Who is the Credible Witness that Jesus is Christ?

Was Jesus the Christ? How can we be sure? Who can be a reliable and truthful witness? Who can we bank on with absolute credibility?

What does the descriptive word “Christ” mean?

To answer this question, we need to define what does the title “Christ” mean.

Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning “anointed one” or “chosen one.” This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach, or “Messiah.” “Jesus” is the Lord’s human name given to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:31). “Jesus Christ” means “Jesus the Messiah” or “Jesus the Anointed One.”(1).

In ancient Israel, when someone was given a position of authority, oil was poured on his head to signify his being set apart for God’s service (e.g., 1 Samuel 10:1). Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed in such fashion. Anointing was a symbolic act to indicate God’s choosing (e.g., 1 Samuel 24:6). Although the literal meaning of anointed refers to the application of oil, it can also refer to one’s consecration by God, even if literal oil is not used (Hebrews 1:9).

The Bible says Jesus was anointed with oil on two separate occasions by two different women (Matthew 26:6–7; Luke 7:37–38), but the most significant anointing came by way of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). Jesus’ title of “Christ” means He is God’s Anointed One, the One who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies, the Chosen Savior who came to rescue sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), and the King of kings who is coming back again to set up His Kingdom on earth (Zechariah 14:9) (2).

It appears that many witnesses proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, as in:

John 5:31-47

“If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, † the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, † and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed † me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”

But, what is the context? Notice that Jesus said my witness of myself is not true (v-31) indicating don’t believe him.

Even John or any man (v-33-34) or

Moses (v-46-47).

While not diminishing human witnessing, it is only the witnessing of the Father that is credible and should be relied upon(v-37). His works, not his claim nor rhetoric, proved that the Father sent him. Jesus set the direction of emphasis. Humans are merely a conduit to the witnessing. The actual and credible witness is the Father. The emphasis is the witnessing made by the Father.

This principle that, while humans can be the media through which this identification can be expressed, it is the Father who personally identified Jesus as a Christ, (begotten)Son of God. This is buttressed by the narrative surrounding Peter’s testimony as a human conduit:

Matthew 16:16-17 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Similarly, in Jesus’ water baptism at Jordan river, “flesh and blood”(human) did not reveal to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Christ:

Matthew 3:16-17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

John 1:33-36 ”Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! “

Summary

No human can surpass the Father as a reliable and credible witness that Jesus is Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, our Saviour. Through testimony of humans, this truth is expressed by the Father.

Knowing the Father was with Jesus (as YHVH) from “the beginning” (John 1:1-2) should solidify our belief that in fact Jesus is Christ, our Savior. On that fact, we “can bank on it”.

God Bless 🙏😇

References

1. What does Christ mean? Retrieved 1/23/2019 from https://www.gotquestions.org/what-does-Christ-mean.html

2. Retrieved 1/23/19 from https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2026.6–7

Original Post/Hyperlink: January 24, 2019

Incarnation, are we missing the ultimate purpose for it?

All of those well-versed in Christian teachings understand that the Creator God(YHVH/El Shaddai/Logos) incarnated (John 1:1, John 1:14) into a human “flesh-composed” Jesus(Yahushuah; Joshuah).

But, how many accept that this incarnation meant what it literally says,i.e., that YHVH-Elohim(Lord-God) dis-empowered himself of his immense Creator’s spiritual powers to be human with limited material/physical powers. For him to do that is unheard of, as many would prefer to keep their power. Yet, YHVH-Elohim did exactly that, to be “true human“, anthropos/man as Paul wrote to Timothy. And, this he did because that was his Father’s will and he trusted him based on “faith of Jesus“. Still, many will (by denying that human transformation, diminish how awesome, defining and all-encompassing what he precisely did.

And, that this Jesus was the only human ( not any other, not Job, Abraham, Isaac, nor Jacob) chosen from the foundation of the world to be the “trailblazer”(pioneer/captain/archegos Hebrews 2:10), not even the first Adam in Genesis 1:26-27. This is why the latter’s admonition against “eating the fruit of the tree wherein there is knowledge of good and evil”(Genesis 2:16-17), to be like the Creator God in how to have “knowledge of good and evil”. That the Father planned it that way that salvation has to “start through a specific anthropos-man”, Jesus/Yahushuah/Joshua, the first human trailblazer to receive the Father’s Holy Spirit of power. Notice that only after water baptism at River Jordan that Jesus had full in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit (as a dove) and was empowered to overcome Satan(which strictly speaking was the first miracle) and did the first miracle in wedding at Cana and all subsequent spiritual miracles.

He was also the “Passover” whose crucifixion was accounted as the death of mankind resulting from Adam’s sin (1 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 5:12-21). His death made it possible for humans to be reconciled to the Father, while “we were still sinners and enemies of God” (Romans 5:8, 10-11; Colossians 1:20). All of these were promised by the Father before their actual realization and were based on “love”(John 3:16) and “grace”(Ephesians 2:8). As Jesus was with the Father from the very beginning and knew his power and credibility, this faith(evidence/substance;Hebrews 11:1), made him trust the Father with the “hope” (1) of him fulfilling what he promised.

Promise after Jesus’ death?

All of the promises transpired as prophesied regarding the earthly life of Jesus. But, do we really appreciate the enormity of what was also promised after his death? Aside from the promise to Jesus receiving the Holy Spirit at River Jordan as a man/anthropos and be a Passover for the sins of mankind, to achieve reconciliation with the Father, he was also promised for mankind’s resurrection after death as in:

1Corinthians 15:21 “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”

The preceding takes us back to 1st Adam, the man that because of his sin, eternal death came to mankind. The principle is reiterated that through one man (1st Adam) came death, so death also of a man (2nd Adam) came reconciliation and resurrection. Moreover, as the resurrection of the dead comes through this man(Jesus), so shall be the resurrection of mankind to “spirit-composed bodies”. As the death referred to, in the previous verse was eternal/2nd death, so was the resurrection alluded to was not into “mortal bodies” (like Lazarus, John 11:1-46) but to eternal life, immortality. As eternal death of Christ/Passover was accounted as eternal death for mankind that reconciled us to God, so shall our resurrection with “immortal bodies” be started by him as a path for mankind towards immortality.

Can we really comprehend a dead person being resurrected to an “immortal life”? All resurrections prior to this was restoration to “flesh-composed” bodies (2, 3). But Jesus’ resurrection was the first “spirit-composed resurrection”, albeit able to appear and be seen by others(Acts 1:3; Luke 25:15-32). Indeed, he was rightfully described as a “pioneer/author/”, the 1st one, the “first of the first-fruits” (1 Corinthians 15:23). Moreover, he was the “trailblazer”of our salvation, not only for the life he lived as a human being, but also for being the first human to be baptized with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit in river Jordan(John 1:32). Additionally, he was called the “Potter” by receiving a unique and never before given “creative-power” of the Holy Spirit, after his resurrection, from the Father, as in:

John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Looking back in his history, man-Jesus never had this specific “creative power” prior to these events, even as the pre-incarnated YHVH-Elohim whose powers did not include this as it is a creative power to him for the future of other humans. As to that, man/anthropos-Jesus confirmed this only after his resurrection from death that “ all powers in heaven and earth” (Matthew 28:18; Revelations 5:13) were given to him. Before incarnation to man-Jesus, YHVH’s “creative power” encompassed the creation of “all visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16) including “creating humans from the ground and breathe into his nostrils the breath of life”(Genesis 2:7). He was also able to create before all of these, spirit-composed angelic beings(Job 38:7). Notice, though, that 1/3rd did not follow God/YHVH /Elohim and rebelled against him( Revelations 12:4). While “spirit-composed”, it did not endow these fallen angels with being “one” with the Father. The other 2/3rd who aligned with God also were not “one” with him as to understanding (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26) the plan for humans to be “above angels “(Hebrews 2:6-18) and be “children of God”. So, what was this never before given “creative-power”?

“Oneness “with the Father?

From Genesis creation, notice that there were 2 trees in the midst of the garden of Eden, viz., the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the tree of immortal life(Genesis 2:9). As any of the fruits in the garden can be eaten by Adam(Genesis 2:16), he could have eaten the fruit from the tree of life and be immortal. Yet, he chose the fruit of the other tree that would give him wisdom to discern which is good or evil. This choice appear to be better than being “spirit-composed beings” like the angels. He may have reasoned, that he could subsequently “eat the fruit from the tree of life”. But, Adam & Eve could NOT as they sinned and were driven out of the garden, “lest they also partake of the fruit of the tree that gives eternal life”. Common sense tells us that all of us could have opted for the same choice.

The “1st Adam” aspired to be “like him”, like the Creator God, to have wisdom and then immortality. Notice though that being “spirit-composed” is the same as angelic beings. Adam preferred to have wisdom “like him”, signifying the key element first of “being like him” was the wisdom to discern good from evil and that would put him at a higher level than angels. This actually was the plan for humans all along and from the foundation of the world. But, “1st Adam” was cautioned against this sinful act (Genesis 2:16-17)with a consequence of eternal death(4) and for what reason?

Going through biblical narrative regarding choice, God has always been the one who chose what he likes, prefers and what is “sweet savor” to him. In the case of Abel and Cain, both made an offering of their best. But, Abel offered a “lamb” while Cain offered the produce from the ground (Genesis 4:3-7). To God, it had to be a “lamb” for a Passover offering and not any other, no matter whether that is the best a person could offer. God decides what soothes him.

Similarly, it has been planned and chosen that the human to “be like him” was not 1st Adam but the 2nd Adam, the “seed”(not seeds) of Abraham, as in:

Galatians 3:16 “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.”

