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Biblical Trinity Part One
Definition of God
Catalogue and List of Divine Titles of God Divine qualities that each member of the Godhead share as equal members of the trinity Texts that speak of God being one. The polytheistic henotheism of Jehovah’s Witnesses is apostate doctrine: God of gods? False dilemmas regarding Jesus being God Six different ontological views of God
Here is a flow chart to see where the four different positions stand against truth:
Deity of Christ
Distinction
Biblical Trinity
Nicene Trinity
Arianism
Modalism
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Submission between members
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Definition of God The following will send shivers up the spine of every Jehovah’s Witness! To their horror, the divine name underwent change and development. "God spoke further to Moses and said to him, "I am the Lord; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them." (Exodus 6:2-3) From Adam to Moses, God’s name was "El-Shaddai" (God Almighty). From Moses to Christ, God’s name was YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah). For Christians the name of God is JESUS! "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Certainly the Jews never foresaw the time when YHWH would no longer be used as the name for God and it would be replace with Jesus! But actually, in God’s providence, the Jews were actually part of the change. The Septuagint was a translation in 250 BC from the Hebrew Old Testament by 70 scholars into Greek. They translated YHWH as LORD (Kurios). It was no mistake that the Holy Spirit Himself continued in this tradition in the New Testament. God ordained that YHWH would never once be found in the original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Of course the New World Translation (sectarian paraphrase used only by JW’s) adds YHWH into the English New Testament where never found in the underlying Greek. The Watchtower has actually added to the word of God and will be punished according to the curses of Revelation for doing such! Meanwhile, thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses are also deceived.
Primary Old Testament Names For God: English
Hebrew, definition, times used
Text
God
Elohim (Mighty Ones) 2606x
Genesis 1:1
God
El (Might, Power) 245x
Genesis 14:18
God
Eloah (Mighty One) 57x
Nehemiah 9:17
God
Elah (Aramaic form) 95x
Daniel 2:18
Yahweh (Jehovah), God, LORD
YHWH (Yahweh) 6519x
Gen 2:4; 15:2; Ex 6:3
Lord
YH (Yah) (abbreviated form of Yahweh) 49x
Psalm 68:4
Lord
Adon (Lord, Ruler) 335x
Joshua 3:11
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Adonai (Lords, Rulers) 434x
Genesis 15:2
I Am That I Am
Eheyeh asher Eheyeh 1x
Exodus 3:14
I Am
Eheyeh 19x
Exodus 3:14; throughout Isa 40-55
Most High God
El-Elyon (Supreme Might)
Genesis 14:18
The God Of Sight
El-Roiy
Genesis 16:13
Almighty God
El-Shaddai (Might of the Powerful Ones)
Genesis 17:1
Everlasting God
El-Olam
Genesis 21:33
Rock
Cela (craig) Tzur (rock or strength)
Ps 18:2 (used interchangeably)
YHWH of Hosts
YHWH-sabaoth (Lord of Armies) 285x
1 Samuel 1:3
YHWH will provide
YHWH-jireh: will see or provide
Genesis 22:14
I, YHWH, am your healer.
YHWH-rapha: heals
Exodus 15:26
YHWH is my banner
YHWH-nissi: our banner or victory
Exodus 17:15
YHWH who sanctifies you
YHWH-m'kaddesh: sanctifies
Exodus 31:13
YHWH is peace
YHWH-shalom: peace
Judges 6:24
YHWH is my shepherd
YHWH-raah: my shepherd
Psalm 23:1
YHWH our maker
YHWH-hoseenu: creator
Psalm 95:6
YHWH our righteousness
YHWH-tsidkenu: righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6
YHWH who is there
YHWH-shammah: Present and available when needed
Ezekiel 48:35
Additional OT Names Of God
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www.Ministry-Of-Grace.Org The Name: [HaShem] (Leviticus 24:16)
God Of Abraham, God Of Isaac, And God Of Jacob: (Exodus 3:15)
The Great Mighty Awesome God: (Deuteronomy 10:17)
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father Of Eternity, Prince Of Peace: (Isaiah 9:6)
Father: (Isaiah 64:8)
Holy One: (Habakkuk 1:12)
Holy Spirit: (Psalm 51:11)
Spirit Of God: (Genesis 1:2)
The Spirit Of The LORD God: (Isaiah 61:1)
The Spirit Of The LORD, The Spirit Of Wisdom And Understanding, The Spirit Of Counsel and Strength, The Spirit Of Knowledge And The Fear Of The LORD: (Isaiah 11:2)
Holy One Of Israel: (Psalm 78:41)
Upright One: (Isaiah 26:7)
Light: (Psalm 27:1)
Light Of Israel: (Isaiah 10:17)
Light To The Nations: (Isaiah 42:6)
Our Dwelling Place: (Psalm 90:1)
Fortress: (Psalm 91:2)
Stronghold: (Psalm 18:2)
Tower Of Strength: (Psalm 61:3)
Refuge: (Psalm 46:1)
Hiding Place: (Psalm 32:7)
Strength: (Psalm 46:1)
Shield: (Psalm 18:30)
Rock: (Habakkuk 1:12)
Rock Of My Strength: (Psalm 62:7)
Rock Of Israel: (2 Samuel 23:3)
Stone: (Psalm 118:22)
Stone of Israel: (Genesis 49:24)
Cornerstone: (Psalm 118:22)
My Portion In The Land Of The Living: (Psalm 142:5)
The Portion Of My Inheritance: (Psalm 16:5)
My Cup: (Psalm 16:5)
Branch: (Zechariah 6:12)
Star: (Numbers 24:17)
Crown and Daidem: (Isaiah 28:5)
Potter: (Isaiah 64:8)
Tent Peg, Bow Of Battle: (Zechariah 10:4)
Husband: (Isaiah 54:5)
Maker: (Psalm 49:2)
Creator: (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
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www.Ministry-Of-Grace.Org Creator Of Israel: (Isaiah 43:15)
Shepherd: (Genesis 49:24)
Shepherd Of Israel: (Psalm 80:1)
Messenger Of The Covenant: (Malachi 3:1)
Redeemer: (Psalm 19:14)
Redeemer of Israel: (Isaiah 49:7)
Deliverer: (Psalm 144:2)
My Lovingkindness: (Psalm 144:2)
Savior: (Isaiah 45:15)
The King: (Isaiah 6:5)
King Of Israel: (Zephaniah 3:15)
King Of Glory: (Psalm 24:7)
Lord Of All The Earth: (Micah 4:13)
Ancient of Days: (Daniel 7:9)
The Most High: (Deuteronomy 32:8)
Covenant To The People: (Isaiah 42:6)
Shiloh: (Genesis 49:10)
The Angel: (Genesis 48:16)
The Arm Of The Lord: (Isaiah 53:1)
Ruler In Israel: (Micah 5:2)
Messiah The Prince: (Daniel 9:25)
New Testament Names For God The Father (This section compiled by Loren Jacobs) Father: (Matthew 6:9)
Abba: [Daddy] (Romans 8:15)
God The Father: (2 Timothy 1:2)
Father Of Our Lord Yeshua The Messiah: (Colossians 1:3)
The Father Of Lights: (James 1:17)
The Father Of Glory: (Ephesians 1:17)
The Father Of Spirits: (Hebrews 12:9)
Father of Mercies: (2 Corinthians 1:3)
God (Elohim): (2 Corinthians 9:7)
The God Of Our Fathers [Elohay Avotaynu]: (Acts 7:32)
The God Of Abraham, Isaac And Jacob [Elohay Avraham, Yitzchak v'Yaakov]: (Acts 7:32)
God Of All Comfort [Elohay Kol HaNechamah]: (2 Corinthians 1:3)
God Of Peace [Elohay Shalom]: (Hebrews 13:20)
The God Of Glory [Elohay Kavod]: (Acts 7:2)
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The God Of Israel [Elohay Yisrael]: (Matthew 15:31)
Lord God [YHVH Elohim]: (Acts 3:22)
Lord God of Israel [YHVH Elohay Yisrael]: (Luke 1:68)
Lord Almighty [YHVH Shaddai]: (2 Corinthians 6:18)
The Almighty [Shaddai]: (Revelation 1:8)
Power [Ha Gevurah]: (Mark 14:62)
The Creator [HaBoray]: (Romans 1:25, 1 Peter 4:19)
The Most High God [El Elyon]: (Hebrews 7:1)
The Divine Nature: (Romans 1:20, 2 Peter 1:4)
Lord Of Armies: [YHVH Tz'vaot] (James 5:4)
The Majestic Glory: (2 Peter 1:17)
The Majesty: (Hebrews 1:3)
The King Of The Nations: (Revelation 15:3)
The Lawgiver And Judge: (James 4:12)
The Eternal Immortal Invisible King: (1 Timothy 1:17)
Sovereign: (1 Timothy 6:15)
Heaven: (Matthew 21:25)
A Consuming Fire: (Hebrews 12:29)
New Testament Names For Jesus (This section compiled by Loren Jacobs) Yeshua Of Nazareth: (Matthew 26:71)
Messiah: (John 1:41)
The Son: (John 8:36)
Only Begotten Son: (1 John 4:9)
Beloved Son: (Matthew 3:17)
Son Of David: (Matthew 1:1)
The Root And Offspring Of David: (Revelation 22:16)
Son Of Abraham: (Matthew 1:1)
Abraham's Seed: (Galatians 3:16)
Son Of Joseph: (John 1:45)
Son Of Man: (Matthew 26:64, see Daniel 7:13)
Son Of God: (Matthew 26:63)
Son of the Father: (2 John 1:3)
Son Of The Most High: (Luke 1:32)
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www.Ministry-Of-Grace.Org Only Begotten God: (John 1:18)
Firstborn: (Hebrews 1:6)
Firstborn Of All Creation: (Colossians 1:15)
Beginning Of The Creation Of God: (Revelation 3:14)
Firstborn From The Dead: (Revelation 1:5)
The Last Adam: (1 Corinthians 15:45)
Rabbi: [Teacher, literally "my great one"] (Matthew 23:8)
King Of Israel: (Mark 15:32)
King Of The Jews: (Matthew 27:37)
The Word: (John 1:1)
The Word Of God: (Revelation 19:13)
The Word Of Life: (1 John 1:1)
The Life: (John 11:25)
I AM: (John 8:58, see Exodus 3:14)
LORD: (Romans 10:9-13, see Joel 2:32)
God: (John 1:1)
The Man: (John 19:5)
Immanuel: [God with us] (Matthew 1:23, see Isaiah 7:14)
Master: [Chief, Commander] (Luke 8:24)
The Expected One: (Luke 7:19)
Savior Of The World: (John 4:42)
Savior Of All Men: (1 Timothy 4:10)
The Deliverer: (Romans 11:26)
The Prophet: (John 1:25, see Deuteronomy 18:15)
Holy One: (Acts 3:14)
Righteous One: (Acts 3:14)
Prince: (Acts 5:31)
Prince Of Life: (Acts 3:15)
Living One: (Luke 24:5)
Judge Of The Living And The Dead: (Acts 10:42)
Stone: (Mark 12:10)
