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NASB | James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror--they have seen His wrath]! [Deut 6:4; 11:13-21; Mark 12:29] |
Subject: Is God ONE or is God THREE? |
Bible Note: Pastor Cormier, Greetings my brother, and heartfelt apologies... I did not mean to come across as sarcastic, nor did I mean my post as a personal attack. I have been doing some studying on the "Oneness Pentecostal" movement, and am troubled by some of it precepts. I abhor divisivness, but do enjoy lively debate. We live in the Age of Apostasy, as you well know, and its this type of division in our church that, I believe, weakens our message. Anyway, to the point. Elohiym is the Hebrew word for God. Strong's Concordance points out that this word is plural, referencing the plurality of God. That is why the Hebrew writers used it. You stated that your body, soul, and spirit compromise one. That is exactly what we are talking about. Father, Son, Holy Ghost, comprise ONE. One times one times one equals One. (Not One plus One plus One equals Three). We are not polytheists. The two words used in Hebrew for the word "one", further illustrate what the Holy Spirit was directing the writers to say. God is a "compound" unity, not singular. 7 is considered the number for completeness, 3 perfection. The Son prayed to the Father, because, at that time, He "was made a little lower than angels". ( Forgive me, I do not have my Bible with me, sorry for the lack of references!). He was in a "temporary" subordinate role while He was in the flesh. This is why He told his disciples that is "expedient" that He went away, so that He could send "the Comforter". This was promised to us in Joel, "I will pour out MY spirit upon all flesh...". It was expedient because He was limited, with regards to omniprescence, while in the flesh. He was in a subordinate role. He was SENT forth FROM the Father. I do not know for sure, but I believe that some Pentecostals fall into the "spiritualizing the text" trap. That is, everything scriptural revolves around spirituality. True, "holy men spake as they were moved..", but I believe text is to be translated "literally". The best way to interpret scripture is with another scripture, (How can two walk together lest they agree?). Christ was not, I believe, praying from one part of himself to another. The text illustrates that He was praying to his Father. That's what it says, and that is the way we receive it. Finally, God did create us in his image, the tri-parte unity of his image. Body, Soul, Spirit, (Father, Son, Holy Ghost). There is no contradiction in scripture. One man,3 parts, each one man. One God, 3 parts, each one God. The Trinity is taught in the first three verses of the Bible...In the beginning, Elohiym..., (plural). The spirit, (Holy Ghost) moved upon the face....And God said, (The Word of God..Christ). Hope I made some sense. If not, holler back...I pray for blessings and fruitfulness upon your ministry, Pastor Cormier. No reason why us "theologs" can't get together and "kick it around" a little! (Hey, I've got a friend that's a "unitarian". Man, it gets lively around there some times!). Holler back, and God Bless you....believer57 |