I truely believe there is a Bible code. Why? A very simple answer. When all comes to pass and the Lord returns...He will reveal the hidden truths in the Bible that are spoken about earths history and its inhabitants. The coded messages will reflect His greatness and glorify Him beyond words. A masterpiece of a puzzle (the Bible)decoded through our progressing technology vie computers will begin to materialize and stun the world beyond belief. We are barely at the tip of solving the unique mysteries. Numbers play a significiant role in everything created and since numbers are indefinate and are the core of every cell, structure, incident, etc....then the keys are finding the right equation for each individual event. The answer to cures for every disease are sealed in the Bible's writtten word.
SouthernBell
JoinedPosts by SouthernBell
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Names and dates in Bible code reveals the future?
by Panda inaccording to a friend of mine she saw on some christian channel (she's born again)... anyway there was this supposed jewish math wizard scholar (i'm thinking kahbahla?
) he claims that there are names like george bush dates disasters etc.
all the code is broken down by the number 49+1=50 (right then i'm holding in my laughter and thinking what would the amazing randi say?
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Why cant JWs celebrate Holidays again?
by Mary Phooty inwhat is the dumb reason behind that?
is it satanic too like horoscopes and thanksgiving?
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SouthernBell
Are Birthdays Pagan? Do we have any record the Apostles observed the birthday of Jesus? ... What does the Bible say against celebrating birthdays? NOTHING! ... jesus-messiah.com/html/birthdays.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages
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Was Jesus Created?
by 9thWonder inwas jesus created?
this question came out of a discussion i was having with a preacher of a no-denominational church.
he was trying to convince me of the truth of the trinity doctrine.
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SouthernBell
Questions and Answers This series of articles contains studies on various topics, many of which were adapted from questions that I have received from people by e-mail. If you have questions, comments, objections, etc., on anything concerning Christianity, please feel free to send them to me at [email protected], and I will reply by e-mail. As time permits and as the Lord leads, I might turn my reply into an article and then add it to my "Questions and Answers" series, so please check my home page periodically for the latest updates. Question: "I have a friend whom I've been talking to about Christ. His background is Jehovah's Witness and he's having a little trouble grasping that Jesus is God. The New Testament refers to Him constantly as "The Son of God." He is also referred to as "The Firstborn" which makes it sound like He was created. I have shown my friend John 1:1-18 and Philippians 2:5-11 but this doesn't seem to be enough. Can you help?" Answer: The Jehovah's Witnesses are correct in claiming that there is only one God, as Jesus says in Mark 12:29 (quoting Deuteronomy 6:4): "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." However, they deny that Jesus is the Jehovah God of the Old Testament. This is sad, because Jesus is the only way for us to be saved and have eternal life, as we are told in Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Let's look at some Old Testament passages which refer to Jehovah and compare them to New Testament passages which refer to Jesus, and we will see that Jesus is Jehovah God. Notice what Isaiah says about Jehovah: "But now, this is what the LORD [Jehovah] says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."" (Isaiah 43:1) "For I am the LORD [Jehovah], your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:3) "[the LORD (Jehovah) is speaking] everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." (Isaiah 43:7) "I, even I, am the LORD [Jehovah], and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD [Jehovah], "that I am God."" (Isaiah 43:11-12) "This is what the LORD [Jehovah] says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 43:14) "I am the LORD [Jehovah], your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." (Isaiah 43:15) We can see from these Old Testament passages that the LORD (Jehovah) "created," "formed," "redeemed," is the "Savior," is the "Holy One," and is the "King." In the New Testament we are told that Jesus created and formed all things, that Jesus is the Savior, that Jesus is the Holy One, and that Jesus is the King: "In the beginning was the Word [Jesus, as the end of this quote proves], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him [the Word, Jesus] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ... The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-3, 14) "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16) "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) "From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised." (Acts 13:23) "Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-- the Holy One of God!"" (Mark 1:23-24) ""How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."" (Luke 1:34-35) "Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."" (John 6:68-69) "The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"" (John 12:12-13) "Then the King [Jesus] will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'" (Matthew 25:34) So therefore Jesus is the Lord God (Jehovah). Now let's compare Isaiah 44:6 with Revelation 22:12-13: "This is what the LORD [Jehovah] says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6) "Behold, I [Jesus] am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:12-13) In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah quoted Jehovah as saying that He (Jehovah) is "the first and the last." In the New Testament, Jesus says that He (Jesus) is "the First and the Last." Jesus is Jehovah God. Now let's compare Isaiah 40:3 with Matthew 3:1-3: "A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD [Jehovah]; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God."" (Isaiah 40:3) "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"" (Matthew 3:1-3) In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesied about someone calling out to prepare the way for Jehovah God. In the New Testament, Matthew tells us that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. John the Baptist told people to prepare the way for Jesus, and therefore Jesus is Jehovah God. It is clear that Jesus is the Lord God (Jehovah). This may be a difficult concept for us to comprehend, but as God