The secret to understanding the truths that God has for us requires three things. The first is the knowledge that only through God's Spirit can we hope to truly understand His word. The second is a willing heart to be led of God. Finally we must study His word with an open mind that will allow God to help us see beyond the obvious. Christ spoke in riddles and parables. Only those with His Father’s Spirit in their hearts could understand. When we prayerfully search the Scriptures, God will teach us to see in the HEAVENS!

Studies into the spiritual truths of the Bible are useless unless we understand who and what God is. Satan would seek to misrepresent God. This study is devoted to this very theme. It contains 5 parts and is appropriately named "God under Fire".

There are very few subjects that have sparked more debate and confusion among Christians and theologians today than that of the nature of God. Who or what is God? Is it a divine trilogy of beings as Catholicism teaches or only one God as the Jews believe? If indeed there are three Gods, how does the Christian separate himself from the many pagan polytheistic religions that dominate much of the world? 

There seems to be no end of theories concerning not only who or what God is but also on how much about our Divine Creator we can understand. Is it a mystery beyond our ability to comprehend?  Has God enshrouded Himself in a cloud of inviolable enigma, a veil of which no one can ever look beyond?  Is God so incredibly powerful and immense that even our wildest and most intensive endeavors of fathoming Him are impotent and fall utterly in the realm of complete ignorance and hopelessness or has God chosen to reveal Himself to us?  If He has, then how much has He revealed? Is He spirit or does He have substance like you and me?

What is the Spirit of God? What is this mysterious part of what some refer to as the Godhead? Is it a separate entity from the Father having thoughts and a consciousness of its own individuality?

What of the Son of God? Why is He called the Son of God. What is His relationship to the Father and the Spirit? These and other questions about God and the answers to them have divided not only one denomination from another but their divisiveness has even been the source of a rift between members within certain denominations and churches. Beliefs on these subjects are usually deep seated and staunchly defended even when in the face of overwhelming evidence against them. It is a fact that more wars and atrocities have been committed in the name of God and religion then probably for all other reasons combined.

But does God intend us to be in the dark concerning Himself or is it the work of another power that would seek to keep God a mystery to us? It is to these questions, and the answers inspiration gives us, that this book is written.

It is essential that before you continue with this study that you pray for guidance from God. Satan does not want us to truly know God’s plan for us and only with wisdom from God can we hope to understand this crucial study and avoid Satan’s pitfalls. So pray for guidance, put away your preconceived notions or ideas and allow God to give you the answers to these essential truths about Himself. 

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent". The words of Christ in John 17 verse 3 echo to our time. They address the one basic question we must answer before we proceed. Is God a mystery beyond our ability to understand? How much, if any, does God want us to understand about Himself? What does it mean to know Him? This is a vital question and must be answered. For if He desires to be a distant and inconceivable God, one who is unfathomable and above our reckoning, then we truly should not seek to delve into forbidden doctrines.

There are many who believe just this. They feel that God is too vast for us to understand. Many feel that seeking to understand God is wrong and even blasphemous. To them, God is a mystery. They view Him as one who wants to remain a mystery to His creation. We are viewed as being too small and insignificant to need to understand God. We must accept Him knowing little about Him. Job 11:7-10 seems to reaffirm this. "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea." This text would seem to suggest that we cannot by searching find God. Indeed it was written as a scold for one who was trying to understand God. For the surface reader this supports the "God is a Mystery" theory.

Yet this text is a trap for those who do not read the context in which it was written. This text was the words of Job’s friend Zophar the Naamathite. It was part of his wicked counsel to Job. Job held a different view as was seen in part of his answer to his wicked friends. He said "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth… Yet in my flesh shall I see God:" God later addressed these two different views. In Job 42:7-8 we read "The LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath… him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job."

God revealed that these words of Zophar were not inspired nor did they represent God’s will for man. Although Job was not meant to fully understand God’s purposes, He was still to know and understand who God was.

Christ’s words revealed this in John 17. He reveals that life eternal is available to those who know the only true God. Let’s explore this further. In Jeremiah 10 we read, "..the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king…..Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion." This text reveals that there are false gods in which you cannot receive eternal life for they shall perish. Here we see that God is revealing a distinction between Himself and false gods. However, Deuteronomy 4:39 reads: "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else."

