Acts 3:15 and the “Prince of Life”: What the Passage Really Says About Jesus and God

 

Christmas, the “Birth of God,” and the Incarnation Doctrine

Zechariah 12:8 -- As HaElohim, As an Angel of Jehovah

In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God [ha elohim], as the angel of Jehovah before them. -- Zechariah 12:8, American Standard Version.

But [Jehovah] will protect the people in Jerusalem. Even the man who trips and falls will become a great soldier like David. And the men from David’s family will be like gods—like [Jehovah]’s own angel leading the people. -- Easy-to-Read Version; We have placed "[Jehovah]" where God's Holy Name appears in the Hebrew.

On that day Yahweh will defend those who live in Jerusalem so that even those who stumble will be like David, and David’s family will be like Elohim, like the Messenger of Yahweh ahead of them. -- Names of God Bible.

In that day, Jehovah will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like the mighty ones, like an angel of Jehovah before them. -- Restoration Light Improved Version.

In the Hebrew, there is no definite article attached to "angel". Translators add the definite article "the" before angel, thus making it appear to refer to one specific angel, which many, based on the false teaching that there is only one "angel of Jehovah". Many would demand that this one angel is the prehuman Jesus. Many also mistakenly link "before them" to the angel spoken of in Exodus 23:20, which refers to an angel going ahead of the Israelites. Then, based on the imagined assumption that this angel is Jesus, they claim that the angel of Zechariah 12:8 is the Lord Jesus, who they usually claim to be God. They would evidently desire HaElohim to be speaking of an angel of Jehovah, although the scripture does not actually state what is being imagined and assumed. Indeed, we haven't found anything in any version of Zechariah 12:8 that calls any "angel of Jehovah" "God" (HaElohim). That thought has to read into what is stated. 

More than likely, however, HaElohim in Zechariah 12:8 is not referring to the Supreme Mighty One. It could be referring to kings, princes, in general as a class of mighty ones, "gods", similar to the way the KJV applies it in Exodus 21:6; 22:8,9,28. It is our conclusion that HaElohim in Zechariah 12:8 refers to angels, as in Psalm 8:5 (Hebrews 2:7). 

Benson states that it refers to "angels, as the word אלהים, Elohim, is rendered, Psalm 8:3". [Evidently this was meant to be Psalm 8:5] -- Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments.

The Hebrew does not have the linking verb, which many translations supply as "shall be" or "will be", which matches the context of "in that day", indicating the future.

With the above in mind, we believe the better rendering to the final part of the verse should be: "the house of David shall be as the mighty beings [ha elohim], as an angel of Jehovah before them." This could be seen as paralleling "an angel of Jehovah" as representative of the ELOHIM being referred to.

Many believe the house of David refers to those of old who had faith as spoken of in Hebrews 12. Antitypical, we believe it could be seen also as referring to the church, and David himself represents Jesus, as in Psalm 16:9-11 (Acts 2:25-36) and Ezekiel 34:23,24; 37:24 (John 10:11,14,16,29; Acts 3:15; 5:30), the head of the church. Every member of the church will indeed have to become like Jehovah, in God-like character. This includes all who belong to Jesus in this age (irrespective of what reward one receives), as well as the "other sheep" of the age to come. If the antitypical "house of David" is limited to Jesus and joint-heirs with him, every one of these will not only be like the mighty ones, like an angel of Jehovah who is before the house of David, but they will evidently be exalted with Jesus above these mighty angels of Jehovah, and be given all power with Jesus.

Regardless, there is no mention in this verse, or anywhere else in the Bible, of a triune God, or that the Son of God is his own God and Father. Jehovah is definitely not presented as being more than one person. 

Even if HaElohim is referring to Jehovah, it should not be understood as applying HaElohim with such a meaning to an angel of Jehovah. 

We certainly should not conclude that the house of David is actually an angel of Jehovah, but rather that the preposition, rendered as "as" or "like", designates that the house of David is to become like the ELOHIM (angels), that is, like an angel of Jehovah. The idea that the House of David is Jehovah, or a person of Jehovah, etc, certainly has to be imagined, assumed, added to, and read into what is stated. The same is true of the expression "angel of Jehovah".

Luke 1:35 -- Did Gabriel Reveal a Triune God?

Colossians 2:2,3 - Mystery of the Trinity?

- Revelation 1:1-18 - Is Jesus Revealed as Being God? (w)

* Who Raised Jesus From the Dead?

* Isaiah 51:9; 53:1 – The Arm Of Jehovah

John 14:23 - God and Jesus Lives With Us

One has asked:

John 14:23-24 - Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. [24] He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.

WHY WOULD JESUS AND THE FATHER COME TO US AND MAKE THEIR DWELLING WITH A BELIEVER AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE SENT TO BE WITH MANKIND TOO?

John 14:23-24 - Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. [24] He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.

In the midst of all the temptations and trials that beset us in our earthly pilgrimage we may recognize the voice of our God, saying, 'Do not be afraid. I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward' (Genesis 15:1), " Don't you be afraid, for I am with you; don't be dismayed, for I am your God." (Isaiah 41:10), and he voice of His Son, saying: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20), and "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." -- Mathew 28:20. 

Since we see no reason why both Jesus and his God would not reside with a child oF God through God's Holy Spirit, I am not quite sure what is being asked. Evidently, what is being imagined and assumed is that there is something in Jesus' words that has something to do with the added-on trinitarian philosophy, or otherwise that Jesus is God (Supreme Mighty One, Supreme Being). 

Actually, in harmony with John 14:1, Jesus was presenting only one person, his God and Father, as being the "one God of whom are all" (1 Corinthians 8:6). He says nothing at all to the effect that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is more than one person. Indeed, verse 24 shows that he disclaims being the source of his own words. Verse 23 is in perfect agreement with verse 24 and also 1 Corinthians 8:6 and Hebrews 1:1,2. Jesus is not the source, the Supreme Being, but rather the instrument that the Supreme Being uses. Both Jesus and his God and Father are with the child of God through God's Holy Spirit. -- Ephesians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 3:24.

If the oneness idea is being read into what Jesus said, one should remember that authority to use God's Holy Spirit was given to Jesus from his God and Father (John 15:26; Acts 2:33); Jesus is not that Holy Spirit for Jesus offered himself to his God "through the eternal spirit." (Ephesians 1:3; 5:2; Hebrews 9:14) Jesus is neither God's Holy Spirit nor is he "his God."

Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8 – Thrice Holy

Revelation 4:8 – and the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy is [Jehovah] God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

Isaiah 6:3 – One cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of Hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

These scriptures are sometimes cited as supporting the trinitarian dogma, since each uses the word “holy” three times.

This has to be Jehovah, the God of Jesus, referred to in Revelation 4:8, since this One is spoken of as one person in Revelation 5:1 as the One holding the scroll in His right hand. In Revelation 5:7 we find that the Lamb, Jesus, takes the scroll out of the hand of the one sitting on the throne. This shows that the one sitting on the throne, called “the Lord [Jehovah] God, The Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” in Revelation 4:8 is indeed only one person, the God and Father of Jesus, and not Jesus himself.

The phrase “who was and who is and who is to come” is simply another way of saying the same thing as “from everlasting to everlasting” as found in Psalm 90:2. Only the God of Jesus is Almighty. Only the God of Jesus is “from everlasting to everlasting.” Jesus is not being made the “Almighty God” in the power and authority given him by the only true Almighty. (Matthew 28:18) It is evident that the power and authority given to Jesus is from One who is more powerful than the power and authority given. (1 Corinthians 15:27) If Jesus actually had been made the Almighty, this would mean that there are two Supreme Beings, but that only one of them had been Almighty from eternity past, since the other had to be made Almighty by the other. In reality, only Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus, is the Almighty. Jesus is, always has been and will always be, of a lesser glory in his bodily substance than Jehovah, his God. Jehovah is the only one who has the distinct glory as the Most High. — 1 Corinthians 15:40,41.

In Revelation 1:9,10, John refers to himself when he heard a loud voice, as of a trumpet, (verse 11) saying, “Write what you see…” This quote is from Jesus, not Jehovah, as described in the following verses. In verse 18 Jesus says: “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” Jesus was actually dead and not alive anywhere, if this is to make any sense at all, for he contrasts his being dead with being alive forevermore. Now we know that God cannot die, so Jesus is thus by this verse proved to not be God Almighty.

One does have to assume much in order to "see" trinity in Revelation 4:8. One has to imagine and assume that one of the words “holy” represents the God and Father of Jesus. Then one has to further imagine and assume that another instance of the word “holy” represents the God-Son of the Father God. Next one has to imagine, assume, add to, and read into what is stated that the other instance of “holy” represents the Holy Spirit of the God and Father of Jesus. Since Revelation 4:8 also attributes all three usages of “holy” to the One who was and who is and who is to come, that is, the One who is depicted as sitting on the throne (Revelation 4:9), then the trinitarian has to add some explanation, and read whatever explanation they give into, the scriptures since the Lamb is depicted as taking the scroll from this One who was and who is and who is to come. (Revelation 5:6,7) Usually, however, we find no explanation given for the self-contradiction. Some simply explain the self-contradiction as one of the “mysteries” of the trinity.

In actuality, the Lamb who approaches the One who was and who is and who is to come in order to take the scroll from that One is not that One from whom he takes the scroll. Rather than proving the trinitarian dogma, Revelation 4:8,9 associated with Revelation 5:6,7 shows that the trinity dogma is not true. Only the One who is depicted as sitting on the throne, the One who was and who is and who is to come is the Almighty. Jesus is never depicted as the “Almighty” from whom Jesus, the Lamb, receives the scroll. This corresponds with Revelation 1:1, where we read that God gave to Jesus the revelation so that Jesus could give it to John.

Why, then, is the word “holy” repeated three times?

Some point out that the Sinaitic Manuscript and some others have holy eight times in this verse; if this was the way John originally received the revelation, then the word “holy” is used of the God and Father of Jesus eight times! Nevertheless, some point out the significance of the number eight as used in the Bible: The Jewish child was circumcised on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59; Philippians 3:5) signifying purification and holiness of heart (Exodus 6:12; Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Matthew 12:34); seven days a sheep was to be with its dam, and on the eighth given to Yahweh (Exodus 22:30); the eighth day after the seven days of Feast of Tabernacles was to be a holy convocation to Yahweh. (Leviticus 23:36,39) Eight signifies the day following the seven days of the week. It is the day of renewal. Thus, many believe that the eighth day signifies the 1,000 years to follow Christ’s millennial reign. It will then that all things will have been completely been made new, but not this only, but that all things will have been brought to full perfection. (Revelation 21:1-5) Thus it is thought the eight instances of “holy” signify Jehovah’s actual perfect holiness, his absolute purity, which will be eventually be revealed in the ages to come.

However, the corresponding scripture in Isaiah 6:3 only has holy three times, not eight times, so we feel pronged to believe that in Revelation 4:8, the original also only had “holy” only three times.

Nevertheless, to many trinitarians, the “thrice holy” is thought in some vague manner to mean the trinity, as mentioned above.

There is no “and” in these three declarations that Jehovah is holy, neither in the Hebrew nor the Greek. For emphasis, Jehovah is “thrice” pronounced as holy, but it is not that Jehovah is “thrice holy”, or holy three times. It is similar to:

Ezekiel 21:27 – I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it [him].

God is not saying that he will overturn the prince of Israel (evidently Zedekiah) three times; he is repeating the word for emphasis. It appears the usage of the word three times is used to designate the superlative degree, not to emphasize what is being spoken of as being three times. There is definitely no scriptural reason to think Jehovah would overturn prince of Israel one time as God the Father, and another time as the alleged God the Son, and another time as the alleged God the Holy Spirit.

Regarding Ezekiel 21:27:

The threefold repetition denotes the awful certainty of the event; not as ROSENMULLER explains, the overthrow of the three, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah; for Zedekiah alone is referred to. -- Fausset, A. R., A.M. “Commentary on Ezekiel 21”. “Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible”. 1871.

Likewise in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8. There is no reason to add to Isaiah 6:3 that the seraphs were saying that Jehovah is three persons: Holy Father and Holy Son and Holy Spirit. Holy is repeated for emphasis.

Regardless, the thought of three persons being spoken of in Revelation 4:8 or Isaiah 6:3 has to be assumed, added to, and read into the three times that the word “holy” appears in those verses.

