God – La Vista Church of Christ

How Can Our Mind Comprehend God?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:17:00 +0000

by Samuel A. Matthews

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33, KJV).

Loved ones, I look down at my feet, squinting closely, to identify the black moving speck as an ant. Though we are both living beings, we are so different that I feel absolutely no identity with the little creature. And what awareness can he possibly have of me?

Can the ant's eyes "see" the hugeness of the human body, beginning at the foot in front of his face and reaching upward fourteen or fifteen hundred times larger than himself—like me, trying to see a body a mile and a half tall?

Can the ant imagine the creative power or the destructive power in these two hands? Can the ant, unable to enter into my thought processes or to understand a word of my speech, have even a remote expectation of "knowing" my thoughts and mind? Can the ant's heart, made of a substance so different from my own, fathom how to even begin to reach out emotionally to me, to love me?

What ridiculous questions! The differences in "kind" create an insurmountable wall between the ant and my being, my mind, my spirit. There can be absolutely no crossing over, from me to him, or from him to me.

Between the infinite Spirit that is God and the ant-sized mortal that is me lies another seemingly insurmountable wall. How can I, in my human smallness, even begin to "see" God, whose presence is everywhere? How can I, with my limited strength, comprehend the power that spoke into existence from nothing the vastness of the universe, with every particle of matter that exists?

How can my mind fathom the mind that conceived the monstrous gaseous stars that burn with an explosiveness and intensity that could engulf my world in one searing breath, and that also conceived the worlds within our cells, too small to be seen without the aid of electron microscopes? Truly, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

How can my pathetically small mind, which cannot understand God's language or enter into His thought process, any more than an ant can think my thoughts —how can I fathom God? But we cry out for Him. There is a voice that will not be hushed, crying for His help, for His mercy, for His love. As small as we are, as impossible as it seems for the human spirit even to be aware of the Great Spirit that is God, much less to identify in some mysterious way with His Spirit, we do! Why? Because we were made differently from everything else in creation. In His letter to us, He told us that we were made in His image, that we were made a living soul (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7)

Yes, we are actually less than ant-sized in comparison to God; our power and abilities are less than ant-sized — but God built into our minds and spirits a likeness to Himself, a bridge to Himself, that enables a breeching of the impossible wall. Incorporated in the "awareness of self' that is uniquely human is an undying awareness also of God. He does not go away, and the human spirit spends its little lifetime either in search of God or in denial of God — but always the God-question is being dealt with.

Not one accountable human has ever passed through this life without wrestling with the question of God in his own life, concluding with an acceptance of Him or a rejection. The fact that there is not another single question which confronts every human, and which every human must answer for himself, is one of the greatest pieces of evidence for the undeniable existence of God.

But even those who reach out to God in longing will never be able to comprehend His mind or to love Him on His level of love — any more than an ant can comprehend human thought or feel human love. Our capacity simply is not sufficient.

Yet God has given us, to the extent of our miniscule ability to accept, a little window into His mind through borrowing the human words He gave us and writing them in His book. He has given us a drop of His love all our hearts can stand — and even with so small a portion sometimes we hurt with the sweetness and the greatness of it.

These are a foretaste of what He has promised, when "...we shall be like Him [our Lord, Jesus Christ] ..." (I John 3:2) and when I shall “…know even as also I am known" (I Corinthians 13:12).

Remember God’s Goodness

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:57:27 +0000

by Zeke Flores

"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen" (Deuteronomy 4:9).

Deuteronomy 4 is one of the most passionate calls to remember God's goodness.

Moses tells Israel to be careful not to forget it. Forgetting isn’t about memory loss; it’s about neglect. When we stop paying attention to God’s work, our hearts drift.

Israel had seen miracles, deliverance, and God’s patience. But Moses knew how easy it is to let daily life crowd out spiritual awareness. We do the same. We get busy, distracted, overwhelmed, and suddenly God feels distant. It’s not because He moved, but because we stopped noticing Him.

Keeping your soul diligently means intentionally remembering what God has done. It means pausing long enough to reflect on His faithfulness. It means guarding your heart from the slow drift that happens when life gets loud.

