All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Two Beings and Not Three According to the Bible TWO BEINGS not three according to the BIBLE 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?" ONLY TWO BEINGS 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." ONLY TWO BEINGS 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? ONLY TWO BEINGS Mark 13:32 / Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." ONLY TWO BEINGS 1 Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."ONLY TWO BEINGS 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." ONLY TWO BEINGS 2 Corinthians 5:19 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." ONLY TWO BEINGS John 1:14, 18 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. ... v18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." ONLY TWO BEINGS John 3:16, 18 "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. v18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." ONLY TWO BEINGS John 5:26 "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;" ONLY TWO BEINGS John 8:16, 28, 42 "And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. v28 When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I DO NOTHING OF MYSELF; but as my FATHER has taught me, I speak these things. v42 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." ONLY TWO BEINGS John 12:44-45, 49 "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. v45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. v49 FOR I HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF MYSELF; but the FATHER which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” ONLY TWO BEINGS John 14:10, 20, 23, 24 "The words that I speak unto you I SPEAK NOT OF MYSELF: but the FATHER that dwelleth in me v20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. v23 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. v24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." ONLY TWO BEINGS John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” ONLY TWO BEINGS John 17:8 "For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me." ONLY TWO BEINGS 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." ONLY TWO BEINGS Romans 8:3 "……God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh…." ONLY TWO BEINGS 1 John 1:3 "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." ONLY TWO BEINGS 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. v23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." ONLY TWO BEINGS 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. v11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." ONLY TWO BEINGS Ephesians 3:9 “God….created all things by Jesus Christ.” ONLY TWO BEINGS Hebrews 1:1-2 "God....spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" ONLY TWO BEINGS This is why John 1:3 says: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Other translations say, “Through him (Jesus) all things were made” (NIV) because “God created everything through him” (NLT). ONLY TWO BEINGS 1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" ONLY TWO BEINGS Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of JESUS CHRIST, WHICH GOD GAVE UNTO HIM, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” ONLY TWO BEINGS Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Father, Son and Holy Spirit "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" There are many churches and Christians today who worship the trinity god, because they believe Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7 are speaking of three co-equal and co-eternal beings. But what they all fail to do is actually use the Bible to interpret these two verses. We are told in Isaiah 28 that we are to use the "line upon line" precept when studying the Bible. Which means we are to interpret scripture with scripture, and not with what we "think" something means. So this is what we are going to do on this page regarding Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7. Instead of just "thinking" ourselves what those verses mean, we are going to use scripture to properly interpret them. Let us start with those two Bible verses in question: Matthew 28:19 ...'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' 1 John 5:7 ...'For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.' So let us find out who these 'three' are. I am merely going to provide many scripture verses and then make a small comment at the end of each section. The Father John 17:1-3 ...'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.' 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.' 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 ...'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. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 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.' 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.' John 4:22-24 ...'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. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.' 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.' John 14:1 ...'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions.' Acts 3:13 ...'The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.' Acts 4:24-27 ...'And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed.' 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.' 2 Corinthians 11:31 ...'The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.' Romans 1:7-9 ...'To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with? my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.' Ephesians 1:2-3 ...'Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.' 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.' 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.' 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 ...'Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.' Philippians 2:11 ...'And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' 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.' So as we can see, when using the rest of scripture, that "THE FATHER" is none other than the 'one and only true God' Himself. And He is not just our God and Father, He is also the God and Father of Jesus Christ. So who is the Father? He is the one true God. The Son/Word 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.' Matthew 16:15-17 ...'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. And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.' John 1:14 ...'And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.' 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.' Mark 1:1 ...'The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.' Mark 3:11 ...'And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, thou art the Son of 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 3:16-18 ...'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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.' John 5:26 ...'For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.' John 5:43 ...'I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.' John 6:68-69 ...'Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.' 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?' 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.' John 17:1 ...'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.' 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.' Acts 3:13 ...'The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.' Acts 9:19-20 ...'Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.' Romans 1:9 ...'For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.' Romans 8:3 ...'For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.' 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.' Galatians 4:6 ...'And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' Colossians 1:13-15 ...'Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.' 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.' Hebrews 1:1-5 ...'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: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?' Hebrews 4:14 ...'Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.' Hebrews 5:5 ...'So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.' 1 John 1:3 ...'That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' 1 John 3:8 ...'He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.' 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.' 1 John 4:15 ...'Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.' 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.' 2 John 1:3 ...'Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.' Psalm 2:7 ...'I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.' 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.' (NOTE: 1 Corinthians 1:24 confirms that Christ is 'the wisdom of God') 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?' 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.' John 16:27-29 ...'For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, AND am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.' John 17:7-8 ...'Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.' So it is clear that "THE SON" is Jesus Christ, and He is the literal, only begotten Son of God the Father, who is the one true God. Jesus is not the one true God Himself, or the so called 'second person of the trinity'. He is the literal Son of God the Father, who was begotten of the Father in eternity past, as a true Son. This is why the Bible says that God 'SENT' His Son. The Holy Spirit Acts 2:32-33 ...'This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.' Luke 24:49 ...'And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.' John 3:34-35 ...'For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.' John 7:37-39 ...'In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)' John 20:21-22 ...'Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.' 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.' 2 Corinthians 3:17 ...'Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' Galatians 4:6 ...'And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' Philippians 1:19 ...'For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.' Titus 3:4-6 ...'But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' Revelation 5:6 ...'And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, HAVING seven horns and seven eyes, WHICH ARE the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.' So the Bible tells us that "THE HOLY SPIRIT" is the Father's own divine Spirit, which He has given to His Son Jesus, and comes to us through Christ, NOT some other 'third being'. Jesus is the one with the Holy Spirit to give us. So who are the 'three' in Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7? They are God the Father, who is the 'only true God'. Jesus Christ, who is the literal, only begotten Son of God the Father. And the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, which He has received from His Father. Jesus Christ comes to us HIMSELF as the Holy Spirit (John 14:18, Revelation 3:20, Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20), not some other unknown 'third being'. This is the truth concerning Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

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

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next The Truth of the Trinity [ trinitytruth.org ] 27-42 (total 42 parts) Is the Father greater than Jesus? What did Jesus mean when He said “my Father is greater than I” considering Paul also said that Jesus is equal with God? There is no contradiction in Scripture, so how do we reconcile these verses below? John 14:28 “You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” 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.” Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” The Greek word (theotes) for Godhead in Colossians 2:9 means the divine nature. Thus the fullness of the divine nature of God dwells in His Son Jesus Christ. And the word “form” in Philippians 2:6 means “shape/nature,” and so Paul is saying that the way Christ is equal with His Father is in “nature” which He inherited being His Son. The word “greater” in John 14:28 refers to position in the same way it does with a human father and son as well as a husband and wife. 1 Corinthians 11:3 states that the head of the woman is man. But does this mean the husband is a superior being to his wife? The answer is an obvious no. She is a human being just as the man is and so they are equal in nature. The husband is greater than his wife only by position. The same applies to a father and son. The father is greater because he was first being the father, and the same applies to our Heavenly Father and His Son. The Father is greater in position in that He was first, but not greater in nature or form as Philippians 2:6 states. For Adventists: “The Father was greater than the Son in that he was first.” — (James White, RH, Jan 4, 1881). “While both are of the same nature, the Father is first in point of time. He is also greater in that he had no beginning, while Christ's personality had a beginning.” — (E.J. Waggoner, ST, April 8, 1889) So we observe the same concept of being equal in nature, but Christ submitted Himself to the Father as He was greater in that He was first being His Father. We find in these verses the principle of headship and submission established by God as displayed in both marriage and the Godhead. These principles also reveal that God and Christ are a real Father and Son. As Waggoner, James White and Scripture reveals, Christ came after the Father being the Son. However, we also find that the Father has “given” His Son all power and placed everything into His hands. Thus Christ has been given an “exalted position” and has been “made equal” by His Father in power and authority also. But while the Father has made His Son equal, His Father is still greater than Him, and He still submits to His Father. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18. And John wrote “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.” John 3:35 For Adventists: “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). The Trinity doctrine claims the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are 3 co-equal, co-eternal God's. But Ellen White says Christ was MADE EQUAL with His Father and by His Father as Scripture also reveals, again proving this doctrine from Satan a lie. Adam and Eve (man and woman) in fact is a small scale example of the Father and Son. Consider 1 Corinthians 11:3 and the following on Biblical headship. