WHICH DEATH IS IT?

This great blog post can be seen from the original author here: http://sandrahooper.blogspot.com/2015/09/spiritual-death-or-physical-death-in.html

Spiritual Death or Physical death in Romans 5:12

In the past I had a problem when it came to the term "spiritual death," because of the connection with Reformed Theology.

"Spiritual death" simply means a "moral and relational" separation from God” which comes about by sinning, and never has to do with infants. Infants do not come into this world morally and relationally separated from God. The Bible teaches that infants are born morally innocent (2 Kings 14:6; 21:16; 24:4; Joel 3:19), that children are born innocent with no knowledge of good or evil (Rom. 9:11, Ecc. 7:29, Duet. 1:39). Infants do not go to hell when they die (Matt. 19:14 Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16).

Question: How do you explain the fact that humans die?

Man physically dies because they have no access to the tree of life. Jesus himself was under this condition. Like all humans, He had cells that reproduced and died. He lost his baby teeth. He lost hair and grew more. He got hungry, he thirsted, and he grew tired and needed sleep. He was in all ways like us. (Heb. 2:14; 17)

We have this idea that Adam was created immortal, which the Bible says he was not (1 Corinthians 15:47-50).  If Adam and Eve had to eat from the tree of life to become immortal,  then they were created mortal to begin with!

Sin is a choice, not a constitution. Sin is a transgression of law (1 John 3:4) and conscience (James 4:17). If sin is a choice it cancels out constitution, if sin is in our constitution it cancels out the choice.

Now, if "physical death" is referred to in Romans 5:12 as a result from Adam's sin, then it can no longer be a result from "personal" sin. In Romans 5:12 it states,

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

The death in Romans 5:12 deals with personal transgression... "for all have sinned." Spiritual death comes by sinning. The word "have" indicates an activity on every individual's part since sin is voluntary. All that have sinned are the ones who have sinned. Babies do not sin.  Babies cannot make moral choices.

However, when a person comes to maturity where he knows the difference between good and evil, and does evil, they sin and consequently come under the wrath of God as a result of them misusing their free will. (Rom. 1:18-21; 2:12-15; Rom. 6:16). So the type of death that comes upon individuals for their own personal sin is not physical (all are going to eventually die physically), but spiritual (Eze. 18:4, 20). This spiritual death (severed relationship with God) comes by personal disobedience to light. (James. 4:17; Heb. 7:26; 1John 1:5)  It is addressing spiritual death that passes upon all men, for that all have sinned (v.12). Not in Adam! It does not say "all have sinned in Adam." This is why there was a group of people (not babies) who were spiritually dead between Adam and Moses (v.14). So death (spiritual) still reigned over those who had NOT sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression (v.14), meaning they were sinning against the law of their conscience (James 4:17).

Sin is optional, not a necessity of nature. All who choose to sin become spiritually dead in their sins. But just as a person may choose to sin (which we all have) they must also choose to reject the created habits. This is possible through the freedom of the will and God given nature (Ecc. 7:29; Rom. 2:14). If sin were physical (as Gnostics teach) this would not be true.  How can a person feel responsible for something that does not spring from his choice but rather governs his choice?  But sin is moral so the will is always in play - always able to choose vice or virtue - otherwise we're robots!

Michael Pearl, as well as others, teaches that Roman 5:12 is referring to [physical] death  and that [physical] death is the condemnation that went out upon all of Adam's descendants, but Romans 5:12 is speaking of a death that comes upon all men  for their own personal transgression ("for all have sinned").  And it is only upon a person sinning that they can experience condemnation (Eze. 18:4,20; Eph. 5:5-7), since condemnation and justification are completely conditioned upon a person’s personal choices, not Adam's.  Those who decide by free will to follow Adam's example are spiritually dead in their sins (i.e. separated from God relationally Isa. 59:2), without righteousness (Rom. 6:20) and will receive the punishment of eternal death (2Thess.1:9; Rev.21:8). BUT, those who choose to follow Christ's example will be spiritually alive (reconciled relationally to God Jn.17:3; Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:21) without sin (Rom. 6:7; 11,13; 8:10) and will receive eternal life in the world to come (Mk. 10:30).

Now here is where we need to be very careful.  If Paul were not speaking of "spiritual death" in Rom. 5:12, he would then be teaching what is known as "positional righteousness" in Rom 6, 7, 8. WHY?

Knowing this that our old man was crucified with Him that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

(Here it is...)

For he who has DIED has been freed from sin." (Rom. 6:6-7)

It's very easy to see that 'baptism of repentance' which happens in 'initial salvation' (2 Cor. 7:10-11) is a spiritual regeneration (Rom. 6:4-7; Jn. 3:3; Titus 3:5). The problem is, if Paul were referring to [physical] death in Rom. 5:12, then he is also referring to [physical] death here in Rom. 6:7.  Therefore Paul would have been teaching (which he did not) that a person must [physically] die to be "freed from sin!" (Rom. 6:7) This then makes Rom. 6, 7, 8 all POSITIONAL, rather than PRACTICAL. This is a very dangerous teaching!! 