The Genesis Adam was not the man to start the process to be “like him”, but the human “flesh-composed” (as we are), Jesus Christ. And true to his description as “pioneer/author/trailblazer“, his life on earth exemplified it and ultimately his resurrection to receive a new “creative power” from the Father. This power of the Holy Spirit is the “energy–power” that in-dwells and guides the “mind”(spirit-of-man) to choose what is right or wrong as defined by God. For, even if we know what we think is best, still God said:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “ Isaiah 55:8

In the same vein, Isaiah 64:6 states:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…”

The very best from our mortal bodies is not what God has in store for us , as planned. Good works have to be “fruits” that come as a result of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. And, this has to start from the “mind/spirit-of-man”. Being of “one mind” as to “what is right or wrong” is sine-qua-non to being “one” with the Father. And the human Jesus was the first human (pioneer/trailblazer/author) that became eventually “one” with the Father in following, not the will of his mortal body, but as he said in the garden of Gethsemane “not my will but let your will be done”(Mark 14:36; Luke 23:42).

Our “good works” should not emanate from our “mortal bodies”. They should be a by-product of “spirit components”, (the “breathe-of-life/spirit-of-man and Holy Spirit”) that appeals to God. A “sweet savor” to him, are works that come as a result of the gifted in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit , so-called “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. Thus, the Holy Spirit had to be received by the resurrected Jesus and subsequently to be given as a gift to the first-called (the “firstfruits”) then to the latter-called (“latter fruits”) at their own appointed times, as in:

Ecclesiastes 9:11, “…time and chance happen to them all.”

The life of Job in the “Book of Job” exemplifies that, as “upright/perfect in his ways” Job was and well-informed on the Commandments of God on his own power and intellect, this was not what was the “sweet savor” to the Father. It has to be “fruits of the Holy Spirit”, not from “fruits of our mortal bodies”. This, Job understood only later when he acknowledged after God opened his “eyes”, as in Job 42:5

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you”

The prophesied in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit was not to take effect on Job but to another chosen human, Jesus. Like Job in many ways, the human Jesus from birth till adulthood learned through spiritual guidance (but not in-dwelling) of the Holy Spirit about the commandments of God on his own and was recognized with “advanced learning” in the synagogues where Jesus went every Sabbath day, as in John 7:15:

“The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”.

But, like Job, all of these are “works/fruits” that emanate from our “mortal/flesh-composed bodies”. It was not enough for our eyes and ears to be opened spiritually after believing (5), (as Peter’s mind was informed about who Jesus was, Matthew 16:13-17). The Holy Spirit has to take abode and in-dwell in Jesus, as in baptism of the Holy Spirit after his water-baptism In River Jordan, as in Matthew 3:16,

“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him”

From then on, his “works” were “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. Notice that this power was used against Satan’s temptation and all the miracles that followed. Jesus did not perform any miracle until after this baptism of the Holy Spirit, thus the miracle of water turning into wine in the wedding in Cana was called the “first miracle”, ( see John 2:1-11) as in John 2:11,

“This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”

This is why Jesus has to receive the Holy Spirit from the Father after his resurrection, then subsequently to be given to us to have in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit in us is the power that empowers us to be “one” with the Father and Son, as in;

Ephesians 3:16 “ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

Summary

Everything prophesied about the incarnation of YHVH/El Shaddai/Logos into a flesh-composed Jesus, with “breath-of-life/spirit-of-man/mind” like us, has been fulfilled in his human life. He was the one-man “Passover”, whose eternal death was accounted as eternal death of mankind toward propitiation for the sin of Genesis-Adam, one-man representing mankind, for reconciliation with the Father.

The human life of Jesus made him a “trailblazer/pioneer” of our salvation. His after-life (after his resurrection) made him alive to receive the unique and never-given-before “creative power” of the Holy Spirit remolding the clay, as a potter in:

Isaiah 64:8 “And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.”

Jeremiah 18:4-6

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”

With this power, he could then “in-dwell” in us to “guide, direct” our mind towards God’s wisdom in discerning right from wrong and follow what is right. This enables Jesus to “write in the tables of our heart” the laws of God, no longer in “tables of stones” (2Corinthians 3:3)as in Mt. Sinai.

As man-Jesus with the Holy Spirit, he has borne the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” and followed the “will of the Father”, not the “will of his mortal flesh” (Luke 22:42). This is the same path mankind has to undergo. To believe, our deaf ears and blind eyes have to be opened to spiritual things(5). Then, those who were predestined in this dispensation to believe, would be called to receive the in-dwelling of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit by the Father and given to us by Jesus. This “energy-power”, which is the Holy Spirit from the Father, will in-dwell, not in our mortal body that came from the ground(earthy)and made “by hands”, but in the “spirit-of-man” in us that came directly from the spirit-composed Creator as “breath-of-life”, and therefore heavenly. This, as prophesied, that God will “not dwell in temples made by hands”, as in:

Acts 7:48 “However, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as said the prophet”

This in-dwelling Holy Spirit will write the Laws, not again in tables of stone, but in the “fleshy tables of our (new)heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3; Ezekiel 36:26-27). We must heed his advice, follow his will and be overcomers, as in:

Revelations 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Revelation 2:26 “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”

Revelations 21:7 “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

And to overcome, we have to:

Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

James 1:19-21 “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Proverbs 17:27 “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered”

Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

God Bless 🙏😇

Hyperlink version posted 12/27/19. Please click for further discussion.

References:

1. Faith vs Trust, Hope, wishful thinking. Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/10/27/faith-vs-hope-or-wishful-thinking/

2. Death, What is? Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2018/12/06/death-what-is-2

3. Salvation Series 1. Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-1what/

4. Salvation Series 2. Retrieved 12/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-2-why/

5. Belief, mechanism, timing and meaning? Retrieved 1/4/2019 from https://fact-s.net/2018/08/05/belief-the-mechanism-and-timing-of-and-meaning-what/

May God bless us all 🙏😇.

Original post: January 5, 2019

Death, what is?

What is death and what happens at death? Do we know the exact mechanism that occurs at death? Do only good people go to heaven after death as many of us have been taught?

When can someone declare a person dead? The usual answer, in management school is, “it depends“. No pun intended, but it is true.

Different Concepts

Concepts of death are different in secular, religious groups and even among themselves in the same groups. In secular parlance, one considers death when the person is unconscious, not breathing on his own and there is no pulse. However, with today’s technology, a person maybe in coma, artificially breathing on respirator, heart beating because of pacemaker, blood pressure maintained on medications, bodily functions intact, and still can be pronounced dead legally when EEG is “flatline“; not having brain waves. Yet, among religious groups, what is commonly defined as a dead person in the tomb at any length of time, that state may still be defined as “sleep“.

Unanimity in Christian Tenet

Death considered as “sleep“, is a well-entrenched tenet for Christians. It is taken as a temporary state, much like sleep, as we wake up even after a long sleep. A waking-up period is a given because of the “hope of resurrection”. When a person dies, according to this teaching, at resurrection the person will not know events in-between, as in being “asleep” sans dreams. While they believe in eventual “eternal death” for non-believers, there is hope of resurrection for those who believed in Jesus. Hence, death is only “sleep“. Similarly, among living Christians, being “dead to sin”, is a state to be in as an admonition against sinning and to reckon themselves as in:

Rom. 6:11, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus“.(NIV)

A Christian is expected to follow the Ten Commandments and not commit sin.

What happens at death?

While death’s definition depends upon how each person perceives it in a secular sense, the ultimate mechanism that brings about death, in a religious sense, is shared by many. To grasp the mechanics of this truth, one has to understand how a person comes to be and becomes alive before knowing how one dies.

Going back to the narrative in Genesis, human evolution is “fake news“. We were informed that there is a Creator by the name of YHVH Elohim (Lord God), who is an “intelligent designer” of man, as in:

Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul(being)”.

Notice that man has 2 components, viz, dust + breath of life. That dust, which is the body, came from the ground and therefore matter-composed. Whereas, the breath of life, which is the “spirit of man“, the mind/psyche, comes from a Spirit-Being/God (from above) and therefore spirit-composed. The body, of and by itself, was not alive until the “breath of life” was “breathed into his nostrils.” Therefore, a living soul (nephesh) is composed of body + spirit of man (mind or psyche). In other words, man is composed of body which is matter as it comes from earth/mud/dust and a “breath-of-life“, mind or psyche which is spirit as it comes directly from a spirit-composed God breathing into man’s nostrils.

Now see how death is described and what happens to the 2 components of man at death in Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV)

“The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it”

Also, in Gen. 3:19 ” for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead,…”

Essentially then, the mechanism of death is that the spirit component of man, whether good or bad in life, separates from the matter component flesh-body; the former goes back to God where it came and was “breathed” from; the latter goes to hades/grave (buried in the tomb to rot) to dust, where it was formed from. Scientifically, although an assumption, the sudden electrical burst in EEG at time of death may find basis for this “separation“( 1,2,3). Experiences of “electrical-mechanical energy” manifestations after human death are well-known. Notice that, whether good or bad, this “spirit-of-man” goes back to Creator God.

Where Differences Lie

Let us then examine this concept of death in light of where the differences lie among biblical teachings of different sects in Christianity. In so doing, we may re-evaluate, optimize our current understanding of this subject and hopefully limit animosity. After taking up what teachings Christians (Catholics, Protestants, etc) align with, we can now enumerate where they differ from, viz.,

1. Is anyone who died, currently living in heaven?

It is a common belief that when we die, we immediately go to heaven or hell. This teaching was based on what Jesus at crucifixion said to the criminal and robber in the cross with him, as in:

Luke 23:43: “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In the original Greek text, there is no “comma‘ before the word “today“. This “comma” was an English grammar construction and interjected interpretation. Thus, with this comma before the word “today”, Jesus went to heaven with the criminal on that “day” or immediately at death. With this teaching, one has to explain how could this happen when Jesus was still in the tomb for “3 days and 3 nights” and not “in paradise“. Moreover, a teaching that a criminal goes directly to heaven had to assume that Jesus forgave him at the cross, without proof that he actually said so and does not need to do any “good works emanating from the Holy Spirit”.

Alternatively, it may well be argued that the “comma” should follow the word “today” which then changes the connotation, as in:

Luke 23:43: “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise.”

With the preceding rendering that the “comma” was placed after the word ” today”, the meaning changes to another interpretation. That is, Jesus said those words on that day, but the criminal would have that “rendezvous in paradise” in the future; yet, another conjecture. Or, wherever the comma is placed before or after the word “today“, it may just mean that both of them will die the same day and both their spirits(spirit of man) would go back subsequently to the Father in heaven, following the same mechanism that defines death.