says: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is God, as the following passages prove: "I [Jesus] and the Father are one." (John 10:30) "[After Jesus died and was resurrected] Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"" (John 20:27-28) "I [Jesus] have given them the glory that you [the Father] gave me, that they may be one as we are one" (John 17:22) "Theirs [the people of Israel] are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." (Romans 9:5) "But about the Son [Jesus] he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom."" (Hebrews 1:8) "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours" (2 Peter 1:1) "the Father, the Word [Jesus], and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7) [New King James Version] "We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20) We can see that Jesus is Jehovah God. In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is called the "firstborn over all creation," but notice what it says right after that: "He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16) So Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, but He Himself was not created because He is the one who created all things! The New World Translation (which the Jehovah's Witnesses use) adds the word "other" in this passage, as if Jesus created all "other" things after He Himself was created. However, the word "other" is not in this passage in the Greek manuscripts, and therefore it is incorrect. You can prove this for yourself by going to any library and finding any Greek/English interlinear Bible, which shows the Greek and English translations side-by-side. Notice that John 17:5 tells us that Jesus existed before the world began: "And now, Father, glorify me [Jesus] in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (John 17:5) Calling Jesus the "Son of God" does not mean that He is a created human, because the first humans were Adam and Eve (for proof, I invite you to see my article called The Biblical Evidence Against the Theory of Evolution). Humans and angels are created beings, but Jesus was "begotten" (born) of God. He is unique because He is 100% God and 100% man. His human nature was born of Mary, but His divine nature has existed since before time. When the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the deity of Jesus it is because they have been led astray. Take a look at what the apostle John has to say about this: "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us--even eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray." (1 John 2:22-26) Conclusion Jesus is not a created being like we are, He is the only begotten Son of God. He is one with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the only way for us to be saved and have eternal life, as we are told in Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
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Was Jesus Created?
by 9thWonder inwas jesus created?
this question came out of a discussion i was having with a preacher of a no-denominational church.
he was trying to convince me of the truth of the trinity doctrine.
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SouthernBell
Is Jesus Really God? In the New Testament we are told that Jesus created and formed all things, ... Calling Jesus the "Son of God" does not mean that He is a created human, ... www.layhands.com/IsJesusReallyGod.htm - 15k - Cached - Similar pages
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Please refute: There is ONE true God, one creator, one savior
by M.J. ini am curious, what explanations are there for the scriptures that affirm the existance of only one true deity, in light of christ's affirmed deity (jn 1:1, is 9:6)?
other than the conclusion that the deity spoken of could be inclusive of christ?
(perhaps in the sense of john 10:30--"i and the father are one").
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SouthernBell
The Fulness of the Godhead A study of the Trinity of the ONE God Navigate Goal The goal of this essay is to discuss "the doctrine of the trinity." The Doctrine of the Trinity Click Here to read "formal" statements of the trinity doctrine, as extracted from publications by a cross-section of conservative Christian writers. To set the stage for our discussions, an oversimplified statement of the trinity doctrine is provided as follows... * There is one God * The one God is a unity of THREE persons - Father, Son, Holy Spirit One God There is ONE God. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! Deu 6.4 (God said...) Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me Deu 32.39a Deuteronomy 6.4 proclaims that "the Lord is one." In Deuteronomy 6.4, the word "one" translates the Hebrew word echad. Hear, O Israel -- The Lord our God, the Lord is one (echad)! Deu 6.4 The Bible verses alongside make it clear that the Hebrew word echad can denote a UNITY of more than one person... * Gen 2.24 states that husband and wife are one flesh in the UNITY of marriage. * Gen 11.16 shows that many people can have a UNITY -- a oneness -- of language and purpose. As stated previously, the trinity doctrine holds that the one God is a UNITY of three persons - Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one (echad) flesh. Gen 2.24; see also Mal 2.14-15 And the Lord said, "Indeed the people are one (echad) and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them." Gen 11.6 Three Persons The Bible identifies three distinct persons who are known (respectively) as... * the Father * the Son * the Holy Spirit Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... Mt 28.19 The second of these three persons, the Son, is identified as being Jesus. And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20.30-31 Jesus is further identified as "the Word" made flesh. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.14 Distinct Persons The Bible makes it clear that Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons. That is, "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit" are NOT just three different names for the same person. There are many Bible verses that establish this fact. We will look at just two... Luke 3.21-22 records that Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit were all three present at the same event, at one and the same time. The event was the Baptism of Jesus.... * Jesus was in the Jordan River, bring baptized. * The Holy Spirit was descending upon Jesus. * The Father was speaking from Heaven. This makes it clear that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that... Jesus (the Son) also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice (the Father) came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.'' Lk 3.21-22 John 14.16-17 records Jesus's promise to pray to the Father. * It would be irrational for Jesus to pray to Himself by a different name. * Therefore, the Father and Jesus (the Son) are two distinct persons. John 14.16-17 further records Jesus's promise that He would ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is distinct from both the Father and Jesus. (Jesus said...) "And I (the Son) will pray the Father and He (the Father) will give you another Helper that He (the Holy Spirit) may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14.16-17 Three persons are designated as "Lord" and "God" The Bible designates each of the three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) as being Lord and God. The Father is designated as Lord At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Mt 11.25 The Father is designated as God There is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 1 Cor 8.6 The Son is designated as Lord that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15.6 The Son is designated as God looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ Titus 2.13 The Holy Spirit is designated as Lord Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor 3.17 The Holy Spirit is designated as God But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.'' Acts 5.3-4 Three Gods? The Bible says there is only ONE Lord God. Therefore, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are NOT three Gods. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! Deu 6.4 (God said...) Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me Deu 32.39a We have seen that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons. Not just names. PERSONS! We have seen that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are EACH designated as Lord and God. Yet the Bible clearly states there is only ONE God... * Not three Gods. * ONE God! Three persons are one God! HOW is this possible? Some folks try to explain the three persons of God by using worldly comparisons, such as... * the three states of water (solid, liquid, gas) * the three dimensions of matter (length, width, depth) HOWEVER, the verses alongside make it abundantly clear that any attempt to fully understand God's nature in purely worldly terms is an exercise in arrogant futility. * Why futile? Perhaps for somewhat the same reasons that my pet goldfish would undoubtedly flunk trigonometry. :-) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,'' says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isa 55.8-9 By His Spirit God adorned the heavens; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand? Job 26.13-14 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom 11.33-36 The bottom line is... ONLY God can reveal God! The good news is... God HAS revealed God! In the person of Jesus, God was *manifested* in the flesh. * "Manifested" means "revealed." * One of the reasons God became flesh was to reveal His nature to us. * Jesus IS the revelation of God to humankind. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. 1 Tim 3.16 In John 1.18 alongside, "declared" translates a form of the Greek word exegeomai. (Exegeomai is where we get our word "exegesis.") * Exegeomai means -- to make known, to unfold in teaching, to reveal, to explain (per Vine's Expository Dictionary, Strong's Concordance, Thayer's Lexicon) * As shown by John 1.18, the bottom line is this -- one of the main goals of Jesus is to REVEAL God's nature to us. Ergo, if we want God's explanation of Who and What He is, we must look EXCLUSIVELY to Jesus. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son (Jesus), who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1.18 Looking to Jesus for answers about the Trinity John chapter 17 records a prayer of Jesus, who was on the earth, addressed to the Father in heaven. Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You" John 17.1 John 17.21 declares that the Father DWELLS in Jesus. All of the Father was in heaven and, at one and the same time, all of the Father dwelled in Jesus who was on the earth, praying. (Jesus said...) You, Father, are in Me John 17.21b Isaiah 42.1 and John 3.34 state that the Holy Spirit dwells in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is in Jesus -- not "by measure" but in totality and fulness. I (the Father) have put My Spirit (the Holy Spirit) upon Him (the Son); He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. Isa 42.1b For He (Jesus, the Son) whom God (the Father) has sent speaks the words of God: for God does not give the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) by measure unto him. John 3.34 Accordingly, Colossians 2.9 states that the *fullness* of God dwells in the Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, ALL of God is present in Jesus. ALL! For in Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily Col 2.9 John 14.11 and John 17.21 state that Jesus dwells in the Father. These verses show that Jesus dwells in the Father at one and the same time as the Father dwells in Jesus. (Jesus said...) Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me John 14.11a (Jesus said...) You, Father, are in Me and I in You John 17.21b The Perfect Unity of Father and Son and Holy Spirit The Bible straightly asserts that the nature of Jesus declares the nature of God (John 1.18). No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son (Jesus), who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1.18 As we have shown, the Bible further states that the Son is indwelt by the Father and Holy Spirit Since the nature of Jesus declares the nature of God... * The Father is likewise indwelt by the Son and Holy Spirit * The Holy Spirit is likewise indwelt by the Father and Son The mutual indwelling of Father and Son and Holy Spirit constitutes the oneness of perfect UNITY. Jesus said... * I and My Father are one John 10.30 * If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also John 14.7a * He who has seen Me has seen the Father John 14.9b Summation of the Doctrine of the Trinity * Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons. * Father, Son, and Holy Spirit indwell one another, thereby constituting a perfect unity. * The one God is the perfect unity of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. * None of these three persons is ever less than the perfect unity of all three persons. * Therefore, each of the three persons - Father and Son and Holy Spirit - IS the one God. and so it is that... In the beginning was the Word * and the Word was with God * and the Word was God John 1.1 Amen
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Please refute: There is ONE true God, one creator, one savior
by M.J. ini am curious, what explanations are there for the scriptures that affirm the existance of only one true deity, in light of christ's affirmed deity (jn 1:1, is 9:6)?