Likewise you also reckon yourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:11)

This must be done positionally (counting yourself dead to sin) since sin will be with you until you [physically] die according to Michael Pearl and many others who teach the physical death position. (Rom. 6:7)

The question must be asked.  How can someone be "set free from sin" (Rom. 6:18), but still NOT be set free from sin, since you have yet to [physically] die? (Rom. 6:7) This is where imputed righteousness comes into play. Romans 7:5, 14-25 must also all be taken in positionally since you must [physically] die  in Rom. 6:7 to be "freed from sin."  So many have fallen for this false teaching, myself included, that one will not be set free from sin until they die!  This is wrong!

Michael Pearl rejects Rom. 7:14-23 as being the normal Christian life (since it was directed at unsaved Jews, Rom. 7:1, and I agree), but by teaching there is only one type of death in the scriptures (i.e PHYSICAL), he cancels out his commentary and refutes his own position of Paul's penmanship. How? Simple - by teaching that Rom. 5:12 is speaking of [physical] death necessitates Rom. 6:7 to be speaking about [physical death].

Pearl rejects the sin nature (and I do as well), but His position on the meaning of "death" leaves the sin nature in tack (somehow) since you cannot be freed from sin until you [physically] die!!! (Rom. 6:7) This is where I see a problem with a teacher who rejects original sin and holds on to a doctrine like imputed righteousness.

The same condemnation that is found in Rom. 5:16, 18 is found in Rom. 8:1. Since the condemnation is due to Adam's transgression and is referring to physical death (as Pearl says) that was unconditionally imputed to all his descendants (that is condemnation was imputed), then there is in fact condemnation for those who are in Christ since they are physically still alive! (Rom. 5:18; 8:1) This might be another reason why Pearl holds to imputed righteousness....the blood must cover, not purge.

Romans 8:6 says,

For to be carnally minded is [physical] death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Huh? How? If death only has one meaning, how does Pearl explain this verse?

For if you live according to the flesh you will [physically] die... (Rom. 8:13) ???

There are people who live according to the flesh and live well up to their 80's and 90's and sometimes more. So this is the problem of Romans. 5:12 with death being 'physical'; it necessitates positional righteousness.

The context of Romans 5:12-21, Paul speaks of condemnation and justification. The condemnation is referring to spiritual death, for those who are justified still die physically.

Also, if "death" in Romans 6:23 means physical death, being justified would mean that we would not die physically!

It is "spiritual death" in Rom. 5:12, not physical. I see the influence and effects of Adam's sin led unto the condemnation of all people - that is - upon all those who choose to sin by their own free will and follow Adam's example will come under the wrath of God.

Pearl's rejection of original sin but acceptance of imputed righteousness would be like me teaching the sin nature and telling people to obey God.  It DOESN'T WORK. If you're born a sinner, you MUST have Jesus' imputed righteousness (which they teach and is not Scripturally correct); however, if you're born morally innocent, then you must obey from the heart! (Rom. 6:16-17; 1 John 3:7)

Take Romans 5:16:

And not as it was by the one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.

The two examples and their work are yet again being contrasted. Adam's influence and sin resulted unto condemnation while Christ's obedience resulted in a free gift unto justification. Let me point out that it does not say that the sin of one condemned them all, but rather that the sin of one led to the condemnation of them all. This is because condemnation and justification are both CONDITIONAL, not unconditionally universal as Pearl says. Condemnation can only come upon personal transgression, while justification comes freely through the process of repentance and faith. (Acts 11:18; 20:21; 2 Cor.7:10-11)

I see a state of spiritual deadness as a state of relational separation from God DUE to moral disobedience.  I do not believe there are any morals in the metaphysics of man. For example, I attended a funeral a while back. Upon seeing the deceased it was obvious there was no vice nor virtue in the corpse. The body is simply an instrument (2 Pet. 1:13-14). This instrument can be used for "righteousness" or unrighteousness" (Rom. 6:13). Yielding our instrument (flesh) to sin leads to death while obedience leads to righteousness (Rom. 6:16). If Adam's sin has caused the whole human race to physically disease and decease, then how does our personal sin lead to physical death, again? (Rom. 6:23)

If the spirit cannot die, then Christ would have to be joined with sinners, but if the spirit can die then Christ must be separated from sinners (Heb. 7:26).  Now, if two persons are separated that must mean they are no longer joined although they both actually live. This is the same thing as "spiritual death." Nothing physically dies, but rather separates. The Bible says God must be separated from all sin (1 Jn. 1:5; 3:5; Heb. 7:26). 

King David who fell into murder and adultery with his beautiful neighbor Bathsheeba (2 Sam. 11-12) is said by many to have only lost his joy of salvation or maybe some loss of rewards (Psa. 51:12) but not his spiritual state with God. Since King David was an "elect" they say he could grieve the spirit, but never quench it. However, Ezekiel said something totally different.

But when a righteousness man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? [The answer to this question has eternal consequences] All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. (Eze. 18:24)

How could Ezekiel be referring to physical death when Judaism teaches man is created mortal and which the Bible supports? This is how we know that King David was NOT in a safe "spiritual" condition until he found godly sorrow in Psalms 51. Hence, David lost his justification and fell back under condemnation DUE to the fact he transgressed known law (1 Jn. 3:4; James. 4:17; Rom. 8:13). Although King David was still alive (since he was physically walking about) his communication with God was severed for those 8 months until he found repentance.

