Oneness Refuted
We who are mere men, finite, cannot possibly understand the magnitude of the infinite God who made us and all things (Deuteronomy 29:29). Yet we must believe what He did tell us about Himself. In fact, some may be surprised to know that the LORD requires that we do such, the we believe what He said about Himself.
“Godhead” appears 3 times in God’s Word.
“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” Acts 17:29
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9
“The Father and the Son”
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father ANDDDDD the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23
Message Received:
“The word ‘trinity’ or ‘triune’ is never found in the Bible.”
Reply:
The term/word “oneness” appears no where in Scripture. Did the wolves in your oneness cult whose message you are regurgitating forget to notice that? The concept of the Triune nature of the “Godhead” is found throughout Scripture.
We are indwelled and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)
Some will list, will cite 3 names here and yet say they’re all one name. One man said to me: “the name of Jesus Christ is the name of the Father AND OF THE Son AND of the Holy Ghost.” Yet in the Bible verse above John says there are three, not one, who bear record in Heaven and lists Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7).
Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Members of the one “Godhead” – “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons.
Here’s an example:
“my Father hath taught me” John 8:28
Why would one Person speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?
Why would there be, why would there exist the name of the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost throughout Holy Writ if they were all one Person? The fact that the Bible uses the word “Godhead” speaks of plurality.
How many divine Members of the Godhead are named here? – “For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (in unison).” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)
Message Received:
“There is One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism. The Name of The Lord is Jesus. The Faith once delivered to the original Church brought forth submission to God and caused people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. They were filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance. There was no teaching during those days of a trinity of god in three persons. Nobody had ever heard of such a thing. All the people in the original Church were Jesus Name One God Non Trinity Apostolic believers filled with the Holy Ghost. The Church is still the same today. We serve the same God, and all the truth of the original Church is in your Bible. There is no excuse for anybody to teach or believe in a three person god. To believe in a god consisting of three persons is to forsake the truth and worship a false idea. There has never been a trinity of gods in three persons co-equal, or co-anything. Trinity is a lie. God is a Spirit. The Spirit of God is in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ is in the Spirit. The invisible things of God can be clearly seen including his power and godhead as we experience the power and majesty of the mighty God in the presence of Jesus. Jesus is the everlasting Father and the prince of peace. There is no way that God would ever approve of the teaching of a three person god. Get out of that mess and be converted to the only truth that can set people free. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, deny the trinity, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Stick with this truth until you die, and then you will truly be able to say that you have been saved by the blood of the lamb.”
Reply:
We are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).
“For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
Why would God here identify “THREE” if there were only one? The “THREE are one” not the three equals one. That would be bad math.
Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Persons – “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30
When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons.
Here’s an example:
“my Father hath taught me.” John 8:28
Why would one Member of the Godhead speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?
Let’s look to Luke 3:21-22 and Genesis 1:26.
“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that JESUS also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the HOLY GHOST descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven (the Father), which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
So Jesus is being water baptized on earth and the Holy Ghost is descending upon Him while the Father speaks from Heaven. Just like we read in 1 John 5:7 – “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.”
“And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26
An egg – 1 egg yet 3 parts to that egg as there are 3 divine Persons that make up the “Godhead.”
Christ stated: “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me (Jesus).” John 8:16
More death nails to the oneness falsehood …
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name (Jesus), he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus) have said unto you.” John 14:26
“How God (the Father) anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
John 17 is the written record of Jesus praying to the Father for His people:
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me (Christ), and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21
Note here that Jesus is praying to the Father for all of His people to be “one.” Could Jesus be trying to make you and I and the millions of Christians who dwell on the earth today and in centuries past “one” person? OR, what Jesus speaking of being one in unity? Obviously Jesus isn’t trying to make us into one person. Read these words of Christ again. Why then do we seek to limit and make the Godhead to be one Person/Member? 1 John 5:7 says “these THREE are one” cannot mean one person but rather must mean one in nature and unison. When speaking of marriage/holy matrimony, Jesus says:
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain (TWO) shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain (TWO), but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus here says that when “a man” and “his wife” (two separate individuals) are “joined together” they are “one.” So, they are not just one person but rather two people joined together as/into one family unit – “man” and “wife.”