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” Ephesians 5:22-24 The divine pattern of Biblical headship defined by the Father and Son reveals important principles. For example, in the same way God is the head of Christ, the husband is the head of his wife, and in like manner, Christ is the head of the Church. And while Adam was made from the dust of the earth, Eve came out of Adam from a rib. There is no logical reason for God to do it this way other than to show us that one being can come out of another and still have the same nature. Thus the example is given of how Christ came out of the Father and has His same divine nature. This also reveals why women's ordination is wrong. For example, the trinity doctrine claims there are three co-equal beings and that any one of the three could have played the role of the Son and died for us. So the trinity doctrine allows for the changing of roles, and by its principle, any in the above table could change roles. Hence man and woman switching roles in the leadership of the Church is no less error than Christ being subject to the Church, or husbands submitting to their wives, or even for the Son of God being head of His Father. They all break the divine pattern laid down by God. Switching any of the above roles changes the order established by God in the example of the Father and His Son. So the Trinitarian view does not follow the divine pattern and heavenly example and has many problems. For example, if the Holy Spirit was a third being, then where does it fit into God's divine pattern? 2 does not = 3 and neither does 3 = 1. Was Jesus Omniscient and Omnipotent on Earth? We find in John 21:17 Peter saying to Christ, “you know all things.” So how are we to understand Jesus saying, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32 . Compare with Matthew 24:36 . So here we have a problem because Jesus is confessing to not knowing something. And Scripture also says, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52 . How do you increase in wisdom when you know all things? And “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8. Was Jesus limited by the human body prepared for Him and had to learn things just as we do? So what did Peter mean? Was He right? Because Jesus did not contradict Him. Or is there some way that Jesus could effectively know anything He needed? We find the answer in many Scriptures such as John 14:26 “the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things,” Does this mean we could literally know all things? Can the human mind even contain all the infinite knowledge of God? The point to be made here is there is nothing that the Spirit of God could not teach or reveal to us or His Son. The Father knows all things and so Christ could know whatever was required through the power of the Holy Spirit whether it be the thoughts of others or any knowledge that is required according to the will of God. And it does not stop with the omniscience of the Spirit of God but also His power. In Matthew 12:22-32 we find Jesus casting out a demon. The Pharisees claimed He did it by the power of the devil. But Jesus being fully man said He did it by the Spirit of God. He then informs them that they can speak against the Son of man and be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Why? Because verse 28 says He did this by the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember that Jesus was the Word made flesh and was fully man. The Pharisees were not insulting the Son of man but the Spirit of God by whose power the demon was cast out and hence were blaspheming the Holy Spirit by attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. In any case, Jesus would not be casting out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit unless He had given up His omnipotence for a time now would He? Jesus said “I can of mine own self do nothing.” John 5:30 Note that Matthew 12:22-32 reveals that the unpardonable sin and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. Some Trinitarians who do not understand this conclude that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit could be sharing truth on this topic which is clearly not so. But what about Trinitarians? Could they in fact be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? What if the “Spirit of God” is the “Spirit OF God” just as the Bible states, and not something called “god the holy spirit” which the Bible never says? If the Trinity doctrine is wrong, then the Holy Spirit is really a creation of Satan rather than the Spirit of the Father and Son. And if it is a creation of Satan, who would Trinitarians be attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to? They would inadvertently be attributing the work of the Spirit of God to Satan which is in fact the unpardonable sin! You cannot afford to get this wrong. For Adventists: “What constitutes the sin against the Holy Ghost? It is willfully attributing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit.” — (E.G. White, 5T 634.1, 1889) The Bible reveals a handful of times that the miracles Christ performed while here on earth were done by His Father in heaven. John 11:40-41 indicates it was through His Father that Lazarus was raised. Every great miracle that Jesus did was done in a similar manner by His disciples or Old Testament prophets including walking on water and raising the dead. ( Matthew 14:29 ; John 14:12 ; Acts 20:9-10 ; 1 Kings 17:22 ). This is not a sign they had all power but a sign that God was with them as He was with His Son. After He healed the paralytic man, the crowd, “marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” Matthew 9:8. Peter explains, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38. Jesus also explains, “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” John 14:10 For Adventists: “All the miracles of Christ performed for the afflicted and suffering were, by the power of God, through the ministration of angels.” — (E.G. White, RH, Jan 21, 1873) So Scripture reveals that Christ only knew what He had learned as a man and what His Father revealed to Him through His Spirit. Since our Father in Heaven knows all things, then Christ could also effectively know all things “if” the Spirit of God revealed it to Him. Thus if Jesus did not know the hour of His return it could only be because His Father had not revealed this to Him, and we are not told the reason why this was the case. Scripture shows that Jesus knew the thoughts of others but to be consistent with other Scripture, it had to be through the Holy Spirit. Peter, Elisha and Daniel all had the thoughts of others revealed to them by God also. ( Acts 5:1-4 ; 2 Kings 5:25-27 ; Daniel 2:28-30 ) Some will respond that Jesus did not know in His human nature but knew in His divine nature as the trinity teaches that there is one person subsisting in two natures. Jesus cannot have two minds, one that knew something and another that did not. Unless of course you want to make the absurd claim that mind and body are not correlated. Why is it so hard to accept and understand that the disciples and many others have done all the same miracles that Jesus did by the power of the Holy Spirit ( Romans 15:9 ), and so when Jesus came as a man that He did them the same way? It seems most refuse to accept that their Lord and Saviour gave up a lot when he came as a man, and cannot stand the thought that for a while He was not omnipresent, omniscience and omnipotent. Though most accept Christ gave up His omnipresence, but only because they have no choice as there is no avoiding this fact. However, how many have stopped to consider the incredible love of their Saviour here in that temporarily laying aside these things made an even far greater sacrifice that could have been disastrous in cosmic proportions. Jesus even had to give up His dignity and have dirty diapers changed! By accepting the facts of Scripture, one does not have to go looking for ways of explaining away other Scriptures that show one is in error. We need to be able to harmonize all Scripture and realize that when we have to start trying to jam a square peg into a round hole then we have something wrong. Paul in Philippians 2:5-9 speaks of the sacrifice and humility of Christ in regards to what He gave up coming as a man, even to the point of death, and that we should have the same mind and attitude as Him. The Greek text says He had the form or nature of God but emptied Himself, meaning He laid aside those divine attributes that prevented Him from living and dying as one of us. In having the same form and nature of God, He would never have been tired or suffered pain and other things that go with being in human form. Jesus had everything including immortality, and yet He willingly gave it up sacrificing all for us. But then He made an even greater sacrifice, giving up immortality, He died as a man by one of the most agonizing and drawn out deaths you could possibly imagine. When people refuse to acknowledge what Christ did give up, they also fail to acknowledge the magnitude and the depth of the sacrifice He really did make for us and how it demonstrates the immeasurable love that He and His Father have for us. So what did Jesus get back when He returned to the Father? The fact is we are not specifically told. But we know He got back His omnipresence through the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. For example, Jesus said “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20. We also know that Jesus retained the scars in His hands, feet and side ( John 20:25-27 ). We assume He got back everything but we will have to wait until we see Him to find out just how great a sacrifice He and His Father really made in their incredible love for us. Here is one more example to consider that many have overlooked. Revelation 1:1 states, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” This revelation was given to Jesus Christ by God. Why would Christ need His Father to reveal these things to Him if He knew all things? See also Gill's Commentary on John 10:30 in relation to Mark 13:32. This also reveals that Jesus cannot be the one true God the Father as the trinity doctrine claims. Was Jesus always Immortal? The Trinity doctrine teaches that Jesus Christ is co-equal with His Father in every way. Thus it is claimed that since the Father cannot die, then His Son cannot die either. But the Bible says there is only One person who cannot die and He is God the Father. The Bible says when Jesus appears that He will show, “who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.” 1 Timothy 6:15-16. This can only be our Heavenly Father for He is the One whom “No man hath seen... at any time.” John 1:18. The Father is the one “who alone has immortality.” Yet we know that one day we will “put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:53 So when the Bible says the Father “alone has immortality” it must mean immortality in an absolute and unlimited sense. The Bible reveals that the Father is the only One who cannot die under any circumstances. Jesus was made subject to death and “died for our sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:3. Man can die, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:20. Angels can die, “everlasting fire,” is “prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41. God said to Satan, “I will bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee... and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:18-19. So it is true that the Father is the only person who cannot die under any circumstances, which excludes His Son who tasted “death for every man” Hebrews 2:9. So Christ was not immortal when He was here and the primary reason for Him becoming a human was so that He could die for our sins. The Son of God suffered a real death for our sins. ( Isaiah 53:6 and 1 John 2:2 ). Others claim that Christ came down from heaven and inhabited a human body and only the human body died while the divine being from heaven remained alive. By this we would have to conclude that there was only a human sacrifice made for our redemption. It is unbiblical to say that a human sacrifice is sufficient to redeem mankind or that only half of Christ died. If Christ only pretended to die it takes away the necessity of Him becoming a man and He could have done that without becoming one. The author of Hebrews says He “was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” Hebrews 2:9. Christ Himself made it clear to John that He was dead. Jesus said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18. Jesus Christ really “died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3 For Adventists: “He humbled himself, and took mortality upon him. As a member of the human family, he was mortal.” — (E.G. White, RH, Sept 4, 1900) Early church error Probably the most widely held Christian view of God is the Trinity doctrine which has its origins in the Church of Rome and the council of Nicea. This belief teaches that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God and yet there are not three gods but one God. But the question remains: Is this view found in Scripture? The most commonly accessed Encyclopedia on the Internet is Wikipedia . So a “consensus of Modern exegetes” tell us that both the Old and New Testaments do not explicitly contain the doctrine of the trinity. It came into Christendom from another source outside of Scripture. The Encyclopedia Britannica basically says the same thing as the Wikipedia. Both tell us that the idea of the trinity came after Scripture and from sources outside of Scripture. The Oxford Companion to the Bible says it “cannot be clearly detected within the confines of the canon”? Is that a nice way of saying that the Bible does not teach the doctrine of trinity? The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia and the Encarta Encyclopedia says the doctrine of the trinity is not explicitly taught in the New Testament. Can we base our faith purely on inference alone? If it is a fundamental doctrine in Christianity, it should surely have enough evidence to have become a doctrine! Another two from Encyclopedia of Religion and the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology . If the Bible does not teach this doctrine then where did it come from? And last the International Standard Bible Dictionary . I will leave the reader to define the word “allusion.” Getting to the source of the trinity doctrine. Let's go to the authority which states that it is the source of the idea being the Roman Catholic Church and see if their definition has any Biblical basis. This Roman Catholic source is clear as to the origin of the trinity doctrine. Scripture does not present the idea of the trinity doctrine. It came after the canon of Scripture was closed and was developed in the 4th and 5th centuries. The New Catholic Encyclopedia puts it this way. So do we have one God in three parts, or three gods in one? Is Jesus God the Father? Jesus said that He was not the Father more than 80 times. While remaining one in purpose, Jesus and the Father are clearly two separate and distinct beings as previously seen. On more than one occasion, the Father spoke to Jesus from heaven. “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'.” Matthew 3:17. Either Jesus and the Father are two separate individual persons, or Jesus was an expert ventriloquist. For Adventists: “The divine nature in the person of Christ was not transformed in human nature and the human nature of the Son of man was not changed into the divine nature, but they were mysteriously blended in the Saviour of men. He 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, yet Christ and the Father are one.” — (E.G. White, Ms140, 1903) “The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one.” — (E.G. White, 8T 269.4, 1904) From the title below to the conclusion on this page contains the many arguments that are used to try and prove Jesus is God the Father. Seventh day Adventists should keep the above two quotes in mind while reading the remainder of this page as they apply to every remaining title. Ellen White states many times in many ways that Jesus is not God the Father. Is Jesus the Everlasting Father? The answer lies in the correct Hebrew translation. