说：“我因信，所以如此说话。”我们也信，所以也说话。 哥林多后书7:1 蒙爱的人啊，我们既有这些应许，就当洁净自己，除去肉体和灵里一切的污秽，借着敬畏上帝，成就圣洁。 哥林多后书7:13 因此，我们因你们的安慰得了安慰；并且因你们众人使提多灵里畅快欢喜，我们就更加欢喜了。 哥林多后书11:4 假如有人来另传一个耶稣，不是我们所传过的；或者你们另接受一个灵，不是你们所受过的；或者另得一个福音，不是你们所得过的；你们容忍他也就罢了。 哥林多后书12:18 假如有人来另传一个耶稣，不是我们所传过的；或者你们另接受一个灵，不是你们所受过的；或者另得一个福音，不是你们所得过的；你们容忍他也就罢了。 以弗所书3:2 我只要问你们这一件事：你们领受了圣灵，是借着行律法呢？还是借着听从信心呢？ 以弗所书5:22，23 但圣灵所结的果子，就是爱、喜乐、和平、恒久忍耐、温和、良善、信心、温柔、节制。这样的事没有律法禁止。 加拉太书6:1 弟兄们，若有人被过犯所胜，你们属灵的人就当用温柔的灵把他挽回过来；又应当自己小心，恐怕你们也被引诱。 以弗所书1:13 你们听了真理的话语，就是那叫你们得救的福音之后，也信靠了他，相信他之后，就受了所应许的圣灵为印记。 以弗所书2:2 那时，你们在其中行事为人，随从这世界的风俗，顺服空中掌权的首领，就是现今在悖逆之子中运行的那灵。 以弗所书3:5 这奥秘在以前的时代没有叫人的儿子们知道，像如今借着圣灵启示他的众圣使徒和众先知一样。 以弗所书4:3 用和平彼此联络，竭力保守圣灵的合一。 以弗所书4:4 身体只有一个，圣灵只有一个，正如你们蒙召同有一个盼望。 以弗所书4:23 要将你们思想中的灵改换一新， 以弗所书4:30 不要叫上帝的圣灵担忧；你们是受了他的印记，直到得赎的日子来到。 歌罗西书2:5 我肉体虽与你们相离，灵却与你们同在，见你们循规蹈矩，在基督里的信心也坚固，我就欢喜了。 帖撒罗尼迦前书5:23 愿那平安的上帝亲自使你们全然成圣；我祷告上帝，愿你们的灵、魂、身体得蒙保守，在我们主耶稣基督到来的时候，完全无可指责。 帖撒罗尼迦后书2:8 那时这罪恶的人必显露出来。主要用他口中的灵烧灭他，用他到来的荣光毁灭他。 帖撒罗尼迦后书2:13 主所爱的弟兄们哪，我们本该常为你们感谢上帝；因为上帝从起初拣选了你们，使你们借圣灵成圣，相信真理，能以得救。 提摩太后书1:7 因为上帝赐给我们，不是惧怕的灵，而是大能、爱、思想健全的灵。 提摩太后书4:22 愿主耶稣基督与你的灵同在。愿恩典与你同在。阿们。 彼得前书1:2 就是照父上帝的预知被拣选，借着圣灵得成圣洁，以致顺服耶稣基督，又蒙他血所洒的人。愿恩典、平安多多地加给你们。 彼得前书1:11 就是考察在他们心里基督的灵，预先证明基督受苦难，后来被荣耀，是指着什么时候，并怎样的时候。 约翰一书4:1 蒙爱的人，一切的灵，你们不可都信，总要试验那些灵是出于上帝的不是，因为世上有许多假先知已经出来了。 启示录1:10 当主的日子我在圣灵里，听见在我后面有大声音如吹号说： 启示录4:2 我立刻在灵里，见有一个宝座安置在天上，又有一位坐在宝座上。 启示录17:3 我在灵里，他带我到旷野去，我就看见一个女人骑在朱红色的兽上；那兽有七头十角，遍体有亵渎的名字。 启示录21:10 在灵里，他带我到一座高大的山，将那由上帝那里从天而降的大城，圣城耶路撒冷指示我。 注意保罗怎么明白以赛亚论到上帝的灵的这句话。 以赛亚书40:13 谁曾指示耶和华的灵，或作他的谋士指教他呢？ 罗马书11:34 谁知道主的思想？谁作过他的谋士呢？ 上一篇 返回研究目录 下一篇 到最頂

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Transforming Knowledge of God Transforming Knowledge of God Proverbs 2:5 – “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” 2 Peter 1:2-3 – “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, v3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” Ephesians 1:17-18 – “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: v18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” 1 Corinthians 12:8 – “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.” God is not a mystery. It is important to have full knowledge of who you are truly worshipping. For those people who follow their clergy that says God is a mystery. What are they missing? What knowledge are they missing? Hosea 4:1-2 – “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Who will we be worshipping? Will we be worshipping a trinity god in heaven and on the new earth? No. We will worship Jehovah who is our heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, “the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10 – “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; v10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Revelation 20:6 – “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 21 – “v1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. v2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. v3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 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. v4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.v5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. v22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. v23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Revelation 22:1, 3 – “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.v3 - And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

返回研究目录 上一篇 下载中文 Read in English 下一篇 圣经说保惠师是谁 圣经说保惠师是谁？ 约翰福音14:16-28多次告诉我们，保惠师是基督借着祂的灵。耶稣说: "我要求父，父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师，〔或作训慰师下同〕 叫他永远与你们同在。" （约14:16）可是当耶稣一提到 "另外赐给你们一位保惠师" 的时候，很多人就看不到祂指的就是祂自己借着祂的灵，尽管耶稣的话说得很清楚，如以下的论述。 "另外" 在希腊原文中的字是 ἄλλον （译音allos），意思是另外一个同类的，因此指的是另一个与基督同类的。基督当时是以肉体的形式与门徒同在，但祂升天以后，祂以另一种形式回来，就是借着祂的灵（属灵的形式）。所以，那个 "另外一位" 是指祂的灵。由于基督的灵能够与基督分开而独立行事，所以祂的灵就像是 "另外一位"。因为是祂的灵，所以它是 "另外一位" 同类。 如果保惠师是另一个不同类的生物，那么约翰就会用 heteros这个字，意思是另外一位不同类的。知道了就很容易明白。很多人也没注意到耶稣经常用第三人称 [他] 来指自己，这一段经文就是用了第三人称。另一个例子可参阅约翰福音17:1-3。 在第16节，耶稣说，父要 "另外" 差遣一位保惠师，但在第18节祂说明祂指的是谁，让门徒没有疑惑。耶稣斩钉截铁地说: "我不撇下你们为孤儿，我必到你们这里来。" 这 "另外一位保惠师" 不是其他人，而是基督自己以另一种形式（属灵的形式）回来。与之前祂在世时的情况不同，如今肉眼看不见祂。祂远离了人的视觉，但祂仍然在灵里与我们同在。 第17节称保惠师为真理的灵，就是基督。 10节之前，耶稣刚刚说 "我是...真理...。" （第6节）借着祂的灵，祂就是 "真理的灵" 了。在第17节，我们也看到保惠师是世人不能接受的，因为世人不认识祂。可是基督告诉门徒说，"你们却认识祂，因祂与你们同在。" 与门徒同在的只有耶稣! 在第19节基督说，"还有不多的时候，世人不再看见我"，这是指着祂的死和复活而言。那么在第18和19节，基督的意思是，虽然祂即将离开，但祂不会撇下他们没有安慰，祂会回到他们中间。所以门徒知道基督要回到他们身边，作他们的保惠师安慰他们。但他们不明白耶稣要怎样回来。所以犹大（不是加略人犹大）问耶稣祂要怎样向他们显现，而不向世人显现呢？ （第22节） 门徒怎样明白 "另外一位保惠师" 呢？他们是否明白耶稣所指的是另一位生物呢？不是的! 犹大完全了解是基督要回到他们身边，而不是其他人。注意他所问的不是 "谁" 而是 "为什么" 或 "怎么样"。所以他不是不明白是谁要来，而是不明白基督要怎样向他们显现为保惠师。答案是: 借着祂的灵，这是门徒当时仍然不明白的。 在约翰福音16:7，耶稣说: "然而我将真情告诉你们，我去是与你们有益的，我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来，我若去，就差他来。" 保惠师都还没有奉差遣来到他们中间，那么在约翰第14章中怎么说保惠师已经与他们同在呢？在约翰福音7:39，我们看到: "耶稣这话是指着信他之人，要受圣灵说的，那时还没有赐下圣灵来，因为耶稣尚未得着荣耀。" 如果圣灵是另一位生物，如三位一体论所说的，那他就不需要依靠基督回去见天父并得着荣耀之后他才奉差下来。父还不能赐下圣灵来，直到基督得着荣耀，因为这是基督另外回来的方式，就是借着祂的圣灵。 （说得更白，基督要等到升天之后祂的身体变化成为荣耀的神性身体时，祂才能差遣祂的灵离开祂的身体下来住在门徒心间。但升天得荣耀之前祂受到了人性血肉之躯所限制，所以祂的灵是不能离开祂身体的。要等到升天得荣耀之后祂才可能赐下祂的灵。所以祂若是不升天去得着荣耀的身体，祂就不能赐下祂的灵来与我们同住。） 约翰福音14:23说: "耶稣回答说：人若爱我，就必遵守我的道，我父也必爱他，并且我们要到他那里去，与他同住。" 父和子借着圣灵要与我们同住。这个奉差遣的圣灵不是另外一位生物，而是上帝本身的生命借着祂的儿子耶稣基督来到我们心中。除了一位曾经体验过人类生活的苦楚，并且尝过受试探的滋味的人之外，还有谁更有资格安慰我们呢？有了父和子是多么的宝贵呢! 耶稣在约翰福音第14章中说了多少次祂要作我们的保惠师呢？ （括弧是加上去的） （1）约翰福音14:17 "就是真理的圣灵 [耶稣是真理，而借着祂的灵祂就是真理的灵]，乃世人不能接受的，因为不见他，也不认识他，你们却认识他，因他常与你们同在 [基督是唯一与他们同在的]，也要在你们里面 [借着祂的灵祂要住在他们心里作他们的保惠师]。" （2）约翰福音14:18 "我 [耶稣] 不撇下你们为孤儿，我必到你们这里来。" （3）约翰福音14:20 "到那日你们就知道我在父里面，你们在我里面，我也在你们里面 [借着祂的灵作他们的保惠师]。" （4）约翰福音14:21 "有了我的命令又遵守的，这人就是爱我的，爱我的必蒙我父爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现 [借着祂的灵作他的保惠师]。" （5）约翰福音14:22 "犹大（不是加略人犹大）问耶稣说：主阿，为什么 [耶稣你] 要向我们显现，不向世人显现呢？" （6）约翰福音14:23 "耶稣回答说：人若爱我，就必遵守我的道，我父也必爱他，并且我们 [耶稣和祂父亲] 要到他那里去，与他同住。" （7）约翰福音14:28 "你们听见我对你们说了，我 [耶稣] 去还要到你们这里来 [借着祂的灵作保惠师]。" 注意，翻译成 "保惠师" 的希腊原文παράκλητος（译音paraklētos）在圣经中共出现了五次，所指的都是基督。有四次出现在约翰福音中（14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7），这四节都翻译成 "保惠师" 或 "训慰师"。有一次出现在约翰一书2:1，这里则译成 "中保"。 （五次的作者都是同一人----耶稣的门徒约翰。约翰在书信中写παράκλητος的时候，肯定是有意联系到约翰福音第14章的παράκλητος去。他所指的必定是同一位。） 约翰一书2:1 "我小子们哪，我将这些话写给你们，是要叫你们不犯罪。若有人犯罪，在父那里我们有一位παράκλητος（译音paraklētos; 译作"中保"），就是那义者耶稣基督。" 由此可见，耶稣基督是我们的παράκλητος，既是我们的 "保惠师" 又是我们的 "中保"。保惠师不是另一位生物，而是基督本身借着祂的灵。除了道成肉身与我们一样受尽试探和痛苦的基督之外，还有谁更有资格来安慰我们呢？有救主耶稣基督亲自作我们的保惠师是一件多么有福的事啊！ 上一篇 返回研究目录 下一篇 到最頂

