Bible Studies

"For we walk by faith, not by sight"

-- 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

When walking out of a dark room into the sunshine, light can be blinding. As our eyes become accustomed to the light, we can see more clearly and enjoy the scenery that surrounds us. Likewise, when we look into the light of the scriptures, the brightness of truth can sometimes hurt. However, as our spiritual eyesight becomes adjusted we can enjoy "walking in the light".

This Bible study is designed to allow us to "walk" into the marvelous light of the Word of God. We will be journeying into the scriptures by imagining we are back in the days of Jesus and the Apostles, listening to them teach and preach the plan of salvation. In order to do this, we will be careful to "rightly divide the word of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) by concentrating on the highlights of the three main divisions of the New Testament in chronological order, including:

1. THE GOSPELS - covering the words and works of Jesus Christ

2. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - covering the actions and preachings of the Apostles

3. THE EPISTLES - covering the letters written by the Apostles to the churches they started in the Book of Acts

We believe the scriptures are divinely inspired and , "of no private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, every effort has been made to present the pure Word of God without adding to, or taking away from its teachings (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6). It is not our intention to diminish any personal relationship you may have with our Lord. Neither do we desire to convince you of our own personal ideas or the creeds of any denomination. We simply desire to share the truth as it is written. Only by claiming the Bible as our sole authority can any of us be confident of our salvation, for it is the Word of God and not the traditions of men that will judge us all in the end.

Let us read 2 Timothy 3:15-16 as we begin our journey into the Word of God.

The Gospel Unto Salvation

The New Birth Compiled by Joe Paterson

Purpose

There has been much confusion in the past over the message of salvation. This message is central to Christianity (it is what makes us Christians) and it is also exclusive to Christianity (Acts 4:12). I would ask the reader to continue on with an "open mind," and would encourage you to verify everything that is said with your Bible. This study is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to expose false teaching and promote further study into the true message of salvation as it is presented in Scripture.

Foundation

Here are some principles for us to remember before we begin:

All Scripture...	II Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
One Gospel...	Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also the the Greek." Romans 2:16 "...God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
One Truth...	Galatians 3:1 "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth..." II Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
We must acknowledge that all (not just a part) of Scripture is given of God. We must further acknowledge that there is only one gospel that will save us. There is also only one Truth. We must be careful that we rightly divide the "word of truth" (this tells us that we cab also wrongly divide it).

Sin

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"	Romans 3:23 tells us that there is a universal need to rid ourselves of sin and become "right" with God. We cannot enter into the presence of a holy God while sin has dominion in our lives.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."	The result of allowing sin to remain in our lives will be spiritual and eternal death. God, in His grace, made a way for us to free ourselves of the curse of sin and enjoy eternal life with Him.
It would be horrible to imagine a life with no hope. Jesus is our Hope; let's see what He says...

The Words of Jesus Christ Concerning Repentance

Luke 13:5 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."	By carefully reading this verse, you will see that Jesus used the word "except." This means that, unless we repent, our fate is sealed.
Repentance is true "godly sorrow" and a turning from sin unto God.
Mark 1:15 "...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."	We must also believe the Gospel.

The Words of the Apostle Paul Concerning Repentance

Read about Paul's baptism in Acts 22:11-16.	By repenting we become "dead to sin" (Romans 6:2).
Repentance was a part of Paul's sermon on Mars' Hill...	"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).
God commands all men to repent!	This is a universal command from God. This call to repent transcends the barriers of race distance and time. For many people, the Gospel ends here at repentance; but let's take a closer look at the Gospel...

The Gospel of Paul:
The Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

I Corinthians 15:1-4
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
and that he was buried,
and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"

Paul's Gospel saves us!

The Gospel:
How Early Believers Obeyed It

The Death	Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Romans 6:7 "For he that is dead is freed from sin."
The Burial	Romans 6:4 (a) "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death..." Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
The Resurrection	Romans 6:4 (b) "...that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
When we repent (turn) from sin and are "buried with Him" in baptism, we become "dead to sin." Sin no longer has a hold on us (we are no longer bound by the compulsion to sin). When we rise out of the watery grave of baptism, we partake in His resurrection; and we walk "not after our former lusts", but we walk "in newness of life."
What we have read is very serious. We are "accursed" if we preach anything other than the Gospel that Paul preached. Also, the next part of this study tells us that "flaming vengeance will be taken" by God on those that obey not the Gospel.

