IS JESUS CHRIST GOD: In this series, we have attempted to examine and explain all the scriptures used to propagate the trinity teaching. However, there is every possibility that there are others not discussed in this series, due to the fact that a lot of folks study the Bible with preconceived notions (bias). They can easily induce meaning into scriptures to support their belief(s). People can therefore see the trinity where it doesn’t exist.
This makes such people see the trinity teaching everywhere they read in their Bibles, when it’s not even there at all. As a result of such, there’s likely to be other Scriptures not explained here. We therefore urge every reader of this series to do personal scrutiny/examination on such verses.
Check the Hebrew or Greek word(s). Check context. Consider its congruence with other scriptures. Check other versions for the scripture(s) in question. Create time regularly to study the scriptures. Do your personal research to ascertain the validity of all that has been said in this series.
It is also important to know the basic rules of Bible interpretation. One of such rules is that similarity between two things or two people doesn’t mean they are both the same thing or the same person. For instance, if the Bible calls Jesus a Saviour and calls God a Saviour too, it doesn’t automatically mean they are both the same person.
No matter how similar two things or people are, just one dissimilarity means that they therefore are different things or different people. One dissimilarity between two people or two things automatically makes them different, no matter how similar they are. Although Jesus and God are quite similar in many ways (just like every normal father and Son should be), there exists dissimilarities.
In John 4:24, Jesus said God is a Spirit. In Hebrews 2:14-18, the scriptures tells us that Jesus is human in every way, just like us. Even after Jesus resurrected, he still said he isn’t a Spirit (Luke 24:39). With this one (major) dissimilarity and many others, it is clear that Jesus and God are two different people.
Another major rule of Bible interpretation is that the clear explains the unclear. Some scriptures are very plain and are easier to understand compared to others. Such scriptures that spells out teachings plainly must be used to explain those that are difficult to understand or veiled.
So, if for instance a verse like John 1:1 suggests that Jesus is God and you see another verse like Mark 13:32 suggesting that God knows something Jesus doesn’t know, you must hold unto the plainly stated one (Mark 13:32) and seek to gain an agreeing understanding or explanation for John 1:1. The term “the word (logos) was God (theos)” is arduous to comprehend reading most English bibles. This therefore makes it the unclear one and leaves Mark 13:32 as clear.
The unclear scriptures must be read and understood in the light of what has been said clearly in other portions of scriptures.
Mark 13:32
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mark 13:32 is clear and plain. Even the Son (Jesus) doesn’t know the hour his father would have him return. Only his father (God) knows. There are many other scriptures that prove that Jesus and God are two different people, and that God is superior.
1 Corinthians 15:27-28
for “God has put everything under his feet.” Now when he says, “Everything has been put under him (Jesus),” this clearly excludes the one (God) who put everything under him.
But when everything has been put under him, then the Son himself will also become subject to the one who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Glaringly, the scriptures say that Jesus will be under God in the coming age, so that God may be over all. This indicates clearly that Jesus isn’t God.
Some believers teach that God came down by himself to die for our sins. Such teaching is false. It is not stated anywhere in the Bible. The Bible only says God sent someone to die; his Son.
1 John 4:9-10
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.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The Bible also states clearly that God is responsible for the exaltation of Jesus.
Philippians 2:9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
If Jesus was exalted by God, it means that they are two different people, and that God is superior. It also means that Jesus didn’t exist from the beginning as a person with God or as a person who is God.
The popular teaching is that Jesus existed with God as a person from the very beginning and that he is also God at the same time (God the Son). The above scripture proves otherwise. If Jesus existed with God as as person from the beginning and as God himself, Paul, in Philippians 2:9 could have said that God restored him to his normal position, and not ‘exalted.’
The term ‘exalted’ reveals that Jesus was given a high position he has never had in the past. If he was God, he could have been ‘restored’ to his normal position after the resurrection and not ‘exalted.’ If God exalted him after the resurrection, it simply means that he has never held such position in the past.
The scriptures weren’t written for us to believe that Jesus is God. Its aim is to make us believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.
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.
As regards salvation, the Bible doesn’t tell us to believe that Jesus is God to be saved. It only tells us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God in order to be saved.
1 John 4:14-15
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
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.
Even the disciples of Jesus acknowledged that Jesus is God’s Son.
Matthew 14:32-33
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
The expression they used, “of a truth,” reveals that Jesus had been making the claim that he is God’s Son. He never claimed beyond that. That’s why even at his death, the centurion present asserted the same.
Mark 15:39
And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
‘Truly!’ That word reveals that it was the claim he made while he was alive. He taught that he was God’s Son. He never taught beyond that.
Matthew 16:15-16
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Guess what? Jesus didn’t correct him with – “nice try but you are missing out on something. I am also God.” No. Jesus agreed completely with Peter’s revelation.
Matthew 16:17
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.
There is only one God, not three in one God. Yahweh is one, not three in one or two in one.
Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one.
Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
ONE GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is ONE GOD, and one mediator between God and men, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS;
Yahweh alone is God. Jesus is his Son; the Messiah.
This is the end of this series. Words can’t be enough to appreciate you for following us this far. Grow in knowledge, understanding and wisdom, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Light shines.
© SonsHub Media | Written By Fredrick Agaga
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Agaga Fredrick Abangji is a writer, reporter, content writer, believer in Jesus Christ, and a creator of religious literature. A student of Bingham university – Nasarawa state, studying mass communication.