THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 55 The Godhead

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9, KJV).

Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle the devil does all he can to confuse the truth about the Godhead. Oneness Pentecostalism (also known as Apostolic Pentecostalism, Jesus' Name Pentecostalism, or the Oneness movement) is a false nontrinitarian movement that emphasizes the absolute oneness of God and the full deity of Jesus Christ. It teaches that God is a singular divine spirit—undivided and without distinction of persons—who reveals himself in various ways, including as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures below show that the Godhead consists of three separate Beings. The description in John 1:1-2 of the relationship between the "Word" (which is Jesus) and God shows that the two are separate Beings.

John 1:1-2, "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.”

The word "with" used above, indicates alongside of, or in the company of. Therefore, the Word and the Father are indicated as separate beings.

A plural noun was used in the creation account, showing involvement of more than one Being: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The Hebrew name used here for God (Elohim) is a plural noun, indicating that the word represents more than one Being.

The plural pronouns used in the following Scriptures show that there is more than one Being in the Godhead.

In Genesis 1:26, God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.... "

In Genesis 3:22, The Lord God said, “Behold, the man is become as one of Us….”

In Genesis 11:7, "The Lord said, “Go to, let Us go down….”

In Isaiah 6:8, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?"

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are manifested as being separate at Jesus' baptism: “16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16- 17).

Here we see, at one instant in time, the Godhead manifested separately by Jesus being baptized, the Holy Spirit descending as a dove, and the Father speaking from heaven.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are shown as being separate in the giving of the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Before each of the Three, in the above Scripture, the article "the" is used. The article "the" is defined as referring to "a particular person or thing." This plainly demonstrates that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit are separate beings and not merely three manifestations of one person.

Between each of the Three, the conjunction "and" is also used, which indicates alongside or together with, as well as, or in addition to.

Jesus used the Law, given by Moses, to show that He had two separate witnesses (Himself and the Father) to prove that His teachings were true. In Deuteronomy 19:15, the Law of Moses stated, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

In John 8:17-18 Jesus said: “17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” If Jesus is the same person as the Father, then the argument that He used would not have made sense.

In Jesus' prayer for oneness of believers, His use of the words "as thou" indicates that the type of relationship between Himself and the Father is NOT that of a one-being relationship.

In John 17:20-22 Jesus prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.”

We know that we are separate beings. If Jesus desires for us to be one, just as He and the Father are one, then the oneness He desires for us must be in a sense that is other than a one being relationship. Therefore, the oneness between Jesus and the Father must be in the sense of oneness in thought, purpose, aim, etc., and not a one-being relationship.

1 Timothy 2:5 shows that God and Christ Jesus are separate beings. Paul wrote, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

A mediator is one in the middle between two others (a "go-between"). God and men are separate. Therefore, Jesus must be a separate Being from God, in order for Him to be a mediator between God and men – God – mediator (Christ Jesus) – Men.

Three separate beings are indicated in Jesus' prayer to the Father for another Helper. In John 14:16-17, Jesus speaking to the apostles said, " 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter… 17 even the Spirit of truth….”

The fact that Jesus is praying to the Father shows that Jesus and the Father are separate beings. Jesus prayed for the Father to send another Comforter. The word another means, "additional or different"; therefore, another Helper would be in addition to, or different from, either the Father or Jesus. Therefore, three separate beings are seen in this prayer of Jesus – The Son praying – The Father giving another Comforter – The Comforter that will be given.

Consider these words: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14). Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered.

Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have questions or wish to comment, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).