Introduction

There is a need to distinguish between ‘devil’ and ‘satan’. Both terms in the New Testament are used exclusively of men. ‘Devil’ is a New Testament word.

There is a very clear distinction between devil and satan. Devil is not used in Old Testament Hebrew, nor any similar word to it. There is no Old Testament counterpart of the devil – 4000 years of history presents no devil. Devil and satan are therefore quite distinct.

The Bounds of Fundamental Doctrine

Every subject of fundamental doctrinal importance in Scripture is given by God its broad definitions and strict bounds in an array of clear and emphatic generalisations.

To ignore these statements of principle, or to exceed their limits, is a mark of the “carnal mind” that is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. It is a sobering thought that the majority of expositions of the subject of the Devil and Satan extant in the world religious resist the plain sense of Scripture, especially the major, definitive and clearest divine statements on the subject.

These declarations of principle are our protection from error and will be the focal centre and touchstone of the expositions to be featured in this study.

The Seven Declarations of Principle – The Devil and Satan

1. THE SOLE SOURCE OF TEMPTATION IS THE LUSTS OF MAN – James 1:12-17
2. ALL LUSTS ARE ORIGINATED BY THE WORLD – 1 John 2:15-17
3. THE SOLE SOURCE OF SIN IS THE PASSIONS OF MAN’S FLESH – Romans 7:5-25
4. THE THINKING OF MAN’S FLESH IS THE ENEMY OF GOD – Romans 8:7
5. THE HEART OF MAN IS THE SOURCE OF ALL WICKEDNESS – Mark 7:18-23
6. MAN’S HEART IS THE MOST DECEITFUL OF ALL THINGS – Jeremiah 17:5-11
7. THE DEVIL HAS BEEN CANCELLED OUT THROUGH CHRIST’S DEATH – Hebrews 2:14

As we examine these, their universality and exclusiveness will become clear, as will their prime position as statements of fundamental principle.

They are the first things a reverent student of the Bible seeks in seeking to find God and to understand the Gospel He has graciously given to save us.

To these, throughout the effort, we give paramount weight, and use them to guide and limit our interpretations of all else said on this topic, especially such passages as contain figurative, symbolical, parabolic or ironical language, as many on this subject do.

Christendom has arrived at its extraordinary caricature of Bible doctrine by ignoring the Bible’s statements of principle, by wresting many passages out of their immediate context and the general context of Scripture and failing to distinguish literal from figurative language.

That being the process by which the theologians have reached their erroneous conceptions of the subject, we need to reverse the process to arrive at a clear and Scripturally true comprehension of what God does mean by the titles: “THE DEVIL” and “THE SATAN”, and this we will do, if God permit.

The Human Heart – Our Real Problem

In Jeremiah 17:1, 5, 9, 10 the emphasis is on the heart of man. V5 identifies the problem – it is not anyone other than man.
Jeremiah 17:9 the heart speaks of the innermost things. The heart is more deceitful than anything God knows.
Isaiah 40:4 same word as “deceitful” in Jeremiah – the heart is crooked, bent.
Hosea 6:8 mg (cunning) – same as “deceitful”.
Jeremiah 9:4 “utterly supplant” – one who pulls down and takes the place of another, supplanter. See Genesis 27:36 (related word) A cunning, crooked, supplanter – always supplants God. No work left for the devil of Christendom.
Jeremiah 17:9 – who then can ever get to the bottom of the human heart – there is nothing to match it.
“wicked” – cp. Jeremiah 15:18; 30:12,15. “Incurable” – Micah 1:9 Job 34:6 (“incurably sick”). “Very sick” – 2 Samuel 12:15. “Desperate or desperately sick” – Isaiah 17:11. The human heart is incurable. The only thing that can cure the human heart is to change its nature.
Jeremiah 17:10 – when God sees evil he goes into the heart that produced it – to find its source and get the right culprit. The devil then is human kind. V11 God does not as an unrightful possessor hang on to his ill-gotten gains. The heart will be changed in immortality.

Mark 7:2 – the subject is the source of defilement. V15 nothing external to a man can defile him. Vvl8-23 he chides the disciples for not understanding how true defilement occurs. V21 there is only one place of origin of all sin.

Mark 7 speaks of the evil of the human heart. Matthew 6:13 “the evil” or “the evil one” speaks of the human race.
James 1:12 “temptation” = trial; “tried” = Proven. Vvl3-14 it not God but you (v16 make no mistake I’ve told you the whole story) – it’s not God, but us. V17 excludes all other possibilities of a tempter’s origin. Sin doesn’t come from heaven. God only fathers light. Maybe now he’s Father of lights, but what of the past – v17 answers – there has been no change with the Father.

The Devil

The Devil is a title, which means: “The Transgressor”, which God has chosen to describe the source of all transgression against Him, that is, mankind’s own innate propensity to sin, “the passions of sins”, Romans 7:5. This same title is then used to describe people and human governments, which are dominated by that propensity to sin, John 6:70; 1 Peter 5:8.

God charges all the World with being His enemy, 1 John 2:16. He identifies the “passions”, Romans 7: 5-25, and “lusts”, James 1:13-17, which are in men, as the force that generates all the sins men commit, Mark 7:20-23.

It is this “thinking of the flesh” which He condemns as the source of the World’s enmity to Him, Romans 8:7.

It is these innate propensities to sin which God identifies as “The Devil”, Hebrews 2:14, which it was Christ’s work to destroy. This he did in his own case two thousand years ago, and will do for us who believe in his Truth when, very soon now, he returns from heaven, Hebrews 9:24-28; Matthew 25:31.

“The Devil invented by Catholic and Protestant theology is a perversion of this doctrine, which misuses unrelated Bible passages, regardless of their general or particular context.

To speak of a Devil who is a rebel angel is to deny the supremacy of God and invalidate the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”, Matthew 6:10.

To speak of a Devil who is immortal is to deny the justice and truthfulness of God, who says; “The wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4, 20.

To speak of a Devil who is a rebel, sinful angel; who is spirit, and yet can die; is to deny both the worth of our own hope of salvation and the express teaching of Scripture that angels cannot die, Luke 20:36.

What Christadelphians Believe on the Devil

We believe that a correct understanding of the devil as outlined in God’s word is very important, in helping us to understand clearly God’s plan of salvation.

In Hebrews 2:14-15 it shows us the object of Christ’s mission – to destroy the devil which had the power of death. Christ partook of human nature and died in order to do this, and in so doing deliver others from the power of the devil and of death.

When we look at some other scripture we see that Christ came to destroy SIN :–

We also see that SIN was the original cause of DEATH :-

From this it is obvious that Christ came to DESTROY SIN and also that the power of DEATH is in SIN. The Devil is therefore a synonym (or a word with the same meaning) for SIN. What then is SIN? From Romans 7 we see that sin and human nature are closely related.

Paul found himself constantly exposed to a mental conflict, he wanted to do the will of God, but HIS OWN desires were so strong that he found himself succumbing to them.

In Mark 7:15-23 we see that sin is from internal thoughts and not from external influences.

Galatians 5:17-21 describes the works of the flesh, they can be aligned in 1 John 3:8-10 with the works of the Devil.

James 1:14-15 “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of HIS OWN lusts.”

If we look at the word “Devil” itself from the Greek, it is the word “Diabolos” which signifies a false accuser, or a slanderer. In 1 Timothy 3:11 we see it correctly translated as slanderer. 2 Timothy 3:3 translated false accusers and Titus 2:3 also false accusers.

We see from this that the word Devil basically relates to human nature. Human nature can be shown forth in various forms e.g. a government can become a political manifestation of the flesh if it stands in opposition to the ways of God. Look at 1 Peter 5:8. In this verse the Christians were being persecuted by civil authorities who likened to a roaring lion because of their ferociousness (cp. with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:17 he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion when he escaped imprisonment). Christ also referred to civil authorities as the devil in Revelation 2:10.

In 1 John 3:8 we see that right from the beginning of time it has been the lusts of the flesh that have driven men to sin – Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (he came to destroy sin and did so by opening a way for forgiveness and salvation).

So how do we overcome the devil – By following Christ’s example and conquering the flesh of the Glory of God. (Acts 2:38 Baptism, 1 John 1:9 Forgiveness).

The Satan

“The Satan” and “The Devil” are not identical. New Testament use of the word “Satan” is grounded historically in Old Testament precedent, and must be viewed in this light in order to be understood.

