The Oneness of God
Article 1
Who is the Son?
David Bush
This tract is being written in the hope that it will enlighten thousands of honest and sincere souls; how that God became a Son over His own house.
Adam was the first man on the earth. He was also the son of God, Luke 3:38 and when Adam sinned and God had driven him and Eve out of the Garden, we notice in Genesis 3:17 that only the ground was cursed for Adam’s sake. Adam knew his wife and begot Cain and Abel, and Cain slew Abel, his brother. Notice in Genesis 4:11 and 12 that Cain was cursed from the earth, and he became a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth.
Now a couple of definitions for vagabond-one is not established; the second one is exiled. Right here in the beginning of the human race we see the starting of two branches; one from Cain which was cut off from God, and the other from Seth, which was the son of Adam. “And it came to pass when men (the descendants of Cain) began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God (descendants of Seth) saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.” Gen. 6:1. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5.
Noah was a just man and walked with God, “and God said unto Noah, the end of all flesh is come before me”-“But with thee, I will establish my covenant . . .” Gen. 6:13 and 18. So the earth and all that was upon it were destroyed except Noah and his wife and his three sons and their wives. All that was in the Ark came over to this side of the flood.
We notice the same spirit that caused Cain to slay his brother Abel crossed over to this side of the flood through Ham, and caused Noah to put a curse upon his grandson Canaan, which was the son of Ham. Gen. 9:25. So, on this side of the flood once again, we have the human race branching out into two branches-through Noah, the sons of God; and through Canaan, the Gentiles. As people multiplied on the earth, sin also multiplied, and God chose Himself another man whose name was Abram, whose name God changed to Abraham; and he begot Isaac, with whom God said He would establish his covenant, and Isaac begot Esau and Jacob. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.
In Genesis 32:28 through 30, God said to Jacob, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men,and hast prevailed.” A prince is the son of a king. In Exodus 4:22, God speaking unto Moses, told him, “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus sayeth the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first born.” And in Hosea 11:1, it says, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” In Hosea 13:4, it says, “Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but me: for there is no saviour beside me.”
Notice, in Rev. 22:16 we read, “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Compare Rev. 22:16 with Numbers 24:17.
Yes, we might say like Nicodemus, “How can these things be?” Supposing that we would say, “I, man, am the root and the offspring of woman, for a woman came forth from man, and man is the offspring of woman,” so God, the Creator, was the root of David and He also became the. offspring of David. Read Hebrews 3:6. “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the, hope firm unto the end.” Now we see the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6 in Matthew 1:21. 22 and 23. for it says. “And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. No wonder this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
No wonder that Jesus said in St. John 14:8 and 9. “Philip sayeth unto him, Lord, shew us the father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the father?” We read in 1st Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest
in the flesh, justified in the Spirit seen of angels; preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into Glory.”
Second Corinthians 5:16 says, “Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea. though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”
Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hast made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Now, all this was done that you and I might have a place in the predestined plan of God. Ephesians 1:11.
In St. John 14:2 and 3, Jesus said, “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.” Jesus prepared that place by dying on the cross.
In St. John 1:10-12, it says, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Dear Reader, have you accepted your place as a son of God, that Jesus prepared for you by shedding His blood on the cross? He will soon be coming back to receive you unto Himself. Now you might say like they did in Acts 2:37 and 38, “Men and Brethren, what shall we do? 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 ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
To be baptized for the remission of sin, you must be immersed in water in the Name of Jesus Christ, and when you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will come like it did in Acts 2:4 (or Acts 10:44-46) when the Church was first established on the Day of Pentecost, with speaking in tongues. Then you can truly say as John did in 1st 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.”
Article 2
The one True God Eld.
B. E. Echols
The Jews of Old Testament times only knew and worshiped ONE God, except when they apostatized and worshipped idols. Teaching that there were THREE gods was not to be found in the Old Testament Scriptures; neither is such to be found in the New Testamen Scriptures. The doctrine and teaching of there being THREE persons in the Godhead did not originate until after the Apostolic Age.