At first glance these texts would seem to contradict each other. One states that there are false gods and the other states that there is none else but the true God. But these are not in conflict with each other at all. The false gods are nonexistent gods. They are the idols that man has made or beliefs in created things such as the sun or moon.

Man has a need within him to serve God. It was created in him by his Creator. Yet Satan tries to fill this need by creating gods of his own or having man serve other created things. These are the false gods and they have no life in them. We will examine this thought more a little further in this chapter.

But God is a living God. Jeremiah 10:10 reads "But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king:" He is a living God having life within Himself. He was not created or given life. He is the LIVING God. This is why we must know the only true God. For only in the true God will we find life. But how can finite man by searching find God? Is it truly possible?

Perhaps some of the confusion is in understanding what it means to know God. Does it mean to understand all of His purposes for all the universe? No evidence has been given that God intends to reveal all of His purposes to us. In fact, God’s purposes would be too vast and infinite for finite man to comprehend. Does knowing God mean that we will understand God’s power or abilities? John reveals in Revelation 19 that "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." To be omnipotent is defined as being all powerful or having unlimited power. How can finite man understand the unlimited or infinite power of God? Indeed we cannot. Knowing God is something very different.

Let me give you an example. I know my father. I would be able to recognize him anywhere. I could tell the difference between him and an impostor immediately. I know his voice and the other characteristics he has that make him who he is. Yet I don’t understand all of my father’s purposes or abilities even though they are finite. Thus it can be with our heavenly Father if He intends to reveal Himself to us. We may not fully understand everything there is to know of His purposes and infinite power but we can know what He is like and be able to recognize Him if He reveals Himself to us.  The closer that our relationship with Him is, the more easily we will recognize Him.

What has inspiration told us?  Amos 3:7 states "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." If God’s intentions are to reveal Himself to us He will have first given this truth to His servants the prophets. Can a man by searching find God? What do the prophets say?

Deuteronomy 4:29 gives us the answer. "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." This theme is repeated throughout the Scriptures. Again we see this in Jeremiah 29:13. "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." In Matthew 7:7, Christ continued this theme. He said "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." This is summed up by Paul in Acts 17:24-28. We read, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;… That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being;"

The living God, who is the Creator of all things and in whom we have life and breath, can be found if we search for Him with all our hearts. He reveals that He is never far from us. God has disclosed to us through His prophets His intention to reveal Himself to those who seriously search for Him. He has shown us that He wants to be close to us who are His creation.

Though we cannot understand His omnipotent power and fathomless purposes, we have been given the privilege to know Him and set Him apart from the many false gods created in the minds of men by Satan.

Among the most deadly of the false gods are Satan’s counterfeits that closely resemble the true God. They are representations of God that present Him as something other than who and what He is. These are the most dangerous kinds of false gods. They are found among many of the Christian religions today. They present a god that has the same name as God, the same place of worship as God, and many of the same attributes as God, but they are false gods because they are not reflections of the living God.

These are Satan’s masterpieces. They deceive people into thinking they are serving God when in fact they are deceived. They worship a concept or vision of God that is totally foreign to the Divine Creator. These views of God differ from Him in one or many ways. Even worse, by worshipping Satan’s deceptive counterfeits, these deceived people are actually inadvertently worshipping the deceiver himself. Never forget that Satan’s goal is to be like God. Isaiah 14:12-14 states "how art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Satan wants to be worshipped like God. That is why He sets Himself up as false gods that resemble or counterfeit the true and living God. Only those who know the true God will be able to detect the false ones. That is why we are admonished to seek Him with all our heart.

Only the serious searchers will be able to keep the first commandment and have no other gods before Him. They will be the only ones who can tell the false gods from Yah, the only true and living God. Therefore, the first question has been answered.

Are we to seek to know God and understand who He is? The answer is an absolute yes. Only as we seek to understand what God has revealed about Himself will we be able to discern Him from the multitude of false gods that are planted for our deception.

Not only is this searching to know and understand God our privilege but it is absolutely essential for our salvation. Some may say at this point that this seems harsh or unreasonable. Others feel that God is not particular about such things. Many feel that as long as we worship God in name, go to church, do charity work, and other good things in God’s name that it is good enough. In fact, in today’s tide of ecumenical soundings of peace and unity, most people say that as long as you worship "God" who cares what religion you’re in.

