Is Jesus God? by Mae Carroll

Is Jesus God? What Does the Bible Say? 

According to the Holy Bible Jesus Christ is not God, nor did he ever claim to be.

One might wonder why so many Christian religions teach that he is. There are several Bible passages that would seem to imply that he is indeed God. However, let us delve a bit deeper into the scriptures for a clear understanding of the matter. The Father of Jesus Christ is Yahweh, who is God. Jesus is quoted in the Bible as saying, “I and my Father are one. (John 10 verses 30-36) Then the Jews took up stones again to send at him. Jesus said to them in answer, I have let you see a number of good works from the Father; for which of those works are you stoning me?” This was their answer: “We are not stoning you for a good work but for evil words; because being a man you make yourself God.” In answer, Jesus said, “Is there not a saying in your law, I said, you are gods? If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not have belief in me; but if I am doing them, then have belief in the works even if you have no belief in me; so that you may see clearly and be certain that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Now, notice here he said that his Father was in him and he in his Father. To clarify that statement and get the proper understanding of it we should view another scripture in which he says that we are in him, he is in the Father, and that all of us would be one.
In the 17th chapter of the book of John Jesus explains this unity, “Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one, as we are. 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 gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” (Oneness of God) He is discussing unity. This obviously indicates that we should all be of a like mind, with the same objectives, motives and goals.

A comparison of the two divine beings makes clear that God is the Father and Jesus though divine, is not actually God himself. Just as the son of a king is royalty, he is [likewise]; but [he remains] a prince until his father dies or gives him the throne. Though the prince may be powerful, possessing authority, this authority is not his, but his father’s who delegates it to him.The Bible tells us that when he arose from the dead, he rose with all power in his hand, if he were God then the power would have been vested in him all along. The power was given him by his Father.

When studying the Bible you ascertain that the power Jesus has and displayed came from his Father. “Jesus, being conscious that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God” John 13:3 (BBE) Now how could this be so if he, himself were God?

Then said Jesus unto them, “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”(John 8:28)

Now we all realize that God is Sovereign, and is totally independent, He does not have a god. Yet the bible, in more than one scripture refers to God not only as the Father of Jesus Christ, but also the GOD of Christ Jesus.

Yahweh (the proper name of God Almighty) is the God of Jesus Christ. The following scriptures attest to that fact:
• Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
• Colossians 1:3 - We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you
• 1 Peter 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

... When he was dying on the cross, he cried out to God asking why He had forsaken him. He also prayed to the point of sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane,in which prayed these words, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.”
If he were God this prayer would not make sense. God and Jesus are two separate and distinct beings. ...

To summarize:
• Jesus is the Son of God
• God is the God of Jesus
• Jesus came to show what God is like


The above article was taken from
Argument Essay Is Jesus God

Some editing has been done.

The most important commandment

The most important commandment

by joeripley

Which commandment comes first?

Mat 22:36-40  Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus said there were two great commandments that encapsulated all the other commandments. The first demands our love for God and the second our love for our neighbor.

This must mean that we go that extra mile for our neighbor but not where that mile transgresses the commandment which comes first. 

Loyalty to God must have first priority.

My wife and I sometimes go to church for some fellowship but we have to stop singing when the words of a song or chorus are not right and contradict God’s word. Once we actually walked out when the words of the worship chorus were,

“ Lamb of God, seated on the throne

We worship you, we worship you alone.”

Now, tell me, which book of the Bible could that fit into? It is blasphemy.

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.

What should we do? – offend the folk around us by refusing to sing or offend God by dethroning the Almighty Father.

This morning I was watching the God Channel and within a few minutes the preacher referred to “God in the flesh” several times. Jesus never claimed to be God but if we believe that he is almighty God then we get into very deep water. Problems like – how could God die when he is immortal.

1 Tim 6:16  Who only hath immortality [but Jesus did die], dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see [Jesus was seen by many]: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 

The Greek word for immortality means ‘un-dying or can’t die’ and of course Jesus did die and has been seen.

If Jesus is God then – How did the universe survive when he was dead or do we have more than one God?

If Jesus had a different will to God and could feel abandoned by God and could commit his spirit to God then there must either be more than one God or a case of schizophrenia.

But Jesus didn’t come of his own accord – he was sent. It was God who loved the world so much that he gave his son.  Just as Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac.