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Before Abraham Was, I AM “I AM or I existed?” Why do so Many Get This Wrong? The phrase “I am” in John 8:58 comes from two Greek words “egō” and “eimi.” The Strong's Definitions are:“egō : “I” (only expressed when emphatic): - I, me.”“eimi: I exist (used only when emphatic): - am, have been, X it is I, was.” How would you expect Jesus to respond to this comment? “Then said the Jews unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” John 8:57 Not knowing Jesus existed before Abraham, the Pharisees are saying how could you have seen Abraham because you are not yet 50 years old. Since the Greek words for “I am” also mean I exist or existed, what is the obvious translation and response from Christ who existed before Abraham? “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58Or“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I existed.” John 8:58 Both are valid translations and the majority of Bible translations agree with the last one in fact with good reason! *** Here Are Many Translations That Had No Trouble Getting This Right! *** The Living Bible:“The absolute truth is that I was in existence before Abraham was ever born!” The New Testament in the Language of Today, 1964 ed., William F. Beck:“I was in existence before Abraham was ever born” New Believers Bible, New Living Translation, (1996):“Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!” The Concise Gospel and The Acts, C.J. Christianson, (1973):“I existed even before Abraham was born.” New Simplified Bible:“Jesus said, I tell you the truth, I existed before Abraham was born.” An American Translation, Smith and Goodspeed, (1939):“Jesus said to them, “I tell you, I existed before Abraham was born!” The New Testament in the Language of the People, Charles B. Williams, (1937):“Then Jesus said to them, “I most solemnly say to you, I existed before Abraham was born.” Cotton Patch Version, (1970):“To this Jesus replied, I existed before Abraham was born.” New Testament, Noli, M.F.S., (1961):“Jesus answered them: Well, well, I tell you, I existed before Abraham was born.” The Original New Testament, H.J. Schonfield, (1956):“I tell you for a positive fact, I existed before Abraham was born.” The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, George Swann, (1947):“Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, I existed before Abraham was born.” The Clarified New Testament, P.G. Parker:“Jesus answered, before Abraham existed, I existed.” A Translators Handbook to the Gospel of John, Nida:“Before Abraham existed, I existed, or I have existed.” The Documents of the New Testament, G.W. Wade, (1934):“Jesus said to them, in very truth I tell you, before Abraham came into being, I have existed.” The Complete Gospels Annotated Scholars Version, Miller, (1992):“I existed before there was an Abraham.” The Bible, A New Translation, Dr. James Moffatt, (1935):“Truly, truly I tell you,” said Jesus, “I have existed before Abraham was born.” The New Testament Or Rather the New Covenant, Sharpe, (1881):“I was before Abraham was born.” The Worldwide English New Testament Bible:“Jesus answered, I tell you the truth. I already was before Abraham was born.” Good News for the World, (1969):“Jesus answered, I tell you the truth. I already was before Abraham was born.” International English Version, (2001):“I was alive before Abraham was born.” International Bible Translators, (1981):“Jesus said to them, I am telling the truth: I was alive before Abraham was born!” The Simple English Bible, (1978):“Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth: I was alive before Abraham was born.” The Four Gospels and Revelation, Richmond Lattimore, (1979):“Truly, truly I tell you, I am from before Abraham was born.” New Covenant, J.W. Hanson, (1884):“Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, I am before Abraham was born.” A Literal Translation from the Syriac Peshito Version, James Murdock, D.D., from 5th century manuscripts, (1896):“Jesus said to them: Verily, verily I say to you, That before Abraham existed, I was.” Twentieth Century New Testament:“In truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “before Abraham existed I was.” The New Testament According To The Eastern Text, George Lamsa Translation, (1940):“Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was born, I was.” The Curetonian Version of the Four Gospels, Burkitt, from 5th century manuscripts, (1904):“Before Abraham came to be, I was.” The Old Georgian Version of the Gospel of John, P. Blake, M. Briere, in Patrologia Orientallis, Vol. XXVI, faxcicle 4, Paris, from 5th century manuscripts, (1950):“Before Abraham came to be, I was.” Ethiopic-Edition: Nouvum Testamentum Æthiopice, T.P. Platt, revised by F. Praetorius, Lepzig, (1899:“Before Abraham was born, I was” The New Testament, Curt Stage, (1907):“Before Abraham came to be, I was.” The New Testament, Kleist & Lilly, (1956):“I tell you the plain truth. replied Jesus, I am here - and I was before Abraham.” New American Standard Bible, 1963 and 1971 editions alternative rendering:“I have been” The New Testament, George Rh. Noyes, D.D., “Professor Of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages and Dexter Lecturer on Biblical Literature in Harvard University”, (1869):“Jesus said, truly I tell you, from before Abraham was, I have been.” “The Four Gospels” According to the Sinaitic Palimpsest, Agnes Smith Lewis, from a 4th-5th century manuscript, (1886):“He said unto them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I have been.” The New Testament in Hebrew, Franz Delitzsch, 1937 edition:“Before Abraham was, I have been.” The Unvarnished New Testament, Andy Gaus:“Truly, truly I tell you, Before Abraham was born, I have already been.” The New Testament: a New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts, Johannes Greber, (1937):“I am speaking the truth, Jesus answered, I am older than Abraham.” The New Testament (in German), Friedreich Pfaefflin, (1949):“Jesus: Before there was an Abraham, I was already there.” The New Testament in Hebrew, Isaac Salkinson and David Ginsberg, 1941 edition:“I have been when there had as yet been no Abraham.” Translation of New Testament, Wakefield, G., (1795):“Jesus said unto them: Verily verily I say unto you, before Abraham was born, I am He.” Ledyard, G.H. New Life Testament, (1969):“Jesus said to them, for sure I tell you, before Abraham was born, I was and sum and always will be.” The Coptic Version of the New Testament in the Southern Dialect, George William Horner, (1911):“Before Abraham became, I, I, am being.” The New Testament, James A. Klist, S.J., and Joseph L. Lilly, C.M., (1954):“I am here - and I was before Abraham.” Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Unmasked Bible Study Bible Study Lesson 1 IS IT IMPORTANT, AND CAN WE KNOW? 1. Is God pleased when His people do not know Him? Hosea 4:1 “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” (Controversy: strife, dispute, quarrel, something against) 2. What is the whole duty of man?Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” 3. What does it mean to “fear God?”The Bible writers, often used a style of writing called parallelism where they would write a thought and then repeated it using different words, yet implying the same meaning. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” “fear of the Lord” = “knowledge of God” 4. What is the first message that we are to give in the last days? Revelation 14:7 “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (A part of the first angels message is to bring back the knowledge of God to the people.) 5. Is it important to know God? Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” 6. Why is knowing God so important? John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” 2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord...” 7. What does knowing God involve? a. Know who God is 2 Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (Paul knew who God is, that is why he was able to declare Him to those who worshiped Him ignorantly: Act 17:23) b. Know His ways/glory/character Exodus 33:13 “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” Exodus 33:18 “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” (ways = glory) Exodus 34:6,7 “And the LORD passed by before him, and pro-claimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (God’s character is here displayed as his glory.) 1 John 4:7-9 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (know God = love God and man, because God is love) c. Keep His commandments Titus 1:16 “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Knowing God leads to obeying Him. Doctrine is not the end; it is the means to know God better, to get closer to Him. ) 8. What must I do to know God intimately? Proverbs 2:3-5 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” 9. Can we know who God is? Has God revealed Himself to us in His Word? Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse ...” 1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 10. What is the only thing we can glory in? Jeremiah 9:23,24 “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” Bible Study Lesson 2 WHO IS THE GOD OF THE BIBLE? 1. According to the Old Testament, how many Gods are there? Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD...” Deuteronomy 4:35 “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.” Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” (see Question 6) 2. According to the New Testament, how many Gods are there? 1 Corinthians 8:4 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.” Ephesians 4:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 1Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;...” James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” 3. Who is the most qualified person to tell us about the true God? John 1:18 “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 3:11 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” 4. According to Jesus— a. Who is “the only true God”? John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” b. Whom did Jesus say we should pray to? Matthew 6:9-13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” c. Which is the first commandment of all? Mark 12:28-32 “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 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. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:” Knowing God is required before we can love Him. A correct knowledge of God is vital for our relationship with Him. The scribe agreed that there is only one God, and none other but He. d. Did Jesus correct the scribe? Mark 12:34 “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.” (The belief of the scribe reflected the faith of the entire Jewish nation. The Jews believed in one God only.) John 8:41 “Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.” e. Who is the God of the Jews? John 8:54 “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: ...” (see Romans 3:29) f. Who will the true worshippers worship? John 4:21-23 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” 5. According to the apostles, who is the one God? 1 Corinthians 8:6 “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” James 3:9 “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” Romans 15:6 “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 4:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;...” 6. Who is the living and true God? 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” Bible Study Lesson 3 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD THE FATHER What does the Bible have to say about the sovereignty of the Father? Here are some facts about God the Father that will shed some light on this topic. The Father is the ultimate Source of all things. 1 Corinthians 8:6 “But to us there is but one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;...” Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14,15 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,...” 2. The Father is the God of Christ. a. During the Incarnation Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” b. After His Resurrection John 20:17 “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: …” Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (see Hebrews 1:9, 1 Peter 1:3) 3. The Father is exclusively called the Most High … Compare the following two verses: Psalms 78:17 “And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.” Isaiah 63:8-10 “For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” God the Father is the subject of these verses. Two Beings are mentioned, God the Father (who is called “their Saviour”) and Christ (who is called “the angel of his presence”). … While Jesus is called the “Son of the Most High.” Mark 5:7 “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Luke 8:28 “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee,torment me not.” The above verses clearly distinguish between the Father and the Son. The Father is called “the Most High,” while Jesus is called the “Son of the most high God.” 4. The Father is older than Jesus. John 14:28 “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” The word “greater” in the above text comes from (G3187 “μείζων” meizon) which can mean “older” as translated in Romans 9:12, “It was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger.” 5. The Father is greater than all. John 10:29 “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” 6. The Father is the head of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” 7. The Father is above all. Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 8. The Father is the Lord of heaven and earth. Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (See Luke 10:21) Not only that, but the Bible also reveals to us some things which Jesus received from His Father which sheds a bit more light on the sovereignty of God the Father. 9. What did Jesus receive from His Father? a. His life John 5:26 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;...” b. His power and authority Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (see Matthew 11:27; John 5:22-27; 17:2) c. His kingdom Daniel 7:14 “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Luke 1:32 “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ...” (see also 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:22) d. His right to receive worship John 5:22-23 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” (see Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:6) e. His name Philippians 2:9-10 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;...” Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” f. All things John 3:35 “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John 13:3 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ...” (see Hebrews 1:2) The above verses are ample evidence to prove to us the sovereignty of God the Father. But, by this, we do not diminish the position, value or divinity of Jesus, the Son of God. (For further information on the equality of the Father and the Son, please refer to Lesson 5.) Bible Study Lesson 4 WHO IS JESUS? 1. Who did Jesus claim to be? 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?” 2. What did God the Father say regarding the identity of Jesus? Matthew 3:16, 17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 17:5 “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” 3. Who did the disciples understand Jesus to be? Matthew 16:15, 16 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 11:27 “She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Matthew 14:33 “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Acts 9:20 “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” 4. Did the fallen angels know that Jesus was the Son of God? Luke 4:3 “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Luke 8:28 “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.” Mark 5:7 “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”Satan and the fallen angels knew before their fall that Jesus was the Son of God, hence Satan’s challenge in the wilderness and the demon’s confession. 5. Who else is referred to as the “son of God” in the Scriptures? Luke 3:38 “Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.” Adam was the son of God by creation (Genesis 5:1), as also were the angels ( Job 38:7). 1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” We are sons of God by adoption (Romans 8:15). 6. How is Christ the Son of God? 1 John 4:9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” Jesus is not a son by creation, as Adam was; nor a son by adoption, like us; but He is the only begotten Son; He is the Son because He was begotten of the Father. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God giving His only begotten Son indicates that God must have had a Son, before the Incarnation, to give. 7. When did Jesus become the Son of man? Galatians 4:4 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Luke 1:31 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Jesus became the Son of man when He was brought forth of Mary; at the Incarnation. 8. When was Christ begotten of the Father? Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” “Goings forth” also means “origin.” Jesus was brought forth in the days of antiquity, or from everlasting (margin: the days of eternity). 9. What happened in the days of eternity? Proverbs 8:22-30 “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him.” In the above passage, speaking under the title of wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Colossians 2:3), Jesus points the reader to the duration, before the creation of anything, as the time when He was “brought forth” or “possessed” by the Father. 10. Was Jesus referred to as the ‘Son of God’ before Bethlehem? Proverbs 30:4 “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” Daniel 3:25 “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Psalms 2:12 “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” 11. During the Incarnation, did Jesus teach that He came forth from the Father? John 8:42 “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” John 16:27 “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” 12. Is it important for us to believe that Jesus is the real and literal Son of God? 1 John 2:22, 23 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 5:10, 11 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 13. Why did the Jews kill Christ? Matthew 26:63-65 “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.” John 19:7 “The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Jesus preferred to die than to deny His true Sonship! How much more should we mere mortals confess the Sonship of Jesus? 14. What is promised to those who receive Jesus as the Son of God? John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Bible Study Lesson 5 EQUALITY OF THE FATHER AND THE SON We have established that Jesus is the Son of God because He was begotten/brought forth from the Father in the days of eternity. 1. Are the Father and the Son equal? Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...” In this lesson we will search the Scriptures to see if God reveals to us the basis of this equality. Why are the Father and the Son equal? 2. What did Jesus inherit by virtue of His divine Birth? Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Exodus 23:20, 21 “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.” Jesus, as the Son of God, inherited His Father’s name. We also know that Jesus, who was the Angel that went before the Israelites, had the Father’s name back then. Hence, we conclude that Jesus inherited the Father’s name before Bethlehem, which means that Jesus’ Sonship predates the Incarnation. 3. What does “name” mean? Nature: ”Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” Genesis 5:2 Authority: “I am come in my Father’s name.” John 5:43 (see John 10:25; Matthew 21:23) Character: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 (see Ecclesiastes 7:1; Proverbs 15:30) By inheriting the Father’s name, Jesus inherited the Father’s God-nature or divine nature. 4. What does this fact make Christ? Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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.” Christ is the express image of the Father. He has the same divine nature and life as His Father has. His sonship and inheritance qualified Jesus to be: a. Owner—“heir of all things”b. Creator—“by whom also he made the worlds”c. Image of and equal with God—“the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person”d. Sustainer—“upholding all things”e. Saviour—“himself purged our sins”f. Mediator—“sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” Does the Bible reveal to us that Christ was the image of God before the Incarnation? Revelation 12:7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” “Michael” means “one who is like God.” Again this confirms the fact that Jesus inherited this name in the days of eternity. 6. What else did Christ inherit? John 5:26 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” The very same life that the Father has, was given to His Son by inheritance. This is immortal, original life that the Son can give to those who believe ( John 17:2). 