Question:
My question is mainly about the Trinity. I noticed that some of your answers to such questions as Mark 13:29-32, never actually answer the question. Your simple answer is that the Trinity cannot be understood. My question is, if you were reading the Bible without the influences of the Trinitarian thought, would you come up with it on your own study? And if yes, why would you come up with something that you yourself admitted could not be understood? How can you have a personal relationship with a God that is undefined? Also, I thoroughly enjoyed your responses advocating against women pastors. It is clear to me that the gospel you preach is against women pastors, as it should be. My question here is, I am sure you believe that you are preaching the one true gospel. So why does Christianity accept false doctrines as OK? Example, you preach a gospel that denies women pastoral duties. But other Christians preach a gospel that does allow for women pastors. Christianity still accepts them as being saved, even though they are preaching another gospel. This is strange. thanks for your time,
Answer:
I assume that you read the following question and answer on the Web Site here. Please carefully read it again. I think you will find that I was not ignoring the question, but was indeed answering it with Scripture.
BEGIN PREVIOUS QUESTION AND ANSWER
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Question:
My question is about the trinity. If the trinity is true then that means they we have to believe that God the Father God the son and God the holy sprit are all one and equal with each other. Well if that is the case then how can you explain Matthew 24 verse 36 where God the son Jesus can’t tell the disciples when the Great tribulation is going to come, because the only one that knows that is God the Father so how can they be all one and equal with each other when God the Father knows that and God the son does not know.
Answer:
We must first look at the clear facts. I John 5:7 says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, THE FATHER, THE WORD, and THE HOLY GHOST: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.” John 14:6-9 says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and FROM HENCEFORTH YE KNOW HIM, AND HAVE SEEN HIM. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” John 10:30-33 says, “I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that THOU, BEING A MAN, MAKEST THYSELF GOD.”
Because we may not fully understand all of the details of a truth, does not change the facts. I do not understand how a microwave oven, a cellular phone, and a computer work, but I am not foolish enough to deny that they exist or work. Much more so, I accept that what God says is true, whether I fully understand it or not. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
The passage you brought up, Matthew 24:29-36, says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, BUT MY FATHER ONLY.”
It is in Mark 13:32-37 that it mentions that the Son does not know the time. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, NEITHER THE SON, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For THE SON OF MAN is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Notice that this passage emphasizes the SON OF MAN. The “son of man” is a phrase that was used 108 times in the Old Testament, of which Isaiah 51:12 is one: “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of THE SON OF MAN which shall be made as grass.” As you can see, it emphasizes the earthly, the fleshly, and the temporary.
The phrase “son of man” is used 88 times in the New Testament. In the New Testament, we find that many people stumbled over Jesus’ humanity, and did not recognize His deity (that He is God). Matthew 9:1-6 is a good example. “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that THE SON OF MAN hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”
This “Son of Man” was not just a man, but was God in the flesh. John 1:14 says, “And 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.” The Trinity is a very clear truth taught in the Scripture, but it is just hard to fully understand from the human realm. It simply must be believed by faith.
Jesus was upon earth as God in the flesh. Matthew 1:23 says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.” Hebrews 2:14-17 says, “Forasmuch then as the children are PARTAKERS OF FLESH AND BLOOD, HE ALSO HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK PART OF THE SAME; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily HE TOOK NOT ON HIM THE NATURE OF ANGELS; BUT HE TOOK ON HIM THE SEED OF ABRAHAM. Wherefore in all things it behoved him TO BE MADE LIKE UNTO HIS BRETHREN, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
We are living in a realm of very limited human knowledge. Yes, God has given unto us all of the information that we need to live this life according to His perfect will. II Timothy 3:16,17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
But those verses do not say that God has given us a fullness of knowledge about everything. Only God knows everything. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “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.”
We do not fully understand this realm (the physical), let alone the realm which we cannot see (the spiritual). Scientists are still speculating on what is out in space, and the rules that govern how things act out there. A company recently mapped the gene, even though they admit that they have to learn how to use the map now! If we have not even begun to master the physical universe, how can we understand the rules that govern the spiritual realm which we cannot even see?
John 3:9-13 says, “Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. IF I HAVE TOLD YOU EARTHLY THINGS, AND YE BELIEVE NOT, HOW SHALL YE BELIEVE, IF I TELL YOU OF HEAVENLY THINGS? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”
Jesus was saying that He had come down from heaven, and yet was in heaven at that very moment! Jesus was giving Nicodemus an EARTHLY fact — ye must be born again. That seemed to be too much for him to understand. Then how would he ever understand a HEAVENLY fact — that Jesus was ON EARTH and IN HEAVEN at the same time?
