PDA

View Full Version : God manifest in the flesh


phareztamar
09-01-2013, 07:17 PM
CHAPTER FIVE

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.

It is said, that everyone loves a good mystery. But of all the mysteries in the bible; only this and one other, rank as great mysteries. Of course a great mystery, by nature, weeds out the casual. It calls for an equally great search.

As Jesus leaves the river Jordan, we should expect the ministry of Christ, to now begin. The Son of God was buried at baptism. He took up…at 30 years of age…the mantle and priesthood of Christ. He…the word made flesh…had been filled with the Holy Ghost, before John’s very eyes. Following so glorious an inauguration, we now look for the preaching…the teaching…the reconciliation.

But, it does not so begin. Instead, a most important chapter in our Lord’s life unfolds. For well over a month…for 40 days plus recovery…the word made flesh disappears.
And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness 40 days, tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts.
If you’ve ever fasted…for even three days…then you know how brutal it is on the flesh. At 40 days, Jesus had to have pushed the human framework to its limit…to the very cusp of collapse. Then…weakened far beyond words…our Lord is given a whirlwind tour of life, across the pages of time. The angel of light sweeps him away to Jerusalem, and perches him on a pinnacle of the temple. He whisks him to a high mountain top…and there shows Jesus, all the kingdoms of the world, in a moment of time. This is a full frontal assault by Satan. He employs the usual weapons…lust of the flesh…lust of the eye…the pride of life. But Jesus is unbowed…like Jacob before him, with the wrestling man.

We aren’t told how long it took ministering angels, to nurse him back to health. We know only, that they were successful:
And he returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.
A hushed transformation took place in that wilderness. Whatever of the man Jesus remained…whatever trace of human will, beating in the chest of the word made flesh, went into that forest…didn’t come back out. Now, Emmanuel takes up the cause for which he was born:
I come, to do thy will, O God.

In unlocking this great mystery of godliness, then, our first clue…God was manifest in the flesh…is indeed a double-edged sword. It not only defines the physical, metabolic miracle of Emmanuel; but also, the arrival of God in that holy temple, following his baptism.

Once again, Paul’s revelation is an orderly one…a progressive one. It was Paul’s propensity. God was manifest in the flesh, is only the first of six clues, to unlocking this great mystery. Though hard to understand, you can pin this first clue at Bethlehem, or at Jordan. Both edges of the sword are true. Either way, this clue is rightly cited first, at the forefront of this mystery.

Paul’s second clue is justified in the Spirit. To justify one, is to regard them as innocent. To render judgment…pronounce one guilty or guiltless…and issue the reward or punishment. It requires a justifier, and one being justified.

Jesus has lived a full life to this point. Any 30 year old brother, neighbor, friend, son, craftsman…cannot help but amass a circle of loved ones…a trove of special times and events…a life. But in all of this…through the complex nuances of society…through all of the peculiar trials that come with: increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man…still, Jesus remains unblemished. From the age of accountability, until the age of priesthood, he passed through every temptation…every gray area…every difficult decision…as a lamb without spot.

Hence at Jordan, an innocent man was buried in the waters of baptism. Yet it was a necessary burial…for only the dead and buried, are judged of God. Rising then, from that watery grave, Jesus is pronounced innocent…guiltless…and is so rewarded. He is here, justified in the Spirit…by the Justifier.

The Apostle’s third clue is seen of angels. Indeed, by story’s end, one might easily conclude, that our Lord was seen of angels every second of his life. He even opened new vistas to us…revealing that every child’s angel, holds continuing audience with his Father. But the angels in our text, are mouth-agape…eyes wide open…in hushed amazement, at the sight before them. The very Son of God, reduced to a skeletal heap…at the very threshold of death. Amazed perhaps, that the Father has allowed such extreme sacrifice…such brutal self-denial…in His own son. Daunted perhaps, at the monumental task before them, of nursing him back to health. And so we read: behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

To this point, our first three clues to the mystery of godliness, have centered around our Lord’s ministry…our Lord’s life on earth. But to go any further, we really must appeal to context. Because our fourth clue is preached unto the Gentiles.

Certainly, Isaiah had said that Messiah would be: a light to the Gentiles. Simeon even confirms this at the temple, following Jesus’ circumcision. But even the most liberal treatment of scripture, does not support that God was preached unto the Gentiles, during our Lord’s 3 ½ year ministry. Rather, the very signature of His ministry, was: to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His coming was to fulfill the royal law…a law held only by God’s chosen people…the Israelites.

The preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, was decidedly Paul’s apostleship. Moreover, our fifth clue takes us far beyond even Paul’s ministry…all the way to present day. Believed on in the world, can hardly be confined to our Lord’s ministry, or to Paul’s. God is today, still being believed on in the world. So then, beneath the mystery of godliness, we find not only our Lord’s ministry, and Paul’s ministry, but our own as well. While starting with Jesus, this mystery spans some 2,000 years to date.

Checking then, our context, this verse about the mystery of godliness is found in Paul’s letter to Timothy. This entire letter, has to do with the church. Paul addresses church leadership, church structure, and: how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God. Oddly then…right in the big middle of this church theme, Paul appears to drop this oneness bomb, closing chapter three with our text on the mystery of godliness. Then…without missing a beat…he picks back up and closes the letter, with more exhortations on church behavior.

So what exactly is the mystery of godliness? Throughout this letter to Timothy, godliness (eusebeia) becomes an overriding theme. Paul mentions it nine times, in six chapters. It is quite simply defined as “piety”. And perhaps the mystery of that piety, is it’s transformation from a single individual, to a global body of believers, across the pages of time.