Chief Cornerstone: (Mark 12:10)
Chief Shepherd: (1 Peter 5:4)
Good Shepherd: (John 10:11)
Shepherd And Guardian Of Our Souls: (1 Peter 2:25)
The Lamb: (Revelation 5:12)
Passover Lamb: (1 Corinthians 5:7)
Lamb of God: (John 1:36)
Lion Of Judah: (Revelation 5:5)
Advocate, Counsel For The Defense: (1 John 2:1)
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King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords: (Revelation 19:16)
The Faithful Witness: (Revelation 1:5)
The Faithful And True One: (Revelation 19:11)
The Amen: (Revelation 3:14)
Servant: (Acts 4:27)
The Bright Morning Star: (Revelation 22:16)
Sunrise From On High: (Luke 1:78)
The Apostle: (Hebrews 3:1)
The Great High Priest: (Hebrews 4:14)
The Author And Perfecter Of Faith: (Hebrews 12:2)
The Chosen One: (Luke 9:35)
The Mediator: (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Way, The Truth, And The Life: (John 14:6)
The Door: (John 10:7)
The Alpha And The Omega: (Revelation 22:13)
The First And The Last: (Revelation 22:13)
The Beginning And The End: (Revelation 22:13)
The Head Of The Body, The Church: (Colossians 1:18)
Head Over All Things: (Ephesians 1:22)
Heir Of All Things: (Hebrews 1:2)
The Image Of The Invisible God: (Colossians 1:15)
God's Mystery: (Colossians 2:2)
Horn Of Salvation: (Luke 1:69)
The Power Of God: (1 Corinthians 1:24)
The Wisdom Of God: (1 Corinthians 1:24)
The Beloved: (Matthew 12:18)
The Brigegroom: (John 3:29)
The Bread Of God (John 6:33)
The Bread Out Of Heaven: (John 6:32)
The Bread Of Life: (John 6:35)
The True Vine: (John 15:1)
The Vinedresser: (John 15:1)
The Resurrection (John 11:25)
New Testament Names For The Holy Spirit (This section compiled by Loren Jacobs)
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www.Ministry-Of-Grace.Org The Spirit: (Romans 2:29)
The Holy Spirit: (Luke 3:16)
The Holy Spirit of God: (Ephesians 4:30)
The Holy Spirit Of Promise: (Ephesians 1:13)
The Spirit of the Living God: (2 Corinthians 3:3)
The Spirit Of The Lord: (Luke 4:18)
The Eternal Spirit: (Hebrews 9:14)
The Spirit Of Truth: (John 15:26)
The Spirit Of Yeshua: (Acts 16:7)
The Spirit Of Yeshua The Messiah (Philippians 1:19)
The Spirit Of Messiah: (Romans 8:9)
The Spirit Of God: (Romans 8:9)
Helper or Comforter: (John 14:26)
The Holy Spirit is compared to:
Clothing (Luke 24:49): Because He clothes us with power from on high.
A Dove (Matthew 3:16): Because the dove is a symbol of purity, peace, and flies in the heavens and was used as a sacrifice for the poor.
A Pledge, Earnest Money (2 Corinthians 1:22): Because He is the pledge and the downpayment of our inheritance.
A Seal (Ephesians 1:13): Because a seal protects, makes secure, and demonstrates ownership.
Fire (Acts 2:3): Because fire separates the impure from the pure, it cleanses and purifies.
Oil (Acts 10:38): Because oil was used for anointing, for healing, for nourishment and burned to give light.
Water (John 7:38): Because water is simple yet mysterious. It is tasteless, formless, colorless, transparent, and buoyant. It can hold up a huge ship. It is used for transportation. The Holy Spirit holds us up and transports us through this world to the World To Come. Water cleanses and refreshes. With water there is life, growth, and fruitfulness. Without water there are deserts.
Wind (John 3:8): Because we can't see the wind but we can see its results. Just as the winds blows wherever it wants, so God's Spirit is sovereign. He gives gifts as He wills. Wind can be powerful like a tornado or hurricane, or be a cool refreshing breeze.
Breath: (John 20:22). Without breath we die. God's Breath gives us life. We have life and intimacy with God due to His indwelling Spirit.
Wine: Because we are not to be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18).
Divine Titles, Functions and Character Qualities ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
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"And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." (Eccl 4:12)
To prove trinity true we need either prove Jesus is uncreated God and/or the Holy Spirit is a person with will, thoughts and emotions like God, angels and man. Divine TITLES Jesus shares with the Father. Divine TRAITS Jesus shares with the Father. What God is. Divine FUNCTIONS Jesus shares with the Father Things God does. PERSONALITY and character ascribed to the Holy Spirit.
Irrefutable logic: Game Over for Arians! Trinitarians do not need to prove God is "three in one" or defend the developed doctrines of the Nicene creed in 325 AD. Trinitarians need only prove only one of the following to refute Watchtower theology: 1. that Jesus is not a creature. 2. the Holy Spirit is a person.
Divine Titles Jesus Shares with the Father "God, YHWH, I am, King of Kings, First and Last" We all know the Father is God, but the key focus here is that the Son is uncreated God. So we have placed great attention on collecting verses where Jesus is ascribed the Titles of Deity! Empty sections on the Holy Spirit in this chart are not important and cause no problem for Trinitarians. We prove in a following chart that the Holy Spirit is a person. Divine Title
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
God
Deut 32:6; Ps 89:26; Isa 63:16; 64:8; Mal 1:6; 2:10; Mt 6:9; Jn 6:27; Gal 1:1-3; Eph 4:6; 5:20;
Gen 19:24; Ps 45:7; Isa 7:14; 9:6; Zech 12:10 Mt 1:23; Jn 1:1; 5:18; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5;
Hag 2:5; Mt 12:28; Lk 11:20; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 12:6,11,18; 2 Cor 3:17
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Phil 2:6-7; Col 2:9; 1 Tim 3:16; Titus 2:14; Heb 1:8-9; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 Jn 5:20
YHWH (Yahweh)
Ex 6:3
Jer 23:6
Micah 3:8
Lord
Deut 10:17, Ps 110:1
Mt 22:43-45
2 Cor 3:18
Mighty God
Isa 10:21; Jer 32:18
Isa 9:6
-
Isa 8:13-15; 1 Pet 2:1-8
-
A Stone The Rock
Isa 44:8
Deut 2:7; 32:30; Isa 44:8; 1 Cor 10:4
-
I Am
Ex 3:14
Jn 8:58
-
Alpha & Omega; First & Last
Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev 1:8; 21:6
Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13
-
King of kings; Lords of lords
Deut 10:17; Ps 136:2-3; Dan 2:47
1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16
-
Shepherd
Ezek 34:11-16; Ps 23:1
Jn 10:11,14; Heb 13:20; Rev 7:17
-
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Divine Traits Jesus Shares with the Father "Majestic Glory, Eternal, Unfathomable, Holy, True, Good" Again, the key focus here is that the Son is uncreated God. We have placed great attention on collecting verses where Jesus is ascribed divine traits. Although we prove in a following chart that the Holy Spirit is a person, it is powerful to see that almost all the Divine traits of the Father are applied to the Holy Spirit. Divine Traits
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
Eternal, self-existent
Gen 21:33; Ex 3:14; Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; 90:4; 93:2; 102:12; Job 36:26; Hab 1:12; Rom 16:26; 2
Psalm 102:24-25 + Heb 1:10-12; Isa 9:6; Micah 5:1-2; Jn 1:1; 8:58; 17:5; Eph 3:21; Col 1:17; Heb
Heb 9:14
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7:3; 1 Jn 1:1; Rev 22:13
Omnipresence, near when needed
Deut 4:7; 1 Ki 8:27; Isaiah 66:1; Jer 23:23-24; Acts 7:48-49; 17:27-28
Mt 18:20; 28:20; Jn 1:48; Eph 1:22-23; 4:10; Col 3:11
Ps 139:7-10
Omniscience, knows hearts men
1 Sam 16:7; Job 37:16; 1 Chron 28:9; Ps 139:1-4; Jer 17:10; Isa 41:22-23; 42:9; 44:7; 1 Jn 3:20; Heb 4:13
Mt 11:27; 12:25; Mk 2:8; Lk 9:47; 11:17; Jn 1:48; 2:23-25; 4:16-18; 16:30; 21:17
1 Cor 2:10-11
Omnipotence
Gen 17:1; Ex 6:3; Job 36:5,22,26; 42:2; Ps 115:3; Jer 32:17, 27; Mt 3:9; 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27; Eph 1:11; Rev 19:6
Mt 28:18; Phil 3:20-21
Gen 1:2; Lk 1:35-37
Majestic Glory
Ps 29:3; 84:11; Job 37:22; Eph 3:20-21; 2 Pet 1:17; Rev 4:11
Lk 9:43; 2 Cor 4:4; 2 Pet 1:16; Heb 1:3; Rev 5:1114
2 Cor 3:8; 1 Pe 4:14
Incomprehensible, Unfathomable
Job 9:10; Rom 11:33; Eph 3:20
Mt 11:27; Eph 3:8
-
Holy
Lev 19:2; Ps 5:4-6; 99:5; Isa 6:3; 8:13; Hab 1:1213; Tit 1:2; 1 Jn 1:5; Rev 4:8; 15:4
Mk 1:24; Acts 3:14; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26; Rev 3:7
Lk 11:13; Rom 1:4; Eph 1:13
True, truth
Num 23:19; Isa 65:16; Ps 31:5; Jn 7:28; 17:17; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18
Jn 14:6; Rev 3:7
Jn 14:17
Good
Deut 8:16; Ps 118:1; Nahum 1:7; Mk 10:18; Lk 18:19; Rom 8:28; Jas 1:13
Jn 10:11
Ps 143:10; Neh 9:20
Immutable, unchangeable
Ex 32:14; Ps 33:11; Ps 89:34; 102:26-27; Isa 51:6; Mal 3:6; Rom 1:23; 2 Tim 2:13; Heb 6:17-18; Jas 1:17
Heb 1:12; 13:8
-
Preeminent
Ps 97:9; 148:13
Col 1:18; Acts 10:36
-
A Spirit, greater than man
Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Job 33:12; Ezek 1:26-28; Jn 4:24; 1 Jn 3:20
Mk 2:8; Lk 24:39; Rev 1:14
"Holy Spirit"
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Ex 8:10; 9:14; 15:11; 2 Sam 7:22; 1 Chron 17:20; Ps 86:8; 1 Ki 8:23; Isa 40:18,25; 44:7; Jer 10:67; Micah 7:18