Does the different views of God in each religion really matter to the God? This type of worship is basically "name" worship. These people call Him by name and feel that this will be enough and that God isn’t concerned about the specifics. But serving God by name alone is not enough. In Matthew 11:23 we are given this warning. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Working in His name only holds nothing but deception and death for those who do not know God.

We are warned that there will be false gods so we must know the God whose name we confess. Would it honor your earthly father if you called anyone you came in contact with his name?  Of course not. Neither does it honor your heavenly Father. Yes, you should know and honor His name but that in and of itself will not bring eternal life.

We must not allow ourselves to be deceived into believing that God is to be a mystery to us. We must come to know our heavenly Father better than our own earthly father. He has given us the privilege to know Him, unfathomable as it may seem. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." The words of Christ in John 17 verse 3 truly echo to our time for they hold the key to eternal life.

Now that we know that God has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures, it is now time to search His Word.  Let’s begin by reading what God the Father has revealed about Himself. We will look closer at Jesus, His son, and the Spirit in the coming pages but let’s concentrate now on God the Father.    

God is seen in both the Old and New Testaments. It is often difficult to distinguish the separate parts of the Godhead in the Old Testament but with some effort and using the New Testament to clarify some points to some degree it can be done. Many of the works of God in the Old Testament were a combined effort of the Father and the Son. But let’s look at the Father.

His presence has been penned from the beginning to the present. The first four words of the Bible are “In the beginning God.” Let’s look at the characteristics of this ever present God and what He has revealed about Himself to us in His Holy Word.

  The first attribute we will look at is God’s power. In Revelation 19, John the Revelator states that "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Remember that to be omnipotent is defined as being all powerful or having unlimited power. This includes the power to create and to give life. This is the first attribute revealed in the Scriptures. In Genesis 1:1, we read that "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” This fact is supported throughout the Scriptures. In Isaiah 42:5 we are told, "Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee…"  

  Through His power God also created man. This is clearly seen in the text above and in Genesis where we are told that God created man from the dust of the ground. At this point some may feel that this is in error for the Scriptures also reveal that all things were created by Jesus. In Ephesians 3:9 we read. "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:" We will look closely at this in the upcoming chapters. For now suffice it to say that God the Father is truly all powerful. Jeremiah 32:17 reads, "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"  

Another attribute that is revealed is that God has total knowledge and wisdom. 1 Samuel 2:3 Says that "the LORD is a God of knowledge." This is clear throughout the Scriptures. Proverbs 2:6 also reveals this. "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." This is again seen in proverbs 3:19,20 which says that "The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew."

  Yet another attribute is that God is omnipresent. He sees all of us and what we are doing. Proverbs 5:21 says that "the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings." In Proverbs 15 verse 3 we read that "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."  Man cannot hide his ways from God.  

  I could place pages and pages of text here that declare that God is all powerful, full of wisdom, always present, and the source of all knowledge. But the point has already been made. Most people have no problem understanding and believing that God has these abilities. It is good to know that God has all the above abilities but here lies a problem. Most if not all of the counterfeit gods are also portrayed in the same way. Most all of the gods of the world’s religions are also believed to be all powerful, all knowing, and possessing all wisdom and knowledge.  

  God would have to reveal more of Himself to us to help us to recognize Him from the others. This is exactly what He has done. God does not want us to be in the dark concerning Himself. Some of His traits are copied but He never allows all of them to be emulated. Some of what God reveals about Himself differs greatly from the counterfeit gods, as we will begin to see.  

  In Deuteronomy 6:4,5 God reveals another one of His attributes. Surprisingly this is the one that there is more confusion on than any of the other attributes we have studied so far. Yet it shouldn’t be. It is very straight forward. We read "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Here God reveals that He is one God. This is not a chance wording on His part. Remember that in Deuteronomy 4:39 it reads, "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." There is no mention of two, three or more Gods. The religions that present polytheistic views of God are not in harmony with the Scriptures. Psalms 89:18 tells us that "the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king." The Scriptures use the term "Holy ONE of Israel" over 30 times.  

  In Mark 12:28-30 Christ reaffirms this concept. We read, "Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Note that this was emphasized as the first or greatest commandment. It identifies a very important aspect of God, which He wants us to know. It is ONE GOD that we are admonished to worship not three.  

  Many Christian today mistakenly believe that this refers to a triune picture of three gods in one. They believe that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit all comprise one God. This God union is called the trinity. The Scriptures present several problems for this theory.  

