Acts 2:17-21 – Did Peter Apply God’s Holy Name To Jesus?

It is being claimed that Peter, as recorded in Acts 2:17-21, makes several appeals to “YHWH” texts in the Hebrew Bible and applies them to Jesus. In reading Acts 2:17-21, however, we find that such a thought has to actually read into what Peter stated.

Acts 2:14-36, World English Bible translation, with our notations added:

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

Acts 2:15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.

Acts 2:16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God [The Greek Theos has probably been substituted for the holy name, Yahweh/Jehovah (Joel 2:19); Jehovah is the God and Father of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3), He who sent Jesus — Isaiah 61:1], I will pour forth of my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. (Joel 2:28)

Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (Joel 2:29)

Acts 2:19 I will show wonders in the the sky above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. (Joel 2:30)

Acts 2:20 The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] comes. (Joel 2:31)

Acts 2:21 It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] will be saved.’ (Joel 2:32)

Acts 2:22 “You men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,

Acts 2:23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus], you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;

Acts 2:24 whom God [Jehovah, the God of Jesus] raised up, having freed him from the agony of death [not eternal suffering], because it was not possible that he should be held by it.

Acts 2:25 For David says concerning him, ‘I [Jesus] saw the Lord [Jehovah] always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. (Jesus is depicted, not as being Jehovah, but as having Jehovah as his right hand.)

Acts 2:26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my [Jesus’] flesh also will dwell [reside] in hope;

Acts 2:27 Because you [Jehovah] will not leave my [Jesus’] soul in Hades [death, not eternal suffering], Neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.

Acts 2:28 You [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] made known to me [Jesus] the ways of life. You [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Acts 2:29 “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

Acts 2:30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] had sworn with an oath to him [David] that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

Acts 2:31 he [David] foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades [Jesus’ soul is not now suffering for eternity in hades/sheol to pay the wages of sin, Jesus died for our sins] , nor did his flesh see decay [His flesh was to be paid to God in heaven as the offering for sin].

Acts 2:32 This Jesus God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Acts 2:33 [Jesus] Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus], and having received from the Father [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] the promise of the Holy Spirit [the Holy Spirit is received by Jesus from Jehovah, the only true God, the God and Father of Jesus — Luke 24:29; John 14:16,26; 15:26], he [Jesus, acting for his God] has poured forth this, which you now see and hear.

Acts 2:34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] said to my Lord [Jesus], “Sit by my [Jehovah’s] right hand, [rather than identifying Jesus as Jehovah, the reference Peter makes to Psalm 110:1 actually distinguishes Jesus from Jehovah.]

Acts 2:35 Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”‘

Acts 2:36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God [Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus] has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” [Again, rather than identifying Jesus as being Jehovah, Peter distinguishes Jesus from Jehovah.]

Jesus is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and there is nothing in these verses that depicts Jesus as being Jehovah, the God of Israel. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29) Indeed, the God and Father of Jesus is depicted as being different from Jesus all throughout these verses. However, Jesus, having been sent by the only true God, performs the works of his God. What the one sent by Jehovah does in performing the works of Jehovah is claimed by Jehovah as being performed by him. (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; and many more scriptures could be provided.) If Jesus’ performance of the works of Jehovah, his God, means that Jesus is Jehovah, then, if one would be consistent in such reasoning, one would also have to conclude many of the Old Testament judges and prophets are all Jehovah.

Nevertheless, some questions have been raised by another: Doesn’t Acts 2:22-36 show that “the Lord” spoken of in Acts 2:21 is none other than Jesus? Isn’t Peter reminding these people that this man Jesus was the Messiah, and that he was the Lord of verse 21? Then, since Acts 2:17-21 are actually being quoted from Joel 2:28-32, does this mean that that Jesus is Jehovah?

Actually verses 22-36 show that Jehovah worked through Jesus, just as many other scriptures show. — Matthew 6:9; 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 13:35; 19:38; John 5:43; 10:25; 12:13,28; 17:6,11,12,26; Acts 15:14,17.

