Plurality of the Divine Nature part II

In the New Testament the divine name is used in the singular number. When the individuality of divine plurality was distinctly revealed, the more obscure Hebrew mode of expressing the divine name ceased. If the name of God in the New Testament be not used in the plural number, a plurality of singulars is used, to which divine nature is ascribed. This gives a clearer view of plurality in God than the ancient Hebrew form of expression. The New Testament was to be circulated among the Jews for the purpose of converting them to Christianity. As they believed in only one God, no form of speech would unnecessarily be used by the writers of the Christian religion, which would convey to them the idea of a multiplicity of deities. As it was also to be circulated among heathen, it was necessary to use the greatest care in the choice of words, lest encouragement should be given to their idolatry. As the forms of speech used in the scriptures naturally suggest the idea of more gods than one, or of a plurality in the divine nature; and as the scriptures declare in the plainest and strongest terms that there is but one God, it follows that there is a plurality in his nature.

The Hebrew language is remarkable for its simplicity, and for its significance. Proper names, as well as the names of a genus and species, are often expressive of the nature or properties of the person or thing named. Various names are given to the Supreme Being; and each name is significant of his nature, office, or of some of his attributes. In. the first verse in the Bible the Hebrew name of God is expressive of his power. When he is represented in the act of creation there is a striking propriety in giving him a name expressing his might. When God commissioned Moses to lead Israel out of bondage, he made himself known to him by a name signifying independent existence. At other times he revealed himself by names signifying government and excellence. From the peculiar significance of Hebrew names, especially the names of God, an appropriate sense is undoubtedly to be given to the divine name, when used in the plural number. It is hard to conceive what appropriate sense can be extracted from this mode of expression, unless it be a certain plurality in the Divine nature.

Plurality in the Divine Nature

After the apostasy mankind were exceedingly prone to idolatry. The heathen, in every age, have paid their devotions to a variety of deities. Even the Hebrews, who were enlightened by divine revelation, and were taught the existence of only one God, often departed from this knowledge, and - ascribed divine honors to objects of nature, and to works of men's hands. When God communicated to the world a system of religion, it might well be expected he would guard the human mind against this error; that he would distinguish himself from heathen gods; that he would communicate nothing which would give the least countenance to a multiplicity of deities, or to idolatry. When God wrote the moral law on tables of stone, he commanded first, that they should have no other gods before him. The distinguishing characteristic of Israel was, that they worshipped one God. Moses, who was under divine influence, and wrote agreeably to the pattern shewn him by the divine Being, guarded the doctrine of the divine unity with the greatest care, lest Israel should blend with surrounding nations; fall into idolatry; and lose the knowledge of the true God. His language is, "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." That these words might not depart from their minds, he required them to bind them upon their hands; and that they should be as frontlets between their eyes. The other prophets adopted similar language. Christ supported the same sentiment, and the apostles copied his example.

Notwithstanding the unity of God is a prominent doctrine in the Scriptures; yet both the Old and New Testament contain many terms and phrases, which evidently convey an idea of plurality in the divine nature. The original word in-the Old Testament, for the name God, is used in the plural number. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." This is the first time the divine name is used in the Bible; and it is used in the plural number, connected with a singular verb. When God was about to form man, he said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." After the apostasy of our first parents, "The Lord God said, behold the man is become as - one of Us, to know good and evil." When God looked down from heaven and beheld the tower, which the children of men builded, he said, "Go to, let us go down and there confound their language." God speaking by the mouth of his prophet inquires, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Other passages contain the name of God in the plural number.

The Unity of God Part II

Cont'd from 9/30/15 Blog Post

3. There is abundant evidence that there is one God, eternal, self-existent and independent. He exists of necessity; that is, it is impossible that He never should have existed; and it is impossible that he should cease to exist. There is a primary power in the universe. It is impossible that this power should have created itself; and it is equally impossible that it should destroy itself; for this would suppose a power superior to the highest power. These things cannot be predicated of more than one power. There can be only one power necessarily existing. If an equal power be supposed to exist, it must depend on the will and pleasure of the first power for liberty of the least operation. If equals cannot destroy equals, they can counteract and neutralize each other. Consequently there cannot be two separate independencies; two separate self-existencies, nor two separate eternals.