other than the conclusion that the deity spoken of could be inclusive of christ?
(perhaps in the sense of john 10:30--"i and the father are one").
-
SouthernBell
Trinity-God in 3 Persons We have Biblical evidence for the Trinity doctrine being true and answers for those who say the Trinity is false. The Trinity Doctrine is the One God ... www.afcministry.com/Trinity_Doctrine.htm - 34k - Cached - Similar pages Articles About the Trinity and God Does the Trinity doctrine teach three Gods? ... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your ... www.wcg.org/lit/God/default.htm - 9k - Cached - Similar pages The Triunity (Trinity) of God in The Old Testament Jews say that the Shema, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God' contradicts the Christian doctrine that Jesus is God. However, the triunity of God is ... www.godandscience.org/apologetics/triunity.html - 29k - Cached - Similar pages Holy Trinity of God Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. www.tribulation.com/trinity.htm - 21k - Cached - Similar pages
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Please refute: There is ONE true God, one creator, one savior
by M.J. ini am curious, what explanations are there for the scriptures that affirm the existance of only one true deity, in light of christ's affirmed deity (jn 1:1, is 9:6)?
other than the conclusion that the deity spoken of could be inclusive of christ?
(perhaps in the sense of john 10:30--"i and the father are one").
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SouthernBell
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What is the Trinity?
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Describing God
God is described with different words in the Bible, a few of which translate into English as LORD, Lord, the LORD almighty, God, God Almighty and so forth. When reading these in different places in the Bible, you become aware that although God is “one” He is also “more than one”—God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). Together, they are referred to as “the Trinity” or “the Godhead.” On this page we will provide explanations that help people understand God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Trinity. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us (but read this page first smile ).
God is not so complex that He can not be understood. The Bible is written so that anyone can understand Him. The difference is that God is not human, so He can not be described as a human can be described. The gods of every other religion can be described in “normal” terms since they were invented in the minds of men.* Even some “Christians” (actually Christian cults) invent their own description of God and make Him seem like these other gods (by denying the aspect of the Trinity). On this page we will clarify the Trinity so that you can understand this aspect of God.
* Romans 1:20-23 (chapter 1, verses 20-23)
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The Simple Answer
The explanation of the Trinity is so simple that most people miss it.
* If God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were the same, they would not have different names.
* If they were the same, they would not appear separately as they do in Matthew 3:16,17.
* In spite of being different, they are “one.” (John 10:30)
So we understand that the three “members” of the Trinity are different, but have the same purpose (and they are all God—more on that later).
A Rough Analogy
About 20 years ago, Dr. Harold Willmington (Liberty University) shared an analogy he had heard with his students, comparing the Trinity to a book. For example, a book has length, width, and thickness. The length is not the book’s width, the width is not the book’s thickness. These three dimensions can be described separately, yet they are connected together. If you remove one dimension, you are no longer describing a book. In the same way, the Godhead has three separate members that are connected together, and if you try to remove one you no longer have the Godhead.
God Is One
God is described as “one” in Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Kings 8:60, Isaiah 44:8 and numerous other passages. For example, Deuteronomy 6:4 says “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” The word for “one” is the Hebrew word ‘echad. (This Old Testament text was originally written in Hebrew). This is the same Hebrew word that is used for “one” in Genesis 2:24—Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
In case you haven’t noticed smile when a man and woman are married they do not melt into one human being, becoming some sort of hybrid. Yet, they do become “one.” We could cite other examples, but we have made our point.
