If Jesus is God, Adore Him; if Jesus is not God … you are in serious trouble!

On October 10, 2018February 3, 2020 By pastor Pedro MontoyaIn Kingdom of God, sound doctrine, The Will of God

I and my Father are one. John 10:30

Recently someone questioned me in one of my writings about the revelation in the Bible that Jesus is God. The person obviously does not believe that Jesus is God. The experience served me not only because I was able to review and refresh the doctrine as set forth in the Bible, but also because I could see that there are so many people who find it difficult to believe it not so much because they are perverse people, and are on the margins of apostasy, but because they have not been taught about the subject.

The revelation that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh for the redemption of mankind was the central theme of the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The doctrine of Christ was preached and proclaimed from Jerusalem, and spread throughout the land known, in the early years identified as the doctrine of the apostles,[1] and over the years as such, the doctrine of Christ, which is why the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch Syria.[2]

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1^st. Timothy 3:16

The church of the Lord was built upon the testimony of the apostles having the doctrine of Christ as its foundation. The reader can find an additional summary of the theme in the post, The Doctrine of Christ.

So, seeing the importance and spiritual relevance of the doctrine of Christ, as established as a revelation of salvation to the believer, in the Bible, we intend today to establish upon the divine nature of Jesus. Jesus is God.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Many people, including believers and men and women of faith, have had difficulty assimilating Jesus as God. Although in their doctrinal confession they claim that Jesus is the Son of God, they cannot reconcile the idea that being a man can be God at the same time, or vice versa. So, we’ll start right there, knocking down that difficulty.

To be the Son of God means to be God Himself. According to human conception, a son is a fruit of the father, and a completely different being, despite similar genetic traits, behaviors, and habits; however, the designation in Jesus of the Son of God is not to distinguish in Him a different being, but to identify nature.

Notice in the text of John’s Gospel, in chapter ten, Jesus’ own testimony about his relationship with the Father:

I and my Father are one. John 10:30

If we verify in the reading of the same chapter, in the testimony of the writer who gathers the words of the Jews of the place, we see that they understand perfectly that to be Son is equivalent to being God himself,

The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. John 10:33

Jesus did not say, I am God; what He said was that He was the Son of God. The Jews understand perfectly that Jesus is attributing to Himself a divine nature.

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? John 10:36

So, to be the Son of God is being God Himself. With the use of the expression is established divine essence and nature. The reader of John’s gospel had already been notified of this, because in the very introduction of the book, the writer clearly established it,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²The same was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. ⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men. ⁵And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendedit not. John 1:1-5

This is also what we read in the text of the apostle Paul’s epistle to the Philippian community of faith,

He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. ⁷Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. ⁸He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—his death on the cross. Philippians 2:6-8 (GNT)

Nevertheless, let us continue to establish on the person of Jesus in human manifestation. Until now, many have not been able to reconcile the fact that Jesus is man and God Himself at the same time.

Let us start from the idea that Jesus is man, and that being the Son of God is by virtue of the shadow that the Holy Spirit cast over Mary, and by his sinless nature.

How can it be possible for a human being to descend –and ascend– to heaven, if until then the fate of the dead was not heaven?

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. John 3:13

The text indicates that his original place was always Heaven: which is in heaven. The text does not state that by effect of his sinless nature was that he ascended to heaven.

Another similar text that shows his ascent-descent from Heaven is found in the book of Acts of the Apostles,

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts 2:34

In Jesus’ explanation of this same text, he explained that who David refers to as Lord is the Messiah (Jesus), and not referring to himself.

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? ³⁶For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. ³⁷David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. Marks 12:35-38

Thus, Jesus is not the Son of God merely by virtue of his conception by the work of the Holy Spirit, nor does he descend – and ascend – from heaven by his sinless nature. Jesus is God.

But, what if Jesus is a son of God because he is an angel?

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews had already written about it, and established forcefully that Jesus is not an angel,

For unto which of the angels said God at any time, “Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee”? And again, “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son”? – Hebrews 1:5

The answer to the writer’s question to the Hebrews is: NO, emphatically, no angel was given such recognition by God. The writer to emphasize that Jesus is not an angel quotes a text from the book of Deuteronomy taken from the Septuagint (32:43), in which it is quoted that angels worship the Son.

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Hebrews 1:6

But if Jesus is a son of God because he is a spirit-being different from angels?

If that were so, such a spirit-being would have had to have been, first of all, a being superior to Luzbel, for the text of the prophet Ezekiel assures us that Luzbel was the seal of perfection,

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. … ¹⁴Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. ¹⁵Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Ezekiel 28:12-15

And secondly, how can a spirit-being be seated at the right hand of God?….

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalm 110:1

… how can be seated at the right hand of God, … … if we know from the Scriptures that God does not share his glory with anyone?

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8

So, NO; Jesus is not a spirit-being, nor by virtue of that is that he was designated Son of God.

What do we have left?

