The Deity of Christ by Sarah Lightell, MA
Introduction
20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. John 14:20 (KJV)
This is a Bible study on the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Son of man. Scriptures from both the Old Testament and the New Testament are selected to look at this topic from a slightly different perspective than other similar studies.
Please note that any scripture references in bold below are emphasized in bold by me.“Jesus was a real, live person who walked alongside the people of His day; however, He was like no other man.”
The hope is that readers will have a deeper understanding of the one true and living God who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As the Son of man, Jesus was a real, live person who walked alongside the people of His day; however, He was like no other man.
He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin. He lived a perfect, sinless life and, in Him was no corruption, ever, even in death (Acts 13:37).
He was crucified for claiming to be God; buried; and, resurrected on the third day for the salvation of His children.
As the Son of God, Jesus “is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15).
Jesus: The Image of the Invisible God
In John 4:24, we see that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” We know from John 1:18 that “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
What might it mean that Jesus “is in the bosom of the Father?” We know that He ‘came out from the Father.’ Jesus says it Himself in John 16:27: “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”
This is true concerning the Holy Spirit, as well. In John 15:26 Jesus says, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
God is a Spirit. His Holy Spirit and His Son came out from Him. We cannot see God, but we can see His image.
Colossians 1:12-20 tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God:
12) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.Colossians 1:12-20 (KJV)
Christ is the “image of God;” and, we see “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” as seen in 2 Corinthians:
3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (KJV)
Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the express image of His person:
1) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2) 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;
3) 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;
4) Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5) For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6) And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7) And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8) But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.Hebrews 1:1-8 (KJV)
In verse 3, we see that Jesus sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; and, in verse 8, we see that, “unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
This challenges us to consider who is really sitting on the throne. Could it be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, revealed in the image of Jesus? Revelation 3:21 gives a little insight into this question.
Jesus says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”“The Lord is clear in His Word that the Godhead is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These distinctions cannot be denied.”
From the beginning, the plurality of God is revealed in one image (not images). This is clear in Genesis 1:27 which says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
He created mankind in that image to be glorified by the Spirit of the Lord, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18 which says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
The Lord is clear in His Word that the Godhead is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These distinctions cannot be denied.
On the other hand, they should never be separated. For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily:
8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:8-10 (KJV)
The children of God are complete in Him. He makes us one with Him who is one with the Father, as seen in John 17:20-21 which says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
God’s Oneness
The oneness of God is eternal. Our oneness in Him is God’s finished work.
God’s finished work is fulfilled in that His children love Him and keep His commandments, as Jesus says in John 14:23: “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.”
Ephesians 4:4–6 reveals God’s finished work in that “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Wherever Jesus goes, the Father and the Holy Spirit go with Him. They are inseparable. “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Ps. 139:8).
When the Lord and His two angels stood with Abraham before the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit were there. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Father and the Holy Spirit were there.“Jesus is God. He was God on the cross. He was never less than God. There can be no broken relationship in the Godhead.”
When Jesus was on the cross, the Father and the Holy Spirit were with Him. Jesus is never alone, as seen in John 8:29 when He says, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”
Even when He was on the cross, He was not alone. Jesus says in John 16:32, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
Jesus is God. He was God on the cross. He was never less than God. There can be no broken relationship in the Godhead.
It is also true that God will not share His glory with another; yet, Jesus is the One to whom every knee shall bow.
So, one might ask, why would we not bow to the Father? That is because Jesus and the Father are one, as clearly stated in John 10:30, when Jesus says, “I and my Father are one.”
Isaiah 9:6, also, is undeniable: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The Child is the everlasting Father.
God reveals Himself as the Father and as the Son and as the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains this in John:
9) Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?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.John 14:9-11 (KJV)
One way we might understand is this. When the Lord saves us, He puts His Holy Spirit within us and seals us until the day of redemption.
A born-again believer looks just like the same person; however, they are now the tabernacle of God.
We see Jesus, revealed through His Word, yet He is much more that what we see through our human senses. The following verses clearly proclaim the deity of Christ:
1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2) The same was in the beginning with God.
