New to Christianity, have some questions please help!

[Broncos1982]

Since I'm fairly new to walking with Jesus I have some questions that you guys who are more spiritually mature can answer.

1) The Holy Trinity, all three are one God, but three separate beings. If that is true, why do we only worship Jesus. If I am praying to Jesus only, does that mean I am not worshipping the Holy Father if I never think about him or pray to Him. (I am kind of confused by this)

2) Was Jesus fully God on earth? If so, why are there these scriptures from Jesus


- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone"

- Matthew 19:16 Jesus said "Why call me good, there is none good but One, that is GOD"?

3) also, why does Jesus pray to himself constantly?

4) So if I give only glory and praise and pray to Jesus as God (which He is) but see Jesus as the Son, Father, and Holy Spirit, am I not wrong? I mean pray to them as if Jesus is the same as all 3 of them.

 

[her2011]

Hi, Although born and raised in a christian environment, I am only in my 3rd year as a true Christian, so would be interested to see the replies to your questions, I can not give you the answers, only refer you to the Lord's prayer in the bible, where Jesus tells us how we should pray.

Matthew 6:10-14 This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 11:2-4 He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’ ”

 

[stephen]

Since I'm fairly new to walking with Jesus I have some questions that you guys who are more spiritually mature can answer.

1) The Holy Trinity, all three are one God, but three separate beings. If that is true, why do we only worship Jesus. If I am praying to Jesus only, does that mean I am not worshipping the Holy Father if I never think about him or pray to Him. (I am kind of confused by this)

2) Was Jesus fully God on earth? If so, why are there these scriptures from Jesus


- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone"


3) also, why does Jesus pray to himself constantly?

4) So if I give only glory and praise and pray to Jesus as God (which He is) but see Jesus as the Son, Father, and Holy Spirit, am I not wrong? I mean pray to them as if Jesus is the same as all 3 of them.

1) The Holy Trinity, all three are one God, but three separate beings.

Similar to mankind....Spirit, Soul and Body?

If that is true, why do we only worship Jesus.
We worship Jesus because He was made flesh and came to save us. He is our Saviour.

If I am praying to Jesus only, does that mean I am not worshipping the Holy Father if I never think about him or pray to Him.
Praying to Jesus is good because He said "I am the Way the Truth and the Life.....Jn14. Jesus is our mediator to God. Without Jesus we are lost and without hope in the world.

(I am kind of confused by this) You are confused and need to get into a bible teaching church,

2) Was Jesus fully God on earth? He was.
2.Cor.5:19

- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone"

The first question reveals the great mistake, the last one the great problem of life. None can do anything to merit eternal life, but all may have it by confession of sin and simple faith in Jesus. Jn.3:16-20. Eph.2:8-9. etc.

3) also, why does Jesus pray to himself constantly?
You need a vibrant church, and the fellowship of folks who have met Jesus. A daft question really.

4) So if I give only glory and praise and pray to Jesus as God (which He is) but see Jesus as the Son, Father, and Holy Spirit, am I not wrong? I mean pray to them as if Jesus is the same as all 3 of them.

I wish you every blessing dear friend. And would councel you to get to know folks who have met Jesus. If you do this and are sincere your life will be changed for the better. You will be blessed.

 

[David777]

Good questions Broncos1982

Very good questions, but the answers are contained within the New Testament. Seek and you will find them.

The trinity is a very difficult concept. I struggled with this for months.
But it is well explained within the letters of the NT. Here is one example.

Read this quote from Paul's letter to the Philppians.


"who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:6-11

Yes, Jesus became fully man, Jesus emptied Himself of His Majesty.
Also, Jesus was still God, in fact God's son. Jesus spoke with God's authority. Jesus forgave sins. Jesus had unlimited power. Jesus never rejected worship on earth, etc.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. In fact the only sacrifice which could redeem mankind from judgement. The divine sacrifice.

Jesus prayed to His father while on earth. Jesus became a man so of course He talked with His father. Through this we see how to relate to God ourselves. I love Jesus because He became like us. So when I pray to Jesus I understand that He totally understands me.

 

[Broncos1982]

Very good questions, but the answers are contained within the New Testament. Seek and you will find them.

The trinity is a very difficult concept. I struggled with this for months.
But it is well explained within the letters of the NT. Here is one example.

Read this quote from Paul's letter to the Philppians.


