Is Jesus Christ The Son of God Today?
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58
Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5
By Joshua Toupos
Bishop if the Sonship began in Mary’s body, how do you explain that Jesus was before Abraham?
The Whole Truth Radio Broadcast
We see the position of Bishop S. C. Johnson in a sermon where he states, “God made a promise, in [Genesis 3:15] concerning the seed of the woman. God was speaking of the body which He was going to beget and make from Mary’s body. The scripture says He was made of a woman, under the Law. See Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23 and Galatians 4:4. The Sonship began in Mary’s body. This was the beginning of God’s Son.” -emphasis theirs
This is a common error that seems to emanate from Denominationalism teachings of handing down heresy and just outright misses the Full Counsel of God. While reading the article we find plenty of proof scriptures originally written by Bishop S. C. Johnson. This is a direct attack on The Trinity and deserves a Biblical response. Attached to this article we will demonstrate the Doctrine of The Trinity and a look at the error Modalism/Sabellianism held by some denominations today. The United Pentecostal and United Apostolic Churches. So I went and looked at some sermon notes & tracts they published. In one of only two sermons posted by Bishop Luke, we find, “One Lord”. Words like damnable, worshipping of three gods would be pagan and akin to what cults like Jehovah Witness teach Arianism
BISHOP SHELTON RAPHA CHABASH LUKE Sermon
“That is what it is all about. It is only one Lord. There are not two gods. There are not three gods, or more gods than that.” …”Anything contrary to what the Bible says is damnable doctrine. When you start dealing with damnable doctrine, you cannot worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.” Bishop Luke -One Lord Sermon Notes
This gives me great pause and so many questions that I think we should look at some to me anyway obvious questions and misrepresentations to true doctrine. First I think of when Jesus was Baptized for ministry by John the Baptist. We have all Three members of The Trinity here at ONCE. Not sure how that happens in the modalism view of the Godhead. So what is modalism? It generally comes from a denominational position and confusion of Tritheism which is also false.
“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke 3:22
What is Modalism?
What is Modalism?
Modalism is probably the most common theological error concerning the nature of God. It is a denial of the Trinity. Modalism states that God is a single person who, throughout biblical history, has revealed Himself in three modes or forms. Thus, God is a single person who first manifested himself in the mode of the Father in Old Testament times. At the incarnation, the mode was the Son; and after Jesus’ ascension, the mode is the Holy Spirit. These modes are consecutive and never simultaneous. In other words, this view states that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit never all exist at the same time–only one after another. Modalism denies the distinctiveness of the three persons in the Trinity even though it retains the divinity of Christ.
Present-day groups that hold to forms of this error are the United Pentecostal and United Apostolic Churches. They deny the Trinity, teach that the name of God is Jesus, and require baptism for salvation. These modalist churches often accuse Trinitarians of teaching three gods. This is not what the Trinity is. The correct teaching of the Trinity is one God in three eternal coexistent persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let’s Study The Word
Now that we have seen a working definition of Modalism we and the Bishop both use lots of Scripture let’s be Bereans and Search The Scriptures (Acts17:11) and “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
As you have seen above and just a sampling of these Denominational teaching/error the charges are quite serious! Let’s take a look at Bishop Luke’s excerpts linked from their site. If you need to read in entire context just below. Then we are going to dig down in a few spots, but the evidence from the Scriptures, not mine or anyone else is overwhelming that Jesus is Eternal, what Theologians call the 2nd Person of the Trinity. At the bottom of the article, we will attach hundreds of Scriptures to assist you in your studies. And some pertinent classes on Christology.
In all of this, why is are MAJOR Christian Networks like Salem broadcasting such Anti-Trinitarian content across Christianity.com today? We found this apologetic for The Trinity yet they allow anti-trinitarian to broadcast across their networks. Confusing huh!
Bishop Luke’s “Whole Truth” Radio Program Same Heresy as Bishop Johnson
Bishop Johnson Sermon which Bishop Luke promotes is the same heresy on today.
The eunuch said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” See Acts 8:37. This is speaking of things that were not as though they were. There is no scripture in the Bible that says, Jesus Christ is the Son of God now. I repeat, THERE IS NO SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE THAT SAYS, JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD NOW. I defy the entire world to produce Bible for such a statement. There is none. The Apostles did not preach He is the Son of God now. I am ready to answer creation. I say according to the Bible…God was manifest in the flesh. GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH…
All those that believe He is the Son of God now, put Him in a very ignorant position. If He is the Son of God now, as some say, then He does not know of the day or hour and that would be a contradiction of the scripture, because it is written: The disciple said unto him, “…Lord, thou knowest all things; See John 21:17.