The Gospel of Paul:
Something That Must Be Obeyed!

II Thessalonians 1:7-8
"...When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ"

We have just seen how it is possible for us to obey the Gospel. This verse makes it essential that we do!

I Peter 4:17
"For the time is come
that judgment must begin
at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us,
what shall the end be of them that
obey not
the gospel of God?"

The Gospel: Eternally Important!

Galatians 1:8
"But though we,
or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed."

Preach any other Gospel
than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
and how to obey it (Paul's Gospel),
and you will be accursed!

Galatians 1:9
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

The Conversion of Peter

Was Peter saved when he made this "confession"?	Matthew 16:16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Many people feel that Peter was converted due to his confession recorded in Matthew 16:16. However, a scripture written after the account written by Matthew proves that Peter definitely was not converted at that time.	Luke 22:32 "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Jesus left Peter in no doubt that his conversion had not yet taken place but would be sometime in the future. This time would be the Day of Pentecost!

Paul's Gospel and Peter's Gospel: The Same Gospel

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:23-36).	Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
The answer!	Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Peter preached obedience to the Gospel and Peter's message saves us today!

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost:
Who Needs to Experience It?

What does the Bible say?

John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Again we are brought back to the words of Jesus spoken to Nicodemus. We have already looked at baptism (the birth of the water). But now, we will look at the second vital part of Jesus' message to Nicodemus: the birth of the Spirit!

The promise is for

Acts 2:39

Early Believers Needed to Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost

The Jews	Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
The Samaritans	Acts 8:14 "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John" Acts 8:17 "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
The Gentiles	Acts 10:45 "And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 11:1 "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God."
When we repent (turn from sin to God) and are buried with Him in baptism, we become dead to sin and are no longer bound by the compulsion to sin. When we rise out of the watery grave of baptism, we partake of His resurrection and walk not after our former lusts; rather, we walk in the newness of life.

People of All Nations and Tongues Need to Receive It!

God used tongues to disperse nations at the Tower of Babel. God also used tongues to unite Christians on the Day of Pentecost.	Acts 2:4(a) "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues"	If we were to trace our ancestries back, we would eventually return to the three sons of Noah. God chose "tongues" to confuse the languages of all nations descended from these three people.
Shem's Descendants	Ham's Descendants	Japheth's Descendants
Hebrews Assyrians Elamites	Africans (Ethiopians) Canaanites	Europeans (Gentiles) Persians/East Indians Russians
By choosing an individual that descended from each son of Noah, God has made it known that all nationalities (all the descendants of Noah) in this present age can receive the Holy Ghost.
Paul	The Eunuch	Cornelius
Paul was a Hebrew, a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin.	The eunuch was an Ethiopian who served in the court of Queen Candace.	Cornelius was a roman soldier of the "Italian band." He was a Gentile.


	"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Why Is Having the Holy Ghost Essential?

Read what Paul said to the Church of Rome	Romans 8:9 "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
Paul is quite emphatic here! To belong to Christ means His Spirit must dwell in you. Otherwise, you are none of His--it would appear that it is vital that we should have the Holy Ghost dwelling in us for us to be saved. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is experienced by all TRUE believers!

Grievous Wolves Who Show No Mercy Among God's Sheep
(Acts 20:29)

II Corinthians 11::13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his [Satan's] ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

I would not imagine that you, dear reader, would be naive enough to believe that a false apostle or a false teacher would introduce themselves as such. On the contrary, they will have a "form" of godliness but deny the power thereof (II Timothy 3:5). One of the traits of a false teacher is that they will preach a shortened gospel "other" than that preached by the true Apostles.

Who gave them the authority to do this?

I trust that through the course of this study you have been able to identify the Gospel of Jesus Christ and realize (just as they did in the days of the original Apostles) that we can and must obey it.

How to Obey the Gospel (Remember: Paul did not receive his Gospel from man, but from Jesus!)
Jesus Christ died			Repent
Jesus Christ was buried			Be baptized by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins
Jesus Christ rose from the dead			Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as evidence by speaking in an unknown tongue as the Spirit gives the utterance

WHY WAIT TO OBEY?

