A consideration of the fall and it affected our interpersonal reactions
As a general point; sin led to us having to learn what was lost but also involves having to UNLEARN all that has blinded us since the Fall.
As I stated in the last post we all start out rather self focused; this in itself isn't necessarily TOTALLY due to the fall or necessarily wrong (we could look at Christ or John the Baptist as examples) but God calls some such as John the Baptist and Jeremiah from birth. What makes sin a vice is when someone learns how to pursue deliberate actions for the sole purpose of self satisfaction at the expense of others. No decent mother would tell a 2 year old they are being selfish for crying for food. To explain that it is your sin nature; and the whole concept of repentance is beyond their grasp until later on; although by nature kids manipulation is often well developed and parents tend to be led toward bargaining and then to the extreme of abusive rebuke as if they are an adult. Neither purpose is effective; of course.
The idea I'm proposing here is how would man have interacted with one another if they hadn't fallen? How would Adam and Eve and their children reacted?
Now that we're redeemed; in the same liine of thinking we should begin to think how we are part of a heavenly army.
Isaiah 13:4 says "Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war.
There are other verses such as Joel 2 and many Psalms that also deal with these concepts. Our future involves interactions with other heavenly Host (such as we see in Hebrews 11); as well as with those physical survivors of the Millennium. We will rule and reign over angels as well as we see in Hebrews 1:14 as well as judge them as 1 Corinthians states.
We have a glorious future. This world is not our home IF we are truly born from above.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
Matthew 4:23 - Jesus preached "the gospel of the kingdom."
Acts 20:24 - Paul speaks of "the gospel of the grace of God."
Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul received his gospel by direct revelation from Christ.
Many assume the Bible presents one unified gospel throughout. But a closer reading reveals distinctions between the gospel of the kingdom (offered to Israel) and the gospel of grace (offered to the Gentiles and the Body of Christ).
Denominational tradition may attempt to blend these messages, creating theological confusion. But by removing those filters and taking Scripture slowly, we see that Paul's message of grace was a new revelation-a "mystery" ( Ephesians 3:1-6), hidden from past ages but revealed through him.
The Role of "Right Division" in Clarity
Paul commands believers to "rightly divide the word of truth" ( 2 Timothy 2:15). This doesn't mean dividing truth from error-it means dividing truth from truth, identifying what applies to Israel and what applies to the Church, the Body of Christ.
Right division isn't about rejecting parts of the Bible-it's about placing them in their proper context, understanding that God has dealt with humanity in different ways throughout time ( Hebrews 1:1-2). It honors the integrity of each passage and avoids blending programs that God intended to remain distinct.
When rightly divided, the Scriptures form a cohesive whole. God's dealings with Israel under the law (Exodus through Malachi) differ from His dealings with the Body of Christ under grace (Romans through Philemon). When we respect those distinctions, confusion clears.
Examples of Clarity Through Slow, Careful Study
The Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 5-7)
Jesus' teaching here emphasizes law-based living, including commands like "cut off your hand" if it causes you to sin and a strict standard of righteousness exceeding that of the Pharisees.
I understand this is debated, but this is my understanding.
1 Peter 3:18-20: 18, For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit. This was a once-and-for-all sin offering, as mentioned in Romans 8:3 and Hebrews 9:11-14, to bring us to God so that God can now dwell with humanity through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is God who quickens the dead, as stated in Romans 4:17, by the Spirit. Jesus, being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit. Jesus was dead for three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, the grave/tomb. He was quickened, which means brought back to life, when He was resurrected in His glorified body. Jesus is the first begotten of the dead, Revelation 1:5, the Firstfruits of them that slept, 1 Corinthians 15:20. Sleep, the Greek word koimao, meaning to put to sleep, be dead.
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. By the same Spirit that quickened Jesus, Jesus went and preached/proclaimed to these spirits in prison.
Who are these spirits who were disobedient in the time of Noah? Angels are spirits, Psalm 104:4, Hebrews 1:7. Devils/demons are spirits, familiar spirits, evil spirits, unclean spirits. Humans have a spirit, but are never called spirits. Humans are mortal; the soul who sins will die, and the dead know not anything. Immortality is a gift from God, and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we find our hope for eternal life.
We see this long-suffering in Genesis 6:1-8. 120 years were given for repentance, but we see that only eight souls were saved by the water.
Hi, nice of you to ask "WALKEC29". And I can speak for myself because the Lord gives to whom He wills when He wills. But when we talk about what kind of gifts God gives, you can happily read 1 Cor 13. There all the gifts are mentioned, love being the greatest, Amen
In my childhood and youth I have always believed in God. Jesus came a little later when I really had to bend my knees and ask for help. I cried my tears for years afterwards. It was and is so good to come to Jesus. No one can fill the void like Him! First of all, I baptized myself in water because it is a good act of conscience to God. And the whole congregation prayed for me. And nothing happened. Then one morning I sat at the kitchen table. I wanted to try and change was my thought. And there He come, my Savior! I picked up the old Bible I got when I was 12 and read. When I opened the Bible my eyes fell on a scripture that was actually meant for Jesus. I understood that because they are written in italics. I will never forget the experience. I thought there was something wrong with my eyes for the letters and words, yes, it was as if they were on fire. Hebrews 1:5 After that i didnt think so much of it. And continue to read and i got a big desire in my life to read. I became so hungry for the word that I carried the Bible with me in a backpack wherever I went. Because my intention was to give God's word to other hungry people. And I still do it because the Lord is good, He loves me unconditionally. Even though I am unsteady in all my ways. Then I know that He will help me get back on my feet. And the praise I have received from Him in my heart is so liberating. I can do boring things like driving for 2-3 hours. If I praises to Him, everything goes so easily and quickly. All glory to Jesus Christ as all glory should be. Then it is no wonder that love overflows and one wants to share bread with everyone one meets. Here I think it is important not to quench the Spirit. It's not good. Sorry no more space
Hebrews 1:8 - But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
But unto the Son he says ( Psalm 45:6-7), Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: Jesus is being called God!
Hebrews 2:1 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
The word ought is the word necessary. So, it is necessary to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. I'd just like to share a few technical points about the text. First of all, the text itself, where it says the more earnest heed, that means to pay attention. It is a special word. It is a navigational and specific nautical term for ship terminology. The more earnest heed means to bring a ship into the harbor. It means to guide the ship into the harbor where it's going to be stationed.