"who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:6-11

Yes, Jesus became fully man, Jesus emptied Himself of His Majesty.
Also, Jesus was still God, in fact God's son. Jesus spoke with God's authority. Jesus forgave sins. Jesus had unlimited power. Jesus never rejected worship on earth, etc.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. In fact the only sacrifice which could redeem mankind from judgement. The divine sacrifice.

Jesus prayed to His father while on earth. Jesus became a man so of course He talked with His father. Through this we see how to relate to God ourselves. I love Jesus because He became like us. So when I pray to Jesus I understand that He totally understands me.

So Jesus is God, but when he came down to earth He became like us to show us how to live a life devoted to God, but knowing that the only way to heaven was through Jesus because he covers our sins?

 

[David777]

You got it.

Correct Broncos1982.

Profound but true.

 

[chicken little]

Since I'm fairly new to walking with Jesus I have some questions that you guys who are more spiritually mature can answer.

1) The Holy Trinity, all three are one God, but three separate beings. If that is true, why do we only worship Jesus. If I am praying to Jesus only, does that mean I am not worshipping the Holy Father if I never think about him or pray to Him. (I am kind of confused by this)

2) Was Jesus fully God on earth? If so, why are there these scriptures from Jesus


- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone"

- Matthew 19:16 Jesus said "Why call me good, there is none good but One, that is GOD"?

3) also, why does Jesus pray to himself constantly?

4) So if I give only glory and praise and pray to Jesus as God (which He is) but see Jesus as the Son, Father, and Holy Spirit, am I not wrong? I mean pray to them as if Jesus is the same as all 3 of them.

how I have come to see it.
one God, three functions, described so only so we might recognize his purposes and functions and actions and mostly his INTENTIONS.
Jesus =right arm = authority= covenent , that function of the one GOD , stated so, that we see his purposes and reasons.

 

[james g]

TrinityThe word "trinity" is not found in the Bible. Nevertheless, it is a word used to describe one fact the Bible teaches about God: Our God is a Trinity.The following chart should help you understand how the Trinity doctrine is derived.[/SIZE]
T H E T R I N I T YFather Son Holy Spirit
Called God
Phil. 1:2
John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9
Acts 5:3-4
Creator
Isaiah 64:8; 44:24
John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17
Job 33:4, 26:13
Resurrects
1 Thess. 1:10
John 2:19, 10:17
Rom. 8:11
Indwells
2 Cor. 6:16
Col. 1:27
John 14:17
Everywhere
1 Kings 8:27
Matt. 28:20
Psalm 139:7-10
All knowing
1 John 3:20
John 16:30; 21:17
1 Cor. 2:10-11
Sanctifies
1 Thess. 5:23
Heb. 2:11
1 Pet. 1:2
Life giver
Gen. 2:7: John 5:21
John 1:3; 5:21
2 Cor. 3:6,8
Fellowship
1 John 1:3
1 Cor. 1:9
2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1
Eternal
Psalm 90:2
Micah 5:1-2
Rom. 8:11; Heb. 9:14
A Will
Luke 22:42
Luke 22:42
1 Cor. 12:11
Speaks
Matt. 3:17; Luke 9:25
Luke 5:20; 7:48
Acts 8:29; 11:12; 13:2
Love
John 3:16
Eph. 5:25
Rom. 15:30
Searches the heart
Jer. 17:10
Rev. 2:23
1 Cor. 2:10
We belong to
John 17:9
John 17:6
Savior
1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10
2 Tim. 1:10; Titus 1:4; 3:6
We serve
Matt. 4:10
Col. 3:24
Believe in
John 14:1
John 14:1
Gives joy
John 15:11
John 14:7
Judges John 8:50
John 5:21,30

 

[Chad]

Since I'm fairly new to walking with Jesus I have some questions that you guys who are more spiritually mature can answer.

Welcome to the family of Christ brother!

1) The Holy Trinity, all three are one God, but three separate beings. If that is true, why do we only worship Jesus. If I am praying to Jesus only, does that mean I am not worshipping the Holy Father if I never think about him or pray to Him. (I am kind of confused by this)

1 GOD = 3 Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
Link: http://www.talkjesus.com/scriptural-bible-answers/11922-trinity.html

2) Was Jesus fully God on earth? If so, why are there these scriptures from Jesus

Jesus' two natures, human and divine, are inseparable. Jesus will forever be the God-man, fully God and fully human, two distinct natures in one Person. Jesus' humanity and divinity are not mixed, but are united without loss of separate identity. Jesus sometimes operated with the limitations of humanity (John 4:6, 19:28) and other times in the power of His deity (John 11:43; Matthew 14:18-21). In both, Jesus' actions were from His one Person. Jesus had two natures, but only one personality.
(excerpt from GQ? / What is the hypostatic union? How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time?)

- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone"

Scofield's Notes

10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Why callest
Par., Believing Me to be but a human teacher, why callest thou Me "good," etc.


- Matthew 19:16 Jesus said "Why call me good, there is none good but One, that is GOD"?

3) also, why does Jesus pray to himself constantly?

Useful Article: If Jesus was God, how could He pray to God? Was Jesus praying to Himself?

(excerpt from the above article)

When Jesus, the eternal Son of God, took upon Himself sinless humanity He also took on the form of a servant, giving up His heavenly glory (Philippians 2:5-11). As the God-man, He had to learn obedience (Hebrews 5:8) to His Father as He was tempted by Satan, accused falsely by men, rejected by His people, and eventually crucified. His praying to His heavenly Father was to ask for power (John 11:41-42) and wisdom (Mark 1:35, 6:46). His praying showed His dependence upon His Father in His humanity to carry out His Father's plan of redemption, as evidenced in Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17. His praying demonstrated that He ultimately submitted to His Father's will, which was to go to the cross and pay the penalty (death) for our breaking God's law (Matthew 26:31-46). Of course, He rose bodily from the grave, winning forgiveness and eternal life for those who repent of sin and believe in Him as the Savior.

4) So if I give only glory and praise and pray to Jesus as God (which He is) but see Jesus as the Son, Father, and Holy Spirit, am I not wrong? I mean pray to them as if Jesus is the same as all 3 of them.

You are praying to GOD whether you pray directly to Jesus, Father or Holy Spirit. Jesus instructs to pray to the Father in His name and that He is the only way to the Father.

John 14:13-14
John 16:23

 

[Sam Canvas]

Hello Broncos1982

Based on the balance of many Bible references James White neatly puts it this way:

“Within the one Being that is God, there exists eternally three coequal and coeternal persons, namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (from The Forgotten Trinity).
​

Personally I'm not that keen using the word Trinity when Scripture doesn't, but even so it has its place.

I look at it this way: God the Father reveals Himself in His Son so we could receive the guidance and power of His Holy Spirit.

This flawless expression of Himself fulfills all His purposes: the creation, the Law, the Atonement, the Church His body here on earth and into eternal Glory.

Broncos1982, God's expression of Himself as a Man unavoidably governed Christ's interaction with the Father, but did not affect His divinity.

That's one reason why Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 on the cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? -- Why have You abandoned Me and left Me behind?" We know the answer.

Hope this helps too. Though our minds sometime trip us up, we can be sure God's revelation of Himself is perfect!

Take care,

Sam

 

[james g]

The persons of God are distinct, not separate.

 

[gospelpreacher]

Since I'm fairly new to walking with Jesus I have some questions that you guys who are more spiritually mature can answer.

1) The Holy Trinity, all three are one God, but three separate beings. If that is true, why do we only worship Jesus. If I am praying to Jesus only, does that mean I am not worshipping the Holy Father if I never think about him or pray to Him. (I am kind of confused by this)

2) Was Jesus fully God on earth? If so, why are there these scriptures from Jesus


- And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone"

- Matthew 19:16 Jesus said "Why call me good, there is none good but One, that is GOD"?

3) also, why does Jesus pray to himself constantly?

4) So if I give only glory and praise and pray to Jesus as God (which He is) but see Jesus as the Son, Father, and Holy Spirit, am I not wrong? I mean pray to them as if Jesus is the same as all 3 of them.

These scriptures might help you understand that there's only one God who saves his people from their sinful flesh. Jesus is the flesh that was sacrificed for God's salvation plan but the gospel he preached was the voice of God. This was needed for God's chosen ones to hear so they could become sinless saints and preach the same gospel. Jesus wasn't the only one who preached the gospel but he was the only flesh that died for all of us to be saved by God.

Hosea 13
4: I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.

Psalm 27
0: A Psalm of David.
1: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 43
11: I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.

Isaiah 45
15: Truly, thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the savior.
16: All of them are put to shame and confounded, the makers of idols go in confusion together.
17: But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity.

Israel is the symbolic name for all God's created people. It's the flesh that dies during this age but our created image in God lives on forever.

 

[David777]

Dear Jaareshiah.

Jaareshiah i hope i am reading your post correctly.

You said,

"If Jesus is God, then why does he receive approval from God ? Thus, it is illogical and incompatible with all of what Jesus, his disciples and their heavenly Father has said to conclude that Jesus is God."