“The Satan” is a title: which means “The Opponent”, “The Adversary”; which God has chosen to describe people or bodies of people who, posing as worshippers of God, have abandoned His truth and turned to opposing it and those who espouse it, Matthew 12:26; Revelation 2:9; 20:2. It is particular, in its reference to religious opposition to God, His truth, or His faithful worshippers, not general, like “diabolos”, which by contrast refers broadly to sin and sinners.

In the expositions that will, God willing, comprise the Effort, the distinct themes to be found discriminating these two subjects in Bible teaching will be pointed out, and the great illumination that they cast on the meaning of individual contexts will be given rightful prominence.

Satan is a Hebrew word, meaning an adversary, or opponent.

The New Testament use of SATAN is special in two clear ways:

1. Transferring into Greek letters, but untranslated, the Hebrew OLD TESTAMENT noun “Satan”, to stand out as an intruder into the Greek context, to direct us to apply its OLD TESTAMENT meaning in every NEW TESTAMENT context where Satan appears.
2. Quoting directly from Job chapters 1 and 2 and Zechariah chapter 3 (with its background of Ezra chapters 4 to 6) the definite form “THE SATAN”, which is unique to those passages, to compel us to bring them to bear on every NEW TESTAMENT context where also the expression “The SATAN” appears.

Two Key Old Testament Passages

Zechariah 3:1 – Satan, noun; “to resist” – verb; both in same verse (note mg references). Why did they put satan there rather than adversary? (1) A theological reason and (2) because THE SATAN – definite article is used. “The satan” – a particular adversary that the Jews of Zechariah’s time were suffering. The historical background is found in Ezra 4:1-3 adversaries (tzar – another word), v3 they were refused, vv4-5 their response, v6 accusation (sitnah – an abstract noun formed from satan).

Zechariah 3:2 refers very clearly to Ezra 4. The issue was Jerusalem. Jesus takes this use of satan and makes it New Testament use, cp. Matthew 12:22-26. Beelzebub – 2 Kings 1:2. The god of Ekron – Philistine city. Lord of the flies – because they believed flies were good for healing. Jews changed it to Baalzebul – Lord of shame or the dung heap. He firstly proves that it is impossible for Beelzebub to be the source of power if he did make them sick he wouldn’t give another power to heal. V26 the definite article “If the Satan cast out the Satan”. If you wish to know what is meant by “the Satan” you will have to go to a Hebrew scripture to find it out. If I am not the one opposing God, he is the Joshua therefore those opposing him were the Satan of Zechariah 3. Cp. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-18 – he had sought to return but the Jews prevented him (the Satan).

There is an equivalent Greek idea for a religious opponent, cp. 1 Peter 5:8 adversary = ANTIKIEMENOS – one who lies down in front as an adversary. Another occurrence is in Jude v9 (devil = diabolos). Here there is some common ground between Satan and devil. Matthew 5:25 adversary (Antidikos – an opponent at law) – cp. Psalm 109:6,20,29; Zechariah 3:4. A wicked judge and an accuser they will be judged with the same basis used against me.

If there are Greek equivalents why transliterate into New Testament? There is no Greek word that can draw the basis of the Hebrew, in particular the context of Zechariah 3, into the New Testament.

So applied, the expression “The SATAN” always signifies:-

Apostate Religionists, Who Oppose the Truth of God

The Satan is identified in the NEW TESTAMENT with three main bodies of apostates:

1. The Leaders of the Jews who opposed Christ – Matthew 12:26
2. False brethren who oppose Christ’s true saints Revelation 2:9
3. The Apostate Churches of Christendom, which oppose Christ’s true Ecclesia – Revelation 20:2

The second of these, especially, has a solemn warning for us: there have been in the past, brethren of Christ who have fallen so far into apostasy that they have been counted to be “The SATAN”, so can we! This calls for humility, reverence and care in study of the Scriptures, to ensure we do not follow in such footsteps.

Each New Testament instance of THE SATAN draws on the Old Testament precedents in Job 1 and 2 and Zechariah 3 to invest the expression THE SATAN with the meaning:

The historical features of THE SATAN establish this:

This historical origin of THE SATAN imported into the NEW TESTAMENT by quotation, designates the NEW TESTAMENT SATAN to be:

Other Important Old Testament Passages

Numbers 22:22 – adversary = satan This angel is called Satan, but he is doing good for God as an adversary towards an evil man. (See v32 also “withstand”).

1 Kings 5:4 – no satan (adversary) at this time – i.e. no political opponent, plague, famine or sickness.

1 Kings 11:14,23,25 (all references to Satan) – political opponents who arose after Solomon turned to idolatry.

Outside of these normal type Hebrew occurrences there are special references, such as:-

A Brief Consideration of Some Difficult Passages

Isaiah 14:1-4 – the subject outlined, v6 a ruler of the nations, vv10-11 he is brought to the grave, v12 on is therefore quite clear. “A fall from heaven” – cp. ch.34:2-6 judgments on earthly nation called Edom (here the government of Idumea) i.e. a fall from government (cp. 14:5-6); vv13-14 a nation that set itself to rule Israel, vv15-16 a man brought low.

Ezekiel 28:2 “thou art a man not God”, v3 onwards generates great sarcasm, vv11-12 great exaggeration, v13 Tyre as a city was on the west coast of geographical Eden. All of Eden was fruitful, v14 the Cherub was a word used to describe the nation in whom God was manifest. The High Priest’s breastplate is referred to as the “stones of fire”. Tyre was a proselyte nation in the days of Solomon (Hiram). Cherub = a nation with whom God is prepared to dwell. V15 from the time of their embracing the Truth.
“Perfect” does not convey the idea that the English word does upright or unsullied. Both Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 find themselves in the midst of historical chapters.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 transforming themselves shows they are false – “for the Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” a problem people have is because of the use of angel – a messenger of light – the Pharisees claimed to be proclaiming the truth of God’s word.

Demons Defined

What are they? The churches have developed a doctrine of demons that bears no resemblance either to the original pagan ideas or to the prevailing public view at the time of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“DEMONS” ARE OF GREEK ORIGIN (Liddell & Scott, pp 270-271).

DAIMON, in Hesiod OP.121 (800 BC) = souls of men of golden age*, acting as tutelary deities; connecting link between gods and man. So also of deified Darius (Aeschulus) (480 BC).

So Liddell & Scott clearly point out the pagan Greek view as to the origin of demons.

•         The Golden Age in Greek mythology referred to the time when there were no ills or death, i.e. before Pandora opened the box given her by the gods. It is the pagan myth to explain death that came by Adam (Genesis 3). These demons (the souls of those who died in that golden age) became the connecting link between the gods and men – Olympus and men. Hence Aeschulus uses a demon to describe the deified Darius.

DAIMON is rarely, if ever, used in an evil sense in Classical Greek of early times, but by New Testament times this predominated.

Distinguish from DIABOLOS and DAIMON:-

the noun DAIMONION and the verb DAIMONIZOMAI.

DAIMONION means THE DIVINE ESSENCE or POWER. Like Daimon it is a Pagan Greek mythological idea, merely a product of superstition.

In Greek usage Daimonia were:-

• An inferior race Of Divine beings, or demons (Plato, Xenophon)
• The “Genius” or spirit that dwells within man (Socrates).

In Greek usage Daimonizomai meant:-

• To appoint one’s fate (Philemon)
• To be deified (Sophocles)

In Classical Greek the bad sense developed gradually.

Immortality of the Soul – It was an idea of Egypt and Babylon that the Greeks adopted. Consider 1 Corinthians 10:14, 19-22, context idolatry. In this passage idol and demon are parallel thoughts. V19 Is an idol real? No – but the Gentiles think that it is a real deity. Not to confuse word with DIABOLOS, not related to DAIMON. Use of DIABOLOS 34x devil, also liar, slander, e.g., see Titus 2:3, false accusers.

V20 of 1 Corinthians 10 is a quote from Deuteronomy 32:17, see vv 15-18. V17 devils Hebrew “shedim” = destroyers and is translated 300 B.C. in the Septuagint as “daimonion”, i.e. demons = false gods as opposed to Deos the true God.

As to what idols are, see Psalm 96:5; 106:37-38 (the demons of Canaan) & Psalm 115:3-8.