Also, ask this: How could they be put asunder (divided) if they were only one numerically/one person?
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
Now, are a man and a woman who are married one person or are they “one flesh”? They are two people but one in unity as a family.
The oneness of God is clearly not that there is only one Member of the “Godhead.” Otherwise why would the Bible even use the term “Godhead”? (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9)
Look up the word “Godhead” in the KJB.
The Holy Spirit and the Word are the teachers (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13). – Simply go by what God’s Word tells us and “Lean not to thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Pray for understanding.
Whenever someone asks me about the Triune nature of God, I quote 1 John 5:7. Who can explain who HE is better than the very One we are seeking to understand? Also, trying to explain some things that are far too high for finite humans to understand is a futile endeavor.
Colossians 2 speaks of those who are “intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (Col. 2:18)
We should never go beyond what the LORD said of Himself in His Word or attempt to deny such. If people demand an answer beyond that, invite them to delve into God’s Word for themselves (which is what we are to do anyway).
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29
Only God Himself can reveal Himself in an individual’s heart and He only does that when an individual bows down in humility, repentance, and faith, falling upon the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Some are being led astray by oneness cult leaders due to their own refusal to get honest with God and His Holy Word (Luke 8:15; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16). Beware of the perversions of oneness cults and their Scripture-twisting tactics.
God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus was also full of the Holy Ghost (Lk. 3:21-22; Jn. 3:34; Acts 10:38). This speaks for itself. In Jesus dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2).
As you read the Gospels you begin to see how that the text constantly refers to the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is, unless you are allowing your mind to be conditioned to deny all “THREE” members of the Godhead (1 John 5:7).
According to Holy Writ, we are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit and approach the Father through the name/authority of Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 16:23-24; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 John 3:24, etc.).
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these THREE are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)
“These THREE are ONE” could not possibly mean that there is only one member of the Godhead. No, instead is simply tells us that there are “THREE” members and they are one in substance and unity, etc. How can “THREE” be one numerically?
Why would God here identify “THREE” if there were only one? The “THREE are one” not the three equals one. That would be bad math. Jesus said “I and my Father are one.” Note that Christ identifies two divine Persons – “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) When we collate all that Christ says of Himself and His Father in relationship to one another, over and over we see Him identify Himself and His Father as two distinct divine Persons. Here’s an example: “my Father hath taught me.“ (John 8:28) Why would one Person speak of teaching Himself while identifying TWO Persons?
As you read the Gospels you begin to see how that the text constantly refers to the Father, the Word/Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is, unless your mind is being conditioned to deny all “THREE” members of the Godhead (1 John 5:7).
It should be more than obvious that the new versions of the Bible are corrupted. They are clearly the work of the arch enemy of God and mankind. Satan is behind them and he is the one who wanted the clearest verse in the Bible conveying the triune nature of God to be completely neutered. In fact, it might as well be removed. This is clearly an attack on the divine nature of the Almighty, the triune Godhead. This is more proof that Satan is behind the oneness doctrine.
1 John 5:7 Comparison
KJB (King James Bible):
“For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
NIV (New International Version):
“For there are three that testify:” 1 John 5:7
NASB (New American Standard Bible):
“For there are three that testify:” 1 John 5:7
More on Bible Versions here.
Feedback / Dialogue:
Jason Frost writes:
“Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus doesn’t change and yet modalism says He does. That Jesus is a shapeshifter speaking in the 3rd person which is not only unbiblical but illogical. Take time to consider these questions and scripture please. I’m not here to attack but in love and concern. Proverbs 27:5-6.
- Hebrews 1:5 tells us that Jesus was begotten by His Father. Did He beget Himself?
- In Matthew 22:44, the Father said Jesus would sit at His right hand until His enemies were made His footstool. Was Jesus to sit at His own right hand?
- In Matthew 24:36, when Jesus told His disciples that no one knows the day or hour of His return but the Father only, did He really know but made up an excuse to not tell them?
- In John 14:28, Jesus said His Father was greater than He was. Does this mean He was greater than Himself?
- In John 17:1, Jesus prayed to His Father. Was He praying to Himself?
- In Matthew 27:46, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Had He forsaken Himself?
- In John 20:17, Jesus said He would ascend to the Father after His resurrection. Did He ascend to Himself?
These and many other biblical passages demonstrate to a rational Bible reader that the modalism teaching is not only unbiblical, but also utterly illogical! Dangerous doctrine of modalism.
Phil Snow notes:
“So then, If we are Created in God’s Image, which we are. And ‘We’ are Three in One, we being spirits, who have a Soul i.e. mind, emotions etc. and we live in a Body.
Then why is it so hard to see that God, who’s image we are created In, is Three in one????The Three Unique and Distinct persons the Father, The Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit Are the One True God. They work in unity and purpose just like our body does when we are in perfect health and physical, mental and spiritual condition. The teaching of the Three in one God is everywhere in the Bible, from Genesis “Let US create man in OUR image.” Why is this so hard to see????
Use the testimony of All of Scripture, like the verses in the article above, just take time to think about it, and ask the Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher, if there is something else to it or anything you just might have missed.”
Message Received:
The early church new nothing of the triune nature of God.
Reply:
Really? Jesus’ apostle John obviously understood “the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST” and that “these THREE are one.” 1 John 5:7 Are the Scriptures not the final authority of God? Are the Holy Scriptures, the record of Christ and His holy apostles not the early church?
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Apostasy
“Simple Concerning Evil” [podcast]
Holy Scripture uses the phrase “simple concerning evil.”
“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil.” Romans 16:19
“But I would have you – Not only obedient, but discreet also. Wise with regard to that which is good – As knowing in this as possible. And simple with regard to that which is evil – As ignorant of this as possible.” John Wesley
Concerning Romans 16:19 Donald Stamps writes:
“God wants believers to be innocent (Gk. akeraios) in what is evil; this word means ‘unmixed’ or ‘pure,’ i.e., innocent like a child whose mind has not yet been exposed to evil or mixed with the values of the world (cf.1 Cor. 14:20). (1) This biblical principle is in direct opposition to the idea advocated by some that children of Christians should be exposed to sin, immorality, ungodliness, and the things of Satan in order to learn to confront temptation. Some suggest that children need not be guarded from ungodliness. However, according to biblical revelation, the philosophy is not only against God’s will for the believer, but also represents Satan’s own desire that everyone be exposed to the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:5). (2) Knowledge of evil, along with continual exposure to Satan’s ways, will lead many from the path of faith and obedience. Lot found this out to his deep sorrow, losing his entire family for this reason (Gen. 13:12-13; 19:1-38). Scripture warns that ‘evil communications’ (i.e., company) corrupt good manners (1 Cor. 15:33), and that ‘Jesus Christ … gave himself … that he might deliver us from this present evil world’ (Gal. 1:3-4). Those who advocate exposing innocent children to an ungodly environment and/or influence are in danger of violating Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6. (3) Believers should do all within their means and power to guard their children from being exposed to the deceitfulness and sin and the perverseness of this generation. To refuse to protect our children in this respect disregards the Holy Spirit’s desire that they be innocent and babes regarding what is evil.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1959
Spoil the innocence of a child or others and God will spoil, bring ruin to you.
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6
“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” 1 Corinthians 14:20
Concerning the fact and principle of offering children to Satan on the altar of Moloch, one source notes the following:
“Based on historical and biblical accounts, child sacrifice to Moloch was a Canaanite and Phoenician ritual, often described as offering children to a deity in a “tophet” (place of burning). Scholars interpret this act as a desperate attempt to appease a god associated with the underworld or to ensure divine favor in exchange for the ultimate sacrifice.
Why Children Were Offered to Moloch:
Appeasement of a Deity: Moloch (or Mlk) is identified by some scholars as an underworld deity or a Phoenician god linked to the underworld, requiring the ultimate sacrifice to ensure favor or safety.”
