Showing posts with label God the Son. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God the Son. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 10 The Relationship of the SON to the FATHER

Part 2

JESUS CHRIST as man is subordinated to the FATHER

When JESUS CHRIST became man HE voluntarily took a lower position. This position was one of humility and obedience to GOD the FATHER.

John 14:2 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater
than I.
JESUS the human is speaking to GOD eternal.
When JESUS was conceived of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST entered into a new relationship with GOD.

Hebrews 1:5 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?

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.
Here JESUS is referred to as the “only begotten SON”. This was prophesied in Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

The begetting of JESUS does not refer to the origin of the eternal GOD, the LORD JESUS. As GOD, HE was never born. HE has always existed.
Isaiah 9:6-7 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.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this
.

The begetting refers to what happened in the book of Luke when the HOLY SPIRIT came upon the Virgin Mary and the human JESUS was conceived.
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Let´s take a look at the ways in which the SON was subordinated to the FATHER.

1. JESUS lived because of the FATHER
John 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
The FATHER sustained the SON.

2. JESUS couldn´t do anything without the FATHER.
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

3. JESUS was sent by the FATHER.
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

4. The Father gave authority and direction to the SON.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

5.JESUS received HIS messages from the FATHER.
John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

6. The FATHER gave the SON specific work to accomplish.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

7. The FATHER assigned a kingdom to the SON.
Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

8. During the present Church age, JESUS is subjected to the HEADSHIP of the FATHER.
II Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

9. CHRIST became the way by which men could approach GOD.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

10. JESUS became the way to GOD, to salvation. HE is the only WAY.
John14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

11. JESUS referred to the FATHER as “My GOD”


How long with the subservience of CHRIST last?

Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
The FATHER gave the SON a kingdom. It is clear that the SON will return it to HIS FATHER.
The time of subordination goes beyond the consummation of this present age and even beyond the Great White Throne Judgment.

I Corinthians 15:17-18 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

There is no conflict here if we understand the Scripture as they should be understood. The pre-incarnate CHRIST is and will forever be equal to GOD the FATHER.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 10 The Relationship of the SON to the FATHER

Part 1

The relationship of the SON to the FATHER is a controversial point with many cults who deny the deity of CHRIST. They say that JESUS is a son of God just like us, but that HE is not GOD. They say that HE is a son who is subservient to the FATHER and use Scripture to prove their point. As evangelicals, how do we answer?

Personally, I believe that as GOD, JESUS in HIS pre-incarnate state was, is, and shall ever be equal with GOD the FATHER. However, in HIS incarnate state JESUS was most definitely subservient to GOD the FATHER. A study of the pre-incarnate CHRIST will help us to appreciate and be grateful of what the SON did for us when HE chose to become our SAVIOUR.

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

JESUS CHRIST as GOD is equal to the FATHER
I John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

The Jews recognized only one GOD. “The LORD our GOD is one LORD” and they considered CHRIST´S claims as blasphemy and felt it was worthy of death by stoning.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
This is surely proof of CHRIST´S equality with GOD.

John 14:9 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, Show us the Father?
They are one and indivisible.

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
CHRIST is the visible reflection of the invisible GOD. Remember, GOD is SPIRIT and is therefore invisible to our physical eyes.

John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
JESUS was trying to prove to them that HE was GOD, but they refused to believe.

Philippians 2:5-6 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:


John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
JESUS is referring to HIS pre-incarnate glory.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

I 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.
John, in the Gospel of John as well as in the epistles, states repeatedly that JESUS is GOD.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Referring to one person only.

Hebrews 1:8 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.

Jude 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

To say that HE, JESUS CHRIST, is only “a” son of GOD is to insult and blaspheme the SAVIOUR. At the Transfiguration we get a glimpse of the glory of the pre-incarnate CHRIST. Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Anyone who refuses to accept JESUS as GOD and equal to the FATHER is guilty of the terrible sin of rejecting the WORD of GOD. Questioning or denying the eternal pre-existence and pre-incarnation of CHRIST does not change the fact that JESUS is and has always been GOD.
Let us glory in the fact that even though JESUS is true GOD and equal to the FATHER, HE loved us so much that HE put aside HIS garments of majestic deity and became sin for our sakes. We need to fall down at HIS feet in worship and praise and adoration of HIS great sacrifice.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 9 The Deity of CHRIST

Part 3

JESUS CHRIST received worship due only to GOD
John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

In this passage the man healed of blindness recognized the SAVIOUR.

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

To worship anyone or anything but the LORD GOD is a terrible sin.

When JESUS accepted worship HE was saying to the world “I AM THE LORD.”