If He is the Son of God now, as some say that He is, then, He does not know when to come or when He is coming, although there is only One in heaven and that One is He. If that is true, He will not know when to come because the Bible says the Son does not know, but the Father. [Mark 13:32] Now, there is only One in heaven and that One is Jesus Christ. So then, our hope is in vain, because according to their statement, the One that is up in heaven does not know when to come. Can you see what a terrible mistake they have made?
Jesus Christ is not the Son now, He is the Father. There is no Son in heaven to come. There never was a Son in heaven and never will be. When He ceased to be the Son on the cross, He went back to what He was before He was the Son…and that is the Father. He went back to being a Spirit. That is what He meant when He said, “I go unto my Father.” See John 14:12 and John 16:10. The one that was in heaven was God. He had no father, or mother. Read the 7th Chapter of Hebrews, verse 3. He is without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but abideth a priest continually.
I have attached some additional study information for Trinity definition, proof texts, what makes a cult a cult, and a Trinity study guide. Let’s take a look some troubling lack of proper Hermeneutics we find here.
Is The Trinity a Damnable Doctrine?
We are accused of Damnable Doctrines by Bishop Luke and those who hold to his heretical views of the Godhead. This is a very old heresy revived back in the early 1900’s but going back to the Modalism: (Patripassianism, Modalistic Monarchianism, Sabellianism, Jesus Only, Oneness Pentecostalism) Originally, a second and third-century heresy that denies the doctrine of the Trinity, teaching there is only one Person in the Godhead. While the Trinity doctrine teaches three distinct Persons, modalism maintains that one Person (usually the Father) has manifested Himself at different times under different names (Jesus/Spirit) or modes. Thus, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three names for the same Person. Originally taught in various forms by Noetus, Praxeas, and Sabellius. Modified forms of this doctrine can be found in the teachings of William Branham, some Apostolic churches, and the United Pentecostal Church.
Is Jesus Eternal?
This seems to be the sticking point, with most cults they stumble at Jesus. While they (Bishop Luke & The Affiliation of Apostolic Churches of which he is an “Apostle”? hold to is Jesus is NOT THE SON OF GOD NOW!?
Let’s see if we can find internal evidence of The Son of God in the Bible beyond Jesus Earthly ministry. We find the position here “Jesus Christ was the Son of God when He was here in the flesh. There is no scriptural proof that He was the Son of God anywhere else but here.” –Bishop S. C. Johnson
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:20
Jesus our High Priest & Eternal Priesthood
The author of Hebrews sets forth from the very first chapter of Hebrews that Jesus is better, better than Moses, a better Promise, a better Priesthood etc… In Hebrews 4:14 we find in the scriptures have this statement “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Now, I’m no Greek scholar, but the Present Active Tense of the Greek states this is The Active Voice: This occurs when the action of the verb is being performed by the subject. (Jesus) And this same Jesus The Son of God lives today to make Intercession for us NOW! Hebrews 7:11-28 states 5 times that this is an eternal priesthood. Praise God for His goodness and mercy.
Verse by Verse Study of HebrewsThe LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4 and Again and again like the Holy Spirit is trying to make a point. Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:11 & Hebrews 7:21. But why? “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:23-25 Again the same Greek Construction!
ἔχω echō as used in Hebrews 4:14 ζάω zaō in Hebrews 7:25
Tense: Present
Voice: Active
Mood: Participle
For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:28
This really brings into question the Christology of Bishop Luke and those who follow. To learn more about the doctrine of Christ, see our study on Christology. Understand that it is our heart to teach the truth. Two modules that seem to be particularly relevant in our study are:
- The Preexistence of Christ Christology Session 02
- The Ascension & Ministry of Christ Christology Session 12
The Preexistence of Christ & His Ministry Today
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:8-10)
Notes By Dr. David Hocking
Now, let us talk about the position that our Lord has in heaven. What is it? Look at the list.
- Ephesians 4:8 – “ascended up on high.”
- Ephesians 4:10 – “ascended up far above all heavens.” We know of three heavens in the Bible, according to 2 Corinthians 12, where Paul was taken up to the third heaven. We think there are three. Shirley MacLaine says that there are seven, but I believe that there are three. The Mormons also have more, but I believe three. Our Lord was ascended far above all heavens. The third heaven is supposedly where God dwells, but our Lord is so great, that He has ascended above that as well. You are going to worship Him in the future.