Going back to the 1st question whether any man (the whole body and spirit) after death is currently living in heaven, one only has to listen to Jesus words, viz.,

John 3:13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man.”

Also, consider what apostle Peter said on the Day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:29, 34 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day…For David did not ascend into the heavens…”

Notice that the context refers to the whole person, body + spirit. When the text says, no one who died is in heaven, it therefore refers specifically only to the body. David, and for that matter anybody, is still buried, i.e. his body. The claim that no one who died ascended into heaven, refers to the body-component. From this rendering and understanding one can see the fallacy in the concept that Mary ascended to heaven,’aka, “Mary’s Assumption“.

However, while the whole person did not go to heaven and the matter-composed body is still in the tomb, we learned (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Genesis 3:19; James 2:26) that the active spirit-component went to God where it came from. The spirit-component of man although active is “naked“, unclothed, as in 2 Cor. 5:3, i.e., not having a body and therefore “nobody”, alive but not functional for lack of body. At death, like any human, Jesus’ spirit went to the Father in heaven and was restored after 3 days and three nights on earth with a resurrected immortal body. Only Jesus, who came from heaven, ascended into heaven with a “glorious body“, i.e., his mortal body did not rot in the tomb. Instead, after “three days and three nights”, it was changed “in a twinkling of an eye” into a glorious/spirit-composed body that is immortal. And with his spirit-composed body combined with his psyche/spirit, the whole person ascended into heaven, (compare John 20:17, Matthew 28:9, Mark 16 and Luke 24). This new body of Jesus can be visible or invisible to human eyes.

2. Can the dead (body) speak?

The following verses are self-explanatory:

Psalm 115:17 (ESV), “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence”.

Psalms 6:5 “For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave?.

Psalms 30:9 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?

Isaiah 38:18 “For Sheol (grave) cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.”

Preceding verses clearly referring to dead body.

How about in Rev. 19:1? Did not Apostle John hear “a loud voice from heaven” as in:

“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power to the Lord our God!’

Did John hear the voice of dead saints? Compared with Revelation 5:11-12, this voice clearly came from a multitude of angels, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

How about the “voices of the slain” in Revelation 6: 9-11

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne; they cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”

Knowing what we know now that only the psyche/spirit of man goes to God at death, not the body nor the whole person, one maybe able to explain this event. By itself and without a matter-composed nor spirit-composed tongue, the psyche/spirit is incapable of talking and vice-versa. For one to speak, both psyche/spirit and body have to be together. Like “faith without works is dead being alone“(James 2:26), the body is dead being alone.

Nothing was said about the psyche/spirit that goes to God whether alive or dead. In this narrative, only the psyche/spirit is with God as the body of the slain is still in the earthly tomb. Since the psyche/spirit has stored memories, what is in there can be accessed and can be expressed, not by the psyche/spirit itself as it has no body to be used to vocalize with. This is akin to “dream” where through the mind we appeared to be talking or walking, but actually still asleep; not vocalizing using our tongue nor walking using our legs. This verse that says “the slain cried out with a loud voice“, must be taken as an allegory with memories of the slain longing and hoping for the resurrection with new immortal body. Not that the “slain” actually spoke and voice heard.

3. Do dead people know anything?

Here again, the following are self-explanatory:

King David said, “for the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing… their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, NKJV, see also Psalm 146:4; 115:17

Eccl. 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (grave)where you are going”

The preceding has to refer to the body, not the “spirit of man” that separated from the body at death and went (with all its memories) to the Father.

4. Jonah praying in the belly of whale

Here is the narrative:

Jonah 1:17 “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

Jonah 2:1-10 “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.”

The common teaching was that while in the belly of the big fish, Jonah was alive and praying to God. Was he really alive in the belly of the fish and praying? Remember that he was there in the “belly” for “three days and three nights” after having been swallowed. The answer lies in the actual testimony of Jesus and what happened to him.

Matt. 12:39-40 “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Jesus used the story of Jonah as an example of his death and how long he would be in the tomb as the only sign to “a wicked and adulterous generation”. No one disputes the fact that Jesus was dead and was buried. And so, shouldn’t we extrapolate that while in the belly of the big fish, Jonah was dead and was not alive praying? This was confirmed by the description that Jonah was “brought up my life from corruption“, i.e. from death. It is therefore conceivable that while he was still alive, drowning and about to become unconscious, he was praying. He was then resurrected after 3 days and 3 nights like Jesus was. Otherwise, the danger of assuming Jesus did not actually die on the cross, as some Christians and Muslims teach

5. Lazarus/Rich man-story?

When does this narrative find application? The common teaching is that after death, they were still “alive” but Lazarus was in “comfort” at Abraham’s bosom while the rich man was tormented in flames. A number of areas are conflicted here. We now know that when a person dies, he is actually dead, not alive. Also, which hell is referred to? When was this resurrection? Which of the 2 final resurrection was referred to? Let us then go through the whole account for analysis:

Luke 16: 19-31: “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.”

This narrative speaks about their death and subsequent resurrection. Lazarus went to “Abraham’s bosom”, while the rich man was resurrected and found himself “in torment”, and “in anguish in this flame”. To begin with, there are 3 types of “hell“, viz., Hades where dead people are buried(entombed,grave), Tartaros where rebellious angels are and Gehenna fire, the final death. Only Gehenna has unquenchable fire. Hades does not have “flame” of fire nor does Tartaros. What was referred to, could only be “Gehenna fire“, which has flames of fire that living people can be tormented till death. The following are other English translations of this story:

Luke 16:23 “While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side.”(CEB). Notice, that the place of the dead was not specified as to any of the 3 types.

Luke 16:22-23 (CPDV) “Then it happened that the beggar died, and he was carried by the Angels into the bosom of Abraham. Now the wealthy man also died, and he was entombed in Hell. Then lifting up his eyes, while he was in torments, he saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Notice from these alternate English translation, that the place where he was buried was in “hell” or Hades-Sheol. But where he was resurrected or “lifted up his eyes” and was in torment, because of the flame, was not specified.

Luke 16:21-23 (DRC1752)”And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom:”. Again, notice here that the place where he was buried was in “hell” or Hades-Sheol but where he was resurrected or “lifted up his eyes” (already with eyes) and was in torment because of the flame was not specified.

Considering all the preceding, the timing of this resurrection had to be the “second resurrection”(Rev. 20:12-13), post-Millenium; in contrast to the “first” resurrection to immortal spirit-composed bodies at the beginning of the Millenium(Rev. 20:4-6; I Cor. 15:20; I Thes. 4:16; Rev. 20:4) This is a resurrection of the dead to flesh-composed bodies where people are judged whether to accept the “good news” of salvation and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Those who did, went to Abraham’s bosom for spiritual growth and development to attain salvation/immortality. Those who rejected this final offer, gift and grace of God, were thrown in the “Gehenna fire”(hellfire) to be tormented till fully consumed to die. This could only be the reason why Abraham said “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead”; some finality to this punishment.

6. Do we now have immortal soul?

Only God is immortal (see 1 Timothy 6:15, 16). Paul says that the righteous “seek for glory, honor, and immortality” (Romans 2:7). If we now have immortal souls, why would the righteous seek after something they already have? Moreover, the “spirit-of-man”(psyche/mind) can be killed as in:

Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body (soma)but cannot kill the soul(psyche). Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell”

Summary:

When man was created, YHVH ELOHIM (Almighty God) made the body, all parts of it, matter-composed from the ground/earth. This “body” of man was not alive until “the breath of life” was breathed into his nostrils by God. This life-giving component came directly from a spirit being (YHVH Elohim/Lord God)and therefore spirit-composed. These are the 2 components of man, viz., matter-composed body + spirit-composed mind/psyche (aka. spirit of man).

At death, these 2 components separate; the body which is matter-composed goes to the grave (hades/hell), entombed and rot, while the psyche/mind which is spirit-composed goes back to the Creator, whether good or bad. The body is dead without the spirit while the mind/psyche is “life-giving”. It is “potential and not kinetic energy” but it cannot speak, praise, vocalize, pray, etc because it has “nobody“. Yet, it is still active, although non-functional, and has embedded memories, desires, longings that allegorically can be expressed. This spirit-of-man (psyche/mind) is not immortal and can still be killed. This “spirit-of-man”(not matter-composed) is the “real you”(4), the essence of the “kingdom of God in you” (Luke 17:21).

To be functional or kinetic, this spirit/psyche/mind combines with either a “glorious, spirit-composed body”, immortal (made by God) at first resurrection that commences at the Millenium and reigns with Jesus on earth. Or, with a “flesh-composed, mortal body” at the second resurrection after the Millenium to have a chance to believe the gospel, receive the Holy Spirit of power, be guided by that Spirit for spiritual growth and development and eventually to become “son of God” with immortal body. Those who rejected this last chance will be thrown in “Gehenna hellfire” to be consumed and die forever, not tormented forever,i.e., both body and spirit-of-man can be destroyed in hell (Gehenna fire).

The new heavens and earth will therefore be ruled, not by angels, but by the “sons of God” with Jesus as the head of this “kingdom of God”, all spirit-composed. This is the gospel of the “kingdom of God”, the destiny planned by God from the foundation of the world.

May God bless us with this knowledge to enhance our faith in Him.

God Bless 🙏😇

References:

1. Stokes, Mark, Brain Metrics: Retrieved 5/4/17 from:

http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/brain-metrics/could_a_final_surge_in

2. Horizon Research Foundation: Spikes in EEG at time of Death. Retrieved 5/4/17 from:

http://www.horizonresearch.org/learning-zone/past-featured-topics/spikes-in-eeg-at-time-of-death/

3. Tsakiris, Alex, EEG Expert Can’t Explain Near Death Experience Data… and, Dr. Penny Sartori Finds More Than Hallucinations in NDE Accounts. Retrieved 5/4/17 from:

http://skeptiko.com/eeg-expert-on-near-death-experience/

4. Who and where is the “real you “. Retrieved 12/5/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/08/30/who-and-where-is-the-real-you/

Original post:4/25/17

Revised:12/5/18

Hyperlink version reposted 8/20/19

DEDICATED to a friend whose funeral we attended Dec 2012 in Inverness, Illinois

TRINITY DOCTRINE: DECONSTRUCTED?