WHERE TRINITARIANISM ORIGINATED
The Nicene Council, which convened about 325 A. D., accepted and confirmed the belief and teaching of Athanasius, who taught that there were three personalities in the Godhead, equal in power. Most of the Protestant Churches today accept and hold the same view of the Godhead as Athanasius did regardless of what the Bible teaches. The Scriptures positively and plainly state there is only ONE personality in the Godhead-the Lord Jesus Christ. See Col. 2:8-10; I John 5:7; St. John 10:30.
A VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT
So we come to one of the most important subjects in all the Bible: “The One True God,” or the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people today are in darkness and doubt concerning the deity of Christ. They are contaminated and deceived by the teaching of the mother of harlots (Rev. 17:1-18). But, thank God, many are beginning to see the truth and discard those old robes of false and deceptive teaching concerning TWO or THREE gods, and are coming to the truth as it is in God’s Word. Such a revelation is no longer confined to what is known as the ONENESS Pentecostal people, but eminent Bible scholars. of a number of the Protestant Churches, have discovered this truth-among these are Rev. C. I. Scofield, author of the Scofield Bible and Dr. John Roach Stratton, a former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of New York City, which is said to be the largest Baptist church in the world. Then there is Wm. Phillips Hall’s book, “A Remarkable Biblical Discovery,” discussing the deity of Christ and the name of God. (You can order this book from us. for 35 c). Mr. Hall was a Presbyterian and president of the American Tract Society; also vice president of the American Bible Society.
ISRAEL COMMANDED TO SERVE ONE GOD
It is very significant that the first commandment to the children of Israel was to serve ONE God and one ONLY. “Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is ONE Lord” (Deut. 6:4), and “Thou shalt have no other gods before (or besides) me.” Ex. 20:3. This commandment stands good for God’s people today. This is a teaching that has been confirmed by the New Testament writers and cannot be refuted by the Scriptures. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep My commandments,” and this is one of His commandments.
THE ONE TRUE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Let us see what God says about it Himself. Will you believe Him and take what He says about it? God, speaking through Isaiah, said: “Ye are My witnesses,’ saith the Lord, `and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and UNDERSTAND that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be (one formed, born, or created) after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Savior (or one who can save).’ ” Isa. 43:10, 11. Again God says: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, ALL the ENDS of the earth, for I am God, and there is NONE else.” The name of Jesus is Jehoshua in Hebrew which means that Jehovah is our Saviour. Compare Isa. 45:20-22 with Matt. 1:21. So the ONE true God of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ of the New (Isa. 9:6; 7:14;, Matt. 1:21-23).
JESUS CONFIRMED THE ONE GOD THEORY
Jesus made Himself equal with God and taught that He was God (John 14: 7a; 8:56-58; 12:45). He never taught that He and the Father constituted more than ONE person or God. Over and over are stated and affirmed that He and His Father were One and the same God. “I and My Father are ONE” were His own words. People who teach that there are TWO or THREE gods certainly ignore what Jesus said about it. Such doctrine is not founded on what the Lord Jesus Christ said. Jesus told Phillip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then. `Shew us the Father?’ ” The Jews threatened to stone Jesus upon several occasions because He attributed deity to Himself, and claimed to be their God (John 8:56-59; 10:30-33). So Jesus and all writers of the New and Old Testaments agree that He (Jesus) is the ONE true God.
THE SCRIBES KNEW THERE WAS BUT ONE GOD
“And the scribe said unto Him (Jesus), ‘Well, Master, thou hast said THE TRUTH for there IS (a verb used in the present tense) ONE God; and there is NONE other but He.’ ” Mark 12:32. If Jesus had been another God He would have corrected this scribe right then and there.
No God BEFORE OR AFTER. Some people try to take Gen. 1:26, where GOD said, `Let US make man,” and prove that TWO gods created man, but God, some 2500 years later, states positively that there was “No God WITH Him” at that time. See Deut. 32:39. We also read in Mal. 2:10, “Have we not all ONE Father? hath not ONE God created us”? Then in Isa. 43:10 God declares that there was NO God formed BEFORE Him, neither would there be one formed AFTER Him. So in the face of these scriptures, and many others like them, the scribe knew positively that there was but ONE God.
THE ONE TRUE GOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. According to Paul’s teaching. According to Paul, Jesus is the ONE true God of the New Testament. A few of his quotations or sayings will prove the foregoing statement to be true. Paul said that the princes of this world would not have crucified Jesus had they known that He was the Lord of glory-the Lord from Heaven. (1 Cor. 2:8).