Can the spirit die? Jesus said it could.  But remember, "spiritual death" simply means a "moral and relational" separation from God”

...for this my son was dead [morally and spiritually] and is alive [relationally] again. (Lk.15:24; 32)

...He that...believeth...is passed from [moral and spiritual] death unto life [relationship]." (Jn. 5:24)

Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead [moral and spiritual], and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph. 5:14)

...yield yourselves unto God, as those that are [relationally] alive from the dead [moral and spiritual]." (Rom. 6:13)

And you being [morally and spiritually] dead in your sins...hath he made [relationally] alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses." (Col. 2:13)

We know that we have passed from [moral and spiritual] death unto life [relationship]." (1Jn. 3:14)

Spiritual death means being out of touch with God and righteousness, which means that a person who is out of touch with God has no righteousness (Rom. 6:20) and therefore must reinforce only unrighteousness. And since all unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn. 5:17) the unrighteous are sinners (1 Jn. 3:7-10), and must by necessity be separated from God (Heb. 7:26) due to their wicked works (Col. 2:13), not birth!

"Spiritual death" comes ONLY by sinning! Since sin is a moral issue which is a transgression of the law and conscience, and babies are not able to make moral decisions, they are morally neutral! (2Kings 14:6; Deu. 24:16; 2Chr. 25:4; Eze. 18:2-4; Eze. 18:19-20) Babies are innocent.  Children are neither guilty of evil, nor worthy of praise until they are able to make their own decisions (Rom. 9:11). They have to come to the age of maturity (accountability) where they know the difference between good and evil. This sin is not by necessity, but rather by choice. (James. 1:13-15). This is why every human is responsible for the "things done in the body” and is judged "according to what he/she has done, whether it be good or bad." (2Cor. 5:10)

The founder of Calvinism said we were born "lumps of sin" (i.e Augustine of Hippo). And as far as John Calvin, I do not believe that he was a regenerate born again believer. He took his theology from a man who thought babies could be regenerated by baptism. Of course Calvinism holds to total depravity. If they didn't, their heresy would all fall down (_.U.L.I.P?). Basically, Calvinism is modern day Manicheanism, which is Gnostic. Denial of man's "free will" is a heathen belief, just like dualism! (i.e. the “sinful nature.”) If man cannot respond to the call of the Spirit, then man is not a man but rather a preprogrammed robot. If mankind can't repent no more than ice can burn, God is a liar. (Mk. 1:15; Lk. 13:3,5; Acts 11:18, 17:30; 26:18-20) If man is OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved), the Son of man was a liar (Matt. 10:22; Lk. 13:24).

James also said:

Therefore lay aside ALL filthiness and overflow of wickedness and "receive" with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James. 1:21-22)

What do the Calvinists say about that?

If Reformed Theology have it right, then that means God must by necessity save people in their sins. Since they are incapable of responding to the call of repentance proven by deeds and faith working by love, they would have to be compelled [by God] and forced against their own will [by God] to do something they never wanted to do - that being of course - love God. Calvinism is heresy!

Keep in mind the day that Adam sinned against God he "spiritually died" (Gen. 2:17). Spiritual death comes by personal sin, not Adam's. If one were to say that physical death is a result from Adam's sin, then it would stand to reason that we do not physically die for our own personal transgressions...but yet

She that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. (1Tim. 5:6)

Is she physically dead or spiritually dead? Can you even be physically dead while you're physically live?  If the spirit cannot die, how is she dead while she still lives? This is precisely what happened in the garden. God said,

You shall not eat from the tree for IN THAT DAY you shall surely die. (Gen. 2:17)

Did Adam physically die the moment he ate from the tree? NO. Scriptures say Adam lieved to be  930 years old and then he died. (Gen. 5:5) So the death God was speaking of in Gen. 2:17 must have been referring to the relational ends of things... spiritual death. [He eventually died physically because he and Eve and all his posterity no longer had access to the tree of life which sustained their mortal fleshly bodies.  We suffer the consequences of Adam's sin, but are not guilty of his sin.

Sin is not a substance since there are no morals in substance. Adam, by his own free will, chose to transgress and consequently brought sin into the world and spiritual death comes by sin.  (Rom. 5 :12) It is speaking of "spiritual death" through Adam. How? Not by imputation, but by following his EXAMPLE of disobedience. So "[spiritual] death passes upon all men for that all  have sinned." (V.12) 

The verse in Romans is speaking to the influence and effects of Adam's sin which led to the condemnation of all men, upon all those who choose to sin by their own free will. There is no such thing as universal condemnation. Again, notice in Rom. 5:16 it does NOT say that the sin of one condemned them all, but that the sin of one led to the condemnation of them all.  Condemnation is conditioned upon personal transgression and justification is conditioned upon repenting and believing. Men can only be condemned for their own personal sins (1Cor. 6:9; Rev. 21:8) and reconciliation requires a personal choice (2 Cor. 5:20). Condemnation is the wrath of God that comes upon the sons of disobedience.(Jn. 3:36; Eph. 5:5-7) Romans 8:1 says,

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.

Again, condemnation is CONDITIONED upon a person's walk, it is not universal apart from choice. Condemnation is shown to be spiritual death, for if you live according to the flesh you will [spiritually and morally] die (Rom. 8:13), since being carnally minded is death. (Rom. 8:6) 

Another question worth pondering is this.  If the carnally minded are dead but still walking around, how are they dead?  If condemnation is physical, and a person gets born again, are they still condemned since they are still in the flesh and condemnation is physical? How could there be no condemnation? (Rom. 8:1)

Thus it can be clearly seen that Romans 5:12 speaks of spiritual death. In fact, much of Scriptures speak of spiritual death unless the context calls for physical death.