 John 7:28-29  Then Jesus cried in the temple as he taught, saying, You both know me, and you know from where I come. And I have not come of myself, but He who sent me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He has sent me.

He came to do his Father’s will and not his own.

John 6:38  For I came down from Heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.

It is plainly shown in the scriptures that Jesus is the son of God but not that he is God. I know it says that people worshipped him but that Greek word means
to do obeisance and not what we understand in modern usage.

Matt 20:20  Then the mother of Zebedee’s children came to Him with her sons, worshiping

[proskuneō pros-koo-neh’-o(meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): – worship. and desiring a certain thing from him.]

Did Jesus tell a story about a servant who owed a fortune and was unable to pay, worshipping the one he was in debt to. The Pharisees would have gone mad at that if they understood the word worship to mean what it has now come to mean.

Matt 18:25-26  But as he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded that he, and his wife and children, and all that he had, be sold, and payment be made. Then the servant fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me and I will pay you all. –  other versions translate it differently when it doesn’t apply to Jesus, a theological choice, not a translation but an interpretation.

...

But for many, confessing what the scripture plainly shows is avoided because it would mean going against the accepted dogmas of their church neighbors  which would sow discord – but loving your neighbor is not the first commandment.

 Remember what you pray, “Our Father – hallowed be thy name”. You ask him for things in Jesus name – the Father owns everything and Jesus says that when we ask the Father for things, we can use his name on our requests.

Neither in the heavenly royal court or any earthly royal court, can you bow to the Prince and ignore the Monarch.

The above article was taken from Web of Tradition

Why I no longer believe in the doctrine of the Trinity by Jose Cervera

Why I no longer believe in the doctrine of the Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most central and fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. The vast majority of Christian denominations and churches fully agree on this doctrine. There are only a few groups out there who are known for their denial of this definition of God. ... It has been taught for centuries, basically since 325 AD. So to deny this teaching is to commit theological suicide. It’s really that big of a deal — huge.

But if this is true, if the Trinity is so essential to the Christian faith and salvation, why then have I renounced it? Have I gone mad? Am I no longer a Christian? Have I rejected the teachings of Scripture? The answer is plain and very simple: it’s not biblical. I know this may seem like a pretty bold statement considering that the teaching of the Trinity is the majority view. But I ask that you simply hear me out, because many people don’t understand how I came to this conclusion and it seems like many people think they know me, but they really don’t.

Throughout all of my Christian walk I have taught and defended the doctrine of the Trinity with a passion. Back in my earlier walk I would engage myself in countless debates with Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and anyone else who came to me to challenge this doctrine. It was something that I was so sure about even though I never really challenged or questioned it; I simply accepted it as pure truth since that is what we are taught in church. It seemed like I didn't have a problem putting everything else to the test, but for some reason I left the Trinity alone and thought of it as an indisputable, unarguable fact.

But recently a brother in the Lord offered to have a discussion on this topic. But some background first: this brother sent me a friend request on Facebook because apparently a mutual friend recommended me to him (seeing that we had a lot in common). It wasn't long before I noticed from his posts that he didn't believe in the Trinity. And just to make this clear, this brother never once came to me attempting to force his doctrine on me. It was never even brought up. He accepted me as a brother in the Lord fully knowing my theological stance. In fact it was I who approached him seeking answers. Like I said, I never questioned the Trinity, but for some reason things were different. I truly don't know how I even came to take any other position into consideration; perhaps God wanted me to look into this for a reason.The only two views I had ever taken into consideration were the Trinitarian and Modalist view. I honestly had never thought of any other alternative. And I was so certain that the doctrine of the Trinity was the absolute truth.  

It came down to this: if I truly wanted to be someone who believes in biblical truth, I should be a person who tests all things, including my own beliefs. In order to find out the truth you need to look at both sides of the argument and adopt the one with the strongest support. So I asked this brother if he could talk to me about his view and if he could answer some of my questions. He never attempted to exert his ideas in a forceful manner, he was always fair with his explanations. I brought up just about every verse used to support the Trinitarian view and asked how he interpreted them. After our discussion was over I didn't accept this new view right then and there; I had to think about it for some time. For a series of weeks I was pondering on this issue in my mind, along with meditation and prayer. Over and over I would tell God to please take me off this path if I was in error and to please reveal the truth to me. 

Eventually it all became clear. This whole time I was wearing these Trinitarian lenses when reading the scriptures; fooling myself into thinking that this doctrine was biblical. I had finally realized that what I believed is a lie. The truth was so overwhelming; I couldn't stop thinking about it. 