Eight Points Alleged to Prove the Trinity Doctrine (working on)

* John 6:63 - Was Jesus Claiming that God's Spirit is a Person of God?

* John 3:16,17 - God Gave His Son

* John 6:28,29 -- Believe in Him Whom God Has Sent

* Isaiah 40:28 - The Creator of the Ends of the Earth

Who Is Jesus? - Response

The discussions here are being moved to individual posts related to scripture(s) involved. God willing, once all has been moved elsewhere, this page will be removed. God willin, all scriptures presented will be included in the "Is Jesus God?" pages with links to related studies.

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We will be here addressing the list of Will Daniels found in his book, "Understanding the Trinity". Many trinitarians often offer Daniel's list as supposedly proof of the trinity. This list has been floating around on various blogs and forums on the internet, and has been posted to us in several groups and forums, so we decided to address the list here for reference.  Definitely, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is distinguished from being Jesus in Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 61:1; Acts 3:13-21; Hebrews 1:1,2; Revelation 1:1. -- Ronald R. Day, Senior.

God's Holy Name is supplied as "Jehovah" as appropriate places regardless of which translation is being quoted.

IS JESUS THE ALMIGHTY?

It is claimed:

Genesis 17:1 (The Almighty is God) - Rev. 1:8 (Jesus is the Almighty)

It is not Jesus who is speaking in Revelation 1:8, but rather the Almighty in Revelation 1:8 is the same one who is stated be "God" in Revelation 1:1, the one who is, was and is to come of Revelation 1:4 and who is distinguished from Jesus Christ of Revelation 1:5. Revelation 1:1 harmonizes with 1 Corinthians 8:6; the God and Father of Jesus is the source; Jesus is the instrument. Being that only the God and Father of Jesus is the source of all might, only the God and Father of Jesus is the Almighty. Jesus is never presented in the Bible as being the Almighty. There is definitely nothing here that gives anyone a reason to think beyond what is written so as to imagine, assume, add to, and read into the scriptures that Jesus is his God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

See our studies related to Revelation 1:8:
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/scriptures-examined.html#rev1-8

JESUS AS FIRST AND LAST

It is claimed:

Isa, 44:6(The first and last is God) - Rev. 1:8, 22:13(Jesus is first and last)

It is Jehovah, the God of Jesus, who refers to Himself to as Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, in Revelation 22:13. In Revelation 1:8, the God of Jesus is speaking, not Jesus. It is possible that Revelation 1:8 was meant to be Revelation 2:8. "First and last" in Revelation 2:8 certainly refers to Jesus, but it cannot be referring to Jesus as being the Supreme Being, not unless one believes that the Supreme Being "was dead." .

See our studies related to "Alpha and Omega"
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/alpha-and-omega.html


IS JESUS THE I AM?

It is claimed:

Exodus 3:14 (The “I am” is God) – John 8:58 (Jesus is the “I am”)

Nowhere in John 8:58 does Jesus say that his name is EHJEH, or that he was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of Exodus 3:14,15, wherein the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob spoke to His prophet Moses. He who spoke to Moses is the Father of Jesus, as can be seen from Hebrews 1:1,2. However, the method that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may have used to speak to Moses in Exodus 3:14,15, could have been by means of one of His angels, Peter identifies this God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not as being Jesus, but rather as having raised up Jesus as the prophet like Moses. (Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Acts 3:13-26) Nevertheless, Hebrews 1:1,2 lets us know that He who spoke to His prophet Moses was not Jesus, but rather the Father of Jesus.

In John 8:58, Jesus is speaking of his existence before Abraham. Any idea that he was claiming that his name is EHJEH of Exodus 3:14 has to be imagined, assumed, added to, and read into, what Jesus said.

See some of our studies related to John 8:58:
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/scriptures-examined.html#john8-58

JESUS AS LORD OF LORDS

It is being claimed:

Deut. 10:17(The Lord of Lords is God) – Rev. 19:16 (Jesus is Lord of Lords)

We find nothing at all in Deuteronomy 10:17 or in Revelation 19:16 that means that we need to imagine, assume, add to, and read into the scriptures that Jesus is Jehovah. Anyone who is Lord over others who are also lords can be referred to as "Lord of lords." Jesus is certainly Lord over others who are also lords. So is his God; unlike Jesus, however, God needs no one to make him Lord over others who are Lords. (Psalm 45:7; Acts 2:36: Hebrews 1:9) The fact that the God and Father of Jesus had made Jesus such a Lord does not mean that we need to call upon the spirit of human imagination so as to assume and add to the scriptures that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
See our studies:
Lord of Lords and King of Kings
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2016/12/rev17-14.html
The Misuse of Similarities
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2017/06/similarities.html

JESUS AS THE ROCK

It is being claimed:

Psalms 18:31 (The Rock is God) – I Corinthians 10:4 (Jesus is the Rock)

1 Corinthians 10:4
kai pantes to auto pneumatikon epion poma
AND ALL (ONES) THE VERY SPIRITUAL THEY DRANK DRINK,
2532 3956 3588 0846_9 4152 4095 4188
0846_98
epinon gar ek pneumatikees akolouthousees
THEY WERE DRINKING FOR OUT OF SPIRITUAL FOLLOWING
4095 1063 1537 4152 0190
petras hee petra de een ho christos
ROCK MASS, THE ROCK MASS BUT WAS THE CHRIST;
4073 3588 4073 1161 1511_3 3588 5547

Now all these things happened to them by way of example (Strong’s #5179, type, figure*), and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. — 1 Corinthians 10:11.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/tupos.html

Again, we find nothing at all that says that Jesus is Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; again we find that one has to imagine beyond what is written in order to see such in what is actually written.

1 Corinthians 10:4 does not say “Jesus is the Rock”, but rather “the rock was Christ.” That rock that “was” IS not Jehovah God of Psalm 18:31, but rather it is the rock that Moses struck, which provided water for the children of Israel. That rock that Moses struck was, represented, the Anointed One, because it was a type, a figure, a representation of the coming Anointed One of Jehovah. Jesus used a form of the same verb in Matthew 11:14, saying, “If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.” In saying “this is Elijah”, he was not saying that John the Baptist was actually Elijah, but rather that Elijah was a type, a figure, of John the Baptist, in that they both did a similar work. Likewise, the Rock that provided water for the children of Israel is a type of the Christ, the Anointed One, who provides living water (from his God). — John 4:10,13; 7:16; 1 Corinthians 8:6.