(Quotes from New American Standard Version):

“A man [Jesus] attested to you by God [Jehovah] with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst.”– Acts 2:22

“This Man [Jesus], delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God [Jehovah].” — Acts 2:23

Peter here clearly testifies that Jesus was a man. Additionally, he declares that Jesus was attested to by God. If Jesus is Jehovah, surely this would have been a very good place for Peter to have so stated; but instead he tells that Jesus was attested to by God, thus demonstrating that Jesus is not God.

“God [Jehovah] raised Him [Jesus] up again.” — Acts 2:24

“I [Jesus] was always beholding [Jehovah] in my presence.” — Acts 2:25.

“Thou [Jehovah] wilt not abandon my [Jesus’] soul to Hades.” — Acts 2:27.

“Thou [Jehovah] hast made known to me [Jesus] the ways of life.” — Acts 2:28.

“Thou [Jehovah] wilt make me [Jesus] full of gladness.” — Acts 2:28.

“This Jesus God [Jehovah] raised up again.” — Acts 2:32.

”Having been exalted [by Jehovah — Acts 5:31; Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 1:3,17-23] to the right hand of God [Jehovah –Psalm 110:1], and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit [Jesus was NOT the Holy Spirit, as some claim, but the promise was that Jesus would receive the Holy Spirit as being put under Jesus’ authority], He [Jesus] has poured forth this [the Holy Spirit, which he had received from his God and Father] which you both see and hear.” — Acts 2:33.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God [Jehovah] has made Him [Jesus] both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified.” — verse 36.

Verses 17-21 are quoted from Joel 2:28-32. In Joel 2:28-32 the Hebrew Masoretic text has the tetragrammaton of the Holy Name three times in verse 32; it also appears in verse 27.

Joel 2:32 (American Standard Version) “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.”

The last days as quoted in this text in its final application refers to the time of blessing of all the families of the earth, all flesh, thereby allowing all flesh to see the glory of Jehovah. (See God’s Hidden Glory to be Revealed) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 33 CE was but a foreshadow, a token (earnest) of the Millennial inheritance of the church and outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all peoples. — 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14.

However, the prophecy in Joel does not use the term “last days.” It is Peter who uses the phrase “last days”. (Acts 2:17) Like most quotations in the New Testament, Peter is probably making an indirect quotation. While Joel quotes Jehovah as saying “afterwards”, Peter, using indirect quotation, tells us that Jehovah was saying that “in the last days” he would pour forth his spirit. Nevertheless, John Gill states:

“R. David Kimchi, a celebrated commentator with the Jews, observes, that “afterwards” is the same “as in the last days”, and which design the times of the Messiah; for according to a rule given by the same writer on (Isaiah 2:2) wherever the last days are mentioned, the days of the Messiah are intended.

Noting Peter’s reference to the “last days” in 2 Peter 3:3 and also Paul’s reference to the “last days” (2 Timothy 3:1), some have suggested that Peter may have been referring to the “last days” as a period of time just before the destruction of Satan’s empire, and from this conclude that there may be another similar outpouring of the holy spirit again in the last days of Satan’s world, but we highly doubt this to be what Peter meant. If so, it would still be but a token fulfillment of the time coming after Christ’s return during the Millennial age.

Others suggest that Peter was referring to the “last days” of the Jewish age of favor, which most Bible Students believe ended in 70 A.D. or 73 A.D., or some time around this. This would certainly fit the application for the pouring out of God’s spirit in the first century.

Another possibility is that Peter was referring to a period of 3,000-years as the “last days” — three millennial days, If applied as beginning when Jesus died (in 33 CE) they would end in 3033. Such an application would include, not just the Gospel Age of this present evil age, but also for the entire Kingdom Millennial age — the age to come — as well.

