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All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Revelation Warning 1-10 REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 1 of 10) WHO IS THE GOD IN REVELATION 14? In Revelation 14:6-7 we find an important end time message and it reads, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to HIM; for the hour of HIS judgment is come; and worship HIM that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” So who is this God that the angel is lovingly warning the world to turn to and worship? Notice that this message references God as Him. So who is He? In John 4, we have an interesting conversation between Jesus and the woman at the well. The Samaritan woman asked Jesus concerning the place where God is to be worshiped. And listen to how Jesus replies: “Ye worship ye KNOW not what; we KNOW what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22) Let me just pause there for a moment. Jesus tells the woman that she doesn’t know what or who she worships. But He says, we, speaking of the Jewish nation, know what we worship. And look at how Jesus responds to one of the scribes in Mark 12. Jesus was asked the question, Which is the first commandment? Look at how Jesus responds: “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is ONE LORD. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:29-30) And the scribe says, “Well, Master, thou hast said the truth, for there is ONE GOD, and there is NONE OTHER BUT HE.” (Mark 12:32) That’s interesting. Let us go back to the woman at the well. Jesus continues to reveal the truth to the woman. He says, “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 4:23,24) So who is the God which we are called to give glory to and to worship in Revelation 14? Who is the God that created heaven and earth? Let’s look at some more Bible verses. In John 17, while praying to the Father, Jesus 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 17:1-3) John said in 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 [speaking of the Father], and eternal life.” Now notice what the apostle Paul confirms in 1 Cor 8:4-6. And do not miss this. He said, “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.” Can you see who the NONE OTHER GOD BUT ONE is? It’s the Father according to Paul. Paul says again in Phil 2:11, “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of GOD THE FATHER.” So who is He that is to receive our worship and to receive glory that the angel in Revelation 14 calls for? It is God the Father, the one true God according to Jesus and the apostles. Just look through the writings of the apostles and you will see them refer time and time again to the one true God as being the Father. Paul says, “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.” (Rom 1:7-8) James says, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1) Peter says, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2) John says, “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.” (2 John 1:3) REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 2 of 10) DOES GENESIS 1 SHOW A PLURAL GOD? Now many Trinitarians will be saying, “Ah! That’s all very well. But in Genesis 1:26, it refers to God as 'us', showing a plural God. And Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, showing a plural God. And 1 John 5:7 says, ‘There are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one’--again showing a plural God made up of three beings.” This is the common stance of Trinitarians. So let us deal with each of these points. In Genesis 1:26, we read, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” Now this is a lot more simple than many take it to read. The question is, Who is God and who is the “us”? Well, we have already established who God is, and we will further cement this truth later on. God is the Father. But did the Father create this world on His own? No, clearly not. So who did He create this world with? Let’s use Scripture to answer this. In Ephesians 3:9 we read, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in GOD, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST.” And for those who accept Ellen White’s writings as inspired, take a look at what she said: “After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the FATHER and SON carried out THEIR purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in THEIR own image. They had wrought TOGETHER in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now GOD SAYS TO HIS SON, ‘Let US make man in our image.’ “ (Lift Him Up, 47) So who is the God that is speaking? It is God the Father. And who is He speaking to? His Son Jesus. This is the “us” in Genesis 1:26. It is the Father and the Son, and through the Father’s own divine Spirit, which He shares with His Son, which I will show you from Scripture later, they created this world together. “Ah!” I hear some Trinitarians say, “But the Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1 is Elohim, and that means a plural of persons.” Well, let’s look at another verse in the Bible, that uses the word Elohim. In Exodus 7:1 when God is speaking to Moses, He tells Moses that he will be a god unto Pharaoh. And the Hebrew word for god in this verse is exactly the same as the one used in Genesis 1, Elohim. So was God telling Moses that he was going to appear as three persons before Pharaoh? No, of course not. So what was God telling Moses when He said Moses was going to be an Elohim to Pharaoh? God was simply saying that Moses would appear great before Pharaoh. And this is what Elohim means. It is not a plurality of persons, but a plurality of majesty, a position of greatness. This is how Moses was to appear to Pharaoh. And this is also why Elohim is used for God the Father in Genesis 1. It is telling us of the Father’s greatness and majesty. Just look how David spoke of this in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. “Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation, and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God [Elohim] of Israel our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.” Can you see the plural of majesty proclaimed of God the Father here? This is why He is called Elohim in Genesis 1. It is not saying God is made up of three beings. It is saying He has a position of great majesty. And the fact that Moses was also to appear as an Elohim to Pharaoh proves this. REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 3 of 10) DOES MATTHEW 28:19 AND 1 JOHN 5:7 SHOW A PLURAL GOD? Now let us deal with Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7. In Matt 28:19, we read, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” And in 1 John 5:7, we read, “For there are three that bear record in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.” Now I’m not going to make any case here about the validity of those verses, even though there is strong evidence that they are added verses, as the majority of people just will not accept this. But if you would like to look into this, then please visit www.trinitytruth.org/matthew28_19addedtext.html and www.trinitytruth.org/was1john5_7addedtext.html for more information. So here let us deal with these verses as if they are inspired. Now the first important point to note is, that neither of these verses mentions the word God. So what does that mean? It means that neither of these verses are telling us who God is. Now something else you can do is go and look up the phrases God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in the Bible and see if you can find them. And I will tell you now that you won’t find those phrases once in the Bible. Why? Because the Bible tells us that the one true God is the Father. An important point to note regarding Matt 28:19 is the fact that if it is inspired, then none of the disciples did what Jesus supposedly commanded here, because not one baptism mentioned in the New Testament was performed in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They were all done in the name of Jesus alone, as you can see in Acts 2:38; 8:12,16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27. And the important point regarding 1 John 5:7 