Follow the Way

Post #31 Part 2
One gospel / One Kingdom

What kingdom did Jesus teach?

Mth 4:17 (KJV) - From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is at hand.

Mth 5:3 (KJV)- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

Mth 12:28 (KJV)-But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then THE KINGDOM OF GOD is come unto you.

Mth 13:31(KJV) - Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Mth 19:24 (KJV) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Mth 21:31 (KJV) Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into THE KINGDOM OF GOD before you.

Mth 21:43 (KJV) Therefore say I unto you, THE KINGDOM OF GOD shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Mark 1:15 (KJV) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and THE KINGDOM OF GOD is at hand: repent ye, and believe THE GOSPEL.

Mark 4:30-31(KJV) -
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken THE KINGDOM OF GOD? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 it is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

Luke 4:43 (KJV) And he said unto them, I MUST PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Luke 6:20 (KJV)- And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Luke 17:20-21(KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when THE KINGDOM OF GOD should come, he answered them and said, THE KINGDOM OF GOD cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, THE KINGDOM OF GOD is within you.

Acts 1:3(KJV) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to THE KINGDOM OF GOD:

What kingdom did Jesus tell His disciples to teach?

Luke 9:1-6(KJV)
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, PREACHING THE GOSPEL, and healing every where.

Luke 9:60 (KJV) Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Luke 9:62(KJV) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Luke 10:9-11(KJV)
9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, THE KINGDOM OF GOD is come nigh unto you.
10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that THE KINGDOM OF GOD is come nigh unto you.

What kingdom did Paul teach?

Acts 20:24 (KJV) And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I HAVE GONE PREACHING THE KINGDOM OF GOD, shall see my face no more.

Acts 14:21-22 (KJV)
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Acts 19:8 (KJV)And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Acts 20:25 (KJV) And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching THE KINGDOM OF GOD, shall see my face no more.

Acts 28:23 (KJV) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified THE KINGDOM OF GOD, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Acts 28:31(KJV) Preaching THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Rom 14:17 (KJV) For THE KINGDOM OF GOD is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Gal 5:21 (KJV) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

1 Cor 4:20 (KJV) For THE KINGDOM OF GOD is not in word, but in power.

1 Cor 6:9-10 (KJV)
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

1 Cor 15:50 (KJV) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit THE KINGDOM OF GOD; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

2 Thes 1:5 (KJV) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of THE KINGDOM OF GOD, for which ye also suffer:

Both Paul and Jesus taught the same kingdom and they taught the same gospel. They did NOT preach separate kingdoms. They did NOT preach separate gospels.

There is only one gospel that saves. There are different aspects to that gospel that are emphasized depending on when the gospel was preached. After Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, the apostles preached the same gospel that Jesus did while he was on the earth. However, they had an added understanding of the meaning of Jesus' death burial and resurrection. Paul did as well. Even though the wording that describes the gospel may vary at times, the message was and is still the same.

Some people try to say that there are 2 different kingdoms and say that the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God are different Kingdoms, but a quick comparison of the gospels indicate the terms "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN" and "KINGDOM OF GOD" refer to the same kingdom.

a. Compare Mth 4:17 with Mark 1:14-15
Mth 4:17 (KJV) - From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is at hand.

Mark 1:14-15(KJV) -
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and THE KINGDOM OF GOD is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

b. Compare Mth 5:3 with Luke 6:20
Mth 5:3 (KJV)- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

Luke 6:20 (KJV)- And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

c. Compare Mth 13:31 with Mark 4:30-31

Mth 13:31(KJV) - Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Mark 4:30-31(KJV) - And he said, Whereunto shall we liken THE KINGDOM OF GOD? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 it is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:


EXTRA - Compare Mth 10:5-15 with Luke 9:1-6 with Mark 6:7-13

6 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Follow the Way

Post #30 Part 1
One gospel / One Kingdom

DID JESUS AND THE 12 APOSTLES PREACH A DIFFERENT GOSPEL AND A DIFFERENT KINGDOM THAN PAUL? One for the Jews and another for the Gentiles? This is what many false teachers claim. These false teachers only want to cherry pick verses and avoid other verses so you do not find the truth.

What Gospel did Jesus teach?

