CHRISTIANITY AND TRADITION (CULTURE) I Cor. 9:19-22

INTRODUCTION:

The relations between Christianity and culture have varied according to circumstances and particular perceptions of culture. The conflict between Christianity & culture has been a problem for a long time and needs an urgent attention. Christianity is a way of life centered on the worship of one God shown to the world through Jesus Christ. Jesus lived as a human being for almost 30 years in Palestine and was crucified by the Romans at Jerusalem.

We are living in an environment that challenges us to continually evaluate what it means to live the Christian life. So how do we respond? The answer begins with the Bible. Our view of culture must include biblical insights.
Culture is the arts, custom, etc of a nation or group, also the arts and intellectual achievements as a whole. It is better understood as the total pattern of a people's behavior. Culture includes all behavior that is learned and transmitted by the symbols (rites, language, etc.) of a particular group and that focuses on certain ideas or assumptions that we call a world view.

THE BIBLE AND THE CULTURE
In Bible times, "You're a Corinthian!" To call someone a Corinthian was insulting. Even non- Christians recognized that Corinth was one of the most immoral cities in the known world.
The believers in Corinth were faced with a culture which resembled ours in several ways. It was diverse ethnically, religiously, and philosophically. It was a center of wealth, literature, and the arts. And it was recognized for its blatant sexual immorality. How would Paul advise believers to respond to life in such a city?
One of the Asia countries who never see a lamb before used a pig while translating the Bible. That is contextualization. It is essential that we have appropriate strategies to preach the Gospel, and to understand the interests, needs and worldview of those we are trying to communicate with. This is increasingly important in our post-Christian world.

CONFLICTING AREAS BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURE
@ Choosing whom to marry
@ Denying wife her inheritance after husband’s death
@ Divorce and remarry for lack of child bearing
@ Shaving of hair as a result of a beloved’s death
@ Taking an oath to prove innocence
@ Female circumcision
@ Masquerade/age grade
@ Festivals that requires sacrifice
@ Sewing of Youth fellowship uniform
@ General dressing of our youths today
@ Patronizing native doctors
@ Impregnating a girl before marriage
@ Music
@ Language (abusive, provoking, rude, insulting words)

CONLUSION
In the first place, a man can believe only what he holds to be true (world view). We are Christians because we hold Christianity to be true. But other men hold Christianity to be false. Who is right? Jesus is never against culture, because he came to the world through the culture of the Jews. Rather he transforms the Culture.

We have seen that Scripture is not silent regarding culture. It contains much by way of example and precept.
First, in some measure God "is responsible for the presence of culture, for he created human beings in such a way that they are culture-producing beings."(21)

Second, God holds us responsible for cultural stewardship.

Third, we should not fear the surrounding culture; instead, we should strive to contribute to it through God- given creativity, and transform it through dialogue and proclamation.

Fourth, we should practice discernment while living within culture.

Fifth, the products of culture should be judged on the basis of intent, not form. Or, to simply further:
We advance the theory that God's basic attitude toward culture is that which the apostle Paul articulates in I Corinthians 9:19-22. That is, he views human culture primarily as a vehicle to be used by him and his people for Christian purposes, rather than as an enemy to be combated or shunned.

LESSON ON BIBLE INTERPRETATION

1. Different Bible Versions
Do you ever wonder why we have different versions of the same Bible? Here are some explanations:

A. Primary Source
More technical differences between versions are caused by the translators using different groups of Greek manuscripts as their primary source. For instance, differences can be seen in comparisons with the New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV) of the passage 1 John 5:7-8 and their treatment of the ending of the Gospel of Mark. Variation can be anywhere from extra words in a verse, to the actual meaning of the verse being changed. The more the division, the more the confusion.

B. Language
Language is another factor. Here the scholar translates from Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic to English. Naturally, if you have 10 persons who would translate the Bible from English to Igbo today, none of the 10 translations would be the same word for word.

C. Methodology
Two major methods are formal and dynamic equivalence.
Formal translation is also called literal or word-for-word translation. As the name suggests, it tries to keep the same words and word order used by the original manuscripts.
Dynamic equivalence translation is also called functional or thought for thought translation. This method is more concerned with expressing the meaning of the original text to the modern reader rather than the exact word that was used in the original.
Example: Genesis 31:35aNASB (formal translation); And she said to her father, "Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is upon me."
NIV (dynamic equivalence); Rachel said to her father, "Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period."
Notice how the NIV changed the wording from the original but tried to show what it should mean to us today.