As a foundational teaching, the Trinity doctrine has been woven into mainstream Christianity since the Council of Nicea convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 C.E. in Bithynia(1). Because of disputes among church leaders, the first ecumenical council of Nicea was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.(2). Its main accomplishments were settlement of the Christological issue of the nature of the Son of God and his relationship to God the Father (3). It describes the belief in Christian theology that the “one” God of the universe is comprised of  “three” persons: the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (4). The early church father Tertullian (c. 155-230), who wrote in Latin, is believed to have first used the term trinity to describe the God of the Bible (5).

While this doctrine is “radioactive” to bring up, Pres. FDR in his first inaugural address has a wise rejoinder, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”(6). Indeed, in an atmosphere of freedom, fear should not paralyze anyone as we search for the truth. How this theology came about is a subject worthy of review for all students of history. Knowing what happened at the time it was established gives us an inclination of the controversy that gave rise to this doctrine. Can those questions that were contentious and overwhelming at that time among church leaders be resolved with what we know today? What was the basic underlying concept and difference among them that was the crux of their contention?

History

This doctrine was formulated in the 4th century during the Christological debates between Arius and Athanasius. At the core of the controversy was the nature of the Father and Son and their relationship. The terms “homoousios, homoiousios and heterousious” (same substance/cosubstantial vs. similar and different substance) developed and came to be used to explain varying interpretations. All of these positions and the almost innumerable variations on them which developed in the 4th century AD were strongly and tenaciously opposed by Athanasius and other pro-Nicenes who insisted on the doctrine of the homoousian (or as it is called in modern terms consubstantiality), eventually prevailing in the struggle to define the dogma of the Orthodox Church for the next two millennia when its use was confirmed by the First Council of Constantinople in 381 or 383. Origen Adamantius (184/185 – 253/254), along with the prominent “Origenists” Didymus the Blind and Evagrius Ponticus, were declared anathema in 553 CE by the Second Council of Constantinople (7). Origen seems to have been the first ecclesiastical writer to use the word  “homoousios ” in a non-trinitarian context, but it is evident in his writings that he considered the Son’s divinity lesser than the Father’s, since he even calls the Son “a creature“(8). The controversy continued through centuries that followed, even to this day.

From the preceding prolegomenon, let us explore excerpts from historical vignettes. On the subject of Arianism, the Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica wrote (9):

“Arius’ basic premise was the uniqueness of God, who is alone self-existent and immutable; the Son, who is not self-existent, cannot be God. The controversy seemed to have been brought to an end by the Council of Nicaea (AD 325), which condemned Arius and his teaching and issued a creed to safeguard orthodox Christian belief. This creed states that the Son is homoousion to Patri (“of one substance with the Father”), thus declaring him to be all that the Father is: he is completely divine. In fact, however, this was only the beginning of a long-protracted dispute. From 325 to 337, when the emperor Constantine died, the Arian leaders, exiled after the Council of Nicaea, tried by intrigue to return to their churches and sees and to banish their enemies. They were partly successful. From 337 to 350, Constans, sympathetic to the orthodox Christians, was emperor in the West, and Constantius II, sympathetic to the Arians, was emperor in the East. At a church council held at Antioch (341), an affirmation of faith that omitted the homoousion clause was issued. Another church council was held at Sardica (modern Sofia) in 342, but little was achieved by either council. In 350 Constantius became sole ruler of the empire, and under his leadership the Nicene party (orthodox Christians) was largely crushed. The extreme Arians then declared that the Son was “unlike” (anomoios) the Father. These anomoeans succeeded in having their views endorsed at Sirmium in 357, but their extremism stimulated the moderates, who asserted that the Son was “of similar substance” (homoiousios) with the Father. Constantius at first supported these homoiousians but soon transferred his support to the homoeans, led by Acacius, who affirmed that the Son was “like” (homoios) the Father. Their views were approved in 360 at Constantinople, where all previous creeds were rejected, the term ousia (“substance,” or “stuff”) was repudiated, and a statement of faith was issued stating that the Son was “like the Father who begot him.” After Constantius’ death (361), the orthodox Christian majority in the West consolidated its position. The persecution of orthodox Christians conducted by the (Arian) emperor Valens (364–378) in the East and the success of the teaching of Basil the Great of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus led the homoiousian majority in the East to realize its fundamental agreement with the Nicene party. When the emperors Gratian (367–383) and Theodosius I (379–395) took up the defense of orthodoxy, Arianism collapsed. The Emperor Theodosius had published an edict, prior to the Council of Constantinople, declaring that the Nicene Creed was the legitimate doctrine and that those opposed to it were heretics (10). In 381 the second ecumenical council met at Constantinople. Arianism was proscribed, and a statement of faith, the Nicene Creed, was approved.”

Coalescing of Powers

Notice that this changing adoption of religious concepts was influenced to a large degree by secular powers at a particular time, e.g., Emperors Constantine, Constans of the West, Constantius II of the East, Valens, Gratian and Theodosius. Civil and religious authorities were together, akin to  “cronyism” and “symbiosis“, to impose religious beliefs using secular power. On those who committed heresy, “heretics did not work outside the Christian community – they counted themselves as faithful Christians attempting to explain the gospel in terms their contemporaries might understand”.

Without taking either side, one sees that the trunk-of-the-tree controversy of Trinity Doctrine emanates from two postulates, viz.,

1. Reconciling with “monotheism” the concept that the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God and the Spirit is God.

The doctrine of the Trinity was formally developed in the early church in reaction to “errant teaching” on the nature of God as found in Arianism. Arianism attempted to protect monotheism (the belief in one God) by denying the full deity of Jesus, a belief most Christians hold at this time. Arianism taught that Jesus was divine, but that he was a lesser deity than the Father. To affirm the Church’s stance on the nature of God, the Trinity was formally stated in the Nicene Creed(325 A.D.) and the later Athanasian Creed. As a result of these early ecumenical creeds, any departure from the Christian doctrine of the Trinity was considered heresy. These creeds affirm the early Christian conviction that Jesus was God. Arianism caused the church to dogmatically affirm what was already believed and inherent to the earliest of Christian theology (12).

Essential to the Trinity Doctrine is that there is one and only one God. It is essential because it was the conviction of monotheism (Shema doctrine)- that there is one God – that fact drove the early Christians to formulate the doctrine of the Trinity from Scripture. More importantly, monotheism is the teaching found in the Bible.(Trinity is not in the Bible) Scripture is clear that there is only one God: “There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:21-22; see also 44:6-8; Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4-5; 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Kings 8:60).

Fundamental to the Judaism of the OT (and of today) is the Shema. It is found in Deuteronomy 6 and part of it says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one,” (Deut 6:4). The understanding of monotheism is at the heart of this passage, and it was at the core of the early Christians’ understanding of the nature of God.The three persons of the Godhead share the same spirit-essence. With this understanding, the doctrine of the Trinity continues to assert monotheism, an essential and easily found belief within the Scripture. Ontologically, each of the three members of the Trinity possess the same essential nature. Again, along with a monotheistic understanding, there is one and only one being, that is, God. The doctrine of the Trinity must remain grounded in God’s Word. Roger Olson sums it up when he says, “While it is true that no passage of Scripture spells out the doctrine of the Trinity, it is also true that the whole of Scripture’s witness to who God is and who Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit make no sense at all without the model of the Trinity and that all alternative concepts end up doing violence to some essential aspect of revelation, Christian experience and possibly even reason itself,”(13).

2. Nature of the Father/Son and which one has self-existence.

Notice that Arius’ belief countered that of others, especially Athanasius, because of his concept at that time of what constitutes the word “God“. The Son cannot be God according to Arius, because there is only “one God“, Jesus is not self-existent and therefore created. On the other hand, Athanasius and other pro-Nicene who believe that the Father is God, the Son is God and the Spirit is God reconciled monotheism through a “new concept of Trinity“

Key is knowing what is God?

But, can all of these Arius-Athanasius discrepancies be resolved by knowing exactly ” What is God?” What really constitutes the word “God“?. Do we really grok what the etymology of the original word translated to English? The answer may have been“lost in translation“. In the article “What is God?” (14), this controversy may finally be resolved by restoring the meaning of the original Hebraic words Elohim, YHVH, El Shaddai. In its summary:

1.Elohiym/Theos refers to a composite of powers, the sum of divine and powerful beings, the totality of all attributes of deity. It is a generic term that may apply to a particular being. When it does, the specific name of that Elohim is identified, e.g., YHVHELOHIM(Lord God)

2. Most of the time, Elohiym in the Old Testament refers to a specific YHVH Elohiym and Theos in the New Testament refers specifically to God the Father. At other times, it refers to those others in the generic Elohiym/Theos, i.e. Jesus, angels, humans, especially leaders with powers.

3. In general, Elohiym/Theos is collective and not a selective term; common and not a proper name; inclusive and not exclusive; generic not proprietary; composite and not specific.

4. The usage and/or context of the word explains the intended meaning, whether plural/singular or numerical plurality/multiplicity of power, rank or position/function.

5. The word God/Elohim, as originally written, includes different species, levels, class or rank. At the highest level is the Father, followed by Son(s) of God, then angelic rank, and the lowest is man. However, man will be transformed into “sons/children of God”, spirit-composed at resurrection and destined to be higher than angelic-class.