Baptism: Is It Necessary?
The New Birth Compiled by Joe Paterson

The Truth About Baptism

Colossians 3:17
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Acts 2:38
"...and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins"

Baptism: The Words of Jesus

What did Jesus say to Nicodemus?	John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."	We can clearly see that both water and Spirit are requirements that have to be fulfilled before a person can enter into the kingdom of God.
What did Jesus say about the necessity of baptism?	Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."	Jesus is once again giving us the requirements for salvation to take place. We must both believe and be baptized. Baptism is the birth of the water as mentioned in John 3:5. Unbelievers will obviously not be baptized, but will be damned.
How did Jesus instruct the Apostles to baptize?	Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
Luke records the same commission in his gospel and reveals Christ's name (Luke 24:46) as the name mentioned in Matthew 28:19).	Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Now we start to see the correct baptismal formula emerge. Jesus did not want his disciples to "parrot" the words of Matthew 28:19, but rather obey the commission and baptize in His Name.

How Did the Apostles Obey Jesus' Command?

Peter on the Day of Pentecost to Jews

Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Jesus had given Peter the "keys" to the kingdom of Heaven. Here we see Peter using the keys and unlocking the way to Heaven. Peter obeyed Jesus' command by preaching baptism in Jesus' Name!

Peter's message saves us today!

When was Cornelius (a Gentile) saved?
F

Acts 10:1-2
"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always."

Although Cornelius lived a good life, he needed to be baptized.

Acts 10:47-48
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord..."

Notice here that Peter
commanded Cornelius and
those who received the
Holy Ghost with him to
be baptized in the Name.

The preaching of Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch
F

Acts 8:35-36
"Then Philip...preached unto him Jesus. And...they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

Acts 8:38
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."

They both went into the water. Immersion is the Biblical baptism!

The Philippian Jailer
asked Paul and Silas...

Acts 16:30
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Let's look at the answer
the Apostles gave...

Acts 16:31
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Biblical "believing" requires action...

Acts 16:32-33
"And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."

It was obviously necessary for the jailer and his family to be baptized.

Should You Be Immersed or Sprinkled when Baptized?

Below are two columns in which are listed the Scriptures for immersion and the Scriptures for sprinkling.
Immersion	Sprinkling
Much Water "...John also was baptizing at Aenon... because there was much water there" (John 3:23) Into the Water "...they went down both into the water" (Acts 8:38) Out of the Water "...they were come up out of the water" (Acts 8:39) Buried in Water "...we are buried with him by baptism" (Romans 6:4) Planted in Water "...we have been planted together" (Romans 6:5)
Without question, the early church taught and practiced baptism by immersion. Paul said, "If we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8-9).

Water Baptism According to Religious Leaders

John Calvin Presbyterian	"The word 'baptize' signified to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the primitive church."
Martin Luther Lutheran	"Baptism is a Greek word and may be translated 'immerse." I would have those that are to be baptized to be altogether dipped."
John Wesley Methodist	"The Bible term 'buried with him by baptism' alludes to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion."
Wall Episcopalian	"Immersion was in all probability the way in which our blessed Saviour, and for certain the way in which all early Christians, were baptized."
Brenner Roman Catholic	"For the first thirteen hundred years, baptism was an immersion of the person under water."
Stoudza Native Greek	"The verb 'baptize' has only one meaning. It signified to plunge. Baptism and immersion are identical. To say 'baptism by sprinkling' would be to say 'immersion by sprinkling.'"
Jeremiah Greek Patriot	"The ancients did not sprinkle the candidate, but immersed him."
Whitfield Methodist	"It is certain that the word 'buried' in the text of Romans 6:4 alludes to the matter of baptizing by immersion."

Does the Formula (Words Spoken) Matter?

Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."	Paul was talking here to the Ephesians. They already believed and were baptized, but had not received the promise of the Holy Ghost.
Paul further questioned...	Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism."
Paul explained to the Ephesians that John baptized unto repentance. And that they should believe on Him that came after: Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4).	Acts 19:5 "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
There is only ONE correct formula for baptism: In the Name of Jesus! Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

The Epistles: Letters to Christians

There are some that look to the epistles for the plan of salvation. However, the epistles were written to the Church and to individuals that had already obeyed the salvation message as it was laid out in the book of Acts.

We will now look at some of the references to the new birth found in the epistles.

The Apostle Paul Speaks to the Christians at Corinth

About baptism...		I Corinthians 1:12-13 "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
We know who was crucified for the Corinthians: Jesus! In whose name were they baptized? The context will permit no other Name than that of Jesus! Corinthians baptized in Jesus' Name.

