God the Father – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Sun, 23 Aug 2026 01:34:23 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png God the Father – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 How are the Father and Jesus related? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/how-are-the-father-and-jesus-related/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:01:44 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=96731

Question:

Dear Brethren in Christ,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope this email finds you in good health and spirit.

Recently, certain doctrinal questions have arisen within our congregation. Some members are concerned that our local preacher's teachings regarding the nature and deity of Christ differ from what has traditionally been taught and believed in many churches of Christ in the area.

Because of the confusion these matters have caused, we would greatly appreciate your biblical insight and comments on the following points.

Is Jesus God?

Our local preacher teaches that Jesus is not only the Son of God but is also God. In support of this position, he cites passages such as Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; and I John 5:20.

The common belief in many churches of Christ in my region is that Jesus is the Son of God but is not God Himself.

Could you please provide your biblical understanding and comments on this matter?

Is Jesus Jehovah, or Does He Share in the Divine Identity of Jehovah?

Our local preacher teaches that Jesus is Jehovah or shares in Jehovah's divine identity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He cites Hebrews 11:26; Matthew 12:28; I Corinthians 10:9; Psalms 102:25–27 with Hebrews 1:10–12; Psalm 89:8–9; Mark 4:39; Isaiah 6; and John 12:41.

He also refers to the article "Is Jesus Jehovah?" to support his view.

For many decades, the churches in my region have generally understood Jehovah to refer exclusively to the Father. Consequently, this teaching has generated considerable discussion and confusion among our brethren.

Would you kindly provide your comments and biblical perspective on this subject?

Is Jesus Worthy of Worship?

Our local preacher teaches that Jesus is worthy of worship. He cites passages such as Romans 9:5 and Revelation 7:10.

The common belief in many churches of Christ in my region is that worship should be directed only to the Father, based on passages such as John 4:23–24.

Could you please explain your understanding of this matter from Scripture?

Does God Have a Triune Nature?

Our local preacher teaches that God is triune in nature (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). He cites Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, and I John 5:7 (NKJV).

The churches in my region do not traditionally hold the doctrine of the Trinity. Rather, we believe that God is one, namely the Father.

Would you please share your biblical assessment of this teaching?

We sincerely desire to understand the Scriptures correctly and to preserve unity in the truth. Therefore, we would be grateful for any biblical guidance, explanations, or resources you can provide regarding these matters.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Answer:

Before we begin, let's establish that it doesn't matter what has been traditionally taught or what the preacher says. The only thing that matters is what the Lord says, since He is the head of the church. "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23).

I couldn't help but notice that while you listed verses that your preacher used to prove his position, you have no verses used by the brethren in your region to prove their position. That should be a warning sign.

Is Jesus God?

John begins his book with this statement: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:1-4). John claims that the Word was both with God and was God. In order to be "with" requires multiple beings; hence, we conclude that God is composed of more than one being. We also see that the Word was completely involved in all creation; therefore, the Word cannot Himself be created.

Continuing in John, we read, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:10-12, 14). Here we read that the Word came in the flesh to dwell among men. The Word is Jesus Christ.

Therefore, John answers the question. See "Is Jesus God?" for additional details. The passages your preacher used also establish this point.

Is Jesus Jehovah, or Does He Share in the Divine Identity of Jehovah?

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Jesus wears the same names as the Father even though they are separate beings. Before Jesus' birth, it was prophesied that one of his names would be Immanuel. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which translated means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:23). Yet, the LORD (Jehovah) stated in the past: "'You are My witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me'" (Isaiah 43:10-11). There is no God or Savior but Jehovah, yet Jesus is God and Savior (Titus 2:13). Thus, Jesus is a part of the Godhead.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him" (Colossians 1:15-19).

"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority" (Colossians 2:9-10).

In other words, Christ, while he was here on earth, completely represented God. This was by the Father's design. Jesus exists in the form of God.

