Verse

Luke 12:15 - 21 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Friday, 1 September 2023

Father God and Lord Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 8:6

 Father God and Lord Jesus Christ


In 1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJV), the verse reads:

"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."

This verse highlights both the oneness and distinction between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Here's an explanation of their unity and distinction in this context:

1. Oneness (Unity):

  • Monotheism: The verse begins by affirming there is only one God, which reflects the foundational belief in monotheism—the belief in one God. This is consistent with the Jewish Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."
  • Shared Authority in Creation: The verse states that all things come from the Father ("of whom are all things") and that all things exist through Jesus Christ ("by whom are all things"). This reveals their unified role in creation—everything originates from God the Father and is carried out through Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the agent of creation, works in perfect unity with the Father.
  • Salvation: The unity is also evident in the plan of salvation. The Father and Jesus Christ work together to bring about redemption. We are “in Him” (God the Father) and we are saved “by Him” (Jesus Christ), indicating that both play essential roles in the believer’s relationship with God.

2. Distinction (Difference):

  • Roles: Though they are one in essence and purpose, the Father and the Son have distinct roles in the Godhead. In this passage:

    • The Father is described as the source of all things ("of whom are all things"). He is the originator, the one who initiates and sustains all creation.
    • Jesus Christ is described as the mediator through whom all things exist ("by whom are all things"). He is the agent through which creation and salvation are carried out.

    This distinction in roles does not imply that one is greater than the other, but rather, it shows the different functions they fulfill within the Godhead.

  • Father and Lord: The verse refers to God as Father and Jesus as Lord.

    • Calling God "Father" emphasizes His role as the ultimate authority and origin of all life. It reflects a relationship of care, protection, and creation.
    • Referring to Jesus as "Lord" signifies His authority, divinity, and sovereignty, particularly over believers. It reflects His role in salvation, ruling over the Church, and exercising divine lordship. "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) was also a title used for God in the Old Testament, showing that Jesus shares in the divine nature.

3. The Oneness and Distinction in the Trinity:

This verse supports the concept of the Trinity, where God exists as three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who are one in essence. Here, Paul affirms the oneness of God (monotheism) while also distinguishing between the Father and the Son in their roles:

  • The Father is the source of all things, while Jesus is the mediator through whom all things exist.
  • Their oneness lies in their shared divine essence, purpose, and work in creation and salvation.
  • Their distinction lies in their roles within the Godhead: the Father as the initiator, and Jesus Christ as the one who executes the Father’s will.

 1 Corinthians 8:6 affirms both the oneness of God in essence and the distinct roles of the Father and Jesus Christ. The Father is the source of all things, and Jesus is the Lord through whom all things come into being, demonstrating their divine unity and their unique roles in the Godhead.

The equality of the Father and Jesus Christ is rooted in their shared divine nature and essence, which is a central teaching of Christian theology, particularly in the doctrine of the Trinity. Here's a deeper exploration of how they are equal, despite their distinct roles as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 8:6:

1. Equality in Divine Nature

  • Shared Essence: Both the Father and Jesus Christ share the same divine essence, meaning they are both fully and equally God. They are of one substance (homoousios), a key concept affirmed in Christian creeds like the Nicene Creed. Jesus is not a lesser being but is fully God, co-equal with the Father. John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This shows Jesus (the Word) has always existed as God, alongside the Father.
  • Jesus' Claim to Divinity: Jesus, during His earthly ministry, claimed equality with God the Father. In John 10:30, He says, “I and the Father are one,” indicating a unity in essence and purpose. This was a claim to equality that even His opponents recognized, as they accused Him of blasphemy for "making Himself equal with God" (John 5:18).

2. Equality in Authority

  • Divine Authority: Both the Father and Jesus have equal authority over creation, salvation, and judgment. For instance, in Matthew 28:18, after His resurrection, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This demonstrates that Jesus possesses the same authority as the Father over all things.
  • Judgment and Worship: Jesus, like the Father, is the judge of all. In John 5:22-23, Jesus says, “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” Here, the Father and Son are to be honored equally, and Jesus is given the authority to judge, which is a divine prerogative.

3. Equality in Power

  • Creation: As noted in 1 Corinthians 8:6, the Father is the source of creation ("of whom are all things"), and Jesus is the agent through whom all things were made ("by whom are all things"). This reflects their co-equality in power over the entire created order. In Colossians 1:16, Paul explicitly states, "For by Him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him."
  • Sustaining Creation: Both the Father and Jesus sustain creation. In Hebrews 1:3, it says of Jesus, "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power." This shows that Jesus possesses the same sustaining power as the Father.

4. Equality in Worship and Honor

  • Worship of Jesus: In the New Testament, Jesus receives worship, which is reserved for God alone. For instance, in Matthew 14:33, after Jesus walks on water, the disciples worship Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” In the context of Jewish monotheism, worshiping Jesus as God underscores His equality with the Father.
  • Philippians 2:9-11 also affirms that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This means that Jesus is to be worshipped universally, which is a recognition of His divine equality with the Father.