  First and foremost is the absence of the term trinity, triune, or any other like term in the Scriptures. It is simply not there.  

  Another problem is that it is inconsistent with several texts. Let’s look at some. The first is John 17:3 which states "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  

  Note that when Christ identifies the only true living God, He does not include Himself in the "only true God" but identifies Himself separately. In Hebrews 9:24 we read that "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:" Here we again see that Jesus Christ is not included in the term "God", even after His ascension. Note again the absence of any reference to a trinity god. We see this over and over in the New Testament where Jesus does not include Himself in the term God. Yet we know He is divine. We will explore this paradox in further detail shortly.  

  Where the confusion begins is the fact that there are three references to deity. One is the Father, the second is Christ, and the third is the Holy Spirit (sometimes also referred to as the Holy Ghost or Spirit of God). The surface reader assumes that each comprise part of a triune godhead and thus many are deceived. Assumptions are probably the greatest source error there is.  

  The reader may be surprised to find that the source of this confusion is very old. This Trinitarian doctrine, that is so prevalent in the Protestant denominations today, is in fact nothing more than a carryover of an ancient Roman Catholic doctrine. In the Catholic church, unlike Protestant churches, many saints are prayed to. The Pope himself assumes to have the authority of God and is thus called the Vicar of Christ. Their priests even presume to be able to forgive sin. The Catholic church’s belief that it has the right to add to or change the Bible was one of the key problems that brought on the reformation.  

Among these beliefs is a polytheistic view of God. This is a carryover of doctrines that were spawned by the combining of pagan Rome and papal Rome in the fourth and fifth centuries AD.

  During the centuries that followed Christ’s ministry here on earth, the Christian church went through many trials and attacks. First they were tortured and killed by pagan Rome. Many were torn apart by wild animals before demon filled throngs in the Roman coliseum. The church was forced into hiding in caves and tombs below Rome. The atrocities were unthinkable yet God’s truth survived and even prospered during those times of persecution. When Satan saw that he could not defeat it with force, he changed his methods. If he could not defeat them openly, then he would infiltrate them with error.  

  Suddenly, the Christian faith became the official religion of Rome. To appease the pagan population of Rome, many of the pagan beliefs were incorporated into the Christian religion. Suddenly the Roman gods where brought into the church under the guise as disciples and apostles. The same masses that once bowed to the pagan gods now bowed to the same images with new names.  

  This practice continued as other truths became violated and corrupted. The Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) was replaced with the pagan day of sun worship (Sunday, the venerable day of the Sun). Righteousness by faith in Jesus alone was replaced with righteousness by works. Thus the rise of Papal Rome and the mix of pagan and Christian beliefs that we see in the Papal church. The triune belief in God was nothing more than a carryover of the pagan belief in a triune god represented by the trident carried by one of the Roman gods. It was one of the founding doctrines of this new Christian/papal hybrid religion called Catholicism.  

  If there is any doubt on this matter that this is, indeed, a Roman Catholic doctrine, read the following statement. It is taken from the book entitled "The Handbook For Today’s Catholic" written by the Roman Catholic church. It reads on page 11, "The mystery of the Trinity is the central doctrine of Catholic faith. Upon it are based all the other teachings of the Church."  

  This is not meant to be an attack of the Catholic church or people. Many of the most sincere Christians I know are Catholic. It is only to provide a historical background to the errors that have crept into the church through Satan’s efforts to infiltrate it. A mission that, sadly enough, he has been very successful in. Remember that during that period of time the Catholic church was the only Christian church. It should be no surprise that Satan concentrated his efforts on it. This single error, (The Trinity Doctrine) introduced into the church almost 1500 years ago, has mislead and confused more people than any other false doctrine employed by Satan.  

The fact is that the Bible teaches that God is one God and that He has a Son, Jesus Christ. There is no mention of a trinity. Who or what the Holy Spirit is we have not yet addressed but we will. For many this may seem ridiculous or even blasphemous but I ask that you prayerfully continue with this study. The relationship between the Father and the Son and the truth about the Holy Spirit is essential for our salvation. We should not remain rooted in error when the truth is more fabulous and holds the key to a rudimentary understanding of God. To understand their relationship to each other we must now turn our study to Jesus, or more properly Yashua, the Son of God. At this point we must put away our preconceived ideas and continue to prayerfully allow God to reveal Himself to us as He really is. 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men." Christ was the Living Word. The Son of God. The New Testament reveals this time and time again. But what was His relationship with the Father?  Was He a co-equal or co-eternal God with the Father? Many take the above text to imply this but is that what it teaches? Let’s examine this carefully.     