Regardless, “the Lord” in Acts 2:21 refers, not to Jesus, but to the God of Jesus (Matthew 27:46: Mark 15:34; John 20:17; Romans 1:7; 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 11:31; Ephesians 1:3,17; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 2:7; 3:2,12) — to the eternal Supreme Being. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus has always been. In other words Jehovah has always been Jehovah. Yet Peter does not say that Jesus is Jehovah but rather that the God and Father of Jesus made Jesus “Lord”. (Acts 2:36; Hebrews 1:9) Jesus was not made “Jehovah” — this would be nonsense; no, but he was made “Lord” and “Messiah” by his God, Jehovah. — Acts 2:36; see also: Isaiah 61:1; Acts 5:31; 10:38; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35.

However, Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth: “to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours.” We note here that he speaks of the Christians “who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Does this mean that we are to call upon Jehovah (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32) and also the name of Jesus? Yes, for as Jesus said: “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) “No one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) If we remember that the name Jesus means “Jehovah saves” or “Jehovah is savior”, then to call upon the name of Jesus also acknowledges the name of his God. Additionally, Jesus said: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44) Thus we need both the God of Jesus, the Father, as well as the Son of Jehovah. This is what John says: “Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:19) This also agrees with Jesus’ statements in John 17:1-3.

There is nothing in any of this, however, that should give one the idea that Jesus is Jehovah. Jesus was sent by Jehovah, speaks for Jehovah, represents Jehovah. Jesus is not Jehovah whom he represents and speaks for. — Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Matthew 23:39; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 13:35; John 3:2,17; 5:19,43; 6:57; 7:16,28; 8:26,28,38; 10:25; 12:49,50; 14:10; 15:15; 17:8,26; Hebrews 1:1,2; Revelation 1:1.

Jesus As The Object Of Prayer

According to some, Jesus is the “object of prayer”, and therefore this  is offered as proof that Jesus is Jehovah. Scriptures often presented to support this are: John 14:14; Acts 1:24; 7:59-60; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, and more.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, by means of his holy spirit, reveals through the scriptures that He Himself (Jehovah/Jehovah) is the only true God, the unipersonal God and Father of the Lord Jesus. Jesus has One who is the Supreme Being over him (Micah 5:4; Ephesians 1:3); Jesus is not his Supreme Being whom he worships, prays to, and who sent him, and whose will he carried out in willful obedience.  -- Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:4; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 22:29-40; Matthew 26:42; Matthew 27:46; Mark 10:6; Mark 14:36; 15:34; Luke 4:8; Luke 22:42; John 3:34; 5:30; 6:38; 10:36; 17:1,3; 20:17; Acts 3:13-26; Romans 15:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 11:31; Ephesians 1:3,17-23; 4:6; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 1:9; 10:7; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 2:7; 3:2,12.

Please note that we believe that one can offer a prayer to Jesus since Jesus is the representative of his God and Father, and since Jesus is our high priest and advocate before God. Nevertheless, we believe many scriptures are often misused along this line. -- Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14,15; 7:25; 8:1; 9:24; 10:21; 1 John 2:1

John 14:14

John 14:12 - Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I am going to my Father.

John 14:13 - Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If you will ask anything in my name, that will I do.

Jesus here is speaking of praying to the only true God (John 17:1,3) in his [Jesus’] name. This can be seen from John 15:16:

You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that 

your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Acts 1:24

Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, YHVH, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.– Sacred Name King James Version.

Obviously, this prayer is directed to Jehovah, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus.  (Acts 3:13-36)  Many may dispute this, but more than likely the disciples prayed to the God of Jesus, not to Jesus himself, as recorded in Acts 4:24-30.

Acts 7:59

Acts 7:59 – They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit!”
Acts 7:60 – He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Verse 59 could be considered a prayer, although it is more than likely a response to to seeing Jesus in the vision more so than a formal prayer. As such, it is similar to the communication the disciples had with Jesus between the time of his resurrection until he ascended. Verse 60 probably refers to Jehovah, the God and Father of Jesus (Micah 5:4; Ephesians 1:3), as in Acts 7:30,31,33,37,49.