THE ONLY TRUE GOD

This is the prayer of Jesus the night before his execution,

And this is everlasting life,that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

Jesus prays to his Father and his prayer is that we get to know his Father who is the ONLY TRUE GOD, but yet his very words, whom they say they love and call their Savior, are ignored and dismissed in order to cling to a trinitarian doctrine that neither he nor his disciples never taught.

They don’t seem to care that their explanations of trying to define what is not taught in the holy Scriptures is mind-bending indeed, a circle that cannot be broken at any cost.  They dismiss the very fact that many times we are taught in Scripture by Jesus and by his disciples that Jesus has a God, but yet still spread the lie that Jesus is God Almighty.  It doesn’t care, in the trinitarian doctrine, the fact that many times Jesus is called “God’s son,” they still make him to be "God the Son."  It doesn’t matter how many times the disciples also show the distinction between God the Father and Jesus his Son – the trinity doctrine must be defended at all cost for one’s life depends upon it! 

No, one’s everlasting life depends upon knowing who the ONLY TRUE GOD is and believing the one whom God sent, Jesus the Messiah (John 17:3), his Son, but his words are dismissed as though they don’t exist, and those who hold to the trinitarian doctrine don’t seem to care that their own words are contradictory to that of Scripture.  As Mr. Holt has stated:

Consider what is being said by the trinitarian doctrine.  Jesus can be God’s Son and still be God.  He can be at God’s right hand and still be God.  He can have a God and still be God.  He can be sent and told what to do and still be God.  He can have limited knowledge on earth and in heaven and still be God.  He can be in subjection to God on earth and in heaven and still be God.  He can have a different will from God and still be God.  He can die while God cannot die and still be God.  He can call his Father the “only true God” and yet he is the only true God. (John 17:3)

The trinitarian doctrine is not a ‘mystery,’ it’s a Lie.

It has been well said that a man who is honestly mistaken and hears the truth, he either ceases to be mistaken or he ceases to be honest.  This may well be the choice for our trinitarian brethren.

"Only when we let go of what is false can we begin to see what is true." ~Eric Chang

JESUS AND THE WORD

This post was originally posted on 

"The Gospel of the Kingdom of God"

Everyone is so thankful to William Tyndale for giving us our first English translation of the Bible based upon the Hebrew and Greek text.  His New Testament was published in 1526 and revised to its final state in 1534.

However, William Tyndale would probably be considered a heretic for translating John 1:3-4 as,

“All things were made by it, and without it, was made nothing that was made. In it was life, and the life was the light of men.

Tyndale used “it” rather than “him.”  From what I understand, “It” is a translation of the Greek “autou” meaning “he, she, or it.”  Since Tyndale did not read Jesus the Messiah into the “logos” or “word,” it shows he was not influenced by the Latin Vulgate of Wycliffe.

Since Jesus the Messiah is called “The Word of God” in Rev.19:13, the translators of the KJV assumed the “Word” of John 1:1 was also Jesus the Messiah and so capitalized the word “word” and used the pronoun “him”in reference to the “word.” The Greek for “word” is “logos.”  Logos means “the spoken word” or “something said (including the thought).” In that sense the word is an “it,” not a person but a thing.  William Tyndale renders it that way  as does the Matthew’s Bible of 1537, the Great Bible of 1539,the Geneva Bible of 1560, and the Bishop’s Bible of 1568.  Verse 3 should read,

“All things were made through it; and without it was not anything made that was made.”

In other words, God (Yahweh) spoke creation into existence.

The Roman Catholic version of the New Testament was completed in 1582, a result of a battle between the Papists and Protestants and they chose the previous versions based on the Vulgate by using “him” instead of “it.”  From then on all other Bibles, beginning with the King James of 1611 used “him” instead of “it” in their translating of John 1:3-4.  This helped to enforce the pagan idea of a preexisting being and to continue fostering the false teaching of the Trinity.  So whenever the text is read, people read it as:

“In the beginning was the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was God.”

That is not what the Scripture says.  The “logos” (word) means “the spoken word,” and thus is referred to as “it.”  “It” had nothing to do with a pre-existing being.  “It” was not a person, but a thing (logos).  God (Yahweh) alone is the creator of the universe.  He spoke and it came into existence.  God spoke, and it was done.

By the word of Yahweh were the heavens made; and all the host by the breath of his mouth. . . For He spoke and it was; He commanded, and it stood fast.   Ps. 33:6,9

Not only did God the Father speak creation into existence, He also spoke His Son, the promised Messiah, into existence.  Jesus had a “genesis,” a “beginning.”  Matthew and Luke tell us about the ‘begetting’ or ‘genesis’ of Jesus, when and how it happened (Matt. 1:1: genesis; 1:18: genesis; 1:20: begetting in Mary).  If Jesus actually preexisted, then he did not really begin to exist as the Bible tells us.

To say that Jesus the Messiah has two natures is pure paganism. We must wake up from this pagan induced delusion and realize that:

JESUS THE MESSIAH WAS NOT TRANSFERRED – HE WAS BEGOTTEN

To say there was a supposed transferring of an already existing person goes way beyond the description of the origin of Jesus as recorded by Luke and Matthew or any parts of Scripture.

Nowhere do the Scriptures speak of any transfer of a life form into Mary’s womb. We are told in Matthew 1:20 which says “that which was begotten (generated) in her.”