Mth 4:23 (KJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Mth 9:35 (KJV) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Mth 24:14 (KJV) And THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mth 26:13(KJV) Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever THIS GOSPEL shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Mark 1:1 (KJV) The beginning of THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God;

Mark 1:14 (KJV) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD,

Mark 13:10 (KJV) And THE GOSPEL must first be published among all nations.

Mark 14:9 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever THIS GOSPEL shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

THE GOSPEL,
THIS GOSPEL,
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM,
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST,
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

There is only one GOSPEL, but it has many different names.

Paul said that anyone teaching another gospel would be accursed.

Gal. 1:6-9 (KJV) Says…
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

2 Cor 11:4 Says…

2 Cor 11:4(KJV) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or ANOTHER GOSPEL, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

So let's see if Paul taught the same gospel or a different gospel than Christ.

What Gospel did Paul teach?

Acts 20:24(KJV) - But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

Rom 1:1 (KJV) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto THE GOSPEL OF GOD,

Romans 1:9(KJV) - For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in THE GOSPEL OF HIS SON, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Rom 1:16 (KJV) - For I am not ashamed of THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 15:16(KJV) - That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, MINISTERING THE GOSPEL OF GOD, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Rom 15:19(KJV) - Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

2 Cor 2:12(KJV) - Furthermore, when I came to Troas TO PREACH CHRIST'S GOSPEL, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

2 Cor 9:13(KJV) - Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

2 Cor 11:7(KJV) - Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you THE GOSPEL OF GOD freely

Gal 2:7(KJV) - But contrariwise, when they saw that THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Eph 1:13 (KJV) - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 6:15 (KJV)- And your feet shod with the preparation of THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

Phil 1:27 (KJV) - Only let your conversation be as it becometh THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

1 Thess 3:2(KJV) - And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

What gospel did Paul preach and what gospel was Paul not ashamed of that is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes?
THE GOSPEL OF GOD,
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST,
THE GOSPEL OF HIS SON,
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE,
THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION,
THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION,
THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

We can see that Jesus and Paul taught the SAME GOSPEL. All these gospel names describe the SAME GOSPEL that Christ brought. They are simply worded differently but they teach the same salvation message. One salvation message for both Jews and Gentiles alike.

6 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Follow the Way

Post #29
Obey the Gospel

• Acts 6:7 - Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were OBEDIENT TO THE FAITH.
In Acts 6:7, Many of the priests were becoming obedient to THE FAITH. In three other verses it is called obedience to the gospel, as implied by reference to disobedience to the gospel.

• Romans 10:16 - But they have not all OBEYED THE GOSPEL. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
In Romans 10:16, it is referring specifically to the Jews who heard the message of salvation, Paul literally says, “But they have not all OBEYED THE GOSPEL”.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:8 - in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not OBEY THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:8 Paul says that God will condemn “those who do not OBEY THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• 1 Peter 4:17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not OBEY THE GOSPEL of God?
In 1 Peter 4:17 Peter tells of “those who do not OBEY THE GOSPEL of God.”

If the gospel can be obeyed and disobeyed, then it must contain commands. What sort of expression does a person "OBEY"? A question? No! A promise? No! A statement of fact? No! A person "OBEYS" a COMMAND.

The gospel COMMANDS are BELIEVE, REPENT, LOVE and BE WATER BAPTIZED. These are not just commands addressed to us as Christians telling us how to live a godly life. These are commands addressed to everyone who is not yet saved telling us how we may receive salvation in Christ. These are all requirements of non Christians to follow and OBEY in order to be saved.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Follow the Way

Post #28
False Repentance Doctrines - Part 2

2 Cor 12:21 - I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and NOT REPENTED OF THE IMPURITY, SEXUAL IMMORALITY, AND INDECENT BEHAVIOR WHICH THEY HAVE PRACTICED.

• What did they NOT repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No, it is from impurity, sexual immorality, and indecent behavior which they have practiced. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

Rev 2:5 - Remember therefore from where you have fallen; REPENT AND DO THE FIRST WORKS, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you REPENT.

• What did they need to repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No, they still believed, but they were not doing the works that they first did. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

Rev 2:21 - And I gave her time to REPENT OF HER SEXUAL IMMORALITY, and she DID NOT REPENT.
Rev 2:22 - Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS.

