Testimony Of Jesus. Just who is Jesus? Is He the Second PERSON of a Divine Trinity? Was He God robed in human flesh? Was He a created being, like an angel? Was He just a great man, philosopher and religious leader? Was He a prophet, like those in the Old Testament? Was He an impostor and deceiver? Who was (is) Jesus? Can we REALLY know and understand? These, and many other questions, have surely been on the minds of untold millions of honest, independent thinking people down through the ages. Some never receive satisfactory answers and go their graves as confused as Pilate was the day he said, I find no fault in him, yet turned Him over to His false accusers to be crucified when it was in his power to spare the Lamb of God (However, it was for this reason that Jesus came into the world). Then there are those who soak up TRUTH like a hard, dry sponge on a hot summer day! What you are about to read is going to be shocking for some and refreshing for others, but down right blasphemeous for those indignant, indoctrinated denominationalists who dont know if they are afoot or horseback. I dont know where you fit into that picture, but I trust that you will be one of those who finds this material as refreshing as a cool, clear drink of water on a hot summer day! Although there are a few other minor bends, slants and twists when it comes to denominational theory on who God is, and the relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, there are only two major beliefs concerning the Godhead: . THE APOSTLES ONE GOD, MONOTHEISTIC DOCTRINE: This is the belief that God is ONE. God is the ONLY Creator. God is the ONLY Savior and Redeemer. God is the ONLY Almighty. God is an Omnipresent, Omnipotent Spirit who is INVISIBLE, all powerful, all knowing and is everywhere at one time. This is the purest sense (or definition) of Monotheism to be found in the WORD of God. . THE THREE PERSON DOCTRINE OF ROME THAT EVOLVED IN 325 A.D.: While the word trinity cannot be found in any of the Bible text, and was never referred to by Jesus or His Apostles, and did not become an established doctrine until 325 A.D. (ALMOST 300 YEARS AFTER JESUS), its defenders assert that God is really THREE separate and distinct PERSONS who are each co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent with one another. Analogies are drawn using the members of a team such as a forward, guard and center on a basketball team, who are independent of each other but ONE in the sense of being PART of the same team. Some use an analogy of an egg which has a shell, the white and the yoke, each separate but ONE in the sense of being PART of an egg. When all else fails and their logic is proven to be ridiculous, Trinitarians then concede that the trinity is actually a mystery which cannot be fully understood or explained. Therefore, one must accept it by faith. Being a former Trinitarian myself, I can relate to the puzzled look on a persons face when trying to explain their three person theory and how they know that it is real. However, many of them dont have a puzzled look, they get OUTRAGED! I once received a letter from a very nice Trinitarian lady who did her best to assert that the trinity is, in fact, an unexplainable MYSTERY. Therefore, she could not possibly explain it to me. Well, I took the time to research every place in the King James Version of the Bible where the words mystery and mysteries are mentioned and immediately wrote her back. Heres what I found (The particular verses are in parenthesis, but please read the scriptures outlined to get a better understanding of the context): Matthew 13:1-11 (11) ..it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.. Mark 4:1-23 (11) ..Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. Luke 8:1-17 (10) ..Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.. Romans 11:13-25 (25) ..For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery.. Romans 16: 24-27 (25) ..according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret.. 1 Corinthians 2: 1-8 (7) ..we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.. 1 Corinthians 4: 1-4 (1) ..stewards of the mysteries of God.. 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 (2) ..and understand all mysteries...and have not charity... 1 Corinthians 14: 1-40 (2) in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.. 1 Corinthians 15: 33-58 (51) ..Behold, I shew you a mystery;.. Ephesians 1: 1-23 (9) ..having made know unto us the mystery of his will,.. Ephesians 3: 1-21 (3, 4 & 9) made know unto me the mystery.. ..that ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery.. Ephesians 5: 1-33 (32) ..this is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.. Ephesians 6: 1-24 (19) to make known the mystery of the gospel.. Colossians 1: 1-29 (26 & 27) ..the mystery which hath been hid from generations ...but now is. ..make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery.. Colossians 2: 1-23 (2) ..understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God.. Colossians 4: 1-8 (3) to speak the mystery of Christ.. 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-17 (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:.. 1 Timothy 3: 1-16 (9 & 16) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Revelation 1: 1-20 (20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand.. Revelation 10: 1-11 (7) ..the mystery of God should be finished.. Revelation 17: 1-18 (5 & 7) ..Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots.. I will tell thee the mystery of the woman.. I am still waiting on her reply. . Remember, the religious Jews rejected the testimony of Jesus, even though they had been waiting centuries for their promised Messiah to come down from Heaven and set up His Kingdom. They were the ones to whom the Law and the prophets had been directed. They were Gods chosen people, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because they rejected Jesus, the door was opened to us Gentiles to be grafted in and become heirs to the Kingdom and partakers of Gods precious ISNT THAT AMAZING GRACE??? Revelation 2:2 speaks of those who tried those who claimed to be Apostles and found them to be LIARS. Again, this material is designed to assist any hungry heart in trying the validity of a message, belief or doctrine. Therefore, it is IMPERATIVE to resolve this issue of the Godhead! The trinity is a very old doctrine. I mean, 325 A.D. was before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. It has been so well indoctrinated that hardly anyone would even dare to question its scriptural basis (except for those inquiry minds, like mine, who want to know the TRUTH of the matter). History records that a Roman Emperor named Constantine was very instrumental in setting up the First General Council of Churches in 325 A.D., known as the Council of Nicaea. The Church of Rome became the Official Church of the State with Constantine as its head. This universal church with its new doctrine was established so that EVERY subject (that means person) of the Empire would belong to the Official Church of the State. The THREE PERSON DOCTRINE was purely an orchestrated effort by Constantine designed to appease both the MONOTHEISTS (One God Christians) and the POLYTHEISTS (Multiple god Pagans). From a strictly political standpoint, I guess you might say it was a brilliant move. Constantine stopped the persecution of Christians for a while so I dont guess he was all bad. However, the Roman Emporers were responsible for killing and torturing people (Christians) much like that of Hitlers Nazi death camps. The True Church was literally driven underground. As a matter of fact, the May 1976 revised edition of Haleys Bible Handbook reports on pages 761-763 ...the church was regarded as a secret society...; ...Christians were hunted in cave and forest; they were burned, thrown to wild beasts, put to death by every torture cruelty could devise. Christian graves are variously estimated at between 2,000,000 and 7,000,000. Papal Persecutions against Protestants in later centuries far out numbered the Early Christian Martyrs under Pagan Rome. No wonder John wondered with GREAT admiration when he saw the woman of Revelation Chapter 17 who was drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Revelation 17:1-9 describes this woman as the great whore, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. In this setting it is stated that this woman sitteth on seven mountains. Let me ask you just one question: Where is the city of seven hills? If you said Rome, you are correct! This is SERIOUS stuff were talking about here. Rome has a pathetic track record of following after holiness. If you didnt conform to the Church of Rome, you were an enemy of the State and targeted to be executed! It is just that simple. You have probably heard of the catacombs underneath Rome where the Christians would hide to hold their services in secret for fear of being found out and executed. God help us to see through eyes that can see and understand, and realize this seriousness of the matter. . By the way, Romes Universal Church is still in existence today! One of Websters definitions of Catholic is universal. The Roman Empire is alive through it. In that setting in Revelation Chapter 17 we just touched on we read about the beast that was, and is not, and yet is (verse 8). Let me say here, that this is NOT an attack on people who are Catholic. I know a lot of good Catholics. As a matter of fact, both of my sisters are Catholic. I do not feel that my life is in danger by any one of them. I would no more attack them than I would attack people whose ancestors were cruel slave owners. Being from Mississippi, I know how biased and prejudiced some people can be on BOTH sides of that issue! We cant be held responsible for that which we had absolutely no control over and were never a part of. Likewise, good and decent Catholic people shouldnt be held responsible for the actions of the Catholic Churchs past. However, it is the doctrine of the Catholic Church which I want to address here. I do not deny the three aspects of God being Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I just cannot find any place in the Bible where it says that these three aspects are separate and distinct persons who are each co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent. Since the Bible does not mention a trinity I searched into history. Here is what I found: . New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967 Edition, Vol. 13, p. 1021 The first use of the Latin word trinitas (trinity) with reference to God, is found in Tertullians writings (about 213 A.D.). He was the first to use the term persons (plural) in a Trinitarian context. Encyclopedia Americana, 1957 Edition, Vol. 27, p. 69 The word Trinity is not in Scripture. The term persons (plural) is not applied in Scriptures to the Trinity. World