Divine functions Jesus shares with the Father "Creator, Redeemer, worshipped, Prayer to, Forgives sin" Again, the key focus here is that the Son is uncreated God. We have placed great attention on collecting verses where Jesus is ascribed divine functions. Although we prove in a following chart that the Holy Spirit is a person, it is powerful to see that many of the Divine functions of the Father and the Son are also shared by the Holy Spirit. Divine Function
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
Creator
Gen 1:1; Ps 33:6; 102:25; Isa 44:24; 64:8; Rom 11:36; Acts 17:24
Gen 1:1; Jn 1:1; 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Col 1:15-17, Heb 1:2,10-12; 11:3
Gen 1:2; Ps 104:30; Job 33:4
Redeemer
Ps 130:7-8; Isa 43:14; Lk 1:68
Isa 44:6; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; Tit 2:14; Heb 9:12-15
Eph 4:30
Savior, salvation
Isa 12:2; 43:11; Ps 18:46; Hos 13:4; Lk 3:6; 1 Tim 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; Tit 1:3; 3:4; Jude 25
Acts 2:21; 4:12; 1 Tim 1:15; 2 Tim 1:10; Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; 2 Pe 1:1
Tit 3:5
Calms the storm
Ps 107:29
Mt 8:26-27
-
Fills the hungry soul
Ps 107:9
Jn 6:51
-
Just, Impartially Judges with vengeance
Ps 7:11; 75:7; 94:1-2; 96:13; Isa 30:18; 45:21; Mal 2:17; Jer 51:56; Zeph 3:5; Jn 8:50; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:5; 3:26; 11:22; Heb 10:31; 12:23
Jn 5:22-23; 2 Tim 4:1,8; Jas 5:9
-
Accepts Worship
Gen 24:26; Deut 6:13; Josh 5:13-15
Mt 14:33; 28:9,17; Jn 20:28; 9:38; Acts 14:8-15; Phil 2:10; Heb 1:6; Rev 5:8-14
Philippians 3:3
Divine "service"
Deut 6:13; 10:20; Mt 4:10
Col 3:24; Rev 22:3
-
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Isa 45:23
Rom 14:10-12, Phil 2:810
-
Prayed to
Mt 6:8
Commands: Jn 14:14; Jas 1:1-7; 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 5:19; Acts 8:22. Examples: Rev 22:20, 2 Cor 12:7-9, Acts 7:54-60; Acts 8:24. Inferences: 1 Jn 5:11-15, Acts 1:24; Heb 7:25
Intercedes in our prayers: Rom 8:26-27
Begot Jesus
Heb 1:5
-
Mt 1:18; Lk 1:35
Raised Jesus
Acts 2:32; 3:15, 26; 17:31; 1 Thess 1:9-10
Mk 14:58; Jn 2:19-22; 10:17
Rom 1:4; 8:11
Final Resurrection
1 Cor 6:14
Jn 6:39-44; Phil 3:20-21
Rom 8:11
Indwells the believer
2 Cor 6:16-18; 1 Jn 4:15
2 Cor 13:5; Eph 3:17
Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Tim 1:14
Abides
Gen 21:22; Deut 7:21; Josh 1:9; 1 Sam 10; 1 Chron 17:2; Isa 8:10; 1 Jn 4:12-15
Mt 28:20; Jn 6:56
Jn 14:17; 1 Jn 2:27
We Belong To
Jn 17:9
Jn 17:6
-
In our heart
Gal 4:6
Eph 3:17
2 Cor 1:22
Provides Access To God
-
Jn 14:6; Eph 2:18
Eph 2:18
Source Of Life
Gen 2:7; Acts 17:28; Rom 6:23; 1 Tim 6:13
Jn 1:3-4; 5:21; 10:28; 11:25; Acts 3:15; 1 Jn 5:11
Jn 3:3-8; Rom 8:2; 2 Cor 3:6; Gal 6:8; Titus 3:5
Sanctifies
1 Thess 5:23
Heb 2:11
1 Pet 1:2
Forgives Sin
Mt 6:12
Lk 7:47-48; Mk 2:5-11
Titus 3:5
Searches Our Heart
1 Chron 28:9; Ps 7:9; 26:2; 139:1; Jer 17:10; Lk 16:15
Rev 2:23 (key verse to prove deity)
Rom 8:27; 1 Cor 2:10-11
Authority by their name to be baptized
Mt 28:19
Mt 28:19
Mt 28:19
Source of help, strength, protector,
Deut 3:22; 2 Sam 22:33; Ps 46:1; 54:4; 59:9,17;
2 Cor 12:9; Phil 4:13; 2 Tim 4:17-18
Eph 3:16; 2 Tim 1:14
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62:8; 68:20; 73:26; 84:11; Isa 12:2; 49:5; Hab 3:19; 2 Cor 1:10
Light and guidance
Ps 84:11; 1 Jn 1:5
Jn 1:4-5; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35
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Sends Holy Spirit
Jn 14:16
Jn 15:26
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Baptizes us into Christ
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-
1 Cor 12:13
Personality and character ascribed to the Holy Spirit "Thinks, speaks, makes decisions, loves, Compassionate, Grieves, Insulted, Intercedes" In order to prove the Trinity true, we need merely show that the Holy Spirit is a person. Because no one disputes that the Father and the Son are persons, we place all our focus on proving the personality of the Holy Spirit. The chart below is absolutely devastating to Arians like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christadelphians. Character Qualities of the Holy Spirit
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
Inspires Scripture, Speaks, has a mind, a will and makes management decisions directing others for divine purpose
Jer 3:15; 26:5; Mt 3:17; 10:17-20; Lk 22:42; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:1; 2 Pe 1:20-21
Mt 10:5; Lk 6:13; 21:1215; 22:42; 2 Cor 13:3; Eph 4:11
Mt 4:1; 1:12; Mk 13:11; Lk 2:26; 4:11; 12:11-12; Jn 16:13-14; Acts 1:16; 2:4; 4:25; 8:29,39; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 20:22-23; 20:28; 28:25; 1 Cor 12:11; Eph 3:5; 1 Tim 4:1; Heb 3:7; 9:8; 10:15; 1 Pet 1:11; 2 Pe 1:20-21; Rev 22:17
hope
Rom 15:13
1 Tim 1:1
Rom 15:13
Joy
Rom 15:13
Jn 15:11
Rom 14:17; 1 Thess 1:6
fellowship
Jn 14:23; 1 Jn 1:3-6
1 Cor 1:9; 1 Jn 1:3
2 Cor 13:14; Phil 2:1
Loves, Loving
Deut 7:7-8; Jer 31:3; Jn 3:16; 1 Cor 13:11; Eph 2:4-5; Heb 12:6; 1 Jn 4:8,16
Jn 15:13; Eph 5: 25
Rom 15:30
Grace
Ps 84:11; 1 Pet 5:10
Rom 16:20; 1 Thess 5:28
Zech 12:10; Heb 10:29
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Mt 10:17-20
Lk 21:12-15
Lk 12:11-12
Lied to
Hosea 11:12
Jn 8:55
Acts 5:3
Bears witness:
Phil 1:8
Rev 1:5; 3:14
Acts 5:32
Compassionate, Comforts, kind
Deut 4:31; 2 Chron 30:9; Ps 103:8-9; 116:5; Rom 11:22; 2 Cor 1:3; 2 Thess 2:16
Mk 6:34; 2 Cor 1:5; 2 Thess 2:16
Acts 9:31
Grieves
Gen 6:6
Mt 26:38; Mk 3:5
Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30
Insulted
2 Chron 32:17
Mt 27:44
Heb 10:29
blasphemed
Rev 16:11
Lk 22:65
Mt 12:31
Abides
Jn 14:23
Jn 14:23
Jn 14:17
Consuming fire, jealous
Deut 4:24; Nahum 1:2; Heb 12:29
2 Thess 1:7; Rev 1:14
Mt 3:11
Faith, faithful
Deut 32:4; 1 Cor 1:9
Rev 3:7
2 Cor 4:13
Peace
1 Cor 14:33; Rom 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 13:20
1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 2:14
Rom 8:6; 14:17; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:3
Intercedes like a lawyer to God
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1 Jn 2:1
Rom 8:26; John 14:16,17,26; 16:7
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The one God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit Passages that say there is only one God: 1. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one [echad] flesh. " Genesis 2:24 2. "there is no one like Yahweh our God." Exodus 8:10 3. "Yahweh, He is God; there is no other besides Him." Deuteronomy 4:35 4. "Yahweh, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other." Deuteronomy 4:39 5. "See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me" Deuteronomy 32:39 6. "Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one [echad]!" Deuteronomy 6:4 7. "You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You" 2 Samuel 7:22 Ministry Of Grace E-Books Resources
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8. "For who is God, besides Yahweh? And who is a rock, besides our God?" 2 Samuel 22:32 9. "Yahweh is God; there is no one else." 1 Kings 8:60 10. "You are the God, You alone [bad], of all the kingdoms of the earth." 2 Kings 19:15 11. "O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You" 1 Chronicles 17:20 12. "You alone [bad] are Yahweh." Nehemiah 9:6 13. "For who is God, but Yahweh? And who is a rock, except our God" Psalm 18:31 14. "You alone [bad], Lord, are God." Isaiah 37:20 15. "Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me." Isaiah 43:10 16. "‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me." Isaiah 44:6 17. "Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none." Isaiah 44:8 18. "I am Yahweh, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God." Isaiah 45:5 19. "Surely, God is with you, and there is none else, No other God." Isaiah 45:14 20. "I am Yahweh, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18 21. "Is it not I, Yahweh? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me." Isaiah 45:21 22. "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me" Isaiah 46:9 23. "And Yahweh will be king over all the earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one [echad], and His name the only one[echad]." Zechariah 14:9 24. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one [hen] and love the other, or he will be devoted to one [hen] and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:24 25. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one [hen] flesh"? " Matthew 19:5 26. "But do not be called Rabbi; for One [hen] is your Teacher, and you are all brothers." Matthew 23:8 27. "Do not be called leaders; for One [hen] is your Leader, that is, Christ." Matthew 23:10 28. ""The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one [hen] Lord; " Mark 12:29 29. "you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only [monos] God?" John 5:44 30. "I and the Father are one [hen]." John 10:30 31. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only [monos] true God" John 17:3 32. "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one [hen], just as We are one [hen]" John 17:22 33. "since indeed God is one [hen]" Romans 3:30 34. "to the only [monos] wise God, Amen." Romans 16:27 35. "there is no God but one [hen]" 1 Corinthians 8:4 36. "yet for us there is but one [hen] God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one [hen] Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." 1 Corinthians 8:6 37. "Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one [hen]." Galatians 3:20 38. "There is one [hen] body and one [hen] Spirit, one [hen] hope, one [hen] Lord, one [hen] faith, one [hen] baptism, one [hen] God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6 39. "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only [monos] God" 1 Timothy 1:17
