IS JESUS GOD #2

IS JESUS GOD

All of my life I have been told or taught that God is a trinity, three separate but yet one, co-equal. I have never been able to really explain that even though I have tried to embrace the example of water being frozen, steam, and liquid but still being water, as well as other ways of trying to explain it. None of them were really very helpful, none of them really seemed right, and almost everything I read in the Bible seemed to contradict the whole idea. The words trinity or triune are not mentioned in the Bible. The Jews who were the early Christians and writers of the New Testament books were devout believers in one God and if there had been a switch to a triune God it seems there would have been great and detailed explanation of it by those Jews, particularly since they were teaching Jews only in the beginning. There is no such detailed often repeated writings.

Over the past few years I have studied more about “is Jesus God” and in the last few months I have studied pretty intensely. I found it very sad and frustrating that from the very beginning the Church has had divisions in thought and lack of clarity about this.

I have learned that in the first centuries of the Christian Church there were Trinitarian and Non-Trinitarian teachers, bishops, and Popes. The Roman Emperor Constantine, who supposedly became a Christian and made Christianity the religion of the Roman State, was having a difficult time pulling his empire together under Christianity. He was displeased that their was a division in the church as to whether or not Jesus was God, which hurt his efforts to unify his population who were worshippers of all of the many different Roman gods, which was very important for his efforts to unify his empire. So he, a Roman Emperor called the Bishops together for the council of Nicene to resolve this issue and others. I found it amazing that a Roman Emperor was directing the Church. It seems that since the Edict of Milan in 312 AD when Rome decided to treat Christians benevolently, the Emperors controlled many of the Church Councils-maybe that was how it became known as the Roman Church?

During the first 3 centuries of persecution the Church had not “finalized” their view of Jesus and his nature. There was confusion as to whether Jesus was or was not God. A Bishop named Arius made the case at the Nicene Council that Jesus was not God and a Bishop named Alexander made the case that Jesus was God. It was about 300 years after Christ’s death that this decision making effort took place and the best information they had available was the New Testament writings. Well, you and I have those writings and God will give us Wisdom and Understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit when studying His word. We need to gain understanding, not just accept what men of organized Christian religion said hundreds of years after Christ’s death.

I have learned that the writings of our current New Testament were not finalized or canonized until 400 to 500 AD, though the process of canonization was largely established at the Nicene council in 325 AD. Most of the books included had been used as early as the second century. I used to think that the Bible was written as “the Bible” but in fact it was written by many people over a period of decades and it was men, heavily influenced by the Roman Empire, that discussed and decided which books would be included in the Bible and that we would be reading today. I also realized that it was men in the 3^rdto 5^thcentury that were discussing, arguing, and deciding what we today would believe about the nature of Jesus.

I think God will give us understanding today if we seek His truth diligently and pray for His wisdom and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Since most of the early religious decisions were heavily influenced by the Romans I think it is imperative that we seek God’s wisdom as to what is what and not rely on the Roman way. I think we have to look at the earliest writings, which are included in the New Testament for our understanding because it is clear that great division came soon after their writing – perhaps even in some of their writings or translations or transcriptions.

Below are two of the earliest and most widely known and used Creeds of Christianity. The apostle’s creed was formulated and written probably nearer the time of the original Apostles, hence the name, Apostle’s Creed. Or it at least was trying to express what the Apostles believed and taught. The Apostles Creed makes no confusion about Jesus being God or about a three in one God, a triune Godhead or a Trinity. Here is what is said about the Apostles Creed in the History of the Christian Church by Schaff;

67. Unity of Apostolic Teaching.

The substance of all the apostolic teaching is the witness of Christ, the gospel, and the free message of that divine love and salvation, which appeared in the person of Christ, was secured to mankind by his work, is gradually realized in the kingdom of God on earth, and will be completed with the second coming of Christ in glory. This salvation also comes in close connection with Judaism, as the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, the substance of all the Old Testament types and shadows. The several doctrines entering essentially into this apostolic preaching are most beautifully and simply arranged and presented in what is called the Apostles’ Creed, which, though not in its precise form, yet, as regards its matter, certainly dates from the primitive age of Christianity. On all the leading points, the person of Jesus as the promised Messiah, his holy life, his atoning death, his triumphant resurrection and exaltation at the right hand of God, and his second coming to judge the world, the establishment of the church as a divine institution, the communion of believers, the word of God, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper, the work of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of repentance and conversion, of regeneration and sanctification, the final completion of salvation in the day of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting – on all these points the apostles are perfectly unanimous, so far as their writings have come down to us.

Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

The Nicene Creed was formulated and drafted approximately 300 years after Jesus’ death at the time of the Nicene Council which was called into existence by the roman Emperor Constantine. It was finalized during the Chalcedon Council in 451, 420 years after Christ’s resurrection. Not until 300 to 420 years later does this trinity concept become an accepted idea put in writing, which I have bolded and underlined below.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

These 168 Bible references I use below are mostly from the NKJV& NIV translations. I think they very consistently show the difference between God and Jesus so much so that if Jesus was God these verses would be nonsensical. I would like for you to prayerfully read them and give me feedback.

Matt 5:43-6:10 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 6 :1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in

secret, will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, NIV

Matt 6:14-18 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV

Matt 6:26-27 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? NIV

Matt 6:30-33 28 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matt 7:11 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matt 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ IV

Matt 9:4-8 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house. 8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men. NKJV

Matt 10:20 ,for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. NKJV

Matt 10:29 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Matt 10:32-33 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. NKJV

Matt 11:25-27 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. NKJV

Matt 12: 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” NKJV

Matt 13:41-43 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father . He who has ears to hear, let him hear! NKJV

Matt 15:13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. NKJV

Matt 16:16-18 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by myFather in heaven. NIV

Matt 16:27 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. NKJV

Matt 18:10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. NKJV

Matt 18:14 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. NKJV

Matt 18:19-20 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” NKJV

Matt 18:35 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” NKJV

Matt 20:23 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father .” NKJV

Matt 23:9-11 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father ; for One is your Father , He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. NKJV

Matt 24:36-37 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. NKJV

Matt 25:34 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father , inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: NKJV

Matt 26:29 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” NKJV

Matt 26:40 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father , if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” NKJV

Matt 26:53-54 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father , and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? NKJV

Matt 27:45-46 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”-which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” NIV

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. NIV Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone. NIV

Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” NKJV

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 13:32-33 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . NKJV

Luke 1:32-33. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give himthe throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” NIV

Luke 2:49 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” NKJV

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. NIV

Luke 6:36 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. NKJV

Luke 8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God ? NIV

Luke 10:21-22 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father , Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father , and no one knows who the Son is except the Father , and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” NKJV

Luke 11:2 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done NKJV

Luke 11:13 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” NKJV

Luke 12:32-33 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. NKJV

Luke 22:28-30 28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, NKJV

Luke 23:34 34 Then Jesus said, “Father , forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” NKJV

Luke 24:48 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” NKJV

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. NLT

John 3:34-36 34 For the one whom God has sent (Jesus) speaks the words of God , for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” NIV

John 4:23 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. 24 NKJV

John 5:19-23 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works

than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father . He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. NKJV

John 5:24-28 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. NKJV

John 5:30 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. NKJV

John 5:36-37 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish — the very works that I do — bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. NKJV

John 6:27-29 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” NIV

John 6:32-33 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” NKJV

John 6:37-40 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” NKJV

John 6:44-46 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. NKJV

John 6:56-58 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father , so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven — not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” NKJV

John 7:16-17 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. NIV

John 8:16-18 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” NKJV

John 8:29-30 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. NKJV

John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. NIV

John 8:54 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God .NKJV

John 10:34-38. 34 Jesus replied, “It is written in your own law that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!‘ 35 And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people, who received God’s message, were called ‘gods,’ 36 why do you call it blasphemy when the Holy One who was sent into the world by the Father says, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. 38 But if I do his work, believe in what I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will realize that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.” NLT

John 13:2-4 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God

John 14:1-2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; NIV

John 14:10-11 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. NKJV

John 14:27-28 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. NKJV

John 15:9-10 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. NKJV

John 15:15-17 for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. NKJV

John 15:26-27 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. NKJV

John 16:23-24 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you .NKJV

John 16:25-28 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. NIV

John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

John 17:6-12 “I (Jesus) have manifested Your (God) name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled

John 20:17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.‘” NIV

John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. NIV

Acts 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father , NK JV

Acts 1:6-8 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. NKJV

Acts 2:22-24 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. NIV

Acts 2:33 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. NKJV

Acts 3:13The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. NIV

Acts 3:22 22 For Moses truly said to the fathers , ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. NKJV

Acts 10:37 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. NIV

Rom 1:7Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. NKJV

Rom 1:8-9 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you NIV

Rom 2:16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. NIV

Rom 3:2-221.But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, NIV

Rom 5:7-9 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! NIV

Rom 6:4 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father , even so we also should walk in newness of life. NKJV

Rom 6:8-11 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. NIV

Rom 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. NIV

Rom 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. NIV

Rom 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

Rom 15:17-18 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— NIV

1 Cor 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. NIV

1 Cor 1:30-31 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God— that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. NIV