To generate something means to bring it into existence.

Paul warned that people would wonder off into myths, and that some will come preaching another Jesus.

For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.  2 Tim. 4:3-4

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough.” 2 Cor. 11:4

None of the earliest Christians taught or believed that Jesus was a pre-existent being.

The first step towards the Trinity did not begin until the Second Century when some Christians accepted the concept of an eternal pre-existence as taught by Origin later in the second century and became full-blown Trinity in 481 and onward to our day.

The following is a very short explanation of John 1:1,14 by Sean Finnegan:

John 1.1, 14

In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God… And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The first and most important thing to realize is that “the word” is God’s word and not Jesus. The word does not become Jesus until John 1.14. The word of God is never in any one of the 42 books of the Bible preceding this verse referred to as a person distinct from the Father. The word is God’s utterance, his plan, his creative power, or his message given to the prophets. John 1.1 begins with the same words as Genesis 1.1. In the Genesis account God speaks and creation happens; in John it says the word was in the beginning with God (see also Psalm 33.6, 9).

God’s word was with him. This expression may sound strange to us, but it is found in other verses as well where something is “with” them but it is really “within” them (Job 10.13; 23.13-14; Proverbs 8.22, 30). In fact, the word “with” in John 1.1 is the word pros, which most often translated “to” or “toward.” So the word was toward God or with God or within God—it was close to his heart.

The last part of John 1.1 reads, “and the word was God.” The word belongs to the sphere of God; because he is divine, his word is divine. It is not a separate being from God any more than my word is a distinct being from me, yet in a metaphoric sense my word is me because it expresses who I am.

Finally in John 1.14 the word of God, his plan for salvation, his will for humanity, his ultimate revealed purpose, becomes a living breathing human being in Jesus of Nazareth. How did this happen? The holy spirit overshadowed the virgin Mary which resulted in a totally unique pregnancy. God’s plan to save the world became flesh. In fact, throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes it clear that he spoke the words of God and did the works of God (John 8.28; 12.49-50)

________________________

Therefore, it is correct to say,

In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by IT; and without IT was not any thing made that was made.  In IT was life; and the life was the light of men.

Again, this is the reading in Tyndale 1525, Tyndale 1534, Matthew’s Bible 1537, The Great Bible 1539, The Geneva Bible 1560, the Bishop’s Bible (1568).  They all had  the word “it”.

All things were made by IT.   The word (logos) is an it and not a him.  A word is not a person.  Jesus the Messiah was in the (purpose/mind/motive/plan) of God before God (Yahweh) created the universe alone (Isaiah 44:24; Mark 10:6).  The word (logos)  does not become Jesus the Messiah until John 1:14.

IS JESUS GOD?

Melchizedek was without Father without mother having no beginning of days and ending of life. He was called the King of Salem, the King of Peace. Jesus was born and died, of course God can not die he is the only immortal King. But Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace, and the prince is the son of a King.

No. 1) There is only One God and He is the Father of Jesus Christ, Only One person is God, there’s only One God.
Exodus 20: 2-3 I am thy God, Thou shalt have no other,
Deut 6:4 The Lord our God is One Lord,
John 17:3 The Only True God John 8: 54he is your God:
Isaiah 54:5 The Holy One of Israel, Not two, not three but one.
Romans 15:6 God, even Thy God,
John 20:17 To my God and your God
1 Corinthians 8:6 One God, the Father,
1 Corinthians 15:4& 24 To God, even Thy Father,
2 Corinthians 1:3 God, even Thy Father
Ephesians 1:17 God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all,
1 Thessalonians 3:13 God, even our Father,
2 Thessalonians 2:16 God, even our Father,
James 3:9 God, even our Father,
2 John 3 From God the Father, Jesus Christ the son of the Father
Revelations 3:12 My God, my God, my God, my God

No. 2) Jesus has a God. God is sovereign, He doesn’t answer to anyone. He has no one above Him that is God. Therefore, if Jesus (the Son of God) is God, then why does He speak of another who is God? And if Jesus has a God, then who is this God if Jesus Himself is God? Therefore, Jesus, was not “God the Son”, but He was the “Son of God”. He had a God and that God was His Father and that Father indwelt Him.

John 20: 17 to my God, and your God,
Revelations 3:12 My God, My God, My God, my God
Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15: 34 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Forsaken means “totally abandon”. Can God abandon Himself?
2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord
Ephesians 1:3 The God and Father of our Lord
Ephesians 1:17 The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:3 The God and Father of our Lord
Hebrews 1:8, 9 God, even thy God, hath anointed
Psalm 45:6, 7 God, thy God hath anointed thee
Revelation 1:6 Unto his God
2 Corinthians 1:3 God of our Lord Jesus
Hebrews 5:7, 8 Offered up prayers unto him
Luke 6:12 All night in prayer to God
Matthew 11:25 O Father, Lord of heaven and earth
John 17:1 Father, the hour is come
Matthew 26:39, 42 My Father, if it be possible

No. 3) Jesus never claimed to be God, but the Son of God.
Psalms 45:6-7 God, Even thy God hath anointed thee
Matthew 16: 16 The Son of the living God.
John 8: 54 my Father whom ye say, that he is your God:
John 10: 36 I am the Son of God?
Ephesians 1:3, 17 the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 1:8 Unto the Son he saith
Hebrews 1:9 God, Even thy God hath anointed thee
Romans 15: 6 God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8: 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father,
2 Corinthians 1:3, 11: 31 God and Father of Jesus Christ,
2 Corinthians 1: 3 God, even Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 1:3 the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
2 Peter 1: 17 God the Father …This is my beloved Son,
2 John 1: 3 God the Father, and Jesus Christ, Son of the Father,
2 John 1:9 hath both Father and the Son.
Revelations 1:6 Unto God and his father

And what about Jesus Himself, what did He have to say about his relationship with His own Father?