1 Corinthians 1:2

1 Corinthians 1:2 – to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours.

Any prayer directed to the God and Father of Jesus should in the name of Jesus, and such would be calling upon the name of our Lord Jesus. (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24,26) Such prayer does not mean that the name of our Lord Jesus should take the place of the Father.

Sometimes some present a scripture related to calling upon the name of Jehovah in prayer from the Old Testament, such as Psalm 116:4. It is therefore claimed that this proves that Jesus is Jehovah. In reality, it is Jehovah, the only true Supreme Being who sent Jesus (Isaiah 61:1; John 17:1,3) who speaks through Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 3:34; 5:24; 6:29; 8:42; 14:24; 17:1,3,8; Acts 3:13-26; Hebrews 1:1,2), and thus Jehovah tells us through Jesus to offer prayer in the name of Jesus. Nothing in this means that we need to imagine and assume that Jesus is Jehovah.

Nevertheless, we see nothing wrong with prayer to Jesus as our Advocate with the Father, as our priest, and as the representative of the only true God. Such prayers certainly do not mean, however, that Jesus is Jehovah.

2 Corinthians 12:8

2 Corinthians 12:8 – Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

The term “the Lord” , more than likely replaces the Holy Name. In the Old Testament, expressions of begging is used of Jehovah many times. --  Numbers 12:13; 1 Samuel 23:11; 2 Samuel 24:10; 2 Kings 19:19; 20:3; Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 116:4; 118:25; 119:108; Isaiah 38:3; 64:9; Jeremiah 38:20; Amos 7:2,5; Jonah 1:14; 4:3.

Regardless,  even if Paul was saying that he begged Jesus, it would still not mean that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

1 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

This is not actually a prayer, but rather a statement of deliverance followed by a proclamation of glory.

Again, more than likely, in 1 Timothy 4:14,17,18, God’s Holy Name has been replaced with “the Lord”, and thus verse 18 would be understood as, “And Jehovah will deliver me from evil work, and will save me to His heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” This would correspond with Jesus’ model prayer of Matthew 6:9-12 (which is directed — not to Jesus — but to the God and Father of Jesus) and many Old Testament verses. The proclamation phrase is without a verb, although the verb “be” is added in translation. W&H interlinear reads: TO WHOM THE GLORY INTO THE AGES OF THE AGES. AMEN.

Regardless, it is proper to to proclaim both the glory of Jesus and the God of Jesus. It is man, not the Bible, that sets the limits in definition regarding who such a proclamation can be made regarding. It is the God and Father of Jesus, however, who has exalted Jesus to the highest position of glory in the universe, next to the Most High. (Acts 2:33,36; 5:31; Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 1:3,17-23; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Hebrews 1:4,6; 1 Peter 3:22) At any rate, even if Paul was saying that it was Jesus who “will deliver” him, it would not mean that we need to imagine, assume, add to, read into the scripture that Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

1 Peter 3:18

1 Peter 3:18 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Likewise, this is not actually a prayer, but a proclamation of glory to Jesus. Such praise to Jesus is proper since the one person who is the God and Father of Jesus has exalted Jesus to an office above all else (with the evident exception of being the Most High). — Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:3,20-22; Philippians 2:9.

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;
Revelation 1:6 and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Again, it is not certain if the proclamation of glory is directed toward Jesus or the the God and Father of Jesus. Nevertheless, since the God and Father of Jesus has exalted Jesus, and made all dominion subject to Jesus, such a proclamation is certainly proper for Jesus.

Does Prayer to Jesus prove that Jesus is God?

One states that the fact that the Bible teaches that Jesus is prayed to proves that Jesus is God. As we have shown above, one is hard pressed to find any scripture that actually “teaches that the Lord Jesus is prayed to.” Indeed, the Bible does not record of any formal prayer to Jesus, nor does it ever state that we should offer formal prayer to Jesus. On the other hand, we do not find anything in the Bible that says that Jesus needs to be omniscient or omnipotent in order to receive prayers on behalf of the only true God; the  idea that petitions given to Jesus means that Jesus is God -- the Supreme Being -- is simply man’s reasoning.