- Acts 2:33 – “by the right hand of God.” This is said of him several times.
- Acts 2:34 – “into the heavens.”
- Acts 7:55-56 – “standing on the right hand of God.” This is what Stephen observed in Acts 7. He must have got up as an encouragement to Stephen because most of the passages say He is sitting. The word used for “to stand up” is the same Greek word meaning “to rise from the dead.” I think that Stephen needed that as they stoned him to death. He is at the right hand of God (cf. Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1).
- Hebrews 1:3 – “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” It says many times (especially in Hebrews, but also Colossians and others) that He sat down at the right hand of God. Why is that so significant? Why is that theme being pushed? The answer is really quite simple. No priest ever sat down in the tabernacle or temples in the Old Testament; there are no chairs there. The picture was of somebody who never finishes his work. When the Bible says that He sat down, “By one sacrifice He had offered for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.” When He had purged our sins, Hebrews 1:3, He sat down. You see, this was written to the Jews, and the Jews would have understood this and known that the work is done. The sacrificial system is over. He sat down. No priest ever sat down except our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful thing.
- Consider also Hebrews 8:1; 10:12; 12;2; 1 Peter 3:22
- His position in heaven basically reflects three things. I have already mentioned them in passing, but let us make sure that you have them.
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- It reflects God’s authority. He is at the right hand. Now if you want to study that for yourself, look up on your computer, “the right hand,” and you will see tons of passages. It demonstrates the power and authority and justice and judgment of Almighty God. He is at God’s right hand. Whoever is at the right hand is the one who is being ordered to carry those things out. Does our Lord carry out judgment on behalf of the Father? Absolutely. The Father even gave all judgment unto the Son. Who will be sitting on the Great White Throne at the judgment of all unbelievers? Our Lord will be sitting there as the judge of all the earth; He sat down at a position of authority, exercising the will of the heavenly Father. Jesus came to do the Father’s will.
- His position also reflects God’s approval. When it says, “At his right hand,” God exalted Him. Lifted Him up how much? Above every name that is named. He is above all principality, all power, all authority, all thrones, dominions, everything. The Father has exalted Jesus by His ascension.
- His position reflects His accomplishment, as we have said. He sat down. His work was finished. He said on the cross, “It is finished,” and He meant it. The sacrificial system is no more! -Notes on Christology
Conclusions
This article has a lot of Scripture helps and studies. We urge you to make your own study with the aid of these scriptures. We hope that you can see that error can creep into many theological camps.
Trinity Study Guide
- There Is One God
- This God is Known In The OT As Jehovah/Yahweh (“The Lord”)
- God Is A Unique, Incomprehensible Being
- Is God One Person?
- The Father Of Jesus Christ Is God
- Jesus Christ Is God
- The Holy Spirit Is God
- The Father, Son, And Holy Spirit Are Distinct Persons
- Conclusion
- What Difference Does The Doctrine Of The Trinity Make?
What Makes A Cult a Cult?
There are four characteristics in the doctrinal dimension of a cult. They are New Revelation, Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible, A Distorted View of God and Jesus, and Denial of Salvation by Grace.
3. A Distorted View of God and Jesus – Many cults do see Jesus as who he is – the Son of God who is fully God at the same time. They believe Jesus to a lower degree like a god but not the God. Cults reject the Trinity and they reject the existence of the Holy Spirit. Cults also reject the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4. Denial of Salvation by Grace – Cults reject the idea of salvation by grace. They mostly hold to salvation by works.