• What did she NOT repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No, it is of her sexual immorality. Those who commit adultery with her and who do not repent of their deeds will be cast into great tribulation. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

Rev 3:19 - Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and REPENT.

• What did they need to repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? You don't concern yourself with rebuke from someone that you do not believe in. So this cannot be from unbelief in Jesus. This is sin that they must repent of.

Rev 9:20 - But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not REPENT of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
Rev 9:21 - And they did not REPENT of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

• What did they NOT repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No, they did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk, and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

Rev 16:10 - And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain,
Rev 16:11 - and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pain and their sores; and THEY DID NOT REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS.

• What did they NOT repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No, they did not repent of their deeds. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

Jeremiah 8:6
I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. NO MAN REPENTED OF HIS WICKEDNESS, Saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle.

• What did no man repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No. No man repented of his wickedness. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

As the bible shows many times in scripture, repentance is overwhelmingly shown to be repentance from sin, not repentance from unbelief in Jesus. We do not change our mind about believing in God until we first know who God is. This involves hearing the gospel. Once we hear about who God is and what He has done for us and what He commands us to obey(the gospel), then we must believe in Him. After we believe in Him, we must realize our sin (through the gospel)and then repent of our sin to Him. You don't repent before you believe. You must believe before you repent.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Follow the Way

Post #27
False Repentance Doctrines - Part 1

Several false repentance doctrines that fool people into a false salvation in Christ are,

(1) REPENTANCE is not needed for the forgiveness of our sins and for salvation.
(2) We do not "REPENT OF OUR SINS" since the words "REPENT OF YOUR SINS" is not written verbatim anywhere in the Bible.
(3) REPENTANCE is a change of mind about who Jesus is, not a change of mind about sin. Repentance comes before faith in Christ.

These false arguments about repentance are leading many people away from the truth and leading them down the wrong path by not repenting of their sins. As I have written in previous posts and shown in videos on this channel, we are commanded to meet certain conditions to gain eternal life in Christ. Repentance is one of those conditions.

Since God commanded all men everywhere to repent. Can we say that repentance is not a condition of salvation? The bible shows that repentance is needed for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38).

Luke 24:47 - and that REPENTANCE FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Acts 2:38 - 38 And Peter said to them, “REPENT and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore we should learn that without repentance a person will not receive forgiveness of their sins and will not be saved.

In Matt 3:2 it says - REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

• Where does it say or imply that these people did not believe in God? Nowhere! These were God's chosen people, so we know they believed in God, but they were still sinning.

Mark 1:4 says - John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of REPENTANCE for the remission of sins.

• Did John come preaching a baptism of repentance from unbelief in God? No. John was preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. This is sin that they needed to repent of.

And in Mark 1:15 it says - and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT and BELIEVE in the gospel.”

• But what are they to REPENT of? Is it repent from unbelief in Jesus? No, it's repent from sin and believe the gospel. Believing in Jesus and believing in the gospel are not the same. Many people believe in Jesus but do not believe in the gospel. How do we know that it is repent from sin and not repent from unbelief in Jesus? Let's continue to look at repentance in the bible to find out.

Some false teachers say that repentance comes before belief in God. Like in the 2 passages I just gave from Matt 3:2 and Mark 1:15. They claim that repentance precedes faith and therefore repentance is a change from unbelief in God to belief and not a repentance from sin.

The problem with this is they have to assume that these verses apply to alien sinners, when in fact, they do not. Look at the context of Mark 1:15 and go back just 1 verse.

Mark 1:14 says - Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

This all took place under the law of Moses before the Jesus' death. In Matthew's account, it was John the Baptist who also taught "repentance, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand" (Mt. 3:1-3). We must ask. To whom was John speaking?

John was speaking to the Jews, some of whom were Pharisees and Sadducees who thought to say within themselves, "We have Abraham for our father".

Matt. 3:9 - and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

These were God's chosen people under the law of Moses and as such, they were already believers in God, though they had perverted worship to God and transgressed the law. They were being told that they needed to repent! Not repent from unbelief, but repent of their sins. They were to repent of their sins under the law, not to repent of their unbelief in God. Nowhere does it show in the context that they quit believing in God.