2. Which Version is best for me?
First, let me clear the air by saying that no particular version that we use today can claim more inspiration than the other versions. Which version is best to use depends on how you are going to use it: For memorization, public reading, devotional reading or in-depth studying.
For memorization, it would depend on your personal taste. Many Christians favor the King James Version (KJV), but other would prefer another version that uses modern expression. It all depends on you; the important thing is that it helps you to memorize the verse.
For public reading, you should use a version that is easily understood for those who are not familiar with the Bible. I would suggest The English Standard Version (ESV) or NIV.
Devotional reading would depend on what you want to accomplish. Is it a short reading of a passage or something more of a Bible study? For everyday readings, I would suggest the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) as a Bible that you could carry around.

For in depth Bible study, it would be helpful to have more than one Bible so that you can have different theories of translations. A combination such as NIV and KJV would be a good example.


3. Objection to learning proper Bible Interpretation:
Some Christians don't believe that there are certain rules that they need to apply in Bible interpretation other than just reading and praying for guidance. They feel that such rules will take their right to be able to understand the Bible on their own, and that they will have to depend on scholars or experts to explain the Bible for them. First, proper interpretation only requires more time studying and a little common sense. An average Christian who can read and follow simple instructions can understand and apply the principles and guidelines of proper interpretation.

Second, these guidelines and principles will give everybody the right to question and make an educated criticism on different interpretations of the Bible today, even those made by Bible experts. You will no longer be forced to follow a doctrine or a teaching that you feel is not an accurate interpretation of the Word of God, just because it is being taught by a "teacher" or an "expert". Without standard guidelines of proper interpretation, a person in authority and those with higher education can claim that their interpretation is always better or more accurate than those that have less authority or education.

"All we need is the Holy Spirit who will guide us and will reveal to us the real meaning of the passage in the Bible". This statement sounds so spiritual that many would not dare to disagree. This attitude can also claim to have some biblical backing: 1 Corinthians 2:11-14 (NIV). This was taken to mean that Christian with the Holy Spirit can understand the Word of God, and the unbelievers that doesn't have the Spirit cannot understand the Bible.

In Corinthians, What is Paul really saying? Is he suggesting that all Christians with the Holy Spirit should not have a problem understanding the Bible and those unbelievers without the Holy Spirit will not be able to understand the Bible at all? I don't think so. Exodus 20:15-Thou shall not steal. (NIV) is such a simple verse that we know both unbelievers without the Holy Spirit and Christians with the Holy Spirit can understand. While the book of Revelation is so difficult to understand for many Christians that are filled with the Holy Spirit, and those that claimed to understand have different interpretations of what it really means. Also, if two persons filled with the Spirit had a differing interpretation of a certain passage in the Bible, how can we tell who is right or wrong? Can we measure who has more of the Holy Spirit than the other? Therefore, rules and guidelines of proper interpretation is necessary so we can have a standard to distinguish from the right, possible, and erroneous interpretation.

4. The Nature of the Bible
The Bible is both natural and supernatural, temporal and eternal, human and divine. The Bible is divine because it is the Word of God. It is God's message for all human beings for all times. Through the Bible, God speaks to all people of all ages in all cultures. The message of the Bible is eternal.

It is temporal because some of its elements such as the original language used in its original writing is not being used today. So God's eternal Word and message is conditioned and contained in a specific time in history with its own culture and language, and is recorded by means of 'human style' of literature. It is these two natures of God's Word that requires us to apply basic principles of interpretation to understand God's message for us today.
The Holy Spirit will convict us of the truthfulness and significance of His Word in our lives. Our claim of the Holy Spirit's guidance shouldn't be an excuse for laziness in studying.