Never before had I attempted to discuss this topic in a skeptical way; I never wanted to challenge it. When I finally did I wondered if I had made a mistake and felt as if I was falling into deception and embracing a heretical view. But after studying the Scriptures it was like drinking fresh cold water on a hot day when I found out the truth. Once I changed my view I wanted to share it, but at the same time I was concerned. I thought I would be rejected by my brothers and sisters whom I have known for so long. I thought if the news spread I might be looked down upon and lose people's respect. I didn't want to be known as a heretic or cult member. I didn't want anyone to think of me in a negative way. But if truth is truth, why be worried? As Paul says, who am I trying to please... It doesn't matter what people think of me; all that matters is what God thinks of me and that I am in the truth and not in falsehood, the awful alternative.

I came out with my change of doctrine, and the response was as expected. I was accused of no longer being a Christian and was called a heretic. The reason why I wanted to make a public announcement was so that I wouldn't be put in an awkward situation where I was forced to come out, or catch others by surprise. It’s better for people to know. And even though I received negative reactions, they didn't affect me at all. I wasn't going to allow false accusations to get in the way of my sincere search for truth. Whether people approve of me or not will not determine if I am in the truth. I must stand tall and proclaim what I believe even if I’m the only one standing. “Let God be true but every man a liar.”

So after much study, meditation, and prayer, I came to the conclusion that the doctrine of the Trinity is both illogical and unbiblical. What then do I believe? I believe that there is One God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, who chose Moses to lead the people out of Egypt, who was with David when he defeated Goliath, who protected Daniel in the den of lions, the God who brought into existence His uniquely begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins. That God who is YHWH is the only true God; there is none besides Him. Jesus Christ is His Son. The Son is not God.There was a time when the Son was not; he was created (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and he’s been given power and authority by God. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Holy Spirit is the very dynamic power and presence of God; it’s not a third Person. It’s God’s and Jesus’ very power. There are not three Persons who are God. There’s only the Father who alone is the one God, His power, and His Son.

Of course I am still learning, as we all are, but so far as I have read the Scriptures, this is the conclusion that I have come to. And if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me, I will be more than happy to answer any objections you may have or any clarification you may want. I’m also available if you want to debate me on this issue. But I ask that you please don’t approach me with a wanna-be prophet attitude rebuking me and calling me a heretic, telling me that I have damned myself to hell; I get enough of that already and it will only waste time and draw away from the topic. If you come to me with the wrong attitude I will not take you seriously and will avoid engaging in any kind of discussion with you. Be prepared, come ready, and be of a reasonable mind. I have already written many notes on my Facebook page debunking supposed Trinity proof texts and also disproving Trinitarian concepts using the Scriptures. You’re more than welcome to take a look at them and attempt to debunk them and or critique them. I'm all ears. 

To my Trinitarian brothers and sisters, I write this plea that you reconsider your beliefs as I have; put the doctrine of the trinity to the test. Look also into the history and development of this doctrine. This was not taught by any person in the bible, this teaching did not come out of the mouth of Jesus or any of the Apostles. This teaching comes out of the mouth of man; influenced not by scripture, but by Greek philosophy/mythology. Simply look at what God has already said about Himself in the scriptures, don't add to His words. 

Shalom. 

Who Raised Jesus From The Dead? by Jose Cervera

Who Raised Jesus From The Dead?

For Christians it is of no doubt that Jesus indeed rose from the dead after being dead for three days. But who exactly is responsible? Did Jesus himself have the power to raise himself from the dead or did God alone raise him from the dead? Let's see the answer: 


Here are a couple of verses that don't directly identify who raised Jesus from the grave, but do imply that he was risen by something other than himself:

• Matthew 16:21 "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
• Matthew 17:23 "And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again."
• Luke 9:22 "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."
• Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
• Romans 6:9 "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."
• Romans 7:4 "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."
• Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
• 2 Timothy 2:8 "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel."

Here are a couple more verses that do directly identify who raised Jesus from the dead; being God the Father: 

• Acts 2:24 "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."
• Acts 2:32 "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."
• Acts 3:15 "And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."
• Acts 4:10 "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."
• Acts 5:30 "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree."
• Acts 10:40 "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly." 
• Acts 13:30 "But God raised him from the dead."
• Acts 13:34 "And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David."
• Acts 13:37 "But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption."
• Acts 17:31 "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him 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."
• 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."
• 1 Corinthians 6:14 "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power."
• 1 Corinthians 15:15 "Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not."
• 2 Corinthians 4:14 "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you."
• Galatians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)"
• Ephesians 1:20 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places."
• Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10 "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 Peter 1:21 "Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."