In “FATHER’S DAY_USA.2014“(15), the God of Old Testament was introduced to Abraham as El Shaddai(Almighty God), but to Moses he was YHVH ELOHIM(Lord God). He was identified with specificity. This God in the Old Testament, the God “above all gods“, was the only one Israel was commanded to worship thus directing them away from polytheism (there being many gods) of that era. The “Shema doctrine” was based on this. According to John, YHVH the Creator was also the “Word” who incarnated into the Messiah, the Christ. In contrast, in the New Testament, when the word God was used it almost invariably refers to the “Father” of Jesus and of us all. Truly, “God is one” (Shema) to be worshiped because it referred only and specifically in the Old Testament to El Shaddai/YHVH/Word/Logos. He was “above all gods” known at that time; no one then knew about the “Father” that we know today. Israel knew that the Creator and the One who Fathered them was YHVH Elohim(Lord God; I AM). The Israelites did not have knowledge that YHVH/Jesus has a Father. But, when the “Father/Son” relationship was introduced in the river Jordan at Jesus’ baptism,(16) Jesus acknowledged and deferred to the higher authority, the Father. They are clearly separate and distinct from one another. Angels, kings and humans are classified as “gods“. And Jesus taught us to pray to the Father (John 16:23; James 1:5).

In the New Testament, Jesus, while full of the “Spirit of the Father“, was completely human with “spirit-of-man” and flesh-composed for his purpose as a “sacrificial Lamb”. As a human being, he was also classified as “god“, yet he died because he was flesh-composed. After his resurrection, 3 days and three nights after his death, he took on a “new creation“, “Son of God“, spirit-composed, eternal, and with all the powers given by the Father (17). The Father, as He has created all “visible and invisible” through the Son (YHVH) as proximate Creator, is now creating a “kingdom of God”, composed of spirit-beings higher than the angelic-class (18). What is being created is “Sonship“, children of God. This “new creation” is not a plant- kingdom, not an animal-kingdom nor a human-kingdom. Rather, it is a “God-kingdom” with a specific kind much higher than angelic “species of god”. Our GOD the FATHER is expanding his kingdom with many “firstfruits“and “latter-fruits“.

In contrast, the Trinity Doctrine limits that God-kingdom into three. Whereas, the truth is that many are in the process of developing into the “body of Christ“, this “new creation“, Jesus first, then others. Jesus the “trailblazer“, the “captain” (Hebrews 2:10) has gone through this process. This is the destiny of all mankind (19). The ” world to come” will not be “subject to angels” as our current world is, but to this “new kind“(Hebrews 2:5).

Retrospective analysis

Looking back with a “retroscope“, we can now understand how and why well-meaning church leaders of earlier centuries have variance in understanding. Arius et.al stumbled because of his assumption and understanding that Jesus, being subservient to the Father and that God is One (Shema doctrine), cannot be God also. Contrariwise, Tertulian, Athanasius et. al misapplied the facts that the Father is God, Jesus is God and extended personality even to the divine Holy Spirit, so that a new concept emerged, the Trinity Doctrine, a doctrine that is limiting instead of expansive.

By observation, we can see that knowledge is progressive revelation ; God does not give out all truth at the same time. Truth has a timeline. Even Israel did not recognize the  incarnate Jesus was YHVH CREATOR ELOHIM. Peter did not realize that even Gentiles can be “grafted” to Israel and receive the same promise to Abraham.(Romans11:11-36, Acts 15:7-9), as well as their differences about circumcision. But, in time, they were united in understanding these aforementioned things.

In much the same way, early in the Christian era, there were disputes on interpretation. But, now that we know, “What is God?, the Trinity Doctrine has been “deconstructed“. There is no need to “personify” the Spirit as it is an active power in all members of the God-Family, writing the Law not in “tables of stone” but in the “fleshly tables”of our heart and mind for guidance(2 Corinthians 3:3). As Job said, before I “hear” you, now I “see” you (Job 42:5). Even in I John 2:22-24, he identified “liar/antiChrist” are those who denied the Father and Son; notice NO mention of the Holy Spirit which is the power that emanates from them.

With these foregoing facts of history and biblical references, one can now explain how the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God and still reconcile with “oneness or Shema” doctrine without concocting a concept as “Trinity Doctrine“. The Shema refers to only one God of the Old Testament, specifically identified as YHVH(Lord God), EL SHADDAI(Almighty God), CREATOR, WORD(Logos). Israel did not know and was not introduced in an official manner to the FATHER by Jesus until his ministry in New Testament times. This generation is blessed for receiving this understanding unlike our Christian predecessors.

Summary

The one powerful God “above all gods” introduced to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Old Testament times was “El Shaddai“(Almighty God). This was the same one known to Moses and Israel but with a different name, “YHVH Elohim“(Lord God). The early church believed that the Father is God, Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit (the Helper) is of God, the power that comes from God(1 Corinthians 2:11-12). There was no “trinitarian concept” from those days forward until later.

In the 3rd century, Tertulian constructed and introduced the concept of “trinity” to align with the Shema doctrine of “one God“. For how could the Father be God and at the same time Jesus and the Holy Spirit be God unless they are in this “triune concept”? This suggested that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are co-substantial, Son is homoousion to Patri, (of one substance with the Father), “three-in-one-body“. This teaching was carried through the 4th century and canonized in the Council of Nicaea and subsequently reinforced in/by other Councils. The alternative concept of God championed by Arius, Origen, and others at that time did not flourish; it also has flaws.

The Trinity Doctrine is a bedrock doctrine that historically survived because of human power through the Roman Empire’s conquest, subjugation, intimidation and educational system favoring this concept; a powerful military-religion complex at that time. It continued through subsequent Empires with power to control “religious thoughts”. Through all these years, it is still a predominant teaching in the Christian world to this day.

This time, though, this Trinity Doctrine has been challenged. One among alternative concepts is this post. It opined a concept similar to that during the patriarchal and apostolic era. The Shema doctrine is consistent with this concept so long as one considers the manifestations of God, at the time of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob named differently than at the time of Moses and Israel. El Shaddai and Yahweh Elohim names were the same Elohim/God, one God, one unique/separate person and not “two persons-in-one“. Moreover, after YHVH (who was with the Father at creation) incarnated to man-Jesus, he was introduced by Father God (Mark 1:10-11) as begotten Son, as He was the only right person to do that, being with YHVH/Jesus from the foundation of the world. That time there were 2 persons that are separate and unique, not “”two persons-in-one“. Jesus as flesh-composed at that time was God incarnate, who previously manifested as the El Shaddai and YHVH Elohim in the Old Testament. Not only that, but Jesus also introduced the “Holy Spirit” aka “Helper” (John 14:16-18; John 14:26;Romans 8:26; Micah 3:8; Acts 2:4; I John 2;19-27) that will come as the “power” to strengthen the “weakness” (Matthew 26:40-45) of the flesh inherent in it when we were created. Again, that time, not “three-persons-in-one“.

Everything happens because of power. Just look around us. Will any car drive without mechanical and electric power? How about any of our appliances, gizmos and light bulbs? Will anything stay grounded on Earth without gravitational power? With what we now know about the Anatomy and Physiology of the human body, can any of our parts function without energy, like end-plate mechanism for nerve-muscle function, Na-K pump for cellular activity and so on? Energy that comes from power drives all human organ systems to function. This energy is “potential” that becomes “kinetic” when used.

That being said, can the most important creation, a human being, (from the ground, earthy) become a “living being” unless energized by the power of the spirit”breath-of-life, given by a spirit-composed God? This is the “spirit-of-man”, the power that was breathed into man to become a “living being“. Being a living person, Adam as narrated in Genesis 2, wanted to be “like God”. And to do this, he was fooled by Satan to do it on his own power by eating the forbidden fruit. He did not realize that the right man to go through this process was man-Jesus, the incarnated El Shaddai, the YHVH Elohim, as planned and as a gift. Thereby, he sinned, sentenced to eternal death and was driven out of the garden of Eden, away from the “tree of life”. A Passover-Lamb was then required to take on this consequence of sin (eternal death) which was fulfilled by man-Jesus. However, Jesus’ death was only for that purpose of sacrificing his life for mankind. It was one step towards the process for us to receive the promised gift of eternal life. The Father has to resurrect him as promised to receive from him directly the power that will be used by the “potter” (Creator Jesus) to re-create and mold this “clay” as prophesied in Jeremiah 18:1-6) from one “marred vessel to another vessel”. 

In much the same way that the “breath-of-life” changed the non-living “clay” to be a “living being“, this is the spirit-power to in-dwell in humans to energize our “spirit-of-man” for growth and development, changing it towards becoming “like him” and be “one” with the Creator, alive for eternity. No one has this power except the Father who promised and has given it to the resurrected Jesus, the Son of God, and then from him to us. This power is called holy and spirit because it came from a holy spirit-composed God Father. Truly, as the Creator God YHVH/Logos gave the “breath-of-life” that was the spirit-power that energized the created Genesis-Adam to become a “living being”, so did Father God gave resurrected Jesus this creative power to “build his church/body“. As man-Jesus “came from above“(John 3:31) as a perfect Passover Lamb that the Holy Spirit in-dwell at River Jordan to make him the “trailblazer and captain“(Hebrews 2:10) towards sonship, so shall we go through this process proven to be the “way, the truth and the life”(John 14:6). The word “Holy Spirit” is not in caps in the original manuscript. It is the power that in-dwells and guides (John 16:13) people to understand the truth to be “one” with the Father and Jesus, in “thoughts” for “my thoughts are not your thoughts“(Isaiah 55:8-9). There is no need to compose a “Trinitarian” concept of God just to align with the Shema doctrine.

Currently, many are not called at this time as each one has time appointed (Ecclesiastes 9:11); their time will come. As prophesied, our “spiritual blindness, deafness and muteness” will be changed by this in-dwelling power as in the prophecy:

Isaiah 29:18 “In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see“

Isaiah 35:5 “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped”

Matthew 11:15 “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.“

It is our hope that this research will help illuminate the controversy surrounding the Trinity. Let us keep our mind open to truth and for no one to be stubborn because of misplaced “belief perseverance”.

May God bless all of us in search of the truth.

🙏😊

References:

1. First Council of Nicea. Retrieved from:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea

2. Kieckhefer, Richard (1989), “Papacy”, in Strayer, Joseph Reese, Dictionary of the Middle<

Ages 9, Charles Scribner’s Sons, ISBN 978-0-684-18278-

3. “Council of Nicaea”, p.39, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014

4. Retrieved from:http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/beliefs/trinity.htm

5. Ibid.

6. Retrieved from: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/

7. The New Catholic Encyclopedia (Detroit: Gale, 2003). ISBN 978-0-7876-4004-0

8. Pelikan, Jaroslav (1971), The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine 1,The Chicago University Press, p. 191.