“Lot … Pitched His Tent Toward Sodom”
“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Genesis 13:12-13
Of the act of Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom, the late Donald Stamps wrote:
“PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM. Lot’s great failure was that he loved personal gain more than he hated the wickedness of Sodom (v10-13). (1) If he had loved righteousness sufficiently (see Heb. 1:9), it would have caused him to remain separate from the wicked ways of sinful people. Instead he tolerated evil and chose to live in wicked Sodom (v13). Perhaps he reasoned that the material advantages, culture, and pleasures of Sodom outweighed the dangers, and that he was strong enough to remain faithful to God. Thus, he exposed himself and his family to the immorality, and ungodliness of Sodom, only to learn the bitter lesson that his family was not strong enough to resist its evil influences (Gen. 19:24-26; 30-38). (2) Parents must be careful not to place themselves or their children in a “Sodom,” lest they come to spiritual ruin as did the family of Lot.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 27
“Although Lot was distressed by the filthy deeds he saw and heard (2 Pet. 2:7-8), he still was willing to tolerate the wickeness of Sodom for social and material advantages (13:12 note). This compromise brought tragedy to his family (v24). Likewise, believers today who expose their families to ungodly environments and evil influences for social or material gain are setting themselves up for family tragedies.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 34
Gentlemen, if we lust for the things of this world, it will cause us to sacrifice God’s truth on the altar of our greed and cause needless destruction in our families.
Ephesians 5:1-17
“1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:17-19
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Key to a pure, innocent heart…. is that the LORD Almighty is truly first in our lives, that we are truly one with Him—just as Jesus prayed in John 17. The futile god of self must be denounced, as well as the sin of spiritual adultery and idolatry.
“Keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22
PRAYER: “LORD, right this moment, I release everything and everyone that I might be holding onto tighter than You….I will have no other god before You dear LORD…You Jesus Alone Are My LORD And Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Marlene Austin
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Articles
Grounded in Grace [podcast]
“What a powerful message! Life changing for sure. It truly blessed me. Every believer should listen to this video! But God! Two little words that I missed. And found this phrase used at least 44 times in the KJB. Those little words takes the focus off us! If it wasn’t for God coming to save our wicked souls we would be doomed forever to burn in hell. Psalm 49:15 “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah.” We are saved by the grace of God and kept by the power and grace of God. To which none of us can boost! (Ephesians 2:8, 1 Peter 1:5).” Karen Cochran | Grounded in Grace [podcast]
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) : And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10
Satan continues to pick off people with the same exact law-keeping deception he snared the Galatians with. They become in unbelief about Christ’s perfect sacrifice and begin to add law to salvation’s equation. This is deadly. Having begun in faith, in the Spirit, they fall away from the faith by trying to help God save them through self-effort, law-keeping (Galatians 3:3; 5:4). Many of those snared are seduced into this by way of the sabbath keeping deception, foolishness.
Being established in the saving grace of God is the only defense against the many deceptions creeping in among God’s people.
When the self-righteous legalist hears someone preach that Christians are saved by grace and not under the old testament law, they react – because they are still trusting self and have not truly repented/surrendered and putting their whole faith in christ. Law and grace don’t mix! You MUST choose! (John 1:17) Either you are saved by Jesus or your own law keeping works. There’s no in-between! It’s time to get into God’s Word, asking Him to give you a NEW Testament clue!
Especially with the upsurge of Judaizers and the law-keeping doctrines they perpetrate, every true born-again believer should pray, seek out, and study to be grounded in God’s saving grace in Christ.
SAINTS, we are saved by the LORD Himself, by His grace and not our own works. People who are still self-righteous, thinking THEY are earning their own justification, get very uneasy when the saving grace of God is preached. They are not yet students of NEW Testament truth. WE MUST have an ever-deepening biblical revelation of God’s justification by grace and faith! Please begin by memorizing Romans 5:1-2. AND, please read Romans chapters 3-5 prayerfully and over and over, this week.
To the Galatians, when Paul said “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”, he was saying that trying to mix even “a little” law keeping into the equation of salvation Christ alone 100% earned for us, ruins your whole relationship with God (Galatians 5:9). In fact, you don’t have one if you don’t 100% trust Jesus Christ!
Remember when Jesus saved you? He found and saved our wretched soul alllll by Himself!!!!! Right? Please pause and let that soak in. …. In light of this reality, this sheer mercy, how is it that we still strive in the flesh, thinking we are going to earn divine forgiveness, merit His blessings, etc. – “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:4-5)
“But God”
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” Ephesians 2:4
After hanging the backdrop (vv. 1-3), reviewing our alienation, our past life of trespasses and sin, how we are now found and rescued—brought back to life from our dead state—by the LORD, the writer now transitions upward.