The King James says lest at any time we should let them slip. Notice the word them is in italics. It's not let them slip, but that we should slip. It is literally lest at any time, we should slip past. It is a nautical term that means to drift past the harbor. So, in one instance, the helmsman is steering the ship into the harbor to its docking station. In another instance, the helmsman is just letting the ship drift past where he's supposed to go in.
He's saying that if you don't have a response to what you're hearing, that's your "take to earnest heed." If you don't make a responsible response, you can be shipwrecked. That's basically what it's all about. Just listening is not enough. We must take the earnest heed, the more special attention to the things that we have heard, lest at any time, we should slip past them like a ship that misses the harbor. He's talking about securing. Make sure you've made that last step, not just listening, but your response is very important!
Hebrews 1:5 - For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
For to which of the angels said he at any time (and this is Psalm 2:7): Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? Some say that begotten means give birth. It's like, how do we get out of this one? It sounds like it contradicts everything I previously shared about the word Son. Well, Psalm 2 is what is called a Coronation Psalm. It is the day in which the Father passes the throne to His Son.
And that's why He's called a Son. He didn't become a Son that day by birth. He became the inheritor of His Father's throne. And His Son is now the King. He became King on that day, His coronation. The word begotten, its root word is also used for creation, which is where we get the term birth. But also, it's used for creating the world. Anything that is generated out is represented by this word. So, when a person becomes King, this word is used.
Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
What is interesting is that this phrase "brings the first begotten into the world" is making reference to His second coming. And the command is let all the angels of God worship Him. You don't worship somebody that's not God. Even Jesus said that in Matthew Chapter 4 when the devil says bow down and worship me and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world. And Jesus said you don't bow down and worship anybody but God. This is the superiority of the preeminence of the Son. He is to be worshipped.
Who being the brightness of His glory. The word brightness is literally translated out beam from the word APAUGASMA which means the out beam of His glory. It can be described by taking a flashlight to the back of a dark room and shining it on a wall at the opposite side of the room. You can get a concept in your mind about what God did when He travelled through and projected Himself through the time/space factor, and took up residency in the person of Christ, yet while being God. APAUGASMA is the same word used for a projector, or for a flashlight shining. As it projects, there's an out beam, and you can see whatever image is being projected. This would be the out beam, and what you see on the slide would be the image.
If you combine APAUGASMA with EICON, which is the word image, it's the same terminology in the Greek language that is talking about your source of light and power remaining the same. This is telling us that Jesus Christ is the projection of God through the time space barrier, and He has taken up residency amongst us as human beings, while never being separate from the source.
This is the function of God. He is the APUAGASMA of His glory, the out beam of glory, the projection of the glory of God through time and space, becoming one of us, while never leaving or being separated from the source, God Himself.
The term for "express image" in Verse 3 is the word CHARAKTER. It's where we get our English word character from. What this is saying is that God has projected Himself through the time/space factor, and the image that was projected is the exact representation and image and substance of God. That's why Jesus said if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. The Father and I are one!
Lastly, His provision. When he had by Himself purged our sins, and the word when is literally translated after. It's an Aorist Participle. Please notice that it says by Himself. Nobody else but Jesus cleansed our sins.
Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Where it says the right hand of the Majesty on high, in the Greek text the word hand is not there. It literally reads He sat down on the right of the majesty on high. This shows a position of authority. He's the inheritor. He's the creator. And He's the ruler of all things.
Hebrews 1:4 - Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Some might call this rank. His rank is above the angels. He's inherited a name that is better than they. The author is not saying that the name Jesus Christ is better than they (even though we know that's true), but he's talking about the name Son.
Of the four comparisons that he makes, the Son is the inheritor of all things. Did any of the prophets inherit the things of God? He's the creator of all things. None of the prophets created the world. He's the ruler of all things. He's now seated in the position of authority, and He is in rank the Son. He's obtained a name that is greater than the angels. So, we have Him as inheritor, creator, ruler, and rank.
If you go back to Verse 3, there are four characteristics of the Son. And these are participles in the text, which means that this Son that sat down on the right of the throne of God, He was in existence at the time, with these four things:
God has spoken to us. His last spokesperson, the last instrument that God used to minister to us, is His Son. It's very important to see the contrast between the superiority of Jesus Christ in comparison to the prophets. Those days are over. There are no more messages to various people. So, upon, or during the last part of the last days, God spoke to us in a Son. There's no more speaking to us through the prophets, or various items. In His Son, He has the last word.
It goes on to say, "by whom also He made the worlds." The word "worlds" is literally the word ages, which denote epics of time, stages of time in history. So, first of all we had Him as the inheritor. Now He is the creator. He's the one through whom God created all things.
John 1:3 tells us that all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. He is the inheritor of all things. He is the creator of all things.
Hebrews 1:2 - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
In these last days seems like it's just another phrase that we see throughout the bible. But in the Greek text, it's literally translated upon the last of these days. It's found in Daniel 10:14 and the Jews would know what it means by the phrase upon the last of these days. The believing Jews knew that we were in the last days, and we still are today. But on the last part of the last days, God has done something different.
Upon the last of these days, God hath spoken to us. And there are two things about the literal translation. The word "by" is the word in. And if you notice in the bible, the word his is in italics. There is no word his in the original text. And then it's the name Son. Why doesn't it say his Son, or in the Son? It's because he's showing contrast of instruments that God uses. When we get to Chapter 2, he will name the Son, who is Jesus Christ.
So, He was in the prophets, speaking at various times, and in various ways, but has upon the last of the last days, spoken to us in Son. What this is saying is that in the last days, the instrument that God uses is not the prophets, not various other ways like a burning bush, but He has upon the last segment of these last days spoken to us in a Son.
Written to Hebrew Christians. The author is unknown. Hebrews was written to warn against apostasy during persecution. The theme of Hebrews is "The just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 1:1 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
It says God, who at sundry times and in divers manners. Sundry times means various times. And in various ways. In other words, in the Old Testament, God worked through progressive revelation. God manifested certain truths about Himself through certain stages of history, and through different people. And not just people, but different things, like the burning bush, or some of these other epiphanies where God revealed Himself through circumstances, and even animals, as far as that's concerned.