9. Retrieved from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/34124/Arianism.

10. Friell, G., Williams, S., Theodosian Code 16:2, 1, Theodosius: The Empire at Bay, London,1994.

11.Gonzalez, A History of Christian Thought, p. 121

12. Retrieved from: http://www.theopedia.com/Trinity.

13.The Mosaic of Christian Belief, p. 139.

14. Retrieved from: https://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

15. Retrieved from: https://fact-s.net/2014/06/13/fathers-day_usa-3/

16. Retrieved from: https://fact-s.net/2014/08/06/passion-of-christ/

17. Retrieved from: https://fact-s.net/2014/03/25/son-of-god-2/

18. Retrieved from: https://fact-s.net/2014/07/12/deification-of-man-3/

19. Retrieved from: https://fact-s.net/2011/05/21/the-destiny-of-man/

Original post:8.8.2014

Reposted:12.20.2016

Revised and reposted 10/6/2018

Critique is welcome at foundationacts@yahoo.com

What is the God-kingdom?

Basic Christian doctrine teaches that the “kingdom of God” is not of this world(John 18:36). It is still future when Jesus returns. It is a kingdom where God rules. But, it has been forming since this power/Holy Spirit was given to Jesus after his resurrection and subsequently given first to apostles and others at Pentecost.

But, to a student of Botany and Zoology, one is taught about the plant kingdom and animal kingdom. Consider therefore that when God created living things, he created angelic-kingdom, plant-kingdom, and animal-kingdom.

But, when it came to “man“, he started in Genesis with “an image of him and after his likeness”(Genesis 1:27). Adam was composed of matter (dust) and “breath of life”(spirit of man; Genesis 2:6-7) and was created perfectly but “weak“(Matthews 26:40-43). There was a missing component that man needed that Jesus had to die and go back to the Father to get this gift to in-dwell in us (John 16:7; John 14:16-26). The Holy Spirit is key to finishing the work the Potter has planned for man (Jeremiah 18:1-6).

God was not creating a “human kingdom” or merely after an “image/ likeness” of him, not just “dust of the ground” (body). In fact, the dust-body will rot and we will be given another but “immortal body“.

Instead, God was creating a kingdom composed of “spirit beings like him“, a “Kingdom of God” above angelic kingdom. The kingdom of God is more than just a “government of God” and a place. It is a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) composed of immortal spirit-beings higher than angelic beings (Hebrews 2:5) and unique to one another, yet “one” with the Son and the Father, all in the “God-Kingdom“, with the Father above all and the Son, our Elder Brother “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11).

Note:

The preceding is only a “thumbprint“, a concise summary, of a process started from the foundation of the world and came to fruition because of the “faith, trust and hope” of Jesus on the Father’s promises to the “seed“(Galatians 3:16).

For further and deeper principles, please access:

http://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/

http://fact-s.net/2018/08/30/who-and-where-is-the-real-you/

Original post September 18, 2018

Labor Day

The message of Labor Day is diverse and consistent with how a person views it one way or the other. But historically,

“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” ..,”The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.”(1,2).

While the American worker did the actual work,(which is their function in the schema of manufacturing), what was marginalized was the role of the entrepreneur/owner who risked his own money to bankroll production of any product. Without this role, will there be anything manufactured? While history proves a strained relationship (3) between management(owner) and labor, at its’ worse, nothing is produced without this cohesion to reach their goals. Indeed, they have to work together.

The ONE we should not forget, the real “creator” of the product?

While all of us pay tribute on Labor Day to the American workers because they “did so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — “ did these really come from them?,

Or, from management/owner or both?

On this Labor Day, are we forgetting to include and fathom in this celebration the real origin of everything that led to our progress?

Undoubtedly, everything that is ever manufactured was created by someone or a group of people. Nevertheless, all of them cannot produce except from something that was already made. Clothing, chairs, tables, houses, tools, gizmos, computers, cars satellites, to name a few, have to be made from materials that were already created. Yet, many are still persistent in being atheists or agnostics questioning the existence of an Intelligent-Designer who made all, the “visible and the invisible”. As it says in Colossians 1:16, recognizing Christ Jesus:

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (NIV)

On this Labor Day, we should always be mindful of the Creator-God, (4) the one who created “the heaven and the earth” including everything on it(Gen. 1:1-25), the one who also created the “worker” as in “…Let us make man …after our likeness ..” in Gen.1:26. This same person is the one who spoke as YHVH Elohim (Lord-God)to Moses and the one known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as El Shadday. Notice the following:

Ex 6:2 And ELOHIYM spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YHVH:

V-3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAY, but by my name YHVH was I not known to them.

V-7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a ELOHIYM: and ye shall know that I am YHVH your ELOHIYM, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Deut 10:17 For YHVH your ELOHIYM is ELOHIYM of gods, and ADOWN of lords, a great EL, a mighty, …”

Working now and into the Future

Not only are humans working and building things, but the Creator God is the creator of all, “visible or invisible“(Colossians 1:16.. As a “builder/carpenter/tekton, (Mark 6:2-3; Matthew 13:55)Jesus has not stopped “working”, even now. More pioneering work is happening now and in the offing being done, through the power of the Holy Spirit, by Jesus, the “captain/trailblazer/author/forerunner”

(archegos)of our salvation, as in Hebrews 2:9-11:

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain (forerunner/trailblazer)of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren”

From the day of Pentecost in the beginning of the 1st century A.D. through this day and beyond, “work “ continues (5,6) by this Creator-God in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. But before all of these could have been realized, this YHVH-ELOHIM has to incarnate (7) into man/Jesus as in:

Exodus 3:14

“And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.”

John 8:58:

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

And this incarnation is necessary because, as Romans 3:23 says,

“all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”

After incarnation, he has to fulfill his prophesied function as “Passover” (I Cor 5:7) to take the penalty of death for his created beings. Without being incarnated as man-Jesus(a human being/mortal) he would not have died. Death of this specific man the 2nd/last Adam(1 Corinthians 15:45-49) leads to reconciliation with the Father as in

Colossians 1:20

“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)

The Spirit-of-Man is willing but the Flesh is weak

The breath-of-life (spirit-of-man) that was breathe into our nostrils was activated from potential to kinetic energy that sustained our life processes(8). But this “spirit-of-man” maybe “willing” but the “flesh” is “weak” (9). The fact and truth to acknowledge that the flesh is weak and needs a “Helper” is in itself even difficult for man-Jesus to accept who shed “tears like blood flowing” praying in the garden of Gethsemane . But after the 3rd time seeing his disciples sleeping, exhausted as a sign of limits of the flesh, Jesus then took “the cup”, (voluntarily following God’s will instead of his’) convinced that he had to be crucified and die, so the Helper would be given at his resurrection by the Father(10). As John 16:7 says:

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”(ESV)

The Holy Spirit dwells in you at the appointed time

The Holy Spirit of power is the most important gift to Jesus and to us-ward. This is a power not given before to “dwell in” anyone (except in man-Jesus; Matthew 3:16-17; Isaiah 61:1)and more powerful than any power as gravity, mechanical, electrical, nuclear, solar ,etc. This power is “potential” but becomes “kinetic” to work in us. This is then given and received directly by Jesus only after his resurrection and then reciprocally given in turn to those at their own appointed time. First, to the “firstfruits(I Cor. 15:23; Rom. 8:24; Rev. 14:4) then to the latter-fruits at their own time to bear the “fruits of the Holy Spirit”(Galatians 5:22-23). It is mandatory, although not “forced down our throat” but still voluntary, for us to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit “written in the “tables of our heart and mind”(Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). Those who do not bear fruits will be cut/off (Matt 7:19).

Summary

For emphasis, the sine-qua-non in manufacturing is that their have to be materials and labor. The entrepreneur/owner provides the materials and labor (workers) does the work. But where do they get the materials? Nowhere but what was already created on earth. And that comes from the Creator-God, the YHVH-Elohim. Through his work and sacrifice, he got for us this Holy Spirit of power and he is still “working in us” through this power.

Let us acknowledge with humility his role from the very beginning of time. This is the YHVH-Elohim/Lord God, the Word/Logos, Jesus-Son-of-God, that we should also remember as we celebrate “Labor Day”.

God Bless🙏😇

Original post 9/4/18

References

1. Origins of Labor Day. Retrieved 9/1/18 from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/business-july-dec01-labor_day_9-2

2. Labor Day History. Retrieved 9/1/18 from https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

3. Labor vs Management. Retrieved 9/1/18 from http://www.ushistory.org/us/37b.asp

4. What is God? Retrieved 9/3/18 from https://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

5. Ongoing Creation. Retrieved 9/3/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

6. Kingdom of God in a Human Anatomy. Retrieved 9/3/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/

7. Incarnation. Retrieved 9/3/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2017/01/12/incarnation-questions-and-controversies/

8. Who and Where is the Real“You”. Retrieved 9/3/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2018/08/30/who-and-where-is-the-real-you/

9. Garden of Gethsemane. Retrieved 9/3/18 from http://fact-s.net/2018/07/26/garden-of-gethsemane-a-teaching-tool-for-all/

10. Crucifixion/Resurrection. Retrieved 9/3/18 from https://fact-s.net/2015/04/21/crucifixionresurrection/

Who and where is the “real you”?

Sounds spooky?

These questions maybe weird to begin with. But, knowing the “real you” will guide us to our ultimate destiny. And here lies the key: what are we composed of and where we really are in that structure?

In the secular world, man is composed of matter, including the brain. Everything in it is made of organ systems, tissues and cells, which in turn have sub-cellular components and myriad other substances. This structural design comports with the narrative in Genesis except in major details as follows:

In the Genesis account, man was described as having come, not by evolution(1), but as a “created being”. There was a Creator named YHVH-Elohim/LORD-God(Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:4); otherwise known as Jesus the Word (John 1:2; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2. And this particular created man, was formed by God, the “potter” (Isaiah 64:8;Jeremiah 18:1-4) from “the ground”(2) and was placed in the garden of Eden.

