Quote (WorshippingJesus @ June 06 2007,05:59)You say the Holy Spirit is the Father then why do you keep calling him the Holy Spirit, why not just call him Father?That's a good idea! Can we try that and see if it works? Everywhere you see the holy Spirit – replace it with God or Father. Would it work?

Hi Student and welcome!This topic has come up recently. A pastor friend of mine sent me a letter in which he told me that some are trying to “modernize” the Trinity teaching by changing it to more inclusive langage (such as you pointed out). Further, they want to do away with all masculinity of the Trinity altogether. They say that when Jesus…[Read more]

Quote (Tim2 @ June 06 2007,05:16)John 15:26 -“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.” (This is painfully clear. The Holy Spirit is not the Father, nor is He the Son.)Is it so painfully clear, Tim? I don't think so.God is the only Spirit there…[Read more]

Quote (Tim2 @ June 06 2007,05:16)Pardon my jumping in here but it looks like WJ is being ganged up on.WJ can hold his own, believe me. His teaching is sprinkled with the fruit of the Spirit.

Quote (Tim2 @ June 05 2007,18:02)Quote All I am still saying is that the bible does not say God is a personHebrews 1:3 -“And He is the Radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His person …”  The word for person here is hypostasis, which can also mean nature, but has been understood to mean person.TimTim2, as you must know, the term…[Read more]

It's a curious little word, isn't it? I've looked it up in the dictionary and then referrenced it out….when you do this and then bring it back to scripture – it's pretty interesting. But I don't have any formal training on word studies – just my good ol' Webster's and me.

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ June 06 2007,04:52)Unfortunatly for you K, even if you say there is no third person, “Comforter”, you still have to conclude if Gods Spirit as you say is God and there is only one Spirit then that makes Jesus God.I would love to see some discussion on this. Thanks.

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ June 05 2007,17:40)Jn 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for *for he shall not speak of himself*; but *whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak*: and he will shew you things to come.(This scripture is obvious that the Spirit of truth is not the Father, and he does…[Read more]

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ June 05 2007,17:40)Rom 8:26Likewise *the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but *the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered*.If the Spirit here is the Father, then the Father is praying to himself.There is only one Spirit and…[Read more]

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ June 05 2007,17:17)Lk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall *your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him*? (there is 2 persons mentioned here, 1. the Father who gives 2. the Holy Spirit or comforter!)Good example of what I was saying earlier -…[Read more]

Just for fun – could the third person of the Trinity be compared to Jesus himself?John 16:13″……..he will speak only what he hears….” Speaking of the “Spirit of Truth”John 5:30″….I judge only as I hear……” Speaking of Jesus.

Is the “Spirit of Truth” the name of the third person of the the Trinity?

WJ, I do believe there is a difference between the gift of holy Spirit and the giver of holy Spirit. But that may be my “Assembly of God” upbringing.

How could we stray so far of the path? When did “One” start to mean something else?Did the children in the OT understand God when he said he was One to mean something else, WJ?

Can I just say that the beginning of Hebrews has caused more frustration to more Christians…..who wrote this book anyway? It doesn't say he preexisted though, Nick. It doesn't. It says God brought him forth. It doesn't say that God brought him forth from a previous life with him. Does it?

All I am still saying is that the bible does not say God is a person, or that the Spirit is a person, or that God is said to contain three persons. If it was a “clear” teaching, WJ – why would you and Nick argue? Or why would we need this board? Nothing is crystal clear. Not even that God is One.Are there any absolutes in God's Word?

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ June 05 2007,16:49)These are not my words, they are the words of Jesus and yet you still dont believe him.When you present scripture they are not your words, this is true. However, how you interpret them is in your own words. It is these words that I have a hard time understanding.I haven't “sided” with anyone……I am…[Read more]

Being = existScriptures are not clear on Jesus' life before he was born, if indeed he had one. The apostles did not teach on Jesus' life before he was born, in fact Peter seemed all-together oblivious to the idea.Preexistence must be deducted.Jesus coming into being through reproduction (thus the pregnancy and birth) are explicit teachings.I…[Read more]

Son = male offspringOffspring = one coming into being through reproduction

Nor does scripture come out and say what you believe about the Son of God.If you were to apply the same rules to your preexistent theory as you as WJ to apply to his three-in-one theory, with all due respect, I believe you would come up short. As you like to say – where is it written? And it would have to be explicity written, I might add. As…[Read more]