Therefore Acts 17:18 Paul charged with teaching about false demons (AV gods) because he teached Jesus (to them a male demon) and Anastasus (resurrection – to them a female demon).

V22 to Paul the Greeks were “very religious” (AV too superstitious) because v23 they believed in idols.

Wherever one goes in the NEW TESTAMENT the prevailing view was the Greek idea – not the Bible idea since nowhere in the OLD TESTAMENT is there any doctrine of demon possession.

Matthew 12:22 – clear evidence of the Greek idea among the Jews – “possessed with a devil” = Gk demonised V24 Beelzebub compare 2 Kings 1:2 – a Philistine view mingled now with Greek superstition. The god of Ekron was an idol associated with flies – the lord of the dung heap. The Pharisees therefore had imposed heathen superstition on their view of the OLD TESTAMENT Casting out sickness to them equalled casting out a demon. In their view Jesus was in cahoots with a heathen deity (v24).

V22 to Jesus it was healing; to them it was casting out demons (who in their mind were the gods of the heathen) Psalm 106:35-37 – idols of the nations are demons. Cp. Also Jeremiah 19:4-5 – Hebrew “bosheth” – shame substituted for pagan view of Molech “king”.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 – the Bible gives a special warning for our days that “doctrines of devils (demons)” constitutes a departure from the faith; i.e. to believe that demons are real is astray from the faith, cp. also Revelation 9:20.

What are the spirits of 1 Timothy 4? Spirits are doctrines or teachings and speak of false prophets as a convertible term, compare 1 John 4:1-2.

Matthew 8:16-17 establishes the modern medical view that “demon possessed” = “sick”.

Matthew 8:28-32 incident on Legion. V29 “to torment us” – classical view as put by Hesiod that while demons were without a body they could be in pain or torment; and so, according to classical theory, they would not want to be disembodied. But look at what happened – if they were really demons they would not cause the swine to be destroyed because according to popular views this would have caused them great pain. So Jesus shows but what happened that demons were not real.

Why the didn’t Jesus just say that to the men? The reason he made them sane first before straightening them out on doctrine. There is no point in reasoning with one who is “not in his right mind.”

Cp. Luke 8:26-31, 35 (abyss = “deep”) AV again elements of classical view in this parallel passage. But we notice Luke says that the man cured was restored to “his right mind”.

In Matthew 17:14-18 we have a boy with severe epilepsy. Jesus rebuked the “demon”. Does this mean that it was a real personal entity? No more the wind that he rebuked, Luke 8:24-25. Why? So that his authority may be known. V15 “Lunatick” = lit. struck by the moon, Gk. seleni metal selenium) for moon. Even in Jesus’ day they used lunacy as we do today as a figure of speech.

Hence, although in the New Testament one finds that Hellenistic views had influenced Judaism, in no way does the Bible support these pagan views, but simply it shows that they had affected the public and religious views.

So far as the Bible is concerned, Demons as idols are non-entities.

11.	Mark 3 AND Unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying Thou art the son of God.	Did the spirits fall down? No! the sick person fell down. And believed this was the Son of God and he could be healed Isaiah 61:1; 35:5-6.
15.	Matthew 17 LORD, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed for oftentimes he falleth into the fire and oft into the water.	“MOONSTRUCK” still used today but not as a literal meaning, it simply refers “diseases” of the mind and senses. Cp. Mark 9:14-27, Luke 9:37-49 EPILEPSY caused by brain disorder and not a demon or devil as it can be controlled by drugs.
18.	And Jesus rebuked the devil: and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.	Other versions – rebuked HIM (i.e. the boy) and (he was cured).

Reincarnation: The Bible Denies it!

The Suppositions underlying belief in Reincarnation:

1. Life is inherent in man and continues independent of the body after death
2. Man’s personality survives death
3. Man receives successive opportunities (by successive incarnations) to achieve perfection
4. Resurrection is not essential as the only means bu which man may survive death
5. The sacrifice of Christ was not necessary to secure life for man
6. The sacrifice of Christ was not sufficient to bring man to perfection.

THE BIBLE DENIES EACH OF THESE ERRORS AND WARNS OF THE MORTALITY OF MAN, THE BREVITY OF LIFE AND BOTH THE NEED AND SUFFICENTLY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE AND RESURRECTION.

• Man is mortal – Psalm 49:12, 19-20, his life brief and irrecoverable when lost – Isaiah 26:14; James 4:14; Psalm 103:14-16, his personality then non-existent – Ecclesiasties 9:4-6; Psalm 6:5; Isaiah 38:18; Psalm 146:3-4.
• God gives but one lifetime to each of us – Psalm 78:39, and one death, and after this our judgment – Hebrews 9:27, meanwhile the dead in Christ “sleep” 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
• Resurrection is the only way to life for the dead – 1 Cortinthians 15:16-18; Isaiah 26:19; John 5:28-29.
• Only by Cjrist’s sacrificial death can men regain life – John 3:16; Hebrews 10:12; Acts 4:12.
• Christ’s death was sufficient to cleanse us from all sins – Titus 2:14; Romans 5:15-21; and to be the sole and sufficient sacrifice to perfect us for ever – Hebrews 7:24-25; 10:12,14.

What is your life?

Did God endow you with an “eternal spark” of life that cannot die? Only the Bible’s evidence can settle this question. Mankind’s speculation about the alleged “immortal soul” is baseless and worthless. It is merely ‘the wish, the father of the thought’.

What does the Bible say about your life?

• It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanished away” (James 4:14)
• “Man is like to vanity: his days are like a shadow that passeth away” (Psalm 144:4)
• “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more (Psalm 103:14-16)
• “Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes” (Genesis. 18:27)

What is Man?

• A living “soul” = a natural body (Genesis 2:7 cp. 1 Corinthians 15:42-49) “soul” = any breathing creation; Genesis 1:20,24; 2:19; 9:10; Numbers 31:28 in death as well as in life (Numbers 6:6,11; Numbers 9:6,7,10,13; 19:13).
• Death attacks and destroys the man. (Ezekiel 18:4; Psalm 78:50; Psalm 89:48; 22:29; Ecclesiastes 3:18-21)
• In death man is unconscious. (Psalm 146:2-4; 6:4-5; Isaiah 38:17-18; Ecclesiastes 9:3-6,10)
• Without Christ the dead perish. (John 3:14-17; 1 Corinthians 15:18)

The Reality of Death

• “As a hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light” (Job 3:16)
• “Oh that I had given up the spirit and no eye had seen me! I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave’ (Job 10:18-19)
• “O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more” (Psalm 39:13)
• “While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” (Psalm 146:2)
• “They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish” (Isaiah 26:14)

Immortality a Hope and a Promise

1. Immortality brought to light by Christ through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10)
2. Immortality obtained through obedience (Romans 2:6-10)
3. Immortality promised by God, but not yet possessed (1 John 2:25; Titus 1:2; James 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:1)
4. Immortality our hope (Titus 1:2; 3:7)

The General Principle

1. When man is created or born he becomes a LIVING SOUL (Genesis 2:7)
2. When man dies he decays into dust and knows nothing (Genesis 3:19; Psalm 146:4)

The Original Words ‘Nephesh’ and ‘Psuche’ Translated Soul

In the Old Testament

The Hebrew word ‘NEPHESH’ occurs over 700 times. It is translated in various ways VIZ. soul 428 times (e.g. Genesis 2:7); life and living 119 times (e.g. Proverbs 12:10); person 30 times (e.g. Genesis 14:21); mind 15 times (e.g. Genesis 23:8); creature 9 times (e.g. Genesis. 1:20); body 7 times (e.g. Haggai 2:13).

In the New Testament

The Greek word ‘PSUCHE’ occurs 105 times. It is translated in various ways VIZ. soul 58 times (e.g. Acts 2:27); life 40 times (e.g. Matthew 16:25); mind 3 times (e.g. Philippians 1:27); heart 1 time (e.g. Ephesians 6:6); heartily 1 time (e.g. Colossians 3:23); us 1 time; you 1 time.

Man’s Life Cycle

Souls Possess

Souls Function

Souls Die

Ezekiel 18:4; Psalms 78:50; Isaiah 53:12; Revelation 16:3; Psalms 89:48; Joshua 10:28,30,32,35; Job 7:15; Psalms 33:19; Ezekiel 13:19; James 5:20.