5. Understand the Context
A word on its own doesn't really mean anything. A word can only have a sensible meaning in a sentence. Further, the sentences before and after will clear up the meaning of a particular sentence. This is the reason we are encouraged to study a passage (several verses) not a single verse if we intend to get the real message the original author intended.
Generally speaking, when the author wrote the book he had a particular theme or message in mind. As the reader, it is important to follow the author’s flow of thought. You first must see the main theme of the book, then the theme found within each chapters. Lastly, you must interpret the theme of each passage. The smaller section's theme must compliment the bigger section's theme. To understand the context you must first read the whole book that you are studying and find the units of thought that make up the book. This is not really hard to do since most of the Bible has titles for each passage and an outline at the beginning of the book. But it is a good habit to make a simple outline of your own after you have read the book.

Example: The Book of Hebrews was written to a group of people that were being pressured to either keep going with their Christianity or to go back to Judaism. In order to address the issue, the author started by establishing the completeness of Jesus Christ and His ministry and how he is much better than the angels, Moses and Aaron the high priest. You can also trace warnings about falling away. As you can see, if you began to gain this kind of information after reading the book of Hebrews, it would be so much easier to get in the author's flow of thought as you focus in on studying the book in smaller sections.

6. The Historical Background
Another way of reading in context is to understand the historical background of the passage or the book that you are studying. Knowing the background of the book should be done before you start reading. You should try to acquire reliable information about the author and the original recipient of the book, the date and the reason why it was written, and the cultural or life setting when it was written. With this information the modern reader will have an easier task to hear the same message that was originally heard by the recipient.

Not knowing the Historical background will cause us to read things in the passage according to our modern cultural background or custom. This, of course, is totally different from the author's own cultural background and thus causes many erroneous interpretations and applications.
If you have a Study Bible, reading the introduction page of every book that you study is a good start to find historical background. Bible tools such as a Bible Handbook or a good commentary is where you would find a lot of information in this matter.

7. Word Meaning
Some words have more than one meaning, while some we don't know the meaning at all. Understanding the true meaning of the words used in a passage is very important in proper interpretation. The first thing we do to know what a word means is to read in its context. This, however, is sometimes not enough, for a context can sometimes take on different meanings for a particular word. Remember, the real meaning of a word is the one intended by the author.
A better way of understanding a word's meaning is to understand what it means at the time it was written. Words change meaning as time goes by, and we cannot always put the same meaning we have today on a same word that was used centuries ago. Some word we just don't have definitions because we don't use them such as the words shekels, ephahs, talents, etc. Finding word meaning using an outside tool is often necessary.

8. Special Problems in Interpreting the Bible:
Scripture, like any other book, used figures of speech and different types of literature that can be difficult to understand. These call for special rules for the Bible interpreter.

1. Hyperbole - A hyperbole is an exaggeration used for effect - an overstatement. "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" obviously is not literally true. It is an exaggeration used to convey the idea of extreme hunger. For example, the apostle John made a statement something like this in his gospel: If everything Jesus ever did were written down, the world could not hold all the books (John 21:25). Surely John expected us to see that he was overstating his point.

2. Metaphor - A simile makes a comparison by using a word such as "like": "Life is like a circus". A metaphor is a similar comparison, except that it omits the word "like": "The world is a stage". Metaphors such as "I am the door" (John 10:9) are easily recognized. But what about Jesus' words at the Last Supper: "This is My body" (Luke 22:19)? Jesus probably intended this statement to be understood metaphorically rather than literally or physically.

3. Anthropomorphism - Do rivers have hands to clap (Psa. 98:8)? Does GOD have eyes (Psa. 33:18), although He is spirit (John 4:24)? Anthropomorphisms in the Bible describe non-human objects as though they have human characteristics.

4. Parable - "Once upon a time in a far-away land there lived a fairy princess". We do not understand this sentence in a scientific or literal sense. We recognize that it comes from a certain type of literature, and thus we do not interpret it historically. Different types of literature fall into different categories, each of which has its own rules of interpretation.
Parables are one type of literature in the Bible. We interpret them properly by picturing the story in our minds as if we lived in Jesus' day, finding the main point, and not giving meaning to all the details. The difference between allegory and parable is important to understand. An allegory is a totally made-up story. Even the details of an allegory may be significant. But a parable is a story taken from everyday life. In a parable the speaker may not treat the details as important. They may be given to help the reader picture the situation more clearly.