As you can see, these are a lot of verses. But before we add these all up, let's examine some other scriptures. 

Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

This scripture is often used by trinitarians in an attempt to prove that the holy spirit as a third person also participated in the Resurrection of Jesus. But this is just as obscured as the scripture that's used to "prove" that the holy spirit (as a separate third person) is God (Acts 5:3-4). There is honestly no basis for such a theory, and it seems that whenever they come across a passage with the word spirit in it; they coin it with the trinity. But this verse doesn't say, "The Holy Spirit raised Jesus," it says, "the Spirit of him." Whose spirit is Paul talking about? Obviously from the context, it's the spirit of God which is synonymous with the power of God. This has nothing to do with a third member of a triune God; it is talking about the very power of God. The parallel to this would be 1 Corinthians 6:14 "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." 

John 2:19 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

You can already imagine how trinitarians and the oneness group would use this verse to prove that Jesus is God; since God raised him and yet he is saying he will raise himself. But it's quite simple actually to find out what Jesus is referring to here. The Jews had no idea what in the world Jesus was talking about, they had thought that he was referring to the actual temple, and so began to question how he would do so if it took such a long time to build it in the first place. But the writer two verses down reveals what he was talking about, "But he spake of the temple of his body." There you have it! Jesus was talking specifically about his own body. 

And it continues with, "When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." Even in the next verse it's still implied that Jesus was risen by something other than himself. The simple "solution" here is not that Jesus rose himself from the dead by his own power, but he rose himself from the dead by getting up and walking out of the tomb. He rose his body, hence, I will raise it up." 

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."

Hold on a second, haven't I been rambling on in this note that Jesus did not have the power to raise himself from the dead? Yet here is a scripture that proves me wrong! Am I being deceptive? Absolutely not. This too has a simple "solution," so to say. Notice the first words, "No man taketh it from me." But wait, wasn't it men who did take it? It sure was, the Jews who accused him and the Romans who crucified him. So anyone who says anything about men killing or crucifying Jesus, I then could pull out this scripture and say no, you are wrong, Jesus said that no man could have taken it from him. I would probably be given a weird look. But it's true, I could, and it would be silly, so also it's silly to use this to say that Jesus did indeed have the power to raise himself from the dead, when the rest of the majority of scripture says otherwise. 

Does this mean Jesus lied? No, it means that you have misunderstood this verse. The point that Jesus is making in his reference to power, is that he is doing this out of his own free will. He has a choice in the matter, and he's choosing to die and also to take his life again as the Father has promised him. So it is not that Jesus has the power to raise himself from the dead, it is that he has the power to choose. This is made clear by the last words, "This commandment have I received of my Father." And even looking up the Greek word used here for, "power," one of the definitions is actually about the power of choice. Of course literal power is also one of it's definitions, but the reason I would rule that out is because, it doesn't take divine power to die, that's something anyone can do. It makes more sense that Jesus is referring to his free will. 

I can already imagine the trinitarians and the oneness who are reading this rolling their eyes and shaking their heads at my "distortion and twisting" of the scriptures to fit my own doctrine. But here's my appeal to them. Just think; adding all the scriptures that I provided above come out to 31 bible verses. You do the math, 31 > or < 3? You always must lean on where the evidence leads. But I do have one more scripture and I think this one pretty much hits the nail on the head: 

Hebrews 5:7 "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared." 

Would you look at that. Jesus, who is said to have the power to raise himself from the dead is pleading to God to save him from death. Honestly what does this tell you? What I see is that Jesus needed the Father, he could not do it on his own. 

...  All the evidence points to the Father that raised him from the dead. 

God alone raised Jesus from the dead by His own power.
Amen.

Another Appeal to Oneness believers

What follows are three articles found on the Net proclaiming the truth of the One God and the man Christ Jesus, the One God's Son.

They were written by the same author who used to be a Oneness believer! Whose eyes has been opened.

I have made a few amendments to the original articles. So these are not my original work.

