Tag: Father

THE GODHEAD

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Shelby G. Floyd

The Bible teaches that there is just one God or Godhead, but this one Godhead involves three distinct persons. In a discussion with a Jewish scribe, Jesus referred to the Old Testament Scriptures which taught that God is one Lord. The scribe had asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Mark 12:29). Jesus here referred to the statement of Moses as found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

The Jews worshiped just one God in contrast to the polytheism of the pagan nations surrounding them. We are to worship and serve one God, and yet, God is not one person. The New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily, which simply means that he possesses all the powers and attributes of the deity. Paul said, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

When Jesus Christ assumed bodily form, and lived upon the earth, he exhibited all the marks of the divine nature. Philip once asked the Lord to show him the Father, whereupon Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’” (John 14:9)?

On another occasion the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus replied, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” (John 8:19). This is what Paul meant when he said that all the fullness of the Godhead dwelled bodily in Christ Jesus.

There are churches that teach that Jesus Christ is all three persons mentioned in the Godhead. They affirm that there is just one person in the divine Godhead. They deny that there is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They say, “Where does the Bible use such expressions as those which you have just mentioned?”

GOD THE FATHER


Let us notice that the Bible applies the noun God to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Continue reading “THE GODHEAD” →

CLASS DISTINCTIONS

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Shelby G. Floyd

In the latter part of the life of Christ, his disciples were concerned about the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1)? They had been discussing among themselves for some time which of them would be accounted greatest in the coming kingdom. Their conception of the kingdom was worldly in nature. Jesus had just announced to them his impending suffering and death in Jerusalem; but they could not hear and understand what he had to say because of their concern over who would be the greatest.

Jesus answered them on this occasion by calling a little child unto him, and sitting him in the midst of them, saying,

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-14).

One of the ways in which men exalted and distinguished themselves from other people in the days of Christ was by the use of honorary titles. Since the apostles were concerned about which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus warned them about wearing honorary titles to exalt and distinguish them above other men. This was clearly wrong, and Jesus condemned such in no uncertain terms. He said that they loved,

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ” (Matt. 23:7-10 NKJV).

Let us be content with the affectionate and simple appellate “brethren” or “Christian”:

“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
shelby@thefloyds.net

A HEALTHY, HAPPY HOME

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Shelby G. Floyd

A joyful congregation is made up of joyful people who have joyful homes. Most people want to have a happy home. To have a happy home is no accident. It involves work, planning and cooperation. Above all else, a happy home is a home that respects and abides by God’s instructions for each member of the family. Continue reading “A HEALTHY, HAPPY HOME” →

USING ACADEMIC TITLES AS RELIGIOUS TITLES NO. 2

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Shelby G. Floyd

In the gospel, according to Mark, we read the following conversation,

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him,

“Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God” (Mark 10:17-18 NKJV).

Continue reading “USING ACADEMIC TITLES AS RELIGIOUS TITLES NO. 2” →

USING ACADEMIC TITLES AS RELIGIOUS TITLES

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Shelby G. Floyd

In the latter part of the life of Christ, his disciples were concerned about the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1)? Continue reading “USING ACADEMIC TITLES AS RELIGIOUS TITLES” →

ONE GOD–THREE PERSONS

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Shelby G. Floyd

Jesus Christ once said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10: 30). There are churches that teach that there is just one person in the Godhead, and deny that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons. Continue reading “ONE GOD–THREE PERSONS” →