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40. "which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only [monos] Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone [monos] possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." 1 Timothy 6:16 41. "For there is one [hen] God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5 42. "You believe that God is one [hen]. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." James 2:19 43. "For certain persons deny our only [monos] Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4 44. "the only [monos] God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Jude 25
The polytheistic "Henotheism" of Jehovah’s Witnesses is apostate doctrine: Henotheists "Does not Jesus’ own use of the Bible show there are other ‘gods’ or degrees of being ‘god’?" (Jehovah’s Witness false statement)
New Bible Dictionary: "Henotheism: devotion to one God (or god) in a polytheistic setting." Webster's: "henotheism: the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods" Jehovah's Witness Henotheistic system of Gods Henotheism refuted Roadmap into the mind of a Jehovah's Witness
Introduction: 1. Ten Commandments as Jehovah's Witnesses read it with a Henotheist: " You shall have no other gods [even though I created these other gods and I call them gods. You need to learn that I am the only one who is called God you can worship and serve. Yes there are other gods like Jesus, Angels and the devil, but you need to learn not to worship them. If you can learn this, then one day you will be a god too!] before Me"" (Ex 20:3) 2. The basic error of Henotheism, is that there are different classes of god’s in the Bible that were created by YHWH, whereas the truth is, the other god’s of the Bible are all created by man. The only reason why Jehovah's Witnesses place so much emphasis on angels, men and Satan being gods, is so they can say: "See! When Jesus is called God, it doesn’t prove he is uncreated God like the Father, but a created lower ranking god like men and angels. Jesus is not "the God", but "a god". This is rank heresy and is false! 3. The Jehovah’s Witness are rank polytheists and they don’t even know it… would deny it if you asked them! They teach that men, angels, Satan and Jesus are all created Gods. This doctrine is so silly and so poorly thought out, it is absolutely shocking! The implications are chilling. These and other Arians are desperately looking for a way to reconcile the fact that Jesus, on one hand, is called "God", yet want to Ministry Of Grace E-Books Resources
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make Jesus into a creature, on the other hand. Instead of outright rejecting the Watchtower organization as a satanic and apostate cult, they reject the Bible and make Jesus into a created demi-god. 4. So poorly informed are Jehovah's Witnesses, that they are not aware that their view of Jesus was a concept borrowed directly from the pagans and not the Bible! Rather than accept the fact that Jesus is uncreated God, they are happier teaching a type of polytheism, know as Henotheism. In fact you will be shocked by what you will read on this page about what Jehovah's Witnesses believe about their vast universe of created gods, and it is all true! For starters look very closely at the quote at the top of the page. 5. The key to grasping Henotheism, is not to think in terms of whether a god is "true or false god", but in terms of whether YHWH has approved the use of the title "god" for the individual. For example, YHWH is called the "only true God", but that doesn’t phase Henotheists because they will say YHWH is the only true God, and still call Jesus, angels and Moses "Gods". The Trinitarian must focus on the apostate concept that God openly approves calling Jesus, angels and Moses "Gods". The wear the divine title with divine approval. However, the Devil, demons and some men, wear the divine name of God without divine approval, therefore they are false gods!
Watchtower Henotheism… as JWs teach it. God of Gods
True vs false gods
Definite, indefinite article
Divine approval to be called a god?
YHWH class of god
Almighty god
True god
The God
Yes, he is YHWH
Jesus class of god
mighty god
god
a god
Yes, YHWH approves
Angelic class of god
lower god
god
a god
Yes, YHWH approves
Human class of god
lower gods
god
a god
Yes, YHWH approves
Devil, demon class of god
not god
false god
a god
No, YHWH disapproves
Idol class of god
not god
false god
a god
No, YHWH disapproves
I. Jehovah's Witness Henotheistic system of Gods
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A. Master summary of abused texts used by Jehovah's Witnesses to teach Henotheism: 1. Primary catalogue of verses Jehovah's Witnesses use to teach their apostate Henotheism doctrine: Gen 14:22; Ex 15:11; 18:11; 20:3; Lev 17:7; Deut 3:24; 10:17; 31:18; 32:17,21; 37:19; Josh 22:22; 24:2; 1 Sam 5:7; 1 Ki 11:5; 22:19-23; 1 Chron 16:25; 2 Chron 2:5; 13:9; 18:21-22; Ps 86:8; 95:3; 96:5; 97:9; 106:37; 136:2; 135:5; Daniel 1:2; 2:47; 11:36; Jeremiah 2:11; 5:7; 16:20; Isa 14:12-14; 41:23-24, 29; Acts 17:16-23; 1 Cor 8:4; 10:19-20; Gal 1:8; 4:8; Col 2:18; 2 Thess 2:4; 1 Ti 4:1-2; Rev 9:20; 16:13-14; 18:2 2. General references about forsaking YHWH and worshipping other gods that Jehovah's Witnesses use to prove their apostate Henotheism doctrine: Ex 23:13; Josh 24:2,16; Deut 31:20; Judg 2:12,17,19; 10:13; 1 Sam 8:5; 26:19; 1 Ki 9:6,7; 11:4,10; 14:9; 2 Ki 5:17; 17:35,37,38; 22:17; 2Chr 7:19,22; 28:25; 34:25; Jer 1:16; Hos 3:1 3. Abused texts Jehovah's Witnesses (wrongly) say that YHWH confers with other gods for council: Father + Jesus alone: Gen 1:26; "host of heaven" includes angels: 1 Ki 22:19-23; 2 Chron 18:18-22; "Lord of hosts" includes angels includes angels: Isa 6:1-11. B. Categorical summary of abused texts used by Jehovah's Witnesses to teach Henotheism: 1. Jesus Christ is God: Jn 1:1; 20:28; Heb 1:6,8 2. Angels are gods: Ps 97:7 + Heb 1:6; Ps 8:5 + Heb 2:7; Job 20:15 in LXX; Theophanies: Gen 18:1,22;19:1,13 3. "Sons of God" are gods: Gen 6:2,4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Ps 29:1-2; 89:6. 4. Satan is a "god of this world" 2 Cor 4:4 5. Demons are gods: 1 Cor 10:20; Gal 4:8 6. Men are called "gods": Ex 4:16; 7:1; 22:8-9; Ps 82:6 + Jn 10:33; Ezek 32:21; 28:2,9; Acts 12:22 7. Wooden Idols are gods: Ex 32:1,4,8,23,31; Judges 8:33; 11:24; 16:23; 2 Ki 1:2-3; 19:37
C. Typical "Watchtower type" Henotheism chart: 1. Here is what Jehovah's Witnesses believe from their own mouth: " Does not Jesus’ own use of the Bible show there are other ‘gods’ or degrees of being ‘god’?" (Jehovah’s Witness statement) Well actually, no! there are no degrees of being God. You are either God or you are not! The Bible doesn’t teach that! 2. Here is a list of creatures called god chart used by Arians to prove Jesus is a creature. 3. The chart is riddled with huge errors that only Jehovah's Witnesses are too blind to admit. 4. The expression, " God of gods" Duet 10:17 means, "God of all wooden idols that men falsely think is god". It does not mean, "God of all other gods that YHWH created like, Jesus, angels, devil, man." 5. The " Almighty God" applied to the Father, and the lower sounding "mighty god" applied to the son, sounds convincing to the neophyte, until they learn that the Father is also called "mighty god" in the very next
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chapter: Isa 10:21 and in Jer 32:18. If there was really a true distinction based upon these terms, they would be exclusive terms. The truth is, both terms mean the same thing: "Almighty God = mighty God". 6. Jehovah's Witnesses argue that that the lack of the definite article before "God" in Jn 1:1c proves Jesus is a lower ranking " a god", not THE God. They translate it in their sectarian paraphrase (the New World translation), "and the word was a god". They are so convinced the Watchtower is a "guiding light from God", that they will actually change the text of the Bible to teach their Henotheism! But it gets worse. Jesus is called THE God with the definite article, in Jn 20:28 and Heb 1:6,8. But it still gets worse again, because 6 other times in John chapter 1, the Father is also called "God" without the definite article. If the Watchtower had any integrity, they would be consistent and translate any passage without the definite article as "a god". It is sad the Watchtower organization hides these basic facts from their followers. See a full discussion about Jn 1:1 and the Watchtower "a god" mistranslation. 7. The contention that Jesus is actually a created angel called Michael, is impossible, since the Bible outright states Jesus is not an angel: Heb 1:5,13. In the middle of these two passages is v7 where, the angels are commanded to worship Jesus. So the sequence is this: 1. Jesus is not an angel. (v5) 2. Angels worship Jesus. (v7) 3. Jesus is not an angel. (v13)
