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| Vol. 15 No. 11 November 2013 | Page 16 |
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| Vol. 15 No. 11 November 2013 | Page 16 |
Is Jesus God?
Louis Rushmore, Editor
Please clarify my doubts. Is Jesus is God? If not, what about John 1:1-2. If yes, how? ~ Vanguru Venkateswar Lu
The Godhead made mankind, or God made man. Just as mankind is represented by several persons (several billion today), the Godhead is represented by persons, too (three: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit).
Three times in English translations of the New Testament the word “Godhead” appears (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9). The related Greek words translated “Godhead” mean “divine,” “divinity” or “God.” The Greek word appearing as “Godhead” in Acts 17:29 is translated as “divine,” relating to God’s “power” and “nature” in 2 Peter 1:3-4.
All three persons of the Godhead possess the qualities of divinity or being God, just as the billions of people inhabiting our planet all possess the qualities of being human. Throughout both testaments of the Bible one can see that divine qualities are attributed to each of the three persons of the Godhead. In addition, one can see the unity with which these three persons of the Godhead operate. For instance, it is evident both from passages relative to creation that all three of the persons in the Godhead participated in it. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Gen 1:26 NKJV emphasis added). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3). “[A]nd to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9 emphasis added). See also Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:2-3 and Revelation 4:11.
In addition regarding redemption, God the Father sent inspired messages to humans through God the Holy Spirit, which messages comprise the Bible (2 Peter 1:21). At the right time, God the Father also sent God the Son (Jesus Christ) to be the perfect sacrifice for man’s sins (John 3:16).
Likewise, on a number of topics and from page to page in the Bible one can see the divine cooperation in the Godhead's activities toward humans. The ultimate goal of the Godhead is that humans can purify their souls and ready themselves for an eternity with the Godhead in heaven. The Godhead desires that all humans be saved (2 Peter 3:9), though because of the ability to choose, many will be lost eternally (Matthew 7:13-14).
What Does It Mean
to Mark and Avoid?
Arlis D. Richardson
We find the Scriptures commanding Christians, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
To “mark” means to identify. In order to mark a person, it means to identify him. To mark one who causes divisions, we must place some identifying marks on him where others will recognize him. How? We do this by pointing out what he is doing wrong.
“Avoid them” is easily understood, but perhaps harder to practice. People have little trouble avoiding a rattlesnake, which can only take a physical life. Why should it be so hard for Christians to identify and avoid those who pose a threat to one’s eternal soul and to the souls of loved ones?
The poison of those causing divisions and offences in religion is much more dangerous than the poison of the rattlesnake. Will you obey this command, or will you like some politicians, seek peace with such people? Even little children know that marking means more than “noticing” and that avoiding means to stay away from.
Why Do Miracles Not Exist Today?
Louis Rushmore, Editor
Ongoing miracles do not exist today because they accomplished the purpose for which they were permitted to occur. I hasten to mention that the same miracles that occurred in the first century remain recorded for us today upon the pages of Scripture. Notice John 20:30-31. “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31 NKJV).
The purpose of miracles is stated in Mark 16:20. “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (emphasis added). Miracles were a means of providing new revelation from God as well as validating that message and the messenger. Miracles were never intended to be permanent, but they were to cease once the new revelation from God that we call the New Testament was complete (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). The imperfect or immature contrasted with the complete or mature in both instances in that context pertains to revelation from God. Once the New Testament was complete, there was no longer a use (according to their purpose) for miracles to continue. Healing, speaking in languages not learned, etc. were byproducts of miracles, not the purpose of miracles.