See our study:
That Rock Was Christ
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2016/11/rock.html

REIGN FOREVER

It is being claimed:

Psalms 146:10 (God shall reign forever)- Luke 1:33 (Jesus will reign forever)

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, by means of his holy spirit, reveals through the scriptures that Jesus receives his inheritance and dominion (power and authority to rule) from Jehovah. His power and authority is given to him by his God, who is the Supreme Being over Jesus. Jesus is not Jehovah [his God and Father] who gives him this dominion, all authority and power (with the evident exception of the position of being the Most High himself -- 1 Corinthians 15:27), yet the exercise of this power and authority by Jesus is all to the praise of Jehovah, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus. The Bible writers never claimed that Jesus is the ultimate "source" of his own power. -- Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Psalm 2:6-8; 45:7; 110:1,2; Isaiah 9:6,7; 11:2; 42:1; 61:1-3; Jeremiah 23:5; Ezekiel 34:23,24; 37:24; Daniel 7:13,14; Micah 5:4; Matthew 12:28; 28:18; Luke 1:32; 4:14,18; 5:17; John 3:34; 5:19,27,30; 10:18,36-38; Acts 2:22,36; 3:13-26; 10:38; Romans 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Colossians 1:15,16; 2:10; Ephesians 1:3,17-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:2,4,6,9; 1 Peter 3:22.

Yes, the God and Father of Jesus will indeed reign forever by means of His Son. Thus, the rulership that the God and Father of Jesus gives to Jesus will be forever. (Daniel 7:18) This does not mean that we need to imagine, assume, add to, and read into the scripture that God's Son is God Himself (oneness belief), or that His Son is a person of Himself (trinitarian).

All Things Through, By Means of, Jesus

The one individual who is most the Most High Jehovah (Luke 1:32,35), having sent His Messiah, does all things through, by means of, Jesus, his son, the one whom He has ordained, appointed and anointed, and our salvation is from the God of Jesus, through the son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, all to the glorification of the God and Father of Jesus. — Psalm 2:6; 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 11:27; 28:18; Luke 10:22; John 1:17; 3:35; 13:3; 16:15; Acts 4:27; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 15:27; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 1:3,17,20-22; Philippians 2:11; Colossians 1:3,13,20; Hebrews 1:1,2; 1 Peter 4:11.

The God and Father of Jesus comes to judge through — by means of — His son. — Psalm 96:13; 98:9; Luke 1:32,35; John 5:22,23; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob speaks and performs His works through His son. — Deuteronomy 18:18,19; John 3:34; 5:19; 6:38; 7:16,28,29; 8:28,38,40; 12:29; 14:10; 17:8; Acts 3:13-26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:1,2.

Nothing in any of this means that we need to imagine and assume that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jaocb.

JESUS AS THE SHEPHERD

It is claimed:

Isaiah 40:11 (The Shepherd is God) – John 10:16 (Jesus is the Shepherd)

No one appoints Jehovah God as shepherd, and no one gives the sheep to Jehovah. Jehovah foretold, however, that he would “set up one shepherd” over his sheep. (Ezekiel 34:23) Jesus claimed to be that one genuine shepherd, as he claimed that his God and Father had given the sheep to him. — John 10:11,14,16,29.

There is nothing in any of this that means that we need to imagine, assume, add to, and read into the scriptures that Jesus is his God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

See:
The One Shepherd

https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2016/11/good-shepherd.html


THE REDEEMER

It is claimed:

Isaiah 41:14 (The Redeemer is God) – Luke 1:68 (Jesus is the Redeemer)

Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel; I will help you, says Jehovah, and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. — Isaiah 41:14.

Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, For he has visited and worked redemption for his people; — Luke 1:68

Luke 1:68 is not speaking of Jesus, but rather Jehovah. The word “visit”, especially when in reference to Jehovah, is used in the sense of giving attention to. Jehovah often visited — gave his attention — his people for many different reasons in the Old Testament, and often He used someone as an instrument of his purpose for visiting His people. Likewise, Jehovah, in sending His son, Jesus, was visiting — giving attention to — his people for the purpose of redemption.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=Jehovah+visit&c=&t=asv&ps=100&s=Bibles
http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=Jehovah+visited&c=&t=asv&ps=100&s=Bibles

See our study:
God Visited His People
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2019/05/luk1-68.html

I AM HE

It is claimed:

Isaiah 43:10 (God said, “I am he”) – John 8:24 (Jesus said, “I am he”)

Again, one has to imagine and assume that since Jehovah said something in Hebrew in Isaiah 43:10 as related to Himself, and that since Jesus said something similar in John 8:24 (although he was speaking of something entirely different), that this means that Jesus is Jehovah of Isaiah 43:10.

In Isaiah 43:10, the Hebrew phrase is usually transliterated as “ANI HU”, which literally means “I – he”. The Hebrew does not have a copulative of “to be”, but such is thus supplied by translators with forms of the English “to be”; in the case of Isaiah 43:10, it becomes, “I am he”. In the LXX as we have it, we find the koine Greek form often transliterated as EIMI, making it EGO EIMI, which literally means “I am”, and the word “he” is left to be understood in the Koine Greek as being the object. It is from this that many trinitarians (and some others) make a connection between EGO EIMI of the LXX and with several other places where Jesus uses the Greek form EGO EIMI, when speaking of himself. In Isaiah 43:10, it is obvious that Jehovah was claiming to be Jehovah, the God of Israel, before whom none of the gods of heathen existed, and none of these idols will exist after him (since Jehovah will never cease to exist, but these idols gods will cease to exist).

It is often claimed that this phrase is never used by anyone but Jehovah. It is a phrase that would hardly ever be used by anyone, and while it may be true that the exact phrase is not used by anyone else as recorded in the Hebrew Old Testament, we find that David did use the two words of himself as recorded in 1 Chronicles 21:17, although the two words are separated by several words in between. Likewise, with the Greek expression, EGO EIMI; as used without an object, it would not often be used by anyone in the Bible. In John 9:9, we find that a blind man used it of himself, not with any thought that anyone would think that he was claiming to be Jehovah God, but rather that he was simply expressing that he was the one who had been healed by Jesus.