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

Therefore, yes, Jesus is Jehovah and so is the Father. See "Jesus Is God" for more details.

Is Jesus Worthy of Worship?

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.' And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.'And the four living creatures kept saying, 'Amen.' And the elders fell down and worshiped" (Revelation 5:9-14).

Angels and men refuse worship, but Jesus received worship without rebuke.

"And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, 'And let all the angels of God worship him'" (Hebrews 1:6)

See also Matthew 2:11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 28:9, 17; Mark 5:6; Luke 24:52; John 9:38. For more on this topic, see "God Was Manifest in the Flesh," "Jesus' Deity While on Earth," and "The Deity of Christ."

Does God Have a Triune Nature?

See "The Trinity: God is Three in One."

Question:

Thank you for the clarification, Brother Jeffrey.

It was a helpful clarification. As you rightly pointed out, my earlier email did not emphasize what our brethren say that contradicts our preacher's teaching.

Our brethren's position on the points:

Is Jesus God?

Our brethren quote I Corinthians 8:6, "yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." They say God is the Father only, and Jesus is limited to being Lord (King).

Another verse they quote is Mark 15:34, "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is translated, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'" They argue that Jesus cried out to the Father, showing that Jesus is dependent on Him.

They also cite Ephesians 1:17, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." Their conclusion is that the Father is God even to Jesus.

Is Jesus worthy of worship?

Our brethren refer to John 4:23, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him," and say that Jesus Himself directed the Samaritan woman to worship the Father, not Himself.

Is Jesus Jehovah?

Our brethren quote Isaiah 53:6, "All of us, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the wrongdoing of us all to fall on Him," and say that this verse differentiates between the Father and Jesus. They point to verse 10 of the same chapter as further support.

The triune nature of God

Our brethren say that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct and are not the same.

If you have some time, please clarify the above verses.

Answer:

We know that there is a distinction between the roles of the Father and the Son. "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:3). Since a man has headship over a woman and men are human, do we conclude that women are not human? Of course not! Since the Father has headship over the Son, we cannot conclude that the Son is not God. All we are told is that there is an order of authority, with the Father at the head. Mark 15:34 simply demonstrates the order of authority, but it does not prove that Jesus is not God. "In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:7-9).

"But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, 'All things are put in subjection,' it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all" (I Corinthians 15:23-28). This passage also indicates a hierarchy within the Godhead.

"Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled" (I Corinthians 8:4-7).

Thus, I Corinthians 8:6 does tell us that Jesus is Lord, but this does not mean he is not also deity. It is no different than Ephesians 4:4-6, which tells us that there is one Spirit, one Lord, and one God, the Father. While they are separate beings, they are all deity and are the one God we worship.

Paul is contrasting the true God with the gods of heathen idolatry. The gods of the idols don't exist. The idols represent multiple deities that are often in conflict with one another. For Christians, there is one God. The idols are not real to Christians. Within the Godhead, there is the God, the Father, from whom all the universe derives its existence, and we exist for His purpose. There is also Jesus Christ, the Lord. He was involved in creating all things and sustains His creation. Paul also said similar things in his letter to the Colossians:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him" (Colossians 1:15-19).

Regarding John 4:23, Jesus does state that the Father seeks people to worship Him. However, your brethren are adding more by claiming that Jesus implied that he was not to be worshiped. That is not stated in this passage, nor is it implied. I already showed that Jesus did receive worship; therefore, your brethren's conclusion contradicts what the Bible states.

As I also already pointed out. The designation "Yahweh" (or Jehovah) is applied to both the Father and the Son, just as "Lord" is applied to both, though it is applied to the Son more often. This does not prove that the Son is not God.

I have never said that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are the same being. They are distinct beings that work together in absolute unity. They are God both as a group and individually. They all have the same eternal nature.