3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.John 1:1-4 (KJV)
14) 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.John 1:14 (KJV)
We cannot see the invisible Father, but we can see His image in Jesus. God, the Father, reaches down into His creation in the person of Jesus to reveal Himself to His children. God is always the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The mystery is their oneness. This is seen in John 17:5, as Jesus prays prior to His crucifixion, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
Mark 8:38 also is clear about Jesus coming in the glory of His Father when He says, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” “We cannot see the invisible Father, but we can see His image in Jesus. God, the Father, reaches down into His creation in the person of Jesus to reveal Himself to His children.”
Some may say that when Jesus was “made a little lower than the angels,” in Hebrews 2:9, He was less than God; but we know that Jesus never changes.
Others may site John 14:28 when Jesus says “I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I” to show that Jesus is less than God; but we know that Jesus is God in the flesh.
For example, He says that we will do greater works, but that does not mean we will be greater than Christ.
It simply means more works in His name. We see the image of God in Jesus, but He is infinitely greater than what we see.
Ezekiel, Chapter 1, gives a magnificent picture of the oneness of God with Jesus on the throne and every part moving in unison. What is really interesting is in verse 26:
19) And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.20) Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21) When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22) And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
23) And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
24) And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
25) And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
26) And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.Ezekiel 1:19-26 (KJV)
One could liken this picture to a peacock. You can see the beautiful array of his being with his head in the center.
God is infinitely bigger than what we see. John confirms that Jesus is above all:
31) He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.32) And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33) He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.John 3:31-36(KJV)
Jesus is above all and He is the fullness of God, as verse 34 says, “for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” The fullness of the Holy Spirit is in Christ!
God reveals Himself to His children in ways that we can understand, in human terms. For example, Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” however, the following scriptures proclaim that Jesus is the Arm of God.
15) Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.Psalm 77:15 (KJV)
10) The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.Isaiah 52:10 (KJV)
38) That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?John 12:38 (KJV)
10) Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Isaiah 40:10 (KJV)
Even King David knew that Jesus was Lord, as he proclaimed in Psalms 110:1 “The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Jehovah), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Jesus quoted these words in Matthew 22:
41) While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,42) Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43) He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45) If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46) And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.Matthew 22:41-46 (KJV)
God’s Arm reached down into His creation to bring unto Himself the children of God. His right arm represents His power and His work. Isn’t it interesting that we are the ‘arms’ of God in Isaiah 51:5 – “My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.”
We will rule and reign with Him. Revelation 5:10 says that He, “hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Jesus is the arm of God and we are the arms of God, much like the vine and the branches in John 15.
Jesus is the arm of God and the face of God, as we saw in 2 Corinthians 4:6; and, 1 Chronicles 16 tells us to seek His face (the image of God) continually.
8) Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.9) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10) Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11) Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.1 Chronicles 16:8-11 (KJV)
In John 10, we see that Jesus’ hand is the Father’s hand:
25) Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30) I and my Father are one.John 10:25-30 (KJV)
Jesus is the Son of God, the Arm of God, the Face of God, and the Hand of God. He is the true God, and eternal life:
20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.1 John 5:20 (KJV)
As Jesus is the vine and we are the branches; even so, He is the body and we are the members of His body, as 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Cor. 6:17). We can see this in 1 Corinthians 12 as well:
12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14) For the body is not one member, but many.1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (KJV)
Jesus is the Son of God and His children are the sons of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 Jn. 5:11).
“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:30-32).
The oneness of God is the first part of the mystery. Our oneness with Him is called “a great mystery.”
All of His children are part of His Holy Church – the Bride of Christ. This, of course, is another whole Bible study. For now, it is a precious truth. In the beginning, God. In the end, God and His Bride, as seen in Isaiah 41:1-4:
1) Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.2) Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
3) He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.
4) Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.Isaiah 40:1-4 (KJV)
In the beginning God. In the end, God and His Bride. As Isaiah 54:5 says, “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Thy Maker is thy Redeemer!“In the beginning God. In the end, God and His Bride.”