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II. Henotheism refuted: A. Jesus Christ is called THE God: 1. Jn 1:1; 20:28. Jehovah's Witnesses argue that that the lack of the definite article before "God" in Jn 1:1 proves Jesus is merely "a god", not THE God. 2. However, 6 other times in John chapter 1, the Father is also called without the definite article and Jesus is called God with the definite article, in Jn 20:28 and Heb 1:6,8. It is sad the Watchtower organization hides this fact from their followers. 3. There is no way to make Jesus into a lower ranking "demi-god" except by reading the Watchtower without the Bible.
B. Angels are never called "gods":
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1. No where in the Bible are angels called gods. 2. Worshipping of angels is condemned: Col 2:18. 3. Gal 1:8 warns that angels, like demons, can become agents of false doctrine: "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! " (Galatians 1:8) 4. Even if angels were called "gods" (they never are) it would still not prove the Jehovah's Witness Henotheism because the word "elohim" (god) means "mighty ones" is used in a wide variety of ways. 5. The best argument Jehovah's Witnesses can use is by claiming a direct one for one correspondence between two sets of passages: (Psalm 97:6 = Heb 1:6) and (Psalm 8:5 = Heb 2:7). Although New Testament quotations of Old Testament passages are always inspired commentaries, there are many examples of where a "one for one" correspondence is impossible. In fact the Holy Spirit went out of His way to make sure we would not directly equate angels with the word elohim (god) in these two passages. 6. There are many examples of where a direct "one-for-one" correspondence is demanded, like the many places where YHWH is applied directly to Jesus in the New Testament. These present a consistent and powerful pattern without exceptions or variation. Two passages are not sufficient as evidence of a pattern. So, not only is there no pattern in Psalm 97:6 = Heb 1:6 and Psalm 8:5 = Heb 2:7, but the two passages hopelessly contradict each other when taken as a direct "one-for-one" correspondence. 7. The above facts alone, powerfully remove the stock answer Jehovah's Witnesses give to prove Jesus is a "created demi-god" when they say, "Angels are called gods too"! 8. Psalm 97:6 = Heb 1:6: Angels are equated to the many pagan idol gods (elohim) and not YHWH in Ps 97:7 ("Worship Him, all you [idol] gods") which is rendered "angels" in Heb. 1:6. ("let all the [good] angels of God worship Him") The point is that they are no more gods than wooden idols and instead of being worshipped by man as "demons", they are commanded to offer divine worship to a man by the name of Jesus Christ. This is most profound and sends Jehovah's Witnesses into a tail spin when they try to appeal to this as a proof text that "angels are gods". While demons have deceived men into worshipping them, now the tables are turned and demons are commanded to worship a man called Jesus Christ, who is the creator Himself… God incarnate. So powerful is this fact, that Jehovah's Witnesses are forced to redefine the word "worship" in a difference sense than worshipping God. Of course it is all lies and deception, for the word worship is never used in the New Testament, except divine worship. You cannot say that Heb 1:6 is a direct inspired commentary on exactly what Ps 97:7 is saying. Ps 97:7 is really a specific reference wooden idols (perhaps demons behind idol worship, that excludes good angels like Michael and Gabriel) and Heb 1:6 is a specific reference to good angels like Michael and Gabriel. 9. Psalm 8:5 = Heb 2:7: Angels are equated with God (YHWH) himself in Psalm 8:5, which is rendered "angels" in Heb 2:7. David's whole point in the Psalm, is that he marveled how high a position God has placed man above creation... just a little lower than the creator. Hebrews, on the other hand, in chapter two is emphasizing how low Christ was during the incarnation. So Ps 8:5 and Heb 2:7 are actually approaching humanities rank from two different directions! Again, (like Ps 97:6 = Heb 1:6) you cannot make a direct "one for one" correspondence between Ps 8:5 and Heb 2:7 to prove angels are "gods" of a lower order than the Father.
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This is clearly impossible because such a direct correspondence would prove YHWH is a lower ranking created angel! 10. The translators of the LXX (Septuagint, 250 BC) replaced the Hebrew word for "God" (elohim and el) in five different texts with "Angels". This is most curious indeed. "Elohim" replaced with Angellos in LXX in these four places: Gen 6:2; Job 38:7 "angels of God" in lxx instead of "sons of God". And Ps 97:7 (Ps 96:7 LXX) "Let all the angels worship him" and Ps 138:1 (Ps 137:1 LXX) "I will sing praises to You before the gods." "El" was replaced with Angellos in LXX in Job 20:15 "He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God (angels LXX) will expel them from his belly." The Codex Alexandrius replaces "El" with "Angel of death". 11. Summary of why a "one for one" correspondence is impossible:
Ps 97:6 + Heb 1:6
Ps 97:6 god = wooden idols
Heb 1:6 angels are wooden idols?
Ps 8:5 + Heb 2:7
Ps 8:5 God = YHWH
Heb 2:7 angels are YHWH?
C. "Sons of God" never called "gods" 1. "Sons of God" are never called god. 2. This collection of passages gives no evidence at all to prove there are others, beside YHWH who are called God. The Jehovah's Witnesses argument rests entirely on stating: "Hey, if you are the son of a snake, you are a literal snake! If you are the son of God, you are a literal god!" Such reasoning is as wrong as it is illogical. There are so many reasons why it is wrong, we need not even discuss them. 3. In Lk 3:38 Adam is called the "son of God" at the end of the genealogy of Christ. Does that mean men should go around rightly calling themselves "gods"? Of course not! 4. There are historically many interpretations of these Old Testament "sons of God" passages: "Sons of elohim": passages (elohim): Ge 6:2,4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; "sons of el" passages: Ps 29:1-2; 89:6. (Gen 6:2; Job 38:7 "angels of elohim" in LXX instead of "sons of elohim".) Some view the "sons of God" as men, others view them as spirit beings like angels or demons. We must take note that none of the various interpretations give any proof to Henotheism or the Jehovah's Witness "system of gods".
D. Manmade wooden idols are called "gods": 1. Idols are called god but they in fact are not even persons, but chunks of wood and metal. The devil is a person and is also called a god. Both idols and the devil are called gods in exactly the same way: a figure of speech. Neither idols or the devil are really gods at all.
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2. Various manmade idols in the Bible: golden calf: Ex 32:1,4,8,23,31; Baal-berith: Judges 8:33, Chemosh: Judges 11:24; Dagon: Judges 16:23; Baal-zebub: 2 Kings 1:2-3; Nisroch: 2 Kings 19:37; Ashtoreth the goddess and Milcom: 1 Kings 11:5 3. It is clear that although idols that are not persons, they called gods in a symbolic way, just as the devil is called the "god of this world". a) "Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of what are no gods. " (2 Chronicles 13:9) b) "For all the gods of the peoples are idols" (Psalm 96:5) c) "he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. " (Daniel 1:2) d) "Has a nation changed gods When they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit. " (Jeremiah 2:11) e) "Why should I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods." (Jeremiah 5:7) f) "Can man make gods for himself? Yet they are not gods! " (Jeremiah 16:20) g) "So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, "It is good"; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter... Declare the things that are going to come afterward, That we may know that you are gods; Indeed, do good or evil, that we may anxiously look about us and fear together. Behold, you are of no account, And your work amounts to nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination. " (Isaiah 41:7,23-24) h) "Behold, all of them are false; Their works are worthless, Their molten images are wind and emptiness." (Isaiah 41:29) i) "Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. " (1 Corinthians 8:4) j) "However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. " (Galatians 4:8)
E. Satan is called the "god of this world" 2 Cor 4:4 1. Ok, finally, a passage that actually calls someone (a real person that thinks) a god other than YHWH! We admit that the devil is called a god!
