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NASB | Matthew 24:11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. |
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Subject: Is the UPC a Christian Church? |
Bible Note: Greetings Jcsav, I appreciate your response, although I disagree with your conclusion, and I believe that the Bible supports my argument. You are correct in saying that the Bible gives evidence for one God (Isaiah 44:6; 46:9). Also, the "oneness" of God is emphasized in the New Testament: For example, see 1 Corinthians 8:4, James 2:19, John 5:44, 17:3, Romans 3:29,30, 16:27, Galatians 3:20, Ephesians 4:6, 1 Timothy 2:5. In review, there is only one God, and scripture stresses the fact that God is 'one.' But scripture also makes clear that there are 3 Persons who are called God: The Father - 1 Peter 1:2 The Son (Jesus) - John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8 The Holy Spirit - Acts 5:3,4 All three above are described as omnipresent (everywhere present - John 4:19-24; Matt. 28:20; Psalm 139:7), omniscient (all-knowing - Psalm 139:1,2; Matt. 9:4; 1 Cor. 2:10), omnipotent (all-powerful - 1 Peter 1:5; Matt. 28:18; Rom. 15:19), as 'holy' (Revelation 15:4; Acts 3:14; John 16:7-14), and as eternal (Psalm 90:2; Micah 5:2; John 1:2; Rev. 1:8,17; Hebrews 9:14), and each is described as the 'truth' (John 14:6,7; Rev. 3:7; 1 John 5:6). All three above have all of the qualities that scripture explicitly specifies as being the qualities of God. Therefore, does this mean that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in the same? No. In applying the term "Person" to God, the word is used in a distinctive sense from its normal use in relation to human beings. Though each member of the Godhead also manifests the qualities of personality, such as intellect, sensibility, and will, they do not act independently as three separate human individuals would act. Nevertheless, the Persons involved in the Trinity are expressed in such terms as "I", "Thou," "He," and the Persons of the Godhead address each other as individuals and communicate with each other. Scripture tells us that the Father sent the Son (John 3:16,17), the Father and Son love each other (John 5:20), and the Father and Son speak to each other (John 8:47; 11:41,42). Moreover, the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father (John 10:15), and Jesus is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). Further, it is clear that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism (Luke 3:22). The Holy Spirit is said to be another comforter (John 14:16). Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). And the Holy Spirit seeks to glorify Jesus (John 16:13,14). In view of all of the above scripture, it is impossible to argue that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are not three, separate, individual Persons that have existed before the creation of the world (John 17:24) and who are one God. In any case, Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 are great passages that prove that the doctrine of the Trinity is, in fact, a biblical doctrine. Blessings to you, Makarios |