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible explains, “The Chaldee renders this expression, 'The man abiding forever.' The Vulgate, 'The Father of the future age.' Lowth, 'The Father of the everlasting age.' Literally, it is the Father of eternity.” Thus in the Hebrew text, the phrase is literally “the Father of eternity,” not “the everlasting Father.” And so Isaiah 9:6 is not saying Christ is the Father but He is the Father of all time to come. Young's Literal Translation and the Darby Bible are two of very few that translated it correctly. “For a Child hath been born to us, A Son hath been given to us, And the princely power is on his shoulder, And He doth call his name Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 YLT “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 Darby Jesus created all things and so in like manner He is also the Father of creation ( Hebrews 1:2 ; John 1:3 ; Colossians 1:16-17 ). It is also interesting to note that the Greek Septuagint that Jesus and the apostles quoted from does not contain this phrase. So how did this phrase that was wrongly translated by most find its way into the Hebrew Bible? “For a Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, whose government is upon His shoulder; and His name is called the Messenger of great counsel; for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to Him.” Isaiah 9:6 Septuagint The Greek Old Testament the Septuagint that Christ quoted from reveals what Isaiah 9:6 most likely originally said. It was translated by 70-72 Jewish scholars around 300-200 BC and hence came from the most ancient and reliable manuscripts available. The Hebrew Old Testament however was established by the Massoretes in the 6th century AD. It is known that many textual corruptions and additions crept into the Hebrew text between the 6th and 7th centuries. So where did this additional text in Isaiah 9:6 come from that was not even translated correctly by most modern translators? The one thing that no one can deny is that only one of these translations can be correct. But which one? The Septuagint that came from the oldest manuscripts. Or the later that has known corruptions that crept in between the 6th and 7th centuries. I and My Father are One? In John 10:30, Christ proclaimed, “I and my Father are one.” This would have to be the most misquoted and misunderstood verse used by Trinitarians today. Many conclude that this means Jesus and the Father are the same being as per the Trinity doctrine. And yet this verse should never be misunderstood as Jesus explained exactly what he meant later on in John. So this is a perfect example of how so many Trinitarians have been indoctrinated with preconceived ideas. Some of the confusion regarding the number of beings in the Godhead comes from a misunderstanding of the word “one.” Simply put, “one” in the Bible does not always mean numerical quantity. Depending on the Scripture, “one” often means unity. We see this principle established very early in Scripture. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24. “One flesh” here does not mean that a married couple melt into one human after their wedding, but rather they are to be united into one family. Romans 12:5 says, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” So does that make us all one single Christian? You would have to say yes if you follow the Trinitarian formula! The Jewish leaders were outraged by this statement from Jesus in John 10:30 and sought to execute Him because they thought Jesus was claiming equality with God. “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.” John 10:33. Three verses on we find Jesus clarifies and said that His claim was to be the Son of God. “Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” John 10:36 Thus Jesus did not mean He was the same person as He clarified and because the Father is a distinct person from the Son, and the Son a distinct person from the Father. As Gill's Commentary on John 10:30 states, this is further shown from the use of the verb plural, “I and my Father” εσμεν, “we are one.” In any case, we do not have to speculate what Jesus meant when He said He and His Father are one, because the words of Christ later in the book of John reveal exactly what He meant. Christ meant one in unity as He prayed that His disciples might be one in the same way He and His Father are one. This prayer did not contemplate one disciple with twelve heads, but twelve disciples working together in unity. “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:” John 17:22 “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.” John 17:11 John 14:11 is also often misquoted to imply that the Father and Son are the same one God, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me;” Based on that faulty understanding, I am not sure how one would explain that we are also in Him and He in us. “At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” John 14:20. “That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us:” John 17:21 And since the Trinity doctrine teaches 3 co-equal beings, then according to this doctrine, John 10:30 should have said, “I and my Father and the Holy Spirit are one.” But not so. There are three entities in the Godhead but only two literal beings. For Adventists: “The divine nature in the person of Christ was not transformed in human nature and the human nature of the Son of man was not changed into the divine nature, but they were mysteriously blended in the Saviour of men. He 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, yet Christ and the Father are one.” — (E.G. White, Ms140, 1903) “The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one.” — (E.G. White, 8T 269.4, 1904) “Christ prayed that his followers might be one as he and the Father were one.” — (E.G. White, RH, May 29, 1888) He that has seen Me has seen the Father In John 14:9 Jesus said “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” Did Christ mean He was the Father or that He was “the express image of His Father,” and so has the same nature, attributes and glory? In other words, he that sees one, sees the other: Below are comments from two theologians. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on John 14:9 says: “ He that hath seen me; not with the eyes of his body, but with the eyes of his understanding; he that has beheld the perfections of the Godhead in me: Hath seen the Father; the perfections which are in him also; for the same that are in me are in him, and the same that are in him are in me: I am the very IMAGE of him, and am possessed of the same nature, attributes, and glory, that he is; so that he that sees the one, sees the other:” Christ is the express image of His Father. 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.” Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible on 2 Corinthians 4:4 says: “ Who is the image of God - Christ is called the image of God: (1) In respect to his divine nature, his exact resemblance to God in his divine attributes and perfections; see Col_1:15; and Heb_1:3; and, (2) In his moral attributes as Mediator, as showing forth the glory of the Father to people. He “resembles” God, and in him we see the divine glory and perfections embodied, and shine forth. It is from his “resemblance” to God in all respects that he is called his image; and it is through him that the divine perfections are made known to people. It is an object of special dislike and hatred to Satan that the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on people, and fill their hearts. Satan hates that image; he hates that people should become like God; and he hates all that has a resemblance to the great and glorious Yahweh.” Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Hebrews 1:3 “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;” A son is to a greater or less degree a reproduction of his father. He has to some extent the features and personal characteristics of his father. Not perfectly of course because there is no perfect reproduction among mankind. But there is no imperfection in God or in any of His works, and so Christ is the “express image” of the Father's person. Thus Jesus was saying He is the express image of His Father and has the same nature, attributes and glory. Christ could not have meant literally of course as Scripture informs us that, “No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12. Only Christ has seen the only true God the Father. “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He [Jesus] who is from God; He has seen the Father.” John 6:46 For Adventists: “Christ emphatically impressed on the disciples the fact that they could see the Father by faith only. God cannot be seen in external form by any human being. Christ alone can represent the Father to humanity; [John 14:9 quoted]” — (E.G. White, RH, Oct 19, 1897) According to the trinity teaching, this verse should have said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father and the Holy Spirit.” But again, not so. While there are three entities in the Godhead, there are only two literal beings. The third is their Spirit. Did Thomas believe that Jesus was the Father? John 20:28 says, “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” One can really only speculate as to why Thomas said what he did, but being dubbed “doubting” Thomas, it would be understandable if his statement was one made in a moment of shock and disbelief. Thomas was a Jew and may have been using a mode of expression common to the Old Testament in which accredited representatives of God are referred to as “God.” The Hebrew word for God is “elohim” and can refer to any of the following for example: Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions a) rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power: b) divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels. So Thomas was not calling Jesus God in the Trinitarian sense but was probably addressing Him as one who reflected divine power and majesty or a ruler. If this was not the case, then the following is the most probable reason for what Thomas said. Staying within the bounds of proper grammar we find that two different individuals are being addressed in the expression “ο κυριος μου και ο θεος μου - My Lord and my God.” However, the expression “ειπεν αυτω - said unto him” means only one person is being spoken to. So while trusting the grammar, we need to find an interpretation which does not violate it. This can be done if we understand that while Thomas spoke these words to Jesus, he was addressing both Jesus and the Father who is in Jesus. The actual context supports this understanding which is found by looking at the last known conversation Jesus had with doubting Thomas and Phillip. John 14:5-10 “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither you goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; and how sayest you then, Show us the Father? Believest you 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.” In the presence of Thomas, Phillip tells Jesus that seeing the Father is enough for him. Jesus responds to Thomas and Phillip saying that to see Him (Jesus) is to see the Father because the Father is in Him. But Thomas still did not understand. The next known conversation Thomas had with Jesus is the passage of John 20:28. Thomas now understands that the Father works through Jesus, even raising Jesus from the dead, and thus to see Jesus is to see the Father, hence the exclamation cry from Thomas, “my lord (i.e. Jesus) and my God (i.e. the Father).” Thomas did not address Jesus as his “Lord and God.” We also know that it is not possible for doubting Thomas to be declaring Jesus is the one God from the following. A few verses earlier John records that the risen Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and told her, “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.” John 20:17 Jesus said His God is His Father and that His God is also Mary's God. Did Jesus tell Mary that He was her God? To the contrary, Jesus was very specific in stating that His God was also her God. And since the risen Jesus called the Father “My God,” how can Jesus be God if He has a God? Indeed John could not have meant that Thomas was calling Jesus “my God” in the Trinitarian sense when John had just recorded that Jesus called the Father “My God.” Thomas could not be calling Jesus God because John just wrote that Jesus ascended to the same God Mary and Thomas both have. And further, only one verse after the confession of Thomas, John concludes by writing, “Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed … but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” John 20:30-31 John did not write “that you may believe that Jesus was God.” If that were so, it would have been far greater for John to proclaim that Jesus is God rather than that He is the Son of God. Can God only forgive sins? The deception of some Trinitarians is easily seen when their focus is on the words of a Pharisee while being blind to the words of Christ Himself. Some claim that Jesus is the Father because these Pharisees said that God only can forgive sins. Mark 2:7 “Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” But these Pharisees whom Christ said will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20; Matthew 23:13) did not know or accept that Jesus was the Son of God who had been given authority by His Father to do so. Three verses later Jesus tells us that He has been given authority to forgive sins. Mark 2:10 “But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins.” And not just power to forgive sins. Jesus also said “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18. And John wrote “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.” John 3:35 Note that “all authority” and “all power” is “given” to the Son! If the Son is God as the Father is God, and the Son is almighty as the Father is, then how can the Son be “given” anything if He is God? How can God be “given” that which He has always possessed? God does not depend on anyone or anything so that it has to be “given” to Him. But we do see that Jesus had to be “given” all things into His hand just as Jesus was given authority to forgive sins by His Father. Should we worship God alone? Some claim that Matthew 4:10 says that God alone should be worshipped, and since Jesus is worshipped, they say the Son must be the Father. Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get you hence, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, andhim only shall you serve.” When Jesus said, “for it is written,” He was quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 from the Septuagint (LXX) which says, “You shall fear the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve;” Deuteronomy 6:13 LXX The first thing to note is that technically, these verses do not say to “worship God alone.” These verses say that God only should you serve. However, there is an element of worship to the word serve in this verse. In any case, since Jesus taught that we should serve others, this is obviously not what He was saying. And since the Father commanded worship of His Son, that cannot be what He was saying either. “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” Hebrews 1:6 And not forgetting that Philippians 2:5-6 states that Jesus is “equal” with His Father in nature and hence is fully divine, and so of course He is worthy of worship! Jesus also said, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which has sent him.” John 5:23 So what then was Jesus saying to Satan that so many have misunderstood? It is not hard to work out. In Matthew 4:10 Jesus said, “for it is written.” So Jesus is referring to an example of something in the Old Testament Scriptures. To find the answer, all we have to do is look at what Jesus was referring to which will apply to what He was telling Satan. Note the reference. Deuteronomy 6:13-15 “You shall fear the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve; and you shall cleave to Him, and by His name you shall swear. Go not after other gods, of the gods of the nations round about you, for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God, lest the Lord your God be very angry with you, and destroy you from off the face of the earth.” The issue could not be more obvious. It was about “idolatry” which is false worship as in worshipping false gods. To worship Christ and serve Him is not idolatry. Isaiah 14:12-14 tells us that Satan wanted to be worshipped like the most high God. Satan wanted Jesus to fall down and worship him as a god and so Jesus quoted Old Testament Scripture to him that says you should not worship or “go after other gods.” So the words of Christ have to be taken in the context of what He was quoting. So often Christians neglect the context of a passage and apply specific words in a way that was never intended. Thus we are to worship God, not false gods, and so this does not exclude the worship of His Son who is equal with His Father. And we are to serve God, not false gods, and so this does not exclude serving Christ. Did Jesus raise Himself from the Dead? Those who say Jesus must be God based on John 10:18 where they claim Christ raised Himself from the dead have failed to notice that Scripture at least 22 times states that His Father raised Him from the dead. The Greek word “exousia” translated “power” in the KJV means “authority,” “jurisdiction,” liberty,” power,” “right,” and “strength” and should have been translated as “authority” as has the NIV and more than 20 other translations. “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:18 KJV “No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:18 NIV Correctly translated this verse takes on a whole new meaning with no apparent contradiction as all the following state it was God who raised His Son from the dead. Note that most verses are truncated. Acts 2:24 “Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death:”Acts 2:32 “This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” Acts 3:15 “And killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead;”Acts 4:10 “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead,”Acts 5:30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.”Acts 10:40 “Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;”Acts 13:30 “But God raised him from the dead:”Acts 13:33 “God has fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus again;”Acts 13:34 “And as concerning that He raised him up from the dead,”Acts 13:37 “But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.”Acts 17:31 “He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised him from the dead.”Romans 4:24 “if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;”Romans 6:4 “Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,”Romans 10:9 “believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.”1 Corinthians 6:14 “And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us”1 Corinthians 15:15 “we have testified of God that He raised up Christ:”2 Corinthians 4:14 “He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus,”Galatians 1:1 “by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;”Ephesians 1:20 “Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead,”Colossians 2:12 “through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.”1 Thessalonians 1:10 “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,”1 Peter 1:21 “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead,” Does Isaiah 43:11 or Hosea 13: 4 prove Jesus is God? Since these two verses say that there is no saviour but God and verses like 1 John 4:14 say that Jesus is our Saviour, then the argument is that Jesus must be the one God. But this argument does not hold water and is clutching at straws. Isaiah 43:11 “I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no saviour.” Hosea 13:4 “But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Saviour except me.” The Hebrew word translated “saviour” in these verses is most commonly translated as “save,” “saved” and is also translated as “deliverer” and “delivered.” In Moses' day God saved His people from the power of Egypt, and in Isaiah's day He saved them from the power of Assyria. There was no one else who could save and deliverer them from these powers and so they had no other saviour but God as the context clearly reveals. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible explains Isaiah 43, “This chapter ... refers mainly to the promised deliverance from Babylon. The people of God are still contemplated by the prophet as suffering the evils of their long and painful captivity, and his object is to comfort them with the assurances of deliverance.” And of course Hosea 13:4 refers to when God “saved” and “delivered” His people from the Egyptians. So Jesus is our Saviour of course. But the context of God being the saviour of His people in these verses is about saving them from captivity from Babylon and Egypt. Not saving them from their sin as Christ has done for us. Before Abraham was I am Another verse brought into question is John 8:58 . Note that the words “I am” also mean “I exist.” Some claim that Christ was declaring Himself to be God in John 8:58 because He used the words “I am.” This is erroneously based on the words “I am” being a reference to Exodus 3:14 . From this they draw the conclusion that Christ was alluding to a divine name and thereby telling the Jews that He was God. Trinitarians further try and support their claim by saying this is why the Jews picked up stones to kill Him. But this was due to many things Jesus said to them throughout John chapter 8 that slowly brought them to anger. The final straw being Jesus claiming seniority over Abraham who they said was their father. So Jesus claimed greater authority than the patriarch and hence was also claiming to be greater than them. 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! So “I exist”, “I have been” and “I was” are other possible translations which have all been used by various Bible translators for John 8:58 as well as elsewhere in the KJV. For example: ego eimi has been translated to “I was” in Luke 19:22 “You knewest that I was (ego eimi) an austere man,” These words formed a phrase that was in very common use by Jews and Christians and in New Testament Scriptures in the first century. It was not the name of any deity, be it the God of the Bible or any other god. It was never understood by Jews or Christians as declaring one to be God. If it were understood that way, you can be certain that the Jews would have never applied it to themselves as they did so frequently! In the following examples Peter, Paul, Gabriel and Zacharias all said, “I am” (ego eimi). But none of them were claiming to be God. Luke 1:18 “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am (ego eimi) an old man,” Luke 1:19 “And the angel answering said unto him, I am (ego eimi) Gabriel,” John 1:27 “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am (ego eimi) not worthy to unloose.” Acts 10:21 “Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am (ego eimi) he whom you seek:” Acts 21:39 “Paul said, I am (ego eimi) a man which am a Jew of Tarsus,” And the blind man also identifies himself by saying, I am. John 9:9 “Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am (ego eimi) he.” None of the Jews saw this man as declaring himself to be God either. Here are all the other verses where Jesus said ego eimi in the Gospels. Not one can be understood as Jesus claiming to be God. Matthew 24:5, Mark 13:6, Luke 21:8 “I am Christ”, John 8:24, 28, 13:19, 18:5, 6, 8, “I am he (Jesus),” Matthew 20:15 “I am good,” Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always,” Mark 14:62 “Jesus said I am (the Son of God),” Luke 22:27 “I am among you as one who serveth,” Luke 22:70 “You say that I am (the Son of God),” John 6:35, 48, 51 “I am the bread of life,” John 7:34, 12:26, 17:24, 14:3 “Where I am,” John 8:12 “I am the light of the world,” John 8:18 “I am the one that bear witness,” John 8:23 “I am from above,” and “I am not of this world,” John 10:7, 9 “I am the door,” John 10:11, 14 “I am the good shepherd,” John 11:25 “I am the resurrection,” John 14:6 “I am the way,” John 15:1, 5 “I am the true vine,” John 17:14, 16 “I am not of the world,” John 18:37 “Thou sayest that I am a king.” At the end of Christ's ministry when news of Him had spread far and wide, who did the Jews understand Christ to be saying He was and what was the charge they brought against Him? Matthew 26:63 “the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.” Matthew 27:40, 43 “If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” Mark 14:61 “Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am [ego eimi]:” Mark 15:39 “when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.” Luke 22:67, 70 “Are you the Christ? tell us. ... 70 Then said they all, Are you then the Son of God? And he said unto them, You say that I am [ego eimi].” 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.” Twice in the verses above Jesus responded, “I am” (ego eimi) and yet He was not saying He was God but confirming that He was the Son of God. The Jews clearly never understood Jesus to be declaring Himself God. The outrage would have been heard far and wide if He had. There is no record anywhere in the entire New Testament of anyone even asking Him if He was God. So how could the Jews have seen Him to be saying He was God in John 8:58? It is also notable that the words “I AM THAT I AM” in Exodus 3:14 have been variously understood for centuries. The Vulgate translates it as “I am who am.” The Septuagint to “I am he who exists.” The Targum of Jonathan and the Jerusalem Targum paraphrase the words as “He who spake, and the world was; who spake, and all things existed.” The original words literally signify, “I will be what I will be.” A comparison of Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58 using the Greek Old Testament the Septuagint, reveals that God said, “I am the being (ego eimi ho ohn),” and Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am (prin abraam genesthai ego eimi).” So the divine name is actually “The being (ho ohn)”, not “I am (ego eimi).” This is further proven by the end of Exodus 3:14 which says “The being (ho ohn) has sent me to you.” It does not say “I am (ego eimi) has sent me to you.” No matter how it is translated into English, “ho ohn” is not the same as “ego eimi.” So there is no connection between “I AM” in Exodus and “I am” in John. In no way does John 8:58 equate Jesus to God except by biased inference based on weak translation and bad grammar. Below are a few examples of how John 8:58 should have been translated. There are in fact over forty translations that translated this correctly. See the meaning of I am in John 8:58 for detailed information and more translations. “The absolute truth is that I was in existence before Abraham was ever born!” — (The Living Bible)“Jesus answered, before Abraham existed, I existed.” — (The Clarified New Testament)“In truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “before Abraham existed I was.” — (Twentieth Century New Testament)“Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!” — (New Living Translation)“Jesus said to them, I am telling the truth: I was alive before Abraham was born!” — (International Bible Translators) The Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End Some believe that the words Alpha and Omega found in Revelation 1:8 , 11 ; 21:6 and 22:13 means that Christ is without beginning or end but it does not say that. It says that Christ is the beginning and end of something. Not only that, but a beginning is the origin of something and an end is the termination of something. Since when does “always” have a beginning and what good is eternal life if it has an end? Many Christians have the wrong concept of the word beginning in Scripture. Remember that God had no beginning and has always existed. The “Alpha” is the “first” letter of the Greek Alphabet and hence is the “beginning” of the Alphabet, and “Omega” is the “last” letter of the Greek Alphabet and hence is the “end” of the Alphabet. So these terms are simply referring to the beginning and to the end of something, but what? Let's not make any assumptions and look at what Scripture does say and what these words meant to the Jews. Note that every single verse with a reference to the Alpha and Omega without fail follows a reference to the second coming of Christ and the “end” of the world. This is not a coincidence. Christ created this world and brought about its beginning, and He will be there in its end at His second coming and will bring about its destruction. Thus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last