John 20:17 my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 2: 16,5:17,43, 6: 32, 65, 8:19, 28,38,49,5410:17,18,25, 29,30, 32,37 12:26,14:2,7,12,20,21, 23, 15:1,8,10,24 18:11,20:21, “My father

No. 4) How was Jesus and God one? Answer: God is the Word and His Word is Life, Jesus manifest God’s Word, God’s God-Life.
John 10: 30–38 I and my Father are one, My father dwelleth in me…
John 14:8-10 you see me you see my Father, My Father dwells in Me,
Matthew 12: 18 in whom my soul is…: I will put my spirit on him,
Mark 1: 11 Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am…
Matthew 17: 5 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am…
Matthew 3: 17 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am…
John 17:11 they may be one, as we are.John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, they also may be one in us: 22 the glory which thou gave me I’ve given them; that they may be one, even as we’re one: We are one with God by receiving His Glory. Glory =Greek “doxa” means opinion, values, judgment of God.

No. 5) God is Greater than Jesus. Jesus was subject to His Father
John 10:29 My Father is greater than all
John 14: 28 for my Father is greater than I.
Matthew 20:23 Prepared of my Father
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Subject to Father
Zechariah 3:8 My servant the Branch
Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant in whom
Philippians 2:7,8 as servant
Romans 5:19 Obedience of one.
Hebrews 1:9 Thy God hath anointed thee
Psalms 45:6-7 The God hath anointed thee
Hebrews 5:7,8 Offered up prayers unto Him
Luke 6:12 all night in prayer unto God
Matthew 11:25 O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth
John 17:1 Father the hour is come
Matthew 26: 39, 42 My Father if it be possible
I Corinthians 11:3 The head of Christ is God
1 Corinthians 3:23 Christ is God’s…
Matthew 20:23 Not mine to give but my Father
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Son himself subject to Father

Jesus admits the Father is greater than He. This word Greater was translated from Greek word meaning not only “greater” but also “older”. When Trinitarian tells you that Jesus was co-eternal and co-equal with His Father, how can he when the Son himself denied he was. All sons have beginnings. Then how could the Son be the Eternal Father?

Isaiah 9: 6 (A) “For unto us a child is born”, if born has a beginning, therefore not eternal…if born someone before him to give birth to him. Born suggests pedigree and lineage, also suggest to bring forth.
(B) unto us son is given: He’s a gift, giver is greater than gift. John 3:16
(C) government shall be upon his shoulder: Luke 1: 32 called Son of the Highest: Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
(D) his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Now, let’s examine the last portion which deals with the name of this child, this Son that will be born: Wonderful, (is wonderful a name? No.) Counselor, (is counselor a name? No. It’s a title.) Mighty God, (is Might God a name? ) The everlasting Father, (Is Father a name? No!) The Prince of Peace ( Is Prince of Peace a name? No.) Now, there’s only one name of the Ever Lasting Father, the Mighty God, the Counselor, etc. That name is Jesus. What then does it mean His name shall be “called”. This word “called” was translated from the Hebrew word “qara” which means “To proclaim” His name shall proclaim the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. Father’s name.

No. 6) Jesus came in his Father’s name, Father’s name is Jesus.
John 5: 43, 10:25 I am come in my Father’s name,

Therefore the name of the Father was Jesus, the same name given to the Son. The Apostle Paul said, “God was IN Christ reconciling the world unto Himself”. He didn’t say God was Christ, but “God was In Christ”.

2 Corinthians 5: 19 “God was in Christ”, Paul is not teaching here that Jesus was the Fullness of the Godhead, but he is teaching that IN Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead.

Colossians 2:9 in him dwells all fullness of the Godhead bodily. Peter did not teach that the Holy Ghost was Jesus, but witnessed God the Father spoke and said that He came down and dwelt IN His Son.

2 Peter 1: 17 God the Father, This is my beloved Son, in whom I
John 10: 25 works I do in my Father’s name, bear witness of me.

No. 7) Jesus Prayed to his Father who is God.
John 14: 16, John 16:26, John 17:9, 15, 20I pray Matthew 6: 9, Matthew 11: 25,Matthew 14:23, Matthew 26:36, 39, 42,53, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28, Luke 11:2,Mark 6:46, Hebrews 5:7,8

No.  Son of God could learn, could increase his knowledge.
Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
Luke 2:52 Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, favor with God…

No. 9) Jesus was Obedient to his Father in all things. God can not be obedient to anyone outside Himself if He is the Only Omnipotent God.
Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
John 5:17 My father worketh hitherto and I work
John 5:19 The son can only do what he sees the father do first
John 5:30 The son can of Himself do nothing
John 8: 29 I do always those things that please him.
John 10:18 This commandment received I of my Father
John 10:25 the works I do in my Fathers name
John 10:32 works I showed you from my Father
John 12:49 Father gave me commandment what to say and do
John 12:50 as my Father said to me so I speak
John 14:31 The Father gave me commandment

No. 10) Jesus was made perfect. This means the Son of God could change in His stature, wisdom and maturity.
Hebrews 5:9 being made perfect, if he was made perfect then he was not born that way. Malachi 3:6 & Hebrews 13:8God can not change Luke 2:40 the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, (maturity) and in favor (influence) with God and man.