Animals Have Souls

Numbers 31:28; Genesis 1:21,24; Genesis 2:19; Genesis 9:10 (creature is ‘NEPHESH’ in these Genesis quotes).

Souls are Never Described as Immortal

Souls are not once described as ‘immortal’ neither are the adjectives ‘immortal’ or ‘deathless’ ever linked to the word soul’. The phrase ‘immortal soul’ never occurs in Scripture.

Immortality is Something

Resurrection – Man’s Only Hope of Life After Death

1 Corinthians 15:16-18
1 Corinthians 15:32

This work explains the Bible-based view that human beings are inherently mortal and inclined to sin, with no immortal soul that survives death. It argues that death is a complete, unconscious state affecting the whole person, and that the only hope of life beyond the grave is through resurrection and salvation in Christ.

Part of The Things Of The Kingdom And The Things Of The Name by Rick O’Connor.

Chapters

• Man Is Wholly Mortal
• Man’s State in Death
• Man Mortal – Redeemed by Christ
• The Old Serpent, the Devil and Satan

The Only True God The Father

John 17:3:

“This in life eternal, that they know thee (Father) the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent” (RSV)

1 Corinthians 8:4-6:

“There is no God but one…

“For us (Christians) there is one God, the Father…

“And one Lord, Jesus Christ…” (RSV)

Jesus is “Lord”: Because –

God, His Father, raised him from death and made him “Lord” – Acts 2:31-36

This “Lord”, Master, Ruler:

• Was crucified – 1 Corinthians 2:8
• Died – 1 Corinthians 11:26
• Was raised by God – 1 Peter 1:3

Because of those things –

• He is “Lord” both of dead and living – Romans 14:9

Therefore:

• Jesus’ bearing the Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

• The Father remains God to Jesus – Ephesians 1:3
• Jesus received his Father’s name as his reward for obedience and sacrifice Philippians 2:8-9

So that:

• Worship addressed to Jesus glorifies the Father – Philippians 2: 10-11
• The Father’s name is to Jesus a new name – Revelation 3:12

Therefore:

• Jesus’ bearing the Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

• The Father always remains God to Jesus – 2 Corinthians 11:31
• Jesus came in his Father’s name – John 5:43
• Jesus revealed his Father’s name – John 17:6,26
• Jesus did his works in his Father’s name – John 10:25
• Jesus kept his disciples in his Fathers name – John 17:12

And Because:

• All the Father’s family is named from him – Ephesians 3:14-15

Therefore:

• Jesus’ bearing his Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

• The Father always remains God to Jesus – John 20:17
• All God’s family is named from him – Ephesians 3:14-15
• All believers are called to bear the Father’s name – Acts 15:14-17
• All believers do bear the Father’s name – Revelation 14:1
• Jesus keeps them in the Father’s name – John 17:12

Then:

• Jesus shares the Father’s name in common with many who are not God

Therefore:

• Jesus’ bearing the Father’s name is NOT evidence that he, the son, is God

Consequently:

• The Father always remains God to Jesus – Romans 15:5-7

The Word was God – What Word?

The word “WORD” is a general term.

Yet, without introduction or explanation, John opens his book by using it as a particular term, “THE WORD”.

This is only valid communication if the recipients of the book already knew the precise sense John intended for the term, and if subsequent users also have the information available to them which enables them to reach the same certainty. The NEW TESTAMENT makes clear that they did, and we also do.

Constant usage from Pentecost A.D. 33 onward settles what the apostles taught as the particular meaning of “THE WORD”.

“Many of those who heard THE WORD (of the gospel) believed” – Acts 4:4

“Give ourselves… to the ministry of THE WORD (of the gospel)” – Acts 6:4

“Those… went everywhere preaching THE WORD (of the gospel)” – Acts 8:4

“THE WORD (of the gospel) which God sent preaching peace” – Acts 10:36

“When they had preached THE WORD (of the gospel) in Perga” – Acts 14:25

“The gentiles should hear THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL and believe” – Acts 15:7

“If you hold fast THAT WORD (of the gospel) which I preached” – 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

“By THE WORD of the truth (of the gospel)” – 2 Corinthians 6:7

“You heard THE WORD of truth, THE GOSPEL of your salvation” – Ephesians 1:13

“Furtherance of THE GOSPEL… to speak THE WORD without fear” – Philippians 1:12,14

“You heard before in THE WORD of the truth of THE GOSPEL” – Colossians 1:5

“Having received THE WORD (of the gospel) and doctrine” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6

“Those who labour in THE WORD (of the gospel) and doctrine” – 1 Timothy 5:17

“Preach THE WORD (of the gospel) be ready” – 2 Timothy 4:2

“In due time manifested HIS WORD (the gospel) through preaching” – Titus 1:3

“He brought us forth by THE WORD of the truth (the gospel)” – James 1:18

“In the beginning was THE WORD (of the gospel)… with God” – John 1:1

Philippians Chapter 2 – The Vital Terms

“Morphe” Philippians 2:6 “the FORM of God”; Philippians 2:7 “the FORM of a slave”

Liddell & Scott, Greek-English lexicon:

“Form, shape… fine form, beautiful form or shape… figure… a person… fashion, appearance… the outward form or semblance, as opposed to the “Eidos” or true form… kind, sort… gesture… the mere form, outline”

The Bible itself:

Mark 16:12:

“After that he appeared in another form (Morphe) unto two of them, as they walked and went into the country”

Luke 24:15-16, 31:

“Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him… and their eyes were opened and they recognised him” (RSV)

Morphe has to do with the external features perceived by an observer, not with “inner reality” or the like.

In Philippians 2, Morphe refers to Jesus’ conduct and way of life, which were seen to be like God’s as regards holiness, love and such virtues, and like a slave’s in humility.

The Trinitarian definitions of “Morphe”: “Essence, true nature, inner reality” are not sustained by the evidence.
“Huparcho” Philippians 2:6 “BEING in the form of God”
Liddell & Scott, Greek-English lexicon:

“To begin, start, to make a beginning of… to begin to be, come into being, arise, spring up… to be there, be at hand, be ready… (simply) to be, to be (of a good natural disposition), there is, the fact, is that, to exist really (opposed to semblance – PHAINOMAI), to exist now (opposed to being or existing before PROGENESTHAI)… to be such, to be so and so… to be possible, to lie under, to be taken for granted… to belong to, be property of, to be on (one or other) side… (participle) (one’s) property, all that is at one’s command, present advantages, one’s means, the circumstances, natural parts, talents… to belong… to rule in subordination to another, be lieutenant (to someone)”.

From this comprehensive survey by Liddell & Scott, it is evident that the Trinitarian claim that “HUPARCHO” means “BEING ORIGINALLY (before birth, before the incarnation)”, is special reading.

The Biblical usage that follows confirms this.

“Schema” Philippians 2:8 “being found in FASHION as a man”

Liddell & Scott, Greek-English lexicon:

“Like Latin “HABITUS”, the form, shape, frame, outward appearance, the figure, person… form, figure (as opposed to the reality), a mere outside, a mere show, pretence… bearing, look, air, mein, stateliness, dignity, pomp, gestures… manner, way, conformation, posture, position… a character (assumed (Latin) “PERSONA”, “PARTES”)… the state, nature, constitution (of a thing)… species, kinds (of diseases)… (dancing) steps, a dance (in logic) the figure (of a syllogism)… sketch, outline, plan, scheme (a mathematical) form, diagram.”

The Bible itself:

1 Corinthians 7:31 – “For the form of this world is passing away”.

Where the “SCHEMA” is that “found” by an observer, it has to do with external features discernible by the senses. Here it refers to birth, development, wants and their satisfaction, experience of weariness and sickness, ageing and the like, which are characteristic of man, as distinct from God.

