One God
Definition: Greek word "Monos" = one, alone, single.
"Theos" = God.
Christian monotheism simply stated means that God is absolutely and indivisibly one. There are no distinctions or divisions in His eternal nature.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.
Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Elohim = God(Hebrew).
The word "Elohim" is plural. Jewish scholars point out that even though in plural form, the word can also describe "the fullness of divine strength, the sum of powers displayed by God". William Smith Bible Dictionary, teachers edition p. 220.
A. El = the abbreviated singular form of Elohim.
1. Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am (El)
God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
2. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the
earth: for I am (El) God, and there is none else.
B. Elohim appears more than 2000 times in the Old Testament.
C. YHWH = "Yahweh" appears more than 6000 times.
1. Yahweh = The self existent one, the eternal
2. Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the (Yahweh) Lord the King of Israel, and
his redeemer the (Yahweh) Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am
the last; and beside me there is no (Elohim) God.
3. Therefore YHWH (Yahweh) is one God. He refers to Himself as
"I" hundreds of times. He never refers as "we".
4. Deuteronomy 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest
know that the (Yahweh) Lord he is (Elohim) God; there is none else
beside him.
Let us make man,
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
A. It is thought that when God says "us" in this passage, He is possibly speaking to others, namely the angels, not other gods. Notice the very next verse, "So God created man in "His" own image, Etc...
B. This verse cannot be speaking of a plurality of persons in the godhead.
"The plural "us", "our" probably refers to the divine beings who surround
God in His heavenly court (1 Kings 22:19 Isa. 6:8) and in whose image
man was made.
C. 1 Kings 22:19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I
saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven
standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
One God
De.32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
2S.7:22 Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
Ne.9:6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Is.44:6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Is.45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
Is.45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Mk.12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Lu.4:34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Jn.10:30 I and my Father are one.
Ep.4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1Ti.2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Ja.2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
A clear understanding of who God is will be vital to our relationship with Him.
A. God is everywhere, at all times.
B. Monotheism teaches that there is "One God".
1. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament.
2. This One God is "Father in creation", "Son in redemption", and "Holy Ghost in regeneration".
3. We do not teach that there are three separate distinct deity, but
one.
4. We teach that Jehovah of the Old Testament, became Jesus of
the New Testament.
5. Our teaching centers on the fact that the one true living God
possesses absolute, indivisible deity. 1 Cor. 8:6 Eph. 4:6
2 Cor. 5:19 Joel 2:28
Jesus - Savior
Philippians 2:5-11 Key verses 10-11
Isaiah 45:21-23 Key verse 23
A. Notice both of the above scriptures, they obviously speak of the Deity
of Christ.
1. Both Philippians 2:10-11 and Isaiah 45:23 speak of the fact
that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.
2. Many Old Testament scriptures speak of God being the Savior.
Also Many new testament scriptures proclaim Jesus as Savior.
Isaiah 47:4, 44:6, 43:3-11, 49:26, Psalm 78:34-35 1 Peter 1:10-11,
1 Timothy 1:1-3, John 4:40-42, Galatians 3:13, Jude 25
B. A revelation of the incarnation is found here also. Phil. 2:7
1. He made himself of no reputation.
2. He took on the form of a servant.
3. He was made in the likeness of man.
4. He is given a name which is above all other names.
Christ was both God and man, but in the days of His flesh, He took on Him the form of a servant,
"Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:". He drew a veil over the glory of His Godhead; but now in His transfiguration, he pulled back the veil, appeared in the form of God "Phil. 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" He gave His disciples a glimpse of His glory.
Let's look at Matthew 17:1-8
A. Transfiguration = matamorpho = to change into another form. A
change arising from the essential nature of His person, not an external
impression.
B. When looking at any particular verse, it's important to also study
verses before and after to help in clarification.
1. Matt. 16:13-20
2. Here we see Jesus asking the question "Whom do men say that
I the Son of man am?"
3. Verse 16, Peter says "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living
God."
4. Therefore when we see what happens six days later on the
mount of transfiguration, we understand more of what he wants to
show us.
C. What is the "incarnation"?
1. Incarnation = the act of assuming flesh.
2. Scriptural references, 1 John 1:1-3, 1 John 4:2, 1 Tim. 3:16,
John 1:1-14
3. The incarnation refers to the manifestation of God in human
form, "God in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself" 2 Cor. 5:19
D. The veil, His flesh.
1. Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
2. Look at the last statement on the first page.
2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Matt. 17:1-8
A. Verse 3. Moses and Elijah: the Jews had great respect for the memory
of these two prophets.
B. Verse 4. Peter, misses the point. He says "let us make three
tabernacles". Therefore, he was saying that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah,
were on an equal plain.