Because of our first three clues, we tend to confine the mystery of godliness, to our Lord’s short life. But to do so, we must nullify Jesus being that corn of wheat:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

To limit the mystery of godliness to 33 years, stunts the very revelation, of God in Christ. For as God was once in Christ, God is still in Christ, 2,000 years later. Preached unto the Gentiles and believed on in the world, are concrete…post-resurrection…post-Pentecost…trail markers. They place the mystery of godliness, firmly in our court…in our day. They are key also, to understanding that only other mystery called “great”, in the scriptures:
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The mystery of piety…of godliness…lies in its start as a corn of wheat, and its 2,000 year journey as the fruit of that corn…the body of Christ…the church. It continues today…and will continue, until at last we reach the sixth clue: and received up into glory.

Michael The Disciple
09-02-2013, 01:39 PM
More specifically it concerns that the Creator God came in the flesh.

seekerman
09-02-2013, 01:52 PM
The creator God had Son who was not the same entity, separate and distinct. Creator God didn't have another version of Himself with who He interacted with Himself as if He were His own Son.

Michael The Disciple
09-02-2013, 03:56 PM
He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not. John 1:10

The Creator was here. Men did not recognize him.

The "mystery" means a hidden truth.

houston
09-02-2013, 04:22 PM
The creator God had Son who was not the same entity, separate and distinct. Creator God didn't have another version of Himself with who He interacted with Himself as if He were His own Son.

Amen

Praxeas
09-02-2013, 04:49 PM
He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not. John 1:10

The Creator was here. Men did not recognize him.

The "mystery" means a hidden truth.
The Creator in human form

Michael The Disciple
09-02-2013, 06:30 PM
The Creator in human form

Well, yes:highfive

seekerman
09-02-2013, 06:34 PM
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, I am my Son, this day have I begotten me? And again, I will be to me a Father, and I shall be to me a Son?

Sound about right? :)

Shawn
09-02-2013, 06:51 PM
Isaac wasn't Abraham.

houston
09-02-2013, 07:38 PM
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, I am my Son, this day have I begotten me? And again, I will be to me a Father, and I shall be to me a Son?

Sound about right? :)

Shhh.

shag
09-02-2013, 09:01 PM
He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not. John 1:10

The Creator was here. Men did not recognize him.

The "mystery" means a hidden truth.


And 1 Jn 3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

kclee4jc
09-03-2013, 09:26 AM
The creator God had Son who was not the same entity, separate and distinct. Creator God didn't have another version of Himself with who He interacted with Himself as if He were His own Son.

hmmm...starting to sound like the mormon "missionaries" i've conversed with


my Bible says He is the express image of the invisible God

houston
09-03-2013, 09:52 AM
hmmm...starting to sound like the mormon "missionaries" i've conversed with


my Bible says He is the express image of the invisible God

No one denied that.

Abiding Now
09-03-2013, 12:29 PM
Same old hag with a new dress.

Some of this sounds like Sowder's two god doctrine straight from the school of the prophets.

Shawn
09-03-2013, 12:33 PM
who said anything about 2 Gods?

Aquila
09-03-2013, 12:35 PM
Why can't we admit that it is indeed a great mystery that God was manifest in the flesh? I don't think anyone can properly understand that which is beyond human reasoning.

Abiding Now
09-03-2013, 12:37 PM
Isaac wasn't Abraham.

Ok.

But was Jesus the Father......

seekerman
09-03-2013, 02:15 PM
Ok.

But was Jesus the Father......

Nope. Jesus was IN His Father and God and His Father and God was IN Him.

Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

phareztamar
09-03-2013, 06:09 PM
What's amazing to me, is that everyone picks up on the "God was manifest in the flesh"...and ignores the other five clues to the mystery of godliness. Didn't mean to start any contentious back and forth, but I do think that if the verse is studied as a whole...and the context of Paul's letter to Timothy is considered...then the mystery becomes clearer.

renee819
09-04-2013, 06:16 AM
Until Trinitarians realize that,

God Is Spirit. An invisible Spirit.
The Holy Ghost is Spirit. NOT ANOTHER SUBSTANCE—not another God. Not another Spirit.
There is ONE SPIRIT.--- Therefore the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God.

IF NOT?

How could Jesus be conceived by the Holy Ghost and still be called the Son of God?

There is ONE sitting on the Throne. Jesus is the only body, that you will ever see.

Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

God was manifest in the flesh.

SRM
09-05-2013, 06:16 AM
CHAPTER FIVE

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.

It is said, that everyone loves a good mystery. But of all the mysteries in the bible; only this and one other, rank as great mysteries. Of course a great mystery, by nature, weeds out the casual. It calls for an equally great search.

As Jesus leaves the river Jordan, we should expect the ministry of Christ, to now begin. The Son of God was buried at baptism. He took up…at 30 years of age…the mantle and priesthood of Christ. He…the word made flesh…had been filled with the Holy Ghost, before John’s very eyes. Following so glorious an inauguration, we now look for the preaching…the teaching…the reconciliation.

But, it does not so begin. Instead, a most important chapter in our Lord’s life unfolds. For well over a month…for 40 days plus recovery…the word made flesh disappears.
And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness 40 days, tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts.
If you’ve ever fasted…for even three days…then you know how brutal it is on the flesh. At 40 days, Jesus had to have pushed the human framework to its limit…to the very cusp of collapse. Then…weakened far beyond words…our Lord is given a whirlwind tour of life, across the pages of time. The angel of light sweeps him away to Jerusalem, and perches him on a pinnacle of the temple. He whisks him to a high mountain top…and there shows Jesus, all the kingdoms of the world, in a moment of time. This is a full frontal assault by Satan. He employs the usual weapons…lust of the flesh…lust of the eye…the pride of life. But Jesus is unbowed…like Jacob before him, with the wrestling man.

We aren’t told how long it took ministering angels, to nurse him back to health. We know only, that they were successful:
And he returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.
A hushed transformation took place in that wilderness. Whatever of the man Jesus remained…whatever trace of human will, beating in the chest of the word made flesh, went into that forest…didn’t come back out. Now, Emmanuel takes up the cause for which he was born:
I come, to do thy will, O God.