A great mystery. Paul knew that the deity of Christ was a great mystery to many; nevertheless he said, “God was manifest IN THE FLESH (compare John 1:14, 10), justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (I Tim. 3:16) About Whom was he speaking in this statement, if it were not Jesus? It was none other than He who died on the cross of Calvary. Paul KNEW that “God was IN Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself” (2 Cor. 5:19), and that “In Him (Jesus) dwelleth ALL the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Moffatt translates the last verse: “It is in Christ that the entire FULLNESS of deity has settled bodily.” Col. 2:9. Every way Paul looked it was ONENESS (Eph. 4:4-6). So he knew and taught that there was but ONE God. Should we not do the same thing?
2. According to John’s teaching. John was a bosom friend of our Lord, and he should be a good authority concerning His deity. Turning to John 1:1, 14, 10, we read: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God. And the Word was MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us, . . . He was in the world, and the world was made by Him (Jesus), and the world knew Him not.” Let us ask John a question relative to the true God. John, can you definitely tell us who is the TRUE God, according to your own knowledge of Him? Yes, “We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding (Compare Luke 24:36, 45), 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.” 1 John 5:20. So John tells us that Jesus is the true God.
3. According to Thomas’ statement. When Thomas saw Jesus after His resurrection and recognized Him by the nail prints in His hands, and the pierced side, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” John 20:28. You will also notice that Jesus did not censure his statement and tell him that he was mistaken. If Jesus had not been Thomas’ God, He would have told him so.
4. According to Judas teaching. “To the ONLY wise God (about Whom are you talking, Jude?) our Saviour.” It is believed by some commentators that this Jude was a brother of our Lord. Again in the fourth verse of Jude, we read: “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed . . . ungodly men, who pervert the grace of God into immortality, and disown Jesus Christ, our ONLY Sovereign (Supreme Ruler, King, etc.) and Lord” – Weymouth’s translation. If Jesus is our ONLY Sovereign, He is our ONLY God. That is exactly what Jude thought about it. See again verse 25.
5. According to a devil’s statement. Some might think it strange to quote a devil concerning the deity of Christ; but you must remember that they are fallen angels, and once dwelt in heaven with God: therefore they knew Him and recognized Him when they saw Him. So when Jesus approached a man who was possessed with an unclean spirit, the devil cried outand said, “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I KNOW thee who thou art; the HOLY ONE of God.” By turning to Hosea 11:9, you will see that the “Holy One” was none other but God. James stated that the devils believed in ONE GOD, and also stated that every one who believed that there was just ONE God was DOING WELL (James 2:19).
GIVE GOD’S WORD PRIORITY
If people would only give God’s Word priority in their hearts and minds concerning the “ONENESS of God” and the “Deity of Jesus Christ,” they would not be so confused about this truth and doctrine. But so many folks give priority to their own opinions, and the ideas of others, in preference to God’s ETERNAL Word.
Be assured again by God’s Word that “There IS (present tense) ONE body (Col. 2:8-10), and ONE Spirit . . . ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism. One God and (ONE) Father of all.” Eph. 4:4-6. Compare Mal. 2:10 and Job 31:15 concerning there being “ONE . . . Father of all,” instead of two or three as some teach.
The ONE True God of the Old Testament is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament. By substituting Son for “The Word” and Father for “God” in St. John 1:1 you have the following literal and revealing translation of this verse: “In the beginning was THE SON, and THE SON was with THE FATHER and THE SON was THE FATHER.” No one can deny the fact that “the Word” in this verse is THE SON and “God” is THE FATHER (St. John 14:8, 9; 10:30; Isa. 9:6).
THE TRINITY DOGMA
It might help some of you to know what the Catholic Folk have to say about THEIR “Dogma of The Trinity.”
Mr. Graham Greene, writing in Life Magazine of Oct. 30, 1950-Vol. 29, No. 18, page 51-to defend THE DOGMA of the Assumption of Mary,” had this to say: “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 (exact definite or positive) AUTHORITY (to be found) in The Gospels.”
Don’t you think that Mr. Greene’s information concerning the Catholic Church’s “Dogma of The Trinity,” should give us and all our Protestant Trinitarian Friends something to think and pray about?