C. Verse 5, The voice from the cloud, "This is my beloved son, in whom I
am well pleased, hear ye Him. " This was also spoken at His baptism Matt. 3. 17
1. In other words, "The words He speaks they are spirit and life." John 6:63
2. 2 Corinthians 5:19 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.
3. The Lord here was showing us that we need to both "hear Him",
and "believe Him".
4. The voice from heaven authenticates every word spoken by Christ,
as if they were spoken out of the cloud itself.
5. Ro.10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
Word of God.
6. Col.1:18 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. The word preeminence means eminent
above others, surpassing, or distinguished.
Christ
A. Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2, 1 Cor. 15:3
B. Isaiah 9:6 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.
C. Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up
far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
D. 1 Timothy 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.
E. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he
by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The title Father refers to God's roles as father in creation, father of the only begotten son, and father of the born-again believer.
The title Son refers to God's incarnation, for the man Christ was literally conceived by the spirit of God (Matt. 1:18-20)
The title Holy Spirit describes the fundamental character of God's nature. The title specifically refers to God in activity, particularly His work in anointing, regenerating, and indwelling man.
Father refers to God in family relationship to man, Son refers to God incarnate; and the Spirit refers to God in activity.
John 1:1-5
A. Word = Logos = God's self expression, or thought.
B. In the fullness of time God put flesh on the Logos; He expressed
Himself in flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16, And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into Glory.
The right hand of God.
A. The phrase "right hand of God" is figurative language for "the power of
God".
1. Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in
power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
2. Psalm 118:16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right
hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
3. Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no
doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
B. The phrases, "finger of God", and "hand of God", should be taken
figuratively. God is a spirit, yet he is referred to as having an arm; Isa.
40:10, hand; 1 Pet. 5:6, eyes; Deut. 11:12.
1. We compare things by what we've seen or understand. Also
God shows us things of Himself in a way we can understand.
1 Cor. 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save
the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God
knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
2. 1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
3. Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
C. Therefore when we look at, Acts 7: 54-59, we must come to the
conclusion that Stephen is using figurative terms to refer to what he was
looking at.
1. Lets also look at Acts 7:59; And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God,
and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
2. This is a powerful example of the fact that Jesus Christ is God,
not just a part of God, but literally, "God manifest in flesh".
Son of man
A. Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of
man standing on the right hand of God.
1. "Son of Man" is a messianic title which exemplifies the humanity
which the messiah possessed during His earthly ministry.
2. Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up
stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing on the right hand of God,
a. When Steven saw Jesus, he saw the "Glory of God".
Steven could not have seen the Lord as a Spirit. John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son,
which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
b. 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.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father
also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen
him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and
it sufficeth us. 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?
B. When Steven saw the "Son of Man", he saw the physical manifestation
of God.
Hebrews 1:3 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;
A. The Amplified Bible describes Jesus as the "sole expression of the
glory of God". Heb. 1:3
B. 1 Cor. 15:24-28
1. Ephesians 1:17-23, Colossians 3:11
2. In future ages, there will be no need for the Son's "redemptive
action"; there will be no need for the Sonship of God.
3. In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no need for God
to live and die as the Son on our behalf. At that time God as Son
is subjected - "that God may be all in all".
4. There will be no need for a mediator, 1 Tim. 2:5 For there is one
God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus;.
All Power
A. Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.
1. Jesus knew people's thoughts. Luke 6:8
2. He forgave sin, Luke 7:48 Mark 2:6-12
3. Power went forth from Him, Luke 11:43
4. He raised the dead, John 11:43
5. He laid his own life down, John 10:18
B. He also spoke with authority, Matt. 7:29 For he taught them as one
having authority, and not as the scribes.
C. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
1. 2 Cor. 5:19 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. John 12:45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
D. The previous scriptures describe the power of God, the most
significant description is of the power of God to save us. Thank God.
One that sits on the throne.
Rev. 5:1-13
A. Here we see the throne room and one sitting upon the throne.
1. Verse 5, shows us the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
a. This is Jesus as the conquering King. Isaiah 63;1-6
b. He is coming with judgment and wrath.
2. Verse 6, shows us the Lamb.
a. This is Jesus as the "Lamb of God".
b. He's already come as the Lamb of God.
c. As the Lamb, He's already paid, in full, the price of
redemption.
d. Because He's already come as the Lamb, we will see Him
come as the King, to take possession of the world He
already rightfully owns.
B. The One that sits upon the throne is none other than the Lord Jesus
Christ.
1. Rev. 4:2, Rev. 1:8, 1:10-11, 1:12-18,
Ps.93:2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
Isa.9:6 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. Is.9:7 Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with
judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal
of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Mt.25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory,
and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the
throne of his glory:
He that sits upon the throne will present the church unto Himself.
Eph. 5: 25-27, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Emmanuel: God With Us.
