In this treatise we are looking at the Trinitarian view vs. the Modalist view. I would like to think the framer of the Question as he has caused me to change my mind. First I thought it was unimportant if one believed either view as long as the four basic tenets were espoused. But now I have re-looked at this subject I believe it is vital.
I like to break issues down to their most basic fundamental logical form. What our friends are saying through their questions is not “Is Jesus God”; No they are saying he is not God but is only a manifestation of God. In other words God is multi-personal and the SON is one of his personalities, ergo Jesus the Son of God is a manifestation of God. The real question then becomes: Is Jesus the (SON) God or Is Jesus a manifestation of God? I really believe Modalist confuse unity of the Godhead with manifestation of the Spirit.
If one is called SON of GOD or GOD the SON is irrelevant the position is still the same.What is meant when we say The SON as the second person in the GODHEAD. What is meant when we say “Person” we will answer this question.
"Person" in philosophy and religion refers to one who is self aware, capable of thought and able to make moral decisions. That is why Christians refer to the 3 persons of the Godhead, yet One God. There is both a separateness (God the Son died on the cross, but not God the Father, existing at the same time - see John 1:1b, the Word, Jesus, was with God) as well as a Oneness (and the Word, Jesus, was God-John 1:1c). See also Deut 6:4.
In John 20:28 the resurrected Christ upon confronting Thomas’ unbelief; the ensuing confrontation opens a very revealing insight about Jesus and who he is.
John 20:27-29 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (KJV)
Jesus doesn’t chide Thomas about his incorrect response. He doesn’t say Thomas you still don’t understand who I am; I am not GOD; I am his manifestation. No, What Jesus said was equivalent to AHHHH finally you get it; finally you understand. Thomas finally saw who Jesus was; Not a manifestation; but God the Son.
We had shown from the scriptures that Jesus as the second person in the Godhead. COLOSSIANS 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.(KJV) The Bible teaches Jesus (SON) is self aware, capable of thought and able to make moral decisions independent of the Father and Holy Ghost.
The Bible teaches that the Son is God and at the sometime is separate person within the Godhead. As we discussed above we are not using person in human terms. In the scripture below God tells Moses who he was I AM that I AM. In John 8:58 Jesus says he is the, I AM. An interesting side note in the Hebrew God calls him self I AM and Moses tell Pharaoh that HE IS sent him
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. (KJV)
JOHN 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (KJV)
In this verse the Trinity shows itself or discusses among themselves at the same time. The Baptism of Jesus is a Theopheny. In the Baptism of Jesus the Trinity appears all at once. I dare say these were not manifestations; But each part person in the God head appearing all at once.
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: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.(KJV)
In the account of the transfiguration which is considered another Theopheny Jesus is on the mount and the father speaks out of a cloud after Peter misspoke. Interestingly Separate parts of the Godhead are speaking not manifestations if the Spirit.
Matthew 17:1-7 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (KJV)
Jesus gives us a glimpse of the trinity; its distinctness in persons and in mission, lastly he shows us interaction of unity and purpose. In this verse while Jesus is discussing his impending death and departure; letting his disciples know they will not be left alone; that Holy Spirit will be sent as a comforter and guide. If Jesus and the Holy Ghost were manifestations why would the Father have to send the Holy Ghost? It seems he would say I will be with you.
JOHN 14:26 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.(KJV)
In this verse Peter while confronting Ananias calls the Holy Ghost God interchangeably. In other words lying to the Holy Ghost is lying to GOD; therefore, the Holy Ghost is God also, just as the Son and the Father are God; separate persons of the same Godhead.
ACTS 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God(KJV)
In John 1:1-3 Here the WORD was with GOD showing distention and at the sametime unity. Then the verse shows that he is GOD; wouldn’t this show once again the Unity of GODHEAD.
JOHN 1:1-3 In the beginning was . 2 The same the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was Godwas in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.(KJV)
In John 5:17 Jesus in his answer showed a distinction between himself and the father even so they are unified as one GOD they are separate distinct persons. One is working and so is the other. This verse indicates there work is different aspects of the same work.
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. (KJV)
Once again separate persons, One God and it is described as the Glory of God. So the question would be is how can Jesus/Son of Man be at the right hand of God if he is only a manifestation or dies this scripture show the Son and the Father are persons within the Godhead?
Acts 7:55-56But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (KJV)
Interestingly you will never see the face of God as some would like as it is written
Exodus 33:20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live (KJV)
No one can look on GOD and live but one can look upon a man and live; Jesus the Christ one could say; GOD clothed with skin which makes the incarnation all the more marvelous and miraculous. In the end we need to take Jesus at his word when he talks about the separateness and unity of the Godhead. Hopefully we don’t have to wait until we see him as Thomas did.
In conclusion we have shown from scripture that the Bible acknowledges a Godhead. We gave a definition of the persons within the Godhead. We showed where Jesus affirmed his Divinity and Unity with the Godhead. We have showed two Theophenys, one with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost appearing all at once in three distinct forms and on another occasion the Father and Son once again two distinct forms. We showed Stephens vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. We have shown the Christ discussing the three distinct persons and missions. We have also shown Jesus is God, the Holy Spirit is God, and the Father is God, three separate persons one and the same Godhead not a manifestation. I look forward to reading your comments: http://randy9-cowboycommentary.blogspot.com/
Thanks all for your comments and Have a Blessed Day
Randy9
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