The unipersonal God and Father of Jesus has given to Jesus absolutely all power that is needed, the plenitude [Greek, pleroma] of mightiness [theotes] bodily that he needs to fulfill all that God has given him to do. (Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; 5:36; Colossians 2:9,10; Ephesians 1:3,17-21; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 1 Peter 3:22) Thus, we have no doubt that Jesus has the power and authority from God to hear prayers.

Some Related Studies

Colossians 2:9 – The Fullness of Deity

Matthew 28:18 & All Power

1 Timothy 6:15,16 – The Only Ruler Who Possesses Immortality

1 Timothy 6:13 I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,1 Timothy 6:14 – that you keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;1 Timothy 6:15 – which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords1 Timothy 6:16 – who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. — World English Bible translation.

Many offer the above verses as proof that Jesus is Jehovah, but not all do this in the same way. One claims that Jesus is here called the only ruler (only Potentate, KJV). Zechariah 14:9 is then offered: “Jehovah will be King over all the earth. In that day Jehovah will be one, and his name one.” From this it is claimed that 1 Timothy 6:16 reveals that Jesus is Jehovah.

Some claim that the titles King of kings and Lord of lords only apply to Jehovah, and thus since these titles are applied to Jesus here, that this is proof that Jesus is Jehovah. We have discussed these titles elsewhere, and will not discuss them here. One may consult our study: Lord of Lords and King of King of Kings.

Further, it is claimed that since it says that Jesus is the only one with immortality, that this means that Jesus is Jehovah.

However, many do not apply the expressions under question to Jesus in the above verses. Some translations express it differently, so that the expressions are being applied to the Father of Jesus, and not to Jesus. The New Living Translations (NLT) renders the verses this way:

1 Timothy 6:13 And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate,1 Timothy 6:14 that you obey his commands with all purity. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.1 Timothy 6:15 For at the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords.1 Timothy 6:16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No one has ever seen him, nor ever will. To him be honor and power forever. Amen.

Some believe that this rendering fits the context better, in that it is the God of Jesus that is being referred to in verse 13, who gives life to all, and it is the God of Jesus that Timothy is told to obey. While Paul could have applied 1 Timothy 6:16 to the Father Jesus, nevertheless, the rendering of “can never die” (1 Timothy 6:16), can be misleading, as it appears to alter what was actually being said. It is true that only the God of Jesus ‘possesses/has’ immortality in his own innate being. No one else ‘possesses/has’ immortality innately. Yet Paul writes that we should seek to put on incorruption/incorruptibility, and that once we do we will also put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:54) Thus, there will be many who will become immortality, but such immortality was not their's to begin with; it is not their's innately. Only the Supreme Being has immortality innately.

Regardless, we also should note that Jesus is certainly delineated from “God” in these verses. In other words, the one who gives life to all, is distinguished from Christ Jesus. Jesus, before his resurrection, however, was not immortal (not dieable), or else he could not have died. Since Jesus did die, we conclude -- in harmony with the scriptures -- that he had not yet been given immortality before he died. It is only since his being raised back to life by the power of the only true God that he now lives forever and will never die again. (Romans 6:9; Revelation 1:18) Death no longer has any dominion over him, since he has overcome (in obedience to the only true God — Philippians 2:8), and thus is now not subject to any death. (Revelation 2:8,11; 3:21) Jesus cannot die again, thus, by his putting on incorruption, he has put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53,54) However, unlike the innate immortality possessed by his God, Jesus’ life, is given to him by his God, who gives life to all. Thus, Jesus even now “lives through the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) Micah foretells of him: 

Micah 5:4 - And He shall stand and feed in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah His God. And they shall sit, for now He is great to the ends of the earth.

Jesus’ immortality is not his innately, it is given to him by his God, who gives life to all. Thus, in the full sense of the word as being an innate attribute, only the God of Jesus has immortality.