5. Prophecy - There are two points to remember when interpreting prophecy. The first is that what the prophet foresaw as one event may actually be two or more. The Old Testament thought of the "Day of the LORD (Is. 2:12) as one event. But the last days actually began at Pentecost (Acts 2:20) and will conclude at Christ's return (2 Thes. 2:2).
The second point to remember is that although much Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament, much was fulfilled in the Old Testament and then again in the New. Isaiah's prophecy in 7:14 was fulfilled in Isaiah's day, and again by Jesus' birth (Matt. 1:23).

6. Apocalyptic - This type of literature in the Bible is the most misunderstood by interpreters today because it is no longer used. It has specific rules of interpretation. Its most noticeable characteristic is its use of strange, symbolic figures, such as those in the Book of Revelation.
The key to interpreting these figures lies in the Book of Revelation itself. In 1:20 the seven stars are interpreted as representing the seven angels, and the seven lampstands stand for the seven churches.

In 17:9-10 the seven-headed beast stands for the seven hills, and in 17:18 the woman is identified as the city which rules the earth. Therefore, to understand Apocalyptic Literature and Revelation in particular, we must interpret the imagery as very figurative. The images are describing things and spiritual realities in figurative language.

Some might object that this is not understanding the Bible literally. But since the Book of Revelation interprets its own images in figurative terms, the images must serve as figurative descriptions of real things. Therefore, to understand the book literally, we must understand it figuratively.

In interpreting the Bible, we must remember from Whom it comes. We are handling the LORD's message. This demands an attitude of respect and our willingness to subject ourselves to its authority.

Change

What comes to your mind when you hear of Change? In American historical election, during the campaign of Barack Obama, everyone talks “change.” Whether or not the common person really knows what change means, is another matter. Merely rearranging the main concern is not change. Going the same way from a different angle is not change.

Change means to become different, undergo transformation, to be peculiar, etc.
Rom. 12:1-15:13 explains the attitude and behavior expected of Christians at Rome.
Clearly Paul had been well informed of the needs of believers at Rome. Christian living is simply being a Christian and acting as a Christian should, in every part of life. No canal Christian.

Vs.1-2 - The language here is from the OT, and reminds us that Jewish believers presented sacrifices to the Lord. But Christian believers, instead of giving something outside themselves, are to offer their own bodies to God as living, holy, and acceptable sacrifices. Our bodies include the Will, Emotion & Intellect. This type of sacrifice is a spiritual service involving all of their rational powers.

There are two parts of change we will look into: Negative & Positive change.

1) THE NEGATIVE CHANGE VS. 2A
Conforming to the world means to agree with the world in one's mind and character, do the acceptable things of the world, obey their rules, and play their games.
Eph 2:2- Do not conform either to the lusts of the flesh or the lusts of the eye.


2) THE POSITIVE CHANGE VS. 2B
Transformation means to change into another form, to be converted, renovated and makeover. On the mount of transfiguration Christ appearance was changed and was glorious with divine brightness, even after His resurrection. When transformation takes place, doing the Will of God follows.

For a positive change, there must be: vs. 2b
1. A renewal of mind (The mind, comprising alike the faculties of understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining). Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the body, but of the qualities of the soul.
2. A prove of what is good.
3. A prove of what is acceptable both by God and humanity.
4. A prove of what is perfect.


Application:
Change only takes place when you do 3 things:-
A. Decide to change. It begins with a decision, Jesus calls to us, and we respond. '"Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him so Matthew got up and followed him' (Matthew 9:9).

B. Change the way you think. 'Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think' (Romans 12:2 NLT). Change starts in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. So wash your mind, feed your mind, and program your mind with God's Word.

C. Take a small step every day. Most of us want overnight change. Change comes slowly. To be successful we must start with small things and do them every day.
St. Francis de Sales said, 'Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections…..' You may say, 'But I fall '. We all do. Don't be discouraged. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.


CONCLUSION:

Conforming to this world is the great enemy to this renewing of mind, which we must avoid every day if we need a change. God is ready to help us be transformed when we stop gossip, tribalism, hatred and cheating. These are not Christian attitude or character. This transformation is here as a duty; not that we can work such a change ourselves: it is God's work. Thus to be changed or transformed, we need to surrender ourselves to God.

A man of Contrast

A man of contrast


He who was the bread of life, began his ministry hungry.

He who is the water of life, ended his ministry thirsting.

He who hungered as a man, yet fed the hungry as God.

He who was weary, yet he is our rest.

He who paid tribute, yet he is the king.