]]> 96731 Who Is God? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/who-is-god/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:17:00 +0000 http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=1365
Who Is God? (Part 1) Who Is God? - Part 2

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 145

 

I.         You run into many strange ideas in the world concerning God

            A.        We have people stating that there is only one being called God

                        1.         The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that His name is Jehovah

                        2.         There are Pentecostal sects who claim he is Jesus

                        3.         I haven’t run across any that claim He is only the Holy Spirit, but I would not be surprised that they exist somewhere.

            B.        There are those who claim the Father and Son, but say the Spirit is just the spirit of one of those two.

II.        God is three beings

            A.        Genesis 1:26 - Notice the use of plural pronouns in reference to God

                        1.         This is not a use of the royal “we.”

                        2.         Kings in the Bible used singular pronouns in reference to themselves. I Kings 8:17-21 is an example.

                        3.         The word for God in the Hebrew is a plural noun

                                    a.         A noun in singular form that refers to multiple things.

                                    b.         Similar to words like “herd” or “flock.”

                        4.         By itself, we cannot determine how many beings make up God.

            B.        Matthew 3:16-17 - Notice this is a reference to three separate beings in separate locations doing different actions.

            C.        Baptism occurs in the name (or authority) of three - Matthew 28:19

            D.        Three are also named in II Corinthians 13:14.

            E.        God, the Father

                        1.         God is our Father because we are His creation - Isaiah 64:8

                        2.          Jesus taught us to pray to the Father - Matthew 6:9

                        3.         The Father resides in heaven while Jesus was here on earth - Matthew 7:11

                        4.         The Father is God - John 6:27

                        5.         There is but one Father and the Lord Jesus is separate from Him - I Corinthians 8:5-6

            F.        God, the Son

                        1.         John 1:1-3 - The Word was both with God and was God

                                    a.         If ever there is a verse that proves God is made of multiple beings, it is this one.

                        2.         John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among man – Jesus the Christ.

                        3.         Jesus’ name, “Immanuel” means “God with us” - Matthew 1:23

                        4.         Calling himself the Son of God was making himself equal to God - John 5:18

                        5.         Jesus is God, over all, and blessed - Romans 9:5

            G.        God, the Spirit

                        1.         From the very beginning we see reference to the Spirit of God - Genesis 1:2

                        2.         He, too, dwells in heaven since Jesus sent Him from there - John 16:7-8

                                    a.         This proves that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit

                        3.         John 14:16-17 - Nor can the Spirit be the Father

                        4.         We are the temple of God with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us - I Corinthians 6:19

                        5.         Lying to the Spirit is lying to God - Acts 5:3-4

                        6.         Demons were cast out by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28) or by the finger of God (Luke 11:20)

III.       God is One

            A.        Each is one in count - Ephesians 4:4-6

            B.        The disciples are to be one as God and the Son are one. - John 17:20-21

                        1.         Being one does not mean there is only one disciple

                        2.         Being one does not mean we lose our individual characteristics

            C.        Jesus and his Father are one - John 10:30

                        1.         To see Jesus is to see the Father - John 14:8-11

                        2.         Yet Jesus is not the same as his Father, as he speaks of going to the Father - John 14:12-13

            D.        The concept should not be difficult for us.

                        1.         We speak of men and women becoming one in marriage - Matthew 19:4-6

                        2.         We speak of companies as a single entity, though they are made up of many people. And when the CEO speaks, often it is report that the company made an announcement.

            E.        There is only one God - I Corinthians 8:4

                        1.         Even though later Paul speaks of both the Father and the Son - I Corinthians 8:6

            F.        There is not a separate God for Jew and Gentile - Romans 3:29-30

                        1.         There is not a Jewish God, a Muslim God, and a Christian God. There is only one God.

            G.        God is only one - Galatians 3:20

IV.      The Roles within the Godhead

            A.        The role of the Father

                        1.         John 14:28 - The Father has supreme authority

                        2.         Jesus reigns until he gives the kingdom to his Father - I Corinthians 15:27-28

                        3.         As the ultimate authority, the Father knows more than the Son - Mark 13:32

                        4.         My grandfather used to use builder terms to describe the Godhead.

                                    a.         The Father is described as the owner because everything belongs to Him.