7. Does this make Jesus, a divine Being, worthy of our praise and worship? Hebrews 1:8, 6 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” Colossians 2:9; 1:19 “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” The fullness of the Godhead, or divinity, dwells in the Son. He is fully divine because His Father is God. 8. Should we honor the Son as we honor the Father? John 5:23 “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” We honor and worship the Son as much as the Father. They are both of the same divine nature. We pay supreme honor to God when we honor and reverence His Son (Philippians 2:11). 9. Did the Jews understand that Jesus claimed equality with the Father? John 5:18 “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” 10. Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus? John 10:33-36 “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 blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” By claiming to be the Son of God, the Jews understood Jesus to mean that He is equal with God. Jesus also understood that. Jesus’ equality with the Father is based on His Sonship. Bible Study Lesson 6 HOLY SPIRIT—PART 1:GOD’S SPIRIT/MAN’S SPIRIT 1. In what image was man made? Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...” 2. Who was God talking to? Is there another divine Being in the image of God? The Bible describes Christ as the only divine being in God’s image. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...” Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:...” Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Unless the Bible reveals to us another divine Being in the image and likeness of God, we must conclude that, in Genesis 1:26, God the Father was talking to His Son. 3. What does the term “image” and “likeness” entail? Genesis 5:3 “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” We see here that Seth was in the likeness and image of Adam. That includes physical and spiritual aspect. 4. What is man (living soul) made of? Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” human body + human spirit = living human being 5. If man was made in the image of God, and man has two aspects, a spirit and a body, does that mean that God and Christ have a spirit and a bodily form? a. Does God have a bodily form? •Prophets saw God: –Jeremiah 1 Kings 22:19 “And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.” – Isaiah Isaiah 6:1 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” (Also Daniel [Daniel 7:9, 13] and John [Revelation 4:2, 3] saw God) •Christ was in the form of God before the Incarnation: Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...” • Jesus said that His Father has a form which no man has seen: John 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” (see also John 5:37) •We will see God: Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” b. Does God have a spirit? Father: John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (see also Matthew 10:20) Jesus: 1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” (see also Philippians 1:19) Divine Body/Form + Divine Spirit = Divine Being 6. Are there any parallels between “man and his spirit” and “God and His spirit?” 1 Corinthians 2:11 “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (“even so” means “in like manner”) The above text tells us that “what man’s spirit is to man” is the same as “what God’s spirit is to God.” Yet the text marks out a very important difference. While the spirit of man is “in him,” the spirit of God is not limited to the bodily form of God. 7. What does the spirit of man refer to? • Mind—Daniel 2:1 “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” (Obviously Nebuchadnezzar could not sleep because he was thinking of the dream he had. In other words, his mind was troubled.) •Heart—Psalms 34:18 “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (see also Psalms 51:10, 17; 77:6; 78:8; Ezekiel 36:26) • Life/breath—Job 27:3 “All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;...” (Isaiah 38:16; see also Job 27:3; Revelation 11:11) The spirit of man is the personality, character and life of the man. It is one’s own person. 8. How does the Bible explain God’s Spirit? • Mind—compare Isaiah 40:13 with Paul’s quote in Romans 11:34. Isaiah 40:13 “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” Romans 11:34 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (see also 1 Corinthians 2:16) •Life—John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Romans 8:10 “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (see also Genesis 2:7; Job 27:3; 33:4; Revelation 11:11) Just like the relation between man and his spirit, so is the relation between God and His spirit. The spirit of God is His own personality, character, life and thoughts. 9. If the spirit of man is none other than his own presence/person, then can we say that the spirit of God is His own presence? Psalm 139:7 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Psalm 51:11 “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Conclusion: God has a bodily form and has a spiritual presence. His spirit is not limited to His body. In the same way that your spirit is your own person, mind, and presence so is God’s spirit His own person, mind, presence. Bible Study Lesson 7 HOLY SPIRIT – PART 2: IDENTITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT In the previous lesson we established that God’s spirit is His own mind, life, presence and person. In this lesson we want to see where the Spirit proceeds from and the identity of the Spirit. 1. What did Jesus promise before He left? John 14:16, 17, 26 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. … But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” 2. According to the Bible, whose spirit is the “Holy Spirit?”Compare the following two verses: Mark 13:11 “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye:for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” Matthew records it as follows: Matthew 10:19, 20 “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” Holy Spirit = Spirit of the Father Also compare the following two verses: 2 Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” While in his first letter talking about the same thing, Peter says: 1 Peter 1:10,11 “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” Holy Spirit = Spirit of Christ According to the previous four verses, we can safely conclude: Spirit of Christ = Holy Spirit = Spirit of your Father 3. How many holy spirits are there? Ephesians 4:4 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” (See also 1 Corinthians 6:17; 12:13; Ephesians 2:18) 4. When we receive the Holy Spirit who do we receive? John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” According to Jesus, when we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive both, the Father and the Son. 5. Do the Father and the Son possess the same Spirit/life? Romans 8:9, 10 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” In this verse, while talking about the same spirit, Paul uses the following terminologies: Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, Christ. This tells us Paul believed that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit/ Life of both, the Father and the Son. 6. Where does the Spirit come from? John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:...” 