What follows are a couple of succinct articles that I came across whilst surfing the Net. I am confident you will find them most edifying!
(Some editing has been performed upon each of the articles) :-
Dear Reader: The scriptures are pretty simple on this matter. They teach that there is ONE true God. For example, at John 17:3 Jesus said:
“…that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Therefore, Jesus was saying that God is ONE. Then by using the word AND, Jesus was clearly showing that he was a separate person from his Father, hence: he (Jesus) was NOT the only true God.
Note at John 17:1 that Jesus “lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come…” So Jesus, on earth, was praying to the Father in heaven. To whom was Jesus praying to – himself? Could Jesus have been the Father then? [1] Also, John 20:17 makes it clear that Jesus has a God. There Jesus said to Mary: “I ascend unto my Father … and to my God …” Why would Jesus have a God if he himself was God? Jesus himself NEVER claimed to be God, but said that he was “SON of God.” – John 10:36.
The scriptures consistently teach that Jesus is God’s SON, NOT God; Luke 1:32; John 3:16; Romans 1:3 etc. Consistently too, the Scriptures use the expression, “God the Father” or “God our Father” such as at Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2, 3; Galatians 1:1, 3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2 etc.
However, never once is the expression, “God the Son” used in the Scriptures. Rather, we read the expression, “Son of God.” Eg: at John 20:31; Acts 9:20; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 John 4:15 and 5:5, 10; Revelation 2:18 etc.
The expression, “Son of God” is completely different in meaning from “God the Son.”
Yes, God and His Son are one in unity, but not one in being the same person; John 10:30.
A number of church leaders (pastors, reverends, etc) are fully aware that Jesus is not God but God’s Son, but they appear to be too fearful to come forward and make the truth of God’s identity known, perhaps fearing that they will lose their positions. I’ve personally spoken with a religious leader who confessed that the Trinity is a man-made doctrine, as well as with others, who said that they know that Jesus is not God.
Christ said that the truth shall set a person free; John 8:32. I am therefore humbly appealing to church leaders to come together and reexamine the matter of God’s identity with an open mind.
Tell the people the truth; that God alone is God, the Father, the Almighty, Most High (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18) and that Jesus is the Son of God. Make yourselves free by making the truth known.
A matter of serious concern.
[1] That rules out the Oneness doctrine which teaches that Jesus is God the Father!
Dear Reader: Did Jesus ever claim to be the Almighty God? At John 3:16, Jesus referred to himself as God’s “only begotten son.” Other scriptures where Jesus referred to himself as God’s son include John 5:19, 20, 25, and John 10:36. Jesus’ apostles and disciples knew Jesus as God’s Son, not as God. Jesus even blessed Peter for accurately recognizing who he really is – God’s Son. – Matthew 16:16, 17; John 1:49; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; 4:4 etc.
Consistently, the Bible refers to Jesus as “Son of God” or God’s son – never as “God the son.” Why? Because Jesus is not God, but God’s son. No wonder that Jesus said at John 20:17 that the Almighty is his Father and his God. Why would Jesus have a God if he himself is God?
At Mark 13:32, why did Jesus say that he did not know the day nor hour when his coming shall be but only his Father knows? If Jesus is God, would he not have known? If Jesus is God, why did he say at John 14:28 that his Father is greater than him? The fact is: Jesus is the son of God. This is a very important fact to know according to John 17:3.
Let us not be fooled by any twisting of the scriptures to believe in a mysterious three-in-one God, an idea that came from pagan nations such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, whose people worshiped three-in-one false gods.
(Some editing has been performed upon each of the articles) :-
1) Church leaders ought to re-examine God’s true identity
Dear Reader: The scriptures are pretty simple on this matter. They teach that there is ONE true God. For example, at John 17:3 Jesus said:
“…that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
ONLY means ONE.
Therefore, Jesus was saying that God is ONE. Then by using the word AND, Jesus was clearly showing that he was a separate person from his Father, hence: he (Jesus) was NOT the only true God.
Note at John 17:1 that Jesus “lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come…” So Jesus, on earth, was praying to the Father in heaven. To whom was Jesus praying to – himself? Could Jesus have been the Father then? [1] Also, John 20:17 makes it clear that Jesus has a God. There Jesus said to Mary: “I ascend unto my Father … and to my God …” Why would Jesus have a God if he himself was God? Jesus himself NEVER claimed to be God, but said that he was “SON of God.” – John 10:36.
The scriptures consistently teach that Jesus is God’s SON, NOT God; Luke 1:32; John 3:16; Romans 1:3 etc. Consistently too, the Scriptures use the expression, “God the Father” or “God our Father” such as at Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2, 3; Galatians 1:1, 3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2 etc.
However, never once is the expression, “God the Son” used in the Scriptures. Rather, we read the expression, “Son of God.” Eg: at John 20:31; Acts 9:20; Romans 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 John 4:15 and 5:5, 10; Revelation 2:18 etc.
The expression, “Son of God” is completely different in meaning from “God the Son.”
Yes, God and His Son are one in unity, but not one in being the same person; John 10:30.
A number of church leaders (pastors, reverends, etc) are fully aware that Jesus is not God but God’s Son, but they appear to be too fearful to come forward and make the truth of God’s identity known, perhaps fearing that they will lose their positions. I’ve personally spoken with a religious leader who confessed that the Trinity is a man-made doctrine, as well as with others, who said that they know that Jesus is not God.
Christ said that the truth shall set a person free; John 8:32. I am therefore humbly appealing to church leaders to come together and reexamine the matter of God’s identity with an open mind.
Tell the people the truth; that God alone is God, the Father, the Almighty, Most High (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18) and that Jesus is the Son of God. Make yourselves free by making the truth known.
A matter of serious concern.
[1] That rules out the Oneness doctrine which teaches that Jesus is God the Father!
2) Did Jesus ever claim to be God?
Dear Reader: Did Jesus ever claim to be the Almighty God? At John 3:16, Jesus referred to himself as God’s “only begotten son.” Other scriptures where Jesus referred to himself as God’s son include John 5:19, 20, 25, and John 10:36. Jesus’ apostles and disciples knew Jesus as God’s Son, not as God. Jesus even blessed Peter for accurately recognizing who he really is – God’s Son. – Matthew 16:16, 17; John 1:49; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 2:20; 4:4 etc.
Consistently, the Bible refers to Jesus as “Son of God” or God’s son – never as “God the son.” Why? Because Jesus is not God, but God’s son. No wonder that Jesus said at John 20:17 that the Almighty is his Father and his God. Why would Jesus have a God if he himself is God?
At Mark 13:32, why did Jesus say that he did not know the day nor hour when his coming shall be but only his Father knows? If Jesus is God, would he not have known? If Jesus is God, why did he say at John 14:28 that his Father is greater than him? The fact is: Jesus is the son of God. This is a very important fact to know according to John 17:3.
Let us not be fooled by any twisting of the scriptures to believe in a mysterious three-in-one God, an idea that came from pagan nations such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, whose people worshiped three-in-one false gods.