JESUS accepted the testimony of Thomas.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

If Thomas had made a mistake, JESUS would have corrected it.

Thomas had told the truth because JESUS was the LORD GOD, the eternal pre-extent ONE.

The fact of JESUS´ resurrection.
This is the strongest argument supporting the belief that JESUS is GOD.
Romans 1:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

This verse specifically states that resurrection declares JESUS as the SON of GOD: If JESUS were a fake, a liar, an impostor or just a mere man, GOD would have left HIM in the grave until the day of the final judgment and condemned HIM to hell. According to Romans 6:4, it was GOD the FATHER who raised JESUS from the dead.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

GOD the FATHER proclaims to the world the deity of CHRIST.
We must conclude that JESUS is GOD since HE possesses the ten exclusive attribute of GOD:

1. Eternal
2. Unchangeable
3. Omnipotent
4. Omnipresent
5. Omniscient
6. Holy
7. Just
8. Loving
9. Merciful
10.Faithful.

The five works of GOD are ascribed by JESUS CHRIST.

1. Creation
2. Preservation
3. Forgiveness.
4. Raising the dead.
5. Judgment

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

John 6.39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 9 The Deity of CHRIST

Part 2

Let´s continue our scriptural search of proof of the deity of CHRIST.

JESUS CHRIST forgave sins
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Only GOD can forgive sin.
Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

The Jews were correct for only GOD can forgive sin. Sin is transgression against the law and only the aggrieved person can forgive the guilty person.
In forgiving sin JESUS either blasphemed or was GOD.

JESUS claimed equality with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT.
This is evident in the baptism formula of Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Also the names of GOD the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT are linked together in II Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.


JESUS claimed omnipresence.
To be omnipresent is a characteristic of GOD ALMIGHTY only.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

JESUS promises to be anywhere and everywhere at the same time.

JESUS claimed omniscience.
Omniscience is to know all things and is a characteristic exclusive of GOD HIMSELF.
This fact is evident in the description of the colt used for the triumphant entry as described in Mark 11:2-6 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

JESUS also exercised the gift of prophecy in Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

HE exercised this gift again in Matthew 24:3-31 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.


JESUS claimed omnipotence.
Omnipotence, all power, is another attribute exclusive to GOD HIMSELF.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

This claim supersedes the power of man, spirit, angels, demons and supermen.

JESUS CHRIST had creative power.
To bring something into being from nothing is creation. It is possible only to GOD. JESUS CHRIST was active in the creation of the world and HE continues to maintian the world.
John 1:1-3 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.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Also see Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

JESUS used creative power in order to perform some of HIS miracles such as enough food for the 5,000 and turning water into wine.

JESUS CHRIST the true GOD had power over the elements.
Luke 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

JESUS rebuked the wind and it obeyed HIM and all was calm once more.
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

JESUS calmed the raging sea. This is not a power given to man, but of GOD only.
Matthew 14:25-26 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

JESUS walked on water, an ability denied to ordinary men.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 9 The Deity of CHRIST

Part 1

Belief in the Deity of CHRIST is essential to salvation.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
To deny the Deity of CHRIST is to rob mankind of a SAVIOUR and to condemn us to eternally separation from GOD.

In this lesson we will look at some of the scriptural proofs of the Deity of CHRIST.

JESUS CHRIST is referred to as LORD in Psalm 110:1
Psalm 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

The Virgin Birth would be GOD coming to live with men
Isaiah 7:14 “… and shall call HIS name IMMANUEL.” This is speaking of the SAVIOUR WHO is coming. GOD in the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST came to dwell with man at the Incarnation.

The MESSIAH, the LORD JESUS CHRIST was given divine names in prophecy
Isaiah 9:6-7 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.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.


Wonderful - Only GOD is truly wonderful.

Counsellor - Only the omniscient God could be the perfect COUNSELLER
Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

The MIGHTY GOD - The ONE prophesied to be the MESSIAN was to be GOD HIMSELF.

The EVERLASTING FATHER - John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
In this text JESUS as man was born but JESUS as GOD was ´given´.

The CHRIST who was prophised to come was to be from everlasting.
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.

The MESSIAH-SAVIOUR was to be the eternal omnipresent GOD HIMSELF.
GOD and CHRIST both gave their personal names as “I AM”

Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

The Jew understood JESUS perfectly and thought that HE had committed blasphemy for ascribing the Name of GOD to HIMSELF. They promptly attempted to stone JESUS. Death by stoning was the proper death penalty for this particular sin as noted in Leviticus 24:12-16.

Leviticus 24:12-16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.
And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.


But JESUS had not sinned for HE was truly GOD. HE was the great I AM in person.