Take a moment today to recall specific ways God has shown up for you. Write them down. Speak them out loud. Share them with someone. Deuteronomy 4:9 reminds us that remembering is important; it keeps your heart anchored when everything else feels uncertain.

If Jesus Is God Then to Whom Did He Pray?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:58:54 +0000

by Jon Rowe

The Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus is God (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9, etc). So, in an attempt to dismantle that claim, skeptics may ask, "Then to whom did Jesus pray?" While it is true that there is only one God, He exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We like to try to explain this as one God in simply three different forms, like liquid water, vapor, and ice. That actually makes it more difficult to understand how the Son was praying to the Father. Did Jesus keep "morphing" back into a different form (i.e., from water to ice) while He was praying to God?

Let's get a more biblically based picture. When Jesus was baptized, the Son was in the water, the Spirit descended from above, and the Father spoke from heaven. God did not switch costumes to complete this scene. All three were there simultaneously. This wasn't even a new reality, as we can see by going back to the beginning. In creating humans, God said, "Let Us make man in Our image" (Genesis 1:26). God was not talking to Himself. Instead, He was speaking with Himself, within the fellowship of the Son and Holy Spirit. Concerning the Son, from the beginning, the Word (Jesus, see John 1:14) was with God and was God (John 1:1).

So, let's look at this interaction with His Father while Jesus was on earth. Jesus modeled the frailty of human flesh (Philippians 2:6-7), submission to God (Philippians 2:8a), and obedience to the point of death (Philippians 2:8b). One reason Jesus came into our world was to show us what a healthy relationship with God looks like. That includes prayer. Jesus spent significant time in prayer — and those prayers were not God talking to Himself in an incoherent monologue. The Son (as a distinct person) was in communion with the Father. Before going to the cross, He "fell on His face and prayed, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will'" (Matthew 26:39). The Son submitted His will to the Father's will through prayer. That means Jesus had a will, and so did the Father. Although there is one God, we see two wills.

While all of this may still sound a little confusing to us as finite beings, it makes more sense that the Son can pray to the Father when you realize that they are two distinctly different beings, while still being part of the one triune God. The Jews quoted Moses (who quoted God) when they recited, "Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Hebrew word for "one" is "echad," which refers to a singular entity that can encompass multiple components as a composite unity. By contrast, the Hebrew word "yachid" refers to a singular, individual entity. Is your brain still hurting? By faith, just realize that "God is in heaven and He does whatever He pleases" (Psalms 115:3).

The Existence of God

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:22:58 +0000

by Samuel A. Matthews

“If someone does not believe in God, He cannot please God, because the person who comes to God must believe that He lives (exists). That person must also believe that God will give rewards to the people who are searching for him” (Hebrews 11:6 Simple English Bible).

Loved ones, whether God exists is one of the most basic and important questions any person can consider. Opinions about God abound, but answering the question “Does God Exist?” demands more than a few seconds of attention and involves a wide range of ideas and evidence. Ultimately, what we see in human experience, science, logic, and history leads to a confident answer: yes, God Does Exist.

Often, this question is posed as, “Can you prove God exists?” The problem is that, while truth itself is absolute, there are virtually zero instances of absolute proof outside of pure logic and mathematics. For that reason, courtrooms don’t require absolute proof to reach a verdict; rather, they seek to dispel “reasonable doubt” and consider from the preponderance of evidence what’s “most probable.”

Demanding “proof” of God that no one could ever reject is unreasonable. Neither evidence nor people function that way in the real world. “Encountering” facts and “accepting” them are profoundly different. Airtight, sound arguments will remain unconvincing to those determined to disbelieve. For the resolute skeptic, it’s not “proof,” even if it would convince almost anyone else. A person’s intent is more influential than any evidence encountered.
That means a certain amount of “faith” is necessary—and not just regarding God’s existence. Perfect knowledge is beyond our ability. Bias and prejudice cloud our views. There will always be a gap between what we can “know” and what we “believe.” This applies equally to skeptics and believers.