as He states in Revelation 22:13 . All three phrases mean the same thing. In Revelation 1:17-18 we find, “I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” Who is the Alpha and Omega (the first and the last) that was dead and is alive for evermore? It is Christ. Note also that Revelation 21:1-8 and 22:12-14 while speaking of the end immediately reveal that those who keep the Commandments get to eat of the tree of life, and that the sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters and liars perish. Note how Revelation 21:7 references Revelation 2:7, which in turn references Revelation 22:14 in regards to those who get to eat from the tree of life, which are those who keep the Commandments of God. So we find a reference to the end of this world and the second coming of Christ before the words in question while directly after these words are two more things that happen directly after the end. That is too much evidence to be coincidental. And since we are at the end of the Bible and dealing with the end, then that is why these verses only refer to the “end.” So if the “end” is referring to the end of this world than the “beginning” obviously refers to the beginning of this world, which we find in the beginning of the Bible such as Genesis 1:1 and references to the first chapter of Genesis. So everything we have seen so far reveals that these verses are referring to the second coming of Christ and the end of this world where the faithful who kept the Commandments of God get to eat from the tree of life while others perish. Note Clarke's Commentary on Revelation 1:8 and how these words were used and understood by the Jews. Did they see these words to mean that Christ has always existed and is God? This of course would also contradict Proverbs 8 that says Christ was brought forth and so would not be possible anyway. So as the Jews understood on the meaning of these words, from the beginning and first book of the Bible to the end and lastbook of the Bible, Jesus encompasses all things. Thus the Jews who actually knew the meaning of these words disagree with the claim made by Trinitarians. The beginning and the end referred to in these passages is the beginning of this created world by Christ, while the end is the second coming of Christ and the end of this world when a New Heaven and Earth are created. Christ brought about the beginning of this world and He also brings about its end. Barnes Commentary on Revelation 22:13 also confirms what Scripture reveals in this respect. Considering these verses in Revelation that state the beginning and the end are referring to the creating and beginning of this world, consider now Genesis 1:1 , Proverbs 8:23 , John 1:1-3 , Ephesians 3:9 and Hebrews 1:10 . Thus all references to the beginning in this context is consistent throughout Scripture and further supports the meaning of the words Alpha and Omega. For Adventists: “Christ says, “I am the true witness. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” — (E.G. White, 1SAT, 231.3) “even from Genesis to Revelation. Christ is the Alpha, the first link, and the Omega, the last link, of the gospel chain, which is welded in Revelation.” — (E.G. White, 10MR 171.1) “He is the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” — (E.G. White, 1888, 783.2) “And so the statement that He is the beginning or head of the creation of God means that in Him creation had its beginning; that, as He Himself says, He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev. 21:6; 22:13. He is the source whence all things have their origin.” — (E.J. Waggoner, CAHR, p. 20, 1890) Conclusion Many are confused and do not know who they are worshipping or who abides in them. Is it a three in one god or a real Father and Son? And is the Holy Spirit God the Spirit or the Spirit of God through whom the Son comes to us? Jesus included Himself when He said, “we know what we worship” John 4:22. He then explained who He worships. He said, “the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” Jesus worships His Father along with all “true worshipers” John 4:23. Jesus worships His Father because His Father is His God. Jesus said to Mary after His resurrection, “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.” John 20:17. Jesus told His disciples that His God is the same God as their God. He also explained who this God is being the Father. He told the disciples that His Father is also our Father, and His God is also our God. Many are clearly confused. You often hear, “We thank you O Father for coming down and dying for our sins.” And then you hear people closing the prayer “in Jesus name.” Does it make sense to pray to Jesus in His own name? He is our mediator, and He told us to pray to the Father in Jesus' name ( Luke 11:2 ; John 16:23 ; Ephesians 5:20 ). You hear people pray to the Father and end with, “in your name.” The Bible says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5. We are to pray to God, the Father, in the name of our mediator Christ Jesus. It would appear that people who confuse the Biblical distinctions and positions of the Father and Son do not know who they are worshiping and hence are not worshiping in spirit and in truth. The Bible states many times that Jesus is the literal Son of God. But the trinity doctrine says no, they are just role playing. And so the personality of the Father and Son is destroyed. God is no longer a real Father and Christ is no longer a real Son. This is Satan's plan to have Christians deny the Father and Son and to obtain the worship he has always desired. It is Christ who Comforts us and both He and His Father make their abode in us through His Spirit. John 14:16-23 . So is the trinity doctrine true or false? The testimony of Scripture is that there is but one God the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ and their Holy Spirit being the presence and power of God. The Father and Son not only created us, but loved us and devised an amazing plan to save a lost world from sin to restore us to His presence in paradise. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

独一真神中文事工（One True God Chinese Ministry)旨在传扬独一真神和祂独生儿子耶稣基督的现代真理。这是启示录三天使所传的永远福音之基础与核心。作为基督复临安息日会信徒，我们站在圣经和预言之灵的平台上，坚决反对基本信仰第二条所提倡的三位一体或三合一神论的谬道。 *2024 Camp Meeting 免费 参加 帳棚大會專頁 *Camp Meeting Page 线上聚会 安息日 早上聚会开始时间 9:00 AM CST (UTC+8) 下午研究开始时间 14:00 PM CST (UTC +8) 安息日流程表及介绍 星期二祷告会 晚上聚会开始时间 19:00 PM CST (UTC +8) 事工公告栏 网站重要更新公告栏 22/3 将举行线上谦卑礼和圣餐礼 https://onetruegodchimin.com/service#communion 张贴日期: 22/11 /2024 大家好，在22月3日的安息日，我们将在线上崇拜时举行谦卑礼圣餐礼。欲参加的弟兄姐妹请自行烘烤无酵饼和预备葡萄汁。请大家预备身心来领受主的圣餐，认罪悔改，并纪念上帝儿子伟大的牺牲。愿上帝赐福每一位。 30/11 将举行线上圣餐礼 https://onetruegodchimin.com/service#communion 张贴日期: 22/11 /2024 大家好，在11月30日的安息日，我们将在线上崇拜时举行圣餐礼。欲参加的弟兄姐妹请自行烘烤无酵饼和预备葡萄汁。请大家预备身心来领受主的圣餐，认罪悔改，并纪念上帝儿子伟大的牺牲。愿上帝赐福每一位。 5/10 安息日将进行联合崇拜 Zoom 链接 张贴日期: 30/9 /2024 在5/10 的安息日将与世界各地的独一真神弟兄姐妹进行联合崇拜。当天，我们全体人员都会在完成安息日学课后参加Restitution Ministries Philippines的Zoom线上会议，当天的崇拜将由我们的事工主持。 5/10 安息日学课安排: 原本在9:30AM开始的学课将会提早在9:00AM进行。大家最早可在8:45AM加入我们的Google Meet 会议。 5/10 联合崇拜安排: 大家可透过以下或标题的 Zoom 链接参加 Restitution Ministries Philippines 的线上会议，开始时间为10:30AM。 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6637128260?pwd=LytWblFhQnloVFM5SkVvd0dTblplUT09 Meeting ID: 663 712 8260 Passcode: 000000 *请注意，整个联合崇拜都会以英语进行。 10/8/2024 新增[2024 帐棚大会]专页 新增[English Sites]专页 7/4/2024 [聚会与活动]页面已新增祷告会部份 27/1/2024 [安息日学课]页面已新增[第三位天使的信息]部分 27/12/2023 -新增 [安息日真理] 专题研究页面 16/8/2023 -[基本原则] 页面已新增中文翻译版本 4/8/2023 -[聚会与活动]页面已新增安息日学课部份 -[学习资源]选单已新增[安息日学课]页面 14/7/2023 [三位一体相关研究] 所有旧网站的三位一体相关文章已整理好并上传到页面。 6/7/2023 [证道]的影片播放器已新增标签和搜寻功能 20/6/2023 -首页已新增公告栏 -[聚会与活动]页面已新增圣餐礼部份 26/5/2023 新网站推出，各页面将持续更新更多内容 介绍 Google Meet链接

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Joseph Bates on the Trinity Joseph Bates on the Trinity “My parents were members of long standing in the Congregational church, with all of their converted children thus far, and anxiously hoped that we would also unite with them. But they embraced some points in their faith which I could not understand. I will name two only: their mode of baptism, and doctrine of the trinity. My father, who had been a deacon of long standing with them, labored to convince me that they were right in points of doctrine... Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was an impossibility for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being. I said to my father, “If you can convince me that we are one in this sense, that you are my father, and I your son; and also that I am your father, and you my son, then I can believe in the trinity.” — (Joseph Bates, The Autobiography Of Elder Joseph Bates, 1868, p. 204) “One thing more: Much derision is made about those of our company that have joined the Shakers. I say it is a shame to them first, to have preached so clearly and distinctly the speedy coming of our Lord Jesus Christ personally to gather his saints—and then to go and join the Shakers in their faith, that he (Jesus) came spiritually in their Mother, Ann Lee, more than seventy years ago. This, without doubt in my mind, is owing to their previous teaching and belief in a doctrine called the trinity. How can you find fault with their faith while you are teaching the very essence of that never—no never to be understood, doctrine? For their comfort and faith, and of course your own, you say “Christ is God, and God is love.” As you have given no explanation, we take it to come from you as a literal exposition of the word;... We believe that Peter and his master settled this question beyond controversy, Matt. 16:13-19; and I cannot see why Daniel and John has not fully confirmed that Christ is the Son, and, not God the Father. How could Daniel explain his vision of the 7th chapter, if “Christ was God.” Here he sees one “like the Son (and it cannot be proved that it was any other person) of man, and there was given him Dominion, and Glory, and a kingdom;” by the ancient of days. Then John describes one seated on a throne with a book in his right hand, and he distinctly saw Jesus come up to the throne and take the book out of the hand of him that sat thereon. Now if it is possible to make these two entirely different transactions appear in one person, then I could believe that God died and was buried instead of Jesus, and that Paul was mistaken when he said, “Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead out Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep” &c., and that Jesus also did not mean what he said when he asserted that he came from God, and was going to God, &c.&c,; and much more, if necessary, to prove the utter absurdity of such a faith.” — (A letter written by Joseph Bates to William Miller, 1848, Past And Present Experience, p. 187) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Christ and the Holy Spirit CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT (Full article) E. G. White General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1, December 27, 1895 Reading for Friday, December 27, 1895 CHRIST is the central thought of the gospel; for it is “the gospel of God ... concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 1:1,3) An indwelling Christ is the power and life of the gospel. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom 1:16) “We preach Christ crucified: ... Christ the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:23,24) “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Rom 8:10) And Christ said, “Abide in me and I in you; ... for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4,5) And just as he was departing from his disciples in his bodily presence, he made this promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt 28:20) (GCB December 1895, p.631.1) It seems very important that we should understand God’s plan for us in this idea of an INDWELLING SAVIOR, that we may be able to cooperate more intelligently with God in his plan and work, and that we may be able to realize more fully the greatness of the blessing which is bestowed upon us in the gift of JESUS CHRIST. (GCB December 1895, p.631.2) “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” (John 14:16) This was Christ’s word to his disciples just before he departed from the world. He was going away, but there would be another Comforter that would abide with them forever, “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.” (John 14:17) “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” (John 14:22) In the preceding verse is recorded this promise: “I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21) Not simply some power and life, NOT SOMETHING ELSE, but he would MANIFEST HIMSELF unto them. Then Judas made the inquiry, “How is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 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.” (John 14:23) “These things I have spoken unto you, being yet present with you [or abiding with 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.” (John 14:25,26) (GCB December 1895, p. 631.3) The special thought to which attention is called in this reading is the idea that an INDWELLING CHRIST is the life and power of the gospel, and the life and power of our experience in the gospel. To many minds this is simply a theoretical idea, something that is talked about; but to have Jesus Christ abiding in us and dwelling in us as our life and power, as our wisdom, as our righteousness, as our all and in all, is an experience which many do not enter into; but the Scriptures teach distinctly that our hope is in this experience. The gospel is set forth as being CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory (see Col. 1:27). Paul’s experience in the gospel was this: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) There is no success in the Christian life outside of this experience; this is the secret of piety; this is the mystery of godliness, and this experience has been made possible for us by the life and work, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Christ’s work for us was not completed when he was here. He lived his life in the flesh, was crucified, was raised from the dead, and ascended on high, in order that he may live that same life in us; in order that the example which he set before us in his own life might become an experience in our lives. But when he went away HE DID NOT LEAVE US, he did not give up his work for us. It was expedient that he should go away, “for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you,” (John 16:7) and the work which was wrought in Christ in the flesh during his earthly career, is the very work which he desires, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to work in us during our earthly career. Christ thus completely identified himself with our flesh when he was here, and thus connected himself with our humanity, that he might identify himself with each one of us, and might live in us and work in us to the glory of his name.” (GCB December 1895, p. 631.4) It may help us to understand this if we know something of Christ’s experience in the flesh, because he was our example, and what God wrought in him, he desires to work in us through Christ. He came, and submitted himself to God’s mind and will and working in the flesh, in order to set an example, and open the way to the possibility of the same thing in us. We do not live up to the privileges God has provided for us. We take too narrow a view of his plan concerning us. We have become so accustomed to the great power of sin, and to the conquest of sin over us, that we are not fully awake to the great power of Christ, and his conquest over sin. While we are made to realize the power of sin, we are to believe also in the power of Christ to give us the victory over sin. We should believe because of what God has done for us in Christ, and what he purposes to do for us in Christ; because the work of Christ was not simply to do something for us back there, but that he should be able to give himself to us here, and to live in us here, and to work in us here. (GCB December 1895, p.631.5) It is true that when Christ was here, he could have wrought works in his own power which we cannot do, but it is also true that he did not work his works in his own power, but became wholly an example unto us in allowing God’s power through the Spirit to rest upon him, and to work through him. (GCB December 1895, p.632.1) This is the testimony which Nicodemus bore to the work of Christ: “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” (John 3:1,2) Christ, referring to the works which he had wrought, presents it in this way: “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. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me.” (John 14:10,11) Christ’s life was simply the life of the indwelling Father, not his own; the works that he wrought were not his own works, but the works of the Father that dwelt in him. “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10) (GCB December 1895, p.632.2) In Peter’s talk to Cornelius and his company, he told them “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed with the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38) These are the works that he did; for God was with him. Nicodemus said, “We know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him;” (John 3:2) and Christ himself said, “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10) God was with him as his indwelling life and power. How this experience was accomplished is made plain by the scripture, “For he whom God has sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34) The Spirit was not given by measure; it was the fulness of the indwelling Father. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” (Col 1:19) “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Col 2:9) That is to say, God was in Christ, working in him, reconciling the world unto himself, and he dwelt in him in his fulness by giving the Spirit to him without measure. That was the FATHER dwelling in him, and the Father dwelling in him was the working power in him. Not that Christ had no power of himself, and could not have worked himself, but we must keep before our minds continually that Christ voluntarily took a position that his own character did not require him to take, in order to help us out of the position that we are in, where we cannot help ourselves. He consented to this experience of living wholly by the life of another, keeping his own self in abeyance, in order that another’s self might appear in him, to be an example for us, and further, in order that this experience might be possible for us. There is a wonderful mystery about the incarnation of Christ, that his experience in the flesh should be our experience in the flesh by his dwelling in us. And when he came to identify himself with flesh, and to dwell in flesh, it was not simply to dwell in flesh in Galilee, but everywhere where flesh would submit itself to his indwelling. This is why Christ identifies himself so closely with his followers, because it is HE HIMSELF in his followers. This is not to be regarded as a shadowy experience, beyond our daily life. This is to be our daily life, and we are to rise above the idea that the power to live is in ourselves, and that we have to depend upon our own might. To set forth the example of Christ without the power of Christ is of little avail. God has not left us simply with Christ’s life before us as an example, but Christ came in the flesh, came to live the life of righteousness, identifying himself with human flesh, in order that he might through all time identify himself completely with his followers, and that he might live in them, to be life and power and wisdom and righteousness to them. The life that Christ lived in Judea is the life which we are to lay hold of by faith in the promises of God. (GCB December 1895, p.632.3) Now the giving of the Holy Spirit is the giving of CHRIST, and the presence of the Holy Spirit is the presence of CHRIST in us, and the power of the Holy Spirit is the power of CHRIST in us, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the indwelling of CHRIST in us, for the Holy Spirit is CHRIST'S ACTUAL REPRESENTATIVE. (GCB vol. 1, December 1895, p.632.4) Let us read of the promises of the giving of the Holy Spirit and their fulfillment, that we may see what it means to us. “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with [or clothed with] power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:7,8) They were to be endued with, or clothed with, power from on high, and the promise is, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (GCB December 1895, p.632.5) Now observe how this works out in experience, “But put ye on [or be clothed with] the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Rom 13:14) Be clothed with power from on high, and BE CLOTHED WITH JESUS CHRIST, who is the power of God. Paul in writing to the Ephesians, speaks of this power. “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” (Eph 1:19,20) What power was that? “For Christ hath also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1Pet 3:18) In Ephesians we read about the exceeding greatness of the power by which Christ was raised from the dead, and here we learn what that mighty power was. He was quickened by the Spirit. (GCB December 1895, p.633.1) So we read again in the Epistle to the Romans: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal [death-doomed] bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Rom 8:11) That is, Christ was made alive by the power of the Spirit; we are to be made alive by the power of the Spirit; and then that same Spirit by whose power Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and by whose power we are made alive from the dead, dwells in us with the same life-giving power. That is God dwelling in us by his own representative, the Holy Spirit. That is, the INDWELLING SAVIOUR, and the measure of his mighty power, is shown by the power that raised him from the dead. (GCB December 1895, p.633.2) So Paul writes further in his Epistle to the Ephesians: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Eph 3:20) What was the power that worked in Christ? - God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and the indwelling Father by his Holy Spirit was the power that wrought in him. What is the power that is to work in us? - It is the power of the same Spirit of Christ which works in us. But Christ is the power of God, and the indwelling Spirit is the representative of God dwelling in each one of us, not simply dwelling in flesh and being among us, but dwelling in flesh by being in us. If that power dwells in us, we have the victory over our enemies, for he that is for us is more than all they that can be against us. Let us grasp the thought that CHRIST does dwell in our hearts by the Holy Spirit; that the Holy Spirit, the other Comforter, is with us to abide with us. (GCB December 1895, p.633.3) Again we read: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:12,13) It was God who wrought in Christ by his Holy Spirit. By Christ’s work for us, he made it possible for that Spirit to be poured out on us, that God in Christ by the gift of the Holy Spirit should work in us by his own mighty power, exactly as he worked in Christ. Yet we are told that we are to work out our own salvation, because his mighty power is always with us with our consent. Not that we are to use the power. The power is to use us, but the power does not mold us contrary to our will. The power is God’s; the responsibility is ours. God continually exalts the man whom he has made in his own image, by never over-riding his will in this matter. (GCB December 1895, p.633.4) Read again in the Epistle to the Colossians: “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. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Whereunto I also labor, according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Col 1:27-29) That is CHRIST in you, the hope of glory. The Holy Spirit is given to us to continue the work which Christ began when he was on earth. The Holy Spirit is the actual representative of Christ on earth, and as the actual representative of Christ, it dwells in us, and is the power of God through Christ to work out God’s plan concerning us. (GCB December 1895, p.633.5) You will see how clear this is made by further Scripture: “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not;” (John 5:43) “I have manifested thy name to the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.” (John 17:6) “I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26) Christ came in his Father’s name to declare his name, and being one in whom was the name of God, was the complete representative of God in the world, and his work was to represent the character of God. “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 ... for my name is in him.” (Ex 23:20,21) “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.” (John 14:26) (GCB December 1895, p.633.6) All that it meant to have Christ come in his Father’s name, to manifest his Father’s name as one in whom the Father’s name was, it means to have the Holy Ghost come in Christ’s name, to declare his name, to manifest his name, to represent him; and just as Christ was on the earth as the representative of the Father, so the Holy Spirit is in the earth to represent Christ. In representing Christ it is representing God, because it is God in Christ, and because it is Christ’s will to do his Father’s will continually. It is not a separate interest, but the Holy Spirit comes to represent Christ and to do continually his work, which was to represent his Father. So the work to be done now is the same as the work then, - to bring the character of God back to the earth, and to show the character of God in human flesh; and that work is to go on in us that the character of God may be represented to the world in us by HIS INDWELLING SPIRIT, just as it was represented in Christ Jesus. And Christ’s work of giving himself, the sacrifice of himself for us, is going forward now, and in giving us the Holy Spirit continually, he is giving HIMSELF, because he says, “I will love him and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21) “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more, but ye see me; because I live ye shall live also. In that day ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:19,20) That complete union by which WE, and CHRIST, and the FATHER are brought into union of life is accomplished by the SPIRIT. The Spirit which is to be sent is the Spirit of truth, and it is the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ, and it is the Spirit of God. That is what binds God the Father and Christ his son and their followers together in one. It is more than can be done by that sort of persuasion which brings one mind into harmony with another; it is not merely agreement in sentiment, but union of life. And that union of life is by the power of the Holy Spirit. This was Christ’s prayer: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also, which shall believe on me through their word. That they may all be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:20,21) And that is made possible by the interflow of life between them. So Christ was in the Father, and the Father in him by this interflow of life, and his desire is, “as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us.” (GCB December 1895, p.634.1) The testimony to the divinity of the character of Christ, to the work of Jesus Christ on earth, is in the lives of his followers. The convincing power of the Christian life is what is done for the followers of Jesus Christ, is what Christ does in his followers. That is what makes real to the world the claims of Christianity. Christ is the one who mediates between God and us. By his taking our human flesh and standing between humanity and divinity as a union of humanity and divinity, he becomes the way, the channel through which God dwells in us by his Holy Spirit. God dwells in Christ by his Holy Spirit, and Christ by taking humanity, connected humanity with divinity in himself, so that when we become connected with Christ, we become connected with a humanity in which dwells divinity. With this connection between us and Christ, that divine power can dwell in us. Christ came in the flesh in order that there might be divine power for us. When man sinned, he cut himself off from this power, but Christ’s work was to make it possible that that divine power might come again to him. (GCB December 1895, p.634.2) Do not be afraid of believing that Christ means exactly what he says, and that everything set forth in the Scriptures is for each one of us personally. It does not avail for us to see that Christ intended it for us, but it is necessary for us to grasp it as ours by living faith. When we see that it is God’s plan, we are to believe that it is so, rejoice and be glad, and give thanks that it is so, and grasp that very power and life by faith in the promises of God; and we are to submit ourselves to the power and work of God. This experience will take out of our lives all cheapness and commonness, all lightness and trifling. It will bring a new dignity into our lives, when we really believe that JESUS CHRIST ACTUALLY LIVES IN US and that it is his power that works in us to work out the character of God. That life means something. If we constantly look to him, then we may believe that it is God that is working in us, and so our lives may be to his glory in representing the character of Christ, and representing the character of God in Christ in the daily experience of our lives. The words which we speak will not be our own words, the works which we work will not be our own works. Jesus Christ will work in us, glorifying his own name continually. That is the work of the Holy Spirit as shown in the life of Jesus Christ. (GCB December 1895, p.634.3) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God?” (1 Cor 6:19) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16) When the Spirit of God dwells in us, we are the temple of God, because it is God dwelling in us by his Spirit. “And ye are not your own.” (1 Cor 6:19) Our bodies are not our own with which to express our own character, but our bodies are for the Holy Spirit to use with which to work out and express God’s character. “Ye are not your own.” The body is not ours to use; it is God’s to use by the Holy Spirit. (GCB December 1895, p.635.1) “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2 Cor 6:16) God wants to dwell in us. Shall we refuse him admittance, and set up idols in his place? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16) This is the same thing which is set forth by the prophet Isaiah: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive [to give new life to] the spirit of the humble, and to revive [to give new life to] the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isa 57:15) It is God’s eternal purpose in Jesus Christ that this should be so. (GCB December 1895, p.635.2) But let us read the scripture further: “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.” (Rom 8:9,10) By reading that verse carefully, it becomes evident that THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, AND CHRIST ARE MADE IDENTICAL. When the Spirit of God dwells in us, that is the Spirit of Christ, it is CHRIST HIMSELF in us. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal [death-doomed] bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Rom 8:11) As that Spirit gave life to Christ who was dead, so that Spirit coming upon us, will quicken us and give us new life, and raise us up to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. “Therefore brethren [observe the conclusion], we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Rom 8:12,13) That is to say, THE HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST DWELLING IN US, is to be the power that overcomes these evil traits, these evil habits in us, and puts to death these deeds of the body. (GCB December 1895, p.635.3) The same thought is brought out in another scripture: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:24,25) God has given us his Spirit, and the power of Christ is to work in us. If we live after the flesh we shall surely die, but if we live after the Spirit, we shall put to death the deeds of the flesh; we shall live, but it is Christ living in us. (GCB December 1895, p.635.4) We are now in the time of the latter rain, and we are told to pray for the Spirit of God, for the power of the Spirit. This means the FULNESS of the INDWELLING CHRIST. The image of God, as shown in Jesus Christ, is to be perfected in those that are prepared for translation just before the second coming of Christ to receive his own, who bear fully his image. There must be at that time the fulness of the indwelling Christ, and Christ must be all and in all. He must be all there is in every one. There must be none of self. It means the complete death of self, and the fulness of the indwelling Saviour. (GCB December 1895, p.635.5) We read this in another way: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” (Isa 60:1) “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.” (Matt 4:16) “Arise, shine; for thy light is come.” Who is our light? - Christ is our light. The glory of the Lord is risen upon us in the giving of his Spirit. That makes us a light that we may shine. We cannot rise and give light unless we have light. Christ is our light, and wherever he is, the people who sit in darkness will see great light. (GCB December 1895, p.635.6) As the Spirit of Christ comes upon us in this time of the latter rain, the people will see great light, because we will have the light of the Spirit of Christ. The experience we need is the power of the INDWELLING CHRIST. The Lord is not seeking for those who are merely wealthy, talented, or educated. God is seeking for those who are willing to be instruments in his hands, to show forth the power and glory of his name. He can take each company of believers and make them a power, if they will every one submit wholly to him. God will give us a power in our assemblies; he will make even the synagogue of Satan acknowledge that God is with us. When we are willing to take the humble position that it is all of Christ and none of self, when we are fully submitted to Christ that he may work in us, then he will manifest his power, and that is what he desires to do. Shall we, who believe in the power of God, allow the enemy to triumph over us? The enemy is working to hinder God’s work, to counteract what God has accomplished. Shall we allow him to triumph over us? (GCB December 1895, p.635.7) Jesus Christ is not dead. He is a living Saviour, and he desires to be an INDWELLING SAVIOUR in every one of us, to show forth the praises and the glory of his name. God wants us to advance in the truth, that every one may see that there is something to this message besides simply a difference in theory; that it is the power of God that is working in truth; that this people are not simply a people who have a different theory, but that they are the people of God. That is what will win souls to the truth. Many people can see that the seventh day is the Sabbath, but there must be the power of God to win them to the truth. What we need is that same power, or we shall give up the truth. There is nothing but the power of God always working out the truth in us which is able to keep us. Having merely stepped out to obey the truth does not keep us in the love of God. Past experience will never answer for the present. We must continue day by day to have the experience of the power of God with us. That is the only thing which will keep us, but the power of Christ can do this, and that is the blessedness of the gospel. Let JESUS come into our hearts, by the INDWELLING of the HOLY SPIRIT, taking complete control, bringing every thought into captivity, and then we shall glorify him continually. (GCB December 1895, p.636.1) W. W. PRESCOTT. 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 使徒约翰是不是三位一体信徒 使徒约翰是不是三位一体信徒？ 三位一体神论是今天基督教界最核心的基本信仰之一。它声称有三位同等，同永恒的神性生物，它们各自都是三位一体神的一部分，并组成一位上帝。 三位一体论说，耶稣和父一样大，也没有一个开始。因此，圣经里“父亲”和“儿子”的术语被认为纯粹是比喻。对三位一体论者而言，耶稣不是上帝真实的儿子。 “其中一位神性生物接受并承担了父的角色，另一位则承担了儿子的角色。” （三位一体论者，安息日会牧师哥登剑森著，《复临信徒评论》，1996年10月31日刊，第12页） “神圣父子的关系应该是从隐喻的意义而非字面的意义来解读的。” （三位一体论者，安息日会牧师麦斯哈敦著，《了解三位一体》，原文第97页） “父子的一般形象不能以字面的理解来应用在三位一体中的神性父子关系上。子不是父的自然亲生儿子。自然的孩子是有开始的，但三位一体中的子是永恒的。‘子’这个术语当应用在三位一体上时，是一个隐喻性的术语。它表达了三位一体中有不同位格的概念，以及在永恒相爱的关系之语境中本性之间同等的概念。” （罗德里格斯著，“圣经说耶稣是上帝的儿子，这是什么意思？” 《复临信徒世界》2015年11月刊） 有一位作者亲自认识耶稣。他的名字叫约翰。这是他的见证。 约翰二书1:3 恩惠、怜悯、平安从父上帝和他儿子耶稣基督，在真理和爱心上必常与我们同在！ 约翰福音 1:14 道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典，有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。 约翰一书 1:1 论到从起初原有的生命之道，就是我们所听见，所看见的，亲眼看过，亲手摸过的。 约翰一书 1:2 这生命已经显现出来，我们也看见过，现在又作见证，将原与父同在，且显现与我们那永远的生命传给你们。 约翰一书1:3 我们将所看见、所听见的传给你们，使你们与我们相交。我们乃是与父并他儿子耶稣基督相交的。 约翰一书2:21 我写信给你们，不是因你们不知道真理，正是因你们知道，并且知道没有虚谎是从真理出来的。 约翰一书 2:22 谁是说谎话的呢？不是那不认耶稣为基督的吗？不认父与子的，这就是敌基督的。 约翰一书 2:23 凡不认子的，就没有父；认子的，连父也有了。 约翰一书2:24 论到你们，务要将那从起初所听见的常存在心里；若将从起初所听见的存在心里，你们就必住在子里面，也必住在父里面。 约翰一书 3:23 上帝的命令就是叫我们信他儿子耶稣基督的名，且照他所赐给我们的命令彼此相爱。 约翰一书 4:9 上帝差他独生子到世间来，使我们藉着他得生，上帝爱我们的心在此就显明了。 约翰一书4:10 不是我们爱上帝，乃是上帝爱我们，差他的儿子，为我们的罪作了挽回祭，这就是爱了。 约翰一书4:14 父差子作世人的救主，这是我们所看见且作见证的。 约翰一书4:15 凡认耶稣为上帝儿子的，上帝就住在他里面， 约翰一书5:4 因为凡从上帝生的，就胜过世界；使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心。 约翰一书5:5 胜过世界的是谁呢？不是那信耶稣是上帝儿子的吗？ 约翰一书5:9 我们既领受人的见证，上帝的见证更大了，因上帝的见证是为他儿子作的。 约翰福音 3:16 上帝爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。 约翰福音3:17 因为上帝差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。 约翰福音3:18 信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信上帝独生子的名。 约翰一书 5:10 信上帝儿子的，就有这见证在他心里；不信上帝的，就是将上帝当作说谎的，因不信上帝为他儿子作的见证。 约翰一书 5:11 这见证就是上帝赐给我们永生，这永生也是在他儿子里面。 约翰一书5:12 人有了上帝的儿子就有生命，没有上帝的儿子就没有生命。 约翰一书 5:13 我将这些话写给你们信奉上帝儿子之名的人，要叫你们知道自己有永生。 约翰福音20:31 但记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是上帝的儿子，并且叫你们信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。 为这些事作见证，并且记载这些事的，就是这门徒，我们也知道他的见证是真的。约翰福音21：24 上帝的儿子不是一个比喻或隐喻。 使徒约翰不是三位一体信徒。 你是否也愿意承认耶稣为上帝真实的独生子？ 欲了解更多关于父和子之间真实关系的真理，请浏览本事工以下网站，独一真神中文事工： onetruegodchimin.com 上一篇 返回研究目录 下一篇 到最頂

返回研究目录 上一篇 下载中文 Read in English 下一篇 刻在石版上- 十条诫命 随着罪案和暴力事件在各国各城，甚至家庭中逐渐升级，为了确保人民生命财产的安全起见，每个人岂不应该遵守国家的法律吗？正所谓国有国法，家有家规。其实啊，上帝早在几千年前就已经把自己的律法写在石版上。而圣经说这律法是我们今时今日依然必须遵守的。 违背上帝律法的任何部分都必然招致负面的后果。更重要的是，遵守上帝律法的全部能给我们带来和平与安全。再说，我们作为基督徒，上帝把祂的律法赐给我们作为生活的指南，让我们能辨别是非对错。更何况顺从上帝的命令是爱祂的表现，也是对祂爱的回应。既然如此，我们今天就要来研究这个课题，详细地探讨一系列的问题，并认真思考上帝的十条诫命在我们生活中的定位。 1. 十条诫命真的是上帝亲自写的吗？ “耶和华在西奈山和摩西说完了话，就把两块见证的版交给他，是上帝用指头写的石版。这版是上帝的工作，字是上帝写的，刻在版上。” （出埃及记 31：18，32：16） 答：对！天上的上帝用自己的指头把十条诫命写在两块石板上。 2. 上帝对罪的定义是什么？ “凡犯罪的，就是违背律法；违背律法就是罪。” （约翰一书 3：4） 答：罪就是违背律法。耶和华的律法是全备的（诗篇 19：7），它的原则概括了人类所能犯的一切罪。诫命也涵盖了“人一切当尽的本分”（传道书 12：13）。没有任何一点是被遗漏的。 3. 上帝为什么要把十条诫命赐给我们？ “但遵守律法的，便为有福。” （箴言 29：18） 我儿，不要忘记我的法则；你心要谨守我的诫命；因为它们必将长久的日子，生命的年数与平安，加给你。（箴言 3：1，2） 答： （一）作为幸福，丰盛生活的指南。 上帝创造我们，让我们能体验喜乐、平安、长寿、满足、成就和我们内心所渴望的所有其他伟大的祝福。上帝的律法是我们生命地图的导航，引领我们走在正确的道路上，使我们找着真实又至高至上的幸福快乐。 “因为律法本是叫人知罪。” 罗马书 3：20。 “律法是罪吗？断乎不是！只是非因律法，我就不知何为罪。非律法说不可贪恋，我就不知何为情欲。” 罗马书 7：7 （二）向我们展示对与错之间的区别。上帝的律法就像一面镜子（雅各书1：23-25）。它指出了我们生活中不对的行为，就像镜子显出了我们脸上的污垢一样。唯一有可能让我们知道自己在犯罪的方法就是通过在上帝律法的镜子里仔细地检查自己的生活。活在混乱邪恶世界中的我们能在上帝的十诫中找到平安。它告诉我们该在哪里划清界线！ “耶和华又吩咐我们遵行这一切律例【诫命】。。。使我们常得好处，蒙他保全我们的生命” （申命记 6：24） “求你扶持我，我便得救，时常看重你的律例。凡偏离你律例的人，你都轻弃他们，因为他们的诡诈必归虚空。” （诗篇 119：117，118）。 （三）为了保护我们免受危险和悲剧的伤害。上帝的律法像动物园里牢固的笼子一般，保护我们免受凶猛和残暴的动物侵害。它保护我们免受谬论、杀人、崇拜偶像、偷盗以及许多其他毁灭生命、和平与幸福的罪恶之侵害。所有好的法律都是为了保护人的，而上帝的律法也不例外。 “我们若遵守他的诫命，就晓得是认识他。” （约翰一书 2：3） （四）它帮助我们认识上帝 上帝律法中永恒的原则是由创造我们的上帝在每个人本性的最深处写下的。字迹也许朦胧和不清晰，但确实存在于我们的骨子［gu3zi1] 里。上帝创造我们原是要我们的生活与这些原则一致相符。当我们无视它们时，结果必定是压力、动荡不安和悲剧。就好比无视安全驾驶的规则会导致重伤或死亡一样。 4. 上帝的律法为什么对您个人而言极为重要？ “你们既然要按这自由的律法受审判，就该照这律法说话行事。（雅各书 2：12）。 答： 因为律法的十条诫命是上帝在天上的审判标准。 5. 上帝的律法 (十条诫命）能被修改或废除吗？ “天地废去较比律法的一点一画落空还容易。” （路加福音 16：17） “我必不背弃我的约，也不改变我口中所出的。” （诗篇 89：34） “他的训词都是确实的，是永永远远坚定的 ” （诗篇 111：7，8） 答：不能。圣经无比清楚，上帝的律法是不能改变的。诫命是上帝神圣品格之原则的反映，也是祂国度的基础。只要上帝还活着，祂的律法就依然存在。 此表向我们展示了上帝和祂的律法具有完全相同的特质，揭示了十诫实际上是上帝品格的书面形式，藉着文字让我们可以更加理解上帝。若要改变上帝的律法，就得先把上帝从天国拉下来再改变祂，这当然是不可能的。耶稣以人类的形式来向我们显明律法（即圣洁生活的模式）。上帝的品格永不改变；因此，祂的律法也永远不会改变。 上帝是 律法是 良善 路加福音 18：19 提摩太前书 1：8 圣洁 以赛亚书 5：16 罗马书 7：12 完全 马太福音 5：48 诗篇 19：7 纯洁 约翰一书 3：2，3 诗篇 19：8 正直 申命记 32：4 罗马书 7：12 真实 约翰福音 3：33 诗篇 19：9 属灵 哥林多前书 10：4 罗马书 7：14 公义 耶利米书 23：6 诗篇 119：172 信实 哥林多前书 1：9 诗篇 119：86 爱 约翰一书 4：8 罗马书 13：10 永不改变 雅各书1：17 马太福音 5：18 永恒 创世纪 21：33 诗篇 111：7，8 6. 耶稣在世上时是否废除了上帝的律法？ “莫想我来要废掉律法。。。我来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。。。。就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。” （马太福音 5：17，18） 答：确实没有！耶稣特别宣称自己不是来废掉律法，而是要成全（落实）。耶稣不但没有废除律法，反而将它放大（以赛亚书 42：21）为圣洁生活的完美指引。比如说，耶稣指出“不可杀人”也包括了不可无缘无故地向你的弟兄动怒（马太福音：21，22）或仇恨你的弟兄（约翰一书 3：15），并且对妇女动淫念也算是犯奸淫的一种（马太福音 5：27，28）。耶稣说：“你若爱我，就必遵守我的命令”（约翰福音 14：15）。 7. 有意持续违反上帝诫命的人是否能得救？ “因为罪的工价乃是死 ” （罗马书 6：23） “耶和华...除灭罪人” （以赛亚书 13：9） “因为凡遵守全律法的，只在一条上跌倒，他就是犯了众条。” (雅各书 2：10） 答：十诫引导我们过圣洁的生活。如果我们忽视其中一条诫命，就等于忽略上帝神圣蓝图中一个重要的部分。如果一条铁链中就算只有一个铁环断裂，则其整个功用将被破坏。圣经说，当我们有意违背上帝的命令时，我们就是在犯罪（雅各书4:17），因为我们拒绝了祂在我们身上的旨意。只有那些遵行祂旨意的人才能进入天国（马太福音 7：21）。当然，上帝会赦免任何真正悔改，接受基督并让祂的力量改变他们的人。 8. 遵守律法可以拯救任何人吗？ “你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信；这并不是出于自己，乃是上帝所赐的；也不是出于行为，免得有人自夸。”（以弗所书 2：8，9） 答： 不能！答案是易懂且不容错过的。 遵守律法是无法拯救任何人的。 我们得救是本乎恩典，是上帝藉着耶稣基督赐给我们的一份免费礼物，我们要凭着信心而不是行为来接收这份礼物。 律法是一面镜子，它指出了我们生活中的罪。 就好比镜子可以向你展示脸上的污垢但却无法洗净你的脸一样。我们唯有藉着耶稣基督才能从罪中得到洁净和宽恕。 9. 那为什么律法对于改善基督徒的品格至关重要呢？ “敬畏上帝，谨守他的诫命，这是人所当尽的本分” （传道书 12：13） “因为律法本是叫人知罪” （罗马书 3：20） 答：因为基督徒生活的整个模式或“所当尽的本分”都包含在上帝的律法中。例如，一个六岁的孩子自己做了一把尺，测量自己的身高，并告诉母亲他身高4米一样，我们自己的测量标准从来都是不安全可靠的。我们若不仔细监察那完美的标准，即上帝的律法的话，就无法晓得自己是不是罪人。许多人认为，即使他们不遵守律法，只要经常做好事，也能得到救恩的保障（马太福音7：21-23）。因此，他们认为自己是公义的，但事实上，他们是迷途的罪人。圣经说， “我们若遵守他的诫命，就晓得是认识他。”（约翰一书 2：3） 10. 是什么使真正悔改的基督徒能够遵循上帝的律法呢？ “我要将我的律法放在他们里面，写在他们心上” （希伯来书 8：10） “我靠着那加给我力量的” （腓立比书 4：13） 上帝就差遣自己的儿子。。。使律法的义成就在我们这不随从肉体” （罗马书 8：3，4） 答：基督不仅赦免了悔改的罪人，而且还叫他们恢复上帝的形像。祂藉着亲自同在的力量使他们与祂的律法和谐一致。 “不可”这句话成为基督徒不偷盗、不说谎、不杀人等等正面的承诺，因为耶稣住在我们里面并且做主，掌管着我们生命中的一切。上帝不能改变他的道德法则，但祂能藉着耶稣去改变罪人，使我们能达到祂律法的标准。 11. 但一个基督徒如果有信心，况且活在恩典之下，岂不是可以免于遵守律法吗？ “罪必不能作你们的主，因你们不在律法之下，乃在恩典之下。这却怎么样呢？我们在恩典之下，不在律法之下，就可以犯罪吗？断乎不可！”（罗马书 6：14，15） “这样，我们因信废了律法吗？断乎不是！更是坚固律法。” （罗马书 3：31） 答：不！圣经的教导恰恰相反。恩典就好比国王或国家元首对囚犯所施予的宽恕。这个犯法者获得宽恕，并不代表他获得继续犯法的自由。获得宽恕的人，就是活在恩典之下，他会自然而然地因为感激上帝的救恩而心甘情愿地遵守祂的律法。一个拒绝遵守上帝律法，却声称自己活在恩典之下的人，实际上已严重误解了上帝恩典的意义。 12. 上帝的十条诫命是否在新约里也受到了肯定呢？ 答：是的，且非常明显。请仔细观察以下的对照。 旧约中上帝的律法 新约中上帝的律法 1. “除了我以外，你不可有别的神。” （出埃及记 20：3） “当拜主你的上帝，单要侍奉他。” (马太福音 4：10） 2. “不可为自己雕刻偶像；也不可作什么形像仿佛上天、下地和地底下、水中的百物。不可跪拜那些像；也不可侍奉它，因为我耶和华你的上帝，是忌邪的上帝。恨我的，我必追讨他的罪，自父及子，直到三四代；爱我、守我诫命的，我必向他们发慈爱，直到千代。”（出埃及记 20：4-6） “小子们哪，你们要自守，远避偶像。” （约翰一书 5：21）。“我们既是上帝所生的，就不当以为上帝的神性像人用手艺、心思所雕刻的金、银、石。” （使徒行传 17：29） 3. “不可妄称耶和华你上帝的名；因为妄称耶和华名的，耶和华必不以他为无罪。” （出埃及记 20：7） “免得上帝的名和道理被人亵渎。” （提摩太前书 6：1） 4. “当记念安息日，守为圣日。六日要劳碌作你一切的工，但第七日是向耶和华你上帝当守的安息日。这一日你和你的儿女、仆婢、牲畜，并你城里寄居的客旅，无论何工都不可作，因为六日之内，耶和华造天、地、海和其中的万物，第七日便安息，所以耶和华赐福与安息日，定为圣日。” （出埃及记 20：8-11） “论到第七日，有一处说：“到第七日，上帝就歇了他一切的工。”这样看来，必另有一安息日的安息，为上帝的子民存留。因为那进入安息的，乃是歇了自己的工，正如上帝歇了他的工一样。” (希伯来书 4：4，9，10） 5. “当孝敬父母，使你的日子在耶和华你上帝所赐你的地上得以长久。” （出埃及记 20：12） “当孝敬父母” （马太福音 19：19） 6. “不可杀人。” （出埃及记 20：13） “不可杀人” （罗马书 13：9） 7. “不可奸淫。” （出埃及记 20：14） “不可奸淫” （马太福音 19：18） 8. “不可偷盗。“ （出埃及记 20：15） “不可偷盗” （罗马书 13：9） 9. “不可作假见证陷害人。” （出埃及记 20：16） “不可作假见证” （罗马书 13：9） 10. “不可贪恋人的房屋；也不可贪恋人的妻子、仆婢、牛驴，并他一切所有的。” （出埃及记 20：17） “不可起贪心” （罗马书 7：7） 13. 上帝的律法和摩西的律法是否相同？ 答： 不。它们各不相同。请研究以下对比。 摩西的律法包括旧约里暂时性的律例、典章、条例、节期与一些具体的献祭方式和制度。这一切都为我们指向了基督在十字架上的牺牲。这些律例都是添上的，“等候那蒙应许的子孙来到”，也就是基督（加拉太书 3：18，19）。摩西律法中的献祭等都是指向基督的牺牲。耶稣的死终结了这些律法，但十条诫命（上帝的律法）却是永永远远坚定的（诗篇 111：8）。但以理书 9：10，11也清楚显示有两种不同的律法。 注：上帝的律法在发生罪恶之前就早已存在了。圣经说：“哪里没有律法，那里就没有过犯【罪】”（罗马书 4：15）。因此，上帝的十诫从起初就存在着。人类违背了上帝的律法（犯罪-约翰一书 3：4）。由于人类犯了罪（或违背上帝的律法），便有摩西的律法赐给了人（或“添上”-加拉太书3：16、19），直到基督降世而牺牲。当中涉及两套分开独立的律法，即上帝的律法和摩西的律法。 摩西的律法 上帝的律法 被称为“摩西律法” （路 2:22) 被称为“耶和华的律法” (以赛亚书 5：24） 被称为“那记在律法上的规条” （弗 2：15） 被称为“至尊的律法” （雅 2：8） 是摩西书上所写的 （代下 35：12） 是上帝用指头写在石版上的（出 31：18） 放在约柜旁（申 31：26） 放在约柜里（出 40：20） 在十架上废掉了（弗 2：15） 永远长存（路 16：17） 为了罪而添上的（加 3：19） 指出罪来（罗 7：7；3：20） 攻击我们，反对我们（西 2：14） 是不难守的（约一 5：3） 不论断任何人（西 2：14-16） 审判所有人（雅 2：10-12） 属肉体的（来 7：16） 属灵的（罗 7：14） 一无所成（来 7：19） 全备的（诗 19：7） 14. 魔鬼如何看待那些在生活中遵行上帝十条诫命的人呢？ “龙向妇人发怒，去与她其余的儿女争战，这儿女就是那守上帝诫命，为耶稣作见证的。那时龙就站在海边的沙上。” （启示录 12：17） “圣徒的忍耐就在此，他们是守上帝诫命和耶稣真道的。” （启示录 14：12） 答：魔鬼恨恶那些维护上帝律法的人，因为律法是正当生活的一种模式。因此，他对所有高举上帝律法的人深感憎恨，这一点也不稀奇。在反对上帝圣洁标准的争战中，他甚至利用宗教领袖来否定十诫，同时又鼓吹人的传统。难怪耶稣说：“你们为什么因着你们的遗传，犯上帝的诫命呢？ ...他们将人的吩咐当作道理教导人，所以拜我也是枉然”（马太福音 15：3，9）。大卫说：“这是耶和华做工的时候，因人废了你的律法。”（诗119：126）。基督徒必须醒过来，在自己心中和生活中恢复上帝律法应有的地位。 15. 你认为基督徒必须遵守十条诫命吗？ 希望每一位都能好好思考这一题，及以上所探讨的所有问题，并向上帝做出一个重要的决定。愿我们都能决志遵行上帝的律法，活出祂的旨意来，做祂眼中看为正的事。 现在我们将继续从圣经的角度来讨论并思考一系列极具争议的思考题，看看到底真相是什么，好让我们能在这课题上获得更多知识。 思考题 1. 圣经岂不是说过律法是有瑕疵的吗？ 答： 不对，圣经上说有瑕疵的是人。英文翻译是“finding fault with them”，中文译为“所以主指责他的百姓说……”（希伯来书8：8）这说明上帝所指责的，不是祂旧约中的律法，而是旧约中的以色列民。罗马书8：3说：“律法既因肉体软弱，有所不能行的。” 