An Outline of the Bible’s Answer to the Doctrine of the Trinity

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD
PROOF:
SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God
THERFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus
AND SINCE:	God in immortal (never dying) – 1 Timothy 6:16
THEREFORE:	Jesus is immortal (never dying)
BUT:	Jesus DID die – 1 Corinthians 15:3; Acts 2:23-24 Then received immortality – Acts 13:30, 34, 37; Revelation 1:18; John 5:26
HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT
THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD
PROOF:
SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God
THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus
AND SINCE:	God is supreme, subject to none
THEREFORE:	Jesus in supreme, equal with God
BUT:	Jesus is subordinate to God In the past – John 14:28; 5:19,30 Now – 1 Corinthians 11:3 In the future – 1 Corinthians 15:28 i.e. – Jesus is NEVER equal with God
HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT
THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD
PROOF:
SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God
THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus
AND SINCE:	God cannot be tempted – James 1:13
THEREFORE:	Jesus cannot be tempted
BUT:	Jesus was tempted – Hebrews 4:14-15
HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT
THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD
PROOF:
SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God
THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributes of Jesus
AND SINCE:	God is omniscient – Romans 11:33-35
THEREFORE:	Jesus is omniscient (all-knowing)
BUT:	Jesus is not omniscient:
	* Born:	a baby
	* Growing up:	developed wisdom – Luke 2:52
	* Adult:	Mark 13:32
	* Dead:	dead 3 days – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
		without knowledge – Ecclesiastes 9:10
	* Resurrected:	lacking knowledge – Acts 1:7
	* Ascended:	lacking knowledge – Revelation1:1
	i.e. – Jesus is NEVER omniscient
HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT
THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

PROPOSITION:	JESUS IS NOT GOD
PROOF:
SUPPOSE:	Jesus is God
THEREFORE:	Attributes of God = Attributed of Jesus
AND SINCE:	God cannot be seen of men – 1 Timothy 6:16; John 1:18
THEREFORE:	Jesus cannot be seen by men
BUT:	Jesus was seen and will be seen by men Mortal life – Mark 9:14, 15, et cetera Resurrected – John 21:14; 1 Corinthians 15:5,7 Ascended – Acts 9:17,27 Returned – Revelation 1:7
HENCE:	The supposition is INCORRECT
THEREFORE:	JESUS IS NOT GOD

The Triune God Unscriptural

• The unscriptural triune God is one of the Roman Catholic Church’s mysteries (see Revelation 17:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:7) which Catholic and Protestant Churches of almost all denominations have blindly adopted.
• Unknown to the Bible, the trinity was formulated in the 4^th and 5^th centuries after Christ. Its final form, the Athanasian Creed, dated from the 5^th century A.D. It is in fact a revival of a pagan doctrine originated in Babylon, and grafted onto Catholic doctrine as a result of acceptance into that Church of pagan philosophical reasoning.
• The triune God is said to consist of three persons, each of which is in all respects coequal, and coeternal to the other two persons.

Trinitarian Concepts

• The ETERNAL GENERATION of the Son
• The ETERNAL PROCESSION of the Holy Ghost

• To be born is an event completed at a particular instant in time. It cannot be eternal.
• To proceed forth is an act begun at a particular instant of time. It cannot be eternal.

The “Athanasian” Creed

3) But the Catholic faith is this, that we worship on God in trinity: and trinity in unity

4) Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.

5) There is one person of the Father: another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit.

6) But Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one godhead: equal in glory coeternal in majesty.

7) Such as the Father is, so is the Son; such is the Holy Spirit.

8) The Father increate, the Son increate; the Holy Spirit increate.

Clauses 9 to 19 pronounce each of the 3 persons: “infinite”, “eternal”, “omnipotent”, “God”, “Lord”, but prohibit concluding that therefore there are three infinites, eternals, omnipotents, Gods or Lords.

20) The Father is made from nothing: neither created nor born.

21) The Son is from the Father alone: not made nor created but born.

22) The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son: not made, nor created, nor born, but proceeding.

23) There is therefore one Father not three Fathers; one Son not three Sons, one Holy Spirit not three Holy Spirits.

24) And in this trinity none is before or after: none greater or less. But all three persons are coeternal and coequal to each other.

25) Thus as everywhere so now it is affirmed above: both unity in trinity and trinity in unity is to be worshipped.

26) Whoever therefore wishes to be saved: this should think of the trinity.

The error of “the trinity” is nowhere taught in the Bible. It is the lowest point of the apostasy predicted by Paul – 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Its laboured confusion and contradiction contrast totally with the simple clarity of Christ.

Their nature, relationship to the Father and an indication of our hope.

Ephesians 3:14-16 – From the Father the whole family is named – in heaven as well as earth cp. Job 38:7 – the angels are God’s sons, shining glorious people.

What are angels? The real meaning of the word ‘angel’ is shown in James 2:25 “messengers” = Gk angelos (usually rendered angels). So this is precisely what the word means. Same in the Old Testament.

1 Samuel 25:14 – Hebrew ‘messengers’ (Malak – cp. OLD TESTAMENT Book Malachi) – see Malachi 3:1 cp. Matthew 11:10. The word therefore describes their work rather than what they are by nature. Luke 7:24 – “messengers” of John (Gk angelos).

Jesus himself sent out angelos (human “messengers”) Luke 9:52. In Luke 1:19 Gabriel was a messenger sent forth to speak to Zechariah, then to Mary, v26.

They are God’s messengers to us. We can be thankful that God has opened a means of contact for mankind. Genesis 18:1-5 – they are in their form as men – that Abraham thought they were men is clear, as Hebrews 13:1-2 establishes. Rather than they looking like us, we look like them, Genesis 1:26-27 (God = Elohim and speaks of the angels). v26 is God in manifestation; v27 God as the author of the creative power. We are in the form of God, as the angels also (James 3:9).

God cannot be seen by man until he receives a change in nature, 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Revelation 21:1-4 – these verses have their fulfillment at the end of the Millennium. Matthew 18:10 – angels do look upon their Father. Ultimately if we are faithful the same privilege will be ours, Matthew 5:8. There cannot be a greater blessing than this.

Their Function Described

Hebrews 1:4 – Christ is greater than the angels; v5 they are sons of God in a similar sense to the way we become sons of God. Jesus is the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON; v7 His angels are spirit beings – immortal, powerful, glorious; v14 they are preparing us for the salvation God desires to bestow upon His children who are responding to His work.

See also Psalm 103:20-21 – mighty in strength, doing according to His word in which they rejoice. Psalm 104:3-4 (“wind” in v3 = spirit” v4) – the basis of Paul’s comment in Hebrews 1. To minister in aid and protect (flame of fire) cp. 2 Kings 6:9-17 – a visible sign of their function as an army to protect Elisha.

Proverbs 15:3 – a description of the angels, cp. 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 show that angels are present as Yahweh’s eyes. Truly God does have OMNISCIENT COGNISANCE but His angels are where his servants are. As messengers they engage also in communication to God as well. If your heart is toward God trouble may come upon you but will NOT overwhelm you. Psalm 34:1-9,15,19,22 – progression of ideas, v7 the principle. (Cp. Elisha’s deliverance, 2 Kings 6). What God did to Sodom was just. God did it for Lot’s sake, for Abraham’s sake and for our sake.

Genesis 11:11-13, 24-29 – the angelic help Jacob received.

Genesis 32:1-2 – supported by seeing God’s army camp and his own, v3 messengers (malak); v9 his prayer. God gave his answer in a contest. vv24-29 Jacob’s changed name to Israel – if he prevails with angels need he fear men. v30 God is seen in others who manifest Him – angels yes and ourselves if we will let Him, cp. Hosea 12:4-6.

Angels’ names express:

• their function, and
• the aspect of God which they manifest.

Angels in Daniel

Daniel 3:19-25 (a son of the gods) – the angel of God had preserved His servants v28, (as in Psalm 34:7).

Daniel 6:19-22 – shows similarly an angel of God preserving Daniel. In serving God we will be saved if we are faithful – the angels work on our behalf if it is to our eternal benefit.

Another aspect of the work is shown in Daniel 9:20-23.

Daniel 10:2-3, 10-13 – shows that the angels – manipulate circumstances, v20-21

1 Timothy 6:15-16 – A principle which can and should be applied.

Genesis 32:30 – what Jacob saw was a manifestation of God – true of others as it is of angels, 1 John 1:1-2.

What God is, He has made His angelic children. Exodus 33:17-23. God is again showing Himself through an intermediary.

Genesis 18:17-22 – shows an angel revealing God. Also

Genesis 22:11-15 – the angel speaks in the name of Yahweh as a promise.

Where did the angels come from?

Genesis 3:22 tells us something of their origin. The angels have also been put in circumstances of trial. Before their immortality they were put to the test. But now they are beyond the power of death, Luke 20:33-36.

2 Peter 2:4 – these cannot be “the spirit beings, the angels of God”, as God’s angels are deathless, they cannot sin. There is an allusion to the mythology of Tartarus – a comparison with Numbers 16 shows it very likely to be Korah, Dathan and Abiram who by an earthquake were cast down alive into the pit, compare Jude 6.