is that according to Jesus in John 8:16-18, there are not three that bear witness but only two, Himself and God the Father. "I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." (John 8:18) So the question remains, Who are these “three” mentioned in Matt 28:19 and 1 John 5:7? What should a good Bible student do? Go to the Bible, and let the scriptures interpret themselves. So let us do just that. REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 4 of 10) WHO IS THE FATHER? In Matt 11:25, we read, “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.” So Jesus confirms that the Father is Lord of heaven and earth, the One to whom the angel of Rev 14 is pointing us to. In John 17:1-3, we read Jesus saying, “Father… this is life eternal, that they might know THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” So Jesus confirms that the Father is the only one true God. In John 20:17, we read, “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.” So Jesus confirms here that God is both His Father and God, and our Father and God. In 1 Cor 8:6, we read, “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.” So Paul confirms that the Father is the one God of all. These and many other Bible verses confirm that the Father is the one and only true God, Lord of heaven and earth. (See Eph 1:17, Rom 1:7-8, 1 Thess 1:9-10, 2 John 1:3, Acts 4:24-30, John 4:22-24, Phil 2:11) REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 5 of 10) WHO IS THE SON [WORD]? John 1:14 says, “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.” In 1 John 1:3, we read, “And truly our fellowship is with the FATHER, and with HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.” In Matt 16:15-17, we read, “He [Jesus] 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.” Rom 8:3 says, “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.” Now look at what God the Father says Himself on the Mount of Transfiguration as Peter was speaking. “While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON: hear him.” (Luke 9:34-35) These and many other Bible verses (such as John 3:16; 1 Thess 1:9-10; John 20:17; 1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:3) that show that the Son or Word is Jesus Christ, the Son of the one true God the Father. Now many Trinitarians will say, Yes, that’s what I believe. I believe Jesus is the Son of God, but many fail to realize that the Trinity god teaching says Jesus is God Himself, and not the literal Son of God. And yes, we will deal with John 1 a little later. “...the father-son image cannot be literally applied to the divine Father-Son relationship within the Godhead. The Son is NOT the natural, literal Son of the Father. The term ‘Son’ is used metaphorically when applied to the Godhead.” (Angel Manuel Rodriguez [Seventh-day Adventist theologian and “director” of the Adventist BRI -Biblical Research Institute], Adventist World November 2015, p. 42) As you can see from this quote, the Trinity doctrine teaches that Jesus is only the Son in a symbolic way, not the real Son of God. It teaches that Jesus never had a beginning, and has always existed alongside the Father. If this is true, then Jesus cannot be the true Son of God. And yet the Bible revealed Him as just that, the real, true, literal Son of God the Father. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” So let us look at the Biblical evidence for Jesus being the literal begotten Son of God the Father before He came to this earth. Now to begin with, let us establish an important Biblical principle that we should all heed. Apart from some prophetic writings, God’s word is to be taken literally as it reads. For instance, in John 3:16 and Rom 8:3, which says that “God GAVE His only begotten Son” and that “God [was] SENDING His own Son.” Now for God to give His Son and to be able to send His own Son, what does God the Father need to have to be able to give and send? He needs to have a Son in the first place. This is basic logic and this is how we are to take God’s word literally as it reads. So let us look at some Bible verses concerning this. In Micah 5:2, we are given a prophecy of Jesus coming to this earth. Look at what it says, “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.” Now if you look at the original Hebrew word for “goings forth”, you will see it means literally “go out from or proceed from.” So this prophecy is confirming that Jesus came out of or proceeded from something some time in eternity past. Now look at what it says in Prov 8, speaking of wisdom, which it is well-accepted that this is speaking of Jesus Christ. But just to confirm, the apostle Paul also confirms in 1 Cor 1:24 that Christ is the wisdom of God. "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." Prov 8:23-25 says, “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.” And for those who accept Ellen White’s writings as inspired, look at what she said regarding Proverbs 8. “Through Solomon, CHRIST DECLARED… 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.” (ST Aug 29, 1900.14) So Christ revealed through Solomon and Micah that before anything was made by God the Father some time in eternity past, Christ came forth from the Father as a true Son. Now did Jesus confirm this at all in the New Testament? Yes He did. In John 16:27-28, we read, “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.” And in John 17:7-8, we read, “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 Jesus confirms Himself that He came out of God. But some say that Jesus here is just confirming that He came from God to this earth. But no. Look at the clear order these verses are confirming. He says He came forth from the Father AND then came into this world, speaking of two separate events. In Prov 30:4, we also read, “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?” So the Bible does confirm clearly that Jesus came forth from the Father some time in eternity past as the true Son, and that people knew God had a Son even before Jesus came to earth. Just look at what King Nebuchadnezzar said regarding the fourth person in the fiery furnace. Dan 3:25 “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like THE SON OF GOD.” Again, for those who believe Ellen White’s writings are inspired, look at what she said in Desire of Ages,p. 51. She said, “The dedication of the FIRST-BORN had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the FIRST-BORN OF HEAVEN to save the sinner.” Now did you know that God the Father spoke audibly twice to the people in the New Testament? And what did He choose to say on both occasions? In Matt 3:17, He said, “This is MY BELOVED SON, in whom I am well pleased.” And in Luke 9:35, He said, “This is MY BELOVED SON, hear Him.” Now God could have said anything, yet He chose to confirm both times that Jesus is in fact His beloved Son. And if we say that Jesus isn’t really God’s literal son like the Trinity god doctrine teaches, then we are saying that God the Father is a liar. REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 6 of 10) DOES JOHN 1:1 SHOW THAT JESUS IS GOD? Ah! I hear Trinitarians say, “But Jesus is called God in John 1 and Hebrews 1, so He must be God Himself and not the literal Son of God.” Well, let’s take a look at those verses. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. The same was in the beginning with God.” Now a couple things to note concerning this. We have already shown that Jesus is the literal Son of God, begotten of God the Father some time in eternity past. So with Jesus being God’s own Son, what does that make Jesus by nature? God. Because He shares the same nature as His Father which is the God nature. Just like I have a son, and being human myself, my son must also be human. This is why John says Jesus is God in John 1, because He is the literal Son of God and shares the same nature as His Father. Now note that John says “In the beginning.” So the question is, the beginning of what? Eternity does not have a beginning, does it? So why would John say Christ was with God in the beginning? Well, where else in the Bible do we find the words “In the beginning” but the creation of this world in Genesis 1. So John here is simply confirming that Jesus was with God at the beginning of this world, showing that Jesus is truly the Son of God from eternity past. Also in the original Greek for John 1, we find the word that has been missed out which transformed these verses. This word has been missed out of the English translations. In the Greek, the verse reads as follows: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with [THE] God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” So the Greek says, in the beginning, Christ was with THE God. And we know from John 17:3, 1 Cor 8:6, and other verses, that God the Father is THE one true God. And it is He whom Jesus was with, His Father, THE one true God. REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 7 of 10) A video study by end-times-prophecy.org . Transcribed by Felix Liew. DOES HEBREWS 1:8 SHOW THAT JESUS IS GOD? Now let’s look at Hebrews 1. This one is interesting, because what Trinitarians do, is pick out one little verse and separate it from the context. So let’s look at the verse that is used, and look at the proper context. In Heb 1:8, we read, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.” So Trinitarians look at this single verse, and say, “See, Jesus is God.” But now let’s look at the proper context. Heb 1:1-9 “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… 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? And again, when He bringeth in the FIRSTBEGOTTEN INTO THE WORLD, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him. And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. But unto THE SON He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore GOD, EVEN THY GOD, hath ANOINTED THEE with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Wow! What a difference it makes to read something in context! Hebrews 1 clearly confirms Jesus to be the literal Son of God, not the one true God Himself. There are so many confirmations in these verses. It says, “God has spoken to us BY HIS SON” whom He has “APPOINTED Heir of all things,” “BY WHOM also God made the worlds.” Jesus has “BY INHERITANCE obtained a better name.” It says, “To which of the angels did God say, THOU ART MY SON, this day have I BEGOTTEN THEE? …I will be to Him a Father, and He … MY SON.” And it says, “God bringeth the FIRST BEGOTTEN into the world.” So why is Jesus called God? The same as why He is called God in John 1. Being the Son of the one true God the Father, Jesus shares the same divine “God nature” as the Father. But Jesus is not the one true God Himself, because as it says in Heb 1:9, “therefore God, even THY GOD, hath anointed thee.” So Jesus has a God Himself, and that is His Father. Look at what Paul confirms in 1 Cor 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.” God the Father is the head of Christ, which is why Jesus said to Mary at the tomb, “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to MY GOD, and YOUR GOD.” (John 20:17) And this is confirmed also in Eph 1:17. We read, “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.” The knowledge of who? God the Father. Now look at what 1 Tim 2:5 says, “For there is ONE GOD, AND one mediator BETWEEN GOD and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Again, this is basic logic. If Jesus is the mediator between the one God and men, then Jesus cannot be the one God Himself, as we have confirmed, the Father is the one true God. (John 17:3; 1 Cor 8:6) So when we compare scripture with scripture using context, rather than picking the odd verse here and there, we can see that Jesus is not the one true God Himself. He is the literal Son of the one true God, the Father. REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 8 of 10) A video study by end-times-prophecy.org . Transcribed by Felix Liew. DOES ISAIAH 9:6 SHOW THAT JESUS IS THE FATHER? But Jesus is called the “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6, isn’t He? Well, let’s look at the verse. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name SHALL BE called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6) Now what people do again is take one verse on its own and disconnect it from the rest of scripture and build a doctrine on one or two verses. Now does this verse say Jesus IS the Everlasting Father? No, it doesn’t. It says He SHALL BE CALLED the Everlasting Father, pointing to a future event. And what event would that be? Let us look at another Bible verse to help us. In Heb 5:8-10, we read, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Now when did Christ become the Author of salvation? At the cross. So what event is Isaiah 9:6 pointing to, saying Jesus SHALL BE called the Everlasting Father? The cross. And this is right. Jesus has become our Father of everlasting life. And He became that at the cross. But this in no way makes Him God the Father. The rest of the Bible is very clear on that. (In Rev 21:7, Jesus promises that "he that overcometh shall inherit all things...he SHALL BE my son." So Jesus shall be a father to those who overcome by His Spirit, as He Himself overcame by His Father's Spirit.) REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 9 of 10) WHO (OR WHAT) IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? Something that I have already mentioned is that you won’t find a single verse in the Bible that says “God the Holy Spirit.” What you will find time and time again is the phrase “the Spirit OF God” or “God’s Spirit” or even “the Spirit OF Christ.” Now Hebrew and Greek meaning for “spirit” in the Bible is “breath” or “mind.” So let’s quickly look at Genesis 1 with this meaning in mind. We read, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit OF God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:1-2) So the translation from the original Hebrew is “the breath, mind, [or even] power OF GOD” moved upon the face of the waters. We have already found out that the God here is speaking of the Father. So does this Spirit OF God sound like a third separate being as the Trinity teaches? No, not at all. Now I’m not saying at all that the Holy Spirit is just a mere “force” or “wind,” because no one can understand the exact nature of the Holy Spirit. But we have to accept that the original meaning of the word “Spirit” does not reveal it as a third separate equal being like the Father and Son, as the Trinity doctrine teaches. So let us look at the rest of the Bible and see if we can further confirm this. In Revelation chapter 5, John is given a vision of the full Godhead. And look what he sees. Rev 5:1-7 “And I saw in the right hand of HIM that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. …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. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” So John sees the complete Godhead here. And does he see three separate beings? No, he only sees TWO beings, God the Father on the throne, and Jesus as the Lamb in the midst of the throne. And what does Jesus have Himself? He has the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. John sees the Holy Spirit as being a part of Jesus Himself. Let’s look at a picture representation of this. Here, you can see Christ as represented by a lamb. And look at what Christ has. He has these horns and eyes, which are the Spirit of God. This is the Holy Spirit, which is part of Christ’s own being. Can you see this? This is what God revealed to John in vision, and we can see this earlier in Revelation 2. In Revelation chapter 1:12-16, we read, “And I turned to see the voice THAT SPAKE with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto THE SON OF MAN… And he had in his right hand seven stars.” So the One who is speaking to John is Christ. Then in Revelation 2:1-7, we read, “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things SAITH HE that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks… He that hath an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT saith unto the churches.” So who is the One walking amongst and speaking to the churches? It is Christ. And He is confirming here that He is the Holy Spirit speaking to the churches. In Revelation 3:1, we read, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things SAITH HE that HATH THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD, and the seven stars.” So let us look at other Bible verses to confirm this. What did Jesus say in Matthew 18:20? We read, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” So Jesus is confirming that He will be the One among us. (Exodus 33:14 “My presence will be with you.”) Now look at what Jesus says in John 14 regarding the Comforter. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I WILL COME TO YOU. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I IN YOU.” (John 14:16-20) Is Jesus talking of three God beings here? No, He is confirming that it is God the Father in Him, through God’s own Spirit, and Christ in us Himself. Ah! I hear Trinitarians say, “Jesus referred to the Comforter as He, as a third person, and that it is ANOTHER Comforter.” Well, let’s look at this. Did you know that Jesus referred to HIMSELF in the “third person”? Look at what He said while praying to the Father in John 17:1-2. He said, “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.” So does Jesus speaking of the Comforter as “He” prove anything regarding a so-called “third being”? No, not at all. Jesus is showing here in John 17 that He was in fact speaking of HIMSELF. Look, in John 14:21, we read, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest MYSELF to him.” Now the Greek word for Comforter is Parakletos. Now if we look at another Bible verse which uses Parakletos, we can see who this Parakletos is. In 1 John 2:1, we read, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [Parakletos] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” So Jesus is our Parakletos, our Comforter. Look at what Peter reveals in Acts 2:32-33. We read, “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.” So Jesus received the Holy Spirit from God the Father. Now look at what we read in John 20. After Jesus had ascended to God the Father just as He told Mary at the tomb He was going to do, He comes back and appears to the disciples. John 20:19-22, we read, “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you… And when he had said this, HE BREATHED ON THEM, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST.” Wow, this is so clear! Jesus is the One with the Holy Spirit, which He has received from God the Father, because it is the Spirit of God. And so the Holy Spirit is the presence and power of Christ which He received from God the Father. And Paul also confirmed that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ in three separate Bible verses. Let’s take a look. In Gal 4:6, he said, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the SPIRIT OF HIS SON into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” In 2 Cor 3:17, he said, “Now THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” And in Phil 1:19, he said, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the SUPPLY OF THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST.” This is such a beautiful truth, friends. The Holy Spirit is not some third being who we do not know. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ. It is the presence and power of God the Father manifested through His Son. It is Christ who dwells in our hearts. (Eph 3:17 “That CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith.”) It is Christ who lives in us. (Gal 2:20 “I live, yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME.”) And it is Christ in us, that Spirit which gives us life. (Rom 8:10-11 “And if CHRIST BE IN YOU, the body is dead… but THE SPIRIT is life.”) “We want the Holy Spirit, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.” (E.G. White, Letter 66, April 10, 1894) And yes, the Holy Spirit can be lied to, which is lying to God, as Peter confirms in Acts 5:3,4. "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, ... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." And yes, the Holy Spirit speaks and comforts and instructs us. (Acts 8:29 “The Spirit SAID unto Philip.”) That’s because it is God the Father’s own divine Spirit, which He shares with His Son Jesus as we have clearly shown from Scripture. (Eze 36:27 “I will put MY SPIRIT within you.”) So if we lie to the Spirit, we are of course lying to God Himself, because it is His own Spirit. And as we have shown through Scripture, the Spirit who speaks to us, and comforts us, and lives in us, is Christ Himself. (Rev 3:1,6 “These things saith HE [Jesus] that hath the seven Spirits of God… hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”) Again, for those who accept Ellen White’s writings as inspired, take a look at the following quote. She said, “Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come FROM THE FATHER TO THE SON AND FROM THE SON TO THE PRAYING COMPANY. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come FROM THE FATHER TO THE SON, AND FROM THE SON IT WAVED OVER THE PEOPLE BEFORE THE THRONE… Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, ‘My Father, GIVE US THY SPIRIT.’ Then Jesus would BREATHE UPON THEM THE HOLY GHOST. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.” (E.G White, Early Writings, p.54-55) She also said, “It is not safe to catch the spirit of another. We want the Holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ.” (EG White, Letter 66, April 10, 1894) “The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.” (EG White, 8MR, p.49) “Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The HOLY SPIRIT IS HIMSELF divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by HIS HOLY SPIRIT, as the Omnipresent.” (E.G. White, 14MR, p.23) These are just a handful of the many quotes which reveal that the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ, not some other third god being that we do not know. And for those who hold on to the couple of “third person” quotes from sister White, please have a read in this web-page explaining this. http://www.end-times-prophecy.org/third-person-godhead.html . REVELATION WARNING: TURN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD (Part 10 of 10) CONCLUSION So, who are the three from Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7? We have proved from the Bible that the Father is God the Father, the one true God. The Son or Word is Jesus Christ, the literal Son of God the Father. And the Holy Spirit is the Father’s own divine Spirit which He has given to His Son, and is the presence and power of God the Father manifested through His Son Jesus Christ. These three is not the Trinity. It is God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and God’s own divine Spirit which He shares with His Son. WHO ARE THE “THREE”? 1.GOD the Father 2.Jesus Christ the Son of GOD 3.The Spirit of GOD, through His Son Jesus. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? “So why is this important? Does it really matter?” Many Trinitarians say. Well, to start with, any tradition that is in error must be discarded, and truth must be embraced. As the Bible says, it isn’t tradition that makes us free, but rather “the TRUTH shall make you free.” (John 8:32) But Jesus said, “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt 15:9) We really don’t want to be worshiping Jesus in vain, due to following the traditions of men. And this Trinity god tradition is based more on mythology than Bible truth, and has come into the churches through the mother of harlots, Roman Catholicism. This mysterious three in one God does not come from the Bible. It comes from pagan traditions which is why you see three in one gods throughout many pagan religions. Even educated Roman Catholics have admitted that the Trinity is not in the Bible. “Our opponents sometimes claim that no belief should be held dogmatically which is not explicitly stated in scripture. But the Protestant Churches have themselves accepted such dogmas, AS THE TRINITY, for which there is no such precise authority in the Gospels.” (Graham Greene*, Life Magazine, 30 Oct. 1950, p.51) *Greene is a celebrated Catholic author. And this Trinity god teaching is the central doctrine of false religions, just as this quote shows: “The mystery of the most holy Trinity is the CENTRAL mystery of Christian faith and life… It is therefore the