Divine Title | The Father | The Son | The Holy Spirit | |||
God | Deut 32:6; Ps 89:26; Isa 63:16; 64:8; Mal 1:6; 2:10; Mt 6:9; Jn 6:27; Gal 1:1-3; Eph 4:6; 5:20; 6:23; Phil 1:2; 2:11; 4:20; Col 3:17; | Gen 19:24; Ps 45:7; Isa 7:14; 9:6; Zech 12:10 Mt 1:23; Jn 1:1; 5:18; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 9:5; Phil 2:6-7; Col 2:9; 1 Tim 3:16; Titus 2:14; Heb 1:8-9; 2 Pet 1:1; 1 Jn 5:20 | Hag 2:5; Mt 12:28; Lk 11:20; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 12:6,11,18; 2 Cor 3:17 | |||
YHWH (Yahweh) | Ex 6:3 | Jer 23:6 | Micah 3:8 | |||
Lord | Deut 10:17, Ps 110:1 | Mt 22:43-45 | 2 Cor 3:18 | |||
Mighty God | Isa 10:21; Jer 32:18 | Isa 9:6 | – | |||
A Stone | Isa 8:13-15; 1 Pet 2:1-8 | – | ||||
The Rock | Isa 44:8 | Deut 2:7; 32:30; Isa 44:8; 1 Cor 10:4 | – | |||
I Am | Ex 3:14 | Jn 8:58 | – | |||
Alpha & Omega; First & Last | Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev 1:8; 21:6 | Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13 | – | |||
King of kings; Lords of lords | Deut 10:17; Ps 136:2-3; Dan 2:47 | 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16 | – | |||
Shepherd | Ezek 34:11-16; Ps 23:1 | Jn 10:11,14; Heb 13:20; Rev 7:17 | – |
Character Qualities of the Holy Spirit | The Father | The Son | The Holy Spirit |
Inspires Scripture, Speaks, has a mind, a will and makes management decisions directing others for divine purpose | Jer 3:15; 26:5; Mt 3:17; 10:17-20; Lk 22:42; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:1; 2 Pe 1:20-21 | Mt 10:5; Lk 6:13; 21:12-15; 22:42; 2 Cor 13:3; Eph 4:11 | Mt 4:1; 1:12; Mk 13:11; Lk 2:26; 4:11; 12:11-12; Jn 16:13-14; Acts 1:16; 2:4; 4:25; 8:29,39; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 20:22-23; 20:28; 28:25; 1 Cor 12:11; Eph 3:5; 1 Tim 4:1; Heb 3:7; 9:8; 10:15; 1 Pet 1:11; 2 Pe 1:20-21; Rev 22:17 |
hope | Rom 15:13 | 1 Tim 1:1 | Rom 15:13 |
Joy | Rom 15:13 | Jn 15:11 | Rom 14:17; 1 Thess 1:6 |
fellowship | Jn 14:23; 1 Jn 1:3-6 | 1 Cor 1:9; 1 Jn 1:3 | 2 Cor 13:14; Phil 2:1 |
Loves, Loving | Deut 7:7-8; Jer 31:3; Jn 3:16; 1 Cor 13:11; Eph 2:4-5; Heb 12:6; 1 Jn 4:8,16 | Jn 15:13; Eph 5: 25 | Rom 15:30 |
Grace | Ps 84:11; 1 Pet 5:10 | Rom 16:20; 1 Thess 5:28 | Zech 12:10; Heb 10:29 |
Who Gives the Christian the Words to Speak? | Mt 10:17-20 | Lk 21:12-15 | Lk 12:11-12 |
Lied to | Hosea 11:12 | Jn 8:55 | Acts 5:3 |
Bears witness: | Phil 1:8 | Rev 1:5; 3:14 | Acts 5:32 |
Compassionate, Comforts, kind | Deut 4:31; 2 Chron 30:9; Ps 103:8-9; 116:5; Rom 11:22; 2 Cor 1:3; 2 Thess 2:16 | Mk 6:34; 2 Cor 1:5; 2 Thess 2:16 | Acts 9:31 |
Grieves | Gen 6:6 | Mt 26:38; Mk 3:5 | Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30 |
Insulted | 2 Chron 32:17 | Mt 27:44 | Heb 10:29 |
blasphemed | Rev 16:11 | Lk 22:65 | Mt 12:31 |
Abides | Jn 14:23 | Jn 14:23 | Jn 14:17 |
Consuming fire, jealous | Deut 4:24; Nahum 1:2; Heb 12:29 | 2 Thess 1:7; Rev 1:14 | Mt 3:11 |
Faith, faithful | Deut 32:4; 1 Cor 1:9 | Rev 3:7 | 2 Cor 4:13 |
Peace | 1 Cor 14:33; Rom 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 13:20 | 1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 2:14 | Rom 8:6; 14:17; Gal 5:22; Eph 4:3 |
Intercedes like a lawyer to God | – | 1 Jn 2:1 | Rom 8:26; John 14:16,17,26; 16:7 |
You are a father a son and a brother, does that mean you are three separate people? It is three offices. There are not three levels in heaven. There are three heaven ages and also three parallel earth ages.
You are speaking of modalism and is addressed within the article. I have no idea what you are saying about parallel earth ages?
I was taught cult teachings. The more I read, in context they just don’t make sense. The only rationale I’ve come to is the 3 are one. I didn’t care what word is used to label that. The scriptures only become clear with that view. BTW – what value are my limited understanding to the glory of His grace? He has all rights to declare Himself as 3 are one.
The conflict seems to be a power grab by cults.