Post by Parker on Apr 12, 2023 14:45:46 GMT -8
The reality that there is only one God is both taught and presupposed throughout Scripture. Probably the clearest and most direct teaching is the well-known Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” This was the basis of the command that followed: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” Deuteronomy 6:5.
Because Jehovah was the only God and there was no other, Israel was not to divide their loyalty for him with any other claimed deities. Monotheism means exclusive worship of and obedience to the one true God.
The above, if taken alone, would have led the church to a simple monotheism. It was the additional conclusion, that three are identified in Scripture as being divine, that led to the adoption of the doctrine of the Trinity.
The New Testament contains abundant indications of the deity of Jesus. Philippians 2:5–11 is a powerful passage. Look at vs. 6
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Deity of Jesus. While the majority of biblical references bearing on the issue of Jesus’ deity are in the New Testament, the Old Testament is not devoid of relevant data. These are especially found in the prophetic portions of the Old Testament. Although there was an anticipation of a great messiah and deliverer, this did not necessarily involve the idea of deity. In Isaiah 9:6, however, the prophet, referring to the one who was to come, wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Here is an apparent identification of the coming messiah as “mighty God.”
It's true that God is three-in-one, or triune. 7 And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. 8 There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree 1 Jn 5:7–8.
Because Jehovah was the only God and there was no other, Israel was not to divide their loyalty for him with any other claimed deities. Monotheism means exclusive worship of and obedience to the one true God.
The above, if taken alone, would have led the church to a simple monotheism. It was the additional conclusion, that three are identified in Scripture as being divine, that led to the adoption of the doctrine of the Trinity.
The New Testament contains abundant indications of the deity of Jesus. Philippians 2:5–11 is a powerful passage. Look at vs. 6
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Deity of Jesus. While the majority of biblical references bearing on the issue of Jesus’ deity are in the New Testament, the Old Testament is not devoid of relevant data. These are especially found in the prophetic portions of the Old Testament. Although there was an anticipation of a great messiah and deliverer, this did not necessarily involve the idea of deity. In Isaiah 9:6, however, the prophet, referring to the one who was to come, wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Here is an apparent identification of the coming messiah as “mighty God.”
It's true that God is three-in-one, or triune. 7 And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. 8 There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree 1 Jn 5:7–8.