ARTICLE 3
MAN WAS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
I Tim. 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
Gen. 1:27 God made man in His own image in the image of God created He Him.
Gen. 1:26 Let us make man in our own image after our likeness.
Gen. 9:6 “Who so sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made He man.”
I Cor. 11:7 For man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God. James 3:9 “And there with curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”
HOW COULD THIS BE WHEN –
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him in truth. must worship him in spirit and in truth.
1 Tim. 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen. Heb. 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he (Moses) endured as seeing him who is invisible.
THE ANSWER IS PLAIN –
God sees the end from the beginning. He sees through all time and creation into the Eons of Eternity.
Isa. 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.
EXAMPLES
Eph. 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.
Rev. 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
WITH THIS THOUGHT IN MIND
WHO THEN IS MAN THE IMAGE OF?
Rom. 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was come.
FIGURE ‘
Greek – t’u)(os, Tupos, Lexicon
1. Visible impression
2. Copy or image –
3. That which is formed, an image or statue of any kind of material.
4. Pattern or from – Only pieces of paper
5. Model – Only block of wood. God saw pattern was good.
WHO IS THE FIRST IMAGE OF GOD?
Col. 1:15-19
Jesus Christ who is the image of the invisible
16. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be throned, or dominions, or principalities or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him.
17. And He is before all things and by Him all things consist.
18. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
Heb. 1:13 . . . . The express image of his person
Col. 2:9 For in Him (Jesus Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus Christ is the direct image of the invisible God. Adam was first in creation but was a pattern of Jesus Christ who was fully seen in the mind and counsel of God from the beginning.
Article 4
The Truth About One God
Eddie Jones
(Biblical and Historical Proof)
From the “dark ages” of Christendom, brought about by the theories and ideas of men, utter confusion has been left in the minds of people concerning the truth about one God. Without the knowledge of the truth, which only comes to an honest heart by divine revelation, many have misunderstood the manifestations of God, and have tried to form three Persons or Deities. Therefore, many are confused by a false, powerless, man-made doctrine called the “Trinity”. Do not take mere theories and ideas of men: learn the truth about this important subject.
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is ONE LORD.” Deut. 6:4. This commandment given to Israel is confirmed in the New Testament (Mark 12:29) and must be obeyed by all Christians today. “Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19.
God is a Spirit…” John 4:24. “No man hath seen God at any time…” John 1:18. God, the invisible Spirit, has only revealed Himself to man by manifestations. Although there are many manifestations of God, the Scriptures teach that there are basically three offices or positions in which God has manifested Himself. God was manifested as the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Ghost in emanation.
GOD MANIFESTED AS THE FATHER IN CREATION
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1. No one else but God performed the miracle of creation. And God said, “let us make man in our image…” Gen. 1:26. To use the word “us” and try to form other Gods in the creation, clashes not only with the Scriptures, but with common sense. The word God means Supreme Being, the eternal and infinite Spirit, Creator and Sovereign of the universe. There cannot be more than one Supreme Being. By no means was God talking or counseling with other Gods. He was counseling with His own will. Eph. 1:11. In the creation of man, God, the eternal Spirit, foresaw the image or the Son in which He would some day reveal Himself to man. The Son did not exist at the creation. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Gal. 4:4. The Son, who is the image of God, was made thousands of years after the creation. Also God spoke of things which be not as though they were. Rom. 4:17. “So God created man in HIS OWN IMAGE,” Gen. 1:27. “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.” Rom 5:14, God, referring to the Sonship, made Adam in the figure of Him that was to come.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. The Word cannot be separated from God. The term “Word” is derived from the Greek term “logis” which means “thought or plan”. God’s thoughts are with Him, but they cannot be separated from Him. “The Word was with God, and the WORD WAS GOD.” “All things were made by Him (Word): and Without Him (Word) was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. “. . .The worlds were framed by the Word of God…” Heb. 11:3. So by His Word God created all things.
“Thus saith the LORD that created the heavens: God Himself that formed the earth and made it. . .I am the LORD: and there is NONE ELSE.” Is. 45:18. “. . .I am the Lord that maketh all things: that stretcheth forth the heavens ALONE: that spreadeth abroad the earth BY MYSELF.” Is. 44:24. “. . .Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God: I know not any.” Is. 44:8. “See now that I, even I, am He, and there is NO GOD WITH ME. . .” Deut. 32:39. “Have we not all ONE Father? Hath not ONE God created us?. . .” Mal. 2:10.