See also:
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/scriptures-examined.html#john8-24


THE SAVIOR

It is claimed:

Isaiah 43:10,11 (God is the Saviour) – Luke 2:11 (Jesus is the Saviour)
Isaiah 45:21 (The One Saviour is God) – Acts 4:12 (Jesus is the One Saviour)
Isaiah 43:10,11(God is the only Saviour)- Titus 1:4 (Jesus is the only Saviour)

Isaiah 43:10,11; 45:21 speaks of Jehovah as being the savior of Israel, which he did when he brought Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:8; 6:6-8; 12:51; Deuteronomy 32:12; Isaiah 43:1,3; 45:11), and many times later. At the same time, we read that it was Moses who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus 3:10; Acts 7:36,40) Does this mean that Moses is Jehovah? No, but rather, the Psalmist says to Jehovah: “You led your people like a flock, By the hand of Moses and Aaron.”. (Psalm 77:20) Jehovah acted through His agent, Moses.

Additionally, we read that when Israel came to later be in need of deliverance. Jehovah himself did not come and personally deliver them, but He sent saviors to deliver them. (Nehemiah 9:27) Judges 2:16 tells us: “Jehovah raised up judges, who saved [yasha`] them out of the hand of those who despoiled them.” And Nehemiah 9:27: “Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors [Hebrew, Yasha`] who saved [Hebrew, Yasha`] them out of the hand of their adversaries.” Some of the saviors sent by Jehovah included: Othniel – Judges 3:9; Gideon – Judges 6:13,14; 8:22; Gideon’s 700: Judges 7:7; Samson – Judges 13:5; David – 2 Samuel 3:18. Jehovah sent these saviors who acted in his name and with his power and authority. Additionally, of the coming kingdom age, we read that ” "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be Jehovah’s.” (Obadiah 1:21) Such saviors were/will not be “besides (apart from)” (Isaiah 43:11) Jehovah, since they were sent by Jehovah, and thus Jehovah was working through, by means of, these servants whom he sent.

The scriptures abound with cases where Jehovah uses various servants but is given the credit for their actions, since He was the directing force. — Exodus 3:10,12; 12:17; 18:10; Numbers 16:28; Judges 2:6,18; 3:9,10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:24,25; 14:6,19; 15:14,18; 16:20,28-30, 2 Kings 4:27; Isaiah 43:11, 45:1-6; etc.

Likewise, we read concerning Jesus, “God has sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9) “God … sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) “God was, by means of Christ. reconciling the world to himself.” (2 Corithians 5:19) God who sent His Messiah is definitely one person who is "Jehovah" in Isaiah 61:1, and Jesus is excluded from being Jehovah who anointed and sent Jesus. This agrees with what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:6, that all is of God, through Jesus.

There is nothing in any of these scriptures, however, that say that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; such an assumption, if applied consistently in other scriptures, would mean that all those whom Jehovah sent as saviors must also be Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

See:
No Savior Besides Jehovah
https://notrinity.blogspot.com/2011/07/yah-savior.html

THE HOLY ONE

It is claimed:

Isaiah 43:15 (The Holy One is God) – Acts 3:14 (Jesus is the Holy One)

Acts 3:14 – But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.

Contrary to what some have imagined and assumed, Acts 3:14 DOES NOT proclaim Jesus as being the Holy One of Israel of Isaiah 43:15, but rather that he is the Holy and Righteous One. He was sanctified, made holy, by his God, and sent into the world of mankind. (John 10:36) His God gave him a body of flesh that was uncontaminated with the taint of sin through Adam. (Matthew 1:20; Romans 5:12-19; Hebrews 2:9; 10:5) Thus, Jesus, in becoming flesh, was upright — straight, righteous — as was Adam before Adam sinned. (Ecclesiastes 7:29) Unlike Adam, Jesus never fell short of the glory of God due to sin. (Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5) Thus, Jesus was indeed the one made Holy by his God, and he was indeed “the righteous one” — the only man in history who remained sinless (obedient to God) all of his life even until he died. — Philippians 2:8.

Again, what we find is that one has to call upon the spirit of human imagination so as to read into Acts 3:14 something that it does not say, for it certainly does not say that Jesus is Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And if Peter was indeed making Jesus out to be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then it was not the man Jesus who was killed, but it was God Almighty Himself who was killed (Acts 3:15). In reality, Acts 3:13 and Acts 3:15 distinguish the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob from being Jesus, showing the Jesus was the foretold prophet whom the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was to raise up, and that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob also raised Jesus from the dead. — Deuteronomy 18:15-20.

See our study:
Is Jesus the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2019/05/god-of-abraham.html

KING OF ISRAEL

It is claimed:

Isaiah 43:15(God is King of Israel) – Matt. 27:37(Jesus is King of Israel)
Isa. 44:6 (The King of Israel is God) – John 1:49 (Jesus is King of Israel)

There is again nothing in the title “King of Israel”, that designates Jesus as being Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. One has to imagine and assume that this title is being applied both to Jehovah and to Jehovah’s anointed in some way so as to mean that Jehovah’s anointed is Jehovah who anointed him. To get “trinity” into this, one then has to further imagine and add to the scripture that this means that Jesus is a person of Jehovah, etc.

Actually, it is Jehovah who makes Jesus to rule on David’s throne; David also, by the way, was also spoken of in the Bible as “king of Israel” and “king over Israel.” Should we think that David is Jehovah?  — 2 Samuel 5:3,17; 6:2; 1 Chronicles 14:2,8; 2 Chronicles 29:27; 30:26; 35:4; Ezra 3:10; Proverbs 1:1.

David, nonetheless, acknowledged his God as also King. — Psalm 145:1.

Additionally, there are many who have been designated “king of Israel”.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=%22king+of+israel%22&c=&t=web&ps=100&s=Bibles

Jehovah, however, is King of Israel due to His being the former of Israel (Isaiah 43:1; 44:2), and due to the covenant that was made with Israel. (Exodus 34:27) Jehovah, who spoke to and through his prophet, Moses, was not Jesus, but rather the God and Father of Jesus. -- Hebrews 1:1,2.


EVERY KNEE MUST BOW

It is claimed:

Isa. 45:23 - (Every knee must bow-God) – Phil. 2:10-11 (Every knee must bow-Jesus)

By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth [in] righteousness, and shall not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. — Isaiah 45:23.