                                    b.         This is also why the Father is sometimes just called God because ultimately He is the head.

            B.        The role of the Son

                        1.         The very term “Son” shows the submission of the Jesus to the Father.

                        2.         The world was made for and by Jesus - Hebrews 1:2,10

                        3.         Through Jesus the world holds together - Colossians 1:16-17

                        4.         Using our building illustration, Jesus is the architect.

                        5.         Jesus was sent by God into this world - John 6:38

                                    a.         Even though he is equal to God, he submitted to the Father’s will - Philippians 2:5-11

                                    b.         He did so to set us free from Satan’s power - Hebrews 2:14-18

                                    c.         He was the author (or captain) of our salvation - Hebrews 2:10

                                    d.         Therefore he became the head of his people, the church - Ephesians 5:23

            C.        The role of the Spirit

                        1.         The Spirit is the moving force of God

                                    a.         We see him shaping the world according to God’s will - Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30

                                    b.         In our construction illustration, the Spirit is the builder

                        2.         He was sent by Jesus after Jesus left this world - John 16:7

                        3.         His purpose is listed in John 16:8-14

                                    a.         He would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment

                                    b.         He would guide the apostles into all truth

                                    c.         Like the Son, he would only speak what He is directed to say

                                    d.         He will glorify Jesus

                        4.         He is the guarantee of our salvation - Ephesians 1:13-14

                                    a.         The written word, our Bible, comes by the Spirit.

                                    b.         It is the Bible that contains the promise of our salvation.

                                    c.         It was the work of the Spirit to confirm that promise

                                    d.         He is the witness of our salvation - Romans 8:16-17

                        5.         Blasphemy (willful rejection) of the Spirit is more dangerous than rejecting the Son - Matthew 12:32

V.        The difficulty is that the word “God” can refer to the three – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – working together as one, or it can refer to the Father.

            A.        It is the context that defines the term and in many cases it doesn’t matter if we are talking of the Father only or the Godhead.

            B.        People have a tough time with the concept, but only because they want to simplify the concept of God.

            C.        But a God whom we could simply describe could not be the God who created more than we can understand.

            D.        Sometimes it is easier to accept the facts as presented.

]]> 1365 Like Father https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/like-father/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:40:57 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=88998

by David Gibson

My finite mind soon reaches the end of its tether when I try to comprehend God, the eternal, invisible, all-powerful, all-knowing Maker of all things.

  • By observing the wonders of His handiwork in nature, we get glimpses into His wisdom and power (Romans 1:18-20),
  • To learn more, we turn to the Old Testament, which reveals His holiness, power, and character.
  • But when we come to the first four books of the New Testament, we are equipped with a new “lens” through which to see God much more clearly.

The night before Jesus died, Philip asked Him, “‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father’” (John 14:8-9). Earlier, He had said, “whoever sees me sees him who sent me” (John 12:45).

Paul calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).

The writer of Hebrews says Jesus is “the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3).

“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known” (John 1:18).

So the more we study Jesus, the better we can understand the One He so beautifully and perfectly reflects. Jesus shares His Father’s values, love, and compassion.

Jesus is not only the lens through which we can see God, but is also our bridge to God (John 14:6). “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). Jesus came not just to help us know more about God, but also to bring us into a dynamic fellowship with the Father (Hebrews 9:24; I John 2:1).

He stands in the gap.

]]> 88998 Is Jesus Equal to or Lesser than the Father? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/is-jesus-equal-to-or-lesser-than-the-father/ Fri, 29 Nov 2024 21:31:11 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=80635

by William J. Stewart

Question:

In John 10:30, the apostle pens the words of Jesus, “I and My Father are one.” Again, Jesus’ words are recorded in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” Has Jesus contradicted Himself?