The Apostle Peter Writes to Christians

Peter is now comparing
baptism to the flood of Noah's time...

I Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

Peter says that baptism saves us. Remember the words of Jesus?
F

Mark 16:16(a)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"

You must be baptized! Baptism will save you, too!

Peter now speaks of the only name that will save us...

Acts 4:12
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

If Peter said that baptism saves us, then any formula (words spoken) that leaves out the name of Jesus would be invalid. The Scripture leaves us in no doubt about the saving name.

Baptism must be in the name of

History Records Baptism by Immersion

Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopaedia
Baptism was always a burial. The command to baptize was a command to immerse (Volume 1, Pg. 451).

Catholic Biblical Encyclopaedia
Immersion was the oldest method employed. Buried in baptism Romans 6:4 (Pg. 61, Paragraph 2).

Encyclopaedia Dictionary of the Bible
It is evident that the action performed in baptizing was immersion (Pg. 202).

World Book Encyclopaedia
The early church practiced immersion or submerging under the water
(Volume 2, Pg. 70).

Encyclopaedia of the Lutheran Church
Martin Luther preferred immersion as more true to original practice
(Volume 1, Pg. 188).

The Pulpit Commentary
Romans 6:4, "Buried in baptism." The reference is to baptism by immersion (Volume 18, Pg. 156).

Baptism in the Name: Jesus

Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics
(Edited by James Hastings under "Method of Baptism")
The formula used was "in the name of the Lord Jesus," "Jesus Christ" or some synonymous phrase; there is no evidence for the use of the trine name
(Volume 2, Pg. 384, 1958 Edition)

Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopaedia
The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus
(Volume 1, Pg. 435).

Canney Encyclopaedia of Religion
The early church baptized in the name of Jesus until the second century (Pg. 53).

The Encyclopaedia Britannica
The trinitarian formula and trine immersion were not uniformly used from the beginning, nor did they always go together (Volume 3, Pgs. 365 and 368, 1910 Edition, under "the Baptismal Formula")

Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to words Father, Son and Holy Ghost in the second century (11th Edition, Volume 3, Pg. 365).

Hastings Encyclopaedia of Religion
Christian baptism was administered using the words "in the name of Jesus" (Volume 2, Pg. 377).

Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until the time of Justin Martyr (Volume 2, Pg. 389).

The Catholic Encyclopaedia
Here the authors acknowledged that the baptismal formula was changed by their church (Volume 2, Pg. 263).

A Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings
Moreover, there is no mention in the New Testament of any one being baptized into the name of the Trinity" (Volume 1, Pg. 241, 1906 Edition)

A History of the Christian Church by Williston Walker
With the early disciples generally baptism was "in the name of Jesus Christ"
(Pg. 87, 1959 Edition).

Encyclopaedia Biblica
...It is natural to conclude that baptism was administered in the earliest times "in the name of Jesus Christ," or in that "of the Lord Jesus." This view is confirmed by the fact that the earliest forms of the baptismal confession appear to have been single--not triple, as was the later creed
(Volume 1, Pg. 473, 1899 Edition).

Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible
The evidence...suggests that baptism in early Christianity was administered, not in the threefold name but "in the name of Jesus Christ" or "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Volume 1, Pg. 351).

We may conclude by all evidence presented that all legitimate baptisms from the
Day of Pentecost until the present day were and are by immersion in Jesus' name.

Should You Be Baptized
in the Titles of Father, Son and Holy Ghost
or in the Name: Jesus?

Below are two columns in which are listed the Scriptures where the Apostles either taught or practiced water baptism under the formula (words) used.
In Jesus' Name	Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Jews... "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Samaritans... "...they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16). Gentiles... "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). Peter taught... "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Paul taught... "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17).
Matthew 28:19 was a command by Jesus to baptize in a NAME. The Apostles did not repeat the words of the command--they obeyed the command. This is apparent in the above-listed Scriptures.

THE ONENESS OF THE GODHEAD

I. INTRODUCTION

One of the most misunderstood of Bible truths today, is the doctrine of the Godhead. The most universally accepted view of the Godhead in denominations today, is the teaching of the Trinity. This view basically states that God is three distinct persons who are co-equal in power, knowledge, and existence. The word trinity is never mentioned in the Bible, but the existence of One God is mentioned many times in scripture. Why is it important to know about the Godhead? Jesus said in John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if you believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins”.We also read of Jesus saying, “All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him” (Luke 10:22). These verses tell us that if we don’t want to die in our sins, we must know who Jesus is, and the only way to know who Jesus is, is by revelation from Jesus Himself. If you have never received that revelation for yourself, it is our hope that this lesson will give you the knowledge to receive for yourself the true Bible doctrine of the Oneness of God.

II. THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Many times in our version of the Old Testament the word God, or LORD is used in place of the name which was used by the writers. Some of the Hebrew names for God are:

El. Strength, mighty, almighty, which denotes deity.

Eloah. Derived from El. Always refers to deity.

Elohim. A plural form of Eloah. The word used most often to denote God. The Hebrew plural is intensive, denoting God’s greatness, majesty, and many different attributes, not a plurality of Gods.

Adonai. Lord.

Eheyeh asher Eheyeh. I AM THAT I AM.

YHWH (Yahweh). GOD, LORD, JEHOVAH.

El-Elyon. Most High God.

El-Shaddai. Almighty God.

El-Olam. Everlasting God.

Yahweh is the redemptive name of God in the Old Testament, and the name that God used to distinguish Himself from every other god. It means “Self-Existing One”, or the “Eternal One.” In the English it was translated as Jehovah due to the way that the Hebrew scribes wrote God’s name in their scrolls. The Hebrew language didn’t use vowels. Instead, when they wrote His name , they used the letters “YHWH”. So that they wouldn’t use His name in vain, it was not commonly spoken. After a long period of time had gone by the pronunciation of His name was uncertain. The translators had to guess what vowels went between the letters, and came up with the word Jehovah. So Yahweh (Hebrew) and Jehovah (English) mean the same thing.

To take it one step farther, God revealed Himself to Moses as “I Am”. Yahweh is our way of speaking the same about God, only we would say “He Is”. So Jehovah or Yahweh simply mean “He Is”. Just as God assumed that everyone knew that He is the only One who could say “I Am”, the people assumed that God was the only One who could be called “He Is”. Both names speak of being eternal, or without beginning, or end.

God continuously revealed Himself to the Old Testament people in different ways, which caused them to use descriptive words along with the name Jehovah. Remember that Jehovah (Yahweh) was many time translated as LORD. He was called in Genesis 22:14 “Jehovah-jireh”, which means the LORD will provide. In Exodus 15:26 He is “Jehovah-rapha”, the LORD that heals. In Judges 6:24 He is “Jehovah-shalom”, meaning the LORD our peace. Combining a descriptive action with the name Jehovah, gave a fuller meaning to His name. It told them more about who God was. We will talk more about this when we look at the God of the New Testament.

III. HOW MANY GODS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour” Isaiah 43:10,11).

"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).

"Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself” (Isaiah 44:24).

"And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day there shall be one LORD, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9).

"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us” (Malachi 2:10).

There are too many verses in the Old Testament to reference them all. But, it is clearly stated that only one God is Creator, Redeemer, King, the First and the Last. and our Saviour. Many have tried to say that the name “Elohim”, which is a plural word, is in reference to a trinity of the Godhead, when the rest of the phrasing in the surrounding verses refer to God in the singular.

For instance, it says in Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:”, but goes on to say in verse 27, “So God created man in his own image.” Does the Bible contradict itself? No. So, how do we explain this portion of Scripture which refers to a plural “us”,. and a singular “him”? We know the Bible says that God is a Spirit. Were Adam and Eve spirit, or were they flesh, or were they both? Adam was made of the dust of the ground, which became his flesh, and then God breathed into Adam the breath of life, which came from the Spirit of God, making Adam both flesh and spirit. Was God flesh and Spirit? Not yet. God has all foreknowledge and is not restricted in time as we are. Knowing that man would sin and that He would have to become our Savior, God looked ahead into future time, and saw what He would look like as a man dwelling on this earth. After He decided what He would look like, He made Adam in His likeness, which was the image of Jesus, who was both flesh and God (Spirit). “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15). The “us” referred to is God and the man “Christ Jesus”, who is God manifested in flesh. Not two persons, but two manifestations of the same person of God. Since Jesus was the express image of God, when God made us in Jesus’ image, He was making us in His own image.

IV. THE GOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:21-23).

“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” (I Timothy 3:16).

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. and ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:8-11).