SOURCE of all the other mysteries of faith.” (Catholic Catechism, no. 234) “No doctrine is more fundamental or more emphasized in Freemasonry than that of the Trinity.” ( www.masonicworld.com ) The Trinity god is a strange god. We were warned about serving strange gods in the Bible. In Joshua 24:20, we read, “If ye forsake the LORD [singular], and serve STRANGE GODS [plural], then HE will turn and do you hurt, and consume you.” It is a very serious matter friends, which is why the angel in Revelation 14:6-7 is warning the world to turn to the Lord of heaven and earth. The one true God who Jesus revealed is His Father. Do you really think we serve a God who play acts, because that is what the Trinity god is, a god that plays the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And what is role playing? It is acting. And what is acting? It is lying. So the Trinity god is a god that doesn’t even keep its own law. How ridiculous is that? Not only that, the Trinity doctrine rejects the real Father and Son relationship between God the Father and His literal Son. And what does the Bible say this is? 1 John 2:22-23 says “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is ANTICHRIST, THAT DENIETH THE FATHER AND THE SON. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father.” And Jude warned about certain men who would creep into our churches. Look at Jude 1:4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and DENYING THE ONLY LORD GOD, AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” The Trinity is an antichrist teaching from Babylon, which denies the only Lord God, our heavenly Father, and His Son, a false god that the Bible never speaks of. Revelation, however, reveals there will only be TWO divine beings who will be worshiped for all eternity. We read in Rev 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto HIM THAT SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB FOR EVER AND EVER.” Revelation also reveals there will only be TWO divine beings on the throne for all eternity. We read in Rev 21:1 and 22:1,3, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away…” “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… And there shall be no more curse: but THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB shall be in it.” But look at what Satan wanted to do. We read in Isaiah 14:13-14, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH.” So the Bible reveals that there are only TWO on the throne, the Father and Son. And Satan said he would ascend to God’s throne and be like the Most High, which would then make THREE beings. Wow! Friends, it’s time to heed the warning of the angel in Revelation 14 and worship the one true God of heaven and earth, the Father. It’s time to “turn and serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.” (1 Thess 1:9-10) It’s time to stop depending on your church leader for truth and start studying for yourself, as great deception has come and is still to come through the churches. May God help us all. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next John N. Loughborough on the Trinity John N. Loughborough on the Trinity These are the words of one of the founding members of the Seventh day Adventist Church and the truth the Adventist Church was founded on. “BRO. WHITE: The following questions I would like to have you give, or send, to Bro. Loughborough for explanation. W. W. Giles. Toledo, Ohio. QUESTION 1. What serious objection is there to the doctrine of the Trinity? ANSWER. There are many objections which we might urge, but on account of our limited space we shall reduce them to the three following: 1. It is contrary to common sense. 2. It is contrary to scripture. 3. Its origin is Pagan and fabulous. These positions we will remark upon briefly in their order. 1. It is not very consonant with common sense to talk of three being one, and one being three. Or as some express it, calling God “the Triune God,” or “the three-one-God.” If Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are each God, it would be three Gods; for three times one is not one, but three. There is a sense in which they are one, but not one person, as claimed by Trinitarians. 2. It is contrary to Scripture. Almost any portion of the New Testament we may open which has occasion to speak of the Father and Son, represents them as two distinct persons. The seventeenth chapter of John is alone sufficient to refute the doctrine of the Trinity. Over forty times in that one chapter Christ speaks of his Father as a person distinct from himself. His Father was in heaven and he upon earth. The Father had sent him. Given to him those that believed. He was then to go to the Father. And in this very testimony he shows us in what consists the oneness of the Father and Son. It is the same as the oneness of the members of Christ's church. “That they all may 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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” Of one heart and one mind. Of one purpose in all the plan devised for man's salvation. Read the seventeenth chapter of John, and see if it does not completely upset the doctrine of the Trinity. To believe that doctrine, when reading the scripture we must believe that God sent himself into the world, died to reconcile the world to himself, raised himself from the dead, ascended to himself in heaven, pleads before himself in heaven to reconcile the world to himself, and is the only mediator between man and himself. It will not do to substitute the human nature of Christ (according to Trinitarians) as the Mediator; for Clarke says, “Human blood can no more appease God than swine's blood.” Com. on 2 Sam. 21:10. We must believe also that in the garden God prayed to himself, if it were possible, to let the cup pass from himself, and a thousand other such absurdities. Read carefully the following texts, comparing them with the idea that Christ is the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Supreme, and only self-existent God: John 14:28; 17:3; 3:16; 5:19, 26; 11:15; 20:19; 8:50; 6:38; Mark 8:32; Luke 6:12; 22:69; 24:29; Matt. 3:17; 27:46; Gal. 3:20; 1 John 2:1; Rev. 5:7; Acts 17:31. Also see Matt. 11:25, 27; Luke 1:32; 22:42; John 3:35, 36; 5:19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26; 6:40; 8:35, 36; 14:13; 1 Cor. 15:28, &c. The word Trinity nowhere occurs in the Scriptures. The principal text supposed to teach it is 1 John 5:7, which is an interpolation. Clarke says, “Out of one hundred and thirteen manuscripts, the text is wanting in one hundred and twelve. It occurs in no MS. before the tenth century. And the first place the text occurs in Greek, is in the Greek translation of the acts of the Council of Lateran, held A. D. 1215.”—Com. on 1 John 5, and remarks at close of chap. 3. Its origin is pagan and fabulous. Instead of pointing us to scripture for proof of the trinity, we are pointed to the trident of the Persians, with the assertion that “by this they designed to teach the idea of a trinity, and if they had the doctrine of the trinity, they must have received it by tradition from the people of God. But this is all assumed, for it is certain that the Jewish church held to no such doctrine. Says Mr. Summerbell, “A friend of mine who was present in a New York synagogue, asked the Rabbi for an explanation of the word 'Elohim'. A Trinitarian clergyman who stood by, replied, 'Why, that has reference to the three persons in the Trinity,' when a Jew stepped forward and said he must not mention that word again, or they would have to compel him to leave the house; for it was not permitted to mention the name of any strange god in the synagogue.”(Discussion between Summerbell and Flood on Trinity, p. 38) Milman says the idea of the Trident is fabulous. (Hist. Christianity, p. 34) This doctrine of the trinity was brought into the church about the same time with image worship, and keeping the day of the sun, and is but Persian doctrine remodeled. It occupied about three hundred years from its introduction to bring the doctrine to what it is now. It was commenced about 325 A. D., and was not completed till 681. See Milman's Gibbon's Rome, vol. 4, p. 422. It was adopted in Spain in 589, in England in 596, in Africa in 534.