May the ONE TRUE GOD continue to open the eyes of Oneness people that they may see His Son, our one Mediator, the man Christ Jesus. Amen!

The Name of God is Jesus?

John 14:9 I have come in my Father's name — Jesus Christ

There is no doubt this scripture has been read by many Oneness Pentecostals and there is also no doubt to them this scripture alone teaches that Jesus is the name of the Father! SO in Oneness Theology this proves Jesus is God but does it REALLY? Was Jesus saying or stating that he himself was the Father manifested in flesh? Again according to Oneness Theology this is one of their proof scriptures as well as a handful of many others they use in their arsenal to prove Jesus is God.

I myself once used this scripture myself, after all what else could it possibly mean? Jesus was saying that he came in his Father's name thus proving Jesus is the Father and this is what I once believed for over twenty years. To me at the time as well as many Oneness believers it made the most sense. But do we go by what makes sense or by what OTHER scriptures say? Should we not use the scriptures to interpret the scriptures? Can the Bible indeed interpret itself? It should because we are told after all it is the inspired word of God, right? I am a firm believer that it definitely is. Therefore I believe the Bible should explain itself to us if we allow it to. What I am saying is we should not be reading it through the lens of preconceived ideals or doctrines. That is something I did for a long time while I was once a Oneness believer myself but I no longer do that any longer.

Rather ....

  I Became A Berean

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

What scriptures could they possibly be? Why it is none other than the Old Testament. Do we forget the Old Testament was the only "bible" that first century believers had? With that in mind I would like to present to you an article written by JB because I think it ties right in to the subject matter at hand; so I hope you enjoy it.

God HIMSELF, revealed His personal Name to Moses in:

Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. 

The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is YHWH (YaHWeH). The name of God (YHWH) is known as the Tetragrammaton. God said that this would be HIS NAME FOREVER and to ALL GENERATIONS. This is confirmed by numerous verses:

Psalm 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 

JAH [or rather YAH], is the shortened version of YHWH which was common among the JEWS. The "J" comes from the English translators as, at this point, there was no "Y" in the English language. Further proof of this is the word that most church people say ALL THE TIME, but really have no idea WHAT they are saying exactly: Hallelujah. "Hallel" is the Hebrew word for "praise." "u" means "to" in Hebrew, and "JAH" is the abbreviated form of the personal name of God: YaH-WeH. So when you put that all together you get: HALLEL-U-YAH. And when you do so you are praising God according to His ACTUAL NAME, by saying: "praise to YaH" 

ALL of this was lost in translation, in that in the original Hebrew text the name of God (YHWH), appears 6,828 times. However, the translators, ... translated God's Name as "LORD" instead of what it actually reads in the Hebrew text: YHWH. 

Another verse that teaches us that God's name is YHWH is: 

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 

Mind you that the word "LORD" here was YHWH in the original Hebrew text. So, God says, "I am YHWH, I change not;" Here again, God is letting us know that His name will NEVER change.

Jesus said in John 5:43 that he had come in HIS FATHER’S NAME. Most people mistake this to mean that the name of the Father is JESUS, BECAUSE they never knew another name existed, in that it was HIDDEN by the anti-Semitic translators. However, it's quite the opposite. Jesus' name [in Hebrew i.e. Yeshua] means "YaH is salvation." 

So, Jesus is literally bearing the name of his FATHER and his GOD: YaHWeH.

...Jesus makes the following statements in:

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.

So, from this verse we know from Jesus HIMSELF, that Jesus has a GOD. And, Jesus has a name that will change at some point.

My questions to those who believe God’s name is Jesus, would be:

1) If Jesus IS the ONE GOD as many claim, then why is Jesus stating here,
4 times, that HE HAS A GOD?

2) In that God's name, as given by HIMSELF is YHWH, and He stated EMPHATICALLY that His Name would NEVER change, yet many believe that the name of God is Jesus; then why is it that Jesus said his name is going to change at some point?

This obviously contradicts the false claim that the name of God is Jesus.

Who is THE LORD?

Recalling my early days when I attended a United Pentecostal Church in the early 90's I would sometimes wonder to myself when I came across certain passages especially when the scripture would mention the word Lord. I knew in the Old Testament that God was called "Lord" and of course in the New Testament I also knew Jesus was called "Lord". Looking back my mind was already programmed to connect Jesus and God together since I was taught that "God manifested in flesh" [1 Timothy 3:16] meant that God became Jesus in the New Testament so therefore reading God being called Lord and Jesus being called Lord really meant that they were the same! BUT I still would sometimes have a doubt when I would run into these scriptures in the New Testament.