它说的是同一个意思：律法是全备的，但人是有问题的，或者说是软弱有瑕疵的。所以，上帝差祂的圣子住在世人中间，藉着内住的基督“使律法的义成就在我们...身上。”（罗马书8：4） 2. 加拉太书3章13节说我们被救赎脱离律法的咒诅，这是什么意思呢？ 答：律法的咒诅是死。（罗马书6：23）基督“为人人尝了死味。”（希伯来书2：9）所以，祂救赎我们脱离了律法的咒诅（死亡），而赐给我们永生。 3. 歌罗西书2章14至17节和以弗所书2章15节岂不都说上帝的律法在十字架上终止了吗？ 答：不是，这两段经文是指律法所包含的“规条”，或者说是指摩西的仪文律法，包括规划献祭的仪式与祭司制度的条文。所有这些预指十字架的仪文与礼仪都是按着上帝的旨意所定的，在基督死在十字架上的时候就终止了。摩西的律法是“为过犯添上”的，一直到“那蒙应许的子孙来到”，而那子孙，“就是基督”（加拉太书3：16，19）。这两处经文都不可能指上帝的律法，因为保罗在十字架之后多年，依然说上帝的律法是圣洁、公义、良善的。（罗马书7：8，12） 4. 圣经说：“爱就完全了律法。”（罗马书13：10）在马太福音22章37至40节中，上帝吩咐我们要爱祂和爱人如己，并以“这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲”这段话为总结。这些命令是不是取代了十条诫命呢？ 答：不是！十条诫命是系于这两条诫命之上的，如同十根指头系于两只手掌之上的那样，是不可分割的。爱上帝能使遵守前四条诫命成为喜悦之事，而爱人如己的精神则使遵守后六条诫命成为一种快乐。“爱”使遵守诫命变得不再是一种苦役，而成为一种喜乐，这样就完全了律法。（诗篇40：8）若真正的爱上一个人，那么，尊重对方的要求就成了一种快乐的事。耶稣说：“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。”（约翰福音14：15）一面说爱主，一面又不遵守主的命令，这是不可能的，因为圣经说：“我们遵守上帝的诫命，这就是爱他了，并且他的诫命不是难守的。”（约翰一书5：3）“人若说‘我认识他’，却不遵守他的诫命，便是说谎话的，真理也不在他心里了。”（约翰一书2：4） 5. 哥林多后书3章7节岂不是说刻在石头上的律法被“废掉”了吗？ 答：不是的！这段经文所说的是摩西在律法上的职事之“荣光”被废掉了，而不是律法本身被废掉了。请把哥林多后书3章3至9节再仔细地读一遍，经文所讨论的不是废除律法或是设立律法的问题，而是律法位置的变迁：从刻在石版上，迁到刻在“心版”上。在摩西的职事之下，律法写在石版上。但藉着基督在圣灵的职事下，律法便刻在人的心版上。（希伯来书8：10）学校的校规只有在进入学生的心中时，才会真正奏zou4效。基督在律法上的职事之所以有效，是因为律法转移到了基督徒的心里。这样，遵守律法便成为人生中一种喜乐和欢欣，因为基督徒对上帝与世人都付出了真爱。 6. 罗马书10章4节说“基督是律法的总结”。既作总结了，就结束了，对吗？ 答：“总结”的意思在此处是指目的或目标，它和雅各书5章11节中的“结局”一词的圣经原文相同，指的是目标。很多译本将此处译为“律法的终极是基督”或“基督乃是律法的终极”。意思是说，律法的目的是把人引向基督，使他们能因基督称义，这就是律法的终极目标或目的了。 7. 为什么会有那么多人否定上帝律法的有效性呢？ 答：“原来体贴肉体的，就是与上帝为仇，因为不服上帝的律法，也是不能服。而且属肉体的人不能得上帝的喜欢。如果上帝的灵住在你们心里，你们就不属肉体，乃属圣灵了。人若没有基督的灵，就不是属基督的。” (罗马书 8：7-9） 8. 旧约时期的义人是因律法得救吗？ 答：没有任何人是靠律法得救的。历代以来凡得救的人，都是靠恩典得救。“这恩典是万古之先在基督耶稣里赐给我们的。”（提摩太后书1：9）律法只能指出罪，唯有基督才能救人。挪亚“蒙恩”；（创世记6：8）摩西“蒙恩”；（出埃及记33：17）以色列人在旷野“蒙恩”；（耶利米书33：17）亚伯、以诺、亚伯拉罕、雅各、约瑟以及旧约中许许多多其他的先贤，都是因信靠恩得救的。（希伯来书11章）他们得救是向前瞻望十字架上的基督；而我们得救是向后瞻望十字架上的基督，无论向前向后，都是靠基督得救。律法如同一面镜子，照出我们身上的“污垢”。若没有律法这面镜子，我们虽然“满身污垢”，也可能不知道自己是污秽的罪人。所以，律法是必要的。但是律法没有拯救之能力，只能指出罪来。唯有耶稣才能把人类从罪恶中拯救出来。这是永恒不变的真理，哪怕在旧约时代也是如此。（徒徒行传4：10，12；提摩太后书1：9） 9. 为什么要看重律法呢？良心不是最安全的指南吗？ 答：不是，绝对不是！圣经说，邪恶的良心、有亏的良心或污秽的良心，这些都是不安全的。“有一条路人以为正，至终成为死亡之路。”（箴言14：12）上帝说：“心中自是的，便是愚昧人。”（箴言书28：26） 在结束之前，让我们快速地过目一些测验题，测试自己是否真的明白这一课的内容和重点。 测验题 1. 十条诫命是谁写的？（1） _____ 上帝 _____ 摩西 _____ 无名氏 2. 根据圣经，罪是:（1） _____ 性格上的缺陷。 _____ 违背上帝的律法。 _____ 一切看上去不对的事。 3. 试指出下列有关上帝律法的正确说法：（4） _____ 幸福生活的完美指南。 _____ 像一面镜子指出罪来。 _____ 是个重担，压迫人。 _____ 能保护我远离邪恶。 _____ 与上帝的品格相同。 _____ 在新约中作废了。 _____ 乃是咒诅。 4. 上帝的十诫律法是:（1） _____ 仅仅为旧约时代而制定的。 _____ 被耶稣在十字架上废掉了。 _____ 绝对不变的。 5. 在审判日我要如何才能得救？（1） _____ 保持行善的记录。 _____ 我爱主，守不守十诫没有关系。 _____ 我与耶稣的爱的关系引导我顺服上帝全部的诫命。 6. 人得救是靠着:（1） _____ 遵守律法。 _____ 干犯律法。 _____ 单靠基督耶稣。 7. 真正悔改的基督徒:（1） _____ 藉着基督的能力遵守上帝的律法。 _____ 忽视上帝的律法，因为它已经被废除。 _____ 认为没有必要遵守诫命。 8. 生活在恩典之下的人:（1） _____ 就算违背十诫也不算犯罪。 _____ 无需遵守上帝的诫命。 _____ 愿意遵守上帝的诫命。 9. 爱就完全了律法，是因为:（1） _____ 爱把律法废掉了。 _____ 对上帝与世人的真爱使守律法成为一件乐事。 _____ 爱比听命更重要。 10. 摩西的律法:（1） _____ 与上帝律法相同。 _____ 是指向基督牺牲的仪文律法，在十字架上已被废掉了。 _____ 至今仍有效。 11. 遵守上帝诫命的人:（1） _____ 是律法主义者。 _____ 必为魔鬼所憎恨，因为魔鬼痛恨上帝和祂的圣诫。 _____ 可以靠守律法得救。 12. 指出下列有关基督与律法的正确说法:（4） _____ 耶稣违背了律法。 _____ 耶稣是遵守上帝律法的完美榜样。 _____ 耶稣废除了律法。 _____ 耶稣说：“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。” _____ 耶稣使律法为大为尊，表明律法涵盖了一切罪。 _____ 耶稣说律法是不会改变的。 总结来说，上帝的律法是祂品格的书面形式，是永不改变的。上帝的律法和摩西的律法不同。摩西的律法是指向基督的牺牲，且在十字架上已经终结了，而上帝的律法则是永永远远坚定的。遵守律法不能叫我们得救，但是它像一面镜子，能让我们知道自己的污秽和罪，使我们晓得自己需要耶稣。因为唯有因着信，靠着上帝白白赐下在耶稣里的恩典，我们才能得救。活在恩典之下的我们，更应心甘情愿，靠着耶稣在我们里面的力量遵守上帝的律法。上帝把祂的律法赐给我们作为生活的指南，让我们能辨别是非对错，使我们避免罪恶的侵害。愿我们都能活在上帝的旨意中，做上帝喜悦的儿女。愿上帝赐福于每一位，阿门。 上一篇 返回研究目录 下一篇 到最頂

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Father and Son Relationship and Divine Pattern Father and Son Relationship and Divine Pattern Father is the source of all things. Ephesian 4:6 – One God, and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that thee might know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 2 Corinthian 1:3 – Blessed be God, even the father our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies , and the God of all comfort. 2 John 1:3 – Grace be with you, mercy and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the father, in truth and love. 1Timothy 6:16 – Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see, to whom be honoured and power everlasting. Amen. Son is the channel of all the father gives him. John 5.26 – For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the son to hath life in himself. The eternal, everlasting, immortal life. 1 John 5:11 – God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son. God is the source of all life, because he has given this life to his son Jesus Christ, he can give life to others whenever he wants. John 5:21 – For as the father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John 5: 25 –When the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and they that hear shall live. Not only immortal life, but all things had given to Jesus Christ. Matthew 11:27 – All things are delivered unto me of my father. John 3:35 – The Father loveth his son, and hath given all things into his hands. Philippians 2:9 – Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name. 10 – That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth and things under the earth. 11—That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Matthew 28:18 – All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 1 Corinthians 15:27 – For he hath put all things under his feet. Hebrews 1:2 – 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. He is a channel by whom and through whom all things from the father flow to his creations. This is the patterns, from the beginning. Genesis 1:26 – God said, let us make man in our image and after our likeness. Ephesian 3:9 – God who created all things by Jesus Christ. Then God made man in his own image. 1 Timothy 2:13 -- Adam was first formed. Genesis 2:18 -- But God see that it is not good that the man should be alone. So the woman came forth out of man as part of his very own body. Eve was not created from nothing but was taken out from Adam’s side, his bosom, she was essentially existed in Adam, a part of him, before she was taken out. She became the express image of Adam. So also the word, Jesus is the unique son of God, begotten of the father, taken from his bosom. Genesis 3:20 – Adam named his wife, Eve because she was the mother of all living. Adam was the source, Eve was the channel, by whom, through whom Adam became the father of our race. Eve was the same substance as Adam, both equal in nature, she was just as human as he was, but Eve was begotten in a different manner than all other human births. So too the Son of God, begotten of this Father, they both have the same divine substance, both equal in nature, Christ is just as divine as his father. But the son was begotten in a different manner, back in eternity. Christ gave us his spirit, just as Adam gave Eve his rib, we are part of Christ, we partake of his divine nature, we are born again, Christ in us, we have his character. As Adam and Eve was one flesh, so also the Father and Son are one spirit. John 1:1 – In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word as God. Word = God? Word+ God? Pros ton theon, kai theos hen ho logos. With the God, and God was the Word John speaks the same way in his first epistle. 1 John 1:1—That which was from the beginning, the word of life, that eternal life which was with the father. (Pros ton Patera) The word was with the God, the only true God of whom are all things, John did not say, the word was the God. Now we use the same grammatical structure but with different subjects. In the beginning was the women, and the women was with the human, and the woman was human. Adam= Name Human= Adam and Eve # The woman Eve was human in nature, not the man in indentity, Eve was not Adam, they were 2 separate persons. 2 individual identities. The same divine, Godly nature are possessed by both the father and son. The son was not the God, but he has God’s divine nature by inheritance. Illustrations: 1. Father is the root, Jesus is the branch, we cannot see the root, but we can see the branch and the fruits beared the branch has the same nature, substance, quality as the root, the root is the source, the branch is the expression and channel from which comes more branches. 2. The mountain and the stone ( Zechariah 4:7) Zerubbabel and Joshua the Father is the mountain, Jesus is a stone from the mountain. The stone is just as old as the mountain, they have the same substance, nature, character. It is as hard and enduring as the mountain because it came out of the mountain. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Jesus has a God- Jehovah, God the Father Jesus has a God – Jehovah, God 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. 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. 1 Corinthians 15:28 - And when all things shall be subdued unto him (God), then shall the Son (Jesus) also himself be subject unto him (God) that put all things under him (Jesus), that God may be all in all. Ephesians 4:6 - One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 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: 2 Corinthians 11:31 - The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 1 Peter 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, John 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Ephesians 1:17 - 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: 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. Romans 15:6 - That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 12:44-45 - Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 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. John 20:21-22 - Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John 14:10 - 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. John 14:24 - He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 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? Revelation 3:5 - He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. “The man Christ Jesus was not the Lord God Almighty,” — Ellen White, Manuscript 140, September 27, 1903 “He [Christ] was not the Father but in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” — Ellen White, Letter 8a, July 7, 1890 “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. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son.” — Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 268.3 Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Is Jesus a Real Son and God a Real Father Is Jesus a real Son and God a real Father? The trinity doctrine teaches 3 gods that are co-equal and co-eternal which are a 3 in 1 god. Does anyone stop to think and realize this means God cannot really be a Father and Jesus cannot really be His Son. If Jesus has always existed alongside the Father then He cannot be a Son, and if Jesus is not a Son, then God cannot be a Father. So it denies the Son of God which therefore denies the Father also. This denial of the Father and Son is what John called antichrist. 1 John 2:22-23. So those who teach the doctrine of the trinity make God and His Son and His Word one big lie. How many times does the Bible have to state that God is the Father of Christ and that Christ is the Son of God before one will believe it? Is there any other doctrine that discards so much Scripture? Hundreds of Scriptures suddenly become obsolete. Why would anyone in their right mind think this is acceptable? Trinitarians often claim that Jesus is only called the Son of God because of His birth in Bethlehem. But being born in human flesh, Christ became the “Son of man” at His incarnation, not the “Son of God” which He already was. Scripture reveals many times and in many ways that Jesus was God’s Son “before” God sent Him into the world, not after. The following two verses for instance say that God sent His Son into the world. Hence He was already God's Son before He sent Him. “because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17 Scripture also states that Jesus was the Son of God before all things were created. Paul wrote in regards to Christ that, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15 NKJV Over and over and over and over again we are told they are a Father and Son. And yet the Trinitarian camps on a few verses that can be abused and misunderstood in favour of discarding hundreds of unmistakable verses. They have no trouble in destroying this beautiful Father and Son relationship in favour of a Satanic doctrine just as Satan planned. It is his counterfeit doctrine that he had put in place by the Catholic Church more than 200 years AFTER the Bible was written. It is Satan’s creation to have Christians deny that Jesus is a literal Son and hence that God is a literal Father to steal our souls. The Bible says if you deny Jesus is the literal Son of God that you cannot enter the kingdom. In the Bible we find that Christ is called the “Son of God” 48 times, “only begotten” 6 times, “firstborn” 4 times and “the firstbegotten” 1 time. Not once does the Bible even so much as hint that Jesus is only a Son in a metaphorical sense. The Bible means what it says and says what it means as does Ellen White. And she stated, “God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God.” — (E.G. White, 8T 268.3) “The man Christ Jesus was not the Lord God Almighty,” — (E.G. White, Ms140, Sept 27, 1903) John 5:26 also tells us that the Father gave life to His Son. “For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself.” John 5:26 If Jesus had always existed alongside the Father as the Trinity doctrine claims, then God could not have given life to His Son as He would have always had life. But Scripture reveals this is impossible. Is it really that hard to understand Satan’s goal here where this pagan 3 in 1 god idea means God is NOT really a Father, and Jesus is NOT really a Son, and the “Spirit OF God” is not really His Spirit at all but something called “god the spirit?” This is what the human mind cannot understand and they say it is a mystery and we must just accept it and not question it. We should all know what spirit tells us that lie. And compared to what? There is no mystery with the real truth that Scripture tells us over and over again. God the Father really is a Father, and the Son of God really is the Son of God, and the Spirit of God really is the Spirit of God. So simple and exactly what God's Word keeps telling us. I pray that your eyes can see and that you come to the understanding of what Satan has done in trying to obscure the truth that Jesus really is God's Son. SOP tells us that Satan hates God's Son and wants us to deny that Jesus really is the literal Son of God. If we do that, Scripture says we have no access to the Father. Thus there is a lot more to this then meets the eye that most do not stop to think about. Those who have studied this and found the truth are desperately reaching out to try and save souls. No one should object to that and it is a very sad day when people do. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top