Hello Friends and Family,
 
First of all this is only a rough draft and not complete by any means. I’d love your comment and feed back. So far I’ve only addressed a few verses and eventually I will probably need to reorganize my work. Currently I am trying to keep the subject matter on who Jesus was. I don’t expect people to agree, but look at scripture for what it says about Jesus. Martin Luther went against the Catholic Church regarding incorrect doctrine and I see myself as taking his efforts a bit further. No, I am not trying to be arrogant, I’m just trying to get back to the truth that is taught in the Bible and away from the creeds made by men. I find it interesting how in every book that I read that they also proclaim that it is a mystery how God can be one in three persons. I personally believe in the Bible which tells us that GOD is the revealer of all mysteries. GOD doesn’t wish to be a mystery to his people. If one simply asks and reads scripture with an open heart, GOD will reveal his mysteries to you.
 
GOD BLESS,
 
David Rankin
 
Who is Jesus?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
5:31 PM
 
 
Colossians 2:8 (NIV)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=58&chapter=2&version=31>
 
First we must agree on what the Trinity is and what it teaches.
God is one and three persons consisting of the following:
God the Father whom is fully (100%) God,
Jesus, Son of God whom is fully (100%) man and fully (100%) God,
The Holy Spirit who is the spirit of God, thus also being fully (100%) God.
 
It is currently taught by many Trinitarians that the man named Jesus in the Bible is God or “God in the flesh” which is probably more accurate to scripture. I will simply state that I believe that Trinitarians are simply miss guided in their doctrine, a creed made by man, or at least miss guided in their current interpretation of doctrine; I will admit that I’m am no expert in Church doctrine. I can understand the intended purpose of the Trinity, but feel that the current method in which it is taught does not match the intent for which it was made. I also believe that it’s development along with other beliefs of the early Roman Orthodox may have been influenced by early Roman pagans.
Something that was to be made wonderful from the beginning of time has been distorted within the Churches teachings. If we read the scripture (the Bible) thoroughly, one will see that Jesus, the man, was not GOD.
Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie,
       nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2023:19&version=31>
GOD is showing that he has no human characteristics.
 
Next it is told what will be done with GOD’s glory.
Romans 1:22-23 (NIV)
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
… 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:22-25;&version=31;>
Wasn’t Jesus a mortal man? Was he created? He did die didn’t he? But can GOD die? We know that Jesus was not an illusion, but he came as a man in the flesh, just as human as you and I.
Romans 5:19
19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:19&version=31>
 
2 John 7
7Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20John%207;&version=31;>
 
Acts 2:24
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
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The Church teaches without the death of Jesus there can be no salvation. So he must have died.
Remember what 1 John says about GOD:
1 John 4:12  (NIV)
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:12&version=31>
Still not convinced go read 1 Timothy 6:16, once again, “No one has ever seen God.”
Some might ask, but what about 1 John 5:7?
1 John 5:7-8 (NKJ)
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth:[a] the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
[a] 1 John 5:8 NU-Text and M-Text omit the words from in heaven (verse 7) through on earth (verse 8). Only four or five very late manuscripts contain these words in Greek.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%205:7-8;&version=50;>
Now read the NIV or any modern translation.
1 John 5:7-8 (NIV)
7 For there are three that testify: 8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
[a] 1 John 5:8 Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. 8 And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the sixteenth century)
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%205:7-8;&version=31;>
One will note that the idea of them (Father, Son, and Spirit) being One wasn’t interjected until later as it is “not found in any Greek manuscript before the sixteenth century.” But, I don’t believe this is the only verse to be modified to support the Trinitarian belief. Note Romans 9:5.
Romans 9:5 (NIV)
5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.
[a] Romans 9:5 Or Christ, who is over all. God be forever praised! Or Christ. God who is over all be forever praised!
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%209:5;&version=31;>
Note that there are two possible alternatives that do not support the Trinity, both of which dramatically change the meaning behind the text completely. Currently this verse is not consistent with the rest of scripture, yet it is needed for Trinitarians to prove that Jesus was God. It amazes me that people can ignore the fact that Jesus is called the Son of GOD throughout the whole New Testament and still believe he is God. People obviously ignore the prophecies of Isaiah 42.
Isaiah 42:1-9 (NIV)
The Servant of the Lord
1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
       my chosen one in whom I delight;
       I will put my Spirit on him
       and he will bring justice to the nations.
 2 He will not shout or cry out,
       or raise his voice in the streets.
 3 A bruised reed he will not break,
       and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
       In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
 4 he will not falter or be discouraged
       till he establishes justice on earth.
       In his law the islands will put their hope.”
 5 This is what God the LORD says—
       he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
       who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
       who gives breath to its people,
       and life to those who walk on it:
 6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
       I will take hold of your hand.
       I will keep you and will make you
       to be a covenant for the people
       and a light for the Gentiles,
 7 to open eyes that are blind,
       to free captives from prison
       and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
 8 “I am the LORD; that is my name!
       I will not give my glory to another
       or my praise to idols.
 9 See, the former things have taken place,
       and new things I declare;
       before they spring into being
       I announce them to you.”
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2042:1-9;&version=31;>
Here the LORD, GOD tells us that Jesus is his servant whom we will put his spirit upon. The New Testament is in agreement with this prophecy. In Colossians we see on such example.
Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, …
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201;&version=31;>
 