No. 11) Jesus was not Omniscient, God is Omniscient.
Isaiah 40:13, 14 Jesus received his knowledge from God
John 8:28, of that day/hour knoweth no man … but my Father only
Mark 13:32 of that day/hour knoweth no man…my Father only
Matthew 24:36 “of that day/hour knows no man, my Father only
Luke 2:52 Jesus increased in wisdom and stature
John 5:19 the Son can do nothing but what the Father shows him
John 8:28 My father hath taught me
Mark 13:32 no man knows the day, neither the son, the father only

No. 12) The son of God is subject to God in all things.
I Corinthians 15:28 the Son also himself shall be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
John 5:19 The son can of himself do nothing
John 5: 30 The son can of himself do nothing
John 8: 29 I do always those things that please him.
John 10:18 This commandment received I of my Father
John 12:49 Father gave me commandment what to say and do
John 12:50 as my Father said to me so I speak
John 14:31 The Father gave me commandment

No. 13) Jesus dependent upon Father to restore His Glory.
John 17:5 O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. This tells us that he had it but stepped aside from it, and now is asking for it to be restored to Him again. Most notable is the fact that He stripped Himself of all privilege when he came to earth to take on the form of man, and emptied Himself out completely and took on the nature of a bond-slave. The Weymouth Translation says, “Although from the very beginning He had the nature of God, He did not reckon equality with God a treasure to be tightly grasped. Nay, He stripped Himself of His Glory, and took on Him the nature of a bondservant, a man like other men. As a bond slave, the main attribute expressed is submission to the will of the slave owner.

No. 14) Jesus was dependent upon the will of God His Father.
Hebrews 10:7 I come to do thy will, O God
Hebrews 10:9 I come to do thy will, O God.
Luke 11:2 Thy will be done
Luke 22:42 Not my will but Thy will be done
Matthew 6;10 Thy will be done
Matthew 26:42 Thy will be done
Matthew 7:21 he that doeth the will of my Father
Matthew 12:50 whosoever shall do the will of my Father
John 5:30 I seek not my own will but the will of my Father
John 6:38 I came down not to do my will but His will that sent me
John 8:29 I always do those things that please Him

No. 15) God and Jesus are not one like your finger is one,
John 5:32 two must bear witness, another beareth witness of me
John 5:36 another bears witness of me. A greater witness, the father…
John 5:37 Father himself, which sent me, has borne witness of me
8:17-18 the testimony of two me is true, I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me

No. 16) Jesus was dependent upon His Father for His Doctrine.
John 7:16 My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 10:18 This commandment received I of my Father
John 12:49 Father gave me commandment what to say and do
John 12:50 as my Father said to me so I speak
John 14:31 The Father gave me commandment

No. 17) The Father sent the Son.
I John 4:1 Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
John 5:23, 5:30, 5:36, 5:37 Father sent me, the Father sent me.
John 6:39, 6:44, 6:57 The Living Father hath sent me
John 20:21 As my Father sent me
John 8:16, 18 the Father that sent me
John 8:29, 42 I did not come of my own but the Father sent me
John 10:36 Whom the father sanctified and sent into the world
John 12:49 the Father which sent me
John 14:24, the Father which sent me
John 17 :21, 17:25 believe that thou hast sent me

No. 18) God raised up Jesus from the dead he didn’t raise Himself.
Acts 2:24, 32 This Jesus hath God raised up
Acts 3:15, 26 God raised up his son Jesus
Acts4:10 God raised from the dead,
Acts 5: 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
Acts 10: 40 Him God raised up
Acts 13:23, 13:30, 13:33, 13:34, 13:37 God raised him
Acts 17:31 But God raised him from the dead:
Ephesians 1:20, 2:6 God raised up Jesus
Romans 4: 24, 6: 4, 8:11, 10:9 God hath raised him from the dead
Galatians 1:1 God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
1Corinthians 6: 14, God raised up 15:15 God raised up Christ
2 Corinthians 4:14 He that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead
Colossians 2:12 God who hath raised him from the dead
1 Peter 1:21 God raised him up
1 Thessalonians 1:10 raised up his son

No. 19) Jesus died, God can not die.
2 Corinthians 4:10 The dying of the lord Jesus
1 Thessalonians 4:14 Jesus died and rose again
John 19:40 they buried the body of Jesus
John 12:7 Mark 9:31 Mark 10:34 Jesus spoke of his death
John 19:33 they saw that Jesus was already dead
I Corinthians 15:3 Christ died for our sins 1 Timothy 6:15-16 Who only hath immortality 1 Timothy 1:17 unto the King eternal immortal invisible

No. 20) Jesus hungered, thirsted Weary, God Is spirit
Matthew 4:2, Jesus hungered
Mark 11:12 he was hungry
John 19:28 I thirst
John 4:6. being wearied with his journey
Psalm 121: 3, Psalm 121: 4 God neither sleeps nor slumbers

No. 21) Jesus was Tempted, God can not be tempted
Matthew 4:1 Jesus was tempted
Mark 1:13 Jesus was tempted
Luke 4:2 Being 40 days tempted of the devil