In Isaiah 45:23, it is foretold that every knee must bow to Jehovah.

Philippians 2:10-11:

That at the name of Jesus every knee would bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue would confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father. -- World English.

In Philippians 2:10,11, we do not find it stated that the people actually bow to Jesus, but that they bow “at/in the name of Jesus” to the glory of God, the Father — the only true God (John 17:5). “God” is being identified as one person or individual, and Jesus is distinguished from that One who is identified as being “God”. This agrees with Jesus’ statement in John 17:1,3, where Jesus refers to his God and Father as the “only true God”. It also agrees with Paul’s statement that there is to the believers in Christ only one God, who is the Father, of whom is “the all”. (1 Corinthians 8:6) The only true God does “all” through the one whom He has made “lord”, and thus, all must confess Jesus as being the “lord” anointed by Jehovah. — Isaiah 61:1; Ezekiel 37:24,25; Micah 5:2-4; Matthew 28:19; John 3:35; 5:22-29; Acts 2:33,36; 4:11; 5:31; 10:42; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:3,17-23; Philippians 2:9.

See our study:
Jesus' Exaltation to a Name Above All Names

ONE HUSBAND

It is claimed:

Jeremiah 31:32 (God, the One Husband) – II Cor. 11:2 (Jesus-The One Husband)

Jeremiah 31:32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Jehovah.

This is speaking of Jehovah as being figuratively a husband to the children of Israel under the old Law Covenant.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you [as] a pure virgin to Christ.

It is evidently being imagined and assumed that no one can be accounted as being a figurative husband except Jehovah? I know of no scripture that says such.

In reality, 2 Corinthians 11:2 does not speak of Jehovah as being a husband to Israel under the Law Covenant, but Paul is speaking of Jesus with whom Jehovah has made a covenant for Kingdom through Abraham. (Genesis 22:18; Luke 22:29; Galatians 3:26) Jesus, in turn, offers that covenant to his followers (Luke 22:29; Galatians 3:26-29), by which Jesus, not Jehovah, becomes figuratively a husband to those who become his bride (Revelation 21:9) through the Abrahamic covenant, which was made with Abraham 430 years before the Law Covenant. — Galatians 3:17,18.

There is nothing in any of this that means that Jesus is Jehovah.

See our study:
New Covenant Vs. Covenant for a Kingdom


THE ONE PIERCED

This has been moved to:
https://reslight.boards.net/post/2482/thread


GOD COMES, JESUS COMES -- Zechariah 14:4-5 and Matthew 25:31

It is claimed:

Zechariah 14:4-5 (God is coming) – Matthew 25:31 (Jesus is coming)
“Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” “And I will make the place [footstool] of my feet glorious.” “And his [Jehovah’s] feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives.” Isa. 60:13; 66:1; Zech. 14:4; Matt. 5:35; Acts 7:49

See: Jehovah's Feet on the Mount of Olives

MASTER

It is claimed:

Malachi 1:6 (The One Master is God) – Matthew 23:8 (Jesus is the One Master)

A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My fear? says Jehovah of Hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, In what have we despised Your name? — Malachi 1:6, Green’s Literal.

But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. — Matthew 23:8, World English.

The Hebrew word translated as “master’ in Malachi 1:6 is a form of the word often transliterated as adon (Strong’s Hebrew #410). Forms of ADON (usually given in the Masoretic text in a form often transliterated as ADONAI or ADONAY -- plural intensive when it is thought to apply to Jehovah) are used of Jehovah many times in the Old Testament, usually in connection with his Holy Name, often rendered as "Lord Jehovah." The word is not given as ADONAI in Malachi 1:6; indeed it is not directly applied to Jehovah, but Jehovah is stating a general principle.

The Greek word that corresponds to this is often transliterated as “KURIOS” (Strong’s Greek #2962)

No form of KURIOS appears in Matthew 23:8.

Nevertheless, Jesus is the “one lord” that the Lord Jehovah has anointed and made lord over the church, as well as the dead and living. (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 2:36; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 8:6) This does not mean that the Lord Jehovah made Jesus to be the Lord Jehovah. Jesus is not the Lord Jehovah who made Jesus to be one Lord, nor is the Lord Jehovah the Lord whom the Lord Jehovah has made to be “Lord”.

There is definitely nothing in these scriptures that means we need to imagine and assume that the Lord Jesus is the Lord Jehovah.

For links to some of our related studies:
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/one-lord.html


JESUS IS THE FATHER?

It is being claimed:

Malachi 2:10 (God is the Father) – John 14:5-9, Isaiah 9:6, (Jesus is the Father)

In Malachi 2:20; John 14:5-9 and Isaiah 9:6, it is the God and Father of Jesus (Acts 3:13-26; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 1:1,2) who is designated as being the Father. Jesus does not claim to be the Father at any time or any place, although, in a sense, he does become father to the human race in the regeneration of the human race. This, however, does not mean that he becomes his God and Father.

Names applied to individuals and places in the Bible often describe God, not the person or thing to which the name is given. Likewise, the meaning of the name given to the Son in Isaiah 9:6 should be understood as being applied to Jehovah of Hosts (Isaiah 9:7), the God and Father of the Son given, no to the Son himself.

CLICK HERE for studies related to Isaiah 9:6:

Rather than showing that Jesus is the Father, John 14:6 shows that Jesus is the way to the Father. One can only be reconciled to the Father by means of Jesus if one recognizes the works of the only true God in Jesus. The Jewish leaders “saw” Jesus’ flesh, but they did not “see” the Father in him, for they did not believe that Jesus came from God.

See our study:
Seeing the Father in Jesus


THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ONE GOD

It is being claimed:

You should know the truth about ONE GOD!!!

The truth, as revealed in the Bible, is that the “one God” — the one Supreme Being — is identified, not as Jesus, but rather as the God and Father of Jesus. — 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3; 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; 1 Peter 1:3.

CLICK HERE for links to some related studies.


GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH

It is being claimed:

GOD was manifest (not God the son) in the flesh 1Tim.3:16…

This evidently is claiming that God the Son was not being spoken of in 1 Timothy 3:16 as being manifested in the flesh, but rather that it was God the Father who is being spoken in this verse as being manifested in the flesh. We are not sure why this idea would be thought to mean that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The fact is that there are variant readings of this verse. It appears that later manuscripts were altered to read “God”. Nevertheless, the topic of 1 Timothy 3:16 is the mystery of godliness, of the Christian’s piety toward God, which is related to the rest of the sentence following “mystery of godliness”. There is definitely nothing there that says that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

See:
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/1-timothy.html#1tim3-16


KNOWING THE ONE GOD

It is being claimed:

You should know the truth of ONE GOD 2Tes.1:8.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 -  giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. -- World English

Evidently this verse is cited in an effort to condemn anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God. It is not clear how this is supposed to support the idea that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The scripture is speaking of the vengeance to be given in the age to come. Those of that age who, after having been taught who God is, and having been given every opportunity to know Jehovah, but who refuse to know Him will suffer the final vengeance of eternal destruction.

"God" in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 refers to only one person. the same one person who is "God" in 2 Thesslonians 1:1,2,12.

Nothing here says that Jesus is the “one God” of believers; in fact, it distinguishes “God” from “our Lord Jesus”.

FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD

The following is given:

Colossians 2:8-11 KJV
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Colossians 2:8
blepete mee tis humas estai ho
BE YOU LOOKING AT NOT SOMEONE YOU WILL BE THE (ONE)
0991 3361 5100 4771_7 1511_4 3588
sulagwgwn dia tees philosophias kai kenees
LEADING AS BOOTY THROUGH THE PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY
4812 1223 3588 5385 2532 2756
apatees kata teen paradosin twn anthrwpwn
SEDUCTION ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION OF THE MEN,
0539 2596 3588 3862 3588 0444
kata ta stoicheia tou kosmou kai ou
ACCORDING TO THE ELEMENTARY THINGS OF THE WORLD AND NOT
2596 3588 4747 3588 2889 2532 3756
kata christon
ACCORDING TO CHRIST;
2596 5547
Colossians 2:9
hoti en autw katoikei pan to pleerwma tees
BECAUSE IN HIM IS DWELLING DOWN ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE
3754 1722 0846_5 2730 3956 3588 4138 3588
theoteetos swmatikws
GODSHIP BODILY,
2320 4985
Colossians 2:10
kai este en autw pepleerwmenoi hos estin hee
AND YOU ARE IN HIM (ONES) HAVING BEEN FILLED, WHO IS THE
2532 1510_4 1722 0846_5 4137 3739 1510_2 3588
kephalee pasees archees kai exousias
HEAD OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND OF AUTHORITY,
2776 3956 0746 2532 1849 — Westcott & Hort Interlinear

We assume that these verses are presented as being proof that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The word transliterated above as “pleerwma” means plenitude, full amount, abundance, as related to what is being spoken of.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/pleroma.html

The word transliterated above as theoteetos is an abstract form theos, which therefore refers to the quality of theos, that is, the quality of deity based on Hebrew EL (Strong's 410), mightiness.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/theotes.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/theos.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/el.html

See also our study:
The Hebraic Usage of the Titles for “God”

The word bodily does not refer the fleshly, physical, terrestrial body of Jesus, for he was put to death in flesh, but made alive in the spirit. He now has a spiritual body, a body of “celestial”, not terrestrial glory. — 1 Corinthians 15:39-41; 1 Peter 3:18.

See our studies related to: Jesus' Resurrection Body

Conclusion: Jesus now has the plentitude of mightiness in his present body that is needed for him to be “the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:10) This headship is that which has been given to him by the only true Supreme Being, his being given such mightiness excludes him from being the Supreme Being who exalted him. — Ephesians 1:3,17-23; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Philippians 2:9.

See links to more studies related to Colossians 2:9:
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/scriptures-examined.html#col2-9


IS JESUS THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB?

Matthew 22:32 and John 8:58 are presented as proof that Jesus claimed to be God.


I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. — Matthew 22:32, King James Version

While we are not sure what in this verse is thought to present Jesus as being the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we assume that it is being thought that Jesus was speaking of himself as being the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If this is the thought, no, Jesus was not in this verse claiming to be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Let us place the verse in the context of what Jesus had just stated:

Matthew 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. — King James Version.

Jesus is not here proclaiming himself to be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but he quotes what the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said, as recorded at Exodus 3:6. He who spoke to Moses was not Jesus, but the God and Father of Jesus. (Hebrews 1:1,2) However, it is possible that Jehovah may have used Jesus in his prehuman existence as a means of communication, although no scriptures presents such a thought.

John 8:58 KJV
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Here Jesus expresses his existence before Abraham; he was not claiming to be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus had just declared that he had come forth from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (John 8:42), in agreement with his words stated at John 17:1,3, where he says that his Father is the only true Supreme Being. It also agrees with Peter’s words in Acts 3:13-26.

See our studies related to EHJEH and "I am", John 8:58, etc.
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/ehjeh-and-i-am.html

The claim is made that Jesus thought he was God; in reality, it is man that claims that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; there is no indication anywhere in the Bible that Jesus ever thought that he was or is the God of the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Since the scriptures always present Jesus as being sent by, speaking the words for, acting on behalf of, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:14,15), the default reasoning is that Jesus is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. — Deuteronomy 18:15-22; Matthew 22:32; 23:39; Mark 11:9,10; 12:26; Luke 13:35; 20:37; John 3:2,17,32-35; 4:34; 5:19,30,36,43; 6:57; 7:16,28; 8:26,28,38; 10:25; 12:49,50; 14:10; 15:15; 17:8,26; 20:17; Acts 2:22,34-36; 3:13-26; 5:30; Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 8:6; 11:31; Colossians 1:3,15; 2:9-12; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:1.

See my study:
Is Jesus the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2019/05/god-of-abraham.html

DID JESUS CLAIM TO BE THE SUPREME BEING?

John 8:24; 8:56-59 (Exodus 3:14); John 10:30-33 and John 14:8-9 are given as scriptures which are asserted to be instances where Jesus claimed to be God, evidently with the meaning of "God" as the Supreme Being.

John 8:24

John 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Here Jesus is saying that unless one believes that he is who he says he is, they will not be justified, and will thus die in their sins. Jesus does not say that he is the Supreme Being, but he claimed to be sent from Jehovah, his God and Father. -- Isaiah 61:1; Micah 5:4;  John 8:12,14,16,18,23: 17:1,3.