So, in many times, and in many ways, God spoke in time past, indicating that He's about ready to tell us that He doesn't do this anymore. He doesn't work this way anymore. In time past, He spoke to the fathers, and that would be the patriarchs. He spoke to the fathers.
And then the key to this, the instruments: by the prophets. The literal translation is not by the prophets, but in the prophets. The Greek text indicates that He wasn't just speaking through them. He was in them. He was in the prophets.
Thank you, I do not mind discussing this topic as you mentioned Hebrews 1:8 and John 17. The reason is that it can create tensions, as many consider it non-debatable and inappropriate for discussion. While there are some denominations labeled as cults, I do not support, or have any part in. We should inspire one another to pray and study God's word with love and a sincere desire for truth, from Genesis to Revelation, acknowledging that all that was, and is, and is to be, was before the world was.
How long did it take the children of Isreal to go from Egypt to the promised land? The usual answer which I often thought was 40 years . But no . It was just over two years . But the church of which I am a part has made the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years as the norm. Jordan is death and the promised land heaven. This cannot be so . For there are no giants in heaven to conquer etc or land to battles to be fought and while Jordan is a type of death it is not the death of the body but rather the 'death' of baptism it is the entering into the spiritual life .
Paul warned the church to be not .Ike them that "entered mkt in because of unbelief"
Unbelief is not simply not believing God it's believing another message .
Paul also warned us not to be deceived like Eve. She too believed the wrong message .
When they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years thry were still His people , they had miracles every day twice on Saturday . Their cloths did not wear out . The fire by night and the cloud by day. Yet withall that they were out of the centre of Gods will.
The wilderness was boot camp as it were where civilians become soldiers . It need not have taken any longer as proved by Joshua snd Caleb who were ready .
Is it not about time we believed God ? Is it not written the Bride Christ will come out if the wilderness terrible as an army wuth banners ,leaning upon the arm ( trusting and not upon our own understanding) of her beloved"
The Lord said to be ready " be ye also ready" for we do not know the hour but we know what season we are in .Fir if by Hebrews 1:1 God hath spoken in these last days by His Son over 2000 years ago then those days were clearly "green" if those were green then today it is very dry and ready for the fire .
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
If the above interpretation troubles you, we can see another verse, Hebrews 1:5, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?"
What is meant by "this day I begotten you"? Does it refer to Jesus' physical birth? Lets see how Paul explains it in Acts 13:32-33, "32And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" So it is obvious that Paul considers that that birth" refers to Jesus' resurrection and not to His physical birth.
So lets go back to that "firstborn from the dead". I think it gets quite clear that it means that Jesus is the first to be resurrected from the dead. The rest to be resurrected is God's people, either now spiritually or later physically.
Colossians 1:17 - And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is before all things. That's the word PROS, that means in time and importance. He is before all things. And in Him all things consist. The word consist means held together.
Here's what it is saying: In Christ, all things were created, visible and invisible, heaven and earth. All things were created in Him, and through Him, and for Him. Christ created all things. And He created them for Himself. You and I were created by Him for Him, not for us. You can see how far sin has pulled us away from God, and how much we are so self-centered because of sin, and that all day long, I'm living my life like I want to live my life.
I was created by Him, and I was created for Him and His purposes. And most of the day, I live my life not even realizing that He even exists. But that's the damage that sin has done. And He is before all things, time and importance. And in Him all things are being held together.
It's very interesting how the scientists say that because of the structure of the atom, all material things should just blow apart. They say that there's nothing to hold the atoms together. In fact, they are functioning in such a way that they should repel each other. And I find it interesting that scientists cannot explain what holds the atom together. I have even heard of them saying it is due to some sort of "atomic glue."
But in reality, the bible says that Christ is holding all things together. One day He's just going to let go and it will be all over. In Him, all things are held together. Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that all the ages are being carried along by the word of God. God is propelling history!
Hello Timmywynne. There are many Scriptures that point to the Triune Nature of God, and specifically, that Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit are revealed to us from the very Being of God the Father. When we think of the Trinity, we know we won't find that word in the Bible, as it is purely a descriptive word of what the Bible declares to be the fullness of God's Being. So to the verses you seek, and you will need to read them fully in your Bible.
Of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 9:6,7 (an Old Testament Prophecy); Micah 5:2 & John 1:1-14 (from everlasting); Matthew 1:22,23; Mark 2:5-7; John 8:56-58; John 16: 27,28; John 17:4,5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-10; 1 John 5:7; 1 John 5:20.
Of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31; Luke 1:34,35; Luke 11:13; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:4; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:6.
The above are a few Scriptures that point to the deity of Jesus Christ & God's Spirit: all showing that they don't work independently from God, but have been sent out from God, from God's Being, to accomplish His Purposes in the world. And we know that Jesus, as the Word of God clothed with humanity, is the very expression of God to the world ( John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2). Hope these will help you in your study of this very important doctrine. Blessings.
COGIC WORSHIP1 Corinthians 15:3-4:Jesus Christ is God that is a motif & descriptor of sonship and creation and
Divinity.I Worship a God that is God and Word of significant and of all IMPRINT and seal of God's nature. A God that you can do all things through his son- Philippians 4:13KJV.
Brother Jesse. Thanks again for this further batch of Scripture clarifications in Acts - very helpful. I understood what you wrote concerning the term "right hand" & certainly agree to it; and in many Scriptures this phrase comes up, having the meaning of 'a position of power & authority', which of course the Lord Jesus had, by virtue of His Divinity & completed work of Salvation for all.
But my thoughts turned to several Scriptures, some of which are Acts 7:55,56; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22, etc., that certainly do imply Jesus' Divine Power & Authority, but I can't help but read of a positional aspect to it. When the words, 'seated or standing' are given, I think most of us would immediately see this aspect of Christ's 'physical' position as well (not to say, that Jesus doesn't move about in Heaven). How would you say that we should view such verses, especially the one where Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, was steadfastly ('atenizo': eyes affixed) on this wonder seeing the Risen Lord at God's right Hand? Even in this verse, & others, do we need to apply the 'right hand' as only to that of 'power & authority' & not of position? Thanks & blessings.
"Are there prophets that exist in today's world aside from having the gift of prophecy? Or are they one in the same?
I believe if one "must" have the gift of prophecy to be a Prophet.
No the question is, are Prophets around today.
I would say No.
