Principles For Understanding The Godhead
Well, Mike,
I know the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, is a person, just as the Father and Christ Jesus are persons, and these are my God. The conviction came to me by the revelation of God and is confirmed by His witnesses.
Your interpretation of scripture does not convince me, because you speak naturally from the intellect, and this way always fails at some point, not agreeing with the Truth. I have done it myself, and without abiding in Christ, will do it again.
Personal interpretation of scriptures seems to be the preoccupation of most born again believers these days. Yet, it is written that they point to Christ. Faith comes by hearing Christ preach, not scripture.
Here is an extract from your article under ‘The Godhead Is Understood By The Things That Are Made’:
Applying the Rom 1:20 principle, we could say that in the beginning, God (the Father has no beginning) the Father created Christ and through Christ created the rest of creation. And how does this fit with scripture? Very well indeed.
Now if you believe that the Father created Christ Jesus, then you may see why I asked if you were Jehovah’s Witness; because that is their false doctrine also.
If you have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, then please seek Him till you receive the Truth, and forsake the delusion of Satan, that we are able to look at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and choose the right.
Regard,
D____
Hi D____,
Thank you for your questions and for taking the time to read the trinity article.
I quoted Mat 28:18-19 at the beginning of this paper. I went to great lengths to show the scriptures that explain what “in the name of” means. As you say “He knows what He means.” That being the case, should we not listen to what He says He means by that, instead of what men say He means? For example, if Christ tells us that He “will not leave us Comfortless, I will come unto you (Joh 14:18), why would or should I believe that what He really meant was that He would send someone else to comfort me, as all Christianity teaches.
Look at this verse:
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Now according to what “the many” teach, Christ completely left out a very important “person” in this statement.
Let’s look at this verse:
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, [ which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Does not this verse clearly say that the Holy Spirit will come “in MY NAME?” Of course it does. So when Paul says…
1Co 8:6 But to us [ there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [ are] all things, and we in him; and [ besides this “one God” there is also] one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [ are] all things, and we by him,
… I simply believe him. Is Paul saying that Jesus is not God? No, he did not. Do I say that Jesus is not God? NO, I DO NOT!!! I simply agree with Paul that…
2Co 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… (is indeed) the God … of Christ.
That order is not reversed anywhere in scripture. Christ is never called ‘the God of the Father,’ simply because He is NOT ‘the God of the Father.’
Do you not believe that Paul wrote “as [ he was] moved by the Holy Ghost?” (2Pe 1:21). I believe he did. So how does “the Holy Ghost” inspire Paul to tell us to understand the Godhead? Are we told that to understand the Godhead we should listen to the theories of modern day Pharisees? No, but here is how “the Holy Ghost moved” Paul to tell us how to understand the Godhead:
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [ even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
“I ask you to know in Truth” if the Holy Ghost inspired Paul to write those words? If so, why would you pass them off as “a natural way to study scripture, but no way to comprehend Christ Jesus?”
Paul carries through with this ‘understand the invisible things of the Godhead by the things that are made’ principle when he makes this statement:
1Co 8:6 But to us [ there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [ are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [ are] all things, and we by him.
Then he elaborates on this point a few chapters later:
1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [ is] the man; and the head of Christ [ is] God.
Where does a “third person of the Godhead” fit into this scriptural reasoning which “the Holy Ghost moved” Paul to write? Is this really “any way to comprehend Christ?” And Paul doesn’t stop there:
1Co 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12 For as the woman [ is] of the man, even so [ is] the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
This whole chapter is concerned with the proper relationship between a husband and a wife. Paul reveals that the marriage relationship is a reflection of the Godhead. God created marriage to help reveal Himself to us. In doing so, he created Adam and Eve, NOT Adam, Eve and Steve.
Does not Matthew tell us (Mat 1:18) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” I suppose it would simply be “a natural way to study the scripture, but no way to comprehend Christ” if I simply believed that scripture.
Look at this scripture:
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Why didn’t the translators translate this “grieve not the Holy Ghost of God?” Could it be that it might have conflicted with this “idol of their hearts?” We can’t have the scriptures saying that the Holy Ghost is “of God” while the ‘idol of the heart’ says they “are separate but equal.”
Read what the scriptures reveal about “idols of the heart:”
Eze 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me [‘Elders’ would equate to modern day leading ministers]
Eze 14:2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3 Son of man, these men [ leading modern day ministers] have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity [ false doctrines] before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Eze 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel [ God’s People of any age] that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity [ false doctrines of every denomination] before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. [“Many are called, but few are chosen”. Many shall come in my name saying that I am Christ and shall deceive many”
Eze 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn [ yourselves] from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Eze 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, [ Separates himself from what the scriptures really teach] and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face [ Church doctrines that conflict with the plain teachings of scripture], and cometh to a prophet [ Comes to the scriptures] to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Eze 14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [ am] the LORD. [ But Christ tells us the majority, “the many,” will not see this.]
Eze 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
When ‘God deceives a prophet’ or a minister it is “strong delusion”:
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Read the paper on the web site by the same title, ‘Strong Delusion.’ This ‘strong delusion’ is not sent to the world. It is not sent to Bhuddists and Hindus. It is sent to the ‘many called but not chosen’ Christians “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2Th 2:11). It is sent to those Christians who ‘say that I am Christ and shall deceive many.’ It is NOT ‘weak delusion that would deceive babes in Christ if possible;’ it will “deceive the very elect if possible.”