In unlocking this great mystery of godliness, then, our first clue…God was manifest in the flesh…is indeed a double-edged sword. It not only defines the physical, metabolic miracle of Emmanuel; but also, the arrival of God in that holy temple, following his baptism.

Once again, Paul’s revelation is an orderly one…a progressive one. It was Paul’s propensity. God was manifest in the flesh, is only the first of six clues, to unlocking this great mystery. Though hard to understand, you can pin this first clue at Bethlehem, or at Jordan. Both edges of the sword are true. Either way, this clue is rightly cited first, at the forefront of this mystery.

Paul’s second clue is justified in the Spirit. To justify one, is to regard them as innocent. To render judgment…pronounce one guilty or guiltless…and issue the reward or punishment. It requires a justifier, and one being justified.

Jesus has lived a full life to this point. Any 30 year old brother, neighbor, friend, son, craftsman…cannot help but amass a circle of loved ones…a trove of special times and events…a life. But in all of this…through the complex nuances of society…through all of the peculiar trials that come with: increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man…still, Jesus remains unblemished. From the age of accountability, until the age of priesthood, he passed through every temptation…every gray area…every difficult decision…as a lamb without spot.

Hence at Jordan, an innocent man was buried in the waters of baptism. Yet it was a necessary burial…for only the dead and buried, are judged of God. Rising then, from that watery grave, Jesus is pronounced innocent…guiltless…and is so rewarded. He is here, justified in the Spirit…by the Justifier.

The Apostle’s third clue is seen of angels. Indeed, by story’s end, one might easily conclude, that our Lord was seen of angels every second of his life. He even opened new vistas to us…revealing that every child’s angel, holds continuing audience with his Father. But the angels in our text, are mouth-agape…eyes wide open…in hushed amazement, at the sight before them. The very Son of God, reduced to a skeletal heap…at the very threshold of death. Amazed perhaps, that the Father has allowed such extreme sacrifice…such brutal self-denial…in His own son. Daunted perhaps, at the monumental task before them, of nursing him back to health. And so we read: behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

To this point, our first three clues to the mystery of godliness, have centered around our Lord’s ministry…our Lord’s life on earth. But to go any further, we really must appeal to context. Because our fourth clue is preached unto the Gentiles.

Certainly, Isaiah had said that Messiah would be: a light to the Gentiles. Simeon even confirms this at the temple, following Jesus’ circumcision. But even the most liberal treatment of scripture, does not support that God was preached unto the Gentiles, during our Lord’s 3 ½ year ministry. Rather, the very signature of His ministry, was: to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His coming was to fulfill the royal law…a law held only by God’s chosen people…the Israelites.

The preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, was decidedly Paul’s apostleship. Moreover, our fifth clue takes us far beyond even Paul’s ministry…all the way to present day. Believed on in the world, can hardly be confined to our Lord’s ministry, or to Paul’s. God is today, still being believed on in the world. So then, beneath the mystery of godliness, we find not only our Lord’s ministry, and Paul’s ministry, but our own as well. While starting with Jesus, this mystery spans some 2,000 years to date.

Checking then, our context, this verse about the mystery of godliness is found in Paul’s letter to Timothy. This entire letter, has to do with the church. Paul addresses church leadership, church structure, and: how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God. Oddly then…right in the big middle of this church theme, Paul appears to drop this oneness bomb, closing chapter three with our text on the mystery of godliness. Then…without missing a beat…he picks back up and closes the letter, with more exhortations on church behavior.

So what exactly is the mystery of godliness? Throughout this letter to Timothy, godliness (eusebeia) becomes an overriding theme. Paul mentions it nine times, in six chapters. It is quite simply defined as “piety”. And perhaps the mystery of that piety, is it’s transformation from a single individual, to a global body of believers, across the pages of time.

Because of our first three clues, we tend to confine the mystery of godliness, to our Lord’s short life. But to do so, we must nullify Jesus being that corn of wheat:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

To limit the mystery of godliness to 33 years, stunts the very revelation, of God in Christ. For as God was once in Christ, God is still in Christ, 2,000 years later. Preached unto the Gentiles and believed on in the world, are concrete…post-resurrection…post-Pentecost…trail markers. They place the mystery of godliness, firmly in our court…in our day. They are key also, to understanding that only other mystery called “great”, in the scriptures:
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The mystery of piety…of godliness…lies in its start as a corn of wheat, and its 2,000 year journey as the fruit of that corn…the body of Christ…the church. It continues today…and will continue, until at last we reach the sixth clue: and received up into glory.



Context should be key..Paul was not writing to explain that it was a mstery who God is..or how it is a mystery how God became a man..there is no mystery because there is no OT teaching of such blasphemy to the Jewish mind...God did not have to become a man..So a perfect sinless Adam brought in sin?..God is not able to create another sinless second Adam to redeem man?..of course He could and did..Hebrews 2:17..made in EVERY way LIKE his brethren..pay attention to the word MADE...

Esaias
09-16-2013, 07:24 AM
What's amazing to me, is that everyone picks up on the "God was manifest in the flesh"...and ignores the other five clues to the mystery of godliness. Didn't mean to start any contentious back and forth, but I do think that if the verse is studied as a whole...and the context of Paul's letter to Timothy is considered...then the mystery becomes clearer.

They do not understand the whole truth about God-manifestation.

It is the mystery of 'godliness'. Not the 'mystery of the godhead', nor the 'mystery of the incarnation'. But GODLINESS. The word 'godliness' can be translated with equal propriety as 'piety' or 'good religion'.

You are correct, context is key. You are also correct in saying that this mystery is not limited to the bare facts of Jesus' ministry on earth prior to His ascension.

Unfortunately, not much God manifestation is taking place these days.

