Expert: Elbert Spears - 10/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi,Rando, what Paul want to tell us ( 1 tim 3;15-16) ?

thank

ANSWER: Does not say that Jesus is Almighty GOD .

Regards

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: "if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels, was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory."

sorry, i do not really get you, even thought Paul did not say Jesus is Almighty God, but he did say Jesus is living God (capital "G") God become man

All things were made through God (john 1;1-3)

than why JWs keep denying he is not God ?

ANSWER:     Proverbs 8:14 through 16
   John 8:21 through 30 21 Hence he said to them again: “I am going away, and YOU will look for me, and yet YOU will die in YOUR sin. Where I am going YOU cannot come.” 22 Therefore the Jews began to say: “He will not kill himself, will he? Because he says, ‘Where I am going YOU cannot come.’” 23 So he went on to say to them: “YOU are from the realms below; I am from the realms above. YOU are from this world; I am not from this world. 24 Therefore I said to YOU, YOU will die in YOUR sins. For if YOU do not believe that I am [he], YOU will die in YOUR sins.” 25 Therefore they began to say to him: “Who are you?” Jesus said to them: “Why am I even speaking to YOU at all? 26 I have many things to speak concerning YOU and to pass judgment upon. As a matter of fact, he that sent me is true, and the very things I heard from him I am speaking in the world.” 27 They did not grasp that he was talking to them about the Father. 28 Therefore Jesus said: “When once YOU have lifted up the Son of man, then YOU will know that I am [he], and that I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.” 30 As he was speaking these things, many put faith in him.

Regards

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry Elbert, i typed the wrong name.

“Jesus is God” is completely base on the father ,which mean how much do we know who true God is than how much we do know whether Jesus is God or not ? Make sense ?
  
JWs say Jesus is Christ, high priest, God’s witness, Lamb of God, that is why he is not God. Of because not, Jesus have more than 30 difference titles, one of the most important draw Jew's attention  that  is “Son of God”
  
Jesus asked disciples who he is. and Peter get the answer from heavenly father ,he is son of God.(mat 13;17)
  
Base on the bible, in heaven, there are only two kinds of spirit, God and angel, which substance does “son of God “belong?

JWs say “son of God” is archangel, a creature, not God and creator, God is not trinity
Let bible tell us the truth, Please, please, please read (john 1;1-18) very carefully , it answer all your question.

Isaiah said Jesus is God, Immanuel (which means God with us )(Isa 7;14)(8;8-10)(mat 1;23)

he also said Jesus is Mighty God (isa 8;6)
(10;20).....will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God.(10;21)
....The Lord, the LORD Almighty, will carry out the destruction...(10;23)....will fall before the Mighty one .

look, Isaiah did not try to distinguish the difference between God, holy one, Mighty and Almighty God , the are all the same .

In (john 1;1-3) JWS insist Jesus is a god, actually , john describe the word of God is base on OLD Testament ,it had already been told "Jesus is God" (capital "G") Please read (john 1;1-3)carefully .

John said Jesus is son of God (1;18)
Son of God is God (1;1)
He and father are one God (1;1)
He and father have same beginning (1;2)
He is not a creature or archangel (1;1)
He is creator, all things make by him even angels (1;3-4)
Word become flesh (1;14) word was God, God become flesh
He make the world and come to the world but the world not know him (1;10)
Son of man dwelling among us with grace and glory and truth ( 1;14)
God the son in flesh reflect God the father (1;18)he and father are one (1;1)

Old Testament support Jesus is God, not angel, not creature.
God created all things by himself (one God)(Isa 44;24)
God never form any god before and after him (Isa 43;10)
God say “I am the first and I am the last , apart from me there is no God (Isa 44;6)

Base on these statement, God never created second God or god or angel , any creature like him before and after. We can see John reveal the truth that have no conflict with OT,  he  mention Jesus created all things but never say he is second God or he is angel , he is created, he is creature

what about (Proverb 8;14-16)?
this is the skill that Lord Jesus using sea ,mountain and all kinds of things compare with his existent (from ancient time MICAH 5;2)

"in I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.(Pro 8;23) he was born in eternity (8;24) not being creature.he is same substance as father (colo 1;19) therefore father and son get same titles.
Father is (God,, Lord God, mighty God, Almighty God, Lord of Sabbath, savior, king, creator)

Son of God is (God, Lord God, Mighty God, Almighty God, Lord of Sabbath, savior, king, creator)

(1 tim 3;16),  (john 20;28)(Isa 9;6) (rev 1;8)(mak 1;24)(colo 1;16-17)(1 pet 1;1)

TEN COMMANDMENTS SUPPORT JESUS IS GOD(EXO 20;1-8)
FIRST COMM; only one God
Isaiah say Jesus also is God (Isa 7;14)(9;6)(john 1;1)