Of Ephesians 2:4, William MacDonald writes:
“The words, But God, form one of the most significant, eloquent, and inspiring transitions in all literature. They indicate that a stupendous (astonishing, stunning) change has taken place. It is a change from the doom and despair of the valley of death to the unspeakable delights of the kingdom of the Son of God’s love.
The Author of the change is God Himself. No one else could have done it, and no one else would have done it.
“One characteristic of this blessed One is that He is rich in mercy. He shows mercy to us by not treating us the way we deserved to be treated (Psalm 103:10). ‘Though it has been expended by Him for six millennia, and myriads and myriads have been partakers of it, it is still an unexhausted mine of wealth, as Eadie remarks.’
The reason for His intervention is given in the words, for his great love wherewith he loved us. His love is great because He is its source. Just as the greatness of a giver casts an aura of greatness on his gift, so the surpassing excellence of God adds superlative luster to His love. It is greater to be loved by the mighty Sovereign of the universe, for instance, than by a fellow human being. God’s love is great because of the price He paid. Love sent the Lord Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, to die for us in agony at Calvary. God’s love is great because of the unsearchable riches it showers on its object.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1917
Satan attempts to make God out to be an unloving Father. Only mankind is created in God’s image, and He loves us beyond words (Ephesians 2:4-9). He loves us so much so that He gave His only begotten Son to die a horrible yet redeeming death on the cross, raising Him from the dead three days later to fully, completely justify us (John 3:16). God still has a remnant who trust Him and not self (Romans 5:6-8).
Justification
ARE YOU justified by sinful self or the Savior? Good luck flashing those “filthy rags” at the Throne of the Almighty who sent His only begotten Son to die for you! (Isaiah 64:6) You have called Him a liar! (Galatians 2:21) Righteousness comes from knowing and trusting the only One to ever keep the law perfectly and not from trying to keep the law (Galatians 2:16). Though the law be righteous, there is NO righteousness in the law other than repenting of your own efforts and putting your full trust in the only One who ever kept the law! (Romans 10:4) You deserve judgment and hell. You have nothing to offer God except a deeply repentant, honest, contrite, humble heart! (Psalms 34:18; 51:17; Matthew 5:3) You are a guilty sinner and must trash your stupid, ridiculous, laughable religious fig leaves which are a sham at best! True NEW Testament saints are dead to the law (Romans 7:1-4). Law keepers, do-gooders, and moralists are completely self-righteous antichrists who’ve put themselves in place of Jesus Christ as their own savior – denying Christ that place while vainly believing they can earn their own justification before a holy God and Judge of their eternal soul (James 2:10). Anti in the biblical word “antichrist” means “in place of.” Selah (meditate on that) God doesn’t want His children trying to keep the old law but rather to choose to worship, love, trust, and obey Him who is the only One to keep it and then nailed it to the cross and took it out of the way!
Revelation 2:8 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”
William MacDonald writes:
“His kindness toward us (2:7)
“His grace in His kindness toward us (2:7)
“The riches of His grace in His kindness toward us
“The exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us
“Now it follows that if God will be disclosing this throughout eternity, then we will be learning throughout eternity, then we will be learning forever and ever. Heaven will be our school. God will be our Teacher. His grace will be the subject. We will be the students. And the school term will be eternity.
“This should deliver us from the idea that we will know everything when we get to Heaven. Only God knows everything, and we will never be equal with Him.
“It also raises the interesting question: How much will we know when we get to Heaven? And it suggests the possibility that we can prepare for the heavenly university by majoring in the Bible right now.
“2:8 The next three verses present as clear a statement of the simple plan of salvation as we can find in the Bible.
“It all originates with the grace of God; He takes the initiative in providing it. Salvation is given to those who are utterly unworthy of it, on the basis of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“It is given as a present possession. Those who are saved can know it. Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said, ‘are ye saved.’ He knew it, and they knew it.
“The way we receive the gift of eternal life is through faith. Faith means that man takes his place as a lost, guilty sinner, and receives the Lord Jesus as his only hope of salvation. True saving faith is the commitment of a person to a Person (Christ).
“Any idea that man can earn or deserve salvation is forever exploded by the words, ‘and that not of yourselves.’ (2:9) Dead people can do nothing, and sinners deserve nothing but punishment.