Jesus is God!

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Marks 14:62

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

Most heretical and/or apostate doctrines direct their attack to distort the nature and essence of Jesus as a man, and present him as a great prophet but denigrate his divine nature.

pastor Montoya

Twitter: @pastormontoya

[1] Acts 2:42

[2] Idem 11:26

The Doctrine of Christ

On August 26, 2018August 26, 2018 By pastor Pedro MontoyaIn Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, Kingdom of God, sound doctrine

The doctrine of Christ is the cornerstone of the doctrine of salvation. It is known as such, and not as the doctrine of Jesus, because the apostles stressed in their proclamation since the beginning that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ in Greek), as seen in the answer to which the apostle Peter answered Jesus,

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

Because they stressed such an emphasis is that precisely in Antioquia they were called, Christians for the first time,

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11:26

It was the basic doctrine of the proclamation of the Gospel established by the apostles at the beginning of the communities of faith, so much so for that in the texts of the first accounts it is known as the doctrine of the apostles.

The first time this doctrine appears in its institutional form is during the solemn feast of Sukkot, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus, date that marks the beginning of the Jerusalem church.

It is not that previously it had not been established. Jesus spoke of himself, that He was the Christ, the Son of God, even used prophetic terms to refer to himself, as the term, son of man, a term used in the writings of the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel to refer to the work messianic of the prophets in favor of a people who did not want to hear them.

But his teaching was never directed to establish a doctrinal body new and different from that established in the Mosaic Law.

It was the apostles in their mission as witnesses of Jesus who took care to proclaim a doctrine organized according to their experiences with Jesus, and in accordance with the Scriptures. In the first accounts of the apostolic activity it was recorded that the communities of faith grew according the teachings of the apostles.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42

This practice remained unchanged and we found it even in the time of the Apostle Paul,

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:20

The doctrine of Christ was to prove by the Scriptures that Jesus, a man approved by God, is the Messiah, who has risen from the dead, because death could not hold him back, and that today He is seated at the right hand of God-Father.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: … ²⁴ Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts 2:22-24

Since that first public manifestation, Jesus was proclaimed in every private or public meeting as the Christ, not as the second name of Jesus, but in acceptance and establishment of the prophetic word that had been prophesied about him from an ancient time, which would be sent by God, a prophet like Moses,[1] identified as the Messiah (the Christ, in Greek), who would teach all things,[2] and establish a new covenant, not similar to that of Moses, in writing, but a covenant engraved in the hearts of those who are subject to Him.[3]

Although, Messiah, it really means, anointed, and in other texts it is used to refer to the one Jehovah God has chosen, as a king, a prophet or a priest, in the proclamation of the day of Sukkot (Pentecost), apostle Peter citing the very words of David shows that the psalmist distinguishes in his writings the Christ, and identifies him in a position together with God,

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord (Jesus) always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Acts 2:25 (reference to Psalm 16:8)

David is an anointed one, but in none of his psalms speaks of himself but of Jesus, whom he identifies as greater than him, recognizing him by the Holly Ghost as God. In Psalm 16 David prophesies of the resurrection of Jesus.

Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts 2:26-28 (reference to the Psalm 16:8-11)

The apostle Peter explained during his first public proclamation that this Word is in fulfillment of the resurrection of Jesus,

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. ³⁰Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. ³²This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:29-33

The conclusion of the apostle’s proclamation is even more compelling, and explains that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father.

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:34-36

Thus, Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ, in Greek), has risen from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father, until all his enemies are placed as a footstool for his feet. With this proclamation the apostles filled Jerusalem and thus established the doctrine of Christ,

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Acts 5:28

The doctrine of Christ is the doctrine of salvation. The apostles identified it as the cornerstone of the spiritual construction of the life of faith. Anyone who rebels and does not persevere in the doctrine of Christ does not have God or have the option of salvation.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2^nd. John 9

The doctrine of Christ was proclaimed by the apostles in Jerusalem,

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Acts 4:11

The doctrine of Christ was proclaimed and established among the Hebrew communities in the diaspora,

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, … ⁶Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. ⁷Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1^st. Peter 2:4-7

The doctrine of Christ was established and proclaimed among Gentile communities in the same way as it was among Jews,

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:20

This principle of fundament is established from the prophetic words of the psalmist David about the Messiah,

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Psalm 118:22

Not having a proper Christology leads us to fall into apostasy, so it is necessary to understand the word of the beginning of the doctrine of Christ, so that with knowledge and discernment we know in whom we have believed, to keep us in the hope of salvation that we profess.

The four Gospels that we know today, universally considered as legitimate in their content, were written with the purpose of leaving the doctrine of Christ established for posterity. They have the mission that the reader knows about the work of the Messiah, and so that reading, as John says, you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and so that believing, you might have life through his name.[4]

[1] Deuteronomy 8:15

[2] John 4:25

[3] Jeremiah 31:31-33

[4] Juan 20:31