Mat 22:41 (BBE)  Now while the Pharisees were together, Jesus put a question to them, saying, 42 What is your opinion of the Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, The Son of David. 43 He says to them, How then does David in the Spirit give him the name of Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said to my Lord, Be seated at my right hand, till I put under your feet all those who are against you? 45 If David then gives him the name of Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no one was able to give him an answer, and so great was their fear of him, that from that day no one put any more questions to him. 

AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO GIVE AN ANSWER!!!
And neither was I. 

To be honest I would scratch my head and wonder the same thing. How about you? Have you ever wondered if Jesus is Lord and God is called Lord how can they be one Lord yet it is obvious they are two? Right?

Jesus called Lord.........

God is called Lord........

This MUST mean they are one says the church world; after all Jesus said in John 10:30 "I and my Father are one". 

What we really do not realize and I know I never thought much about is the fact that: we are truly at the mercy of the Bible translators and here is what I mean.

Looking at Psalms 110:1 the most quoted Psalm [in fact the most quoted OT verse] in the NT by the way..

Psalm 110:1 {KJV}  The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 

Perhaps you never paid attention? Notice the word LORD is all caps...the "my Lord" is spelled and punctuated like it is found throughout the NT in most Bibles. Now look here at the NRSV version

The LORD said unto my lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

LORD is in all caps but notice the [2nd] "lord" — the L is not capitalized!!!! Would you believe this is the way it should be read in all the New Testament in the many versions??? 

Did I mention we are at the mercy of Bible translators????????????

Imagine now if THEY would have only done the correct rendering of this verse that is so quoted in the NT [some 23 times]. I doubt we would have the mass confusion that we have today among the growing 30,000 denominations across the globe. Had I only known what I know today {don't we all} perhaps years ago I would have had a grip on what I do today, regarding the difference between LORD and lord...

I was brought up believing the KING JAMES BIBLE was THE Bible {i.e. the closest to the original} so I was told; I still use this version today in my studies but I also know this translation {and this is what it is: a translation} was heavily influenced by Trinitarian scholars and they translated with a bias in mind that God is a Trinity. Being that as it may there is no doubt that these translators translated with their bias understanding and perhaps did not like how the English word "lord" may seem to "be-little" our Lord Jesus Christ. But it is curious to me how they covered up the use of the word "lord" in the New Testament except when it came to speak about the Messiah they inserted the capital L on the word Lord to make it seem of more importance. If you try and do a study on the word Lord in the New Testament and you try and compare between where Jesus speaks and God speaks you will not find much help because the word "Lord" is [the same Greek word] "Kurios". The translators made it a little interesting for us all to figure out and by the way you will not find much help using a Strong's Concordance either. BUT if you keep in mind Psalm 110:1 and have a understanding of the difference between LORD and lord it should not be hard to understand. Below is some scriptures using the word Lord or Kurios.

Christ is Lord/kurios, but “Lord/kurios” does not necessarily mean “GOD.” 

“Lord” (the Greek word is kurios) is a masculine title of respect and nobility, and it is used many times in the New Testament. To say that Jesus is God because the Bible calls him “Lord” is very poor scholarship. “Lord” is used in many ways in the Bible. Others beside God and Jesus are called “Lord.”

    Property [vineyard] owners are called “Lord” (Matt. 20:8, “owner” = kurios)..

    Heads of households are called “Lord” (Mark 13:35, “owner”, “master” = kurios).

    Servant owners are called “Lord” (Matt. 10:24, “master” = kurios).

    Husbands are called “Lord” (1 Pet. 3:6, “master” = kurios).

    A son calls his father “Lord” (Matt. 21:30, “sir” = kurios).

    The Roman Emperor i.e. Agrippa is called “Lord” (Acts 25:26, “His Majesty” = kurios).

    Roman authorities i.e. Pilate is called “Lord” (Matt. 27:63, “sir” = kurios).

    [I will add John 12.21 - Philip is called  “Lord” (“sir” = kurios)]

The problem these verses cause to anyone who says Christ is God because he is called “Lord” is immediately apparent—many others beside Christ would also be God!

So who is THE LORD i.e. in Capitals? As seen in the OT?
It is none other than the one God who is our Creator and Heavenly Father

However the LORD GOD is clearly distinguished from the “lord” Jesus

1Co 8:1  Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength. 