No. 22) Jesus Suffered, God can not suffer
Luke 24:26, 24:46 Ought not Christ to have suffered
Acts 3: 18, 17: 3, 26:23 that Christ should suffer
1 Peter 1:11 Sufferings of Christ
1 Peter 2:1 Christ suffered for us
1 Peter 3:18 once suffered for our sins
1 Peter 4:1, 4:13 Christ hath suffered for us
1 Peter 5:1 Suffering’s of Christ

No. 23) Son received Life from Father. Father is author of Life.
Luke 1:35 that Holy thing shall be called the son of God
John 5:26 Father hath life in himself; He gave to Son to have life.
John 6:57 I live by the father

No. 24) The Man Jesus is the mediator between God and Man.
1 Timothy 2:5 One mediator between God & man, man Jesus.
Galatians 3:20 A mediator is not of One, but God is One. A mediator is a 3rd party in dispute between 2 others.

No. 25) God Exalted Jesus. He who exalts self shall be abased.
Philippians 2: 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him
Acts 2: 33, 5: 31 Him hath God exalted
Matthew23:12, Luke14:11,18:14 Who exalts self shall be abased;

No. 26) Jesus Anointed Lord & Christ by God His Father.
Luke 1:31-33 God shall give him his throne Rev. 3:21 On fathers throne
John 5;22, 5:27 Father commits authority to son to execute judgment
Acts 2:36, God hath made Jesus both Lord and Christ
Acts 10:38, 10:42, God anointed Jesus with Holy Ghost,
Acts17:31 God hath made this same Jesus Lord and Christ

No. 27) The Son of God is not sovereign, God is sovereign.
John 5:17 Jesus accused by Jews for working on Sabbath because He healed on Sabbath. His answer is found in verse17. But Jesus answered them, My Father works hitherto, and I work.18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but He said that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Then answered Jesus unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things so ever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. Jesus tells the Jews he’s helpless unless the Father shows him what to do. He says, the Son can do nothing. Then the son cannot save, he cannot heal, he cannot redeem, he can do nothing, unless shown by the Father what to do. These are not the words of One who is Sovereign.

But God is Sovereign. God is Omniscient and Omnipotent.

1. One who is sovereign answers to no one.
2. One who is sovereign reigns supreme above all.
3. One who is sovereign is completely independent of all others.

Therefore, the Son of God is not Sovereign, God alone is sovereign. Jesus was completely dependent upon his Father to act and speak. He did not have his own words, works, nor doctrine, and he subjected His own will to his Father. It is God that is sovereign and He indwelt his Son who was dependent on Him in all things. God is Omniscient, God is Omnipotent, but his son is always dependent on His Father for everything including; speaking, acting, His doctrine, and even submitting His own will to the Father’s will.

Jesus said, “Father, I would that you take this cup from me, But not My will but Thine be done”, etc. Those are not words of a sovereign. All scripture speaking of the son show he is not sovereign. John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. Notice Jesus was dependent on God to show Him a vision of what to do.

John 5:21 For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens whom The Father wills.John 5:22 For the Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son

Romans 15:5 The God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

John 12:44 He that believes on me, believes him that sent me.

John 5:23 all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which hath sent him. When we honor the Son we honor the Father, because the Son only does what the Father instructs Him to do. Thus what we see is the Father working and the son working hitherto. When we give honor to the son we acknowledge the Father’s pre-eminent role, and the son’s role of complete obedience to His Father.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, & shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 14:10b The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he doeth the works.

Trinitarians use several arguments to explain how God and Jesus are one like your finger is one. Oneness only do the same, but with a different application. Whereas Trinitarians see at three individuals involved, they try to make them one like a triangle with three corners. But God and His son are one by God’s Word. God is the Word, and His Word was expressed in the person of His son. The following Scriptures Trinitarians use to try to explain a Trinitarian Godhead.

Philippians 2:6 Being in the form of GodColossians 1:15 The image of the invisible God 2 Corinthians 4:4 Christ, who is the image of God John 12:45 He that seeth me seeth him John 14:9 he that hath Seen me hath seen the FatherColossians 1:19 In him all fullness dwellColossians 2:9 In him dwelleth all the fullness Hebrews 1:3 Express image of his person

These scriptures can be broken down into two categories of argument. One, they believe that Jesus was in the form of God means that He is God. This they reason because they do not understand English. A Form or image is not the same as the original. And they do not understand God-life.

Bible teaches us God placed in the woman’s womb the complete body.

Hebrews 10:5 “A body hast thou prepared me” (ie: both egg and sperm)Hebrews 1:3 The man Jesus (the body, the son of God) was born with every attribute and characteristic that was in God. In other words, God infused his Divine DNA so to speak, (all that He was intrinsically into the gene pool of the son of God) and therefore that Body was a living breathing replica of the Father, but it was not the father, but in “the Image” of the Father. And if it is an image of it is not the Father Himself. This doesn’t suggest for one minute that Jesus the son of God is God the son. “image” means likeness or impressed character. Jesus was the physical expression of God-Life in the man. His character reflected all that is God or that God-Life could be expressed in a physical body. Therefore, Men could know God’s character e by looking at the life of Jesus. His life revealed holiness, righteousness, justice, love, mercy, loving-kindness, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. Jesus was godly; He was God-like in character and conduct. Jesus was not God Himself; He reflected God’s character in His life.