4. The coincidence of the various parts of the sacred scriptures is a strong argument in favor of the unity of their Author. This volume was written by many hands; at distant periods; and at places remote from each other. Had the objects of the inspired writers been different, or had they been under the guidance of different spirits, a striking contrariety would have appeared in their writings. But, as their object is evidently the same, as there is a remarkable coincidence in their relation of the same things, as there is a perfect agreement between the prophetic writings and' the history of subsequent events, there is the strongest evidence that their authors were under the direction of one and the same Spirit.

Some parts of the sacred scriptures appear, at first view, to be inconsistent; and other parts appear to be dark. But when they are investigated, they appear consistent, and the religion of the Old Testament was remarkably well calculated for the Jewish nation till the advent of the Messiah. A knowledge of the ancient customs of the Jews, a knowledge of the idolatries of neighboring nations bring to view excellences of the Jewish religion, which are not discovered by a superficial observer. Those parts of God's word, which seem to militate against each other, are found to be reconcilable and harmonious. Those seeming blemishes, which appear on the pages of divine inspiration are only dark spots on the vision of the human mind. When the understanding is purged from moral darkness and corruptness, it will discover the perfections of our holy religion; 'the coincidence of its parts; the unity of its design, and the unity of its Author.

The Unity of God

In the formation of every argument it is necessary to lay down correct premises; because on them the conclusion depends. In every science it is necessary to have a knowledge of its first principles. These are the basis of the whole system. In the science of Theology, as in all other sciences, there are fundamental truths, which must be admitted or proved, before inquiries can be prosecuted with success. The most important of these, and which claims the first attention, is, the unity of God.

1. The first argument, which offers itself in proof of this truth, is, there appears to be no need of more than one God. In treating subjects philosophically it is correct to admit no more causes, than are necessary to account for the effects produced. One Being of almighty power is sufficient to create the world. One Being of infinite wisdom is sufficient to organize it, and form a constitution for its government. One Being of infinite goodness is competent to the administration of its laws. The same Being, who created, organized and supports one world, can multiply them to any extent he pleases. It is no harder to conceive of infinite attributes residing in one Being, than to conceive of them residing in many beings. As all the effects, which are visible, or fall within the compass of human apprehension, may be traced to one Cause, possessing infinite perfections, there is no necessity of inferring more than one.

2. The unity of God is argued from the harmony and mutual subserviency of different parts of the world; and from the uniformity of its government. There is a just proportion between the various parts of the world. The elements are so adjusted, that one does not prevail against another. The globe is wisely balanced with earth and water. The spheres, which compose this system, are so exactly proportioned as to size and distance, that they perform their revolutions with the greatest precision. There is a remarkable correspondence and subserviency between the different parts of the world; between different classes of animals; and between the brutal and the intelligent creation. The face of the earth is agreeably and usefully variegated with hills and vallies. There is a happy subserviency between the atmosphere, earth, and water. The different parts of this system so correspond that they are mutually beneficial. The sun enlightens and warms the earth. The moon and the host of heaven, not only adorn the canopy of the skies, but they shed their milder rays. The regular succession of day and night promotes the growth of the vegetable kingdom; and affords a pleasing and refreshing variety to human nature. The rotation of the seasons is wisely calculated to bring forward and mature the productions of the earth, and to restore its wasted strength.

Cont'd tomorrow! 10/1/15

Words transmit Images

Excerpt from Charles Capps teaching about the Power of Words.

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteh nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)  Jesus said there is spirit life in the spoken word.  That;s why it is important for us to confess what God has already said about us in His Word.  Words carry spiritual forces.  Words can transmit faith.  They transmit images after their kind to others.  God's Word transmits the image God wants you to have.  The devil's words transmit the image he wants you to have.