1Co 8:2  If anyone seems to himself to have knowledge, so far he has not the right sort of knowledge about anything; 

1Co 8:3  But if anyone has love for God, God has knowledge of him. 

1Co 8:4  So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. 

1Co 8:5  For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords, 

1Co 8:6  There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.

My Christian friend, if Paul wanted to write and say "to us [Christians] there is one God who is Father,Son,Holy Ghost;" I believe he could have had he wanted us to know that BUT he did not. Neither did he say "there is one God who is Jesus"; rather:

• He lets us know who God is......THE FATHER..the ONE LORD of the Bible, of Deut. 6.4...
• Jesus is the human Lord of lords over all the Kings of the earth; who is set at the LORD GOD's right hand

How Human Was Jesus? 

How human was Jesus? Oneness believers will tell you that Jesus was 100% human but they do not stop there because they will also tell you that he was 100% God. Oneness believers are not alone when it comes to that understanding because the opposite of the Oneness view is the  Trinitarian view and they too will tell you almost the same thing, because contrary to popular opinion both Oneness and Trinitarian is from the same stock! But both groups just describe God differently. So let me ask YOU the reader about what YOU think?

HOW HUMAN WAS JESUS? WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

I know most would testify that Jesus Christ was indeed a human being; in fact over 150 times Jesus is called a man.The Greek definition for the word man is ANTHROPOS which means a human being.

It is interesting to note that there were plenty other people mentioned  in the New Testament that were also called  "a man" or "man." And what is interesting when we read the scriptures we have no problem understanding the fact that the word MAN means MAN when speaking of those others. As believers of the Bible we dare not add to the meaning of the written word do we? But let me ask you, a question: Why is it then when it comes to Jesus Christ the meaning of the word MAN some how changes?

For many Christians Jesus has to be MORE than a man or else HOW did he do the things he did.

• So they reason as follows: 
• Jesus did the miracles because He was God; 
• he forgave sin because He was God; 
• he walked on water because He was God 
• and on it goes; every miraculous event Jesus did was credited to the fact that He was God. 

So I wonder dear reader is this what you believe or was taught? Does the scriptures attest to this? It is the opinion of this author that the scriptures do not in fact teach this, even though it is believed among the majority of Christ's followers.

Jesus Had To Be A Human Being

What many may not realize is the fact that Jesus HAD TO BE a human being for many reasons. Jesus is indeed the son of God but just as important he needed to be a human to fulfill the requirements of :-

• Messiah
• Son of God
• Prophet
• High Priest
• Kinsman Redeemer
• Brother

Just to name a few! 

But even more important is the following fact that so many overlook:
Adam who was the first MAN created by God was a sinless human being before the fall. 

Have you ever really considered this? Think about it this way. The scriptures teach that it was BY MAN that sin entered (Romans 5:12) — same Greek word here
ANTHROPOS (human being) — BY MAN many were made righteous. By ANTHROPOS (human being) many were made righteous.

Did you catch that reader friend? BY A HUMAN BEING this was done.
So why cannot the Oneness believers accept this?

They do but in their mind they think it was the flesh part or the human nature of Jesus that did the dying because after all God cannot die. ... In the Oneness mind they believe there is not one man good enough who could die for the sin of mankind; so therefore in their thinking, God who is holy is the only one who could save man; therefore God had to become a man in order that man could be saved. But they forget what we covered earlier. Adam was a sinless man who according to the Bible is responsible for the sin problem that was brought into the world (Romans 5)

So what they are not considering is this "if a sinless man can bring sin into the world then why cannot a sinless man take away the sin?"
Why does it take MORE than man/ANTHROPOS to be the perfect sacrifice?

When a Lamb was offered for the atonement was the Lamb not chosen from among its own?

• Deut 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
• Hebrews 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
• Romans 1:3   Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
• [I will add: 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:]

What is very ironic is popular Apostolic Bible teacher Ken Raggio has stated the following in the past 

“The Father did not send a substitute to earth. HE came down. That was Emmanuel in the manger. God with us. Not a third of God. All of God.” —  Ken Raggio

To the Oneness crowd a big hearty AMEN would be shouted but from the very pages of the Bible there would be silence. God did not have to become a man.

There is not one scripture that teaches God wanted to, needed to or even would become a man or even His very own Messiah.