7. Why does the Spirit proceed from the Father? 1 Corinthians 8:6 “But to us there is but one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” The Spirit (life of God) proceeds from the Father, because all things are of Him. He is the source of all things. (Please see Lesson 3 for further information.) 8. Through whom does this spirit come to us? Ephesians 2:18 “For through him [Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” John 20:22 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:...” The Spirit of the Father comes to us through Jesus, and through Him, it returns. 9. Who comes to us to be our Comforter? John 14:18, 19 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.” 10. How does the Father send Jesus to us? Is it Jesus in flesh or in Spirit? Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Note: Paul tells us in Galatians that when we receive the Spirit of Jesus, we cry “Abba Father.” Yet, he also tells us in Romans 8:15 that when we receive the Spirit we cry “Abba, Father.” This is another confirmation that the Holy Spirit is none other than the spirit of Jesus. Also compare Galatians 4:6 with Acts 3:26 11. When we receive the Spirit of Jesus, is that someone different to Christ? 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Paul told us, in 1 Corinthians 8:6, that there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, and in Ephesians 4:4, that there is one spirit. Yet Paul tells us in the above verse, that “the Lord is that Spirit.” If the Lord is Jesus and there is one spirit, then it is only logical and scriptural to believe that the Holy Spirit is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit form. Jesus Himself comes to us as a personal Comforter. The Spirit is the person of Jesus. 12. Does the Bible tell us that Jesus became a spirit? 1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” 13. Why does the Bible sometimes say that when the Comforter comes both the Father and the Son will come, while in other places it says Jesus is that Spirit? 2 Corinthians 5:19 “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,...” John 14:10, 20 “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” 14. Who is it that knocks on the door of our heart? Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 15. What is the hope of Glory? Colossians 1:27 “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:...” Bible Study Lesson 8 THE FATHER AND SON IN THE SANCTUARY 1. Where can we look to study and learn more about God’s way?The Bible tells us that God’s way is in the sanctuary: Psalms 77:13 “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” What does the sanctuary have to say about the Godhead? How many Beings does the sanctuary and its services reveal to us? 2. How many stages does the sanctuary service entail? The sanctuary service entailed three stages the courtyard, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. We will look at the three stages independently to see what we can learn from them. I. The Most Holy Place: a. What lessons can we learn from the Most Holy Place in regards to the Godhead? God gave strict instructions that only one being, other than Himself, is allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. 1. Jesus, our High Priest: Only the high priest was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:6, 7). Jesus is our heavenly High Priest (Hebrews 4:14; 5:10; 6:20). 2. God the Father on the throne: God’s presence dwelt on top of the mercy seat -(Exodus 25:21, 22; Psalms 80:1). God the Father is the One sitting on the throne in the heavenly sanctuary (Revelation 4:2; 5:1-6). 3. Jesus presents our prayers to the Father: Only one being, the high priest, was able to take the incense in before the presence of God on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:11-13). The incense represents the prayers of the saints mingled with Christ’s righteousness (Psalms 141:2, Revelation 5:8; 8:3). It is Christ who receives our prayers and presents them to His Father mingled with His merit and righteousness. b. How many divine Beings does the Most Holy Place present us with? And who are They? A simple study of the Most Holy Place in the earthly sanctuary presents us with only two divine Beings, the Father and the Son, represented by the earthly high priest and God’s presence on the throne. II. The Holy Place: a. What lessons can we learn from the earthly Holy Place in regards to the Godhead? 1. Jesus is our heavenly Priest/High Priest: The priests or the high priest who officiated in the first apartment is a symbol or type of Christ, our High Priest. 2. God’s presence in the Holy Place: The Bible also tells us that in the earthly sanctuary God manifested His glory in both apartments. Exodus 33:9-11 “And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” (See also Exodus 29:42-44; 30:36; 40:34, 35; 1Kings 8:10, 11; 2 Chronicals 5:13, 14; 7:1, 2.) In Exodus 33:9-11, we have the example of the presence of two living beings—Moses, the Mediator, and God. Of course we know that Moses represents Jesus, the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Hence, this example points forward to the presence of both—Jesus, our Mediator and High Priest, and God the Father in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. 3. Table of Showbread: The Table of Showbread had two rows of bread on it, six in each row (Leviticus 24: 5, 6). These two rows represented the Father and the Son; here is why: • Two Crowns: The Table of Showbread had two crowns or a double crown on it (Exodus 25:2325). Why two? • Jesus is the Bread: The bread represents Jesus (John 6:51). But Jesus said “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). Hence, the bread could represent the Father as well. That is why God instructed the priest to place the bread in two stacks (not 1 or 3), representing the Father and the Son, on a table, which had two crowns (not 1 or 3). • Jesus shares the Father’s throne: Revelation 3:21 tells us that Jesus shares His Father’s throne; hence, there are two divine Beings on the throne. • The Table of Shewbread with the two stacks on it is a fit representation of the Father and Son’s presence in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in which Jesus fulfilled His ministration in the Holy Place. b. How many divine Beings does the earthly Holy Place present us with? And Who are They? A study of the earthly Holy Place proves the presence of only two Beings: Jesus, the Mediator/Priest, and God the Father. Again only two living Beings, not three. c. What about the Holy Spirit? Is it present in the Holy Place? In the Holy Place there are impersonal and inanimate elements that represent the Holy Spirit, such as the oil used to light the candle stick. But the point is, that nowhere do we see a third living being representing the Holy Spirit. The spirit is there, yes, but not bodily like the Father and the Son. The oil is a symbol of the spirit, yet the oil is used in the Holy Place to produce light, which is a symbol of Jesus (John 8:12, 9:5). II. The courtyard: a. What lessons can we learn from the courtyard in regards to the Godhead? The service in the courtyard involved three living beings: 1. Jesus is the Sacrifice: The sacrifice, whether a lamb or a bullock, etc. (Leviticus 4:3), represented Jesus, the Son of God (John 1:26, 39). 