When we turn to Luke it says,

Luke 11:32 - The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they REPENTED at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

This is a reference to Jonah 3 where it says,

Jonah 3:8 - But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them TURN every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

Jonah 3:9 - Who can tell if God will turn and REPENT, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

• What did they repent of? Was it their unbelief in God? No, they were to repent and turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in his hands.
• Did God need to REPENT of His unbelief in Himself here? No, This is sin that the people needed to repent of. Verse 9 also shows that repentance has more than 1 meaning.

Luke 17:3 - Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENTS, forgive him.
Luke 17:4 - And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I REPENT,’ you shall forgive him.”

• What is your brother to repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus, or changing their mind about Jesus, or is it the about the sins committed against you? Your brother needs to repent of the sin against you. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

Acts 3:19 - REPENT ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

• What was to be blotted out when they repented? Was it their unbelief in Jesus? No, it was their sins committed against you.

Acts 8:21 - You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:22 - REPENT THEREFORE OF THIS YOUR WICKEDNESS, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

• What does he say to repent of? Is it from unbelief in Jesus? No, it is of this your wickedness. He already believed in Jesus, but his heart was not right in the sight of God. This is sin that needs to be repented of.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

Follow the Way

Post #26
The Biblical Trinity

What is the biblical Trinity? The biblical Trinity is often misunderstood, and often misrepresented by anti-trinitarians. Many who attack the biblical Trinity do so with strawman arguments and very poor reasoning. They either don't use the bible, or they selectively cherry pick bible verses from the bible out of context. For those who are honestly seeking the truth of the trinity I will post some basic information here and invite further discussion when you are ready.

The biblical trinity is the understanding that there is one God. This one God is eternally present in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These persons are equal in nature (all equally God), distinct in person, and subservient in duty.

The biblical Trinity, teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each God by nature, yet they are each distinct in person. It is a basic strawman to imply monotheism opposes the Trinity because the foundation of the Trinity is ontological monotheism.

Some people deny the trinity just because they do not understand it, but that is a very poor reason to reject it. If lack of understanding means that it is not true, then many things in our lives must not be true. Many people do not understand gravity, or weather, or physics. Does that make them false? No.

Before we look at the 3 distinct persons of the trinity in the bible, we must define some terms and ideas. The first two terms are NATURE, and PERSONS.

Understanding these 2 terms is where most anti trinitarians get the trinity wrong. If you can understand what trinitarians mean by these 2 terms then the trinity will begin to make more sense.

NATURE - Nature answers the question of WHAT ONE IS?
PERSONS - Persons answers the question, of WHO ONE IS?

Every being, has a nature. Animals, have a nature. Humans, have a nature. Angels, have a nature. God, has a nature. By our nature, we are what we are. Therefore, it follows that by our nature, we do what we do. So to begin to understand anything about any being, we must ask of that being, what is the nature of that being? When talking about God we must ask WHAT God is and WHAT are the qualities/attributes of God?

Every being acts according to what it is. So Nature, is to be seen not only as what one is, but also as the source of what one can do. I will address the nature of God, that He has revealed to us, in future posts.

Now, we move onto the term, PERSONS.

Here is a good starting definition of the term "persons".

"Persons" is a unique entity, that has the following characteristics... Desires, emotions, a mind, an intellect, a will, volition, can love, can be loved, can speak, can be spoken to, can witness, and has a name.

Many anti Trinitarians interpret the word “persons” incorrectly. They have a problem with understanding the difference between nature and persons.

They hear the word “persons” and they limit the word to only one meaning. They think of a human person, which is a fallacy of equivocation (i.e., equivocating terms that have multiple meanings).

When Trinitarians use the word "persons", we are distinguishing between who is who, in personality.

For example, we know that in the bible Moses and Peter, were not only persons, but different persons, yet nowhere in the bible does it specifically say they are persons.

When we read of angels such as Michael or Gabriel, we know they are individual persons, just as we know that satan, who is a spirit, is a person. We know this because they have personalities. Yet the Bible never says they are persons. The term "persons", should not be restricted to human beings only, since angels and the devil, are persons by this definition also.