All three of these portions of New Testament writing let us know that God came to earth in the form of a man. It says God was manifested, which means He was made visible, or He showed Himself to us in a fleshly form. The name Jesus could never have been used by God if He hadn’t come in the flesh. The name Jesus described the new role that God would play in relationship to mankind’s need. Only flesh and blood could die, and God said that blood was the only thing that could buy the remission of our sin. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Since the Spirit of God had no blood to shed, God formed a body for Himself by overshadowing the virgin Mary. That body was made for the purpose of becoming our Redeemer. In Old Testament law, only a near kinsman could redeem a person, or the land, when they were sold out side of the family.. God became one of us so that He could be our near kinsman and buy our salvation. The name “Jesus” is a combination of “Jehovah” and “our salvation”. He was called Jesus because Jehovah had become our salvation. Only by dying and shedding His blood could that happen.

The Word then went on to say that God put every thing that there was of the Godhead in the physical body of Jesus. When we have Jesus, we have every thing we need for salvation. His very name means “salvation”.

So, we are finding that the same Jehovah, who was God of the Old Testament, is still the God of the New Testament.

V. HOW MANY GODS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

"I and my father are one” (John 10:30).

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:5,6).

“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

“And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” (Revelation 4:2).

All of the above scriptures refer to only one God. There can only be one first, and one last. John only saw one God sitting on the throne of heaven. So why is there so much confusion about the idea of a trinity of persons in the Godhead? Let’s look at a verse of Scripture for the answer.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).

This verse is the foundation of trinity teaching. It would appear to refer to God as consisting of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. So let’s look at the command and how it was obeyed.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:28).

It would seem, at first glance, that Peter misunderstood what Jesus told the disciples to do. But, look at Jesus’ command to baptize. He said to baptize in a name (singular). So what is the name of the Father, and the Holy Ghost? (We already know that the name of the Son is Jesus).

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

“I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not” (John 5:43).

“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you , and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8,9).

Since Jehovah is one of the Father’s names, and Jesus came in that name (Jehovah is salvation), the Father’s name must be Jesus. Since Isaiah said that the Son who would be given, would be called “The everlasting Father”, Jesus must be the Father, for surely He is the Son that was given. Jesus told Philip that He was the Father. We can easily determine that the name of the Father is Jesus. But, what is the name of the Holy Ghost?

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:17,18).

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

“Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17).

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

“Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (I Peter 1:11).

Can there be any doubt that the Spirit that dwells in us, which we call the Holy Ghost, is Jesus. He said He would come to us. It says it is Christ in us. Jesus is that Spirit. In II Peter 1:21,22 it says that the Old Testament writers were moved by the Holy Ghost, yet, the Bible says that it was the Spirit of Christ. So, we know that the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus. All the fullness of the Godhead is in Jesus. One God, manifested in three offices. He was the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Ghost in habitation.

VI. THE DUAL NATURE OF JESUS

Many people have a hard time accepting the Oneness of God because they cannot understand the dual nature of Jesus. They say, “If there are not at least two persons, who was Jesus talking to when he prayed in the garden?” You will hear many similar questions, but they can all be answered by understanding the dual nature of Jesus. Jesus was both man and God in one body. The part of Jesus that was flesh would get hungry, thirsty, and cold, and would have to pray for divine strength. The part that was God was the Bread of Life, the Living Waters, and the One who answers prayers. Was Jesus talking to Himself? No, the flesh was talking to the Spirit, the man to God. Look at the statements of Jesus in the Gospels to prove this to yourself. When Jesus said “I thirst” who was talking? The man. When He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” God was talking.

The hardest thing to conceive is not that God is One, but how He made a physical body to dwell in that was fully man and fully God. God made a man so perfect that He would be able to die for our sins. Because God was the Father of the man, Jesus, Jesus had undefiled blood. We get our blood type from our father, so Jesus blood was untouched by the sin of Adam. As a man, His Father was God. Being the Spirit of the Everlasting God, He was the Father.

VII. CONCLUSION

Without understanding the Oneness of God, it is hard to understand our salvation. We are baptized into the name of the one God, (Jesus) both in water and Spirit. If we didn’t know that God’s revealed name is Jesus, we wouldn’t understand why we obey, without fail, the command of Acts 2:38.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

What a privilege to know who Jesus is, and that He is the One True God! For an even fuller understanding on the doctrine of the Oneness of God, I recommend that you read Bro. David Bernard’s outstanding book “The ONENESS of God” which is available in our bookstore. God bless you in your search to know Him in a greater way.