Here's what Paul in Ephesians 2:20 says about the Church of God.
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Before the Canon of scripture was completed the prophet proclaimed a message from the Lord in the OT and to the early believers.
Today we have the completed revelation from God in the Bible.
Does God reveal truth to someone in a way and enable that person to deliver that message to others? Yes! He does this to all of us.
However, That doesn't make us a foretelling Prophet.
Compare what is said to what the Word of God says. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible then it us written before hand and it's not a foretelling supernatural message.
Hebrews 1:1-2 reads, " God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
Hi Everett. My understanding is that the word 'Trinity' (also referred as Triunity) and the word 'Triune' mean the same thing. Some people find the word 'Trinity' offensive, simply because in their minds it denotes a belief in 'three gods'. But with explanation, that erroneous belief can be corrected.
I note that you have given those words different meanings. So in my understanding, I don't believe that 'Trinity' speaks of three individuals or three gods, but the One God Who expresses Himself in the ways we read of in the Bible: and that is by His Spirit & by His Word. And both are fully within the Godhead revealing God to us in His Fullness.
The Spirit & the Word do not 'operate' independently, using their own Will or purposes to accomplish their tasks. All that the Word has accomplished, whether at the first by revelation to the prophets ( Hebrews 1:1), and now made flesh ( John 1:1,14) to be called the Son of God ( Hebrews 1:2), is what I understand from the Scriptures.
Likewise, the Spirit of God was sent out to infill people to understand & proclaim God's Word and now to baptize repentant sinners who have turned to God through faith in Jesus Christ. That the Word & the Spirit have been sent out by the Father, doesn't mean that God is now deficient in any way, remaining helpless, but all that the Father speaks & accomplishes is done by Himself alone by His Word & Spirit. I hope that I have given you a clear understanding of my position on this doctrine.
4Whatsoever is born of GOD overcometh the world:and this is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.
5Who is he that overcometh the world,but he that believeth that JESUS is the Son of GOD?
6JESUS is He that came by water and blood,even JESUS Christ;not by water only,but by water(John7:38-39;8:51and11:26),
and blood-understand?( Philippians 2:7-11).
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,because the Spirit is Truth.
GOD,the Word,is Spirit- John 6:63.The Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing,understand?
7There are three that testify in heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8),the Father-GOD the Father-,the Word-the Word made flesh-JESUS-,and the Holy Spirit(who is not a ghost as is written in English language,but a person-the Paraclete,the Comfort):and these three are One.
18We-the TRUE believers-know that whosoever is born of GOD sinneth not;but he that is begotten of GOD keepeth himself,and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19And we know that we are of GOD-understand?-,and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20And we know that the Son of GOD is come,and hath given us an understanding,that we may know Him that is true,and we are in Him that is true,even in His Son Jesus Christ.This is the true GOD,and eternal life.
Hebrews 1:1-3
1GOD,who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son,whom He hath appointed heir of all things,by whom also He made the worlds;
3Who being the brightness of His glory,and the EXPRESS IMAGE(WORD MADE FLESH)of the Person of GOD,and upholding all things by the Word of His power,when He had by Himself purged our sins,sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Revelation 11:15-18 &1Corinthians15:24-27
15...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,and of his Christ;and He shall reign for ever and ever.
18And the NATIONS will be angry, and GOD's WRATH is come...
Thank you, brother, I know we have discussed it before and I think we both respect and care for each other as brothers. I will try not to rehash that discussion forgive me if there is some overlap, but could Christ have sinned your answer is no, I will just use this verse James 1:13, your answer, according to this verse He could not even have been tempted but Jesus was tempted or tested and Jesus stayed obedient to the Father. Temptation or testing is for an answer to whether someone will be obedient or disobedient, Romans 5:19.
1 Timothy 3:16 the word manifest is the Greek word phanero meaning to make visible, make clear. Jesus did that. In the flesh, I ask when did this happen? Did this happen when Mary conceived or when Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and became the Messiah/Christ?
Hebrews 1:1-3 God spoke to us by His Son every word Jesus said was the word of God, not His. Jesus shunned Philip when he asked Jesus to show them the Father, John 14:9-10, every word Jesus said was the Father.
As I have said when God placed Adam in the garden he did not have a sinful nature but he sinned and was disobedient. Jesus was not conceived by man but by the Holy Ghost, Jesus did not have the sinful nature past down by the first Adam, but He was obedient and did not sin.
I did not say anything about the cross but after Jesus prayed in the garden asking the Father if there was any other way Jesus was obedient to the end, being beaten, nailed to the cross, and giving His life for us.
If the first Adam was created with a sinful nature could God say He saw everything He had made, and it was very good? This sinful nature has a sentence of death, and it was after Adam ate the fruit that it was applied, and it spread to all. Adam was the figure of him that was to come, Jesus, the last Adam who by His obedience we have hope. How can one be obedient if they cannot be disobedient? To say Jesus was sinless and obedient becomes a farce.
Angels are redeemed men, now in the kingdom of God, made ONE FLESH with Christ, the angel of God, by the death and resurrection of Christ, the angel of God's presence.
Isaiah 63:9 And in all their (man kinds) affections, he (Christ) was afflicted, and the angel (Christ) of HIS (the father's) presence SAVED THEM: in his (the Father's) love and in his (the Father's) pity, he redeemed them (by sacrificing his son), and carried them all the days of old.
Hebrews 1:17 ...Who maketh his angels SPIRITS, and his ministers (messengers) a flame of fire.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the SPIRIT (his angels) might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Yes, Notwithstanding SHE (Eve, Christ's wife), by allegory, the Church of the Lord JESUS, shall BE SAVED in child bearing..... generating children for the Kingdom of GOD, through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of GOD's Kingdom. This has already lasted around 2000 years or two GOD's Day: Hebrews 1:1-3
1 GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days (last two GOD's Days-from the beginning of the fifth Day unto the END of the sixth Day)spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE(image by written) His Person(Person of GOD), and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
It's wonderful, what GOD really has revelead unto His people( Ephesians 1:3-8) makes us to fly high toward the third heaven ( Luke 20:35-36 combined with Revelation 4:1), the OT and NT are like two mighty wings to catch us and carry us to the third heaven- Luke 20:35-36 combined with John 14:3 and 17:24, and 2Corinthians 12:2-4, among many other biblical references, take a look. It's Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable, ineffable. Hallelujaaaah!!!