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2. Jehovah's Witnesses and other Henotheists use this sole passage to fill in that much needed little place on their " list of creatures called god chart" under the section "Satan is a god". On the surface having the Devil called God, seems to support the overall message in the chart, but this is a false conclusion. 3. So now we need to make a choice. When the Devil is called a god, should we interpret this to support the Jehovah's Witnesses henotheism or is it exactly like Phil 3:19 where it calls the human stomach a GOD! " whose god is their belly" (Phil 3:19). Here the Greek word for belly, is the common word for stomach. Defined as: "belly, the viscera of the body, including entire digestive and expulsion system." (J. Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek, 1997) 4. But it even gets worse for Jehovah's Witnesses in their efforts to find support for Henotheism in scripture. As we will see below, wooden idols are also called "gods" many times. These no more exist as gods than the devil does as a god. It is figurative language that Henotheists take literally. 5. Christadelphians find it more difficult to argue Jesus is a mere created god, based upon their claim that "men and angels" are also called god in scripture. This is because Christadelphians view the devil and the Holy Spirit the same way Jehovah's Witnesses view the Holy Spirit: as mere personification of good and evil. Since Christadelphians do not literally believe in either the devil or the Holy spirit as persons, they are forced to admit that the lone passage where the devil is called a god (2 Cor 4:4) is to be classed as figurative language like idols are called gods. 6. The devil is the real recipient of idol worship and the Bible comes right out and says that although they are called gods by men, they are really not gods at all! 1 Cor. 10:20; Gal. 4:8
F. One passage that calls men "gods" 1. Men and God are contrasted as different and opposite: Num. 23:19; Isa. 31:3; Ezek. 28:2,9; Hosea 11:9; John 10:33. 2. Henotheists love to quote Exodus 22:8-9 as a passage that calls men God. But a closer look shows that most translators have caused unnecessary confusion by translating "Elohim" as "judges". In stead of the text reading: "both parties shall come before the judges [elohim] ; he whom the judges [elohim] condemn shall pay double to his neighbor", it literally reads: : "both parties shall come before God [elohim] ; he whom God [elohim] condemns shall pay double to his neighbor". Remember Elohim is used of YHWH over 2606x in the Old Testament. When we compare Deut 19:17 it becomes clear that "God" not "judges" is the proper translation: "then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord [YHWH], before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days. " (Deut 19:17) and "then his master shall bring him to God [elohim]" (Ex 21:6). Here we can even see that God and judges are differentiated. It also proves that God is the ultimate judge the parties are standing before! At the end of the chapter, the judges are differentiated from God: "You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people. " (Ex 22:28) This proves the translation of "elohim" as judges is unwarranted and wrong. These judges are not called gods in Exodus 22:8-9. 3. In Ex 4:16; 7:1 Moses is not called "a god" but was "like God" or "as God". Christians are also to be like God, but that does not make us God.
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4. The favorite text of Henotheists like Jehovah’s Witnesses is John 10:33 that quotes Ps 82:6. Click here fore a full discussion on why this passage cannot be used to support the idea that Jesus is a created lower ranking god than the father. Men are called "gods" in Ps 82:6; Jn 10:33 in exactly the same way Moses was made "as God" to pharaoh in Ex 4:16; 7:1. God does call the wicked judges "gods", but that should be directly compared to Ex 4:16; 7:1, where Moses was made "as God", not called Gods. So calling the wicked judges gods in Ps 82:6, means they were made to represent God Almighty, not that they were really gods at all. According to the logic of Jehovah's Witnesses, since human judges that were commissioned by God, can be called "gods", so also can Jesus be called a "god". But it has escaped their notice that since God has commissioned Jehovah's Witnesses to knock on doors, that they too can, with equal authority as the judges and Jesus, call themselves "a god". "Knock, knock." "Who is there?" "a god" "a god who?" I am here to make a god out of you"! 5. Men are called gods: In Ezek 32:21; 28:2,9 in the same way Caesar or Herod in Acts 12:22 was considered a god. This is an example of men calling men gods, which is common throughout history, but is no scriptural support for Henotheism of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 6. Catalogue of passages of men being worshipped as god: b) Here a man who was worshipped as god like the emperors of China, Japan and the Caesars of ancient Rome: "Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God, "Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods In the heart of the seas’; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God. … Will you still say, "I am a god," In the presence of your slayer, Though you are a man and not God, In the hands of those who wound you?" (Ezek 28:2,9) a) Here is a dead man who was called "god" by other men while alive on earth: "The strong [literally: Hebrew "el" god. ie. the king who demanded to be called a god] among the mighty ones [the kings most valiant men of war] shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ " (Ezek 32:21) d) The king of Babylon v4, not the devil. Lucifer v12 means "shining one" [correctly translated "star"] and is not the name of the devil: "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! "But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ " (Isaiah 14:12-14) e) "Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. " (Daniel 11:36) f) Probably a prophecy of the pope, who actually applies every divine title in the Bible to himself! "who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship,
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so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. " (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
III. Roadmap into the mind of a Jehovah's Witness: You simply will not believe the wild manner that all Jehovah's Witnesses think. You will read the passage and naturally come to the correct conclusions. But Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Watchtower magazine is a revelation of God on a weekly basis, and their mind is twisted into knots. Here is a road map to how a Jehovah's Witness interprets various passages. Put your seat belt on… this is going to be a wild ride! A. When the Bible says that God is "Most high" a Jehovah's Witnesses thinks: "God is most high over other gods He created of lower rank and power". Truth: God is "the most high God, the all powerful God, the almighty God, no other God’s exists except YHWH". 1. "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High [over other lower ranking gods of less power that I created] possessor of heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:22) 2. "But I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they will do, for they will turn to other gods [which I created to have a lower rank and power than Me]" (Deuteronomy 31:18) 3. " The Mighty One, God, the Lord, the Mighty One, God, the Lord! [since there are other gods YHWH created that are not as mighty]" (Joshua 22:22) B. When the Bible says that "God is Greater than all the gods" a Jehovah's Witness thinks: "God is greater than all the other lesser ranking gods like Jesus, angels, men, the devil which God created". Truth: "God is Greater than all the gods, because wooden idols cannot speak. No other God’s exists except YHWH". Ps 96:4-5 fully refutes Henotheism because it actually identifies the "other gods" to be wooden idols, not Jesus, angels and men. "God is to be feared above all gods . For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. " (Ps 96:4-5) 1. "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods [of less rank like Angels, men and Jesus]" (Ex 18:11) 2. "Who is like You among the [other] gods [that you created like the Angels, Jesus and man], O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?" (Ex 15:11) Ministry Of Grace E-Books Resources
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3. Ten Commandments: "You shall have no other gods before Me [even though I created them and I call them gods. You need to learn that I am the only one who is called God you can worship and serve. Yes there are other gods, but you need to learn not to worship them. If you can learn this, then one day you will be a god too!]" (Ex 20:3) 4. " what god [of less rank like Angels, men and Jesus which YHWH created] is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? " (Deuteronomy 3:24) 5. "For the Lord your God is the God of [all the other created] gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty." (Deuteronomy 10:17) 6. "For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods [like Jesus, men and angels]. " (1 Chronicles 16:25) 7. "The house which I am about to build will be great, for greater is our God than all the gods [like Jesus, men and angels]." (2 Chronicles 2:5) 8. "There is no one like You among the gods [ie. Jesus, men and angels], O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. " (Psalm 86:8) 9. "For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods [ie. Jesus, men and angels]" (Psalm 95:3) 10. "For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all [other created] gods [like Jesus, men and angels]" (Psalm 97:9) 11. "Give thanks to the God of [all those other creatures YHWH made and called] gods" (Psalm 136:2) 12. "For I know that the Lord is great And that our Lord is above all gods [like Jesus, men and angels]." (Psalm 135:5) 13. "The king answered Daniel and said, "Surely your
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God is a God of [the other] gods [like Jesus, men and angels] and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery." (Daniel 2:47) 14. "Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every [other created] god [that YHWH made like Jesus, men and angels] and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. " (Daniel 11:36) C. The Devil and Demons are self appointed gods in rebellion to YHWH. 1. "They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations." (Leviticus 17:7) 2. "They sacrificed to demons who were not God, To gods whom they have not known, New gods who came lately, Whom your fathers did not dread. " (Deuteronomy 32:17) 3. "‘They have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols." (Deuteronomy 32:21) 4. "Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear 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 and on His left. "The Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. "Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ "The Lord said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.’ "Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the Lord has proclaimed disaster against you." " (1 Kings 22:19-23) 5. "He said, ‘I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and prevail also. Go and do so.’ "Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of these your prophets, for the Lord has proclaimed disaster against you." " (2 Chronicles 18:21-22) 6. "They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, " (Psalm 106:37)
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7. "Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would this idle babbler wish to say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities [lit: demons],"—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean." (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.) So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious [lit: demonworshipful] in all respects. "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. " (Acts 17:16-23) 8. "What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. " (1 Corinthians 10:19-20) 9. "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1-2) 10. "The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; " (Revelation 9:20) 11. "And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. " (Revelation 16:13-14) 12. "And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. " (Revelation 18:2)
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False dilemmas and the Trinity (Logical fallacies) "The horns of the dilemma" God is all powerful: Can God create a rock so large he cannot lift it? Anti-Trinitarian false dilemmas usually involve two corrects facts that force an invalid conclusion. Jesus: "The Divine Man" 1. God is Invisible, Jesus was visible 2. God is Immutable (unchangeable), Jesus changed forms 3. God in not a man, Jesus was a man 4. God is a Spirit, Jesus was flesh and bones 5. God doesn’t Pray, Jesus prayed 6. God Submits to no one, Jesus submitted to God 7. God is Immortal, Jesus died 8. God is Impeccable (impossibility of sin), Jesus overcame temptation 9. God is Untemptable, Jesus was tempted 10. God is Omnipotent (all-powerful), Jesus couldn’t carry cross. 11. God is Omni-present (everywhere), Jesus existed in body of flesh. 12. God is Omniscient (all knowing), Jesus learned 13. God is Tirelessness, Jesus slept When Jehovah’s Witnesses deceptively try to prove Jesus cannot be God with the following false dilemma, "God is not a man, Jesus was a Man, Jesus cannot be God." Simply answer them, "Angels are not men, Jesus was a man, Jesus cannot be an angel."
