Greetings Don,
Yes my friend I switched subjects to address the weightier issue of salvation as I believe it to be the most important point in any discussion concerning the word of God.
Your quote from a Jesuit Bible Dictionary (which I find interesting considering your background) is opinion and I do not believe scriptually founded.
Regarding the trinity it stated << The belief as so defined was reached only in the 4th and 5th centuries AD and hence is not explicitly and formally a biblical belief..... The OT does not contain suggestions or forshadowing of the trinity.>>
I disagree....
Genesis 2:26
And God said, Let US make man in OUR own image, after OUR likeness:....
Genesis 18
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, ......
In Genesis 2:26 the terms us and our are utilized indicating more than one. In all of chapter 18 three persons are identified that speak as one and the words are credited to the Lord.
Verse 1 here states plainly that the Lord appeared unto him (Abraham) and yet in three personages.
You then again quote the opinion of the Society of Jesus << pg. 317 John 1:1 should rigorously be translated ' the word was with the God, and the word was a divine being.>>
Smith & Goodspeed <<The Word was divine>>
New World Translation << The Word was a God >>
And of course being a KJV proponent I present John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Next in your words << If 3 closely related males were of equal age, power and authority they would be called " brothers" not father and son?"
But the word of God says concerning Jesus in Phillippians Chapter 2 verse 6 " Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL WITH GOD..."
Then you have said << 77 times Jesus is identified as the " Son of man" 60+ times as the " Son of God " but never as "GOD THE SON"
The bible most certainly HAS made this statement....
Hebrews Chapter 1
1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and ministers a flame of fire.
8 BUT UNTO THE SON HE SAITH, THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOR EVER AND EVER: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of they kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; THEREFORE GOD, EVEN THY GOD, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
These verses could not be clearer and obviously refute the Watchtower Societies' claim that Jesus is the angel Michael.
Quoting you again Don, << There's a river of scripture testifying to the simple truth that Christ suffered death for us, the same total sleep we would experience forever were it not for His perfectly equal sacrifice.[=to Adam] Having died, spent 3 days in Hades/Sheol, He could not be God. "The dead know not anything." >>
Don, isn't Moses dead? Jude vs 9 says so.
Luke 9 speaking of Christ at the transfiguration
vs 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
vs 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias....
Moses is alive presently not in some total sleep as you would imply.
Matthew 23:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not he God of the dead, but of the living.
There is much for us to discuss concerning your claim that Luke 16 is only a parable, the existence of hell etc. and yes I firmly believe in everlasting punishment for those that reject Christ yet I do not see that as making God cruel. I see hell as a literal place.
I will address your post on these subjects later and give you opportunity to respond if you so desire and I hope you do.
Don, if you claim Jesus is your personal Saviour and in that you mean you have repented of your sins, and believe that He died for you and is risen again and you have asked Him to save you then I do not assume to be so arrogant as to say because we differ doctrinaly that you can't be saved. God knows your heart. I take you at your word.
I see you however clinging to Watchtower doctrine and that doctrine practised by the hundreds of Jehovahs Witnesses I have spent time with has likely sent many to a Christless eternity in that it denies the deity of Christ and I have heard their rejection of the message of salvation for here and now, instead they trust in works rather than grace.
I realize I am making a bold assumption here however you did not refute my belief that you are with the Watchtower Society.
Don, I pray the Lord bless and keep you this day and that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth.
In Jesus' love,
John |