As a general point; sin led to us having to learn what was lost but also involves having to UNLEARN all that has blinded us since the Fall.
As I stated in the last post we all start out rather self focused; this in itself isn't necessarily TOTALLY due to the fall or necessarily wrong (we could look at Christ or John the Baptist as examples) but God calls some such as John the Baptist and Jeremiah from birth. What makes sin a vice is when someone learns how to pursue deliberate actions for the sole purpose of self satisfaction at the expense of others. No decent mother would tell a 2 year old they are being selfish for crying for food. To explain that it is your sin nature; and the whole concept of repentance is beyond their grasp until later on; although by nature kids manipulation is often well developed and parents tend to be led toward bargaining and then to the extreme of abusive rebuke as if they are an adult. Neither purpose is effective; of course.
The idea I'm proposing here is how would man have interacted with one another if they hadn't fallen? How would Adam and Eve and their children reacted?
Now that we're redeemed; in the same liine of thinking we should begin to think how we are part of a heavenly army.
Isaiah 13:4 says "Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war.
There are other verses such as Joel 2 and many Psalms that also deal with these concepts. Our future involves interactions with other heavenly Host (such as we see in Hebrews 11); as well as with those physical survivors of the Millennium. We will rule and reign over angels as well as we see in Hebrews 1:14 as well as judge them as 1 Corinthians states.
We have a glorious future. This world is not our home IF we are truly born from above.
Maranatha. RP
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
Without worrying about pre- or post- ideas, I would side with the post- VIEW.
For that is how I believe the word is meant literally.
Acts 7:55-56 - Stephen, before being stoned, saw Jesus at the right hand of God.
Romans 8:34 - Jesus is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
Colossians 3:1 - Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Hebrews 1:3 - After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Mark 16:19 -
"In fact, the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God."
Adeus, friends.
2. The Gospel Messages: Same or Different?
Matthew 4:23 - Jesus preached "the gospel of the kingdom."
Acts 20:24 - Paul speaks of "the gospel of the grace of God."
Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul received his gospel by direct revelation from Christ.
Many assume the Bible presents one unified gospel throughout. But a closer reading reveals distinctions between the gospel of the kingdom (offered to Israel) and the gospel of grace (offered to the Gentiles and the Body of Christ).
Denominational tradition may attempt to blend these messages, creating theological confusion. But by removing those filters and taking Scripture slowly, we see that Paul's message of grace was a new revelation-a "mystery" ( Ephesians 3:1-6), hidden from past ages but revealed through him.
The Role of "Right Division" in Clarity
Paul commands believers to "rightly divide the word of truth" ( 2 Timothy 2:15). This doesn't mean dividing truth from error-it means dividing truth from truth, identifying what applies to Israel and what applies to the Church, the Body of Christ.
Right division isn't about rejecting parts of the Bible-it's about placing them in their proper context, understanding that God has dealt with humanity in different ways throughout time ( Hebrews 1:1-2). It honors the integrity of each passage and avoids blending programs that God intended to remain distinct.
When rightly divided, the Scriptures form a cohesive whole. God's dealings with Israel under the law (Exodus through Malachi) differ from His dealings with the Body of Christ under grace (Romans through Philemon). When we respect those distinctions, confusion clears.
Examples of Clarity Through Slow, Careful Study
The Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 5-7)
Jesus' teaching here emphasizes law-based living, including commands like "cut off your hand" if it causes you to sin and a strict standard of righteousness exceeding that of the Pharisees.
Part 1
I understand this is debated, but this is my understanding.
1 Peter 3:18-20: 18, For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit. This was a once-and-for-all sin offering, as mentioned in Romans 8:3 and Hebrews 9:11-14, to bring us to God so that God can now dwell with humanity through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is God who quickens the dead, as stated in Romans 4:17, by the Spirit. Jesus, being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit. Jesus was dead for three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, the grave/tomb. He was quickened, which means brought back to life, when He was resurrected in His glorified body. Jesus is the first begotten of the dead, Revelation 1:5, the Firstfruits of them that slept, 1 Corinthians 15:20. Sleep, the Greek word koimao, meaning to put to sleep, be dead.
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. By the same Spirit that quickened Jesus, Jesus went and preached/proclaimed to these spirits in prison.
Who are these spirits who were disobedient in the time of Noah? Angels are spirits, Psalm 104:4, Hebrews 1:7. Devils/demons are spirits, familiar spirits, evil spirits, unclean spirits. Humans have a spirit, but are never called spirits. Humans are mortal; the soul who sins will die, and the dead know not anything. Immortality is a gift from God, and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we find our hope for eternal life.
We see this long-suffering in Genesis 6:1-8. 120 years were given for repentance, but we see that only eight souls were saved by the water.
See part 2
In my childhood and youth I have always believed in God. Jesus came a little later when I really had to bend my knees and ask for help. I cried my tears for years afterwards. It was and is so good to come to Jesus. No one can fill the void like Him! First of all, I baptized myself in water because it is a good act of conscience to God. And the whole congregation prayed for me. And nothing happened. Then one morning I sat at the kitchen table. I wanted to try and change was my thought. And there He come, my Savior! I picked up the old Bible I got when I was 12 and read. When I opened the Bible my eyes fell on a scripture that was actually meant for Jesus. I understood that because they are written in italics. I will never forget the experience. I thought there was something wrong with my eyes for the letters and words, yes, it was as if they were on fire. Hebrews 1:5 After that i didnt think so much of it. And continue to read and i got a big desire in my life to read. I became so hungry for the word that I carried the Bible with me in a backpack wherever I went. Because my intention was to give God's word to other hungry people. And I still do it because the Lord is good, He loves me unconditionally. Even though I am unsteady in all my ways. Then I know that He will help me get back on my feet. And the praise I have received from Him in my heart is so liberating. I can do boring things like driving for 2-3 hours. If I praises to Him, everything goes so easily and quickly. All glory to Jesus Christ as all glory should be. Then it is no wonder that love overflows and one wants to share bread with everyone one meets. Here I think it is important not to quench the Spirit. It's not good. Sorry no more space
Hebrews 1:8 - But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
But unto the Son he says ( Psalm 45:6-7), Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: Jesus is being called God!