God Is More Than One
Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7, Isaiah 6:8, and other passages are examples of conversations within which God uses the word “we” or “us.” However, God is not referring to any others (people, angels, etc.) in these verses. Since God is having a conversation, the “we” and “us” must therefore refer to the Trinity. You might say that God speaks to Himself in the plural form.
The Trinity Is God
Matthew 28:16-20 is a passage referred to as “The Great Commission.” In verse 19, Jesus states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Why did Jesus tell his eleven disciples to baptize people in the names of all three members of the Trinity? Why not one or two? It is obvious from this passage that the entire Trinity is God.
Jesus Is God
We understand that many people agree that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit exist. (We are sure that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are relieved to hear that! smile ) These same people may even agree that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are “working together.” However, the followers of several cults are taught that Jesus is “just a prophet,” or “only the son of God”—not God. This wrong viewpoint is easily clarified by looking at two Bible verses: Isaiah 9:6, and Isaiah 43:12 (below).
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God [0410],
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 43:12
I have declared and saved,
I have proclaimed,
And there was no foreign god among you;
Therefore you are My witnesses,”
Says the LORD [03068], “that I am God [0410].”
Notice the numbers in brackets that we placed in the text. Those numbers indicate the “Strong’s Numbers” of those particular words. Strong’s Numbers are index numbers in a document called a “Strong’s Concordance” that allow someone who only reads English to understand what the Bible’s original Hebrew words are. For example, the number [03068] refers to the Hebrew word YHWH. This word is usually written in English as LORD, Jehovah, or (phonetically) Y@hovah. Similarly, the number [0410] refers to the Hebrew word ‘el, which is normally written in English as God.
It has been thoroughly proven that Isaiah 9:6 is a Messianic Prophecy referring to Jesus Christ. Notice how Isaiah 43:12 clearly shows that God (YHWH) refers to himself as God (‘El)—the exact same term (‘El) used to refer to Jesus. There are numerous other examples, but we will not belabor the point. It is obvious that God and Jesus are both God.
Jesus Doing What Only God Can Do
Mark chapter 2 opens up with an interesting story about Jesus healing a paralytic man. Notice that Jesus forgives the man’s sins in verse 5 and the reaction of the teachers of the law (the religious experts of the day) in verses 6 and 7.
Mark chapter 2
1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.
2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.
3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.
4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,
7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic,
11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
The teachers of the law knew that only God could forgive sin. Since the people could not “see” sin being forgiven, Jesus proved He did indeed forgive the man’s sins by supernaturally healing the man’s paralysis (providing visible proof everyone could see). You can also read about this event in Luke 5:17-26. In both cases it is obvious that Jesus is God.
Out of the Mouth of Jesus
In Luke 22:70 and John 8:58, Jesus answers questions put to him by the Pharisees that declare Himself to be on “God’s level.” Notice how Jesus answered their questions by saying “I am.” (Ego eimi in Greek.) Ego eimi is not a translation of YHWH, but it is similar to our translating YHWH into “I AM” in English. This choice of words was not lost on the Jewish audience He was talking to! They immediately wanted to kill Jesus for blasphemy. That is, the Jews believed that by comparing Himself to God in that way, that Jesus deserved death. They clearly understood the implication Jesus was making—that He was the same as God. We hope that makes sense to you also.
To learn more about the Trinity, we recommend reading the booklet The Holy Trinity by H. A. Ironside. -
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Please refute: There is ONE true God, one creator, one savior
by M.J. ini am curious, what explanations are there for the scriptures that affirm the existance of only one true deity, in light of christ's affirmed deity (jn 1:1, is 9:6)?
other than the conclusion that the deity spoken of could be inclusive of christ?
(perhaps in the sense of john 10:30--"i and the father are one").
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Need help
by christian ini need your help.. i would like to know what these pictures means for you.. they come from the knowledge book p35 .
they have been doubled like an old mystic proceed.. http://www.temoinsdejehovah.info/images/connaissance.jpg.
http://www.temoinsdejehovah.info/images/connaissance2.jpg.
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SouthernBell
A triangle having 3 equal sides...the Father, Son and Holy Spirit unites as one and being equal...having balance.
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27
Need help
by christian ini need your help.. i would like to know what these pictures means for you.. they come from the knowledge book p35 .
they have been doubled like an old mystic proceed.. http://www.temoinsdejehovah.info/images/connaissance.jpg.
http://www.temoinsdejehovah.info/images/connaissance2.jpg.
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SouthernBell
The triangle images could have several meanings. The triangle could represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit...in other words the images were to represent these people being led by their creator or having a spiritual meaning...providing one believes in the Trinity.