GOD MANIFESTED AS THE SON IN REDEMPTION
A blood sacrifice without sin must be made for the redemption of man. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Heb. 9:22. So by His plan (Word), God, the invisible Spirit, made Himself a body born of the virgin Mary, and dwelt among us. “And the Word (which was God) was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” John 1:14. This body was the only begotten Son or image of God. Paul said that the Son is the image (body) of the invisible God. Col. 1:13-15.
The Sonship was planned from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8) and prophesied as early as Gen. 3:15. Hundreds of years later Isaiah prophesied, “. . .Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel. . .which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.” Is. 7:14: Matt. 1:23. “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, Counselor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting FATHER, The Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6. To Joseph the angel said, “. . .thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sin. . .and he called His name JESUS.” Matt. 1:21-25. Fosset’s Bible Encyclopedia declares that Jesus means Jehovah-Salvation, or Jehovah is become Saviour.
The name Jesus was not revealed until God made Himself a
body. Until then He was called Jehovah. For example:
Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord provides. Gen. 22:14.
Jehovah-Rapha – The Lord that healeth. Exod. 15:26.
Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord is our banner. Exod. 17:15.
Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord our peace. Judges 6:24.
Jehovah-Ra-ah – The Lord is my shepherd. Ps. 23.
Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our righteousness. Jer. 23:6.
Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is present. Ezek. 48:35.
When God made Himself a body to redeem man from sin, He then was called JESUS – Jehovah-Salvation.
The angel announced, “For unto you is born this day. . .a Saviour, which is CHRIST THE LORD.” Luke 2:11. Throughout the Old Testament God is also called the Lord. Compare the following:
The Lord God is the Creator. Is. 42:5.
The Lord Jesus is the Creator. John 1:3, 10.
The Lord God said, “I am He.” Is. 43:10.
The Lord Jesus said, “I am He.” John 8:24.
The Lord God is the only Saviour. Is. 43:10, 11.
The Lord Jesus is the Saviour. Titus 1:4.
The Lord God shall reign forever. Ps. 146:10.
The Lord Jesus reign forever. Luke 1:33.
The Lord God is the King of Israel. Is. 43:15.
The Lord Jesus is the King of Israel. Matt. 27:37.
The Lord God is the First and the Last. Is. 44:6.
The Lord Jesus is the First and the last. Rev. 1:8.
The Lord God is Almighty. Gen. 17:1.
The Lord Jesus is Almighty. Rev. 1 :8.
There is only one Lord. Eph. 4:5. When Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus, he cried, “Who art thou, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I AM JESUS.” Acts 9:5. Beyond a shadow of a doubt the Lord God Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament!
Jesus confirmed that He was not a separate Person, but God manifested in the flesh. Jesus said unto Philip, “. . .He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. . .The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the father that DWELLETH IN ME, He doeth the works. . .Believe me that I am in the Father, and the FATHER IN ME. . .” John 14:9-11. Jesus simply stated, “I and My Father are ONE (not two).” John 10:30.
Jesus emphasized the importance of His identity as He taught the people in the temple. He said, “. . .For if ye believe not that I AM HE, ye shall die in your sins. . .They understood not that He spake to them of the FATHER.” John 8:24-27, When Jesus was baptized by John in Jordan River, the voice of God spoke, “This is my beloved Son, IN WHOM I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17. Notice, God said, “IN WHOM” – not with whom! “To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto Himself. . .” II Cor. 5:19.
As Stephen was facing death, he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55. The term “right hand” does not form a part of another Person or Deity. It is symbolic of the
power and authority of God. Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18. Paul said that Christ is the power and the wisdom of God. I Cor. 1:24. Note the following symbolical uses of the term “right hand” as correlated to power and authority: My right hand hath spanned the heavens. Is. 48:13.
The Lord is at the right hand of the poor. Ps. 109:31.
God led Israel by the right hand of Moses. Is. 63:12.
The Lord was at David’s right hand. Ps. 16:8.