:thumbsup

Aquila
09-16-2013, 07:35 AM
All the disagreement on a fundamental like this only highlights how Apostolics aren't even unified in their understanding of God... yet so many claim that it is the only true faith.

God isn't the author of confusion.

Aquila
09-16-2013, 07:38 AM
For me, the truth is summed up in this verse...


2 Corinthians 5:19
King James Version (KJV)
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

God was "in Christ", that is the man Christ Jesus. Jesus (the Son) was the human tabernacle of the Father. In Christ, this complete human being was in full spiritual union with the divine being of God. The two (a human being & the Father) are one.

One God in Christ Jesus, blessed unity.

Ferd
09-16-2013, 07:45 AM
oh good grief.

Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. End of discussion. Debate terminated. Moses won.


move along people.

(ps not that it matters one iota, but when my boys were born, I took them from the Dr. and the very first words they heard from there father was "Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, and with all your mind and with all your strenght and Him only shalt thou serve". )

It was a beautiful moment. I remind them of that from time to time. Thank you for the thread my friends. I think tonight we will have family devotion and we will talk about this again.

God is good.

MawMaw
09-16-2013, 08:04 AM
oh good grief.

Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. End of discussion. Debate terminated. Moses won.


move along people.

(ps not that it matters one iota, but when my boys were born, I took them from the Dr. and the very first words they heard from there father was "Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, and with all your mind and with all your strenght and Him only shalt thou serve". )

It was a beautiful moment. I remind them of that from time to time. Thank you for the thread my friends. I think tonight we will have family devotion and we will talk about this again.

God is good.

:thumbsup

Shawn
09-16-2013, 08:23 AM
oh good grief.

Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. End of discussion. Debate terminated. Moses won.


move along people.

(ps not that it matters one iota, but when my boys were born, I took them from the Dr. and the very first words they heard from there father was "Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, and with all your mind and with all your strenght and Him only shalt thou serve". )

It was a beautiful moment. I remind them of that from time to time. Thank you for the thread my friends. I think tonight we will have family devotion and we will talk about this again.

God is good.

That still aligns with Aquila's post above yours.

kclee4jc
09-16-2013, 08:30 AM
oh good grief.

Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. End of discussion. Debate terminated. Moses won.


move along people.

(ps not that it matters one iota, but when my boys were born, I took them from the Dr. and the very first words they heard from there father was "Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, and with all your mind and with all your strenght and Him only shalt thou serve". )

It was a beautiful moment. I remind them of that from time to time. Thank you for the thread my friends. I think tonight we will have family devotion and we will talk about this again.

God is good.

love this

hope to be able to do the same some day

Ferd
09-16-2013, 08:30 AM
That still aligns with Aquila's post above yours.

exactly where did I disagree with Aquila? I didnt quote him.

houston
09-16-2013, 08:30 AM
oh good grief.

Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. End of discussion. Debate terminated. Moses won.


ECHAD describes a unity.

YACHID is numerically one.

MOSES won.

FERD lost.

kclee4jc
09-16-2013, 08:32 AM
it is sad that someone can come on to the "apostolic friends forum" (which most know is not actually apostolic) and post a thread about the beautiful revelation of the Oneness of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ...and it meets debate.

I would surmise that one could post 50 separate threads on the Oneness of God on this forum and each and every thread would be met with debate.

RandyWayne
09-16-2013, 09:26 AM
it is sad that someone can come on to the "apostolic friends forum" (which most know is not actually apostolic) and post a thread about the beautiful revelation of the Oneness of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ...and it meets debate.

I would surmise that one could post 50 separate threads on the Oneness of God on this forum and each and every thread would be met with debate.

I have heard PLENTY of debate on what it means to be oneness, and who can out "oneness" each other, outside of the world of forums.

FlamingZword
09-16-2013, 12:01 PM
oh good grief.

Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. End of discussion. Debate terminated. Moses won.


move along people.

(ps not that it matters one iota, but when my boys were born, I took them from the Dr. and the very first words they heard from there father was "Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord Your God with ALL your heart, and with all your mind and with all your strenght and Him only shalt thou serve". )

It was a beautiful moment. I remind them of that from time to time. Thank you for the thread my friends. I think tonight we will have family devotion and we will talk about this again.

God is good.

Excellent Post.

absolute monotheism is what the bible teaches.

Jesus himself say "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD" is the greatest commandment.

two, three or a thousand gods are against the word of God.

anyone who teaches more than one God is violating the greatest commandment which being first is above even murder, adultery and what not.

God is one, an absolute one, that is why the Trinitarians are wrong for they are violating the first and the greatest commandment off the bat.

Improper interpretation is the cause of more than one God religions.

actually there is more scriptural support for saying God is seven than for saying God is three, for there are actual scriptures that mentions the 7 spirits of God.

Revelation 1:4, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 4:5, Revelation 5:6

I expect to see soon a branch of Christianity that will teach that God is seven, at least they will have more scriptures to support their views than the Trinitarians.

Ferd
09-16-2013, 01:35 PM
ECHAD describes a unity.

YACHID is numerically one.

MOSES won.

FERD lost.

sorry Houston my friend but Ferd wasnt playing. Ferd doesnt get a vote. nor does he want one.


I will leave you with a poem.

Trinitarian red and blue
Roses are red
violets are blue
im schizophrenic
and so am I
and so am I

The Trinitarian god.

renee819
09-16-2013, 01:37 PM
All the disagreement on a fundamental like this only highlights how Apostolics aren't even unified in their understanding of God... yet so many claim that it is the only true faith.

God isn't the author of confusion.

Although this is an Apostolic Forum, I wonder how many true Apostolic's are on here?
Meaning, believing the Apostle's doctrine only? Without the man-made rules, doctrines, handed down from other Denomination's

seekerman
09-16-2013, 02:23 PM
I will leave you with a poem.

Trinitarian red and blue
Roses are red
violets are blue
im schizophrenic
and so am I
and so am I

The Trinitarian god.