Very shortly we will meet our angel, Matthew 18:10-11.

God has declared from the beginning that it is His purpose to fill this earth with His glory (Numbers 14:21). The way He does this is by showing forth Himself in those who obey the gospel.

Re-created in God’s Spiritual Likeness

In fact God redeems us in Christ so we can show forth His virtues:

“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises (correctly as in the margin – the virtues) of him who have called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9

God’s virtues are not natural to us. We must learn them from His word, which re-create our minds in Rio likeness in a spiritual re-birth (1 Peter 1:23).

His exhortation to us is to become imitators of Him as children do their parents (Ephesians 5:1). We can do this by observing His ways of thought and action as the Bible shows us them, and then doing as we see Him do.

Both the letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians show that the effect of our belief in the gospel is to create in us a new mental and moral outlook, which forms our characters into the image of God’s own: –

“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Ephesians 4:23-24

“Ye have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” Colossians 3:10

This is what God wishes for us, so that He can adopt us as His own children, to save us from death and draw us into eternal happiness and fellowship with Himself and Christ.

Christ Dwells in Our Hearts

Christ is the manifestation of God to us, so God wants to see in our hearts the image of Christ. Paul prays that God may grant us:

“to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith…” Ephesians 3:16-17

This key Scriptural statement focuses attention on the only means by which the image of Christ and God may be formed in our hearts – by belief of the gospel.

By faith our ways of thought and action can be greatly changed so we behave as Christ did, and please God as he did.

The change will bring us close to God and create a unity of mind with him similar to that attained in Christ. Christ prayed for those who believe in him:

“that they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they all may be one in us… and the glory which thou hast given me I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one” John 17:21-23

This unity of mind, heart and character, imperfect as it may be in these days of weakness, gives us access to a source of strength, happiness and security that nothing else can offer, and no one can take away, if we remain faithful.

God is pleased to see in us His own image and will crown it with a fitting reward. He will endow those, whose lives have shown Him forth, with His own divine and immortal nature. The Apostle Peter says:

“His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” 2 Peter 1:3-4

The First Steps

Your first steps to realising this glorious destiny, offered through the grace of the loving God, are:

1. To accept His call made to you in the gospel,
2. Believe the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
3. Be baptised into Jesus Christ to obtain forgiveness of sins,
4. In a life of faith and obedience to God, let God show Himself in you in every thought and act.

Jesus Christ – The Son and Manifestation of God – Part 1

Reading: John 6:27-65

In natural things a father and son are alike in many ways but nonetheless are different individuals. one being older than the other by very reason of their relationship as father and son. This is the relationship that exists between God – His son.

Philippians 2:6 Jesus is in the form of God as any son is in the form of his father, which presupposes the existence of the father before the son.

Luke 1:35 Jesus was both son of God and son of Mary. That which was born was human and dependent for its very existence upon a mother and father. There could be no existence before its conception. v32 “He shall be called the Son of the Highest” is suggestive that the fact needs proof. He was human which would otherwise be seen to be an impossibility but was revealed by God to be true.

John 1:15 “…preferred (Philippians 2:9 – exalted because he was death, v8) before me; for he was before me”.

V30 Talking about the man who was before him which is proof that it is not talking about a pre-existent part of the Godhead but that rather this was a part of God’s plan and was foreknown of Him, Romans 8: 2 9.

John 6 the exposition of John 1:15, 30.

v32 – he was the bread, which came from heaven; v38 he came down from heaven; v51 he equates the bread with his flesh – which he says came from heaven.

If therefore it is insisted that this preaches his pre-existence then he existed in flesh in heaven – this could not be because his flesh was the product of his conception in his mother’s womb. It is evident then that he meant other than his literal pre-existence in heaven.

Such passages are understood then that his existence prior to his conception was as a part of God’s plan and purpose – he pre-existed only in the foreknowledge of God and not in a literal existence before conception. See Romans 4:17

Jesus Christ – Son and Manifestation of God – Part 2

Reading: Colossians 1

The principle at the heart of this subject (1 Timothy 3:14-16) in a context of how the members of the household of God should behave. Note the correct punctuation in vvl5-16

“…how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the ecclesia of the living God. The pillar and ground of the truth and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest…”

Manifestation means showing forth. Jesus Christ in his life and behaviour showed the character of God.

Colossians 1:13 darkness – the ignorance that is in the world uninfluenced by God. v15 “image” means likeness in the same way that a photograph is the likeness of the person photographed. It is not the original.

Colossians 2:9 the Godhead was “dwelling” in Christ which in Greek language clearly indicates he was not himself a part of the Godhead. He was the “house” and not the “resident”. The word “Godhead” means the qualities of God – the qualities of God that dwell in Christ were those of character. When the Lord Jesus Christ was immortalised he possessed the spirit qualities bodily. This still differentiates between God and Jesus. The angels possess these qualities as will the immortalized saints, see Ephesians 3:19.

Things about Christ making it impossible:-

John 1:1 A strange beginning – it must have been expected to be understood by the readers. The book was written for believers. The word “word” is “logos”. Its use will demonstrate its meaning:

These are expressions that the reader would readily understand by the use of this word.

See Acts 8:4 “preaching the word”. “Preaching” means “preach the gospel” – thus the identity of the word and the gospel. Thus John 1:1 will be understood as …

“In the beginning was the gospel”.

“The word was God” is a metaphor. Other examples of metaphor are John 1:8; 5:35; Jude 12, 13. John 1:1 – Whatever the word was… it was with God, two different things emphasized by its repetition in v2.

The Name of Manifestation

Reading: Exodus 3

Ephesians 4:1 – the call to be brethren of Christ, children of God, examples to the world of what God would have us to be, e.g. vv17-24 (v22 exhortation – put off the way we lived before we entered into Christ – old ways were corrupt simply because they were impelled by the lusts in our mind), v23 be renewed in the disposition of our mind, v24 a new way of behaviour – “after God” – “patterned on”, “like” (now no longer like Adam, but like God) -the new man has been recreated – they now have one name common to them all, Revelation 3:11-12, the family name – thy new name. Jesus’ old name was Yahoshua, his new name is Yahweh (Philippians 2:9,11). It is his obedience to God that proves his sonship (Hebrews 5:8-9; John 1:14 the only begotten stands unique and alone, see v12; and relate to Revelation 14:1). The name describes for us a changed way of life.

Exodus 3:13 – they would ask what was God’s name. What can you tell us that will show us what He is like? (is the idea) The nations’ gods’ names bespoke their identity, i.e. Baal = lord,
Milchom = king etc,

v14 I AM THAT I AM (one statement of the name).

v15 THE LORD GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, THE GOD OF JACOB (is a restatement of the name). “LORD” in capital letters is YAHWEH but only one word in this statement – three words making up the name, YAHWEH ELOHIM of ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB (elements). The rest of the Scriptures use each of the elements as abbreviations of the total name.

Yahweh = He will become; Elohim = mighty ones.

Abraham, Isaac (selected over Ishmael) and Jacob (selected over Esau). The name of God works by selecting from among mankind. “He will become mighty ones selected from Abraham’s seed” (Romans 9 – selection).

Exodus 3:12 – “I will be” is wrongly translated “I am” in v14. “I will become who I will become” – this is a description of what God is like. As soon as they heard that they knew what God was like.

Genesis 18:16-18 – “Abraham shall become” – by having a son and becoming a father. Yahweh’s name therefore indicates His intention to have a family. Genesis 32:10 “I have become” – a family now grown into two companies. Genesis 48:19 – “he also shall become a people… become a multitude of nations”.

Exodus 2:9-10 – “became her son” by adoption (cp. John 1:12 a commentary on the name of Yahweh) . He takes that name because he is a father who has sons and daughters. We are to be mental and moral reflections of our Father – a family in His own likeness.

Colossians 3:7-10 (cp. Ephesians 4) “image” interprets the ideas of Ephesians 4. Jesus in his life, death and resurrection proved that the Father had a son. Both statements in Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3 are quoting Genesis 1:26-27, image – family likeness between God and His children.