If we were to apply this to ourselves, we see a distinction between persons and nature. We find that there are many things, that we can do. We can laugh, and cry, and walk, and talk, and sleep, and think, and love. All these, and other things, we can do, because as a human being, we have a nature which makes them possible.

Other things that exist are not persons and can not do all of these. A rock or a stone or a tree, can not do any of these. So. "nature" is what one is, and "persons", is who one is. "Nature", describes, what we are and "Persons", describes, who we are. Nature, is the source of our operations and persons is the one doing them.

Two more terms that need to be define that will help us understand the biblical Trinity. These are, ONTOLOGY and ECONOMY.

Ontology, is discussing the existence or nature of God.
Economy, is discussing the roles of God.

Ontologically speaking, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the same. Economically speaking, they are distinct. When I say ontologically, I mean we are focusing on WHAT IS THE NATURE OF GOD. When I say economically, I mean we are focusing on WHAT GOD DOES.

In the ontological Trinity each person of the trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is equal in nature and attributes. According to the bible, each one of these three persons share the same abilities, power, wisdom, strength, importance, and glory, as the other.

In the economic Trinity, each person has a different focus or role. The economic trinity, focuses on each individual person of the trinity, and their role in the creation, salvation, and sanctification process. So, while the ontological trinity, focuses on God's nature, the economic trinity, focuses on God's roles or what God does.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Follow the Way

Post #25
False doctrine of Original Sin - Part 2

Psalm 51:5(ESV) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

As I said in part 1. Sin is not a physical substance. Other things like friendliness, hate, goodness, evil and love are not substances either. Sin is not a substance, and we all know that sin is not a substance. There is no sin gene in our DNA. But proponents of this false original sin doctrine will have you believe that there is.

In Psalm 51, David is repenting for his sin with Bathsheba. He is deeply sorry and repentant for what he did and he uses the language in the Psalm to confess his sin and shame before God. If David was telling God that he was a sinner by birth, then he would not need to ask for forgiveness. It would no longer be a Psalm of repentance for sin, but a Psalm to make an excuse for what he did. David would have a great excuse for what he did. He could just claim that he was born this way and that he should not be held accountable for what he did. The nature of sin, the nature of justice, and the nature of God are such that it is impossible for men to be born sinners.

FIRST, sin is voluntary. Is it a sin to be born with blue eyes, black hair, a small nose, or large ears? Is it a sin to be born short or tall? No, because we have no choice in the matter of our birth. Our birth, and everything we are and have at birth, is all involuntarily.

SECOND, sin is not a substance. It has absolutely no material or physical properties. Sin is a choice we make to disobey a command of God, so it is impossible for it to be passed on physically.

THIRD, sin is a responsible choice. Newborn babies are not responsible. They do not know the difference between right and wrong, and so cannot be responsible. A child has no moral character at birth. Moral character can only belong to a child when he has come to know the difference between right and wrong. A child must first reach the "age of accountability" before he can sin. See Isaiah 7:16, Deut. 1:39.

FOURTH, sin is personal and not transferable. No man can sin for another man, or be made guilty for the sin of another man. Moral character, guilt, and accountability are non-transferable. See Ezek. 18:20, Deut. 24:16.

God's justice makes it morally impossible for us to be created or born sinners. Is it possible that a just God could cause men to be born sinners and condemn them to hell for the sin of Adam? Is it really possible that innocent little babies open their eyes in this world already sinners or possessing a sin nature before they have done anything? Many churches would lead you to believe that we are born sinful or with a sin nature. The Catholic church even baptizes infants because of this false doctrine. This is the horrible fallacy that is taught by many churches today!

To interpret Psalm 51:5 literally violates two fundamental rules of Biblical interpretation.

• The first one is that a text should not be interpreted in a way that contradicts the clear teachings of other scripture in the Bible.
• The second rule is that a verse or verses should not be interpreted in such a way as to contradict reality.

The Bible is the word of God. It is without contradiction, and so it is only reasonable that each part should maintain a unity and agreement with every other part. To read this verse and this whole Psalm literally is completely inconsistent with its context. This Psalm would then make David have an excuse for his sins in a Psalm which he is actually asking for forgiveness and feels guilt for his sin. The whole point of the Psalm would then be contradicted and changed by giving verse five a literal meaning.