Hebrews 2:1 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
The word ought is the word necessary. So, it is necessary to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. I'd just like to share a few technical points about the text. First of all, the text itself, where it says the more earnest heed, that means to pay attention. It is a special word. It is a navigational and specific nautical term for ship terminology. The more earnest heed means to bring a ship into the harbor. It means to guide the ship into the harbor where it's going to be stationed.
The King James says lest at any time we should let them slip. Notice the word them is in italics. It's not let them slip, but that we should slip. It is literally lest at any time, we should slip past. It is a nautical term that means to drift past the harbor. So, in one instance, the helmsman is steering the ship into the harbor to its docking station. In another instance, the helmsman is just letting the ship drift past where he's supposed to go in.
He's saying that if you don't have a response to what you're hearing, that's your "take to earnest heed." If you don't make a responsible response, you can be shipwrecked. That's basically what it's all about. Just listening is not enough. We must take the earnest heed, the more special attention to the things that we have heard, lest at any time, we should slip past them like a ship that misses the harbor. He's talking about securing. Make sure you've made that last step, not just listening, but your response is very important!
Hebrews 1:5 - For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
For to which of the angels said he at any time (and this is Psalm 2:7): Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? Some say that begotten means give birth. It's like, how do we get out of this one? It sounds like it contradicts everything I previously shared about the word Son. Well, Psalm 2 is what is called a Coronation Psalm. It is the day in which the Father passes the throne to His Son.
And that's why He's called a Son. He didn't become a Son that day by birth. He became the inheritor of His Father's throne. And His Son is now the King. He became King on that day, His coronation. The word begotten, its root word is also used for creation, which is where we get the term birth. But also, it's used for creating the world. Anything that is generated out is represented by this word. So, when a person becomes King, this word is used.
Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
What is interesting is that this phrase "brings the first begotten into the world" is making reference to His second coming. And the command is let all the angels of God worship Him. You don't worship somebody that's not God. Even Jesus said that in Matthew Chapter 4 when the devil says bow down and worship me and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world. And Jesus said you don't bow down and worship anybody but God. This is the superiority of the preeminence of the Son. He is to be worshipped.
Hebrews 1:4 Continued:
Who being the brightness of His glory. The word brightness is literally translated out beam from the word APAUGASMA which means the out beam of His glory. It can be described by taking a flashlight to the back of a dark room and shining it on a wall at the opposite side of the room. You can get a concept in your mind about what God did when He travelled through and projected Himself through the time/space factor, and took up residency in the person of Christ, yet while being God. APAUGASMA is the same word used for a projector, or for a flashlight shining. As it projects, there's an out beam, and you can see whatever image is being projected. This would be the out beam, and what you see on the slide would be the image.
If you combine APAUGASMA with EICON, which is the word image, it's the same terminology in the Greek language that is talking about your source of light and power remaining the same. This is telling us that Jesus Christ is the projection of God through the time space barrier, and He has taken up residency amongst us as human beings, while never being separate from the source.
This is the function of God. He is the APUAGASMA of His glory, the out beam of glory, the projection of the glory of God through time and space, becoming one of us, while never leaving or being separated from the source, God Himself.
The term for "express image" in Verse 3 is the word CHARAKTER. It's where we get our English word character from. What this is saying is that God has projected Himself through the time/space factor, and the image that was projected is the exact representation and image and substance of God. That's why Jesus said if you've seen me, you've seen the Father. The Father and I are one!
Lastly, His provision. When he had by Himself purged our sins, and the word when is literally translated after. It's an Aorist Participle. Please notice that it says by Himself. Nobody else but Jesus cleansed our sins.
Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Where it says the right hand of the Majesty on high, in the Greek text the word hand is not there. It literally reads He sat down on the right of the majesty on high. This shows a position of authority. He's the inheritor. He's the creator. And He's the ruler of all things.
Hebrews 1:4 - Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Some might call this rank. His rank is above the angels. He's inherited a name that is better than they. The author is not saying that the name Jesus Christ is better than they (even though we know that's true), but he's talking about the name Son.
Of the four comparisons that he makes, the Son is the inheritor of all things. Did any of the prophets inherit the things of God? He's the creator of all things. None of the prophets created the world. He's the ruler of all things. He's now seated in the position of authority, and He is in rank the Son. He's obtained a name that is greater than the angels. So, we have Him as inheritor, creator, ruler, and rank.
If you go back to Verse 3, there are four characteristics of the Son. And these are participles in the text, which means that this Son that sat down on the right of the throne of God, He was in existence at the time, with these four things:
Hebrews 1:2 Continued:
God has spoken to us. His last spokesperson, the last instrument that God used to minister to us, is His Son. It's very important to see the contrast between the superiority of Jesus Christ in comparison to the prophets. Those days are over. There are no more messages to various people. So, upon, or during the last part of the last days, God spoke to us in a Son. There's no more speaking to us through the prophets, or various items. In His Son, He has the last word.
It goes on to say, "by whom also He made the worlds." The word "worlds" is literally the word ages, which denote epics of time, stages of time in history. So, first of all we had Him as the inheritor. Now He is the creator. He's the one through whom God created all things.
John 1:3 tells us that all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. He is the inheritor of all things. He is the creator of all things.
Hebrews 1:2 - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
In these last days seems like it's just another phrase that we see throughout the bible. But in the Greek text, it's literally translated upon the last of these days. It's found in Daniel 10:14 and the Jews would know what it means by the phrase upon the last of these days. The believing Jews knew that we were in the last days, and we still are today. But on the last part of the last days, God has done something different.
Upon the last of these days, God hath spoken to us. And there are two things about the literal translation. The word "by" is the word in. And if you notice in the bible, the word his is in italics. There is no word his in the original text. And then it's the name Son. Why doesn't it say his Son, or in the Son? It's because he's showing contrast of instruments that God uses. When we get to Chapter 2, he will name the Son, who is Jesus Christ.
So, He was in the prophets, speaking at various times, and in various ways, but has upon the last of the last days, spoken to us in Son. What this is saying is that in the last days, the instrument that God uses is not the prophets, not various other ways like a burning bush, but He has upon the last segment of these last days spoken to us in a Son.