We cannot possibly know every detail involved every time we sit in a chair, eat food, or climb stairs. Such actions all express a measure of faith. We act, despite what we don’t know, because of what we do know. That’s the essence of biblical faith, including faith in the existence of God. We trust in what is known, leading us to action, despite a less-than-absolute understanding.

Whether or not one acknowledges God, the decision involves faith. Belief in God does not require blind faith (cf. John 20:29), but neither can it overcome malicious resistance (John 5:39-40). Bolstering faith are human experience, logic, and empirical evidence, all of which help answer the question “Does God Exist?”

Does God Exist? — Human Experience

Discussing the existence of God usually starts with logical arguments. That makes sense, but it’s not how human beings normally operate. No one starts devoid of all perspective, waiting to follow a robotically rational path before forming an opinion. People interpret life based on the world around them. So, looking at the existence of God ought to start with experiences. Afterward, we can use logic to assess those views.

Evidence of God exists in daily human experiences (Romans 1:19-20; Psalms 19:1-6; Ecclesiastes 3:11). This includes our innate sense of morality. It applies to the apparent design of the universe around us. Human life compels belief that truth, deception, love, hate, goodness, evil, etc., are real and meaningful. The overwhelming majority of people throughout history have been inclined to believe in a reality greater than the physical.

Our experiences are not conclusive evidence, of course. Instead, God uses general revelation as an invitation (Revelation 3:20; Matthew 11:28-30). Common experiences are meant to emphasize that we ought to seek further answers. Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8).

Those who ignore or disdain God’s invitation don’t have the excuse of ignorance (Romans 1:18; Psalms 14:1).

Does God Exist? — Human Logic

Three of the more powerful logical suggestions of God’s existence are the cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments.

The cosmological argument considers the principle of cause and effect. Each effect is the result of some cause, and each cause is the effect of a prior cause. However, that chain of causes cannot go on infinitely into the past, or else the chain would never actually start. Logic demands something eternally existent, and that is not itself the effect of anything else. Our universe, clearly, is not eternal or uncaused. Logic points to God: the uncreated, eternal measure of all other things, the First Cause of our reality.

The teleological argument examines the structure of the universe. The largest galactic configurations, our solar system, our DNA, subatomic particles—everything gives the appearance of having been purposefully arranged. This trait is so strong that even hardened atheists have difficulty explaining away the appearance of design.

Nothing about subatomic particles or forces indicates they must be arranged as they are. Yet, if they were not exactly as they are, complex matter—and life—would be impossible. Dozens of universal constants coordinate with mind-boggling precision just to make life possible, let alone actual. Science has never observed or explained life arising from non-life, yet it also shows a sudden onset of complex organisms.

A team of archaeologists who saw the words “I am here” on a cave wall would universally assume intelligent action. Meanwhile, human DNA represents a coding structure beyond the ability of the best human engineers. The weight of this evidence, logically, favors the idea of an Intelligent Designer—God—as an explanation.

The moral argument points to concepts like good and evil, ethics, and so forth. It’s notable that these are discussions of “what should be,” not merely “what is.” Moral principles are drastically disconnected from the ruthless, selfish reasoning that one would expect of a creature randomly evolved to survive at any cost. The very idea that human beings think in non-physical, moral terms is striking. Beyond that, the fundamental content of human morals remains constant throughout history and across cultures.

Further, discussion of moral ideas leads inevitably to a crossroads. Either moral ideas are completely subjective, and therefore meaningless, or they must be grounded in some unchanging standard. Human experience doesn’t support the conclusion that morals mean nothing. The most reasonable explanation for why people think in moral terms and share moral ideals is a real moral law provided by a Moral Lawgiver, i.e., God.

Does God Exist? — Human Science

The logical arguments above are inspired by observations. Concepts such as the Big Bang Theory demonstrate, at the very least, the scientific validity of a created, non-eternal universe. Likewise for the structure of DNA. Empirical data lends credibility to the idea of a biblical Creator and contradicts alternative explanations, such as an eternal universe or abiogenesis.