A literal interpretation is also inconsistent with the figurative and symbolic language used throughout this Psalm. To say that Psalm 51:5 was literal but the rest of the Psalm was not is inconsistent. A literal interpretation of Psalm 51:5 is also inconsistent with numerous verses and teachings throughout the Bible. It makes God the Creator of sinners. For the Bible clearly teaches that God is our Creator, that He forms us in our mother's womb, and that He gives us life, breath, and all things. It directly contradicts the verses that teach that God has created us upright and in His own image. And it makes Jesus a sinner, for the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus took upon himself human nature and became a man. Hebrews 2:11, 14, 16-18; Hebrews 4:15.

If Psalm 51:5 were literal then why are other verses not literal. It would have to also teach that hyssop purges us of sin, and that God breaks our bones when we rejoice. These are all figurative expressions, and to interpret them in a literal sense is to teach nonsense and what every man knows to be impossible and contrary to reality.

(See Post #7 for Part 1)

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Follow the Way

Post #24
Anti Trinitarian Fallacy #2

False Claim - Jesus never explicitly said "I AM GOD" anywhere in the Bible, therefore Jesus is not God.

This common objection to the deity of Jesus that He did not explicitly say the words…"I AM GOD", is a very poor argument against the deity of Jesus and comes with several problems for its proponents.

1st, Jesus came here for a purpose. All of the prophecies written about Him in the Old Testament needed to be fulfilled in order to provide evidence that He is the Messiah that was prophesied.

You see, the real messiah would produce miracles and fulfill what was prophesied about Him. People needed strong evidence in order to understand that He was the real messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

Fulfilling all these prophecies would take time, and if Jesus came right out and said, "I AM GOD", the Jews would understand that as blasphemy. They would have stoned him on the spot, and He wouldn’t have had the opportunity to fulfill all of the prophecies written about Him.

2nd, If Jesus said "I AM GOD", people would think He was saying that He was the Father, which wouldn’t be correct. Jesus is God, but not God the Father. Jesus chose His words carefully. He did not want people to believe the false doctrine of modalism.

3rd, The Jews did not fully understand the triune God at that time, as many people still do not today. While there are hints of God being triune in the Old Testament, this doctrine of the Trinity wasn’t made clear until the New Testament was written.

Although Jesus never stated the exact words, "I AM GOD", in the bible, He did allude to being God several times, and other people, like Peter, in 2 Peter 1:1 show that he was called God.

2 Peter 1:1 says,

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of OUR GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

This is just one of several places in the bible that tell us Jesus is God. Now when you read the New Testament, you see that Jesus claimed to be the Son Of Man from Daniel 7, the First and the Last from Isaiah 44, and our Judge from Isaiah 33. So just because Jesus never said the 3 words "I AM GOD", that does not mean that He didn’t claim to be God.

A few modern day examples clearly show this.

Example #1.
If I told you that I was the Great Bambino, or the Sultan of Swat, or the Colossus of Clout. Who would you think that I am claiming to be?

Example #2
If I told you that I was Cassius Clay, or the Louisville Lip. Who would you think that I am claiming to be?

Example #3
When the bible says that Jesus is our Savior, our Judge, or the First and the Last. Who is the bible claiming Jesus to be?

Well if you know baseball, boxing, or the bible well enough you would know the answer to each of the 3 examples.

Example #1 answer - Babe Ruth
Example #2 answer - Muhammad Ali
Example #3 answer - God

Now, in all 3 of these examples, were you ever told that the one being discussed was "Babe Ruth", or "Muhammad Ali", or "God"? NO!!

So when you read the bible and ask, Who is Jesus? and the bible tells you that He is the "First and the Last", or "our Savior", or "our Judge" or that He is the "Creator of all things". Who is the bible telling you that Jesus is? It's telling you that Jesus is GOD!!!

So the objection that Jesus is not God because Jesus never explicitly said "I AM GOD" anywhere in the bible is an obvious fallacy.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Follow the Way

Post #23
Anti Trinitarian Fallacy #1

False Claim - The word "TRINITY" is not in the bible, therefore the Trinity is false.