2. We are the sinners: The sinner, who slew the sacrifice with his own hands (Leviticus 4:4) represented the sinner who confesses his sins and offers up spiritual sacrifices (1Peter 2:5). 3. Jesus is the anointed Priest: The anointed priest took the blood into the sanctuary (Leviticus 4:5). This also represents Jesus, our High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14; 5:10; 6:20) b. How many divine Beings does the courtyard service present us with? These were the only living beings that were involved in the courtyard service. We only see one divine Being. c. What do the other priests represent? Of course, more than one priest officiated in the courtyard as well as in the Holy Place. These priests can represent one of two options: 1. a type of Christ 2. all the saints (The Bible calls the followers of Jesus a “royal priesthood” (1Peter 2:9). They represent the people working in cooperation with Divinity.) Regardless which one you believe to be the correct one, the point still stands, there is no living being representing the Holy Spirit. d. What about the Holy Spirit, is it represented in the courtyard? Again we see in the courtyard some representations of the Holy Spirit, but they are impersonal and inanimate unlike the representations for Jesus. For example: 1. fire on the altar of burnt offering—In Acts 2:3, we see the Spirit poured out in the appearance of cloven tongues of fire. 2. water in the laver—In the New Testament, water has been used to represent the Spirit (see John 4:14; 7:38, 39; Revelation 22:1). But the point still stands, nowhere do we see the Spirit represented as a living being like the Father and the Son. e. What is one of the roles of the high priest in the courtyard that relates to Jesus’ work on Earth? It is important to note that one of the roles or duties of the high priest was to teach the people (Ezekiel 44:23), which of course took place outside the tabernacle since none other than the priests could enter therein. In other words, the priest was not only to minister in the sanctuary before God, he was also to go out and teach the people. The fascinating thing is that the priests were to change their garments before going out to the people. They had to put on a different garment (or outfit) than the one they wore in the presence of God. Ezekiel 44:19 “And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.” It is here where I believe the type gives us a very interesting and illuminating insight. One of the duties of Christ, our High Priest, is to teach the people outside the sanctuary. Not only that, but according to the type, He is to wear a different outfit, or He is to appear in “another form,” different than while in the presence of God. And that is exactly what Christ is doing. While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above in His physical or bodily form, He is still—by His Spirit—the minister of the church on Earth. (Galatians 4:6). Jesus Has promised to be with us always, and never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). The Bible tells us that Jesus was with His followers “working with them” (Mark 16:20). As you can see, the earthly sanctuary presents us with only two divine Beings: the Father and the Son. There is no room for a third living being in the sanctuary. In addition to that, the sanctuary service teaches us that to fulfil the type, Jesus has to do what the priest did, namely: go out and teach the people, which He does through His own spirit, the Holy Spirit. The apostles understood that, hence Paul’s declaration that Jesus is the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 8:6; also please refer to Lesson 7 for further information.) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next The Sabbath School Lesson Is Lying to Us EVERY SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON IS LYING TO US ______________ DO NOT FORGET WE HAVE JESUITS IN THE SDA CHURCH When we grieve the Holy Spirit, whose Spirit do we grieve? NOTE:::Your soul depends on knowing this truth! (Please note that I am an Adventist and my intention is not attacking the Church but to wake up Adventists to save souls and restore the truth God gave His remnant) The Sabbath School lesson for March 13th says, “Read Ephesians 4:30. Here Paul uses an imperative and admonishes us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a personal being, not just a divine force. That is why He can be grieved.” Sounds believable but is it right? This is what the satanic doctrine of the Trinity teaches but it is NOT correct! Please allow me to give proof from the words of Christ through His prophet to show we are being lied to since a Jesuit brought the Trinity doctrine into the SDA Church. First, the Holy Spirit is NOT a personal being. A spirit is a spirit, NOT a being. A being has a spirit and the Holy Spirit belongs to the Father and Son. The Bible says “Spirit OF God”, NOT “god the spirit.” And no, it is NOT a divine force. This is said to try and discredit those with truth, yet this is another lie as those with truth do not teach this at all. What does Christ say through His prophet? Is it a being? A force? NO! It is the PRESENCE and POWER of GOD Himself! “In giving us HIS SPIRIT, God gives us HIMSELF,” — (E.G. White, 7T 273.1, 1902) “The DIVINE SPIRIT that the world's Redeemer promised to send, is the PRESENCE and POWER of GOD.” — (E.G. White, ST, Nov 23, 1891) NOT a force! The Holy Spirit is the mind, POWER AND PERSONAL PRESENCE OF THE VERY LIFE OF GOD that the Father sends through His Son to us. Or to put it another way to make sure this is clear; the Holy Spirit is the presence and power of the Father manifested through Jesus Christ, His only begotten son. This is not a separate person of the Godhead who is being sent, it is the very life of God coming to us through His Son. Ellen White wrote it this way… “They were two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality, yet ONE IN SPIRIT, and heart, and character.” — (E.G. White, YI, Dec 16, 1897) “The Father gave his Spirit without measure to his Son, and we also may partake of its fulness.” — (E.G. White, RH, Nov 5, 1908) “The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only begotten Son of God,” — (E.G. White, RH, April 5, 1906) And so she wrote: “We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST.” — (E.G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894) “but it is the leaven of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST, which