Answer:

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I and my Father are one”? The questioner has read into the Scripture that Jesus said He was equal to the Father regarding their authority. Such is not the case. In the very text, Jesus declares that the Father “...is greater than all...” (John 10:29). Throughout His ministry, Jesus affirmed that the Father was greater than He. In John 5:19, Jesus states, “...I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” Later in the same text, He says, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just: because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

How, then, are the Christ and the Father “one”? In John 17:11, Jesus prays for His disciples, saying, “...that they may be one, as we are one.” Again, in John 17:22-23, Jesus says, “...that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one...” This same word, “one,” is used in Galatians 2:28, where the apostle Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” How are they one? In nature. Just as Jews, Greeks, slaves, free men, and women are all one in nature -- Christian -- so the Father and Son are one in nature -- God. That does not mean they are equal in their exercise of authority. Some in the church were placed in positions of greater responsibility and authority (i.e., apostles, prophets, elders, teachers). However, they are still “...one in Christ Jesus” with the rest. The Father is greater than the Son in authority, but they are equal in nature -- both are deity. There is no contradiction.

]]> 80635 How can Christ be equal to the Father when he submitted to the Father? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/how-can-christ-be-equal-to-the-father-when-he-submitted-to-the-father/ Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:54:40 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=55138

Question:

I read the article, 'Who was the angel that Jacob wrestled with at Jabbok?', and I was a bit confused. If Christ was called a messenger of God before he took a lower form (Philippians 2:6-8), how can we argue objectively with the Jehovah's Witnesses that he is equal to God?

In I Corinthians 15, it says that Christ will be subject to God. If He is to be subject to God even after his ascension, how do we convince the Jehovah's Witnesses of his equality with the Father? I read an article on La Vista's website that said that the love of Christ may be more unfathomable than we first thought -- that Christ is willing to be subject to the Father for eternity for us. It kind of confuses me. If Christ still remains subject to God, is it to the Father alone or to the Father and the Comforter? Is there any need to still remain subject if all of God's enemies are defeated? Why not revert to how they were before the creation of the world? I always thought that was what was meant by "God will be all in all."

Answer:

I delayed answering this question because you claimed to have read things on this website that I am certain do not appear. I tried looking for something that might have been misunderstood, but I can't even find anything similar to what you claim to have read.

All Christians are to be subject to each other (Ephesians 5:21), but that doesn't make some Christians less than other Christians.

The Bible tells us that husbands and wives are equal in regard to salvation (I Peter 3:7; Galatians 3:28). However, the Bible also teaches that wives are to be in subjection to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22). Therefore, a hierarchy of authority does not make a person greater or lesser. There are simply different roles being fulfilled.

"But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:2).

Paul is stating a fact -- one that has always been true.

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

Jesus left his position as God to take on the form of a lesser being -- man. Jesus did not cease being God (see Jesus Is God!). He released what was due him as God to serve and then took up his glory when he returned.

 

Question:

Good morning sir,

I am sorry for the mix-up. It was not on the La Vista Church of Christ website that I saw it. It was on the Christian Courier, another website by members of the Lord's church. The article was titled A Brief Study of the Angel of Jehovah.

Even though it wasn't on your website, I would be grateful if you would answer: Why was Jesus referred to as a messenger in his pre-incarnate form? Could it be that he took on a lower form (Philippians 2:6) more than once?

Answer:

I can't fully answer your question because the Bible doesn't give us full information. A number of people speculate that the Angel of the Lord was the Son of God. I'm personally inclined to the position, but I keep in mind that it is built on some guesswork. For instance, it could have been the Holy Spirit.

A second problem is an assumption that serving as a messenger makes the messenger a lower form. The word "angel" translates the Hebrew word (mal'akh) for "messenger." There is a set of spiritual beings that we call angels who serve as messengers for God. However, someone can act as a messenger without being an angel. When the context clearly indicates that the messenger was human, then it is translated as "messenger" (e.g. Genesis 32:3; Numbers 20:14). We don't say that the people sent by Jacob to deliver a message were lesser beings than Jacob. They served Jacob in that matter, so they had lesser authority, but they were not lesser beings. It comes down to the fact that we know that the Angel of the Lord delivered messages, but we are not told what kind of being he was.