A. 1 Timothy 3:16, Titus 2:12 - 14, 2 Cor. 5:19
B. As a man, He was born in humility, but as God, men and angels worshipped him.
As a man, He was tempted in all points as we are, but as God, He defeated every power of the devil.
As a man, He sat down on a mountain and spoke to the people, but as God, He brought peace and comfort to every troubled life.
As a man, He prayed & taught other men, but as God, He forgave their sins.
As a man, He grew weary, but as God, He had all power in heaven and on earth.
As a man, He walked the paths of men, but as God, He walked upon the waves of the sea.
As a man, He slept on a pillow in a ship, but as God, He rebuked the wind & the sea into obeying Him.
As a man, He became hungry, but as God, He caused bread to grow and multiply at His command.
As a man, He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, but as God, He called Lazarus from the dead.
As a man, He talked with the blind & the lame, but as God, He opened their eyes & made their feet to walk.
As a man, He was scorned by men, but as God, He was obeyed by demons.
As a man, He suffered & died, but as God, He arose from the dead.
As a man, He was laid in a tomb, but as God, He came forth conquering . . .
God with us.
A. It was for our sake He manifest Himself in flesh. He became one of us, sacrificed Himself to buy back that which He rightfully owned.
B. Matt 1:23 - Isa. 7:14
C. Emmanuel = Emmanu-el, El = the Mighty God, "which means God with us". Isa 9:6
D. Matthew 18:20
Jesus Christ Is,
The Alpha and Omega (Rev. 22:13,16)
The Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13, 16)
The First and the Last (Rev. 22:13,16)
The Root and the Offspring (Rev. 22:16)
The King of kings (Rev. 19:16; I Tim. 6:15)
The King eternal (I Tim. 1:16, 17)
The Lord (I Cor. 8:6)
The Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16; I Tim. 6:15)
The Lord of all (Acts 10:36)
The Judge of all (II Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-46)
The Great I Am (John 8:58; Ex. 3:14, 15)
Yahweh (Matt. 3:3; Isa. 40:3)
Yahweh-Savior (the Hebrew meaning of the name Jesus)
Eternal Father (Isa. 9:6; I John 3:1)
The Holy Spirit (II Cor. 3:17; Rom. 8:9)
The Author of life (Acts 3:15; Col. 1:15-18; John 1:3)
Elohim (Psalm 45:6; Heb. 1:8)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
The Lord God Almighty (Rev. 1:18; 21:22; the Greek)
Our Great God (Titus 2:13; the Greek)
Emmanu-El: God With Us (Matt. 1:23; Isa. 7:14)
The God (Matt. 1:23; John 20:18; the Greek)
God Himself (John 1:1; The Greek)
The only God (I Tim. 1:16,17)
Jesus Christ: This One is the true God. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. . . .
(I John 5:20, 21)
Psalm 110:4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Mel-chiz'e-dek: King / Priest
A. Hebrews 5:6 -10, Hebrews 6:20,
1. Here we find a comparison between Jesus and Melchizedek.
2. Heb. 5:6 -10.
a. Verse 6, He is called a priest (forever) after the order of
Melchizedek.
b. Verse 7, (Who in the days of His flesh) This phrase refers to His manifestation in flesh.
c. Verse 8, This verse describes His obedience unto death.
Phil. 2:8, And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled
Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross.
d. Verse 9, He's the author of eternal salvation. Heb. 12:2
e. Verse 10, Here we see that His ministry will be after the
order of Melchizedek. This means Jesus is both King and
Priest. Heb. 6:20, John 1:49. John 18:37. 1 Tim. 6:14-16
B. Hebrews 7:1-28
1. Here we find a description of the priesthood of Melchizedek.
a. King of righteousness, and peace. Verse 2
b. Verse 3, Without father or mother, and without decent.
c. No beginning of days, nor end of life. A priest continually.
d. Verse 15, After Melchedezek, another priest would arise.
1. Made after the power of an endless life. Verse 16
2. The law made nothing perfect but there was a better hope.
Verse 19
e. Verses 22-28, A better testament, He continueth forever.
His priesthood is unchangeable. He saves to the uttermost.
Read verse 26, "For such an high priest became us, who is
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate of sinners, and made
higher than the heavens."
Melchizedek: A symbol of an ideal Priest - King.
A. Here we find Jesus Christ portrayed in His office as King and Priest.
1. Matt 6:33, Rom. 14:17, 2 Tim. 4:1
2. Heb. 9:11, Heb. 7:20,
B. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Rev. 19:16
No Other Name
A. 1 Cor. 3:11
B. Acts 4:12
C. Who is Jesus? He is what His name identifies Him as, Yahweh-Savior.
D. Jesus is, the God of two testaments.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
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