Expert: Marvin Howard - 2/18/2009

Question
What is your take on the God head, do you believe "One God, One faith, and One babptism"...

Answer
Hi!

James, I am so sorry it took this long to respond. I am in the middle of a bunch of tests for my college classes. I am just now catching a break. I thank you for the opportunity to be of service.

Let me approach the Godhead first. I think a proper understanding of the workings of Spirit, though difficult (but not impossible) for mortals to understand, is of paramount importance to understand many teachings within the Bible. Let's begin with a question or two.

What is the relationship between the light, breath, bread, and the Word? How was the Word both God and with God?

2nd Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

In light of this passage, all Scripture is “spired” into the writers by God. In actuality, there is no word in the Greek that is simply translated simply as “inspiration.” In fact, one word is translated as “inspiration,” and the additional, prepositional phrase; “of God.” That you may know the meaning, I offer the Greek definition, and a short explanation of this definition, in my own words.

θεόπνευστος
theopneustos
theh-op'-nyoo-stos
From G2316 and a presumed derivative of G4154; divinely breathed in: - given by inspiration of God.

Thus says Strong’s Lexicon.

θεόπνευστος
theopneustos
Thayer Definition:
1) inspired by God
1a) the contents of the scriptures
Part of Speech: adjective
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2316 and a presumed derivative of G4154 Citing in TDNT: 6:453, 876

Thus says Thayer’s Lexicon.

Basically, the definition implies that the Scriptures, all of them, are the very breath of God. Such breath is given when speaking. Can we use Scripture to further define the breath of God? Yes, I believe we can. Why would this be important? There are several reasons, but here are the three main reasons. First, there are many who have a lesser view of Scriptures than they ought. Secondly, there are many who claim divine revelations of the Holy Spirit today. This second reason will be discussed at the appropriate time. Finally, there are many who will try to claim that worship of the God of the Bible is polytheism, or reject on the other hand the existence of a Godhead.

Spirit and inspiration carry the same root word, etymologically speaking: spire. A spire (noun) is somewhere there is a breathtaking view. To respire (i.e., respiration) is for us to breathe repetitively, and to expire (i.e., expiration) is for us to breathe our last, or die. Therefore, to spire (verb) is the equivalent of to breathe. So, what then is the Word, the breath, of God?

John 1:1-5 & 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Jesus is the Word of God. Also, we must consider this passage and others like it.

John 14:23-27, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The Comforter, that is to say the Holy Spirit, came in the name of (i.e., by the authority of) Jesus, and it was the Father that sent Him. Moreover, since the word spirit has the same root word we discussed earlier, spire, the Holy Spirit is also the breath of God.

The fact that the Father breathed, and Jesus is the breath of God, and the Spirit is also the breath of God, and that the Scriptures are the breath of God demonstrates soundly that the Father, Son, and Spirit, though three, are in fact one, and that the Scriptures are one with them. Thus, the contents of the Bible are far more important than any other book, and should be respected and handled accordingly, according to 2nd Timothy 2:15.

This is much the same as if I saw a photograph of my hand, I would be able to say, “That's me.” It would not be all of me, but it is a part of me. This is a method of speaking (and writing) known as metonymy; a substitution of a part for the whole.

This brings us to the second reason of the importance of Scripture, and that is, authority of the Scriptures, as opposed to “divine” revelation given at another time (e.g., today).

John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

We previously discussed how Jesus is the Word. Here, we find that the Word is Truth.

John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God must be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth. Since Jesus is the Word, and the Word is Truth, then worship must be conducted in accordance with the Word of Jesus; God, the Son. Worship must be conducted in accordance with the Bible. While this specifically covers worship, what does the Bible/the Spirit/Jesus say about other aspects of religion?

Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Normally, the word “power” comes from the Greek δύναμις dunamis (pronounced doo'-nam-is), and is the etymological root of our word “dynamite.” This is “power,” as used in Romans 1:16 and many other places in the Bible, and has a meaning of “strength.” However, “power,” as used here, is not limited to strength, though that is included. Here is the Strong’s definition of “power” as used in reference to Jesus in Matthew’s account.

εξουσία
exousia
ex-oo-see'-ah
From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

Thayer echoes the definition’s inclusion of “authority” in the meaning of this word. In fact, this is the source of our English word, “exude.” In other words, this is something that comes out of every pore of Jesus’ Being. Therefore, Jesus declares that He has all “authority” in Heaven and on earth. Since the Bible is, by extension, Jesus Himself, then all religious authority for us is found in the Bible.

Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

The context of this passage proceeds from the singing of worship (v. 16) and continues through the relationship of wives and husbands (vv. 17ff). This indicates that doing things in the name of Jesus (e.g., by His authority) extends past things we do in worship, to everyday life. Religion is not merely a system of belief, but it is a system of belief upon which one bases his/her entire life in devout, studious, and assiduous practice.

Hebrews 1:1-4, “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

Yes, the Scriptures are verbally inspired by God. Yes, they contain every whit of authority available to any man. If you believe the Scriptures, there is no room left for any other, whether a supposed prophet, or not. Moses is no longer a valid source of authority. Mohammed is not a source of authority. Nimrod, Nichren, Nietzsche, Ra, Isis, Shiva, and Buddha are not sources of authority. Ratsinger is not a source of authority. Luther is not a source of authority. Calvin is not a source of authority. Armstrong is not a source of authority. White is not a source of authority. Lucado is not a source of authority. Smith is not a source of authority. No other denominational founder or leader is a source of authority. Likewise, I am not a source of authority, nor is any other man, woman, or child, living or dead, real or imagined, past, present, or future. To author something is to have authority. We cannot author any words of God. We must take the extant Word of God, and present it; as written, and in context.

It is said, “You are what you eat.” This is not only true physically, but spiritually, as well. If we are to be spiritual creatures, we must feast upon spiritual things. I can only find one spiritual thing we must eat referenced in Scripture. The Master, Himself, said it plainly.

Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

If we do not eat on a regular basis, we will die. Likewise, if we do not break the bread of the Word regularly, we will die spiritually. If we eat physical food multiple times a day to feel comfortable, how much more important then is the Word, since our spiritual lives should be more important than the physical?

The conception of the Word has been an important idea throughout the Bible. Even in the Old Testament we find the concept that it is a light and guide for mankind. It is echoed in the New.

Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

2nd Peter 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”

Since we find Jesus is the Word, is it any wonder that we also find Him as a guiding light; by the same author who describes Him as the Word?

John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Earlier, I mentioned the principle of metonymy. The analogy I used is supported by Biblical truth. Let's examine it further. Every time we have mention of the Father, Son, or Spirit seperately, we are seeing use of this principle. God is not completely God without all of His component parts. I am not completely me without all my component parts (c.f., Ephesians 4:16 and 1st Corinthians 12:12-30). We have heads that think, hands that work, and feet that transport us. This is what we have with the Godhead. Each time one member is discussed, different aspects of God are under discussion.

Now as a conclusion, lets look at your question of “One God, One faith, and One babptism.”

Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

I believe there is one God because the Bible reveals there is one God. There are many components of any body. This is how we are in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) even though God has no physical image. The context of this passage is not denying the parts of God and their various functions. The context is rather expressing these components, but asserting at the same time their unity. We (every Christian in the world) are enjoined by this passage to be unified and various parts of the Body of Christ, regardless of differences of opinion we may have. We cannot be disunified on matters of faith and doctrine and belong to the same body.

James, I hope I have answered your question sufficiently. If you need further help, I will be around from time to time to answer. Once again, thank you for the opportunity for service.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard