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DOCTRINE 1 DEITY of JESUS
On reflection, I've only had a layman's interest in doctrine, having been busy with many aspects of practical Christianity – prison visitation, Bible in Schools programmes, etc
While being aware of the Cults, there has been only the occasional contact with them.
But they are ever with us, as we get regular knocks on the door by their adherents, usually in pairs. Until recently, when differing doctrines and interpretations have again emerged.
I read Paul's advice to Timothy - Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. … and then he repeats it … Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4 : 13-16
So, doctrine is important ... Right believing leads to right living someone has observed.
The foundation needs to be correctly founded and aligned … or the building may lean – as those in Pisa found out !
Pauls 2 books to Timothy were his last preserved writings, his final words to a young believer, and he strenuously emphasises the need for correct doctrine, over and over, again and again - 16 times in the 2 books ! …
be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 2 Timothy 2:15-17 Note - he even names the proponents of wrong teachings, which he calls fables, and idle babblings.
Personally, I have never had any bother with the Trinity - GOD the 3 in 1 separate yet collective – unity in plurality. But I have been also aware that the Cults generally disagree with this concept, and that it has been much debated down through the centuries and caused division in religious circles, even to the very emergence of most of the Cults.
Better left to the theologians I have previously considered.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
But some recent contacts and challenges have caused me to examine again some of what are fundamental beliefs and doctrines. And being aware that some of the Cults have their own translations, or that they prefer those translations which foster their own particular 'interpretations'.
My appreciation of the King James Version is that it was written for the common use of the populace at large, in the plain English of the day. Analogies of translation and evolution of some meaning of words, etc have been well researched, revised and updated, to the New KJV, and to me it still holds a beauty of expression and conviction. Jesus appeal likewise was to the the common people, who followed him in multitudes and couldn't get enough of him Mark 12:37 John 12:19
Perhaps I should define here which groups are generally and commonly considered as 'Cults' and by the experiences of those ex-members who have left their ranks and detailed their doctrines … Mormons (Latter Day Saints), Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh day Adventists, Christadelphians, Christian Science, are the obvious main ones.
Wikipedia on the internet I have found to be most helpful and which extensively lists their particular history and beliefs - well worth a look !
THE FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE by KEVIN J CONNER … is excellent
Interestingly, most of the present day Cults originated in the USA in the 19th Century.
But back to doctrines … most of the Cults seem to hold 3 basic beliefs …
denial of the deity of Jesus that he was / is God
denial of the pre-existence of Jesus that he is eternal as God is
denial of the personality of the Holy Spirit that he is only an influence or an “it”
with a general leading on to … denial of the person of the devil and denial of the immortality of the human soul, amongst others.
Looking briefly at these 3 main denials ...
Denial of the deity of Jesus, that he was / is God, that he is divine
OK if he isn't God THEN WHO IS HE ??
if Jesus isn't God … the Creator, then he must have been created … a created being there is no middle ground he is either GOD ... or a created 'angel'
this diminishing of Jesus is common amongst most Cults, and 'opens the door' for other following wrong doctrines … its a slippery slope for other false doctrines !
To my reading, Scripture is plain ...
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. John 1:1–3 Amp
Thomas was convinced that Jesus was GOD ...
Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe!
Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God ! John 20 : 27, 28 Amp
St Paul who met the resurrected Jesus on a road was also convinced of his deity ...
For in Him (Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily … who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2 : 9 couldn't be said much plainer, could it ?
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, Philippians 2:6
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16
God ... his son … who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; Hebrews 1:3 – 8
The Christmas message is ... EMANUEL … GOD WITH USMatthew 1:23
And, who would know better than Jesus Himself ...
And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17 : 5
Jesus adversaries, the Pharisees certainly knew what he was meaning ..
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” John 10 : 33-35
And the High Priest also, who accused him of blasphemy
And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! John 26 : 63-65
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1 : 26
Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Genesis 11 : 7
Note US is plural not singular indicating plurality in the Godhead
Bigggg subject
but quite plain to my reading that Jesus was who he said he was … GOD in the flesh
And, there is a simple test that Jesus left with us to check out any teachings / doctrines :
what fruit does it produce ?
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 1 Timothy 6:3, 4
we are advised by Jesus to inspect the fruit of any and every 'tree” Matthew 7: 16-20
what benefit is a doctrine to a believer or the body of Christ ?
does it edify - build up – or divide ?
as Jesus observed - cant get grapes from thorns or figs from thistles !
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2:1 NIV
More about the other 2 denials ... later |