Now with all the emphasis in the Christian church on ‘the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”, let’s notice how the new Testament writers referred to the Godhead:
2Co 1:3 Blessed [ be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
Eph 1:3 Blessed [ be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [ places] in Christ:
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Why is this verse worded simply ‘the Spirit?’ It is because ‘the Spirit’ is God’s Spirit ‘through’ which he accomplishes all. And that Spirit was manifested in the flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. Here are His own words:
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Joh 14:17 [ Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he [ Christ] dwelleth with you, and [ Christ] shall be in you.
Do you think I have misunderstood that verse by thinking that Christ is the ‘parakleetos’ the ‘comforter?’ Read the very next verse:
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
You cannot separate Christ from the spirit of God. “God is spirit,” and Christ is the expression of that spirit. He is NOT a ‘third person,’ as the phraseology of the entire New Testament demonstrates. There is absolutely no emphasis on this ‘idol of the heart’ trinity doctrine.
Christ Himself gives us all the principles involved. He leaves out no one. Here are all the principles:
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I [ am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
There it is. Straight from the mouth of Christ. And now, here again is your own question:
I ask you to know in Truth if this Jesus says this…
If He does, it is a slap in the face to a very important ‘person’ to be completely left out so regularly. Of course, the Truth is that we should “grieve not the holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30). Yes, the Holy Ghost is “of God”. It is NOT a ‘third person’.
I urge you to read Joh 14, 15 and 16. Christ makes it clear that this “another Comforter” IS CHRIST! He tells us so.
Read these six verses below carefully. Then write me back and explain to me as I am doing for you, why you think I am mistaken. Forget the fact that the whole Christian world teaches this lie. It is the “many called” who are “not chosen.” The reason given is that they “do not have a love of the Truth” (2Th 2:11). Now here are the verses I want you to consider:
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Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God [ Explain this verse for me.]
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Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter [ The risen Christ is not the Christ of the flesh. Here is the scripture: 2Co 5:16 “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.” He is now “another comforter.”] that he may abide with you for ever; [ Who does Christ tell us will abide with us ‘forever?’]: ” I am with you alway, [ even] unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mat 28:20).
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Joh 14:17 [ Even] the Spirit of truth; [ Who is the spirit of truth?: “I am the … Truth” (Joh 14:6 – This same chapter).] whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, [ this is Christ] and shall be in you. [Joh 14:20 “At that day ye shall know that I [ am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” And again: Joh 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you.”]
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Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. [ These are not my words.]
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Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: [ Just as they had “seen the Father.” Joh 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], Shew us the Father?”] because I live, ye shall live also.
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Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I [ am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. [ These are not my words. They are the words of The Truth ].
You read my paper, but let me remind you of one other pertinent verse of scripture. Christ said He would send us the parakleetos, the Comforter. It is interesting that the translators chose to hide this word from our sight by translating it as ‘advocate’ in 1Jn 2:1: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous…” Who is our parakleetos, our ‘Comforter’ with the Father? It is “Jesus Christ the righteous.”
You asked if I were a Jehovah’s Witness. The answer is no, I am not. I have never attended a J. W. service in my life. The only thing that I know about them is what I have learned from those who have the misfortune of coming to my house. I treat them very well. They simply cannot answer my questions. I have found that J. W.’s are as faithful to their “idols of the heart” as any other denomination. The teachings of the denomination always come before the scriptures. There is truly no “love of the Truth” (2Th 2:10) in those who are harboring “idols of the heart.”
Again, I urge you to read the paper I have posted on www. iswasandwillbe. com entitled ‘Strong Delusion.’
You will also be shocked to read the paper entitled ‘Rightly Dividing The Word,’ and see how the apostles used the Word of God. It is nothing resembling the way we comprehend scripture today.
As you say, “He … will give wisdom and understanding to those who ask.” I Amo 57 years old and have been asking for just that since I was a child. That is good advice. But don’t come to God’s Word with “idols in your heart”. If we do God “Himself will deceive us.”
Eze 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike Vinson
Other related posts
- Ye Are Gods (November 18, 2009)
- Why Is Wisdom Portrayed in The Female Gender? (November 28, 2011)
- Who Was Arius? (March 23, 2008)
- Who Is Yahweh? (August 8, 2010)
- Who Is The Beginning of Gods Creation? (May 13, 2011)
- When Were The Scriptures First Being Corrupted? (January 26, 2014)
- Understanding the Godhead (July 6, 2006)
- The Doctrine of the Trinity is "Above That Which is Written" (May 20, 2019)
- Principles For Understanding The Godhead (September 7, 2004)
- One Lie Leads To Another (July 28, 2007)
- Is it Permissible to Worship Christ? (February 12, 2012)
- Is It Possible for Christ to Pre-exist and Still Be a Created Being? (January 4, 2015)
- Does Calling Christ The Lord Prove A Trinity? (December 11, 2009)
- Before The Law Of Moses (July 6, 2006)
- Are We Redeemed Back to The God Family? (June 25, 2016)