1 John 4:8-16; 3:1,2 (there is a greater sonship to come). Galatians 3:7-9, 26-29 the importance of likeness, descendants described as seed (they come from it) cp. Genesis 1:11-12. Galatians 3:16 is the application of v29, Abraham’s SEED. People of Abraham’s kind by faith – of one kind of seed only that which is characterized by Christ (cp. Romans 4:11-18) Through His word we think the way God thinks, we live as God’s children.

Jesus of Nazareth was:

“a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you” (Acts 2:22)

The Only Begotten Son

But he was more than merely man. He was God’s only begotten son. The angel of God showed this before his birth to Mary, his mother:

“Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David …

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost (Spirit) shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:31-35)

So Jesus is God’s son – not “God the Son”, a phrase nowhere found or hinted at in Scripture. As son of God, he is neither co-equal nor co-eternal with the Father. His existence began at his birth some 2,000 years ago.

But being son of God, the mental and moral family likeness to his Father is evident in Jesus, as we would expect.

“The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)

Mental and Moral Image of God

So close is and was this mental and moral likeness to his Father that Jesus is called:

“The image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature… For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 1:15,19)

Being the image of God in character, it is clear he is not God, but a manifestation who shows us God’s thoughts and ways – which we could not otherwise see.

Jesus is shown to us as being in character in the form of God:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (Better translated – Considered not equality with God a thing to be grasped – Revised version and Revised Standard Version) but made himself of no reputation… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross… Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him (Philippians 2:5-9)

This passage is the climax of an exhortation by the Apostle Paul for us to avoid an attitude of pride and selfishness. And to enforce the exhortation strongly, he illustrated that Jesus himself achieved his reward and exaltation by showing just such a character – humble and unselfish.

He was in the form of God, that is, he showed in his character all the virtues of God, yet he did not seek to usurp the reverence due to God – but rather emptied out pride and became humble as a servant (Philippians 2:7). And Jesus perfected his work of service in obeying God right up to death on the cross. Christ’s relationship to God is clearly shown here – he was in God’s form mentally and morally – that is a copy of God’s character. And he was obedient to God as a servant and son.

Of One Mind with God

The likeness of Christ as son of God to his Father in character and virtue is illustrated in his own words in John 10:30-36:

“I and my Father are one” (verse 30)

The Jews misunderstood this. They thought he was claiming to be God, just as Trinitarians today misunderstand him (verses 31-33). So Jesus makes clear that the unity he means is a mental, moral unity, a likeness of character founded on his complete absorption of the word of God – and that a similar oneness of mind with God is for others beside him, at least in measure (verses 34-36).

So Christ shows the source of the doctrine and power he possessed to have been his Father (John 7:16; 8:28-29, 38, 42).

The Word Made Flesh

Christ’s character and his whole way of life were formed by God’s word. So complete was its effect on his mind that he is described as the “word made flesh” (John 1:14). This means that the mind of his Father exhibited in the Bible was so indelibly engraved in Jesus’ heart that all his thoughts and actions were generated by his Father’s will. The book of Hebrews confirms this:

“Lo, I come to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7)

God’s will for Christ was that God should perfect in him an unblemished character by His word and strength and then Christ should lay down his life as a sacrifice, crucified to save all who believe in him.

Jesus espoused this purpose with all his heart, and in love for God and us, gave himself wholly to God to perform that work in him:

“Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9)

He is shown to be son and servant of God – not part of the Godhead – and to have given to God the obedience his position as son and servant required.

God Manifest in Flesh

This great Bible doctrine of God manifest (or shown forth) in flesh is summarised in 1 Timothy 3:

“Without controversy great is the mystery (or secret) of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…” (verse 16)

Here is God’s explanation of how Jesus’ perfect life and character came to be. He was a man, human flesh, and subject to the same weakness and temptation as we are. But God showed himself in Jesus – he formed Jesus’ character and virtues in him by the indwelling of His word.

This is said to us to show us how we may “know how we ought to behave ourselves in the house of God” (verse 15). In fact God seeks to manifest himself in us as he did in Christ.

The Relationship of Jesus To His Father

ON THOMAS’ STATEMENT – John 20: 28

The basis of understanding this is in John 10:27-36.

A quote from Psalm 82:6 is made by Jesus. The Psalm shows that the judges of Israel are called “gods” (Elohim) on the basis that the word of God came unto them.

Ephesians 1:3 God was the God of Jesus as well as his Father (cp. .John 20:17).

John 17:1-3 v3 is the key to life eternal. THE FATHER IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD – Jesus excludes himself = he is the servant of God (e.g. Isaiah 52:13; 53:9-11).

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 – there is only one true God.

1 Timothy 2:3 – the reason for this title is in v4, note v5 this was written approximately A.D.65 – 30 years after Jesus had ascended to heaven. Jesus is still called man – therefore he is not God. But, further as a mediator he is drawn from mankind. He can only be a mediator if he is not God.

John 17:5 is to be understood that the Father’s purpose of glory was known to the Father before the world was and He foresaw His son at the head of this glorified family, see vv2l-22.

(Why we do not have a paid ministry:

Acts 20:28-34; 1 Peter 5:2-3; 2 Peter 2:1-3 (feigned = counterfeit) – i.e. they buy you and do it with counterfeit currency.)

Matthew 11:10; Luke 7:24; 9:52; James 2:25 – angels translated as messengers.

Homework: On God manifestation John 6:27-29,51,63 – read the whole chapter

John 3

John 3:2 –         Nicodemus is implying that they could not understand what Jesus was saying.

John 3:3 –         Jesus uses “see” in 2 senses.

John 3:4 –         the problem was they took literally figures of speech and they took as figurative what he spoke literally.

John 3:13 –         is one of the heavenly things – i.e. if you look at it from a human viewpoint you’ll get it wrong. If you look at it from a Divine viewpoint you’ll get it right. “The son of man” is the subject of the verse – he ascended, came down from and is in heaven. God speaks of all these things as having occurred because He has foreseen these things. Jesus’ life was of spirit. His character developed by the Spirit and after resurrection changed to Spirit nature (cp. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

(John 20:21-28 Thomas convinced of the corporeal resurrection of Jesus; Mark 16:9-14 cp. Luke 24:13,29-3l.)

Christ was in heaven in outlook cp. Ephesians 1:1-2,3. We too are to be in “heaven”, Ephesians 2:4-6; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 6:19-21 cp. Isaiah 55:8-11 conveys several of the ideas of John 3.

John 6

John 6:38 – Jesus is subject to the will of a greater One.

John 6:39 –         His works are of the Father’s will.

John 6:44 –         Except you have an influence from heaven you will never understand me.

John 6:46 –         Jesus has totally and clearly perceived the Father’s character.

John 6:51 –         Where was the flesh made? On earth of course. There it cannot mean the actual descent of a being from heaven, but the creation of a being upon earth.

John 6:60 –         cp. John 3:13 see the Son of Man go back – as spirit the descent occurred he went back as a spirit man.

John 6:63 –         Confirms that it is the spirit descending and giving life which is the vital point, not the flesh.

How to Keep God Foremost in Our Life

The Most High, Most Holy God

Isaiah 40:21-22 “… He sits on the circle of the earth… the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers… He stretches out the heavens as a curtain… as a tent to dwell in”.

1 Timothy 6:16 “… dwelling in light which no man can approach … whom no man hath seen, nor can see”.

Isaiah 57:15 “… the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit”.

Leviticus 10:3 “… I will be sanctified in those who come nigh me”.

Are We Forgetful Hearers?

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” James 1:25

“I declare unto you the gospel… by which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

“Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as to sons” – Hebrews 12:5

“He that lacketh these (virtues) is blind and cannot see afar off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” – 2 Peter 1:9

Who God is

God expounds himself in a name in Exodus 3:15 –

“… Y A H W E H – E L O H I M

he who will become – mighty ones – of your fathers, mighty ones of Abraham, mighty ones of Isaac, and mighty ones of Jacob… this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations”.

It is His name so that whenever we address Him we must for courtesy’s sake use it.

As a memorial He intends it to be a constant reminder of Him.

By making it His name He has ensured it will be an unfailing and effective reminder.

But a reminder of what?

His Name and Exposition of Himself

He	God, the Father – source and centre of all (Romans 11:33-36)
will become	to indicate a God of purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11), bringing forth a family (Galatians 3:26)
mighty ones	a multitude of children of God made strong by faith (Romans 1:16; 1 John 5:1-5)
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob	(Romans 4:11-12), selected according to God’s grace (Romans 9:6-8)

The Real Meaning of Yahweh

Yahweh is third person, singular, future time of “Havah”.