Actually, that's the oneness God too. Here's an example of the schizophrenia of the oneness God....

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, I am my Son, this day have I begotten me? And again, I will be to me a Father, and I shall be to me a Son? (ORV)

houston
09-16-2013, 02:27 PM
Actually, that's the oneness God too. Here's an example of the schizophrenia of the oneness God....

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, I am my Son, this day have I begotten me? And again, I will be to me a Father, and I shall be to me a Son? (ORV)

Yep.

houston
09-16-2013, 02:29 PM
Although this is an Apostolic Forum, I wonder how many true Apostolic's are on here?
Meaning, believing the Apostle's doctrine only? Without the man-made rules, doctrines, handed down from other Denomination's

I believe the doctrine of Jesus and the Apostles. MOST Apostolics are anything but that...

Ferd
09-16-2013, 02:29 PM
Actually, that's the oneness God too. Here's an example of the schizophrenia of the oneness God....

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, I am my Son, this day have I begotten me? And again, I will be to me a Father, and I shall be to me a Son? (ORV)

whatever seekerman. whatever
Here O Israel the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. no need for debate. One God.

seekerman
09-16-2013, 02:35 PM
whatever seekerman. whatever
Here O Israel the Lord our God is ONE LORD.

period. no need for debate. One God.

Of course one God, I don't think anyone is arguing against that. But to preach the doctrine that Jesus God is His own God-Son and the God-Son is His own Father-God is preaching a schizophrenic God......much like the trinitarian God the oneness folks like so much to condemn.

God isn't the Son nor Jesus and Jesus isn't God interacting with another part of Himself as His own Father-God but thinking Himself to be His own Son.

Confusing ain't it?

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 02:47 PM
it is sad that someone can come on to the "apostolic friends forum" (which most know is not actually apostolic) and post a thread about the beautiful revelation of the Oneness of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ...and it meets debate.

I would surmise that one could post 50 separate threads on the Oneness of God on this forum and each and every thread would be met with debate.
So you dont believe Oneness Pentecostals should debate Oneness vs Trinity or Oneness vs JWs etc etc?

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 02:58 PM
ECHAD describes a unity.

YACHID is numerically one.

MOSES won.

FERD lost.
This is false. Echad is numerical Oneness. Its the 1st number in the Hebrew numbering system. It is usually translated ONE

Yachid is NOT a number. Its the hebrew word for "only" and is used always in reference to offspring with few exceptions. Its probably the hebrew equivelent to the Greek "monogenes"

People are confused about this. The fact is the word One in many languages like english can be used to indicate some sort of unifying of 2 or more objects or persons.

It is determined by the grammar only.

So in Deut 6:4 ALL translations read Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD IS one. Not ARE one.

"Is" is singular and "are" is plural

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 03:01 PM
Actually, that's the oneness God too. Here's an example of the schizophrenia of the oneness God....

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, I am my Son, this day have I begotten me? And again, I will be to me a Father, and I shall be to me a Son? (ORV)
Oneness does not teach the father is the son or the son is the father. They are distinct from each other just not distinct hyposasis

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 03:09 PM
NET bible commentary
tn Heb “the Lord, our God, the Lord, one.” (1) One option is to translate: “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT). This would be an affirmation that the Lord was the sole object of their devotion. This interpretation finds support from the appeals to loyalty that follow (vv. 5, 14). (2) Another option is to translate: “The Lord is our God, the Lord is unique.” In this case the text would be affirming the people’s allegiance to the Lord, as well as the Lord’s superiority to all other gods. It would also imply that he is the only one worthy of their worship. Support for this view comes from parallel texts such as Deut 7:9 and 10:17, as well as the use of “one” in Song 6:8–9, where the starstruck lover declares that his beloved is unique (literally, “one,” that is, “one of a kind”) when compared to all other women.

seekerman
09-16-2013, 03:09 PM
Oneness does not teach the father is the son or the son is the father. They are distinct from each other just not distinct hyposasis

Oneness doesn't teach that Jesus is the Father?

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 03:19 PM
Oneness doesn't teach that Jesus is the Father?
What Oneness means by that is not the same thing as what you are thinking

seekerman
09-16-2013, 03:22 PM
Oneness does not teach the father is the son or the son is the father. They are distinct from each other just not distinct hyposasis

Oneness doesn't teach that Jesus is the Father?

What Oneness means by that is not the same thing as what you are thinking

That didn't answer my question. :)

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 03:30 PM
What Oneness means by that is not the same thing as what you are thinking
Yes it did answer the question. You cant even see that what I posted is an admssion Oneness say that? Seriously?

seekerman
09-16-2013, 03:35 PM
Oneness does not teach the father is the son or the son is the father. They are distinct from each other just not distinct hyposasis

Oneness doesn't teach that Jesus is the Father?

What Oneness means by that is not the same thing as what you are thinking

Yes it did answer the question. You cant even see that what I posted is an admssion Oneness say that? Seriously?

No, it did not answer the question. I'll ask once more, doesn't oneness teach that Jesus is the Father?

Yes? No?

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 03:46 PM
Im not going to play your game. You can take my affirmative answer and explanation and we can move forward, but I wont play your game

seekerman
09-16-2013, 03:49 PM
Im not going to play your game. You can take my affirmative answer and explanation and we can move forward, but I wont play your game

Anyone else want to take a shot at the answer? It's a simple yes or no answer, nothing complicated.

Oneness doesn't teach that Jesus is the Father?

Yes? No?

phareztamar
09-16-2013, 03:59 PM
Not sure how this turned into a debate on the oneness of God. The original post is about the mystery of godliness, with God manifest in the flesh being one of six clues to the mystery of godliness. Almost like you folks just enjoy arguing about the oneness of God. Isn't there a debate room for that, where the weak are not allowed?

