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The God of Yahushua

This is a non-WLC article. When using resources from outside authors, we only publish the content that is 100% in harmony with the Bible and WLC current biblical beliefs. So such articles can be treated as if coming directly from WLC. We have been greatly blessed by the ministry of many servants of Yahuwah. But we do not advise our members to explore other works by these authors. Such works, we have excluded from publications because they contain errors. Sadly, we have yet to find a ministry that is error-free. If you are shocked by some non-WLC published content [articles/episodes], keep in mind Proverbs 4:18. Our understanding of His truth is evolving, as more light is shed on our pathway. We cherish truth more than life, and seek it wherever it may be found.

Is the phrase “the God of Yahushua” scriptural? In Ephesians 1:17, the apostle Paul writes of “the God of our Lord Yahushua Christ, the Father of glory.” It was clear to Paul that the God of Yahushua is the Father of glory. Beginning his letter to the Ephesians, Paul blesses “the God and Father of our Lord Yahushua Christ.” In closing, he blesses them with “peace...and love with faith, from God the Father and our Lord Yahushua Christ” (Eph. 1:3; 6:23).

Yahushua said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17)

In John 20:17 Yahushua tells Mary, “I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” In John 17:3 Yahushua refers to his Father as “the only true God.” Yahushua was a unitarian believer in the One God.

Those who believe in the doctrine of the Trinity say that a denial of an eternally preexistent “God the Son” diminishes Yahushua by stripping him of divinity. But one can reject the doctrine of the Trinity and yet still affirm Christ’s “divine nature” by pointing to his unique origin as Son of Yahuwah. When the “power of the Highest” overshadowed Mary, the “Son of the Highest” was begotten (Luke 1:32, 35). Yahuwah declared His fatherhood of Yahushua when He called him, “My beloved Son” (Matt. 3:17). Christians too are to be filled with the fullness of Yahuwah (Eph. 3:19).

Some believe that Yahushua Christ was a “mere man” — no different from any other — except that he was sinless. They diminish Christ. In standing against the error of the Trinity they sometimes reduce the status of Yahushua. There is no need to overreact. The inspired writers of the New Testament speak of Yahushua in superlatives. The exiled John’s graphic figures of speech describe an otherwise indescribable risen Lord! (Rev. 1:14-16).

Yahushua is “the image [icon] of the invisible God” (in whom we see the Father clearly); “the brightness of His glory” (mirrored on our faces); and “the exact image of His person” (stamped on us, leaving a lasting impression)! How can we not rejoice in our wonderful Lord?

We should not think that Yahuwah is more exalted when His Son is diminished. What son’s accomplishments do not reflect well on the person of his earthly father? How much more, then, is the Father of Yahushua glorified when we praise the spotless life, excellent works and selfless sacrifice of his Son? And his revelation of the secret of immortality in his Gospel of the Kingdom (II Tim. 1:10).

“And whatsoever you shall ask in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13).

...that the God of our Lord Yahushua Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17)

The spirit of Yahuwah opens up truth concerning Yahuwah and his Son, but only to the genuine seeker after Truth. It certainly is a matter of perception, something like buying a new car and then seeing so many of the same make and model on the road. We find the One God of Yahushua where we had never seen Him before. We are encouraged and inspired by the Bible, but only when the Lord “opens our eyes” to how little we know, do we realize how much we’ve missed.

An example of this lack of perception is how we either see or don’t see the significance of 1 Corinthians 8:6, which clearly informs us that “there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Yahushua Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” How is it possible for the “one Lord” to be seen as co-equal with the “one God”?

Tradition answers that the One God is comprised of three Persons: a co-equal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We should never underestimate the ability of tradition to accommodate Bible truth before veiling it in mysticism. How many hours in how many months over how many years did the theologians of the Church debate the question about Yahushua’s part in sending the spirit? The eastern and western church actually excommunicated one another over this question! A quick look at Acts 2:33 would have resolved the issue immediately: “Therefore being by the right hand of Yahuwah exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he [Yahushua] has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.” The words of Yahushua in John 16:7 confirm that the Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son.

We find it difficult to believe that the same Martin Luther who defied the Church of Rome in stating “the just shall live by faith” actually referred to the book of James as “an epistle of straw” and was openly and actively anti-Semitic.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yahushua Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)

We are horrified to learn that the great Calvin could order Servetus, a brother in Christ, to be burned to death at the stake (slowly, on green wood). What terrible heresies did Servetus profess? He taught that the rite of infant baptism and the Church’s belief in the Trinity were unscriptural.

My belief is that Christians in years to come will see the doctrine of the Trinity for what it is: the product of a gathering of bishops convened by Constantine the Great to unify the teaching of the Christian Church in the disputed matter of the Godhead. Under pressure, some bishops capitulated against their better judgment and the matter was settled. It was set in stone and used to “club” others into conformity.

Only when the Church accepts 1 Corinthians 8:6 as the true definition of the Godhead will it be able to proclaim to the Jews: “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is also the God of Yahushua — your Messiah and ours!” Around the world two strong forces are locked in conflict: the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of antichrist.

When Yahushua returns, one body comprised of both Jew and Gentile — but inseparable in faith and in confession of the One True God and His Son, Yahushua Christ — will rise to meet the Lord in the air, and then descend with him to rule the nations.

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

For more on this important subject, visit WLC's Content Directory: The Trinity (doctrinal error)

 
This is a non-WLC article written by Peter Barfoot.

We have taken out from the original article all pagan names and titles of the Father and Son, and have replaced them with the original given names. Furthermore, we have restored in the Scriptures quoted the names of the Father and Son, as they were originally written by the inspired authors of the Bible. -WLC Team