is sent down from heaven, called the HOLY GHOST,” — (E.G. White, Ms36-1891) “The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency,” — (E.G. White, 14MR 84.3) And so when we grieve the Holy Spirit, whose Spirit do we grieve? Is it another being as the lie we have been told to match the satanic doctrine of the Trinity a Jesuit brought into the SDA Church or is it the Spirit of Christ? “O, HOW WE GRIEVE the pure, HOLY SPIRIT OF CHRIST with our defiling sins! We are not prepared for the appreciation of the holy communion with Christ and with one another unless we are cleansed by his efficacy.” — (E.G. White, RH, July 5, 1898) So when we grieve the Holy Spirit we grieve Christ Himself as it is His Spirit. For another example. Daniel wrote: “I Daniel was grieved in my spirit...” Daniel 7:15 Who was grieving? Another being or Daniel himself? IT WAS DANIEL! NOT another being! Make no mistake, we are being lied to. This is supported from the words of Christ through His prophet above. These are not my words. You either accept the above info as truth or you have to call Christ a liar as these words come from Him. ______________ NOTE: God raised the Adventist Church as non-Trinitarian. The Trinity doctrine was slowly brought into the Adventist Church long AFTER the death of Ellen White and the pioneers by a suspected Jesuit who is also a known Freemason. The idea of the Holy Spirit as another being was Satan's idea so he could get worship for his creation. The real truth is that the “Holy Spirit” is the power and presence of God and of Christ which can function independently of themselves like a third (but not a literal third) and is how “They” represent “Themselves” where they are not personally present. ______________ Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Is Jesus Christ GOD (Short version) Is Jesus God? The word God is used in two different ways in Scripture. Firstly, the word “God” is used to refer to the Supreme Being of the universe who is the ultimate source of all things. Every time the Bible refers to the one true God, it is referring to this supreme being who is the one that was before all else and from whom all life ultimately came. In this sense no one else is God. But the word God is also used to refer to someone who possesses the attributes of divinity, or the characteristics of God. Many times the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the begotten Son of the one true God the Father, and being the Son, He possesses the same attributes and characteristics as His Father. It is an obvious fact that every son inherits the nature of his father. And since Christ came out of the Father, He is of the very substance of His Father and hence has the same God nature of His Father as He possesses by birth all the attributes and characteristics of His Father. In fact, Hebrews 1:3 says He is the “express image of His person.” A son also and always rightfully takes the name of the father and so Christ as the only begotten Son of God has rightfully the same name. Note that Hebrews 1:1-9 says that Jesus is an heir who has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the angels and that name is God! So Jesus inherited His Father's name, character and divine nature in the same way a human son inherits the human nature and name of his parents. So Jesus is God because He is the Son of God. But He is not and cannot be “God the Father.” He is the “Son of God” just as the Bible so plainly states more than one hundred times. He is God's literal Son. To say that Jesus is God the Father is to say that the “Son is the Father” which means the Son is not really a Son and the Father is not really a Father. Or to put it another way, to say that Jesus is the Father because He has the same God nature as His Father is no different to saying that since my Father is Human and I am Human, therefore I must be my father! This is not good logic or theology and suddenly hundreds of Scriptures supposedly would no longer mean what they say at all. The truth is that Scripture means what it says and says what it means. God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God. The Bible never calls Jesus “God the Son” as Trinitarians do and with very good reason. It is always the “Son of God” because that is who He is. Satan's plan is for us to deny the Father and Son as this is what John called antichrist. 1 John 2:22-23. He does not care if our belief is Trinitarian, Unitarian or other. As long as it denies Jesus is the literal Son of God which also denies God is a Father. Confessing Jesus is the Son of God is our only means to the Father and to deny this has eternal consequences. In conclusion, Jesus is not “a” God or “the” God but God only by nature through inheritance being the Son. Jesus is a divine being but He is not the supreme being. The Father is the supreme being and the source of all things and the life of the Father flows through the Son and out to all. Jesus is the channel through which all things come and why the Father has given all things into His hands. Only the Father is described as the one “of whom are all things.” He is the great Source of all. Jesus is not another source “of whom are all things.” That would make Him another God. Rather Jesus is described as the one “by whom are all things.” The Father has given Christ authority to rule over all things but this does not include the Father Himself. The Father is greater in authority and always will be. God the Father is the source of all things including His Son. Thus all things proceed from the Father; including Christ Himself, but it has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell (Colossians 1:19). So when we say “Jesus is God,” we have to be careful to state exactly what we mean. Christ is a divine being, but not the supreme being. When we speak of the Supreme Being there is only one such person and it is not Jesus. So there is but “one” God. Jesus is “not” God, He is the Son of God. He carries the “name” of God by virtue of His “inheritance.” And because He is the Son of God, He is “equal” with God. “But to us there is but one God, the Father, OF WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, BY WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, and we by him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:6 “GOD IS THE FATHER OF CHRIST; CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. To Christ has been given an exalted position. HE HAS BEEN MADE EQUAL WITH THE FATHER.” — (E.G. White, 8T 268.3) “HE [CHRIST] WAS NOT THE FATHER but in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” — (E.G. White, Lt8a, July 7, 1890) “The man Christ Jesus was not the Lord God Almighty,” — (E.G. White, Ms140, Sept, 1903) “Only one being in the universe besides the Father bears the name of God, and that is His Son, Jesus Christ.” — (J.E. White, Coming King, p. 33) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

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