The Importance of the Apostles Writings
It was Jesus’ intention
that we should come to believe in him
through the words of his Apostles.
It is through the writings of the Apostles that we know Christ. There are no surviving records of any writings of Jesus. There are no records that he made any attempts to leave any such writing. Instead, he chose certain men to do this on his behalf. In his prayer to the Father, Jesus revealed his intention:
(John 17:20) “Neither pray I for these (The Apostles) alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”
The apostle Paul, in addition to Peter and John, whom Jesus commanded to go “teach” all nations (Matthew 28:19), all declared that God was both Jesus’ Father and his God. (John 20:17; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 3:14-15; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 1:3; 2 John 1:3; Revelation 3:5, 12-13, 21)
Unless you can somehow show evidence that they were all liars, we cannot keep ignoring what Jesus himself acknowledged or the fact that the apostles gave notice to all.
(1 John 2:22-24) – Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
In his writings, Paul expounds on how God is manifested.
God was made known (manifested) to us by a Son (Jesus) who had flesh and blood, that is the very mystery of Godliness. Jesus the man was received up to glory, not God.
(1 Timothy 3:16) – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest [made known] in the flesh [through his Son Jesus] justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory [this is speaking of Jesus – God was already in Heaven – see John 20:17].
(Romans 1:19-25) – Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man,”………Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature [Jesus] more than the Creator [God], who is blessed for ever.
Jesus told his followers that everything,
which is possible for a man to see in the Father,
can be seen in him.
(John 14:7-9) – If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus 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 [figuratively/not literally]; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Jesus explained why he could make that statement in verse 10: “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? <1>I am in the Father and the Father in me – This denotes the joining of two spirits agreeing as one (on one accord). This is not incarnation but rather unification. In the same way, when Jesus Christ submitted his human will to God, God’s will was then “in” him; Jesus laid aside his human will in order to be united with God’s perfect will. “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” Luke 22:42. The spirit of God was in Christ, in the same way, God’s spirit is in those who serve him today. Having the “in” dwelling of God’s spirit does not make us God/gods. When we are doing God’s will, following his leading we are “one” with God. Thus we, I and my father (spiritually), are indeed one (unified). We are also one with Christ (you and I). the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
God chose Jesus before his birth to give this revelation to man. (Romans 8:29-30; 1 Peter 1:19-20) Jesus had his own mind as well as his own free will and chose to yield it to God.
When Jesus Christ submitted his human will to God, God’s will was then “in” him; Jesus laid aside his human will in order to be united with God’s perfect will. “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Because Jesus Chose to:
1. Because he chose to speak the words which the Father had given him; to hear his word was to hear the word of God. (John 8:25-27)
(John 8:25-27) – Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of [from] him. 27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
2. Because Jesus chose to do only what the Father had shown him (revealed); to see him work was in essence to see the “arm of Yahweh” at work. (John 8:28-30; John 10:37-38)
(John 8:28-30) – Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
(John 10:37-38) – If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
When we take verses where Jesus is using the “in me” type phrase (the Father is in me, and I in him., etc…) issues occur claiming it to be literally spoken because this figure of speech is used in reference to other men as well, for those who say this proves incarnation (Ref. In, In God, In Whom).
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