FlamingZword
09-16-2013, 04:18 PM
Anyone else want to take a shot at the answer? It's a simple yes or no answer, nothing complicated.

Oneness doesn't teach that Jesus is the Father?

Yes? No?

Isaiah 9:6 teaches that Jesus is the Father.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

seekerman
09-16-2013, 04:31 PM
Isaiah 9:6 teaches that Jesus is the Father.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

I'm assuming then that you disagree with praxeas. "Oneness does not teach the father is the son or the son is the father."

houston
09-16-2013, 05:49 PM
What's that song they sing...

I KNOW JESUS IS THE FATHER

I KNOW JESUS IS THE SON

I KNOW JESUS IS THE HOLY GHOST

ALL THESE THREE ARE ONE

houston
09-16-2013, 05:53 PM
Ahh. What about this part...


TODAY MANY PEOPLE LOVE JESUS

BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS
(trying to figure that one out)

THEY PUT HIM 2ND PLACE IN THE GODHEAD

THEY'VE GOT SOME STRANGE IDEAS

Praxeas
09-16-2013, 07:49 PM
"The Bible speaks of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
as different manifestations, roles, modes, titles, attributes,
relationships to man, or functions of the one
God, but it does not refer to Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost as three persons, personalities, wills, minds, or
Gods." - Oneness of God, David Bernard pg 144

FlamingZword
09-16-2013, 09:40 PM
I'm assuming then that you disagree with praxeas. "Oneness does not teach the father is the son or the son is the father."

No I do not disagree with Praxeas, I think him and I are pretty much on the same page.

I agree with his statement too. it is a paradox that you do not understand.

phareztamar
09-16-2013, 10:07 PM
Not sure how this turned into a debate on the oneness of God. The original post is about the mystery of godliness, with God manifest in the flesh being one of six clues to the mystery of godliness. Almost like you folks just enjoy arguing about the oneness of God. Isn't there a debate room for that, where the weak are not allowed?

bump

seekerman
09-17-2013, 12:20 AM
No I do not disagree with Praxeas, I think him and I are pretty much on the same page. I agree with his statement too.

You agree that oneness does not teach that Jesus is the Father? Are you sure that's the oneness view?

it is a paradox that you do not understand.

It's a view that you can't explain so you use terms like "paradox". I'm surprised that you deny that Jesus is the Father and claim that's a oneness view though.

Esaias
09-17-2013, 10:00 AM
http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=35

The Ten Commandments of the AFF:

1. Don't argue about basic Apostolic doctrines anywhere except The Debate Room.

2. Don't make fun of any basic Apostolic doctrine or any member who adheres to those doctrines.

...

Discussions related to core doctrines of the Apostolic faith are seen as controversial and are welcome, but limited to "The Debate Room." And while discussion is allowed, no mockery or disrespect of these core doctrines or the people who hold them dear will be allowed.

Those who wish to avoid controversial discussions should avoid The Debate Room. Topics of a doctrinal nature that are started in any other area will be monitored and moved to the appropriate area if necessary.

For the purposes of pinpointing which discussions need to be limited to The Debate Room, the AFF has defined "core Apostolic doctrines" as those relating to salvation, baptism in Jesus' name, tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (or infilling) and the nature of God's existence (Oneness Doctrine).

...

Apostolic doctrines have been defined as the following:
There is one person of God revealing Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form, or "God manifested in the flesh."
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
The Holy Ghost baptism is for Christians today and may be received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.

Furthermore, we believe in the Oneness message, and that the Bible, in its entirety, is the Word of God, is without error, and that it is completely relevant for today. These core doctrines can only be discussed in the Debate Room.

Ferd
09-17-2013, 10:20 AM
No I do not disagree with Praxeas, I think him and I are pretty much on the same page.

I agree with his statement too. it is a paradox that you do not understand.

i agree with your statement here except that final word. "Understand" indicates inherrant inability.

Seekerman is smart. unwilling to accept would be closer to the truth.

seekerman
09-17-2013, 12:02 PM
i agree with your statement here except that final word. "Understand" indicates inherrant inability.

Seekerman is smart. unwilling to accept would be closer to the truth.

I'm unwilling to accept the view that Jesus is His own Father and that God interacts with Himself as His Son.

Isn't that the oneness view? If so, I find no scripture supporting such a doctrine.

phareztamar
09-17-2013, 12:50 PM
Not sure how this turned into a debate on the oneness of God. The original post is about the mystery of godliness, with God manifest in the flesh being one of six clues to the mystery of godliness. Almost like you folks just enjoy arguing about the oneness of God. Isn't there a debate room for that, where the weak are not allowed?

Bump...bump. Did anybody read the OP?

Ferd
09-17-2013, 12:57 PM
I'm unwilling to accept the view that Jesus is His own Father and that God interacts with Himself as His Son.

Isn't that the oneness view? If so, I find no scripture supporting such a doctrine.

seekerman, do I have my facts wrong? have you ever been Oneness or are you someone from the outside who has found our little corner of the universe?

There is one God. He has revealed himself to mankind as Father, Son and as the Holy Spirit. God has never claimed to be triune in nature. Scripture does not say that.

I just dont feel the need to complicate what God made simple. Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD. period.

PS to the OP, you are right, we hijacked your thread! There is some thought provoking things there that I have not considered.

in light of my lifelong study of 2 Peter 1:1-19, I will endevor to give more attention to the passage here!

Thank you!

seekerman
09-17-2013, 01:10 PM
seekerman, do I have my facts wrong? have you ever been Oneness or are you someone from the outside who has found our little corner of the universe?

I was raised in oneness Pentecostalism from a very small child.....about 40 years total. I was attending a UPC church at the time I left the movement.

There is one God. He has revealed himself to mankind as Father, Son and as the Holy Spirit. God has never claimed to be triune in nature. Scripture does not say that.

I agree. God isn't three anything.

I just dont feel the need to complicate what God made simple. Here O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD. period.