Notice the difference in the terms in the following passage. Matthew 26:62-66 says, “And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou TELL US WHETHER THOU BE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see THE SON OF MAN sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.”
In Jesus’ reply, He switched the phrase “Son of God” to “Son of Man.” Jesus was trying to point out something to the high priest, that he was going to one day see THE SON OF MAN come in the clouds; in other words, “This same Jesus.” Acts 1:6-11 says, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know THE TIMES OR THE SEASONS, WHICH THE FATHER HATH PUT IN HIS OWN POWER. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Notice how the matter is brought up again about “times” and “seasons.” Those have been left in the Father’s power.
Philippians 2:5-8 summarizes this whole matter, “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: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him THE FORM OF A SERVANT, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, AND BECAME OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, even the death of the cross.”
Jesus, the Son of God, was sent to this earth with a mission — that mission was salvation. John 3:16-18 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Although equal with God, Jesus, in His role as Son of Man, fulfilled it perfectly as an obedient, humble Son and servant. In that role, the decision-making was perfectly and rightly left with the Father. Let us NOT stumble over His obedience, and thus foolishly deny He is God Almighty.
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END PREVIOUS QUESTION AND ANSWER
There are many things which you believe, that you do not fully understand them. Do you believe there there is such a thing as an atomic bomb? Do you fully understand how such a bomb works, and how to make one? There are not too many people upon earth who do, or all of the third world countries would have such bombs by now.
Do you fully understand a cellular phone? Could you make one yourself? Has your lack of full understanding stopped you from ever using a cellular phone?
You stated, “And if yes, why would you come up with something that you yourself admitted could not be understood? How can you have a personal relationship with a God that is undefined?”
The answer is that I believe what God has written in His Word, the Bible, and He has defined that relationship in His Word. Salvation is sure, because it is in writing. I John 5:11-13 says, “And THIS IS THE RECORD, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU that believe on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
I would encourage you to look at the Salvation Bible Course on this site, which can be found at “http://www.pathwaynet.com/libertyb/biblecrs/salvatio/salvatn1.htm“. It will show you in writing what the Bible says about salvation and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We would be happy to send you the printed booklet, if you will but write and ask for it.
Many people say that they would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, if God would only speak from heaven. The Lord did that very thing on an occasion, and notice what the people said in John 12:28,29, “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. THE PEOPLE therefore, that stood by, and heard it, SAID THAT IT THUNDERED: others said, An angel spake to him.”
If God spoke to you from heaven, you would wonder if you were just hearing things. Or you would wonder exactly what He said; especially if He talked on for some time, and had given you many instructions. There would be no way to go back and check out what he had said. But with the written Word of God, we can go back, over and over, and see what He promised, and what we are to do.
You also stated, “Also, I thoroughly enjoyed your responses advocating against women pastors. It is clear to me that the gospel you preach is against women pastors, as it should be. My question here is, I am sure you believe that you are preaching the one true gospel. So why does Christianity accept false doctrines as OK? Example, you preach a gospel that denies women pastoral duties. But other Christians preach a gospel that does allow for women pastors. Christianity still accepts them as being saved, even though they are preaching another gospel. This is strange.”
The problem that you are seeing in churches is a lack of people reading the Bible, and thus not obeying what it says. The Bible is very clear that a woman is not to be a pastor of a church, or to teach men. I Corinthians 14:34,35 says, “LET YOUR WOMEN KEEP SILENCE IN THE CHURCHES: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” The reason that so many churches are ordaining women pastors, is because they are either ignorant of what the Bible says, or else they do not care what God says in His Word.
As to the “gospel,” that is described in I Corinthians 15:1-4, which says, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
The gospel is that the Lord Jesus Christ is God in the flesh; that He lived a perfect life; that He died on the cross for our sins; and that He arose victorious from the grave. If a person will repent of his sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, and place his total faith in Him alone for salvation, then the Lord will save that individual. That is the “gospel.”
Not all women preachers preach a different gospel than that (it seems that most do, because they preach a salvation which can be lost, which is really a false “works” salvation). They are disobeying God by seeking the position of pastor or teacher over men, but that does not necessarily mean that they are preaching a false gospel. What they are doing is practicing a “false doctrine.” If they are truly saved, then they will lose rewards one day when they stand before God, because they were disobedient in that matter.
When you asked, “So why does Christianity accept false doctrines as OK?” The answer, once again is because Christians are not reading their Bibles. Notice carefully the following verse of Scripture in Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Once again, please write and ask for the Bible Course booklet on Salvation, or look it up at “https://libertygospeltracts.com/product/salvation-bible-course/“.