It starts with the words "In the beginning". But the beginning of what? The text gives the answer. It is the beginning of creation. We saw earlier that God the Father created all things by His Son Jesus. Again this text reemphasizes this. Thus when we see Genesis 1:1 state that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth we understand that this was the work of God through His Son.   

We will now turn to a text in Proverbs 8 that sheds more light on this. In this Proverb we see the Father and Son presented in the Old Testament. The Son is referred to here as Wisdom. We will begin with verse 14 and look at this very important text point by point. In order to not break up the text I will only list supporting texts but will not print them out. You should look them up if you have any question about them.   

"Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice." The Scriptures refer to Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. This is seen in 1st Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:16. Let’s continue on.   

"By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Remember that we are admonished to seek the Lord with all our heart. This theme we studied earlier.   

"Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness." There are too many Scriptures to put here concerning this but see Ephesians 1:7,18, Ephesians 3:18, Romans 9:23, Philippians 4:19, and Colossians 1:27 just to name a few. Jesus is the source of riches in righteousness. In Revelation He says "buy of me gold, tried in the fire."   

Continuing on "My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:" Again there are many texts that point this to Christ but see also 2 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 9:27-28, and 2 Corinthians 5:10. The Bible teaches us that it is Christ’s righteousness that protects and surrounds us in the judgment.   

"That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." It should be plain by now that the Scriptures are speaking of Jesus. Now read the next part carefully.   

"The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world." This is a text that Satan did not want you to see. It cuts right into the heart of his trinity doctrine.   

Let’s read on. "When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men."   

Here Christ paints a remarkable picture of His relationship with His Father. First He reveals that, before anything was created, sometime in eternity past, He was brought forth from the Father. He then describes Himself being brought up by Him in a beautiful Father/Son relationship. This drives a nail into the coffin of the trinity doctrine. The trinity doctrine expresses the belief that Jesus was co-eternal with the Father. Yet the Scriptures say otherwise. We will look at this unique relationship in other texts but let’s finish Proverbs 8.   

"Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD." In John 14:6 Jesus speaking of Himself states "…I am the way, the truth, and the life…" There can be no mistaking that this text is pointing to Christ and Him alone. This is not the only text that points to this truth. Let’s turn to the New Testament.   

In Hebrews 1 starting in verse one we read, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him."   

This is a clear statement about God the Father and His relationship to His Son. Note that He refers to Him as the first begotten, before He came into the world. This supports what we read in Proverbs 8. John 3:16, which we all know well, reveals that God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son. When He gave Him, He was already called His only begotten.   

He further differentiates Jesus from the angels by reason of His inheritance. If Christ was co-eternal with the Father, why need an inheritance? The very word describes something a son receives of his father. Let’s read on. "And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."   

The book of Revelation calls Christ the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The Bible simply teaches that Jesus is the true Son of God. He was born of His Father in ages past and by Him God created all things. What He received He received as an inheritance from His Father. Jesus Himself stated in John 5 starting with verse 19, "… Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him." We see that Christ can do nothing of Himself but receives His strength and power from His Father.   

Does this make Him anything less than divine and worthy of our worship? Of course not. What we see is why the Father is referred to as the one God. We see why Jesus refers to Him as the only true God. God is God by substance alone. He is the Ancient of Days without beginning or end. He received nothing from another source. He was the originator and complete within Himself. Jesus, however, is God by the name and substance He inherited by birth. He inherited the brightness of His Fathers glory and the express image of His Father. Yes, both are God but not co-eternal, and not co-equal. For the Father is God by substance and the Son by inheritance.   

Christ’s mission was and is to reveal His Father and to bring glory and honor to Him. At this point one distinction must be made. The Scriptures do not say He was created like us. We were created in the image of God but we were not born of God. Neither were the angels. Only Jesus was born of His Father and received His inheritance. Thus we see in John 3:35 "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand."   

Next we see that they are one in purpose and that God has set His Son upon a throne to be worshipped. Their thrones are side by side. Finally we are told that He (Christ) shall reign for ever and ever. This truth in no way attacks the divinity of Christ and reveals the truth about God and His Son. This relationship must be understood if the truth about the Holy Spirit is to revealed. The trinity asserts that He is the 3rd part of the Godhead. It is to this subject we turn next. 

The Spirit of God is heralded by many as the most unfathomable mystery of God. Warnings from Christ about grieving and sinning against the Holy Spirit place fear into most Christians today. Many simply do not have a desire to search for the truth in this area and thus state that it is a mystery beyond us. Yet is it?  Has God left us in the dark concerning the Spirit or has He revealed this to us in the Scriptures?   

In fact, the Scriptures do reveal God’s Spirit to us in both the Old and New Testaments. The truth is that the Spirit is explained in detail in God’s Holy Word for those who will read His Word and believe it. Perhaps a good place to start is by looking at the job of the Holy Spirit. We will begin our study in John 14. 

This chapter probably gives more insight into God’s spirit than any other one single place in the Bible. We will look at it verse by verse pulling from the Scriptures to support each part. Although the texts that deal with this issue are a little way into the chapter, we will start with verse one so that the setting is accurate. It also reemphasizes the relationship between the Father and the Son. 

John 14:1-27 begins, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."  Here is one of the beautiful promises of Christ and His admonishment to believe in Him. 

"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me". 

At this point many would just read on and miss a vital clue about the Holy Spirit. A truth about Christ has just been revealed. No man can come to the Father but through Jesus. This theme is repeatedly supported by the Scriptures. 

In 1Timothy 2:5 we read that "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."  In Revelation, Christ is shown as the High Priest mediating between sinful man and God. It is vital that we understand this truth.  Only Christ, with His unique background as the Messiah, could do this job. (A study of the book of Hebrews makes this perfectly clear). 

Now let’s continue in John 14.  "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" 

From our study in earlier chapters we saw that Christ though inheritance is the express image and glory of the Father.  Although changed into human form, the personality and works of Christ were that of His Father.  This text reaffirms what we have already learned. 

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."  Here Christ is giving us another powerful clue.  He states that the Father is in Him and dwells within Him. This is reaffirmed at His baptism. 

In Matthew 3:16-17 we read that "the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  The Bible indicates that the Spirit of God brought the presence of the Father into Christ. This should not be looked over lightly. We will explore this more but for now let’s continue on in John 14. 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;"  Here is where Jesus promises to give them a Comforter. He realized that His departure in the physical sense would be very difficult for them. 

Let’s read on. "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." He then begins to explain who this Comforter will be. He explains that it is one that is presently with them in the physical world (dwelleth with you) but would soon dwell within them. 

He was speaking of His presence with them.  He had already explained to them that the Father was within Him.  He was now telling them that He and the Father would soon be dwelling within them. 

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."  Here He straight out tells them. I will come to you. He is identifying Himself as the Comforter. Here you may be saying “wait a minute”. How can He be the Comforter?  Let’s read on. 

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." 

What a revealing text.  Jesus promised that He would come to them and be their Comforter.  But He is in human form. How can this be done?  Through the power of the Father’s Spirit.  It is the same Spirit that descended upon Him at His baptism. The same Spirit (Father) that lived in Him would be the one that would bring Christ into all His believers. That is why He says that if a man loves Him that He and His Father would make their abode within the man.  Put simply, the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost) is the presence of God the Father.  It is the Father’s power that brings the presence of Christ along with His presence into the life of each believer. 

We will see this more clearly as the study continues. "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

Here again the Comforter is identified in Christ’s name sent by the Father. The word name here is the Greek word onoma. It should not be translated authority but more appropriately as the identity. Thus the Comforter is not coming in the authority of Christ but as the identity of Christ. It also means to bring a knowledge of Christ. 

Many of you may be shook up at this point.  This crosses everything you have been taught.  Denial and resistance is probably gnawing at your heart.  But pray for strength and guidance. This is probably the most important truth you have ever discovered. 

One of the jobs of the Holy is Spirit is to comfort us.  Only Christ dwelling in your mind could do this. He has been down the same road.  He has suffered the anguish of temptation and carried our sins.  He has faced the trials that we have to face and was victorious.  He was faithful unto death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2:5 tell us to " Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."  Whose mind was in Christ Jesus?  His own and that of His Father.  When Jesus combined with His Father’s Spirit is brought into your mind, it becomes the realization of the promise of the Comforter. 