“Havah” is used in Genesis 27:29; Exodus 3:15; Job 37:6; Isaiah 16:4; Ecclesiastes 11:3; Nehemiah 6:6; Ecclesiastes 2:22.

“Havah” is the ancient form of “Hayah” meaning “to become” and so, “to be”. It is used thousands of times with these meanings throughout the Old Testament.

As Yahweh is third person, singular, future time of “havah”, so “EYEH” is first person, singular, future of “Hawah” and “Hayah”.

“EYEH” – I will become, I will be note 2 Samuel 7:14 and compare with Hebrews 1:5.

The sense in which Yahweh will become is established in Genesis 18:18; 32:10; 48:19; Isaiah 60:22 – and note Exodus 2:10.

Yahweh the Eternal Memorial

“Thou Yahweh shalt endure for ever and thy memorial unto all generations” (Psalm 102:12; 135:13)

“Yahweh is His memorial” (Hosea 12:5)

“Many generations abundantly utter the memorial of thy great goodness” (Psalm 145:7)

“The desire of our soul is to thy name and to thy memorial” (Isaiah 26:8)

“Rejoice in Yahweh ye righteous; and give thanks for the memorial of His holiness” (Psalm 97:12)

“He has made His wonderful works a memorial” (Psalm 111:4)

“The righteous shall be an everlasting memorial” (Psalm 112:6)

The Name of God as a Way of Life for Us

• We are redeemed to show God’s virtues – 1 Peter 2:9
• Called to imitate God’s ways – Ephesians 5:1
• Recreated in God’s image – Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:8-10
• So Christ dwells in us – Ephesians 3:14-17
• Made one with God as Christ is – John 17:17-23
• Rewarded with Divine nature – 2 Peter 1:2-4

What God Do You Worship?

All we learn of the Truth of the Bible, all we learn of Jesus Christ, is intended to lead us to God, to show us what sort of person He is and how we can be brought into fellowship with Him, as members of His family.

This session is designed therefore to explain what the Bible reveals of God and of how we can become related to Him.

One God, The Father

God has always existed, and will always exist. Although we cannot understand how this can be, because our minds are finite so we can only understand finite things, we are nonetheless surrounded by infinity. We do not understand the infinity of space, but the fact of it is obvious and undeniable, so we all accept it despite our lack of understanding.

So with God, the evidence of His existence is all around us, and can be accepted by anyone who accepts facts, even though we do not understand how He exists eternally.

The Infinite Creator

Our God is revealed as the infinite creator in Isaiah 40:

“It is he… that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in” (verse 22)

This shows God not only as infinite, completely without limits, but greater than that, beyond infinity so He can, as it were, look at infinity from the outside. God numbers the illimitable stars and has named each, and sustains each orb in its existence by His great power:

“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth” (verses 25-26)

And God himself is beyond weariness and weakness. Like His existence, His power is limitless:

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding” (verse 28)

This is the limitless, eternal God who reveals Himself to us in the Bible. He wishes to bring us close to Himself, to give us the power to become His children, so that first of all we can be morally strengthened to please Him, then physically transformed to life for ever with Him:

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength… they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (verses 29,31)

Source of Life

God has life in Himself (John 5:26) as an inherent property of His nature. So He alone has underived immortality:

“The blest and only Potentate (sovereign of all), the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; who only hath immortality” (1 Timothy 6:15-16)

The Bible describes God’s physical nature as “spirit”:

“God is spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24)

By spirit, the Bible means the substance of God’s personal being, as distinct from flesh (the physical substance of mankind and animals – Isaiah 31:3).

Boundless Wisdom, Righteousness and Love

Spread through the whole breadth of the Bible is continuous exposition of the mental and moral “nature” of God. The great variety of narrative, history, doctrine, prophecy, warning and exhortation all display to us how God thinks and acts.

In two splendid epitomes God has summarised the two great facets of His mental and moral nature.

The first shows Him to be wise, and pure and righteous without the shadow of any foolishness or impurity:

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5)

Light is a constant Bible metaphor for wisdom, purity and righteousness. It is used in contrast to the “darkness” of mankind’s ways, foolishness, sin, injustice. Compare the exposition of God’s wisdom and goodness in Romans 11:33-36.

By contrast to us, God’s mental nature is unalloyed wisdom and justice. The second of these summaries shows God’s moral nature dominated by love:

“We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16)

The emotion which has impelled God to offer to become a “Father” to us is love, which this passage shows to define His moral nature. By His love, He seeks to spark in us a response, so that we become drawn to Him by mutual affinity.

Since “light” and “love” define God’s mental and moral nature they also define the qualities of mind essential in us to become His children.

The first essential in seeking the wisdom and love that unite us to God is to get to know Him – and to know Him as He really is.

The Father Alone is God

The truth about God has been lost to most of Christendom by the introduction of the doctrine of the Trinity into “Christianity” in the fourth century A.D. The Trinity is not a Bible doctrine. In fact it originated in Babylon some 2,000 years before Christ, and was grafted onto “Christianity” by the Catholic Church. Jesus Christ himself teaches that the Father is the only God and that neither Christ himself nor any other is part of the Godhead. In John 17 Jesus says:

“This is life eternal, that they (my disciples) might know thee (Father) the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent” (verse 3)

Jesus’ words are emphatic and clear – though godhead may be claimed for others, even for himself, such claims are false – the Father is the only true God.

Consequently the Bible frequently shows the Father to be the God of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as to us. For example:

“I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God” (John 20:17)

“Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3)

Again, the Father is distinguished from Jesus and all others as the only God in 1 Corinthians 8:

“We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many),

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him”
(verses 4-6)

The force of this statement is that it is made as a refutation of assertions that there are other gods than the Father. It is therefore a deliberate exclusion of all others (including Jesus Christ and the holy spirit) from a part in the Godhead. We will consider Jesus Christ as a manifestation of God in the next section. The relationship of Christ to God is explained in 1 Timothy 2:

“There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” verse 5)

Even now, in his position of highest exaltation in heaven, Jesus Christ is man and acts between God and man as mediator to God most holy.

What makes mediatorship between God and man essential is the fact that the most holy and pure God cannot and will not allow sinful, unholy man into His presence. Consequently, if Jesus were himself part of the Godhead, he would be invalidated from being mediator. It is only because he is man and at the same time, sinless and holy, that he can be our mediator to God most holy.

We conclude that the Father is the only true God, the infinite creator and source of all existing things.

Nostradamus – His “Prophecy” in Scriptural Perspective

• The first principle in interpreting Nostradamus – “Let the wish be father of the thought”!
• C II,51 –

“The blood of a just one at London will be lacking
Burnt by lightning of twenty three near six
The ancient lady shall fall from a high place
Many of the same sect shall be killed”.

• Erica Cheetham interprets this of the Great Fire of London, 1666AD.

Who was Michael de Nostredame?

• A medieval Jew, born 1503 A.C. in France, died 1566 A.D., at Salon in France
• A convert to Catholicism, accepting as truth the Catholics Errors of:

The trinity; immortality of the soul; a supernatural devil; the Kingdom of God, the church.

Rejecting as error the Bible Truths:

One God, the Father; man mortal; human nature, the devil; the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Israel restored by Christ.

• A claimant of prophetic powers who rejected the promises and prophecies of God –

• The tainted source of Nostradamus –

“Inspiration” – “occult powers” derived from Jewish superstition and medieval Gentile ignorance –

“The wand in the hand is placed in the middle of the tripod’s legs. With water he sprinkles both the hem of his garment and his foot. A voice, fear; he trembles in his robes. Divine splendour; the god sits nearby”. C I, 2.

But God Forbids this Ignorant Superstition

• Deuteronomy 18:9-14;        
• Acts 8:9-13,18
• Acts 13:6-11;                
• Acts 19:18-20;
• Isaiah 8:19-20

How Erica “dredged up” Hitler, Mussolini and the Pope out of the Danube!

C V, 29 –

“Liberty will not be recovered,
A black, proud, villainous one will occupy it:
When the matter of the bridge will be opened,
Of the Danube, the Republic of Venice vexed”.

Erica Cheetham interprets “Pont” (bridge) as Pope, and “Hister” (Danube) as Hitler, and Black = Fascisti = Blackshirts!