See our examination of the verse in our study:
John 8:58 and  Other "I am" Statements of Jesus 

John 8:58 (Exodus 3:14)

Many falsely claim  that Jesus was identifying himself as being Ehjeh of Exodus 3:14. Jesus was actually responding the question related to his age, stating his existence before Abraham. Jesus' existence before Abraham does not mean that we need to imagine and assume that Jesus was claimint to be his God, Jehovah. -- Micah 5:4.

For several of our studies related to John 8:58
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/john.html#john8-58

John 10:30-33

Jesus claimed that he and his God and Father, Jehovah (Micah 5:4; Ephesians 1:3) are one. Jesus was not saying that he and his God and Father are "one God," nor was he saying that he and his God and Father are one being, one substance, etc., nor was Jesus saying that he was equal to this God and Father. Jesus prayed that his followers have this same oneness with him and with his Father. Was Jesus praying that his followers become the same one Supreme Being with him and the only true Supreme Being who sent Jesus? -- John 17:1,3, 11,21-23.

There is certainly nothing written in John 10:30-33 that records Jesus as saying that he is Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

For links to studies related to John 10:30-33.

https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/p/john.html#john10-30

John 14:8,9

There is definitely nothing in John 14:8,9 that presents Jesus as being the God of Abraham, Isaac and if one is a trinitarian, there is certainly nothing that presents the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as being more than one person or individual. Jesus was certainly not saying that he was his God and Father. One can certainly see the God and Father of Jesus in Jesus as Jesus came to declare his God and Father. Thus, in Jesus' work and words, one can certainly see his God and Father. Jesus was definitely not saying that everyone who saw his body of flesh was seeing his Father, for he stated to the Jewish leaders concerning his God and Father: "You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form." (John 5;37) Those leaders had certainly seen Jesus' flesh, thus in John 14:8,9, Jesus was speaking of seeing in the sense of recognition of whom he is, the Son of the Most High, who came to declare his God and Father. The world in general did not recognize Jesus. -- John 1:10-14; 18.

***********

John 8:24 - You Will Die in Your Sins

It is often claimed that if one does not accept the trinity, that the Bible says that he will die in his sins. Matt Slick claims that Jesus claimed to "God" in John 8:24.

Actually, what did Jesus did say to the Jewish religious leaders who opposed him?

John 8:21 - Jesus said therefore again to them, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and will die in your sins. Where I go, you can't come."

John 8:24 - I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."

Jesus was certainly declaring that if they did not accept him as who he claimed to be, they would die in their sins. Who was he claiming to be? Jesus certainly did not say he is God in John 8:24; indeed, the word "God" is not to found anywhere in that verse. Nor does he claim his name to be EHJEH of Exodus 3:14. Jesus certainly was not claiming to be his Father who sent him from above. (John 8:16,19,23) Trinitarians, of course, do not claim that Jesus is his Father, but oneness believers do make such a claim.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isaiah 61:2 to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. -- American Standard Version.

In the context of John 8:24, rather than claiming to be God, Jesus was claiming to have been sent by his Father, and he differentiates himself from his God and Father, the God of Israel. (John 8:18,40,42,54) Jesus identified his Father as being the only true God who had sent him. (John 17:1,3) This means that he was claiming to be the one whom the Lord Jehovah sent from above, as recorded in Isaiah 61:1, hence, the promised Messiah. In Isaiah 61:2, the Messiah is depicted as joining with Israel in referring to Jehovah as "our God [Elohim]". Nothing in any of this means that he was claiming to be his Father, nor that he was a person of the "one God" from whom are the all. -- 1 Corinthians 8:6.

Why do non-believers die in their sins? As Paul later explains, all mankind have been made sinners as a result of Adam's sin; all are condemned in the disobedience of one man, so that only one obedient man would be needed to deliver mankind out of the condemnation in Adam. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22; 1 Timothy 2:5,6) By this means, God's justice is satisfied, and thus he can remain just, while still justifying the sinner through Jesus' sacrifice. (Romans 3:26) In this age, the only way one can be reckoned as justified, and thus, without sin, is through faith in Jesus, the one whom the only true God sent, based on the sacrifice he gave for sin. (John 14:6; 17:1,3; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26; 4:5; 5:1,9,12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22; Hebrews 10:10) All others remain condemned in Adam, and will have to face judgment in the last day. -- Matthew 10:15; 11:22-24; 12:36; Mark 6:11; John 3:18,36; 12:47,48; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 2:9.

To not accept Jesus as being the promised one "from above" (John 8:23) -- the one sent from above by the only true God (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 6:29; 8:15,42; 10:36;17:1,3; 16:27; Acts 3:13-26; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:9,10,54; Hebrews 10:5) -- would mean that such a person is not reckoned as justified in the blood of Christ, and thus that such a person is counted as remaining in his sins, remaining under the wrath of God in the condemnation of death through Adam of which he has already been condemned. Thus, that one remains in his sins, not having been justified through the one who God sent to die for our sins. -- John 3:18,36; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3,21,22; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 4:10.

There is nothing, however, in John 8:24, that means that Jesus was saying that if one does not accept the triune God and himself as being a person of that triune God, they one would die in their sins. Indeed, Jesus said nothing about himself as being "God" at all. Any such idea has to be formulated beyond what is stated, and then added to, and read into, what is stated. In John 8:24 all Jesus was saying is he was the one sent by his Father from above as the light of the world (John 8:12) -- the Son of God -- the Messiah. (John 8:12,14,16,18,23) Unless one believes in him as the one he claimed to be, one will not be justified and will thus die in his sins, and will therefore be raised in the resurrection of the unjust rather than the resurrection of the just. -- Acts 24:15.

Please note that the phrase often transliterated as EGO EIMI in John 8:12 is not referring to eternal existence from eternal past to eternal future (or to existence outside of time, etc), nor is there any thought that Jesus used EGO EIMI as the name EHJEH, as found in Exodus 3:14. This verse is referring to Jesus' claims regarding himself, much of which is related to while he in days of his flesh, while was in the world that did not recognize him. (John 1:10; 9:5; Hebrews 5:7) There is definitely nothing in John 8:24 that presents the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as being more than one person, or that Jesus is a person of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

For related studies, see our page: Ehjeh and "I am".

Matthew 3:16,17 - Was There a Triune God at Jesus' Baptism?

What Does Hebrews 1 Say About "God"?