The question may be asked, “Is Jesus in the Godhead, or is the Godhead in Jesus?” If the Godhead is in Jesus, there can only be one Person. The Bible clearly states, “For IN HIM (Christ) DWELLETH all the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY. And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the HEAD OF ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER.” Col. 2:9, 10. So there is only ONE PERSON in which the Godhead is manifested, because the GODHEAD IS IN JESUS!
In Jesus Christ, two wills or natures are portrayed: a human will and a Divine will. He was man (flesh) and He was God (Spirit). As man He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, “O my Father…not as I WILL, but as THOU WILT.” Matt. 26:39. Also He cried out on the cross, “My God, my God. why hast thou forsaken me?” Matt. 27:46. Certainly these Scriptures do not imply that Jesus Christ is a separate Person or Deity with the Father. For Deity does not pray to Deity! Furthermore, Deity cannot die! So as man, Jesus Christ prayed in His human nature to His Divine nature. Because, in His human nature, the flesh did not want to die, but He knew the will of the Spirit must be done. Also at Calvary He cried out in His human nature to His Divine nature, and when the Spirit left the body, He fulfilled His human role of death. As man, He was hungry, He slept, He became weary, He wept, He increased in wisdom and stature, He prayed, and He died. (See Matt. 4:2, Matt. 8:24, John 4:6, John 11:35, Luke 2:52, Matt. 26:39, Matt. 27:50.) As God, He healed the sick, He cast out devils, He raised the dead, He calmed the sea. He forgave sins, He answered prayer, and He arose from the grave. (See Matt. 4:23, Luke 8:35, John 11:43, 44 Mark 4:39, Mark 2:5, John 14:14, John 2:19-21.) Jesus Christ said, “I can of mine own self (human nature) do nothing. . .(John 5:30). . .but the FATHER that DWELLETH IN ME (Divine nature), HE doeth the works (John 14:10).” As man, He even expressed His limited knowledge (Mark 13:32): but as God, He knew all things (John 21:17). Compare the following titles which also portray the dual nature of Jesus Christ:
DIVINE
Everlasting Father – Is. 9:6
Chief Shepherd – 1 Pet. 5:4
King of Kings – Rev. 17:14
Lord God – John 20:28
The Almighty – Rev. 1:8
HUMAN
Son of Man – Luke 9:22
Lamb – I Pet. 1:19
Servant – Phil. 2:7
High Priest – Heb. 2:17
Mediator – I Tim. 2:5
Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Tim. 3:16. How clearly brought out is this glorious truth that Jesus Christ was God manifested in the flesh. He became Spirit in body to bring redemption to man.
GOD MANIFESTED AS THE HOLY GHOST IN EMANATION
God, the eternal Spirit, is “Omni-present” – everywhere at the same time; therefore, His Substance fills the universe. The only way God can manifest Himself in the hearts of people today is by the process of emanation. To emanate is to issue forth from a source. As the Holy Spirit, God is issuing forth from His Substance to fill the hearts of people today.
The Holy Spirit cannot be separated from the Father, for it is a not of His Substance. That which was conceived in the virgin Mary was of the Holy Ghost. Matt. 1:20. The truth becomes
evident that the Holy Spirit is the Father of the Son. To try to separate the Father and the Holy Spirit and form two Persons, would give the Son two Fathers, which is impossible. Definitely the Father and the Holy Spirit would have to be the same Spirit.
There is only ONE SPIRIT. Eph. 4:4. “For by ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body…” I Cor. 12:13. The Bible proves that the ONE Spirit is the Holy Ghost. “This spake He (Jesus) 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 7:39.
The Bible proves that the ONE Spirit is the Father. “There is but ONE GOD, the FATHER…” I Cor. 8:6. “GOD (the Father) is a SPIRIT…” John 4:24.
The Bible proves that the ONE Spirit is Jesus. There is ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST. I Cor. 8:6. “Now the LORD (Jesus) is that SPIRIT…” II Cor. 3:17.
“There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are ONE.” I John 5:7.
By no means did Jesus teach that the Holy Ghost was another Person. Jesus said, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things. . .” John 14:26. Again Jesus said, “. . .if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” John 16:7. Also John said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18. Compare John 14:26 with John 16:7: Jesus spoke of the Father and Himself as ONE. Compare John 14:26 with John 14:18. Jesus spoke of the Holy Ghost and Himself as ONE. If the Father and Jesus are one, and Jesus and the Holy Ghost are one: then the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit are ONE. (Also compare the following Scriptures which show that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are ONE: Matt. 10:20, Mark 13:11, Luke 21:15.)