Nevertheless, assuming that the phrases are actually meant to apply to the Son of God, rather than to the God of Jesus, should we conclude that this means that Jesus is the Most High Jehovah? Jesus is indeed the only ruler, the only Potentate, whom the only Most High has placed over the others who are also made kings, rulers, lords. (Psalm 45:7; Ephesians 1:17-21; Hebrews 1:9; Revelation 5:10; 19:16; 20:6) Jesus’ placement as such, however, is from Jesus’ God, the only Most High. This being so, as Paul says, “it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.” — 1 Corinthians 15:27.

Of course, the last day, the day of the resurrection and judgment, had not yet come when Paul wrote his words to Timothy, and thus, of the rulers/lords being spoken of, only Jesus possessed immortality at that time. Only Jesus had been raised from the dead and given immortal life by his God.

One objects with the dualistic claim (hypostatic union doctrine) that Jesus is God and also that Jesus is man at the same time. Thus, applying this doctrine, the claim is made that it was God Jesus who died, but rather that it was the man Jesus who died, and that it was the man Jesus who was raised back to life. Many even claim that Jesus raised himself from the dead, which would mean that it would have to be assumed and read into the scriptures that the God Jesus raised the man Jesus from the dead. Thus, it is claimed that Paul was referring to the God Jesus as immortal, not the man Jesus.

But does the Bible ever actually present such ideas as expressed in the alleged dual natures doctrine? No. In reality, the whole hypostatic union dogma has to be imagined in men’s thoughts “beyond the things which are written,” (1 Corinthians 4:6) and those thoughts are then assumed to be true, and then those assumptions of men have to be added to, and read into, what the scriptures say, in order to make the scriptures appear to agree with the added-on dogma that Jesus is Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As we have stated before, since the Bible is fully harmony with itself without adding all of the trinitarian or oneness philosophies to the Bible, we have no reason to add such to what has been revealed though the spirit in the holy scriptures.

On the other hand, the hypostatic union dogma claims that the man Christ Jesus is now alive, and will be alive forever. Although the details of the claims vary, the basic claim is that Jesus is now both God and man, and that Jesus will forever be a man. This, of course, would fully nullify the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, since it would either have Jesus taking back his sacrifice, or that he never really offered that sacrifice in the first place. Since we have dealt with this before, we will not dwell on this in this study. One might see our studies related to: Is Jesus Now Flesh? 

What we certainly do not find in these verses is any concept of God as three persons, or that there is more than one person in the only true God. Like other scriptures, the concept has to be assumed, added to, and read into the above verses. Likewise with any concept that presents Jesus as the only true God.

Ronald R. Day, Sr.; Restoration Light Bible Study Services (ResLight, RLBible)

Originally published on: July 7, 2009; updated and republished on April 11, 2014; October 19, 2018; November 22, 2018.

Comments (June 1, 2016):

----

You mentioned that Jesus did not receive immortality until after His death and ressurrection.How then would you explain John5:26“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”Jesus here is clearly indicating that immortality had already been given to Him.
John10:18Seems to imply this,
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”(NIV)The command that Jesus received from the Father seems to be a guarantee that while God Himself did ressurrect Jesus,our Saviour was also able to ressurrect Himself,as He had the authority from the Father,a direct commandment.
Would appreciate your thoughts on those verses.

Response:

We are preparing a study related to John 5:26, and it should be on this site soon. We personally believe the life in Jesus is referring to the sinless life that God gave to Jesus as a human being. Jesus, unlike Adam, never fell short of the glory of God. However, in the study we will be presenting several different views of what Jesus possibly meant. Koine Greek verbs, however, are more aspectual than time related.  If Jesus was speaking of receiving immortality, the time should be considered as future, not present.

Jesus did not receive authority to resurrect himself from the dead. Rotherham more correctly renders John 10:18: "No one forced it from me, but I lay it down of myself, -- Authority have I to lay it down, and authority have I again to receive it: This commandment received I from my Father." 

This is discussed in our studies:

Did Jesus Raise Himself From the Dead?
Jesus' Appearances in the Locked Room

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.

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