Book Encyclopedia, 1975 Edition, Vol. T p. 363 Belief in Father, Son and Holy Ghost was first defined by the earliest general council of churches. This was the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. New International Encyclopedia, Vol. 22 p. 476 The Catholic faith is this: We worship one God in trinity, but there is one person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost. The Glory equal - the Majesty co-eternal. The doctrine is not found in its fully developed form in the Scriptures. Modern theology does not seek to find it in the Old Testament. At the time of the Reformation the Protestant Church took over the doctrine of the Trinity without serious examination. Life Magazine, October 30, 1950, Vol. 29 No. 18 p. 51 The Catholics made this statement concerning their doctrine of the Trinity, to defend the dogma of the assumption of Mary, in an article written by Graham Green: Our opponents sometimes claim that no belief should be held dogmatically which is not explicitly stated in scripture...But the Protestant Churches have themselves accepted such dogmas as The Trinity, for which there is no such precise authority in the Gospels. In fairness to those who defend the Trinitarian doctrine. I must include some of the most popular arguments: A voice from heaven said, This is beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. God said, Let us make man in our image. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said to baptize in the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. On the cross Jesus said, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? John saw the Spirit descending in the form of a dove and abiding on Jesus. Jesus constantly referred to His Father in Heaven. Jesus prayed to His Father. So all of the above means that there are THREE PERSONS in the Godhead, huh? Well, lets see what the Bible has to say, O.K.? In Matthew 3:17 where the voice from Heaven said, This is my beloved Son IN WHOM I am well pleased may mean something besides what many try to imply. St. John 14:10 records Jesus saying, 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. 2 Corinthians 5:19 says, ..God was IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto Himself... St. John 4:24 says, God is a SPIRIT; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Luke 24:36-39 says ...a SPIRIT hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have... Micah 1:2-3 (A prophecy hundreds of years BEFORE Jesus) says that God was going to come down to tread upon the high places of the earth. **IF** God (Who is a SPIRIT) put on a robe of flesh (the body of Jesus) and came to Earth, then the scriptures above are harmonious, dont you agree? Genesis 1:26 says that God said, Let us make man in our image. However, in the very next verse it says, So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him (NOT created they him); male and female created He them (NOT created they them). It should be obvious that God was NOT talking to an assistant or co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent PERSON. Isaiah 48:11 says, For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted:? and I will not give my glory unto another. John 1:10 He (Christ) was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew him not. (The second person of the trinity made the world) Colossians 1:16 For by Him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him. (The second person of the trinity created ALL THINGS) This must include the frist and second persons of the trinity since this verse says all things visible and invisible. Do you see how foolish the 3 person theory becomes in light of other scriptures? Isaiah 44:24 ...I am the LORD (all caps) that maketh ALL THINGS; that stretcheth forth the heavens ALONE; that spreadeth abroad the earth BY MYSELF; (The first person of the trinity did it alone and by himself). Isaiah 43:10-11 ... that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD (all caps); and beside me there is no saviour. (The first person of the trinity is the first and only God and there is no saviour at His side or in His presence). Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD (all caps) the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD (all caps) hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (the first person of the trinity and the second person of the trinity are both claiming to be the first and the last with no God standing beside Him or in His presence.) Isaiah 44:8 ...Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. (I dont know to which person the trinitarians give credit for this statement, but ever which one it is, He doesnt know another God .) Isaiah 45:5-6 I am the LORD (all caps), and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me; That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me, I am the LORD (all caps), and there is none else. (The first person of the trinity does not acknowledge the second or third person whatsoever.) Isaiah 45:21 ...have not I the LORD (all caps)? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. (The first person of the trinity still does not acknowledge the second or third person). . Where are the Trinitarins THREE PERSONS of God in any of the scriptures above??? I certainly do NOT find them, and neither do they. That is why they have no other choice but to resort to the writings of so called Bible scholars and use all sorts of translations and Greek words to try and explain their reason for belieiving something that simply does not have any specific authorization in the Word of God. The very best they can do is to take very carefully selected scriptures and read something into them which is NOT specifically stated as they state it. In other words, they base their core foundation of faith on implied meanings from these very carefully selected passages of text. Im telling you here and now in the fear of God, you had better stay away from ANY doctrine that is built upon implied meanings from scriptures instead of being built upon the direct and verbatim words of specific authorization from the Word of God. Doctrines built upon implied meanings, logic and human reasoning are built upon the sand! In Matthew 28:19 where Jesus gave the Great Commission He was telling them what to DO -NOT WHAT TO SAY! Notice that it says, In the NAME (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is the core of the Trinitarians theory of the THREE PERSONS of God. We will cover it in depth later in Undeniable Belief # 4: Baptism: The second step in Gods plan of salvation. But, let me just say that Ive had a $ 10,000.00 reward out for over 10 years for any clergyman, layman or professing Christian who can: find a single verse in the King James Version of the Bible text with the word trinity in it; where the term persons is used to describe God or the Godhead; or where anyone was ever baptized with the words Father, Son and Holy Ghost pronounced over them. The Apostles always baptized converts to Christianity in the NAME of Jesus (see Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5). Furthermore, **IF** Jesus meant for the words from Matthew 28:19 (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) to be quoted at baptism, not a single one of his Apostles obeyed Him. But, again, we will get into that later in Undeniable Belief # 4. On the cross when Jesus cried, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? This is a twofold event: it is the words of Psalms 22:1, and here we have the flesh crying out to the Spirit just prior to the Spirits departure. This was the ONLY way that it was possible for Jesus to die, because God cannot die, but the flesh could (and did). However, three days later when the Spirit reentered the body, Jesus came forth from the grave victorious! This is a hard matter to comprehend for those who dont understand the DUAL NATURE of Jesus. As man, He hungered, thirsted, felt pain, cried, suffered and died. As God, He fed multitudes, opened blind eyes, raised the dead, forgave sins, walked on the water and controlled natures violent winds, rain and crushing seas! The crucifixion scene and Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsamine is a real contradiction for a Trinitarian because according to their own theory they have to explain why one of their co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent PERSONS is praying to the other one. Furthermore, if there are three separate and distinct PERSONS who are each co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent as the Trinitarian theory asserts then the Holy Ghost would be the Father of Jesus instead of God the Father according to Matthew 1:18 & 20. Now that is a SERIOUS problem. But if God the Father (Spirit) and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) are actually one and the same then no problem exists at all. The Spirit descending in the form of a dove was a sign that had been given to John the Baptist which enabled him to recognize who it was that was the Christ (anointed one) as detailed in St. John 1:29-34. Jesus referred to His Father in Heaven and prayed to His Father in Heaven. This was also a twofold thing: Jesus was setting an example for us to follow in setting our affections in Heaven and not on Earth, and it was the flesh showing subjection to the Spirit (which is also for our example even today). I use the analogy of the fictitious character, Clark Kent, the humble newspaper reporter who would disappear at a time of trouble, change into Superman and go save the day. He lived a dual life so to speak and referred to Superman as being another person altogether, yet they were actually one and the same. This is not a perfect analogy by any stretch of the imagination, but the point I wish to make is that Jesus was the REAL SUPERMAN, who, unlike Clark Kent, showed Himself openly. Like the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees of old, many today just do not know what to do with Jesus. They say He is God in one breath and diminish Him to an inferior and lesser in power Second Person of some triune God in the next breath. Ill just tell you that I reached a point where I could no longer defend something that I couldt prove. It is not easy coming to terms with being in error unless, of course, you hunger and thirst for TRUTH! Now carefully consider as I try to explain the TREMENDOUS difference in THREE PERSONS and that of THREE POSITIONS, OFFICES OR MANIFESTATIONS. My friend, the only distinction in the Godhead is FLESH and SPIRIT - not THREE separate and distinct PERSONS! A) God is a SPIRIT (John 4:24) B) and a spirit hath not flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). C) God is the WORD (John 1:1) D) and the WORD was made flesh (John 1:14). E) God was manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). F) It was NOT the body of Jesus Christ that was