Response:

Thank you.

]]> 55138 The Godhead Dwells in Us https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-godhead-dwells-in-us/ Wed, 23 Jun 2021 03:15:36 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=36070

by Whit Sasser

God Dwells in Christians

  • II Corinthians 6:16
  • Ephesians 4:6
  • Philippians 2:13
  • I John 4:12-16

Christians Dwell in God

  • I John 4:15-16

Christ Dwells in Christians

  • Colossians 3:11
  • John 6:56
  • John 15:4-5
  • John 17:23, 26
  • Galatians 2:20
  • Galatians 4:19
  • II Corinthians 4:10-11
  • II Corinthians 13:5
  • Ephesians 3:17
  • Romans 8:20
  • Philippians 1:20

Christians Dwell in Christ

  • John 6:56
  • John 15:4-7
  • II Corinthians 5:17
  • Galatians 3:27
  • Colossians 2:6-7

The Holy Spirit Dwells in Christians

  • Romans 8:9-11
  • I Corinthians 6:19
  • II Timothy 1:14
  • Galatians 4:6
  • I Thessalonians 4:8
  • Ephesians 3:16

Christians Dwell in the Holy Spirit

  • Galatians 5:25
  • Revelation 1:10
]]> 36070 Is the Father the only true God? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/is-the-father-the-only-true-god/ Sat, 22 Feb 2020 18:24:15 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=20349

Question:

In Do You Believe in Three Gods or One? it is stated:

We believe in the one true and living God because the Bible teaches it.

Jesus identifies who the "one true and living God" is in John 17:3 which states in the King James Version:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Notice that the Father is identified as the "the only true God" which leaves Jesus out of the picture as "the only true God." If we go to John 10:31-38 (verse 36 in particular) we see Jesus defending Himself as God. If we keep to the true definition of the Greek word theos, we can see why Jesus is not "the only true God" and still God.

Theos = deity John 10:36
Theos = Supreme Being John 17:3
Theos = Your definition is NOT FOUND!!!

Nowhere is there any definition of the Greek word Theos meaning a group of individuals being collectively called god. We can also see in Scripture that this concept is not held up, but the contrary in John 20:17:

Jesus told her, "Don't hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

By your understanding of what god is, then how can a part of god do to another part of god, when Jesus states clearly that He is going to "My God." What He is doing is using the second definition of the Greek word theos or putting it another way, He is going to The Supreme Being, His Supreme Being.

When Christianity came along, it was an apostate of the Jewish religion, or as the Jews saw it. To separate themselves further from the Christians, they accepted the concept of following one god. You yourself brought up passages in the Old Testament that indicate more than one God, which they also saw. For some heavy reading on this see Alan Segal's book "Two Powers in Heaven." He starts out with the concept of good and evil, which you have to go through before he deals with the fact that the Jews did believe in two Gods, often referred to as "Two Powers in Heaven." This was understood by the New Testament Jews, which is why they didn't have any problems with passages like John 1:1, where we find two different individuals as being a God in and of themselves.

If you do any further study on this subject, you will also find that the early Church didn't believe in the Trinity as well. It wasn't in their artwork or songs until about the third century. So the definition of the Greek word theos and history doesn't support the Trinity in any way shape or form. Before you try to explain the Trinity as a fact with Scripture, you have to deal with passages that only state The Father as the Only True God and never Jesus or The Holy Spirit, like John 17:3. Jesus said it, I believe it and you should also.

Answer:

"We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (I John 5:19-21).