This man traced the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38; Genesis 5:3-29). See also Reference (3) for meaning of these names and (4). Specific emphasis should be made on his “human lineage” as the “totality of him”, his spirit and flesh, actually came from above (John 6:38; Exodus 3:14; John 1:1), heavenly and not from earth(5). Please allow this brief digression that after the human Jesus, there were no more “flesh”(matter) offspring from him as he was the beginning or precursor of the “new creation”, of spirit-composed(6,7), immortal beings built into a “new kingdom of God”.

Now back to the main topic: In creating Adam, the Creator-God(Lord God/YHVH Elohim) revealed that the matter-composition came “from the ground” (earth) and was not initially alive. While it was perfectly made, it had no life in it for the cells to function. Notice the description in Gen 2:7 (NIV):

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath (nshamah/spirit) of life, and the man became a living being(nephesh).”

The matter-composed man was derived from the ground, i.e., earthy. There was no life in man when it was created until the breath-of-life was breathe into his nostrils. The life-giving power came directly from the spirit-composed God-Creator and therefore “spirit and heavenly”, the “spirit-of-man”. This potential energy (like any power-energy), the breath-of-life, was activated by God to kinetic energy for the matter-composed man to be alive. It was only after this action that all the life-processes of our cells then started. That “nephesh”(breathing or living being) is composed of “flesh”+ “breath of life”/spirit-of-man. Still, are these 2 components the “real you.”?

Temporary dwelling

The concept of “temporary dwelling” leads one to compartmentalize and point to the “real you”. And, this principle is based on progressive revelation(Isaiah 28:10), viz.,

1. Temples are prototypes where the specific God (the Father) makes his appearance known.

Going back to the history in the Old Testament, notice that YHVH Elohim/Lord God had shown his presence to Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob in many instances and to Israel even as he took the Israelites to the promised land. And this he did in a visible way but never in a particular/specific place in a structure, sanctuary, tabernacle or Temple. And yet, the holy Bible states that this specific God manifested his presence to Israel in a tent/tabernacle/sanctuary (Exodus 25–31 and 35–40) and subsequently in the first Solomonic temple (8), which was destroyed during Nebuchadnezzar II era after the Siege of Jerusalem IN 587 BCE. After coming out of captivity, the temple was rebuilt in the 6th century BCE. and was destroyed again during the Roman era in 70 CE(9).

Notice that these dwelling places have compartments and that only in the “holy-of-holies” (10),the specific place with the highest sanctity in these structures and no other part in it, was where this particular God showed his presence. Also, all of them did not last suggesting they were all temporary structures. This specific God did not permanently dwell there at all for a reason explained later in the book of Acts and in Revelations.

But who is this particular God that appeared in the “holy-of-holies”? As YHVH Elohim(the Creator God/Word/Jesus) showed himself in a different, open and visible way, this appearance has to refer to Father God (11) and that it foretells his future in-dwelling.

2. God does not dwell in temples made by human hands.

Notice that all these tabernacle/temples were “temporary” and were made by ”human by hands” and merely a “type”. Here is what was revealed to us later:

Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands”

Acts 7:48-49 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?”

The preceding means, that he manifested himself in temporary structures but he did not “live, rest or stayed” in there.

3, The living being is the “temple of God”. and not a dead one.

The apostles Paul intimated this concept as he addressed the “living body of believers” in Corinth.

I Cor. 3:16-17

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

I Cor 6:19

What? do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

4. The kingdom of God is “in you”,i.e., “in the living body”.

As the tabernacle and temples made by “human hands” of Israel have compartments, and that God specifically manifested only in the “holy-of-holies” , where exactly is this in the living human body?

In Luke 17:21, it says “…the kingdom of God is within you. “

The English word “kingdom” comes from the Greek word “basilea” meaning realm or territory. This is the place where the Father God will dwell. Whereas, English word “within” comes from the Greek word “entos”, meaning “within or in the midst” of you(not among), the “living person”.

Clearly, the place where Father God will dwell is within the living person. But since the “living being”(nephesh) has 2 components, viz., the flesh body + breath of life(spirit of man), which one typifies the “holy-of-holies” in the living person? Where “in you” will God dwell?

5. God does not dwell in earthy place made by hands.

Recollecting how man was created, the flesh-part was fashioned by the hands of the “potter” from “clay or ground” and therefore “earthy”. On the other hand, the “breath of life”(spirit of man) came directly from the spirit-composed Creator himself, and therefore not “earthy” but “heavenly”. This was not made by “hands”, but instead was directly breathe out from a heavenly Creator into the lifeless body and activated it into a “living being”(nephesh).

This “spirit of man”, not the “flesh” is the dwelling place of Father God, his abode, the “holy-of-holies” in the “nephesh”/living being.

Why the need for God’s Holy Spirit in man?

Humans were created with “weak” flesh and a “helper” (John 14:26) has to strengthen the “willing spirit-of-man” (Matthew 26:41), willing spirit because it wrestles with the flesh. The “spirit-of-man” is willing but has to be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit of power to overcome the “the weak flesh”. Indeed, as Paul said in Galatians 5:17 (English Standard Version):

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

This “helper” was given by the Father to his Son after Jesus’ resurrection. (John 16:7:).In the “spirit-of-man”, God is still building us “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Nicodemus dilemma

In the narrative found in John 3:1-8, the dilemma of Nicodemus was addressed (12). After we were “born of water” through natural birth from our mothers, we have to be “born of the spirit” to be saved from eternal death(13). And, this prophesied nd precisely-timed process starts in the “mind/spirit-of/man” to guide and nurture it in the ways of God to be “one” with him. The “promised spirit-of-God” takes abode in the “spirit-of-man”/mind empowering it to overcome the “pull of the flesh” thereby “writing the Law” in the “tablets of our heart”(2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:10; Jeremiah 31:33. Through voluntary spiritual growth and development, we will develop wisdom and become “overcomers”(Revelations 2:7-11;v-17; v-26; 3:5; v-12) of the flesh (not bear its fruits but of the spirit as in Galatians 5:19-26) to subsequently be “born again” (John 3:3-7) as “spirit-composed beings”, immortal, in a “twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52) at our resurrection.

Summary

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This includes even humans before and after the Adam in Genesis(14). Because of sin, the created living beings became “enemies”(Romans 5:10) and had to be reconciled by the Creator God/Lord God/YHVH Elohim, the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) Jesus/the Word who took on the penalty of sin through his death at the cross. After his resurrection, he was given the “promised helper”/the spirit(power) of Father God that was then given at Pentecost and still being given now. And this, to take abode in our “spirit-of-man”, the “holy-of-holies” of our living body/nephesh for empowerment of the “willing spirit” towards growth/development and “overcoming “ to be “one” with the Father.

Currently the “real us” (spirit/of-man/breath of life) is a template, a Temple.But God, in due time, will in-dwell in it a “Helper”(Advocate) to empower it for development and maturity. This “spirit-of-man” is the “real you” in the living person/nephesh. This is the “inner man” that Paul referred to in Romans 7:22-23; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16. Our flesh-composed body is the “clothing” that will rot in the grave as the “spirit-of-man goes back to the Father at death(Ecclesiastes 12:7), waiting to be “clothe” (1 Corinthians 15:54) on the appointed time with immortal-spirit-composed body at the “last trump”(1 Corinthians 15:52).

The Genesis account of Adam “clothed” with lamb-skin “sacrificed” for him to “cover” his “nakedness” (15) is a prototype of the future.

This reminds me of the movie Karate Kid III: Miyagi said to Daniel La Russo that while the Bonsai tree is broken, “inside you” (the root is willing) must be empowered “to grow” and will recover/heal. The “best karate” is still “in him”. In the ending scene in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, shortly before the Battle of Yavin and destruction of the Death Star, Obi-wan-Kenobi said to Luke Skywalker, “may the force to be with you“. He then closed his eyes and trusted “the force”.

The spirit of God given at Pentecost is the building block for the “spirit-of-man” to grow and be “one” with the Father. While the “spirit-of-man”, the “breath-of-life” is the “dwelling/abode” of the “promised spirit-of-God”, the permanent dwelling place of the Father will come in the future when all become “one” with the Father through the “builder” Christ(Zechariah 6:13; Matthew 13:55;Luke 2:49;Acts 20:28; Ephesians 2:13; 1Cor. 3:9-11; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The Father will come down from “first heaven” to dwell permanently in the “new heaven and earth” as in Revelations 21:1-3

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God (Father) himself will be with them and be their God”.

Notice that “Spirit-power of God” is “in us” while the Father himself will be “with us” in the “new heaven and earth”

God Bless🙏😇☀️

References

1. How Evolution Flunked the Science Test. Retrieved 8/23/18 from https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/33/t/how-evolution-flunked-the-science-test/laststatus/mobile/mrtype/mobile/postback1387/1?skinsrc=[g]skins%2famazingfacts%2faf-mobile

2. Adam, the First Human? Retrieved 8/23/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2016/12/10/adam-the-first-human-what-difference-does-it-make-2

3. Genealogy from Adam to Noah. Retrieved 8/23/18 from http://thetruthgroup.com/genealogy-from-adam-to-noah/

http://www.africa-israel.org/hidden-genealogy-from-adam-to-noah

4. Family tree of Noah. Retrieved 8/22/18 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham%27s_family_tree

5. Incarnation. Retrieved 8/23/18 from http://fact-s.net/2017/01/12/incarnation-questions-and-controversies/

6. Ongoing Creation. Retrieved 8/23/18 from
http://fact-s.net/2018/06/30/ongoing-creation/

7. Kingdom of God in Human Anatomy. Retrieved 8/23/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-Anatomy/

8. Solomon’s Temple. Retrieved 8/24/18 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon%27s_Temple

9. Second Temple. Retrieved 8/25/28 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple

10. Holy of Holies. Retrieved 8/28/18 from http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7830-holy-of-holies

11. What is God? Retrieved 8/29/18 from https://fact-s.net/2014/06/29/what-is-god-2/

12. Born Again. Retrieved 8/40/18 from http://fact-s.net/2017/03/12/born-again/

13. Death, What is? Retrieved 8/30/18 from https://fact-s.net/2017/05/09/death-what-is/

14. Adam, the First Human? Retrieved 8/30/18 from http://fact-s.net/2016/12/10/adam-the-first-human-what-difference-does-it-make-2/

15. What does Naked Mean? Retrieved 8/30/18 from

https://fact-s.net/2018/04/11/what-does-naked-mean-and-why-were-adam-eve-afraid-and-ashamed

Original post; August 30, 2018

Garden of Gethsemane, a teaching tool for all ?