(Hebrews Part 1):
Written to Hebrew Christians. The author is unknown. Hebrews was written to warn against apostasy during persecution. The theme of Hebrews is "The just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 1:1 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
It says God, who at sundry times and in divers manners. Sundry times means various times. And in various ways. In other words, in the Old Testament, God worked through progressive revelation. God manifested certain truths about Himself through certain stages of history, and through different people. And not just people, but different things, like the burning bush, or some of these other epiphanies where God revealed Himself through circumstances, and even animals, as far as that's concerned.
So, in many times, and in many ways, God spoke in time past, indicating that He's about ready to tell us that He doesn't do this anymore. He doesn't work this way anymore. In time past, He spoke to the fathers, and that would be the patriarchs. He spoke to the fathers.
And then the key to this, the instruments: by the prophets. The literal translation is not by the prophets, but in the prophets. The Greek text indicates that He wasn't just speaking through them. He was in them. He was in the prophets.
Thank you, I do not mind discussing this topic as you mentioned Hebrews 1:8 and John 17. The reason is that it can create tensions, as many consider it non-debatable and inappropriate for discussion. While there are some denominations labeled as cults, I do not support, or have any part in. We should inspire one another to pray and study God's word with love and a sincere desire for truth, from Genesis to Revelation, acknowledging that all that was, and is, and is to be, was before the world was.
God bless,
RLW
Great verse!
Hebrews 1:8. "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Here's what I gathered from further study on this verse.
The Greek word for God in this verse is "Ho Theos" It is equivalent to Elohim in Hebrew'
Ho Theos is also seen in John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (Ho Theos)
The definite article "ho" () is placed before "theos" to emphasize that God is one and unique, and not just one of many gods.
By the way I visited that Church I mentioned to you a couple weeks ago and I enjoyed the fellowship.
Thanks for your prayers and God bless.
I meant to cite Hebrews 1:8 not John 1:8
Paul warned the church to be not .Ike them that "entered mkt in because of unbelief"
Unbelief is not simply not believing God it's believing another message .
Paul also warned us not to be deceived like Eve. She too believed the wrong message .
When they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years thry were still His people , they had miracles every day twice on Saturday . Their cloths did not wear out . The fire by night and the cloud by day. Yet withall that they were out of the centre of Gods will.
The wilderness was boot camp as it were where civilians become soldiers . It need not have taken any longer as proved by Joshua snd Caleb who were ready .
Is it not about time we believed God ? Is it not written the Bride Christ will come out if the wilderness terrible as an army wuth banners ,leaning upon the arm ( trusting and not upon our own understanding) of her beloved"
The Lord said to be ready " be ye also ready" for we do not know the hour but we know what season we are in .Fir if by Hebrews 1:1 God hath spoken in these last days by His Son over 2000 years ago then those days were clearly "green" if those were green then today it is very dry and ready for the fire .
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
If the above interpretation troubles you, we can see another verse, Hebrews 1:5, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?"
What is meant by "this day I begotten you"? Does it refer to Jesus' physical birth? Lets see how Paul explains it in Acts 13:32-33, "32And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" So it is obvious that Paul considers that that birth" refers to Jesus' resurrection and not to His physical birth.
So lets go back to that "firstborn from the dead". I think it gets quite clear that it means that Jesus is the first to be resurrected from the dead. The rest to be resurrected is God's people, either now spiritually or later physically.
Colossians 1:17 - And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is before all things. That's the word PROS, that means in time and importance. He is before all things. And in Him all things consist. The word consist means held together.
Here's what it is saying: In Christ, all things were created, visible and invisible, heaven and earth. All things were created in Him, and through Him, and for Him. Christ created all things. And He created them for Himself. You and I were created by Him for Him, not for us. You can see how far sin has pulled us away from God, and how much we are so self-centered because of sin, and that all day long, I'm living my life like I want to live my life.
I was created by Him, and I was created for Him and His purposes. And most of the day, I live my life not even realizing that He even exists. But that's the damage that sin has done. And He is before all things, time and importance. And in Him all things are being held together.
It's very interesting how the scientists say that because of the structure of the atom, all material things should just blow apart. They say that there's nothing to hold the atoms together. In fact, they are functioning in such a way that they should repel each other. And I find it interesting that scientists cannot explain what holds the atom together. I have even heard of them saying it is due to some sort of "atomic glue."
But in reality, the bible says that Christ is holding all things together. One day He's just going to let go and it will be all over. In Him, all things are held together. Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that all the ages are being carried along by the word of God. God is propelling history!
Of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 9:6,7 (an Old Testament Prophecy); Micah 5:2 & John 1:1-14 (from everlasting); Matthew 1:22,23; Mark 2:5-7; John 8:56-58; John 16: 27,28; John 17:4,5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-10; 1 John 5:7; 1 John 5:20.
Of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31; Luke 1:34,35; Luke 11:13; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:4; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:6.
The above are a few Scriptures that point to the deity of Jesus Christ & God's Spirit: all showing that they don't work independently from God, but have been sent out from God, from God's Being, to accomplish His Purposes in the world. And we know that Jesus, as the Word of God clothed with humanity, is the very expression of God to the world ( John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2). Hope these will help you in your study of this very important doctrine. Blessings.
COGIC WORSHIP1 Corinthians 15:3-4:Jesus Christ is God that is a motif & descriptor of sonship and creation and
Divinity.I Worship a God that is God and Word of significant and of all IMPRINT and seal of God's nature. A God that you can do all things through his son- Philippians 4:13KJV.
But my thoughts turned to several Scriptures, some of which are Acts 7:55,56; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22, etc., that certainly do imply Jesus' Divine Power & Authority, but I can't help but read of a positional aspect to it. When the words, 'seated or standing' are given, I think most of us would immediately see this aspect of Christ's 'physical' position as well (not to say, that Jesus doesn't move about in Heaven). How would you say that we should view such verses, especially the one where Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, was steadfastly ('atenizo': eyes affixed) on this wonder seeing the Risen Lord at God's right Hand? Even in this verse, & others, do we need to apply the 'right hand' as only to that of 'power & authority' & not of position? Thanks & blessings.
Welcome to the site!
You asked;
"Are there prophets that exist in today's world aside from having the gift of prophecy? Or are they one in the same?
I believe if one "must" have the gift of prophecy to be a Prophet.
No the question is, are Prophets around today.
I would say No.
Here's what Paul in Ephesians 2:20 says about the Church of God.
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Before the Canon of scripture was completed the prophet proclaimed a message from the Lord in the OT and to the early believers.