God, but rather the Spirit of Almighty God that dwelled in that sinless body (John 14:10). As man, the flesh knew pain, hunger, thirst, etc. As God, the Spirit forgave sins, healed the sick, performed miracles, walked on the water, raised the dead, etc. Because of this DUAL NATURE of Jesus Christ, there were times when the flesh spoke, and there were times when the Spirit spoke. The THREE PERSON doctrine has been so well indoctrinated that hardly anyone questions it! I am a father, I am a son and I am a husband, but none of these TITLES is my name! These are TITLES of the different positions (offices) that I occupy, YET I am ONE PERSON. There is a tremendous difference in ONE PERSON (singular) occupying three separate and distinct positions or offices (plural), and that of three separate and distinct PERSONS (plural) occupying ONE position or office (singular) of ALMIGHTY GOD! Ponder that for a while. The THREE PERSON DOCTRINE is a product of man - PERIOD, END OF ISSUE! I have absolutely NO malice or animosity in my heart towards Trinitarian people. I know the TRUTH shall remain standing when everything else has fallen. However, die hard Trinitarians VICIOUSLY attack me because I dare question their THEORY of the Godhead and point out its many SERIOUS flaws. Every once in a while I run across a person who is really a TRUTH SEEKER. They arent afraid of TRUTH and are man enough or woman enough to admit error when the Bible does not agree with their theology, then they gladly make the necessary corrections so they can get over it and get on with it! It really isnt hard to PROVE where the Trinitarians doctrine originated, when it originated and by whom it originated. Even though most of them will insist that it came straight from the Bible. **IF** there was a trinity or **IF** God was THREE separate and distinct co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent PERSONS, certainly the Bible ought to say so somewhere. Since the Bible does NOT give any SPECIFIC authority for such a belief, MILLIONS are told it is a MYSTERY which they must accept by faith because it cannot be explained or understood. You may accept that. I once did myself, but there came a time in my life when I just had to find some answers to my many questions about the trinity, and I was not afraid of what I would learn when I began to search it out! Most of my own family are Trinitarians, and I love them DEARLY. However, I cannot deny the revelation God gave me through His Holy Word about the Apostles One God - Monotheistic Doctrine. My friend, I learned a long, long time ago to speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent. I recommend you do the same. I once was a Trinitarian, but now I am a One God, Apostolic, Tongue Talking, Holy Roller, Baptized, Born Again, Heaven Bound, Believer in the Liberating Power of Jesus Name, who is NOT ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the POWER of GOD unto SALVATION to EVERY ONE that believeth; Now that we have taken a look at the Doctrine of the Trinity, its origin and its roots, lets take a look at the Biblical foundation of God and speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent. It is truly a tragic thing when intelligent people resort to bending and twisting the scriptures, using logic and making all sorts of assumptions completely void of SPECIFIC Bible authority to support any doctrine that is held as dogmatically as the trinity. Weve already covered the fact that we are not to add to or take from the Word of God. Romans 3:4 says, ...let God be true, but every man a liar;.. Dont you think man should refrain from putting things in Gods mouth? . THE THREE OFFICES, POSITIONS OR MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD. GOD IN CREATION (His role as Father): Genesis 1:1 In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth. St. John 1:1 In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God and the WORD WAS GOD. St. John 1:3 All things were made by Him (GOD / WORD) and without Him (GOD / WORD) was not anything made that was made. Hebrews 11:3 The worlds were framed by the WORD of God. Isaiah 45:18 Thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established and there is NONE ELSE. Isaiah 44:8 Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no God with me. Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretched forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; Isaiah 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. It should be plain that GOD did NOT have assistance. The Bible mentions the word THREE over 400 times. If there are THREE PERSONS functioning as one team to comprise the ONE GOD of Israel, surely out of this many references the Bible would say so, but it just does not. However, the Bible mentions the word ONE over 1,800 times. I will not get bogged down here listing the references to ONE GOD, but lets just agree that theres no question about that. Furthermore, I can show you in many different places where the same Hebrew word ONE (as used to described God) is used in other places where there could be absolutely, positively no dispute that it was definitely talking about ONE (not two, three, four, etc.). In conclusion, God is ONE, He created everything by Himself (all alone) without any help, advice or assistance from any other PERSON, PERIOD!
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:02:56 +0000
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