Definition: False dilemmas are errors in logic where you falsely prove something to appear true, based upon one or two initial correct facts. A limited number of options (usually two) is given, while in reality there is a third option. A false dilemma is an illegitimate use of the "or" operator where an individual is forced into making only one of two choices that are put into "black or white", when gray is the real answer! Remember, the initial facts are true, it is the conclusion that is invalid! This is why they are called "The horns of the dilemma" or "being caught between a rock and a hard place". Examples: "Either you're for me or against me.", "Every person is either wholly good or wholly evil.", "Yes or no: Have you stopped smoking pot?" Solution: Identify the options given and show (with an example) that there is an additional option.
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"The dilemma is one of the oldest known rhetorical forms. As a method of refutation, it consists in reducing an issue to an alternative, then showing that both members (or, "horns of the dilemma") are untenable. Essential to such an argument, the "horns" presented must include all possibilities in the case. A different form of the dilemma, the "either-or" argument, likewise has this requirement: when we offer an "either-or" choice, there must be no third choice available. But false dilemmas are often offered to pressure one into accepting an obviously false position, or the one advocated by the argument maker. "You must either use our product or the inferior "Brand X." No, there are brands Y., Z., etc., to consider. And even when the choice is apparently all-inclusive, the fallacy may lie in the definition given the attractive place. We are not suggesting that every one must study logic or rules of argumentation. It will be enough if we can encourage more independent thinking; with scripture searching as our background, and genuine desire to serve the Lord as our motive." (Jim Everett) Constantine in 350 AD, discusses false dilemmas! "In this passage, however, where the argument is about the resurrection, both the law of the inference is valid, and the conclusion arrived at is true. But in the case of false conclusions, too, there is a validity of inference in some such way as the following. Let us suppose some man to have admitted: If a snail is an animal, it has a voice. This being admitted, then, when it has been proved that the snail has no voice, it follows (since when the consequent is proved false, the antecedent is also false) that the snail is not an animal. Now this conclusion is false, but it is a true and valid inference from the false admission. Thus, the truth of a statement stands on its own merits; the validity of an inference depends on the statement or the admission of the man with whom one is arguing. And thus, as I said above, a false inference may be drawn by a valid process of reasoning, in order that he whose error we wish to correct may be sorry that he has admitted the antecedent, when he sees that its logical consequences are utterly untenable. And hence it is easy to understand that as the inferences may be valid where the opinions are false, so the inferences may be unsound where the opinions are true. For example, suppose that a man propounds the statement, "If this man is just, he is good," and we admit its truth. Then he adds, "But he is not just;" and when we admit this too, he draws the conclusion, "Therefore he is not good." Now although every one of these statements may be true, still the principle of the inference is unsound. For it is not true that, as when the consequent is proved false the antecedent is also false, so when the antecedent is proved false the consequent is false. For the statement is true, "If he is an orator, he is a man." But if we add, "He is not an orator," the consequence does not follow, "He is not a man."" (Augustine, Book 2, Chapter 33.-False Inferences May Be Drawn from Valid Reasonings, and Vice Versa.) Atheist’s false dilemmas: 1. If God can do anything, (Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27) why can’t he create a rock so big that he cannot lift it? 2. If God can do anything, (Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27) and the God says man can do anything, (Gen 11:6) then man is god! 3. If God can to anything, (Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27) but the Bible says it is impossible for God to lie, (Heb 6:18) then God isn’t God! Calvinist false dilemmas on the plan of salvation: 1. God knows everything, therefore man’s life is pre-destined: God already had a master "lost and saved" lists before creation.
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2. Man cannot save himself without God’s help, therefore, man can do nothing to be saved: baptism not essential 3. God is in control of everything, therefore, man has no free will. Anti-Trinitarian false dilemmas: Anti-Trinitarian false dilemmas usually involve two corrects facts that force an invalid conclusion. Notice that the first two statements (1. and 2.) in each of the false dilemmas below are true. It is the conclusion (3.) that is invalid. Arians are notorious at proving their false doctrine by using false dilemmas. Remember the devil is a deceiver. When an Arian uses a false dilemmas, merely use one back at them to show their logic is false. Here is an example:
If a Jehovah’s Witness says: 1. God is a spirit that does not have flesh and bones 2. Jesus denied he was a spirit and did have flesh and bones 3. Jesus is not God, but a created angel Michael. (Correct answer is: The incarnation of Jesus is where God took on the essence of one of His creatures, while remaining fully God) Reply to Jehovah’s Witnesses with this: 1. Angels are spirit that do not have flesh and bones 2. Jesus denied he was a spirit and did have flesh and bones 3. Jesus cannot be a created angel called Michael. (Correct answer: Jesus cannot be an angel because he had flesh and bones, but because Heb 1:5 openly states that Jesus is not an angel.)
Beware: Jehovah’s Witness will defeat Trinitarians who use false dilemmas to prove Jesus could not have sinned: If a Trinitarian says to prove Jesus could not have been tempted or sinned: 1. God cannot be tempted. Jas 1:13 2. Jesus was God. 3. Therefore Jesus was not tempted as a man. Jehovah’s Witnesses will counter with this equally false dilemma: 1. God cannot be tempted. Jas 1:13 2. Jesus was tempted.
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3. Jesus cannot be God. Of course the correct answer to both the false dilemmas above, is that the incarnation created a special circumstance, wherein God became flesh and allowed Himself to be tempted exactly as a man is, yet without sin. Jesus was both God and was tempted exactly as a man. Both conclusions are equally false.
Here is a collection of false dilemmas: Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God Cannot be tempted, sin or lie: Jas 1:13; Heb 6:17-18
1) God cannot be tempted.
1. Jesus is God
1. God cannot be tempted.
1. Jesus is God
2. Jesus was tempted: Heb 2
2) Father was tempted (Mal 3:15). 3) Father isn't God.
2. Jesus was tempted: Heb 2 3. God can be tempted
3. Jesus isn't divine
2. Man will not be tempted in heaven 3. Man will become God.
(Atheism) (Arianism)
2. God cannot be tempted. 3. Jesus wasn’t tempted (Apollinarianism)
(Mormonism)
Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. No Man Seen God 1 Ti 1:17; 6:16; Col 1:15
1) No man has seen God.
1. Jesus is God
1. God has a distinct form (Phil 2:6)
1. Jesus is God
2. Yet John Saw Jesus And Bear Record: Jn 1:34 3. Jesus isn't divine.
2) Nadab, Abihu and the elders of Israel saw God (Ex 24:10) and When men saw Jesus, they saw God (John 14:9)
2. Jesus was seen by men: Jn 1:34 3. God is not invisible (Atheism)
2. God is invisible 2. Man will become conformed to God’s form. 3. Man will become God
3. Jesus only appeared to be human. (Docetism)
(Arianism)
3) Neither Jesus nor the Father is God.
Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God is not a man.
1. God is not a man.
1. Jesus is God
1. God is not a man.
1. Jesus is God
(Mormonism)
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2. God has breasts and a womb: Deut. 32:11-12; Deut. 32:18; Ps. 131:2-3; Isa. 66:13; Hos. 13:8; Mt 23:37
2. Jesus was a man
2. We will no longer be men in heaven.
3. Man is his own God
3. We will be God
(Atheism)
(Mormonism)
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2. God is not a man 3. Jesus wasn’t really a man, he just appeared that way. (Docetism)
3. God is a woman Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God Is Spirit that does not have flesh and bones: Jn 4:24; Lk 24:39
1. God doesn’t have flesh and bones.
1. Jesus is God
1. God is a Spirit that doesn’t have flesh and bones.
1. Jesus is God
2. Yet Jesus Made Of Woman, Flesh & Bones Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14
2. Father has ears, face, arms, legs, hands, eyes, mouth, breasts. Isa 59:1-2
2. Jesus Made Of Woman, Flesh & Bones Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14
2. Man will be a spirit without flesh and bones in heaven.
3. God Is not a Spirit 3. Father is not God (Atheism)
3. Man will become God
2. God, a Spirit, has no flesh and bones. 3. Jesus only appeared to have flesh and bones (Gnosticism)
3. Jesus wasn't divine (Mormonism) (Arianism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God is all Knowing I Sam 2:3; Jer 23:24; Ps 147:5
1) God is all knowing.