Your words are powerful transmitters.  Be careful what you say to yourself and others.

Faith is Transmitted by Words

In Romans 10:17, Paul said, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  That is "A truth," but it is not the whole truth.  When Paul made that statement, he was talking about faith in God and in His word  Faith in God's word come by hearing what He said.  But there is a reciprocal of that truth.  Just as Faith in God comes by hearing and receiving the Word of God, faith in the devil comes by hearing the words of the devil.  The opposite of faith is fear.  Most of the time,  fear is actually faith in the devil.  Don't take "A truth" and make "THE truth" out of it.  For if we dogmatically declare that the only way anyone can obtain faith is by hearing the Word of God, that's not the WHOLE truth.  You can have faith in the weather man by hearing him predict the weather.

The truth is that Faith comes by hearing, Whether you are hearing me or hearing the weather forecast, faith comes by hearing.  Spoken words transmit a corresponding spirit.  Fear-Filled words produce fear in those who hear and receive them.  Faith-Filled words produce Faith in those who hear and receive them.

The Integrity of the Word of God

Excerpt from "Advanced Bible Course"

 by E.W. Kenyon

"The WORD is god speaking to you.  "Thus saith Jehovah" is repeated over two thousand times from Exodus to Deuteronomy.  God and his Word are one.  The Word is always now. Jesus is the Word.  Jesus is the living Word.  Hebrews 4:12 "The Logos of God is a living thing, active and more cutting than any sword with double edge penetrating to the very division of soul and spirit, joint and marrow- scrutinizing the very thoughts and conceptions of the heart." (Moffat)

And now notice carefully the next verse: "And no created thing is hidden from Him; all things lie open, exposed before the eyes of Him with Whom we have to reckon."  The Word is called the Logos.  Jesus is the Logos, and the Logos is a living thing- not in the book, not on the written page, but in the lips of the believer."  There is no created thing hidden from Him, this living Word.  The Word searches us out, find us.  The Word is our Contact with God the Father.  It is His contact with us. Christ and the Word are one.  It is the Word dwelling in you which is equivalent to Christ personally being in you.  Letting the Word have right away in your life is letting Christ have right-of way.  The Word dominating you is the Lordship of Christ in you."

Angelic Obedience part II

When the way to the tree of life was to be closed against fallen man, cherubim were set to guard the entrance, and with their flaming sword rendered it unapproachable: when that way was again to be thrown open, and the twelve manner of fruits yielded in their season, and the leaves to be applied for the healing of the nations, twelve angels are represented as standing at the gates that are never to be shut, day or night, not armed to bar the passage, but as guards of honor welcoming the happy comers to that scene of everlasting felicity.  The variety of commissions which we know the angels to have executed among men, sufficiently attest their prompt obedience to every command of their glorious King, whom to serve is their privilege and joy: for "he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven." Dan.4:35. "Thinkest thou," said our Lord to the disciple who smote the high priest's servant, "thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than ten legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Matt. 26:53, 54.

We now proceed to review the instances of angelic interference and as the work of vengeance is in no way consonant to the character of a holy angel, except when executed in loyal obedience to the command of his righteous King, who will punish evil-doers, we may class under the present head all the destructive operations of the heavenly host. 

The Lord needs no help of men or of angels; yet the armies of heaven stand around, eager to be employed against the enemies of his name and of his people.  To render a recompense to those who afflict Christ in his members, is indeed a part of angelic office, as David shows; when speaking of those who sought to destroy his soul, he says, "Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angels of the Lord chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord persecute them." Psalm xxxv. 5, 6.  In virtue of this office, they will fulfill their terrible commission in the last days of the present dispensation. "The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 13: 42. 

They will come fully prepared for the terrible work of that great day: "It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 1: 6, 7, 8.

He "who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire," (Psalm 104: 4,) has pre-ordained them to act a most conspicuous part in the transactions of the last days, we must turn to the book of Revelation, where a scene of awful magnificence is opened to us, in language of unparalleled grandeur.