John ends his letter by stating three things that we are confident about:

  1. The person born of God does not continue in sin. God guards him so that Satan cannot hold him in sin. This is not to say that a child of God cannot sin (I John 1:8,10), but that Satan cannot keep a child of God in sin against that child's will (James 4:7).
  2. The person born of God belongs to God. In contrast, the rest of the world is in the clutches of Satan. The child of God is not under the influence of Satan as is the rest of the world (Romans 6:3-7).
  3. The person born of God has a way to escape the world of sin and gain eternal life. Jesus came into the world to teach us so that we can know God who is the personification of truth. The child of God has confidence that he is in fellowship with the true God because we are in Jesus (Galatians 3:27). This one, John declares, is the true God and the source of eternal life.

Because of these three things, we must stay away from idols, which are not true gods.

The ending of I John bookends the beginning of the same letter.

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life -- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. ... This is the true God and eternal life" (I John 1:1-4; 5:20).

Both the Father and the Son are the true God and the source of eternal life. This is the same message Jesus gave while on earth.

"Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.  This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was" (John 17:1-5).

Like I John 5:18-21, Jesus is not saying "the only true God" in contrast to himself but in contrast to all the idolatry that exists on earth.  Notice particularly John 17:5 where Jesus calls on the Father to glorify him together with Himself. It is significant when you realize that God said:

"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images" (Isaiah 42:8).

"For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; for how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another" (Isaiah 48:11).

It is true that in John 10:31-38 Jesus points out that it is proper to refer to as God those representing God by applying God's teachings (from Psalms 82, see Ye Are Gods). He then claims that it should not be a point of contention for Jesus to claim to be the Son of God and united with the Father. If fact, the book of John begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men" (John 1:1-4). Jesus (the Word) was both with God and was God at the same time! Yet you claimed that there is no example of theos being used to refer to a group. Clearly what we have here is selective use of passages to create an illusion. For more evidence that Jesus is God, see Jesus Is God.

The claim that the Jews saw that there were two Gods in competition -- a good God and an evil God -- is a falsehood, unsupported by the teachings of the Old Testament. Your claim that the Jews would have no problem with John 1:1; and yet, would stone Jesus in John 10 because he stated he was the Son of God and one with the Father is in contradiction to the facts.

]]> 20349 Did God or Christ lead Israel? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/did-god-or-christ-lead-israel/ Thu, 18 Apr 2019 19:31:50 +0000 http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=4084

Question:

Hi Mr. Jeffrey,

I was reading this article: Immorality: The Forbidden Territory, and found this statement:

"The Israelites even had Christ on their side! How often do we quote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)? The Israelites’ access to Christ did not allow most of them to reach heaven."

Is this right or did you mistakenly say Christ when you meant God? I read it and it seems odd to me.

Thank you.

Answer:

"For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ" (I Corinthians 10:1-4).

Paul is stating that while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, they partook of blessings from Christ, as symbolized by the rock from which they received water. Too often when we read of God being involved, we assume that it was just God the Father, but the text does not limit it to just one part of the Godhead. Paul is helping us understand that the Son was there guiding and aiding the Israelites along with the Father and the Spirit. Christ is the spiritual rock (Matthew 16:18) that followed Israel and sustained them.

In another letter Paul stated:

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 NASB).

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

Some of the manuscripts have the additional word "Christ" added to the verse and many scholars believe that this was a marginal note to explain "him" that got copied into the text. That Paul was speaking of Christ can be seen by going back to Philippians 4:10, "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity." It is similar to another statement of Paul's: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service" (I Timothy 1:12). Thus, whether "Christ" was added to Philippians 4:13 or not, the meaning remains exactly the same.

 

]]> 4084 Did Jesus always have all authority? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/did-jesus-always-have-all-authority/ Tue, 09 Apr 2019 22:09:42 +0000 http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=3929

Question:

In Matthew's 28:18, why was all authority given to Jesus? Did he not have all authority already? And in I Corinthians it says that He will give all authority back to his Father. Please explain this to me.

Answer:

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18).