A Trinitarian concept contends that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one in holiness, love, glory, wisdom and eternal power: but, three in Person. No Scripture can be found to support such a concept. Note the following:
His holiness (not their holiness) – Ps. 47:8
His love (not their love) – Rom. 5:8
My glory (not our glory) – Is. 42:8
The only wise God (not the wise three) – I Tim. 1:17
His eternal power (not their eternal power) – Rom. 1 :20
The term persons (plural) used in reference to God does violence to the oneness of God. “I am the Lord. . .and my glory will I not give to another.” Is. 42:8. The Bible proves that God is ONE IN PERSON.
John declared, “. . .I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and ONE sat on the throne.” Rev. 4:2.
When the Holy Ghost came on the day of Pentecost, 120 disciples were filled and began to speak with tongues as the SPIRIT gave them utterance. Acts 2:4. Peter preached that the Holy Ghost was the Spirit of God. As he used the prophecy of Joel 2:28, is said, “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH. . .” Acts 2:17.
Paul used the terms “Spirit of God” and “Spirit of Christ” as synonymous terms in reference to the Holy Spirit. He said, “Ye are not in the flesh, but in The Spirit, if so be thatthe SPIRIT OF GOD dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, it is none of His.” Rom. 8:9. (Also see Col. 1:27, Gal. 4:6.)
There is ONE GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and IN YOU ALL. Eph. 4:6. There is only ONE GOD manifested in the flesh and received in the hearts of believers today.
History also proves that the truth about one God was universally preached by the New Testament Church for many years after Christ, until the development of the “Trinity” doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church.
Encyclopedia International, 1975 Edition, Vol. 18, p. 226 – The doctrine of the “Trinity” did not form part of the apostles’ preaching, as this is reported in the New Testament.
New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967 Edition, Vol. 13, p. 1021 – The first use of the Latin word “trinitas” (trinity) with reference to God, is found in Tertullian’s writings (about 213 A.D.) He was the first to use the term “persons” (plural) in a Trinitarian context.
Encyclopedia Americana, 1957 Edition, Vol. 27, p. 69 – The word Trinity” is not in Scripture. The term “persons”
(plural) is not applied in Scripture to the Trinity. World Book Encyclopedia, 1975 Edition, Vol. T, p. 363 –
Belief in Father, Son and Holy Ghost was first defined by the earliest general council of churches. This was the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 22, p. 476 – The Catholic faith is this: We worship one God in Trinity, but there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost. The Glory equal – the Majesty co-eternal. The doctrine is not found in its fully developed form in the Scriptures. Modern theology does not seek to find it in the Old Testament. At the time of the Reformation the Protestant Church took over the doctrine of the Trinity without serious examination.
Life Magazine, October 30, 1950, Vol. 29, No. 18, p. 51 – The Catholics made this statement concerning their doctrine of the Trinity, to defend the dogma of the assumption of Mary, in an article written by Graham Greene: “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.”
No record will you find that the New Testament Church ever believed or taught the doctrine of the Trinity. For this Scriptures prove that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are only manifestations (not three Persons) of the ONE GOD: and God is ONE IN PERSON. In Creation God was manifested as the Father (invisible Spirit – John 1:18, 4:24): in redemption God was manifested as the Son (Spirit in body – Col. 1:13-15, 2:9): and in emanation God was and is being manifested as the Holy Ghost (Spirit in believers – Acts 2:4, 17, Rom. 8:9, Eph. 4:6).
Honest hearts, receive the truth! There is only ONE Supreme Being: the eternal and infinite Spirit, Creator and Sovereign of the universe, and Saviour of man. God said, “. . .Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord: and beside me there is no Saviour.” Is. 43:10-11. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is NONE ELSE.” Is. 45:22, “l am Alpla and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMlGHTY.” Rev. 1:8. “. . .In that day shall there be ONE LORD, ond His NAME ONE.” Zec. 14:9. And every tongue shall confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORO. Phil. 2:11.