Another job of the Holy Spirit is to stand between God and man.  Some feel that it is the job of God’s Spirit to bring you to Christ. Yet, if that was true and He was a 3rd deity as the trinity teaches, then there would be two between God and man, Jesus and the Holy Ghost.  Yet, the Bible says that there is only one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ. 

This is what John 14 was saying.  If a man loves Jesus, then God the Father will love Him and the two of them (Father and Son) would make their abode in the man.  Jesus becomes the legal way the Father comes to the Christian.  The Father becomes the physical way Jesus lives inside the Christian. Together the work of reconciliation is accomplished. 

Throughout the Bible, the combined presence of the two can be seen described as the Spirit.  Also there are times that the Spirit of God the Father works alone (such as seen at Christ’s baptism). 

Look at Genesis 1:1. When Jesus created the world through the power of His Father, the Bible states that the Spirit of God moved on the waters. We know that this was a combined effort of the Father and Son. Other texts support this truth. 

Who was Jesus’ Father?  We know that it was God the Father.  Yet when the angel was speaking with Joseph, his earthly father, He told him to "fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."  Here the Father is directly identified as the Holy Ghost. 

We know from Jesus’ promise in John 14 that He would come to them with His Father.  In Acts 2:3-4 we read "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."  Here the combined presence of the two are identified as the Holy Ghost. 

This theme can be seen over and over in the Bible. The truth, therefore, is that the trinity concept undermines the truth about God.  God is one God.  He is a supreme being, who had a Son in eternity past, and working with His Son, strives to reach down to humanity. There is no third God. The trinity theme presents God as a non-present judge who Christ has to plead with for our salvation. The true picture, however, reveals a God who loves us immensely and is actively participating in our salvation. God is truly a God of love. 

The Bible records text after text revealing God’s love for His Son, the Son’s love for the Father, and both of their love for us.  Yet, there is not one text that states Christ’s love for the Spirit, the Father’s love for the Spirit, or the Spirit’s love for anyone.  If it was a third deity, this would seem strange.  But not under the light of truth. 

This is not denying the presence or work of the Holy Spirit.  It only reveals who that Spirit is.  The question would then be asked why Satan would create this kind of error. The answer is in the Scriptures and, indeed, we have already looked at it. It is because Satan seeks to sit in God’s place and be like God. 

If the Christian is duped into believing that God the Father is not the Holy Spirit and that the "Holy Spirit" must lead us to Christ, then he has effectively prevented the Christian from having a relationship with God and His Son.  Christ cannot enter your life without the Spirit of His Father and in the trinity doctrine His Father is not believed to be the Holy Ghost. Yet, He is the only one who can bring Christ into the life.  What an insidious evil.  Unfortunately it is one of Satan’s masterpieces and most of Christianity today is under his evil web.  No wonder it has been called the central doctrine of the most corrupt church today. 

This is where the Christian needs to worry about the warning of grieving the Holy Spirit.  If we repeatedly refuse to recognize the Father as the Holy Spirit and instead follow a false god (hold to preconceived ideas or beliefs) then we are in grave danger.  God does not hold us responsible for ignorance unless we choose to remain ignorant or refuse to believe after the truth is revealed.  Then we are without excuse. 

In 2Thessalonians 2:11-12 we are warned that "for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."  As a Christian, if we are shown the truth about God and His Spirit but we repeatedly reject it, we are in grave danger of grieving Him.  We should accept this truth and not allow pride to sway our thinking. 

A unique thing happens when the Christian accepts the truth and begins to read the Bible in the true light of understanding.  Texts which used to be clouded in "mystery" suddenly become clear.  An example of this is seen in John 8:58.  Jesus identifies Himself as the “I am”.  "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."  This enraged the Jews who sought to kill Him.  Yet, was it God the Father or the Son that was in the burning bush that identified Himself as the “I Am”?  From our study we know that the Spirit of God in the bush was both Jesus and His Father. 

There are, however, texts in the Scriptures that seem to suggest the trinity doctrine.  Let’s look at some of those.  We know that God does not lie and that any contradiction in the Scriptures must be related to our interpretations of them.  Let’s look at a couple of the text that are usually used to try and prove the trinity. 