"When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all" (I Corinthians 15:28).

While Jesus was on earth, he left his position of glory to take on the form of a man. "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11). He learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8). His task was to do the Father's will and not his own (John 6:38). This is well illustrated by his prayer before his death: "And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will'" (Matthew 26:39).

Because of his obedience, God, the Father, turned everything over to the Son. "For He has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when He says, 'All things are put in subjection,' it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him" (I Corinthians 15:27). Thus, the Father remains the ultimate authority (I Corinthians 11:3), but currently, the Son runs everything on behalf of God.

When this world ends, the Son will turn this authority back over to the Father, but it will not happen until death is abolished. "For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet" (I Corinthians 15:25). Even then, the Son remains above everything else. "... which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Ephesians 1:20-23).

Even prior to Jesus' death, Jesus spoke of receiving this authority because it was going to be accomplished through him. Nothing would prevent his mission.

  • "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father" (Matthew 11:27).
  • "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand" (John 3:35).
  • "Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life'" (John 17:1-2).

As the Father ordered: "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5).

]]> 3929 Why does Jesus say the Father is greater than him if they are equal and Jesus is God? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/why-does-jesus-say-the-father-is-greater-than-him-if-they-are-equal-and-jesus-is-god/ Sat, 23 Nov 2013 01:48:00 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=41054

Question:

Why does Jesus say in John 14:28 the Father is greater than him if they are equal and Jesus is God?

Answer:

That Jesus is God is clearly declared by John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). To be simultaneous with God and be God requires understanding that God is not a singular being. Jesus fully represented God while here on earth. "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). And Paul also stated that while in heaven Jesus was equal to God. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:5-7). That prior to coming to earth in the form of man, Jesus was in the form of God -- indicating that he is deity. Commenting on the word "equal" Albert Barnes noted, "Compare to John 5:18. "Made himself equal with God." The phrase means one who sustains the same rank, dignity, nature."

But equality does not mean exactly the same in everything a person might imagine. The fact that two are under consideration, there are some differences. This shouldn't be surprising. In the United States, all citizens are considered equal. I might be equal to the president, but clearly, the president is greater than I am and has information that I do not have because of his position. My wife and I are equals (I Peter 3:7; Galatians 3:28); but I am stronger physically and, as head of the family and a man, I hold a different position (I Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23). In other words, one can be equal in many or even most ways and still not be equal in all ways. To declare two people equal implies some measurement or criteria is being considered, but it doesn't imply that equality applies to every aspect.

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are all equally deity. They act with one purpose. "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30). Yet, the Son chooses to obey the Father. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). The Father thus holds greater authority. "For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (I Corinthians 15:27-28).

It is to this difference in position that Jesus referred to in John 14:28, "You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I." The Father occupies a higher position because He sent the Son and then gave the Son all authority (Matthew 28:18). But both the Father and the Son are equally God -- they are both deity.

Question:

Jeffrey,

Thank you for responding. We read a book, Jesus Christ the Eternal Sacrifice by Betty Choate. It is a very good book in many ways. The lady who wrote it teaches that Jesus does not hold His same position of equality after ascending to heaven, because now He is now subservient to God and now sits at His right hand. She also states that His sacrifice on the cross was a token sacrifice and a physical sacrifice that was not meant to be full payment for sin, there had to be more. So he continues to be our sacrifice by forever losing the position He had before and now being under God, He is not equal anymore. So that He, in this way is continually sacrificing for us eternally. That's why I ask that particular question.

Thanks.

Answer:

The teaching is false because Jesus told the Father, "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was" (John 17:5). Jesus returned to the position he had before when he returned to heaven. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

The flaw is that the author could not accept the simple message that the Bible presents. She thinks there has to be more, so she imagines what she thinks is a greater sacrifice. But notice the Hebrew writer declares that Jesus' sacrifice was greater than the continual sacrifices of the Old Testament because it only needed to be offered once! "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:10-14).

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