—Gib. vol. 4, pp. 114, 345; Milner, vol. 1, p. 519.” — (J.N. Loughborough, Review and Herald, November 5, 1861) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Who does Salvation Belong to WHO DOES SALVATION BELONG TO ? 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; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to OUR GOD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB.” To anyone who can count, this verse is very clear, and it tells us that salvation belongs to TWO beings. The One who “sits upon the throne” ... AND ... the “Lamb”, of which Zechariah confirmed regarding the “council of peace” (plan of salvation): Zechariah 6:12-13 ... “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and THE COUNSEL OF PEACE SHALL BE BETWEEN THEM BOTH.” When Stephen was in vision, speaking to the council in Acts 7, he saw the following: Acts 7:55-56 ... “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and JESUS STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and THE SON OF MAN STANDING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.” So we know that Jesus is the “Lamb”, the one at the right hand of God. But who is the God “on the throne” ? Ephesians 1:17-20 ... “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: 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, 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.” Jesus said ... Revelation 3:21 ... “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with MY FATHER in his throne.” So the God on the throne is GOD THE FATHER and Jesus Christ is “at the right hand” of God the Father. So who does salvation belong to ? THE FATHER AND THE SON ! Salvation does not belong to any “trinity god”. We will not be saved by a “trinity”. We will be saved by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. And that is why worship will be given to these TWO alone for ALL ETERNITY: Revelation 5:13 ... “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be UNTO HIM THAT SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB FOR EVER AND EVER.” Therefore our fellowship right now should NOT be with a “trinity god”, it should be with God the Father and His Son: 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.” And because salvation is of God the Father and His Son, this is why Jesus confirmed that ETERNAL LIFE is based on KNOWING THEM BOTH: John 17:1-3 ... “FATHER ... this is life eternal, that they might know THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, whom thou hast sent.” Are you being saved by the Father and His Son ? Or are you being deceived into worshipping a false god (the trinity) ? The world needs to turn from its “idols” and “serve the LIVING AND TRUE GOD [the Father] and “wait for HIS SON from heaven” (1 Thess.1:9-10). Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next The Spirit of Jesus is Our Comforter WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO. THE SPIRIT OF JESUS IS OUR COMFORTER. NOT SOME OTHER GOD AS THE TRINITY CLAIMS! “This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter.” — (Ellen G. White, 14MR 179.2) “Let them study the seventeenth of John, and learn how to pray and how to live the prayer of CHRIST. HE is THE Comforter. He will abide in their hearts, making their joy full.” — (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, January 27, 1903) “As by faith we look to Jesus, our faith pierces the shadow, and we adore God for His wondrous love in giving JESUS THE COMFORTER.” — (Ellen G. White, 19MR 297.3) “Christ is to be known by the blessed name of Comforter. “The Comforter,” said Christ to His disciples, “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 quoted]” — (E.G. White, Ms7-1902, January 26, 1902) “The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.” — (Ellen G. White, 8MR 49.3) Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 __________________________________________________________ NOTE: God raised the Adventist Church as non-Trinitarian. The Trinity doctrine was slowly brought into the Adventist Church long AFTER the death of Ellen White and the pioneers by a suspected Jesuit who is also a known Freemason. The idea of the Holy Spirit as another being was Satan's idea so he could get worship for his creation. The real truth is that the “Holy Spirit” is the power and presence of God and of Christ which can function independently of themselves like a third (but not a literal third) and is how “They” represent “Themselves” where they are not personally present. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next The argument with Genesis 1 The argument with Genesis 1 The argument with Genesis 1:26 is that the Hebrew word “Elohim” for God is plural and so this must mean that God is 3 beings. It is further argued that since the pronoun “us” is used in Genesis 1:26 that this also confirms that God must be 3 and that 3 beings did the creating. Did anyone ever stop to think that “us” could be just the Father and Son? The Greek word for God is “Theos” while the Hebrew word is “Elohim.” Note that the Greek word “Theos” is singular and “only” the Hebrew word for God is plural. This is because the Hebrew people pluralized nouns to denote greatness and this is called a “Plural of majesty.” They did this to express that God is great, not that God is more than one. Below is one dictionary that not only explains the truth but also informs us that no intelligent scholar uses this false argument anymore because the truth is so easily seen and the deception exposed. Hence no one uses this argument anymore unless they are ignorant and deceived. “Elohim is the plural of Eloah ... The fanciful idea that it referred to the trinity of persons in the Godhead hardly finds now a supporter among scholars. It is either what grammarians call the plural of majesty, or it denotes the fullness of divine strength, the sum of the powers displayed by God. Jehovah denotes specifically the one true God, whose people the Jews were, and who made them the guardians of his truth.” — (Smith's Bible Dictionary) How many beings does the Bible say were involved in creation? Ephesians 3:9 says, “God, ... created all things by Jesus Christ:” God in this verse is obviously someone other than Jesus Christ, and Hebrews 1:2 and John 1:3 also say God created all things by His Son. So who is speaking in Genesis 1:26 and who is He speaking to according to these verses? God said to His Son, “let us make man in our image.” Christ is “the express image” of the Father, so anyone created in the Father's image is also created in His Son's image. How many beings does SOP say were involved in creation? “The Father and the Son engaged in the mighty, wondrous work they had contemplated, of creating the world. ... After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now GOD said to His SON, “Let us make man in our image. [GENESIS 1:26 QUOTED]” — (E.G. White, 1SP, 24.1,2) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Jesus has a God JESUS HAS A GOD Jesus HAS a God, hence He is NOT the Supreme God. HIS FATHER IS. God the Father HAS NO GOD, He answers to NO ONE. He does as it pleases Him. Jesus has a God & answers to the Father. It pleases Him to do what pleases His God, the Father. [Bible texts below]. 1 Corinthians 3:23 (KJV) 23 And ye are Christ's; and CHRIST IS GOD'S. 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV) 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, Ephesians 1:3 (KJV) 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： Ephesians 1:17 (KJV) 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: Romans 15:6 (KJV) 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3 (KJV) 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 (KJV) 31 THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. Colossians 1:3 (KJV) 3 We give thanks to GOD AND THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, praying always for you, Matthew 27:46 (KJV) 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? John 20:17 (KJV) 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. Hebrews 1:8-9 (KJV) 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore GOD, EVEN THY GOD, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Revelation 1:6 (KJV) 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto GOD AND HIS FATHER; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 3:12 (KJV) 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. [Caps added for emphasis, however no content has been changed] Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next We Should Be Baptized Only in the Name of Jesus We should be baptized ONLY in the name of Jesus ! Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:12 “ But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:16 “For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 10:48 “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Acts 19:5 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 22:16 “And now why tarriest you ? arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Romans 6:3 “Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death ?” 1 Corinthians 1:13 “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” [Implied] Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” “The historical riddle is not solved by Matthew 28:19, since, according to a wide scholarly consensus, it is not an authentic saying of Jesus, not even an elaboration of a Jesus-saying on baptism.” — (Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. 1, 1992, p. 585) Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now pope Benedict XVI) makes this confession as to the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19 saying: "The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the text (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome. The Trinity baptism and text of Matthew 28:19 therefore did not originate from the original Church that started in Jerusalem around 33 A.D. It was rather, as the evidence proves, a later invention of Roman Catholicism completely fabricated. Very few know about these historical facts.” ( http://www.askacatholic.com/_WebPostings/Answers/2012_01JAN/2012JanWhyWereAdjustmentsMade.cfm ) The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263: “The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century.” Does Matthew 28:19 prove a Trinity ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRklea85ZsQ&t=1s  Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

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

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

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next The God of Our Fathers "THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS" (Acts 3:13, 5:30) This page has been created to be a quick go to page for people looking for Bible verses referring to the one true God and His Son. Bible verses are also listed showing the Holy Spirit as being the Spirit of Christ Himself, which He received from God the Father. So please make free use of this page. Share it, copy it and help to spread the truth of the one true God and His Son. God the Father is the One True God. Matthew 4:10 ...'Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.' 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.' (Repeated in Luke 10:21 - Also Reference this verse with Revelation 14:7, Acts 4:24-27 and John 17:1-3) Mark 12:28-34 ...'And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.' 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 14:1-6 ...'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou 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.' 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.' 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.' (Note: The God of the Old Testament fathers was God the Father) 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.' Acts 5:30 ...'The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.' 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.' 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.' 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 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.' 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.' (Please reference this with 1 Corinthians 8:6) Hebrews 9:24 ...'For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.' 1 Timothy 2:3-5 ...'For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, AND one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' Hebrews 12:22-24 ...'But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, AND to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.' 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.' 2 Thessalonians 2:16 ...'Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.' 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.' Jude 1:4 ...'For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.' Revelation 3:12 ...'Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.' Revelation 7:10 ...'And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.' Revelation 21:22 ...'And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.' Revelation 22:1 ...'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.' Jesus Christ is the Literal, Begotten Son of God 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.' John 8:42 ...'Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.' Matthew 3:17 ...'And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' Matthew 14:33 ...'Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, of a truth thou art the Son of God.' 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.' 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 1:14 ...'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.' 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 3:34-36 ...'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. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.' John 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 11:4 ...'When Jesus heard that, he said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.' 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.' 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.' 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.' 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.' Ephesians 3:14 ...'For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Galatians 2:20 ...'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.' 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 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.' 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 1:5-7 ...'This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.' 1 John 2:22-24 ...'Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.' 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 5:5-13 ...'Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 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. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.' (PLEASE NOTE: verse 7 is known to be an 'added' verse that is not inspired) 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.' Revelation 1:5-6 ...'And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.' Revelation 2:18 ...'And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.' Revelation 3:21 ...'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.' Revelation 14:1 ...'And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.' The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father and the Son The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Father, which He has given to His Son Jesus. These verses show that the Holy Spirit is not a 'third being', but rather the Spirit of Christ, which He has received from God. Job 33:4 ...'The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.' Psalm 51:10-11 ...'Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.' Psalm 139:7 ...'Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?' Joel 2:28 ...'And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.' Matthew 12:15-18 ...'But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.' Matthew 18:20 ...'For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' Mark 1:8 ...'I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.' Luke 21:14-15 ...'Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.' (Reference this verse with Luke 12:12) 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.' (Reference this with Acts 2:33) 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.' (Reference this with Acts 2:33) John 4:10 ...'Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and He would have given thee living water.' 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 14:17-21 ...'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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.' John 17:22-26 ...'And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And 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 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.' Acts 1:1-2 ...'The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that HE through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.' 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.' 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.' 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 ...'But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.' 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ...'Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ.' 2 Corinthians 3:17 ...'Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' 2 Corinthians 13:3-5 ...'Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?' Ephesians 3:14-17 ...'For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love ...' Ephesians 4:7-11 ...'But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that HE might fill all things.) And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.' Galatians 2:20 ...'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.' 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.' Colossians 1:27 ...'To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.' Hebrews 1:8-9 ...'But unto the Son he saith, thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.' 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.' 1 Peter 1:10-11 ...'Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.' 1 John 2:27-28 ...'But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.' Revelation 1:12,13,20 - Revelation 2:1 ...'And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man ... the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.' Revelation 2:18,29 ...'And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass ... He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.' Revelation 3:20 ...'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' 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.' Revelation 22:1 ...'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.' There are only Two Beings in the Godhead When the Bible speaks of the Godhead (Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20), it is actually referring to God the Father. Paul confirmed in 1 Corinthians 11:3 that the 'HEAD of Christ IS GOD'. So God the Father is the 'God-head'. He is the 'source of all things' (1 Cor.8:6). But we include Christ in the Godhead, because Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God the Father, as shown above, which means Christ is 'OF' the Godhead. And as Colossians 2:9 confirms, all the fulness of the Godhead (God the Father) 'DWELLS IN' Jesus Christ, as Jesus confirmed Himself in John 14:10. But the main purpose of this section is to expose the false trinity doctrine which says there are '3 beings' in the Godhead.Genesis 1:26 ...'And God said, let us make man in our image.' John 1:1-3 ...'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with [THE] God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.' Ephesians 3:9 ...'And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.' Zechariah 6:13 ...'the counsel of peace shall be between them both.' 2 John 1:9 ...'He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.' Luke 10:22 ...'All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.' John 16:3 ...'And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.' 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 ...'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.' 1 John 1:3 ...'and truly our fellowship is with the Father, AND with his Son Jesus Christ.' John 17:1-3 ...'Father ... this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, AND Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.' 1 Corinthians 1:3 ...'Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.' Ephesians 1:2 ...'Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.' 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.' James 1:1 ...'James, a servant of God AND of the Lord Jesus Christ.' 2 Peter 1:2 ...'Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God AND of Jesus our Lord.' 1 John 2:22 ...'Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father AND the Son.' John 15:23 ...'He that hateth me hateth my Father also.' 1 Timothy 2:5 ...'For there is one God, AND one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' John 5:23 ...'That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.' John 8:18 ...'I am one that bear witness of myself, AND the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.' Revelation 21:22-23 ...'And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty AND the Lamb are the temple of it. 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.' 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 让我的子民思考 让我的子民思考 （第一部分) 让我的子民思考。让他们清楚地阅读这道，以便他们可以相信。我们身处末时，因此应当赎回光阴，不再闲懒散漫。 我们的救恩是在于我们所认识的神，而不是我们所做的事。将来会有一个审判。我们的行为现今正被称在天平里，以显明我们是否要遵行上帝的话，即是我们所自称相信的。 这是生死攸关的 。我们应该是与“父并祂儿子耶稣基督”相交的。 只有一位上帝。祂和祂的独生子一起生活。 申命记 6:4“以色列啊，你要听！耶和华我们上帝是独一的主。 申命记 4:35，39 35 这是显给你看，要使你知道，惟有耶和华他是上帝，除他以外，再无别神。39 所以今日你要知道，也要记在心上，天上地下惟有耶和华他是上帝，除他以外，再无别神。 惟有一位是上帝。祂不是由多位所组成的。这里所用的所有代词都是单数代词“他”。 申命记 6:5-7 5 你要尽心、尽性、尽力爱耶和华你的上帝。6 我今日所吩咐你的话都要记在心上，7 也要殷勤教训你的儿女，无论你坐在家里，行在路上，躺下，起来，都要谈论； 申命记 10:20你要敬畏耶和华你的 上帝，侍奉他，专靠他，也要指着他的名起誓。 我们要爱祂。我们要敬畏祂。祂叫什么名字？ 出埃及记 15:3耶和华是战士，他的名是耶和华。 出埃及记 6:3我从前向亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各显现为全能的上帝，至于我名耶和华，他们未曾知道。 诗篇 68:4你们当向上帝唱诗，歌颂他的名，为那坐车行过旷野的修平大路。他的名是耶和华，要在他面前欢乐。 诗篇 83:18使他们知道，惟独你名为耶和华的，是全地以上的至高者。 上帝说祂不是三位一体。惟独祂是上帝。祂有一个真实的名字。祂的儿子不是三位一体的一部分，也不是三位一体信徒。耶稣显明祂的父为独一的真神。 马可福音12:32-34 32 那文士对耶稣说：“夫子说，上帝是一位，实在不错。除了他以外，再没有别的 神。33 并且尽心、尽智、尽力爱他，又爱人如己，就比一切燔祭和各样祭祀好得多。”34 耶稣见他回答的有智慧，就对他说：“你离上帝的国不远了。”从此以后，没有人敢再问他什么。 让我的子民思考 （第二部分） 约翰福音 17:3认识你独一的真神，并且认识你所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生。 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。 上帝没有差派祂自己。祂差派祂独生儿子。上帝的儿子是祂亲生的，并被上帝所差到世间来。祂肯定是在被差派以先为上帝所生。祂不是被差派了之后才变成亲生儿子的。这是经上记着说的。耶稣说祂是”从上帝出来的。” 祂是“从父出来的。” 门徒们都相信耶稣的见证，即祂是从上帝出来的。门徒们都不是三位一体信徒。 约翰福音16:27-30 27 父自己爱你们，因为你们已经爱我，又信我是从父出来的。28 我从父出来，到了世界；我又离开世界，往父那里去。”29 门徒说：“如今你是明说，并不用比喻了。30 现在我们晓得你凡事都知道，也不用人问你，因此我们信你是从上帝出来的。” 约翰福音 8:42耶稣说：“倘若上帝是你们的父，你们就必爱我；因为我本是出于上帝，也是从上帝而来，并不是由着自己来，乃是他差我来。 箴言 8:22-25 22 “在耶和华造化的起头，在太初创造万物之先，就有了我。23 从亘古，从太初，未有世界以前，我已被立。24 没有深渊，没有大水的泉源，我已生出。25 大山未曾奠定，小山未有之先，我已生出。 箴言8:27-31 27 他立高天，我在那里；他在渊面的周围划出圆圈，28 上使穹苍坚硬，下使渊源稳固，29 为沧海定出界限，使水不越过他的命令，立定大地的根基。30 那时，我在他那里为工师，日日为他所喜爱，常常在他面前踊跃，31 踊跃在他为人预备可住之地，也喜悦住在世人之间。 耶稣有一位父亲。耶和华是祂的上帝和祂的父亲。祂们在本质上是同等的。他们有共同的目标。惟独父是比儿子大的。 约翰福音 5:18所以犹太人越发想要杀他，因他不但犯了安息日，并且称上帝为他的父，将自己和上帝当作平等。 让我的子民思考 （第三部分） 约翰福音 10:30我与父原为一。 约翰福音 14:28你们听见我对你们说了，我去还要到你们这里来。你们若爱我，因我到父那里去，就必喜乐，因为父是比我大的。 约翰福音 20:17耶稣说：“不要摸我，因为我还没有升上去见我的父。你往我弟兄那里去，告诉他们说：我要升上去见我的父，也是你们的父；见我的上帝，也是你们的上帝。” 哥林多前书15:24，27-28 24 再后，末期到了，那时基督既将一切执政的、掌权的、有能的都毁灭了，就把国交与父 神。27 因为经上说：“上帝叫万物都服在他的脚下。”既说万物都服了他，明显那叫万物服他的，不在其内了。28 万物既服了他，那时，子也要自己服那叫万物服他的，叫上帝在万物之上，为万物之主。 哥林多前书 8:4，6 4 论到吃祭偶像之物，我们知道偶像在世上算不得什么；也知道上帝只有一位，再没有别的上帝。6 然而我们只有一位上帝，就是父，万物都本于他，我们也归于他；并有一位主，就是耶稣基督，万物都是藉着他有的，我们也是藉着他有的。 以弗所书 4:4-6 4 身体只有一个，圣灵只有一个，正如你们蒙召，同有一个指望；5 一主，一信，一洗，6 一上帝，就是众人的父，超乎众人之上，贯乎众人之中，也住在众人之内。 哥林多前书 1:9上帝是信实的，你们原是被他所召，好与他儿子我们的主耶稣基督一同得份。 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 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 4:8-10 8没有爱心的，就不认识上帝，因为上帝就是爱。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。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 5:5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 5:13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。 约翰一书 2:21-23 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。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。23 凡不认子的，就没有父；认子的，连父也有了。 上一篇 返回研究目录 下一篇 到最頂

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