Matthew 28:19 reads "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"  Let’s look carefully at this text.  First of all, let’s look at the word baptizing.  It is the word baptizo {bap-tid'-zo} and means in Greek to immerse.  Second of all, let’s look at the word "name".  Notice it is singular. It comes from the Greek word onoma {on'-om-ah}. This word means "name" but is derived from the root word ginosko {ghin-oce'-ko} which literally means to get a knowledge of or to perceive.  The term Holy mean exactly what it says.  The term Ghost is the Greek word pneuma {pnyoo'-mah}.  Its meaning is different according to usage but includes the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ and God. 

This text when interpreted properly is really telling the disciples to go immerse people in the name, knowledge, and perception of the Father, the Son, and their Spirit (the divine nature).  Therefore, there is no contradiction.  A deeper study reveals the truth. 

Another text frequently used to try and prove the trinity is 1John 5:7. It reads, " For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." If this text were a solid one it might could pose as a stretching evidence of trinity doctrine.  It is not, however, solid. This text was not in the original manuscripts. 

In the year AD1516, a Dutch scholar named Erasmus issued a printed Greek New Testament that, along with three later editions, became the text that almost all European translations came from. When producing this work, he did not find the above text in the original manuscripts and, therefore, omitted it from his first Greek edition. Protest from the church was raised and Erasmus stated that if a manuscript with it was found he would add it to his work.  Soon after he was confronted with the Dublin manuscript, a copy with a dubious origin.  Although doubtful of its authenticity, he wanted to keep his word and added it to his AD1522 edition.  Although still in the translations today, most scholarly theologians question its authenticity.  This history, added to the fact that it totally goes against everything the rest of the Scriptures teach, must cause the serious Christian to question it. 

Even if it was legitimate, the wording is like the previous text.  The "Holy Spirit" refers to the divine nature of Christ and God.  Other texts have similar fates.  That fact is that the proof is not there.  There is no trinity.  It is only a doctrine that is designed to prevent God’s people from entering into a communion with Him. 

If you are saying to yourself that this is too complicated, remember that we are repeatedly admonished to search with all our hearts.  The casual reader of the Scriptures is on dangerous ground.  But if the reader searches with all his heart, then God will reveal the truth to him.  Salvation is a serious matter and one not to be taken lightly. 

The matter of the Godhead can be summed up as this.  There is no trinity.  There is no third deity.  The Son was not co-eternal or co-equal with the Father.  God does not seek to be a mystery to us even though much of Christianity teaches that He does.  He has revealed Himself to us in the Scriptures.  He can be found only by those who seek Him with all their heart. 

He is one God.  He is a loving God who in eternity past had a Son who inherited all things from Him. His Son Jesus Christ came to earth and lived with His Father’s spirit in His mind.  He returned to heaven where God’s Spirit (mind and presence) brings the mind of Jesus into the believer.  The Holy Spirit that fills the Christian is the presence of the Father and the Son.  There they work for the salvation of the individual. 

1John 1:3 reads: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 

Only as the true searcher accepts this truth and invites the true Spirit of God to bring the presence of our Savior into their heart and mind can any hope of salvation be found.  It’s time to put away the darkness of pagan doctrines and allow the light of God’s presence to fill the heart and soul.  Satan has had his way too long.  It is time for us to be Protestants again. 

We are to baptize people into this truth.  It is the only way that we can hope to keep the admonition given us in Philippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"  Colossians 1:27 reads: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" 

The mystery is now no more.  Allow the God of the universe to bring the saving presence of His Son into your life.  Do not allow yourselves to be drawn into serving a false god.  "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." 1Corinthians 8:5-6. 

The truth of the Godhead and the danger of false god worship (name worship) is real.  This is not something to be lightly heeded.  The trinity doctrine and the threat it poses to the Christian is the most lethal threat facing the church today. 

Jude 3-4 warned us that this would happen.  It reads "…that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."  The trinity doctrine is the outworking of this prophecy.  It has now extended itself into every corner of Christendom.  It can only be stopped on an individual level.  It has to start with each of us. 

We must search the Scriptures diligently.  God seeks to bring the gift of his Son into each of us.  It is with them that we should have fellowship.  He never forces Himself on us but we also know that He is never far away.  May God’s Spirit continue to guide you and lead you into fellowship with Jesus and our heavenly Father.  I hope that this study will be just the beginning of your discovery of the truth concerning God and His Son. 

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 20,21.  God Bless you all!