Re; DEITY OF JESUS-- EXPLANATION
Fretwell@aol.com (Fretwell@aol.com)
Sat, 11 Dec 1999 18:48:50 EST
Re:THE DEITY OF JESUS
Calvin@zianet.com wrote:
<<This sounds more like Sabellianism than it does classi-
cal Modalistic Monotheism.>>
<<Sabellianism taught that Jesus was not God until His
baptism. Is that what you are indicating also?>>
As I remember, the last time I submitted this article, it also
generated quite a bit of discussion.
I believe the questions stem from a somewhat distorted
view of the Plan of God.
I know nothing about Sabellianism nor Modalistic Monthe-
ism, so I can not enlighten you about those ideologies.
However, I did run across a scripture many years ago
which helped me to understand better what has taken place in the
development of our Salvation today.
Acts 10:37-41 That word, [I say], ye know, which was
published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after
the baptism which John preached; HOW GOD ANOINTED
JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH
POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were
oppressed of the devil; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM. And we are
witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews,
and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: HIM
GOD RAISED UP THE THIRD DAY, AND SHEWED HIM
OPENLY; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before
of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose
from the dead.
Another scripture combination which helped me immensely
was to compare John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh
the words of God: for GOD GIVETH NOT THE SPIRIT BY
MEASURE [UNTO HIM]. with II Corinthians 1:22 Who hath
also SEALED US, AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT
IN OUR HEARTS. and II Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath
wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given
unto us the EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT. , and Ephesians 1:14
Which is the EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE
REDEMPTION of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his
glory.
I now realize that I left ample room for misunderstanding
when I used the term "the Holy Ghost came upon Him" as though
it was merely the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as we know it today.
Please forgive me this oversight.
One other scripture which helped me very much is the one
in Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a CHILD is born, unto us a SON is
given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The CHILD was born in Bethlehem. The SON was
PROCLAIMED at Jordan. But, the scripture says that the SON
who was PROCLAIMED at Jordan was actually BEGOTTEN
three days and three nights AFTER the crucifixion.
Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
WHICH WAS MADE OF THE SEED OF DAVID according to the
FLESH; And declared [to be] the Son of God WITH POWER,
according to the SPIRIT OF HOLINESS, by the RESURRECTION
FROM THE DEAD:
Acts 13:30 But God raised him from the dead: ---- Acts
13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, IN THAT
HE HATH RAISED UP JESUS AGAIN; as it is also written in
the second psalm, THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I
BEGOTTEN THEE.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is FLESH; and
that which is born of the Spirit is SPIRIT.
What happended to the FLESH OF GOD?
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY
EXALTED HIM, and GIVEN HIM A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE
EVERY NAME: Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and
[things] under the earth;
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assur-
edly, that GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, WHOM YE
HAVE CRUCIFIED, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.
I can not see that Jesus was God in the manger of Bethlehem.
With all respect and regards.
fretwell@aol.com