No argument there. The issue is about Jesus being His own Father while at the same time God interacting with Himself as His own Son, Jesus. Scripture doesn't agree with that.

seekerman
09-17-2013, 01:11 PM
Bump...bump. Did anybody read the OP?

Yes. What exactly are you looking for in commentary to your post?

phareztamar
09-17-2013, 04:28 PM
Yes. What exactly are you looking for in commentary to your post?

Gee, I don't know. The theme of the OP is the mystery of godliness. You folks have completely ignored that...seized on the first of six clues to the mystery of godliness...and made this a war-zone on the oneness of God. Not only is that a violation of your own 10 commandments of AFF, as pointed out by Esaias, but also oblivion to admin setting up a debate room for such discussions.

If you want to debate the Godhead, might I suggest this debate room...where none of the guests have to watch all the strife and mud-slinging that you mature veterans are here engaged in.:pillowfight

Esaias
09-17-2013, 04:30 PM
Gee, I don't know. The theme of the OP is the mystery of godliness. You folks have completely ignored that...

Not me!!! lol

As I stated, there is a lack of teaching on the full extent of 'God manifestation' as it relates to the church.

Jesus is the 'firstborn among many brethren'....

OneAccord
09-17-2013, 05:19 PM
The "mystery of godliness" is certainly that... a mystery. A mystery that, IMO, we will never quite understand as long as we are in this flesh. Oh I know, the Holy Ghost reveals hidden mysteries to us... at least to a degree. But, I don't think so completely and entirely. If He did, then we wouldn't have these endless discussions. I don't think we'll ever know for sure until we stand before God's throne and then... only then, we'll know for sure.

That being said (somewhat TIC), lets look again at what Paul said in 1 Tim 3:16.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

This verse seems to me to have little to do with God's identity. It seems to explain how God was revealed to humanity through His Son, Jesus. The word "manifested" means "shown forth" or "revealed."


And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was (revealed or shown) in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Every Oneness and every Trinitarian I have ever talked to believes this. God revealed Himself to us in the Person of Jesus Christ. That's the reason Jesus said, "...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father". Jesus, "the expressed image of the invisible God" revealed God in the flesh.


1Jo 1:1-2 (Compare with John 1)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

How was eternal life revealed, expressed, and shown to us? Through Jesus, the Word of Life, who said "..I am come that you might have life...."

Again, Paul wasn't trying to ID God in 1 Tim. 3:16. He was explaining how the invisible God revealed Himself to us through Jesus.

Jesus was God manifested (revealed and/or shown) in the flesh. Was He is own Father? Absolutely not.

Jesus!

Our blessed Lord combined in one, two natures, both complete;
A perfect manhood all sublime, in Godhead, all replete.

As man he entered Cana's feast, a humble guest to dine;
As God He moved the water there, and changed it into wine.

As man he climbed the mountains height, a suppliant to be;
As God, He left the place of prayer, and walked upon the sea.

As man he wept in heartfelt grief, beside a loved one's grave;
As God He burst the bands of death, Almighty still to save.

As man he lay within the boat o'powered by needful sleep;
As God He rose, rebuked the wind, and stilled the angry deep.

Such was our Lord in life on earth, in dual nature one;
The woman's seed in very truth, and God's begotten Son.

O Child, O Son, O Word made flesh, may thy high praise increase;
Called Wonderful, the Mighty God, Eternal Prince of Peace."

-By WA Criswell

phareztamar
09-17-2013, 05:50 PM
THE OP IS ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS!!! You folks have completely ignored that...seized on the first of six clues to the mystery of godliness...and made this a war-zone on the oneness of God.

You know what....never mind. Thanx anyway for your post OneAccord.

Praxeas
09-17-2013, 06:26 PM
NET bible commentary

23 tn Grk "great is the mystery of [our] religion," or "great is the mystery of godliness." The word "mystery" denotes a secret previously hidden in God, but now revealed and made widely known (cf. Rom_16:25; 1Co_2:7; 1Co_4:1; Eph_1:9; Eph_3:3; Eph_3:4; Eph_3:9; Eph_6:19; Col_1:26-27; Col_4:3). "Religion" (εὐσέβεια, eusebeia) is a word used frequently in the pastorals with a range of meanings: (1) a certain attitude toward God-- "devotion, reverence"; (2) the conduct that befits that attitude-- "godliness, piety"; and (3) the whole system of belief and approach to God that forms the basis for such attitude and conduct-- "religion, creed." See BDAG 412-13 s.v.; 2Ti_3:5; 4Ma_9:6-7; 4Ma_9:29-30; 4Ma_15:1-3; 4Ma_17:7. So the following creedal statements are illustrations of the great truths that the church is charged with protecting (1Ti_3:15).

RandyWayne
09-17-2013, 06:31 PM
THE OP IS ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS!!! You folks have completely ignored that...seized on the first of six clues to the mystery of godliness...and made this a war-zone on the oneness of God.

You know what....never mind. Thanx anyway for your post OneAccord.

Einsteins Theory of Relativity is SIMPLE compared to the oneness of God. And yet according to most unless you understand it exactly like them you are eternally lost to a trillion to the power of a trillion to the power of a trillion eons of eternal suffering. And THAT is just the first second of day one!

Praxeas
09-17-2013, 06:40 PM
Einsteins Theory of Relativity is SIMPLE compared to the oneness of God. And yet according to most unless you understand it exactly like them you are eternally lost to a trillion to the power of a trillion to the power of a trillion eons of eternal suffering. And THAT is just the first second of day one!
That also has nothing to do with the opening post :smack

Ferd
09-18-2013, 08:49 AM
THE OP IS ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS!!! You folks have completely ignored that...seized on the first of six clues to the mystery of godliness...and made this a war-zone on the oneness of God.

You know what....never mind. Thanx anyway for your post OneAccord.

I appologize to you for the role i played here.