The story of Jesus on the night prior to his crucifixion has been written in the synoptic gospels in Mark 14:32-41, Matthew 26:36-45, Luke 22:39-54 and in John 18:1-12

This narrative is historically poignant as this is the first time in the life of man-Jesus when it was recorded that he prayed so fervently that he “sweated blood”, as in:

“And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44)

Notice that it was not exactly blood that Jesus was sweating; instead it was “like great drops of blood”. Otherwise, if it was real blood, he would have had hemorrhagic shock, no pun intended.

One can deduce from this description that the context must have meant “to sweat profusely”, like “bleeding out” sweat “falling down to the ground”. Such degree of diaphoresis suggests the intensity and severity of Jesus’ dilemma. For him, that night was a turning point with cosmic proportion, but why?

Jesus’ life of risks

What is so different at this time? His life has been in danger before, as in:

John 7:1 “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for: he would not walk in Jewry, because, the Jews sought to kill him.”

John 8:59 “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”

John 10:31 “The Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”

In all these instances, he slipped away and was not injured. They were like “no brainer” to split from these. These risks were predictably escapable and no harm would come to him. It was not yet his time to be sacrificed.

Also, the first time he was tempted to hurt himself or commit suicide was directly from Satan himself when the latter was trying to check him out whether he in fact was the Messiah. This narrative was recorded in Matt 4:6; Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:9-12. He did not succumb to Satan and instead overcame him with wisdom with help of the “Helper”(John 14:26;Holy Spirit). Satan knew people before Jesus, who claimed to be the Christ, yet died and gone they went. Nonetheless, Jesus did not divulge his identity to Satan who needed proof that he was the “chosen one”(Isaiah 42:1).

Notice that in all of these risks in his life, he knew fully well that his “time was not yet”, as in John 7:6:

Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.”

Notice that while his life was in real jeopardy in many instances, he knew that he would not be killed. It was not his time yet.

In contrast, that night in Gethsemane was very different. It was only on that night that it finally dawned on him the anguish of definite death that would come to him by crucifixion towards the end of that day. His life was on the line.

It was the night of Nisan 14 when before the day was over, that he was destined to be killed as a Passover. That night was a very agonizing moment for him that he sweated profusely. And, rightly so as he was in the crossroad of an earth-shaking dilemma, i.e.,to follow his “own will”, praying for the Father to spare his life or succumb to the Father’s will to die for mankind. A wrong choice on his part would spell eternal disaster to everything and everyone that was created, “visible or invisible” (Col. 1:16). His decision carried repercussions of infinite proportion. He understood from the experience of others and from what he saw about death by crucifixion, how this torture leads to excruciating pain, exhaustion and asphyxiation. Being human, (Psalms 22:14-18; Luke 24:25-26; Luke 24:46; Isaiah 53:3-12; Matthew 16:21)he understood this agonizing death.

Jesus reached the crossroad

So, what decision would he make?

Considering that he is the “only way, the truth and life”(John 14:6) and that “no other name given …by which we must be saved”(Acts 4:12), took on an even compelling pressure on him to make the right and only decision. The wisdom that comes from Luke 17:33 (“he who loses his life will preserve it“) reverberated in his ears. Jesus knew that while he was imbued with the Holy Spirit at river Jordan (Luke 3:22) the Father will “not spare his own Son” (Rom. 8:32; Matt. 4:17).

This was the night that he genuinely recognized his “spirit is willing but the (his) flesh is weak”(Matt 26:41). Although if he chooses, he could be empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome the “pull of his flesh” but at the expense of his life. Indeed, he had to die to “condemn sin in his flesh” as in:

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (Romans 8:3)

He had to “condemn sin in his flesh”, not by surviving and living through this dilemma, but by death through crucifixion. This is the only path as planned by the Father for his “flesh” to die before being resurrected with an immortal body. His choice did not come easily nor in a snap. And, him being composed of flesh, he realized that on his own, he was “weak” and needed to summon the strength that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit given to him at river Jordan. He had to “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh(Galatians 5:16).

Teaching moment for Jesus and for us?

On that night, his trust in the Father’s plan that there was no other way but to die, was shaken by the urgency of the reality that he had to finally decide to be a “Passover”(I Cor. 5:7)). He would not be forced into submission and he had to take it voluntarily and with conviction.

What then convinced him of the only correct choice? Reading Mark 14:41, Matthew 26:44 and in Luke 22:39-54, it took him the 3rd time seeing his disciples sleeping, reminded him that like him, the disciples’ “spirit is willing but flesh is weak”. This optic of similar weakness of his fellow-flesh, finally made Jesus to realize that “human flesh is weak” and he had to die for mankind, i.e., “take the cup”. By his own personal experience, and even with the Holy Spirit imbued in him, he in fact was initially preferring to stay alive instead of dying a horrifying death,i.e., “let this cup pass from me“. His spirit was willing to die, but his flesh was telling him otherwise. The spirit and the flesh were at odds, at war with another, as expressed by Paul (Romans 7:15-25).

After the 3rd time coming back praying in Gethsemane, Jesus said,

“Truly the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41-45; Mark.14:38-42).

John 12:27: “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour“.

Finally, on that night in the garden of Gethsemane he decided,

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”(Luke 22:42, NIV)

For emphasis, man-Jesus’ personal will (being drawn to the flesh) was not to die as a Passover for mankind. His weak flesh was battling against his spirit. But, without “taking the cup” he would not have been resurrected by the Father, nor subsequently gifted with the power of the Holy Spirit to us-ward. The Holy Spirit baptized into him at river Jordan was specifically for him. He had to get that same power, but this time after his resurrection, for him to give to us. The fact is, that he subjugated the personal pull of his flesh, to the will of his Father by the power of the Holy Spirit that guided him with wisdom. And that decision was no simple feat but rather a major one with eternal ramifications. He chose voluntarily to follow the will of the Father and said, “…not my will, but yours be done.” They are indeed, “one” with each other.

He restored his trust in the promise of his Father to be resurrected after his death. Again the emphasis in this story in the garden of Gethsemane is trust and the reality of the warring components of our body, i.e., flesh and spirit-of-man (1).

Subsequently, history shows that 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb, he was “manifested/declared as Son of God by resurrection from the dead”(Romans 1:4). Indeed, he was declared or called or named as “Son of God” after resurrection, went to heaven and received the Holy Spirit directly from the Father to be given to us (John 16:7; 20:22. And, on the day of Pentecost it was gifted with openness and grandeur to the apostles and others(Read Acts Chapter 2) with the purpose of creating “many sons and daughters of God” as in:

Heb. 2:10 “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffering.

Heb 4:15

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.” (NIV)

Summary

Death by crucifixion was the preferred torture and common during the Roman Empire. That night of Nisan 14 in the garden at Gethsemane was a seminal event that led to a major decision of Jesus. It was the turning point of colossal proportion in the road to salvation for all of us. A horrifying night to the “captain of our salvation“ who faced, not an escapable risk, but with his actual death through the horrifying anguish of crucifixion. Sweating profusely “like great blood” flowing down the ground, he emoted the gravity and intensity of his prayer and supplication to the Father to “spare the life” of his Son. But, there is only “one way” and “truth” towards eternal life and that the Father will not “spare the life” even of his only son. Jesus has to be the “Passover Lamb”, chosen specifically by the Father, for a “sweet offering” (Eph. 5:2) to reconcile man to the Father, to die rather than live (Luke 17:33). And this destiny, Jesus had to accept willingly and voluntarily, not mandated nor forced down his throat. And Jesus did accept the Father’s will, meekly and reverently!

This teaching moment was for all of us, including man-Jesus, the “pioneer” (trailblazer, author) of our salvation (Heb. 12:2). We all have to “live by faith” , follow the Holy Spirit that guides us to correct decisions and not succumb to the “pull of the flesh”. While we may have the Holy Spirit residing in us, we will still be tempted, like Jesus was, and undergo sufferings because of the “weak flesh” that man was composed of (1). Also, like what Jesus did, we have to follow (especially at the “last days “) the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray always that we will not be subjected to crucifixion which was replaced historically by “waterboarding” or any “enhanced interrogation techniques”(2,3). But, even when we do, just remember to “walk in the spirit” so as not to follow the “pull of the flesh”. And apostle Paul followed the example of Jesus, too.

To Paul, whose life seemed to be round-the-clock risk, the scriptures state:

“Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea” (2nd Cor 11:25) and very often “in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (2nd Cor 11:27)

Finally, the strength to overcome the risk and pain of losing one’s life in this world or pull of the flesh is trust, anchored on faith that is evidence-based, and hope in the promise (4) that “he who loses his life in this world will save it for the age to come”. The optic of Jesus crucified on the cross is the epitome of trust in the Father that all of us must learn.

May God bless us all.🙏😇

References:

1. Kingdom of God in Human Anatomy, Retrieved 7/26/18 from

http://fact-s.net/2016/12/21/kingdom-of-god-in-human-anatomy/

2. Eric Weiner. Waterboarding: a Tortured History. Retrieved 7/28/18 from https://www.npr.org/2007/11/03/15886834/waterboarding-a-tortured-history

3. Waterboarding. Retrieved 7/28/18 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/waterboarding

4. Faith vs hope, wishful thinking, trust. Retrieved 7/28/18 from http://fact-s.net/2015/10/27/faith-vs-hope-or-wishful-thinking/

Original post: July 28, 2018