Colossians 2:9
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, …
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=58&chapter=2&version=31>
 
god·head
Pronunciation: \-?hed\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English godhed, from god + -hed -hood; akin to Middle English -hod -hood
Date: 13th century
1: divine nature or essence
Pasted from <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Godhead>
 
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB)
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Cor 5:19; Col 1:19&version=49>
 
Revelation 21:23
23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021:23;&version=31;>
 
What did these passages say? Does it say that Jesus was God or that GOD dwelt in Jesus? Note that a lamp by itself does not emit light, this is another analogy that GOD dwelt in Christ.
Philippians 2:5-11
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
 6Who, being in very nature[Or in the form of] God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
 7but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature[Or the form] of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
 8And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!
 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202;&version=31;>
 
I realize that by this point that you are justifying that Jesus is the “Word” made flesh. But let’s look at this in light of scripture.
John 10:34-36
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:34-36;%20Col%201:19;&version=31;>
Note that the word became flesh. This happened upon Jesus’ birth he was filled with the spirit or during baptism. Note this quote from Moses.
Numbers 11:29
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=prophet+spirit>
The spirit was upon GOD’s prophets (1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 19:20, Nehemiah 9:30, Zechariah 7:12). In Luke 24, after the resurrection, Jesus began walking with some of his followers who hadn’t recognized him. Jesus had asked them what they had been talking about.
Luke 24:19-20
19 “What things?” he [Jesus] asked.
   “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024:18-20;&version=31;>
Like a prophet Jesus spoke the word of GOD, but was chosen to be the Messiah.
But one might say, “what about Jesus’ miracles?”
Yes, the Messiah did perform miracles, but this doesn’t make him GOD. Remember that GOD also performed miracles through Moses. Look at what GOD told Moses:
Exodus 7:1
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%207:1&version=31>
Was Moses God? Most certainly not. Were the angels of the LORD God? Most certainly not. But again what about Jesus? Let’s look at his own words:
Matthew 4:8-10
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204:8-10;&version=31;>
 
John 6:38
38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=6&verse=38&version=31&context=verse>
 
Luke 22:42
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=22&verse=42&version=31&context=verse>
 
Matthew 6:8-10
8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
 9″This, then, is how you should pray:
   ” ‘Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name,
 10your kingdom come,
   your will be done
      on earth as it is in heaven.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=6&verse=8&end_verse=10&version=31&context=context>
 
Jesus was being an obedient Son.
 
Do you remember what Jesus said about Satan’s kingdom when people accused him of being the prince of demons?
Matthew 12:25-26
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=12&verse=24&end_verse=26&version=31&context=context>
If this is true, would GOD cause division upon himself or was he merely quoting Psalm 22?
Matthew 27:46
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027:46;&version=31;>
 
Sunday was actually the day used to worship the Sun by early pagans and was one among many pagan rituals intertwined into the early Church; Research Mithras. Since the Ten Commandments, GOD has always told us to honor the Sabbath. Why we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday is crazy.
 
Matthew 12:8
8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:8;&version=31;>
 
Exodus 20:8-11
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020;&version=31;>
 
1 Timothy 6:13-16
13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, I give you a command. Christ Jesus made the good confession when he stood before Pontius Pilate.14 Do what you were commanded to do without wrong or blame until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.15 God will make that happen at the right time. He is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.16 He is the only One who never dies. He lives in light so bright no one can go near it. No one has ever seen God, or can see him. May honor and power belong to God forever. Amen.
Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%206%20;&version=78;>
 
 
I believe that in Church people tend to ignore the Father, but worship Jesus. Not realizing that it was GOD, the Father who raised the Son from the dead. I often ask the question, “in Old Testament sacrifice was it the lamb who forgave sin or GOD?”
 
Conclusion to follow…
 
Thanks for reading.