“‘It is the gift of God.’ A gift, of course, is free …. The gift of God is salvation by grace and through faith. It is offered to all people everywhere.
“2:9 It is not of works, that is, it is not something a person can earn through supposedly meritorious deeds. It cannot be earned, for instance, by:
Confirmation
Baptism
Church membership
Church attendance
Holy communion
Trying to keep the Ten Commandments
Living by the Sermon on the Mount
Giving to charity
Being a good neighbor
Living a moral, respectable life
“People are not saved by works. And they are not saved by faith plus works. They are saved through faith alone. The minute you add works of any kind or in any amount as a means of gaining eternal life, salvation is no longer by grace (Rom. 11:6). One reason that works are positively excluded is to prevent human boasting. If anyone could be saved by his works, then he would have reason to boast before God. This is impossible (Rom 3:27).
“If anyone could be saved by his own good works, then the death of Christ was unnecessary (Gal 2:21). But we know that the reason He died was because there was no other way by which guilty sinners could be saved.
“If anyone could be saved by his own good works, then he would be his own savior, and could worship himself. But this would be idolatry, and God forbid it (Exod. 20:3).
“Even if someone could be saved through faith in Christ plus his own good works you would have the impossible situation of two saviors – Jesus and the sinner. Christ would then have to share the saviorhood with another, and this He will not do (Is. 42:8).
“Finally, if anyone could contribute to his salvation by works, then God would owe it to him. This, too, is impossible. God cannot be indebted to anyone (Rom 11:35).
“In contrast to works, faith excludes boasting (Rom 3:27), because it is non-meritorious. A man has no reason to be proud that he has trusted the Lord. Faith in Him is the most sane, rational, sensible thing a person can do. To trust one’s Creator and Redeemer is only logical and reasonable. If we cannot trust Him, whom can we trust?
“2:10 The result of salvation is that we are His workmanship – the handiwork of God, not of ourselves. A born again believer is a masterpiece of God. When we think of the raw materials He has to work with, His achievement is all the more remarkable. Indeed, this masterpiece is nothing less than an new creation through union with Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passes away; behold, all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17).
“And the object of this new creation is found in the phrase, for good works. While it is true that we are not saved by good works, it is equally true that we are saved for good works. Good works are not the root but the fruit. We do not work in order to be saved, but because we are saved.
“This is the aspect of the truth that is emphasized in James 2:14-26. When James says that ‘faith without works is dead,’ he does not mean that we are saved by faith plus works, but by the kind of faith that results in a life of good works. Works prove the reality of our faith. Paul heartedly agrees: ‘we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ (2:10)
“God’s order then is this:
“Faith->Salvation->Good Works->Reward
“Faith leads to salvation. Salvation results in good works. Good works will be rewarded by Him.
“But the question arises: What kind of good works am I expected to do? Paul answers, Good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. In other words, God has a blueprint for every life. Before our conversion He mapped out a spiritual career for us. Our responsibility is to find His will for us and then obey it. We do not have to work out a plan for our lives, but only accept the plan which He has drawn up for us. This delivers us from fret and frenzy, and insures that our lives will be of maximum glory to Him, of most blessing to others, and of greatest reward to ourselves.
“In order to find out the good works He has planned for our individual lives, we should: (1) Confess and forsake sin as soon as we are conscious of it in our lives; (2) be continually and unconditionally yielded to him; (3) study the Word of God to discern His will, and then do whatever He tells us to do; (4) spend time in prayer each day; (5) seize opportunities of service as they arise; (6) cultivate the fellowship and counsel of other Christians. God prepares us for good works. He prepares good works for us to perform. Then He rewards us when we perform them. Such is His grace!” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1918
“Riches” appears five times in Ephesians
Ephesians 1:7 – “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Ephesians 1:18 – “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”
Ephesians 2:7 – “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 3:8 – “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
Ephesians 3:16 – “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
Ephesians 2:1-10
WHAT GRACE HAS DONE by FB Meyer
“Evidently dead men may walk; that is, they may be dead to the eternal world but alive to this world, which is moving past like the films of a moving picture. The death of the spirit is compatible with much active interest in the course of this world. Behind the shifting scenes of the material is the great enemy of souls. As the Spirit of God works in the obedient, so does the evil spirit work in the disobedient. Note this trinity of evil-the course of this world, the lusts of our flesh, and the prince of the power of the air. If we desire to save men, we must be in living union with the all-conquering Spirit of Christ.