Archaeology also lends support to the Bible. People, events, and places depicted in Scripture have repeatedly been confirmed by secular discoveries. Many of these discoveries came after skeptics implied the Bible’s accounts were fictional.

History and literature, for their part, also support the existence of God. The preservation of the Bible is one example: our ability to trace the existing text of Scripture to a time so close to the original events supports the Bible’s reliability. Judeo-Christian influence on culture, morality, human rights, and the birth of modern science also strongly indicates an approach aligned with truth.

Does God Exist? — God In Us

Each of the prior categories is an entire field of study and the subject of thousands of books. Yet the existence of God is demonstrated most profoundly, for most people, in personal experience. It may be impossible to “prove” to others that you’re happy, for instance, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are. That’s not to say internal perspective outweighs objective truth, but complex truths are often powerfully supported by individual experiences. Changed lives, reformed attitudes, and answers to prayer are all part of our personal perception that God exists.

A personal sense of truth is a compelling way we know God exists, and it’s God’s intent for all people to experience that sense (cf. Acts 17:26-27). God came to earth personally, as a human being (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), so we could have a personal relationship with Him (John 14:6). Those who sincerely seek God will find Him (Proverbs 8:17; cf. 28:5), resulting in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11).

The question “Does God Exist?”, therefore, cannot be answered with absolute proof, but we can point to the weight of evidence that clearly reveals that He does exist. Accepting the existence of God is not a blind-faith leap into the dark. It’s a trusting step out of Satan’s darkness that has blinded the lost in unbelief (II Corinthians 4:3-4). The child of God lives in a well-lit room where many things are made clear.

The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).

God, Who Never Lies

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:55:24 +0000

by Edwin Crozier

We have hope of eternal life because the God who promises eternal life never lies. Obviously, no human was around to hear God promise before the ages began or from time eternal. Paul’s point is not that we can find a quote of God before the beginning making this promise. His point is that God’s plan for humankind, even before creating the world, was eternal life. Eternal life is not plan B for us. God always intended us to have it. This is why God had a plan ready and in place when Adam’s sin in the garden prompted death instead of life.

Since this has been God’s plan for us from before time, we can trust God’s truth will lead us to eternal life. We can especially trust God’s truth to lead us to eternal life because God doesn’t lie. The author of Hebrews provides similar assurance, declaring in Hebrews 6:18, “It is impossible for God to lie.”

The point is not that God does not have the ability to lie, but that God does not have the nature to lie. Certainly, God can speak. Therefore, God could speak a lie if He chose. But that’s just it–God never chooses to lie. Lying is opposed to the very nature of the true God.

This tells us something about every page of Scripture. Everything the Bible tells us is true. Certainly, God records the lies of others, as when Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God'” (ESV). The statement “There is no God” is false. But God is not saying that. He is quoting it. The fool truly does say that in his heart. But when we are reading God’s record of events, we know it is true. When we are reading God’s interpretation of circumstances, it is true. When we are reading God’s explanation of the meaning, purpose, and value of anything or anyone, we know it is true.

We can either accept what God says about things, or we can be wrong. Those are our choices. This is why we need to be anchored in God’s Word. His Word is true and contains no lie. Satan is a liar and the father of the lie. Our desires will deceive us. Even our hearts can be deceitful. But God never lies.

Praise God!

God’s Character Remains the Same

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:56:38 +0000

by Zeke Flores

"God is not a man, that He would lie, nor a son of man, that He repent" (Numbers 23:19).

Balaam tried to curse Israel, but he couldn't. God had already blessed them. No human plan could override God’s promise. Balaam learned that God’s word is steady and unshakable.

This is a powerful truth for us. People change. Circumstances shift. Emotions rise and fall. But God’s character stays the same. His promises don’t wobble. His faithfulness doesn’t depend on our performance. When He says something, He means it.

We often struggle with doubt because we project human inconsistency onto God, but He isn’t like us. He doesn’t make promises He can’t keep. He doesn’t forget what He said. He doesn’t get tired of us. He’s not fickle.

