The Challenge of the Christian Theology and more …
/ Ewald Frank
Language: english
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17. Very peculiar
- Preface
- Introduction
- Does all happen by chance?
- The time is near
- The only valid measuring rod
- The old dispute
- Self-evidence?
- The testimony of historians
- History confirms it
- God’s confession
- God manifests Himself
- In heaven and on earth
- The Lord visits His prophet
- The »I am«
- Was the Son born in heaven?
- Spirit and Truth
- Very peculiar
- Respect for the Great Mystery
- Everyone defends his or her own doctrine
- The rock
- The Great Commission
- Thou shalt have no other gods …
- Maryology
- Believe as the Scripture says
- An unbelievable tragedy
- The end-time
- A challenge to all
- No one can bypass Jesus Christ
- New creation
- The Son and the sons and daughters of God
- The two beginnings
- The course of church history
- No man’s influence
- Conclusion
In our generation, the worship of the so-called Trinity is emphasised in a peculiar way. The Pope announced the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 to be very special in which, as the declaration goes, the three divine persons are worshipped in a successive order, and in the »holy year 2000« all three are to be worshipped together. The Pentecostal and charismatic preachers have their place in the inter-denominational meetings. Their eloquent speech is obviously influenced by the spirit of this age, especially the way they speak of the »person« of the Holy Ghost, from »Good morning, Holy Spirit! I greet you! I embrace you! I love you!« right to »Holy Spirit, I glorify you, I worship you!« Those attending such meetings are taken by passion; they stream together from all different denominations and expect a new move of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes even using loud music, creating an atmosphere unconducive to God’s Spirit, not discerning that this kind of worship of the Holy Spirit was totally foreign to the Church of the living God. There has never been anything like this. Also they give no consideration to God’s Word. According to the testimony of the Scriptures, there is to be no detached glorification of the Spirit, for Jesus Himself said, »… Nevertheless, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.« and, »He shall glorify me ; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.« (Jn. 16: 7-15).
We are not splitting hairs, we are anxious concerning the Truth. In general the formula about the Trinity, which developed into a teaching from various councils, reads like this, »One God in three persons: the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Ghost is God, and these three divine persons are one God«. Where do we find this taught in the Bible? Nowhere! In eternity and throughout the Old Testament there is neither trace nor indication of the worship of three persons. In the New Testament writings we see the terminology, »God the Father« — for instance: »Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ …« — but not a single time the term »God the Son« is used. Rather we find »Son of God, Son of the Most High, Son of man, Son of David« etc. Also not once do we find in God’s Word the term »God the Holy Ghost«, rather »the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ« etc. In the Old Testament »the Spirit of the Lord — Ru’ach Yahweh« is used 378 times. Such facts are of great importance. Why dispute for the Trinity doctrine without realising that only God has no point of reference? His manifestations, the Son of God, Spirit of God, and the Holy Ghost, are His reference points as He is the origin. If they were eternally self-existing persons of God, they would not need God as a reference point. Word of God, love of God, grace of God etc. all point to the only One, true God.
Not one prophet or apostle has ever spoken a benediction using the triune formula as being practised in churches world-wide today where the clergy say, »The blessing of God the Father, of God the Son and God the Holy Ghost be with you.« The same applies to the form of prayer, »Glory be to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost«. Such a terminology is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. We never find any prayer or action recorded in the Bible using the esteemed formula, »In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Ghost«. Paul, being commissioned supernaturally, said that all we do in word and deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3: 17). The proclamation of the Gospel, prayer, salvation, healing, and deliverance — all these take place in the name of Jesus Christ.
Some know and practice the Aaronite way of benediction ordained of God Himself, »The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace!« (Num. 6: 24-26). The Apostle Paul mentions blessing and grace at the beginning of each of his letters, at least fourteen times, and pronounces the same at the end, but each time in a different way. Paul didn’t attempt to introduce a creed, or formality, as all denominations have done. The apostles and those in the first century church were not an organisation, but instead were a living organism of Christ. They stood under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit and knew to whom worship was due: »To God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.« (Rom. 16: 27).