Today we have the completed revelation from God in the Bible.
Does God reveal truth to someone in a way and enable that person to deliver that message to others? Yes! He does this to all of us.
However, That doesn't make us a foretelling Prophet.
Compare what is said to what the Word of God says. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible then it us written before hand and it's not a foretelling supernatural message.
Hebrews 1:1-2 reads, " God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
I hope this helps.
God bless.
I note that you have given those words different meanings. So in my understanding, I don't believe that 'Trinity' speaks of three individuals or three gods, but the One God Who expresses Himself in the ways we read of in the Bible: and that is by His Spirit & by His Word. And both are fully within the Godhead revealing God to us in His Fullness.
The Spirit & the Word do not 'operate' independently, using their own Will or purposes to accomplish their tasks. All that the Word has accomplished, whether at the first by revelation to the prophets ( Hebrews 1:1), and now made flesh ( John 1:1,14) to be called the Son of God ( Hebrews 1:2), is what I understand from the Scriptures.
Likewise, the Spirit of God was sent out to infill people to understand & proclaim God's Word and now to baptize repentant sinners who have turned to God through faith in Jesus Christ. That the Word & the Spirit have been sent out by the Father, doesn't mean that God is now deficient in any way, remaining helpless, but all that the Father speaks & accomplishes is done by Himself alone by His Word & Spirit. I hope that I have given you a clear understanding of my position on this doctrine.
4Whatsoever is born of GOD overcometh the world:and this is the victory that overcometh the world,even our faith.
5Who is he that overcometh the world,but he that believeth that JESUS is the Son of GOD?
6JESUS is He that came by water and blood,even JESUS Christ;not by water only,but by water(John7:38-39;8:51and11:26),
and blood-understand?( Philippians 2:7-11).
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,because the Spirit is Truth.
GOD,the Word,is Spirit- John 6:63.The Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing,understand?
7There are three that testify in heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8),the Father-GOD the Father-,the Word-the Word made flesh-JESUS-,and the Holy Spirit(who is not a ghost as is written in English language,but a person-the Paraclete,the Comfort):and these three are One.
18We-the TRUE believers-know that whosoever is born of GOD sinneth not;but he that is begotten of GOD keepeth himself,and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19And we know that we are of GOD-understand?-,and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20And we know that the Son of GOD is come,and hath given us an understanding,that we may know Him that is true,and we are in Him that is true,even in His Son Jesus Christ.This is the true GOD,and eternal life.
Hebrews 1:1-3
1GOD,who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son,whom He hath appointed heir of all things,by whom also He made the worlds;
3Who being the brightness of His glory,and the EXPRESS IMAGE(WORD MADE FLESH)of the Person of GOD,and upholding all things by the Word of His power,when He had by Himself purged our sins,sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Revelation 11:15-18 &1Corinthians15:24-27
15...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,and of his Christ;and He shall reign for ever and ever.
18And the NATIONS will be angry, and GOD's WRATH is come...
Be careful and Get ready
Thank you, brother, I know we have discussed it before and I think we both respect and care for each other as brothers. I will try not to rehash that discussion forgive me if there is some overlap, but could Christ have sinned your answer is no, I will just use this verse James 1:13, your answer, according to this verse He could not even have been tempted but Jesus was tempted or tested and Jesus stayed obedient to the Father. Temptation or testing is for an answer to whether someone will be obedient or disobedient, Romans 5:19.
1 Timothy 3:16 the word manifest is the Greek word phanero meaning to make visible, make clear. Jesus did that. In the flesh, I ask when did this happen? Did this happen when Mary conceived or when Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and became the Messiah/Christ?
Hebrews 1:1-3 God spoke to us by His Son every word Jesus said was the word of God, not His. Jesus shunned Philip when he asked Jesus to show them the Father, John 14:9-10, every word Jesus said was the Father.
As I have said when God placed Adam in the garden he did not have a sinful nature but he sinned and was disobedient. Jesus was not conceived by man but by the Holy Ghost, Jesus did not have the sinful nature past down by the first Adam, but He was obedient and did not sin.
I did not say anything about the cross but after Jesus prayed in the garden asking the Father if there was any other way Jesus was obedient to the end, being beaten, nailed to the cross, and giving His life for us.
If the first Adam was created with a sinful nature could God say He saw everything He had made, and it was very good? This sinful nature has a sentence of death, and it was after Adam ate the fruit that it was applied, and it spread to all. Adam was the figure of him that was to come, Jesus, the last Adam who by His obedience we have hope. How can one be obedient if they cannot be disobedient? To say Jesus was sinless and obedient becomes a farce.
God bless,
RLW
Angels are redeemed men, now in the kingdom of God, made ONE FLESH with Christ, the angel of God, by the death and resurrection of Christ, the angel of God's presence.
Isaiah 63:9 And in all their (man kinds) affections, he (Christ) was afflicted, and the angel (Christ) of HIS (the father's) presence SAVED THEM: in his (the Father's) love and in his (the Father's) pity, he redeemed them (by sacrificing his son), and carried them all the days of old.
Hebrews 1:17 ...Who maketh his angels SPIRITS, and his ministers (messengers) a flame of fire.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the SPIRIT (his angels) might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
God Bless You
Yes, Notwithstanding SHE (Eve, Christ's wife), by allegory, the Church of the Lord JESUS, shall BE SAVED in child bearing..... generating children for the Kingdom of GOD, through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of GOD's Kingdom. This has already lasted around 2000 years or two GOD's Day: Hebrews 1:1-3
1 GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days (last two GOD's Days-from the beginning of the fifth Day unto the END of the sixth Day)spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE(image by written) His Person(Person of GOD), and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
It's wonderful, what GOD really has revelead unto His people( Ephesians 1:3-8) makes us to fly high toward the third heaven ( Luke 20:35-36 combined with Revelation 4:1), the OT and NT are like two mighty wings to catch us and carry us to the third heaven- Luke 20:35-36 combined with John 14:3 and 17:24, and 2Corinthians 12:2-4, among many other biblical references, take a look. It's Wonderful, Indescribable, Unspeakable, ineffable. Hallelujaaaah!!!
GOD BLESS
Matthew 28:19
John 10:30
Colossians 2:8-9
Hebrews 1:8
1 John 5:20
John 10:30
etc
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