He who was called a devil, but he cast out demons.

He who prayed, yet he hears prayer.

He who wept, and he dries our tears.

He who was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet he redeems sinners.

He who was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet he is the good shepherd.

He who gave his life, and by dying he destroyed death.



This man is Jesus Christ our lord

The Death of the Righteous - Num 23:10

Introduction:
Let me die the death of the righteous, in Hebrew, "of Jeshurun"; or, the Israelites. The meaning is: the righteous are a happy people, above all others, not only in this life, but at death, from their knowledge of the true God, and their hope through His grace. Balaam is a representative of a large class in the world, who expresses a wish for the blessedness which Christ has promised to His people but is averse to imitate the mind that was in Him.
Let Me Die the Balaam is one of the great tragedies of the Old Testament. He was a Gentile prophet of God who lived at Pethor in Mesopotamia (Deuteronomy 23:4). Because he was afflicted with the common malady of covetousness, he sold out to Balak, a pagan Moabite king, who urged him to “curse” the Israelites as they made their way toward the land of Canaan.
When God overruled the effort, causing Balaam to “bless” instead of “curse,” the hireling prophet suggested another plan. If the Israelites could be corrupted internally, God himself would destroy them! And so, the children of Israel were seduced to commit fornication by the women of Moab. As a consequence, some twenty-four thousand of them were slain (Numbers 25). Balaam himself was finally killed in battle with Israel (Numbers 31:8).

In one of his prophecies, Balaam uttered a statement that contains much food for thought. He exclaimed, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10).
When the matter is duly considered, the Bible reveals that there are some similarities and also some significant differences in the deaths of the righteous and the wicked.
Similarities
In a number of ways, death is identical for both the good and the bad.

First, death is the inevitable fate for all (except that final generation which witnesses the return of Christ [cf. 1 Corinthians 15:51]). Scripture declares that as a consequence of Adam’s transgression, death comes to all (Romans 5:12). Indeed, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Second, the uncertainty as to the time of death is common to all classes of humanity. Death can take us at any stage of life—infancy, adolescence, in the prime of life, or in the advanced years. Death may come with a leap or with a crawl. It comes, though, and comes to all!

Third, for both the prepared and the unprepared, death is the same physical phenomenon. Physical death is that in-animated state of the body that results when the spirit (that part of man that is in the image of God [Genesis 1:26]) has departed from its earthly tabernacle. James gives a clear definition of death when he says, “The body apart from the spirit is dead” (2:26).
Paul speaks of death as a departure when he writes of having the “desire to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23). Again, the apostle recognizes the possibility of human existence “apart from the body” (2 Corinthians 12:2, 3), which would necessitate the body’s death. And so, physically speaking, the righteous and the wicked die in precisely the same fashion.

Fourth, the Bible teaches that both the godly and the ungodly are conscious after death. In fact, the Scriptures do not suggest that death causes any change in the composition or nature of the human spirit. In the narrative concerning Lazarus and the rich man, both, after death, were quite aware of their condition and environment. The one was comforted and the other was in anguish (cf. Luke 16:25).
Differences

There are, though, some very great differences between the death-state of the Lord’s people and those who are not.

First, God’s attitude toward the two groups is in great contrast. Note the testimony of the Psalmist: “Precious in the sight of God is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). On the other hand: “As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). The one is a recipient of the Lord’s goodness; the other, his severity (cf. Romans 2:4-11).

Second, for the righteous, death brings fellowship with Christ. Jesus informed the penitent thief, “Today you shall be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Again, Paul knew that his departure would enable him to be “with Christ” (Philippians 1:23), which was “very far better” than this earthly domain.
The apostle affirmed that to be “absent from the body” is to be “at home with [the Greek term pros literally means ‘face to face with’] the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). The wicked have no such hope. And why should they? They have rejected his fellowship in life; they will not enjoy it in death!

Third, for the faithful, death is a thrilling, blissful experience. “Blessed [literally, ‘happy’] are the dead who die in the Lord . . . they do rest from their labors” (Revelation 14:13). But the wicked know nothing except “trouble and sorrow” (Psalm 116:3), “affliction” (Jonah 2:2), “anguish” (Luke 16:25), and “punishment” (2 Peter 2:9, ASV).