To assume what is not stated must not be true is an argument from silence. So for people to use the word fallacy argument and say that the doctrine of the Trinity is not true because the exact word “TRINITY” is not in the Bible is self-refuting.

If that kind of reasoning were true, then, by way of argument, it would necessarily follow that the doctrines of many anti trinitarians were not true either. God's omniscience would not be true because the word omniscient is not in the bible. The rapture would not be true because the word rapture is not in the bible. We can not have people who are atheist because the word atheism is not in the bible.

You don't find any of these words in the original Hebrew or Greek.

Just as these words describe a teaching or a belief, so does the word trinity.

Trinity is a doctrinal word that describes to us who God is. It is taught throughout scripture and only those who reject scripture or come with a presupposition that it is not true are the ones who do not see it.

• God the Father sent God the Son, the Word (cf. John 1:1; 6:37-40; 17:5) who became flesh (cf. John 1:14; Rom. 1:3-4).
• After which God the Son died in the place of sinners (cf. Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:17-21) whereby His death provides the availability for full atonement for the sins of His people (cf. Matt. 1:21).
• God the Father and God the Son sent God the Holy Spirit to empower the church, and dwell with and sanctify believers (cf. Titus 3:5-7).

So the objection that the trinity is false because the word TRINITY is not found in the bible is an obvious fallacy.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Follow the Way

Post #22
Nature and persons of the Trinity - Part 2

So for any entities x and y, if a and b are the same thing, then any property P, P is true of a if and only if P is true of b. If a is the Son and b is the Father, then if Oneness is true, a must be identical to b. On the other hand, if something is true of the Son (a) which is not true of the Father(b), then the Son(a) is not identical to the Father(b) and Oneness if false.

But we have seen that there are things true of the Son(a) which are not true of the Father(b) and there are things true of the Spirit(c) which are not true of either the Father(b) or the Son(a).

For example, anything true of
1. John Doe uncle (JDu) must be true of
2. John Doe husband (JDh) and
3. John Doe brother (JDb).
• That is to say, it can *NOT* be the case that JDu is married to Jane Doe, while JDh is not.
• It can *NOT* be the case that JDh sang on stage in Vegas in February 1980 while JDb did not.
• So to recap - Whatever is true of JDu, as a person, must be true of JDh and JDb if they are all the same person.

Certainly it is true that the relationships that make u, h, and b distinct are different, but the *person* to which these titles apply must possess all the same properties regardless of in what role he is functioning (that is, whether brother, husband, or uncle). That is, everything that is true of John Doe who is the uncle of Steve Smith(Nephew) is true of the John Doe who is married to Jane Doe and who is the brother of Samuel Doe.

So for anti trinitarians to be correct about God, there *must be nothing true of one "mode" which is not true of another "mode"*. But if there is just one thing true of one which is not true of another, then *they cannot be the same person* and modalism is false.

An trinitarian must defy common sense that shows when the Bible speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that the Bible is in fact not speaking of three persons but one. That is to say, they must show that a plain reading of the text clearly does not show three distinct persons, even though we have numerous verses that indicate communication and relationship between persons, such as when Jesus prayed to his Father and the Holy Spirit descended upon him. In other words, since the common sense plain reading of the text shows three distinct persons, the burden of proof is without a doubt on the anti-trinitarian to show that the common sense plain reading is false. The Trinitarian does not have the burden of proof.

Consider the following:

(1) Jesus of Nazareth is called the one and only mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). This would mean that God the Son has a property - mediatorship - which is possessed by neither God the Father nor God the Holy Spirit, since the text is saying he is the ONLY mediator "between" God and man.

(2) "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" (Matt. 3:16-17).

The Son has the property of "being the Son loved by the Father" but not the property of "being the Father who loves the Son." The Spirit has neither property. Thus, we have in this verse a clear distinction between the persons of the Trinity.

(3) "`No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come - neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows.'" (Matt. 24:36). Here the Son has a property (not knowing the day or hour of his second coming) which the Father does not.

Imagine if I said, "Only John Doe as an uncle knows what he's getting from his wife for Christmas. John Doe as a brother does not know what he's getting from his wife for Christmas." You would have to infer from this that there must two John Doe's. If not, then it is logically incoherent.

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 3