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We have 4 or 6 children depending on how you count them. We are involved in Christian ministry. We participate in the Sunday morning children's ministry program at our local church. And we participate in various evangelistic outreaches.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Is Jesus God the Father?

I recently asked someone on another blog this question: “Is Jesus God the Father?” In response I got a chain of modalistic statements denying the personal distictions between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Modalism is a branch of unitarianism that teaches that there is only one person in the being of God. The apparent personal distinction in the New Testament between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are unreal. For the modalist then, the Father is Jesus and Jesus is the Holy Spirit. Christianity has always rejected this belief as heresy.

So I have a challenge to all who deny the personal distinction between the Father and the Son. Whether you are a oneness pentecostal or some other type of modalist I would like for you to help me understand a Bible passage from your perspective.

First, read the following passage from First Corinthians 15.

(First Corinthians 15:22-28 NASB) 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 And when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all.

Now, go through the passage again and identify what person is being referred to be each use of a pronoun. Here is the passage with blank spaces provided.

(First Corinthians 15:22-28 NASB) 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when ____ delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when ____ has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For ____ must reign until ____ has put all ____ enemies under ____ feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For ____ HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER ____ FEET. But when ____ says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that ____ is excepted who put all things in subjection to ____. 28 And when all things are subjected to ____, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the ____ who subjected all things to ____, that God may be all in all.

Now tell me, doth this offend you?

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4 Comments:

Blogger Modern Day Magi said...

great passage to challenge oneness theology/modalism with.

I posted my attempt at it at Puritan Belief.

I think I'm going to link to here from my blog.

Great blog title by the way.
"Doth this offend you?"
It truly is the sad mark of modern western society where christian almost have to apologise for our beliefs as being biggoted when the liberal and relativist society surrounding us demands acceptance at all costs but condemns christians.

MDM

07 July, 2006 14:22  
Blogger Johnnie Burgess said...

Modalism is not new. Things like this pop up again and again. The church needs to be ready to go against teachings like this.

13 July, 2006 19:28  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey... I saw your response to my comment on Puritan Belief. Nice looking blog. I agree with you concerning Modalism and am surprised to hear so many commenters at Puritan's blog support such a notion! See you, brother...

04 August, 2006 15:54  
Blogger leah said...

scripturally grounded and very well expressed--thanks!

21 January, 2008 21:32  

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