Paul said it this way in Colossians 2:1-3: “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Jesus embodies the Godhead; and, He is the Comforter. In His own words He says, “I will come to you,” as seen in John 14:
16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.John 14:16-20 (KJV)
This is the oneness of God. As John 14:20 reveals – Jesus is in the Father; you are in Jesus; and, Jesus is in you. Jesus is the Son of God and His children are the sons of God; and, as Galatians 4:6 says, “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
The Holy Spirit of God in His born-again believers makes them one with Him. Even the Gospel, itself, proclaims the oneness of God, as seen in the following scriptures…
Jesus is God on the cross, as the Lord proclaims in Zechariah:
10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Zechariah 12:10 (KJV)
God’s Blood was shed on the cross, as Acts proclaims:
28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Acts 20:28 (KJV)
God was received up into glory, as 1 Timothy proclaims:
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.1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
There is only one Gospel and one way to the Father, as we see in 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.” The Gospel according to the Scriptures is very clear in 1 Corinthians 15:
1) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 (KJV)
What did Jesus Christ do through His death, burial, and resurrection? He willingly laid down His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:15).
He “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Gal. 1:4).
God and our Father who was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:
18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;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.2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)
God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He never changes and He will not share His Glory with another, as seen in the following scriptures:
6) For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.James 1:17 (KJV)
8) I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.Isaiah 42:8 (KJV)
Jesus is God and, therefore, He never changes as seen in Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” And, we know that the name above all names is Jesus:
5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:5-11 (KJV)
In other words, we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and that glorifies the Father, because they are one.
John 17:5 puts it this way, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
Romans 15:6 says: “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The whole Bible proclaims the deity of Christ, the one true, living God who embodies the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For there is one throne (Rev. 3:21) and one God that is worthy of all the glory; and, there is only one Body of Christ (Eph. 4:4-6).
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – The Lord – is everywhere, all the time, all seeing, all knowing, and all powerful.
As Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).
That does not mean Jesus was ever without power. For we know that by Him were all things made (Col. 1:16-20).
16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.Colossians 1:16-20 (KJV)
The revelation of the Oneness of God is the key to understanding the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Any separation of the Godhead causes confusion and He is not the author of confusion. There is great peace in the simplicity of Christ.
I John 5 gives a very concise summary of this great truth:
5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?6) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.1 John 5:5-8 (KJV)
The Lord is One and He has made us one with Him, in the Body of Christ. We are members of His Body and He is the Head.
6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJV)
20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.1 John 5:20 (KJV)
Conclusion
In conclusion, this statement must be made. The Oneness of God does not in anyway negate the Truth that He is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Everything the Lord does is for the edification of His children, for His pleasure, and His glory (Rev. 4:11).
He does not need to speak with Himself. He never has a new thought. He sits in eternity, outside of time. The earth is His footstool. “Everything the Lord does is for the edification of His children, for His pleasure, and His glory.”
Jesus, as the Son of God, is teaching us how to be the sons of God (in Christ). He is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).
He knows that we learn from example. A son watches his father attentively; and, so Jesus does everything according to the Father’s will.
As John 4:21-26 says, we shall “worship the Father in spirit and in truth” in the name of Jesus:
21) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.22) Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
25) The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26) Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.John 4:21-26 (KJV)
The Lord’s children are the temple of the living God. He is our Father and we are His sons and daughters, as we see in 2 Corinthians:
16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (KJV)
He made known the end from the beginning, as Isaiah 46: 9-10 says, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
The children of God have a relationship with the Father as the sons of God in the Body of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
The Book of Revelation is the unveiling of the mystery. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ! In His own words, He says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8).
John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (Rev. 1:9-10) on the Isle of Patmos when he experienced this great revelation.
Revelation 4:1-2 says that he “looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”“The children of God have a relationship with the Father as the sons of God in the Body of Christ through the Holy Spirit.”
Revelation 5: 6-7 is a little confusing if you do not understand the oneness of God.
John says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.”
Jesus is in the midst of the throne taking the book from Him that sat upon the throne. What a beautiful picture of the oneness of the Father and the Son in the ‘midst of the throne.’
Revelation 5:13 gives glory to the Father and the Son, as it says, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8).
The deity of Christ is undeniable. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Cor. 13:12).
When we stand before the throne, we will worship God, and give Him all the glory, as seen in Revelation 7:9-12:
9) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10) And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 7:9-12 (KJV)
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Image Credit
The Healing of the Blind Man and the Raising of Lazarus. Spanish, first half 12th century (possibly 1129–34). Gift of The Clowes Fund Incorporated and E.B. Martindale, 1959. 59.196. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.