I did read your post and found it quite provoking. thank you.

Aquila
09-18-2013, 10:29 AM
I believe that God is beyond human comprehension. I believe that the Word of God may very well be a perfect revelation, but our understanding of it is very limited. Therefore, the very notion that we as human beings can grasp something so great as to defining God with absolute precision and properly grasping the incarnation with absolute precision is a bit much.

I believe that we can embrace "Oneness" as a doctrinal principle relating to God's nature... yet disagree as individuals on exactly how that Oneness should be defined. Here's the deal... we can't make idols out of a Christologies. If I take my Christology and demand that it is absolute truth... and then illustrate that I know it with precision... I've made an idol.

I think that it's best to agree that "somehow" Jesus was indeed God. However, exactly how... that is a great mystery. Let's share our individual thoughts and be respectful.

Aquila
09-18-2013, 10:31 AM
Imagine an ant claiming to have Einstein figured out. lol

That's how silly dogmatic people look with their exclusive claims regarding their Christology.

"I have God all figured out and you're wrong!"

Really??? LOL Wow... did ya figure that out in a "Bible study" over the summer between softball games??? LOL

My God is so awesome... 100 trillion Einsteins couldn't figure him out if they had 100 decillion years to do it.

So when we become dogmatic beyond a simple understanding that in some way, Jesus was God... we may very well be becoming arrogant and wise in our own eyes.

Aquila
09-18-2013, 10:35 AM
I have a simple Christology. Here's the chart... I can explain it if someone would like.

The very mind and plan of God was made flesh. That flesh was a man. God was this man's Father. This man was God's Son. This man was one with God. God was one with this man. The two... the human being and God... are one.

phareztamar
09-18-2013, 08:24 PM
Aquila;
This is a short excerpt from chapter one of my first book...written years ago.

Chapter 1 of this letter has been about beginnings. Your beginning, my beginning, the beginning of the human race and the tangible universe. But we’ve omitted the most important beginning of all. You know…that question you usually hear from a little child. Innocent, but piercing. “But daddy, who made God?” Stop the presses! Close the front door! Of course, the proper answer is, “well honey, God has no beginning. He always has been, and He always will be.” And junior says, “yeah…okay dad…thanks.“ I mean, let’s face it…even junior knows…our brains just aren’t wired to grasp no beginning. At least mine isn’t. My little bouncy-ball just hit’s a wall (boing, boing) when you throw no beginning at me. Everything has a beginning…somewhere…far enough back…doesn’t it?
We really aren’t expected to understand no beginning. No beginning is just a tiny part of our God’s nature. And who can grasp the nature of such an Almighty God? To contemplate Him, figure Him out, anticipate His next move, or solve His logic, is a futile effort. He promised it would be:

For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

He hath made everything beautiful in His time: Also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Who made God? God has no beginning. (boing, boing) But His majestic Creation does. That’s why He opens His diary to us with in the beginning. The heavens, the earth, outer space, the atom, the human race, fauna and flora all have a beginning. His Word has a beginning. To even imagine a God with no beginning, we have to go back a step farther than Genesis 1:1. We have to step outside of the box, leaving behind the safety, of our finite little capsule of time. Back to where there is no Creation. Back to where there is only our eternal God filling all in all. Before the endless universe…before space…before time…only God.
Here, we find our God with all of his thoughts of us, and all of His words to us, still internalized. Sort of like we who are made in His image, after His likeness. Our thoughts and our words reside inside of us before we speak them. When we open our mouth and release them, our words become signboards of what we were thinking. So it is with God. He spoke what was internal, and it became what is. I propose that it is here, when God opened a door by speaking, that we find God’s beginning. Now, please, put your stones down. I fully agree that God is infinite, and that He has no beginning. But I also understand, that before my first born son arrived, I did not exist as a father. For you and I … for all who have ever lived life on this Earth … for this Earth, and these heavens, and this universe…for this 16 billion year segment, this galaxy, this solar system; it is here, when God’s thought and intent turned to expression, that we find His beginning. What’s God been doing for the aeons of eternity prior to our Genesis? Who can say? Does it really matter? Does it at all affect this present Creation? Where you and I are concerned, Creation’s beginning, and the bible’s beginning, are for all practical purposes, God’s beginning. And, where beginnings are concerned, that’s very important. As we pursue the theme of this letter, it becomes vital to know what the very first thing created was. It was not the Heavens or the Earth, not the atom or space, neither time, nor even light. The very first thing…the first manifestation of this great God in our direction, was His Word … His act of speech … of releasing and expressing tangibly, what was once hidden internally. This alone is the chosen tool of the Master … the brush of the Artist … the vehicle for delivering Creation from nothingness. And to this very day, His Word remains the only link between an infinite God, and the human race He created. Before His Word, there was only God. After his Word, there was creation.

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 anything made that was made.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Poetry again, that for a speech-based humanity, God chose His Word…speech…as the implement of creation. Call that the southbound lane from God to us. In the northbound lane, from us to God, He again chose speech as the vehicle of praise, worship, and thanksgiving being returned to Him.
Summarizing our chapter on beginnings…creation’s beginning…our beginning…God’s beginning; while these things are nice to ponder, they are historical, not urgent. Our time, however, is about endings, not beginnings. Having studied the scriptures, it’s clear to me what a dire situation I find myself in. I am quite literally adrift in eternity, at the very ragged end of time. We live on a lost and dying world, that is hurtling headlong toward the end of its days. It is a world amped-up in knowledge, but criminally dumbed down, in wisdom and understanding. And to top it all off, it is a world that is just too busy to grasp, that something is terribly wrong here. Whatever else life is, our beginnings hold a key to today…to what life is today…here at the time of the end. They determine what we became. Here at the end of the beginning and the end salvation is available. The few there be that find it, first had to tear themselves from the treadmill…the mechanical rote…of life. None have regretted that choice.