Notice, also, the past tense which describes the finality of Christ’s work, Eph_2:5-6. In the purpose of God we have been raised from the grave of sin and are seated with the risen Lord in the place of acceptance and victory. We were one with Christ when He lay in the grave and arose. In God’s thought we have already taken our seat with the glorified Christ upon the throne; only the pity is that we do not believe this or act as if we had done so. All this is the gift of God’s unmerited love. By grace have we been brought into this position, and by grace are we maintained in it. We are of God’s “making;” such is the Greek word for workmanship, Eph_2:10. We have been created for good works; they have been planned for us and we have only to walk in them.”
Abiding
5 Soul Damning Sins Named! Learning from History! [podcast]
THE 5 SINS THAT KEPT ISRAEL (God’s own covenant people) OUT OF THEIR PROMISED LAND OF BLESSINGS and will keep us out if not relinquished. Friend, please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with all your might. Make this text your meat.
The world seeks to romance sin but if God says it’s sin, that’s what it is. Toning down the terms changes nothing. Judgment Day is on the way.
We are fighting the good fight of faith, “striving against sin” and “more than conquerors” over sin through Jesus who loves us and bought us with His own blood! (1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:4; 13:12; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:37)
There are the 5 sins listed here that kept God’s people out of His blessings. We all need to L.I.F.T.M. up to the LORD in repentance and for His perfect forgiveness and cleansing. God the Holy Spirit warns us here through Paul’s pen (1 Cor. 10:1-13), that Israel and these sins are “examples” (vv. 6, 11) to all NT believers. God destroys those who go back on Him after knowing Him (transgressors – Ps. 68:21; 73:28; 125:5, etc.). If not ridden out of our lives, any one of these 5 sins WILL keep us out of our promised land. God is holy (Heb. 12:14). As taken in order from 1 Cor. 10:6-10, here are those 5 sins:
Lust
Idolatry
Fornication
Tempting Christ
Murmuring
This simple acronym should help us to remember these sins and remain separate from them as we grow today to know and love our Savior more fervently. “Keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).
Committing the sin is one thing (1 John 1:8-10, right) and refusing to repent of it is yet another. Refusing to acknowledge, repent, confess, and cease is what snares the soul and ousts us from Christ (Proverbs 28:13).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
If the Holy Spirit has quickened any offences of your heart, simply L.I.F.T.M. up to Christ the Redeemer, Forgiver, Cleanser, and Transformer of lives.
WHATEVER it takes – those who choose to get real with God will sever themselves from anything and anyone who causes them to sin. This is what Jesus says about sin and hell:
“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Mark 9:43-50
NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
1 Corinthians 10 completely destroys the OSAS / eternal security argument.
Notice the word “OUR” in verses 6 and 11. This is directly spoken to warn NEW Testament saints that they are going to hell if they live and die in sin.
Case closed.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were OUR examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.
7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Eternal security is a false teaching. 1 sin separated Adam and Eve from God and “The wages of sin is (still) death” because God is Holy (Rom 6:23, etc.). Moral coward counterfeits hate, despise the Gospel essential of the cross, the crucified life. They want Jesus to save them to Heaven but not from sin. These are the sin-justifying, grace-perverting “ungodly men” Jude warned us about (Jude 4).
The divine declaration that “The wages of sin is death” which means separation from God, appears throughout Scripture (Romans 6:23).
“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” Proverbs 19:16
Die or death always means separation.
OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell. OSAS was Satan’s first lie and so it’s blasphemy to teach this doctrine of devils and claim it’s part of the Gospel. You are attributing Satan’s lie to the LORD Jesus. Repent now sinner. See Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Jude 4, etc..
The concept of an un-conditional eternal security is not established in Scripture … Except for it being Satan’s first teaching, His first lie – the “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
Eternal Security/Once saved always saved is a lie from hell.
Support | STORE | | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSAS | Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed? | The Return of Christ | Support | Lie of the Ages [podcast] | 10 Questions about Eternal Security | Is Salvation Eternal? | The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast] | The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Sound Doctrine for a Glorious Church
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