SECOND COMM.; we cannot worship idol but God alone.
Jesus never deny when people worship him and bow down to him, not even one. Paul say every knee should bow to Jesus.(phil 2;10)

THIRD COMM.: we cannot misuse the name of God.
God’s name too holy which is why Jew calls him LORD or LORD GOD instead of call his name. Jesus truly understands that, but why he accepted Thomas calling “my Lord and My God” because he is God as well. Plus, Paul also announce to all the Jew that Jesus is “LORD” (phil 2;11)

FOURTH COMM; Lord of the Sabbath your God
It so much meaning when Jesus claim he is the Lord of Sabbath (matt 12;8).first, it proof Jesus is creator in 6 day God created all things , second, the day of Sabbath for Jew worship LORD GOD, the creator, the Lord of Sabbath . Father and Jesus are one .

It all about Jesus,the SON OF GOD IS GOD. but why we got confused sometime ? because ......

WHEN GOD BECOME MAN …….
Paul said the Living God appear in the body is the mystery beyond all question (1 tim 3;15-16)

“God sent his son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law (Gal 4;4-5) “  after Jesus become man , man position lower than angel (Heb 2;9)

,Paul said Jesus humble himself God  become human died on the cross for us (phili 2;6-8)“

Jesus is son of God and son of man combine ,he comes for two major purpose , glorify father and save us .

Son of man is  man , man need God, he show us how to humble  himself and obey  God , worship God ,pray to God,  rely on God ,glorify God, and be a witness with God.

WHY JESUS DID NOT SAY I AM GOD ?
“He that speaks of his own originality is seeking his own glory; but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him, this one is true” (john 7;18)

“I do not accept praise from man ….when YOU are accepting glory from one another and YOU are not seeking the glory that is from the only God? (john 5;43-44)

“Jesus answered: “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifies me, (john 8;54)  that is why Jesus can not directly claim he is God and  he can not deny he is God either (father and me are one ) .

JESUS GLORIFIES FATHER
Jesus reply, this sitting on my right hand or left is not mine to give.. (Mat 20:23)”
  
Jesus humbly himself , let father made decision .do not forget , father have given all things to Jesus (john 3;31)(3;35)(mat 11;27)he can made any decision he want.

“The day of the hour , no one know , nor the son (mat 24;36)”
Jesus knows all things (john 21;17)(2;24-25)

“no one is Good accept God alone (Mak 10;18)”
If Jesus is not good , how could he calling people follow  him ?(10;21)he is glorify father.

“Jesus answer the teacher of the law Love God with all your heart ….(mak 12;29-31)”
Jesus want us to love father , what about himself ?

”the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, ‘ (John 4:23-24)
Jesus want us worshipers father, why he did not deny when people worship him, or  guide them worship father ?(mat 14;32)

“you, the only true God …(john 17;3)
Jesus also claim himself is truth (john 14;6)so  he deny himself or glorify father ?

Please read (john 17;1) Glorify your son….your son may glorify you…you , the only truth God…..I have brought you glory on earth…..(17;4)these is ..
why Jesus never claim he is God?
Why Jesus never deny he is not God?
Why he say only father is true God?

it is All about Jesus brought Glory  to father and make him known
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

…Father glorify the Son.
“Jesus humble himself let father exalt him on the highest place …every tongue confess he is Lord and everyone should bow ….(phil 2;5-11)

now you understand
why Paul will quote( Psm 68;18) apply to Jesus (Ephe 4;8) also (heb 1;9-10)apply to Jesus.
why book of Act is all about Jesus.
why they the preach the Good news of Jesus.
why father and son get same Glory, titles , power.
why Jesus said father and me are one .

i try to make it as simple as i could, I still have a lot of evident to proof Jesus is God .if you want to know, tell me what you think.

Lord Jesus love you


Answer
John 17 : 3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, AND of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ
This verse indicates Plural , two separate individuals .
Matthew 24 :36 Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.
Philippians 2: 5 thru 7 Keep this mental attitude in YOU that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men.
In the scripture above you can see that Jesus never Even considered, (seized the thought) of being equal to his father .,
Revelation 14:1) describes who Jesus is when it says ==  “And I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.”
Again ho is the lamb ? John 1:29 29 The next day he beheld Jesus coming toward him, and he said: “See, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world
Bowing down to humans as an act of respect was admissible, but bowing to anyone other than Jehovah as a deity was prohibited by God. (Ex. 23:24; 34:14) Similarly, the worshipful bowing down to religious images or to any created thing was positively condemned. (Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1; Deut. 4:15-19) Thus, in the Hebrew Scriptures, when certain of Jehovah’s servants prostrated themselves before angels, they only did so as recognizing that these were God’s representatives, not as rendering obeisance to them as deities.—Josh. 5:13-15; Gen. 18:1-3.