1. Jesus is God
1. God knows all things.
1. Jesus is God
2. Yet Jesus Learned Obedience/Increased In Wisdom Heb 5:8; Lk 2:52, and didn’t know the time of second coming 3. Jesus isn't divine
2) God acknowledged that he now knew what he didn't know about Abraham previously. (Gen. 22:12), and the Holy Spirit didn’t know the time of the second coming
2. Jesus Learned Obedience/Increased In Wisdom Heb 5:8; Lk 2:52, and didn’t know the time of second coming. 3. God is not all Knowing
2. Man will know all things in heaven. 3. Man will become God. (Mormonism)
2. God knows everything. 3. Jesus was only playing dumb when he was a child, and faking it, when he learned obedience. (Docetism, Nestorianism)
(Atheism)
(Arianism) 3) Therefore, neither the Father or the Holy Spirit are God. Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
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Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
www.Ministry-Of-Grace.Org 1. God is immutable: "I Change Not" Mal 3:6; Heb 6:17-18 2. Yet Jesus changed by becoming a man 3. Jesus isn't divine (Arianism)
1. "Jehovah is not a man that He should change His mind." 1 Sam 15:29
1. Jesus is God
2. Yet God changed his mind: Num 14:12,20
3. God Changes
2. Jesus changed by becoming a man
(Atheism)
3. Therefore God is not God.
1. God doesn’t change 2. Man will never change again, once in heaven. 3. Man will become God
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1. Jesus is God 2. God doesn’t change. 3. Jesus only appeared to be a man. (Gnosticism)
(Mormonism)
Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God is in control of everything
1. God is in control of everything.
1. Jesus is God
1. God is in control of everything.
1. Jesus is God
2. Jesus took directions from God
2. Father is unable to keep man from sinning.
3. Jesus is not divine (Arianism)
2. Jesus relied on Father for directions. 3. God is not in control of everything.
3. Father isn’t God
2. Man will control everything in heaven. 3. Man will become God
2. God controls himself 3. Jesus only appeared to submit to the Father.
(Atheism) (Gnosticism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God Alone Hath Immortality 1 Ti 6:13-15
1. God is immortal
1. Jesus is God
1) God alone has immortality.
1. Jesus is God
2. Father is dead to sin.
2. Yet Jesus Lived And Was Dead
3. Father isn’t God.
3. God isn't Immortal
2. Yet Jesus Lived And Was Dead 3. Jesus isn't divine
(Atheism)
2) Man will have immorality (1 Cor. 15:54)
2. Jehovah is immortal.
(Mormonism)
3. Jesus (Jehovah) didn’t actually die on the cross, his human spirit died. (UPC Modalism, Nestorianism )
3) Man will become God.
(Arianism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. It is impossible for God to sin
1. God is sinless
1. Jesus is God
1. God cannot sin
1. Jesus is God
2. Father repented of evil thoughts: Ex
2. Jesus could have sinned
2. Man cannot sin in heaven
2. God cannot sin
2. Jesus could have
3. Jesus couldn’t have
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32:10,14
3. God can sin
3. Jesus wasn't divine
3. God isn’t God
(Atheism)
3. man will become God
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sinned (Apollinarianism)
(Mormonism) (Arianism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God is all powerful
1. God is all powerful
1. Jesus is God
1. God is all-powerful
1. Jesus is God
2. Jesus fell under the weight of the cross and said the "Father is greater than I" Jn 14:28
2. God couldn’t stop the devil from sinning.
2. Jesus fell under the weight of the cross.
2. Adam became like God: Gen 3:6
2. God is all powerful
3. God is not all powerful
3. Man is allpowerful now.
(Atheism)
(Mormonism)
3. Father isn’t God
3. Jesus isn’t divine
3. Jesus only "faked" when he couldn’t walk as an infant and "play acted" when he fell under the weight of the cross.
(Arianism) (Apollinarianism, Nestorianism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God is everywhere. (Omni-present) Ps 139:7-12
1. God is everywhere
1. Jesus is God
1. God is Omnipresent
1. Jesus is God.
2. Many left the "presence of the Lord" Gen 3:9; 4:16; Job 1:12; 2:7; 2 Thess 1:9
2. Jesus was standing in one place. Father resides in heaven and the devil left Father’s presence.
3. Father isn’t God
3. God is not everywhere. (Omnipresent)
2. Jesus was standing in one place. 3. Jesus isn’t divine (Arianism)
2. Adam became like God: Gen 3:6
2. God is everywhere. (Omni-present)
3. Man is Omnipresent now.
3. Jesus wasn’t really confined to human flesh.
(Mormonism)
(Sabellianism)
(Atheism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. "Only God is good."
1. "Only God is good." Mk 10:18
1. Jesus is God.
1. Only God is good.
1. Jesus is God
2. Father had evil thoughts: Ex 32:10,14
2. Jesus said "Only God is good." Mk 10:18
2. Man will be good in heaven.
2. Only God is good.
2. Jesus said this: Mk 10:18
3. Jesus is the Father 3. Man will become
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3. Father isn’t God.
(Arianism)
3. God isn’t good.
like God.
(Atheism)
(Mormonism)
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(Modalistic monarchianism)
Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God doesn’t need to pray for requests or help from others or depend on anyone for life.
1. God doesn’t need to ask for anyone’s help.
1. Jesus is God.
1. God doesn’t need to pray.
1. Jesus is God
2. Jesus prayed to God for help and made requests and Jesus relied on food, water and air for life.
2. Father asked Isaiah to do something for him. Isa 6. and needed Jesus to die on the cross to save man.
2. Jesus prayed for help.
2. We will not pray to God in heaven.
3. God needs help. 3. We will be God. (Atheism) (Mormonism)
3. Father isn’t God
2. God doesn’t pray for help. 3. Jesus was praying to himself: The human Jesus was talking to divine Jesus. (Nestorianism)
3. Jesus isn’t divine. (Arianism) Jesus Isn’t God
Father isn’t God
God is a man
Man is God
Jesus wasn’t man
1. God never grows weary and tires: Isa 40:28
1. God never grows weary.
1. Jesus is God
1. God never grows weary.
1. Jesus is God
2. Jesus slept.
2. Jesus slept 2. Father "rested on the 7th day and was refreshed"
3. Jesus isn’t divine
3. God grows tired (Atheism)
2. We will be like God in heaven. 3. We will be God
3. Father isn’t God. (Arianism)
2. God doesn’t grow weary. 3. Jesus only made it appear he needed rest when he slept.
(Mormonism) (Apollinarianism)
Six different ontological views of God Introduction: 1. Ontology is defined as: "a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being, based on visible morphological characters". 2. Obviously, when we are speaking of the ontology of God, we are looking into the hidden spirit world for which we know nothing other than what the Bible tells us.
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3. The Bible doesn't really tell us much about how God is "built". We understand that humans have a body with bones etc., but the "metaphysical structure" of God is in fact outside our ability to know. 4. The Bible, for example tells us that God is one, yet the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all called God, yet they are distinct. This has brought about numerous speculations about how we might "diagram God out on paper". 5. We really have no right to inquire about things that God has not revealed. Duet 29:29. 6. The Nicene creed, for example, tries to explain God in metaphysical terms. They debated whether Jesus had a divine or human spirit, whether Jesus was made up of the same "stuff" as the Father, or different "stuff". In fact they were trying to answer questions that went beyond what is revealed. 7. We must therefore be content to know that God is one, yet three are distinct, the Son is uncreated and the Holy Spirit is a person. Trying to "diagram God out on paper" is going beyond what is written. Let us stay within these parameters. 8. The nature of God, as a "Biblical trinity" is the single most talked about subject in history. The discussion continues today. Let us all be humble and honest when we approach this subject. 9. It may also help to keep in mind that there will always be a sliver of truth contained within each of the various views. We may never know the full story until the last day when we can all stand before God with our sketch books and compare notes to see who was closest! 10. Let us not repeat the same mistake of "going back to Nicea" but be content with simply what God has revealed, claiming we simply do not have all the answers to our many questions. Perhaps that's the way God wanted it. 11. Below, however, is an archive of various ontological views of God. They represent "sketches on paper" of the invisible God. They are likely all wrong in some regard!
Analyzing the different ontological views of God Biblical Trinity
Catholic Trinity
Monotheism
Jesus is Divine
Holy Spirit a person
God is one in unity not in number
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WCG Twinity
UPCI Modalism
JW's Arianism
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Three bodies
3 Personalities
God doesn't change form
God is a class of being of which there are three members
God is a name
A. Views of God Polytheism
Monotheism
Trinity
Twinity
Modalism
Arianism
Jesus is Divine
Holy Spirit a person
Many bodies in disunity Many personalities
Three bodies one in unity
One body in number
Jesus a creature
Holy Spirit is a thing
Two bodies one in unity
3 personalities
Holy Spirit is a person
Holy Spirit is a thing
one body in number
2 personalities
1 personality
God doesn't change form
God doesn't change form
God doesn't change form
God changes form
God doesn't change form
God is a class of being
God is a name
God is a class of being
God is a name
God is a name
Biblical Trinitarianism
Mysterious Trinitarianism
Twinity
Modalism
Arianism
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A single man has many roles: father, employee and citizen.
Egg: shell, white and yolk Apple: Peel, flesh, core
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Ozone: (O3) A molecule that has three identical oxygen atoms joined by chemical bonds.
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Water: H2O has three states depending on the temperature: liquid, solid (cold), gas (hot)
B. Illustrations of God that are best in our opinion: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Marriage: two distinct individuals, are joined as one. Class of being: deity, Mankind: Singular word for a class of being composed of many individuals. Family: Singular word comprised of many members. Organization: Singular word for a group of individuals functioning together for a common goal or purpose. 5. Church/Body: Singular word with Christ as the head and individual Christians as the body. 6. Unity: Three can be one in unity and purpose.
C. Modalism illustrations that should not be used because they erase the distinctness of each of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Egg: shell, white and yolk Apple: Peel, flesh, core Water: H2O has three states depending on the temperature: liquid, solid (cold), gas (hot) Roles: A single man has many roles: father, employee and citizen.
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