If you’re wrestling with uncertainty, anchor yourself in this verse. God’s word is solid ground so you can trust Him even when everything else feels unstable.

How are the Father and Jesus related?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:01:44 +0000

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.

The Will of God

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:05:47 +0000

by Hugh DeLong

Paul stayed only a short time in Thessalonica and thus left a fledgling group of disciples in a very ungodly situation. Thessalonica was a rather typical Roman city, with a very loose moral code, and one very far from God’s.

While many things were permitted and practiced in this city (and across the Empire), Paul could state emphatically:

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality” (I Thessalonians 4:1-3).

From the beginning, God’s instruction for sexual intimacy has been in a committed one-on-one relationship, one male and one female, with a complete dedication to being a connected and intertwined unit – the two shall be one. Then Jesus added: “What God has joined together, let man not put asunder” (Mark 10:9).

Yet from the beginning, men have lived in ‘the lust of concupiscence’ (KJV – just because I enjoy the sound of reading it – ESV = “the passion of lust” – NASB95 = “lustful passions). Lust is desire, but that ‘sexual desire’ is to be restrained and limited to the one spouse. This is not a suggestion! This is God’s Will. This is the commandment of the Lord. Our society is no different than Roman society in this regard; we (as a society) have rejected God’s will and made our own moral rules. In this regard, our cultural battle as disciples is not far different from that of these first-century disciples in Thessalonica.

The encompassing warning for us as disciples: “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

We are God’s people. We have been set apart from the worldly culture (sanctified). On an individual level, this demands self-control, the reigning of our desires, the changing of our mindset on the relationship within marriage. We are not to be conformed to the cultural moral thinking, but to walk by God’s will. The conclusion of this section: “So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you” (I Thessalonians 4:8).

God Desires All to Be Saved

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:19:41 +0000

by Edwin Crozier

Text: I Timothy 2

Paul told Timothy to get his prayer life in order first. By extension, get the congregation praying first. Specifically, they were to pray for kings and those in high positions. By this means, they were to accomplish peace for the church. They were to pray for these rulers so the Christians could lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way.

Paul explained that this was good because God desires that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. In other words, the prayer for these kings and rulers was not simply for any kind of blessing. These prayers were for the salvation of kings and rulers. God wanted even the pagan kings and rulers to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

In a time when folks believed their kings and rulers were the mediators between the gods and the people, sometimes thinking their kings were divine, Paul said there is only one mediator: the man Christ Jesus. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, perfectly mediates between man and God. He is the mediator for all people, whether kings or citizens, whether men or women, whether Jews or Gentiles. Further, this mediator wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

All people. No matter race, gender, socio-economic status, education level, ethnicity, language, tribe, parentage, background, or sins. All people. The ones we like and the ones we don’t. All people. The ones who have been nice to us, and the ones who haven’t. Jesus wants people saved. All people.

Since we know God wants people saved, it is always right to pray for their salvation. As Paul did in Romans 10:1 for his brothers in the flesh, the Jews.

As a side note, do you notice that the goal of these prayers is not actually for the laws of the land to line up precisely with the laws of God? Rather, these prayers seek for the laws to allow us as Christians to serve God without interference. Further, the approach for accomplishing this is not the mobilization of Christians to take over the government, but the spread of the gospel so that even those in governing authority will hear it and live by it. And in all this, the goal is not that nations become Christian, but that people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

This leads us to one final question. If God wants all people to be saved, what are we doing today to help accomplish that?

The God Who Does No Wrong

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:42:12 +0000

People have been railing at their Creator and Provider since Bible times.

Accusing God

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ By saying, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.’ Or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” (Malachi 2:17).

“Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape’” (Malachi 3:13-15).

Acknowledging God

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25).

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

“Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant” (I Kings 8:56).

“For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness” (Psalms 33:4).

“He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity” (Psalms 98:9).

“... it is impossible for God to lie ...” (Hebrews 6:18).

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Trusting God

Based on all we know of God from Scripture, we can say with complete confidence, “Even when I do not understand why God does all that He does, I trust He has His reasons, and they are good.”