The Deity of Jesus Christ is an unquestionable truth of the New Testament.

The apostle John describes Jesus as the Word. Now read the following.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1-3 (NASB)

Thomas on seeing the risen Lord Jesus.

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
John 20:38 (NASB)

What version of the Bible are you using?

I hope you are not a Jehovah's witness?

Please reply Jaareshiah.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

What version of the Bible are you using?

I hope you are not a Jehovah's witness?

Please reply Jaareshiah.

Jaareshiah is indeed a Jehovah's Witnesses member.

SLE

 

[David777]

My friend SpiritLed.

I read some of Jaareshiah's previous posts, they were quite good.

Then he goes and stumbles over the diety of Christ.

You know what irritates me about the Jehovah's witnesses.

They refer to Jesus as a God, not the God.

We know there is only one God, but they have multiple Gods.

Did you previously know he was a JW.

 

[Sam Canvas]

Jaareshiah is indeed a Jehovah's Witnesses member.

Hello Ed

Since you are an experienced moderator on the forum, may I ask you, if you know for a fact “Jaareshiah is indeed a Jehovah's Witnesses member”, why is he allowed to remain here?

According to very clear definitions and rules on this forum:

====================================

Bible Teaches About Jesus

* Deity (Matthew 16:16,17 and John 1:1).

God
I believe in one God revealed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost...making up the blessed Trinity (Matthew 3:16,17; 1 John 5:6,7).

No false teaching of Scripture. We preach what the Holy Bible says, nothing else.
- this site is not for preaching any religion at all. It is solely 100% about the Holy Bible and Jesus/GOD.
- any teaching outside Scripture including debates will result in account termination.

If you disagree with the Word of GOD, please leave unless you came to learn the Truth as told by GOD in Scripture.
​

====================================


Also, as a member here who sincerely believes the above I’m still concerned about the videos linked to in this poll:

Is it God's will when Bad things happen?

The makers of these videos believe much the same as Jaareshiah, along with other distorted teachings, so wouldn’t it be helpful (to say the least) if these video links were removed?

Thanks for your help.

Sam

 

[David777]

Dear Jaareshiah,

Let's reason together Jaareshiah.

You said,

The first occurrence of the word trinity was by Tertullian (160-220 C.E.) around the beginning of the 3rd century C.E.,

This may be the first recorded use of the word "trinity". That of course does not mean that the understanding of three persons in one God was not prevalent at the time. Only that the usage of the term "trinity" has it's first recorded usage with Tertullian.

Baa, baa.

 

[David777]

Dear Jaareshiah,

Please respond, we have much material to cover.

You only quoted Tertullian, but there are other Christian writers slightly preceeding and contempory to Tertullian. These need to be examined also. It is not the usage of the word trinity that is important but what the early Christian writers discussed.

Please reply Jaareshiah, this matter is extremely important.

 

[farout]

New to Christ?

Deuteronomy 29:29 Tells us somethings are for only God to know. I have found some relief in this verse. Frankly there is nothing that fully explains the Holy Trinity. We can say the egg yoke, the egg white, and the shell is something like the Trinity, but it;s not! Neither is saying I am a son, a father, and a grandfather, but that fails too. Biblically wise persons have searched thee Scriptures for centuries for a full explanation. To be honest with you, just as we surrendered to Jesus Christ by Faith alone, by Grace alone, and by Jesus alone we are saved. So dear friend, we take what the Bible says about the Holy Trinity by faith. Yes we can address our prayers to the Holy Spirit, to Jesus, or the Father. Jesus prayed to His father, not Himself. The Father said at the baptism of Jesus "This is my beloved Son whom I am well pleased" That's fantastic in my mind. Here is where Deuteronomy 29:29 comes in, friend.
I hope you have made a public confession of your faith in Christ. Baptism is a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. I sure hope you have a Study Bible. There are several Study Bibles I give to believers of all ages (over 16) my favorite is The Life Application Bible, and its available is several versions, I use the New American Standard Bible, and the New International Version Bible. However there are many more versions to choose from. Ask your pastor what he thinks about this.
I hope your in a good Bible believing, preaching Church, that is a must to spiritual growth. Go to Sunday Church School, that will help you in getting to know the Bible, and get questions answered. Finally, but not last have a daily time of reading the Bible and prayer. remember you can talk to Jesus anytime, place anywhere. God bless you friend.:handshake:

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Broncos1982,

Here's a link that can answer many, if not all, of your questions:

Ask Questions about Life and God

SLE