5. Equality in the Plan of Salvation

  • Role in Salvation: The Father and Jesus are equal in their roles in salvation. The Father sends the Son out of love for humanity (John 3:16), and the Son, in perfect obedience and unity with the Father, accomplishes the work of salvation. While the roles differ—the Father sends, and the Son is sent—they work in perfect harmony, which reflects their co-equality in purpose and will.
  • Jesus’ Voluntary Submission: Jesus' submission to the Father during His earthly life does not imply inferiority, but rather voluntary submission within the economy of salvation. In Philippians 2:6-7, Paul explains that although Jesus "was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant." Jesus' submission to the Father was part of His mission to redeem humanity, not a statement of inequality.

6. Eternity and Omnipresence

  • Eternality: Both the Father and Jesus are eternal, having no beginning or end. In Revelation 1:8, Jesus is referred to as the “Alpha and the Omega,” the beginning and the end, a title also used for God the Father, demonstrating their eternal and co-equal nature.
  • Omnipresence and Omniscience: Jesus, like the Father, possesses omniscience and omnipresence. For example, in Matthew 18:20, Jesus says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them," indicating His ability to be present everywhere. Likewise, in John 21:17, Peter declares, "Lord, you know all things," affirming Jesus' divine omniscience.


How the Father and Jesus Are Equal

  • Ontologically Equal: In their divine essence, the Father and Jesus are co-equal. They are both fully God, sharing the same nature, power, glory, and attributes.
  • Functionally Distinct: In terms of their roles (especially in salvation history), they are distinct. The Father initiates and the Son carries out the Father's will. However, this distinction in role does not imply a difference in their divine status or nature.

Thus, Jesus is fully equal to the Father in divinity, authority, and power, while they maintain a functional distinction in their roles in creation and salvation.


ON TRINITY

The Trinity is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology that describes the nature of God as one God in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Though these three Persons are distinct in their roles and relationships, they are fully united in essence, co-equal, co-eternal, and of the same divine substance. This means that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all fully and equally God, sharing the same divine nature while remaining distinct in personhood.

Key Aspects of the Trinity:

  1. One God, Three Persons:

    • Christianity is monotheistic, meaning it teaches that there is only one God. However, this one God exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
    • The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not separate gods, but one God in three Persons. They are distinct in terms of personhood but share the same divine nature or essence.
  2. Co-equality and Co-eternality:

    • The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all equal in divinity, eternal, and share the same attributes (such as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence). None is greater or lesser than the other.
    • While they are distinct in their roles and how they relate to creation and to each other, their essence as God is the same.
  3. Distinct Roles:

    • The Father: The Father is often seen as the source or origin within the Trinity, the one who sends the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father’s role is typically associated with creation, providence, and being the initiator in the work of salvation.
    • The Son (Jesus Christ): The Son, who became incarnate as Jesus Christ, is the second Person of the Trinity. He is the agent of creation and redemption, fully God and fully man. The Son’s role in the Trinity is tied to His incarnation, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection, which accomplishes salvation for humanity.
    • The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, often associated with the work of sanctification, empowerment, and guidance. The Spirit indwells believers, convicts of sin, and gives spiritual gifts, playing an ongoing role in the life of the Church and individual believers.

Biblical Basis for the Trinity:

While the word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible, the concept is derived from a broad array of passages that demonstrate the unity of God and the distinction of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  1. The Oneness of God:

    • Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
    • Isaiah 45:5: "I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God."
  2. The Three Persons:

    • Matthew 28:19: Jesus commands His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” showing all three Persons at work together.
    • 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” This benediction mentions all three members of the Trinity.
    • John 14:16-17: Jesus says He will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit, who will be with the disciples forever. This passage shows the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as distinct Persons with distinct roles.
  3. Jesus' Divinity:

    • John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as God and involved in creation.
    • John 10:30: Jesus says, “I and the Father are one,” pointing to His unity with the Father.
    • Philippians 2:6: Jesus, "being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped," confirming His divine status.
  4. The Holy Spirit’s Divinity:

    • Acts 5:3-4: Peter tells Ananias that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God, affirming the Holy Spirit’s divine nature.
    • 1 Corinthians 2:10-11: The Spirit knows the depths of God and reveals them, showing that the Holy Spirit is not a force but a divine Person.

Theological Formulation of the Trinity:

The formal doctrine of the Trinity was developed over time through the early Church’s reflection on Scripture. It was articulated in early ecumenical councils, such as the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) and the Council of Constantinople (AD 381), in response to various heresies that denied the full divinity of either the Son or the Spirit.

  • The Nicene Creed (AD 325) states:
    • "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth... And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God... And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]."

The Trinity in the Life of Believers:

The doctrine of the Trinity is not just a theological concept but is central to Christian worship, prayer, and life:

  1. Prayer: Christians often pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, through the Holy Spirit.
  2. Salvation: The Father initiates the plan of salvation, the Son accomplishes it through His death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit applies it to believers’ hearts by regenerating them and indwelling them.
  3. Fellowship with God: The Trinity allows for a dynamic relationship with God. Believers can experience the love of the Father, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Summary of the Trinity:

  • One God in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • Co-equal and co-eternal: Each Person is fully God, sharing the same divine attributes.
  • Different roles: The Father creates and sends, the Son redeems, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies and empowers.
  • Unity in essence, diversity in personhood and function: This unity and distinction are at the heart of the Christian understanding of God's nature.

The Trinity is a mystery that surpasses human understanding but provides the framework for understanding God’s relationship with humanity and the world.


1 comment:

THz Tera-P90