1 Cor 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. NKJV

1 Cor 11:3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. NIV

1 Cor 15:23-28

24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. NIV

2 Cor 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. NKJV

2 Cor 4:3-4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ( image of God, not God)NIV

2 Cor 5:17-21 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation(God reconciled us to himself through Christ) 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. NIV

2 Cor 11:30-31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. NIV

2 Cor 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. NIV

Gal 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle — sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him(Jesus) from the dead— 2 and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and

peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. NIV

Gal 4:7 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. NKJV

Eph 1:1-3

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Eph 1:16-17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. NIV

Eph 1:15-23 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God preparedin advance for us to do. NIV

Eph 3:14-15 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, NKJV

Eph 4:4-6 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. NKJV

Eph 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christloved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. NIV

Eph 5:19-20 Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

Eph 6:23-24 23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. NKJV

Col 1:1-4. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord JesusChrist, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—NIV

Col 1:12-14 2 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. NKJV

Col 1:15 & 19 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. NIV

Col 2:1-3 2 I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. 3 He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. TEV

Col 3:15-17 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. NKJV

Phil 2:8-11 8 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. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 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, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father . NKJV

Phil 4:19-20 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

1 Thess 3:11-13 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. NIV

1 Thess 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesusthose who have fallen asleep in him. NIV

2 Thess 2:16-17 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. NKJV

1 Tim 2:5-6 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men NIV

1 Tim 6:13-16 I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time — God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. NIV

Titus 3:4-7

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV

Heb 1:3-6. purification for sins, he (Jesus) sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son; today I have become your Father“?

Or again,

“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.” NIV

Heb 1:8-9 8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,

and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.” NIV

Heb 2:8-10 In putting everything under him ( Jesus), God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. NIV

Heb 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he (Jesus) might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. NIV

Heb 3:1-6 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2 He (Jesus) was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. NIV

Heb 5:4-10 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

6 And he says in another place, “You (Jesus) are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. NIV

Heb 7:22-25 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he (Jesus)has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. NIV

Heb 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! NIV

Heb 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he(God) work in us what is pleasing to him(God), through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. NIV

1 Peter 1:2-5 Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he (God) has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. NIV

1 Peter 1:17-21 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but

with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. NKJV

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. NIV

1 Peter 3:21-22 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. NIV

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. NIV

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, NIV

2 Peter 1:16-18 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from

God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” NIV

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. NKJV

1 John 2:1 The Test of Knowing Christ My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. NKJV

1 John 3:8-9 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. NKJV

1 John 4:8-11 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. NIV

1 John 4:15-16 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. NIV

1 John 5:9 -12 9 We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. NIV

2 John 3 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. NKJV

Jude 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: NIV

Jude 24 – 25 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. NIV

Rev 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. NIV

Rev 1:5-6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his ( Jesus’) God and Father — to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. NIV

Rev 3:5 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. NKJV

Rev 7:10 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.” NIV

Rev 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. NIV

Rev 20:6 but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. NIV

Rev 21:22-23 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. NIV

Rev 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. NIV

It seems to me that Jesus was sent by God, is a high Priest, a mediator, the Son of God, a living sacrifice to God, learns from God, does only what He sees God do, he learned obedience, everything was put under him by God, he will hand over everything back to God, he is the image of God, God is the head of Christ, he is a servant to God, his teachings are not his own but come from God, etc.

Therefore,I do not believe that Jesus is Almighty God. I believe our Father in Heaven is God Almighty, the one true God and Jesus is His son.

In a lengthy study of the trinity lately, on my own, as well as with Kathy Barker, I was amazed at how difficult it was for people to try to show where the Bible said that God was triune. It seemed to me as if their attempts were painful, confusing, vague and difficult. It is easy for me to read the NT and see scores of scripture that say that Jesus is the son of God, not equal with God and will turn everything over to God eventually.

During this study that took 25-40 hours I considered how difficult it was and in light of the quick understanding and spread of Christianity I could not believe that something so vague and difficult could have been explained to the early Christian Jews let alone the gentiles, so that they all could believe that, particularly in light of the fact that there is no direct or clear teaching of such a thing in the Bible.

I had an epiphany –I am to read the Bible and conclude my understanding from clear and simple Biblical teachings with prayer and the power of Holy Spirit. If it takes a PHD or tradition to believe something I will not believe it as all of the early Christians would not have had time to get a PHD and then follow Christ and there was no tradition!!! Yet Christianity flourished even though persecuted unto torture and death.

C:\Users\Ron\Documents\Ron’s Guide\Is Jesus God\Is Jesus God.doc

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