Conclusion
Each of us—as rational, responsible human beings—has the option now to determine whether our death will be like the righteous or the wicked. There is one thing for certain: after death has taken us, there will be no changes in our destiny (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).

What does the Bible say about pornography?

Question: "What does the Bible say about pornography?"

Answer: By far, the most searched-for terms on the internet are related to pornography. Pornography is rampant in the world today. Perhaps more than anything else, Satan has succeeded in twisting and perverting sex. He has taken what is good and right (loving sex between a husband and wife) and replaced it with lust, pornography, adultery, rape, and homosexuality. Pornography is simply the first step on a very slippery slope of ever-increasing wickedness and immorality (Romans 6:19). Just as a drug user is led to consume greater and more powerful quantities of drugs, so pornography drags a person into hard-core sexual addictions and ungodly desires.The three main categories of sin are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

Pornography definitely causes us to lust after flesh, and it undeniably is a lust for our eyes. Pornography definitely does not qualify as one of the things we are to think about: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Pornography is addictive (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19), destructive (Proverbs 6:25-28; Ezekiel 20:30; Ephesians 4:19), and leads to ever-increasing wickedness (Romans 6:19). Lusting after other people in our minds (the essence of pornography) is offensive to God (Matthew 5:28). When habitual devotion to pornography characterizes a person’s being, that demonstrates the person is not saved (1 Corinthians 6:9).

If there was one thing I could change about my life prior to becoming a Christian, it would be my involvement with pornography. Thanks be to God—He can and will give the victory. Are you involved with pornography and desire freedom from it? Here are some steps to victory: (1) Confess your sin to God (1 John 1:9). (2) Pray for God to cleanse, renew, and transform your mind (Romans 12:2). (3) Ask God to fill your mind with Philippians 4:8. (4) Learn to possess your body in holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). (5) Understand the proper meaning of sex and rely on your spouse to meet that need alone (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). (6) Realize that if you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). (7) Take practical steps to reduce your exposure to graphic images (e.g., install pornography blockers on your computer, limit television and video usage, find another Christian who will pray for you and help keep you accountable—your spouse, if you are married).

60 Questions on the Godhead

1. Is the word trinity in the Bible? No.
2. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No.
3. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes.
4. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct

persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationship to humanity.
5. Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible

does so-I John 5:7. It speaks of the Father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy

Ghost, and it concludes by saying, "These three are one."
6. Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see

Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans

3:30; I Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; I Timothy 2:5; James 2:19.

7. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; I

Tim 3:16.
8. Has the Christian only one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.
9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John

14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God's person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word

for personin this verse literally means "substance."
10. Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No.
11. Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II

Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.
12. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22.
13. Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental

relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10.
14. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10;

II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in heaven, for God is omnipresent.
15. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.
16. When God said, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another

person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10.
17. How many of God's qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.
18. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45.
19. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8
20. Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.
21. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said

that He was the first and last. Revelation 1:17-18
22. How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.
23. If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the

last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.
24. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshipped? Yes. Matthew 4:10
25. Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.
26. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes John 1:1, 14.
27. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.
28. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16.
29. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.
30. Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.
31. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.
32. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. I kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39;

Revelation 19:1.
33. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (I

Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.
34. Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.
35. Is there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10.
36. What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8.
37. What is one thing that God Cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2.
38. Howw many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4.
39. How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9.
40. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16.
41. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8
42. Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is

God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.

43. Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.
44. Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior.
45. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. I John 5:20.
46. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ?

Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians

11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we

realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20;

Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 3:16.
47. When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? "I am Jesus." Acts 9:5.
48. When Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59.
49. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.
50. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, "Beside me there

is no Savior?" Because "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." II Cor. 19.
51. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23.
52. Did Jesus ever say, "I and my Father are one?" Yes. John 10:30.
53. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that

husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a

husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife

cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9-11.
54. Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25.
55. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy

Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; I Cor.

3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13.
56. Can Trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by

John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations.

Only one divine person was present--Jesus Christ the Lord.
57. Then what were the other two of whom Trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven;

the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16-17.
58. What did the voice say at Jesus' baptism? "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well

pleased." Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate.
59. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts

20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human

body.
60. The Bible says that God is coming back with all his saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that

Jesus is coming back with all his saints (I Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No.

Only one is coming back--our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.