Which God should we worship?

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mellymell

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Jesus and the God Jesus served cannot be separated. While they are distinct, they are yet one... That is the whole concept of the Trinity. You cannot serve the Father without serving the Son. If you deny the Holy Spirit, you've denied the Father and the Son. The three are one, oneness in nature yet distinct in character and function. The Father is the Creator, the Son is the Savior and Mediator, and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter.

So, the answer to your question is that is you serve the Father, you are serving the Son. As you serve the Holy Spirit, you are serving the Trinity. So, in actuality, if you're recognizing that the Trinity exists, when you serve one, you are automatically serving the others.

Hope that helps. I love you and God bless!
 
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I posted this somewhere else, but I thought it applies here too.

God the Father, I would assume for logic's sake, is YHWH(Jehovah), God Almighty to whom we pray and Jesus prayed. Jesus Christ was the Word born in the flesh (John ch. 1). Christ's spirit is the Holy Spirit(Romans ch. 8).

To better understand here's some points to ponder:

Jesus was God's Only Begotten---The Word of God is the Only Begotten of God(through which the worlds were made)

Jesus said he was the Truth, and he said that God's Word is Truth
And the Spirit of Jesus Christ(the Holy Spirit) is the Spirit of Truth

The Word is God's Seed, The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God's Seed(Christ)
EG "Born of God"... Jesus being born from the Spirit

Jesus said in John "Unless you eat my flesh (the Word) and drink my blood(the Spirit) you have no part with me"

In response to where Jesus said "I and the Father are one" consider the following:
In proverbs it states that: "As water reflects the face, so a man's heart reflects the man"
man was created in God's image
Jesus said "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks"
Thus out of the overflow of God's heart He spoke His Word(Jesus)
And His Word would Be a reflection of who He was
As it is written of Jesus "He is the image of the invisible God"
God and His Word are One Even as you and your word are one.

for when you consider it relating to humans:
a)your word, or the concept of your word
b)made a person
c)would basically be identiacal to you

Point to ponder: Are not your word and you one?

Or am I the only one who sees this logic?
 
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Ultimately, I worship YHWH(Pronounced YeH-oWaH [simply the blending of the consonants, where also the hebrew letter that is now Vav, being formerly Waw]), The Father, but truely in essence, Hayah Asher Hayah, EXISTANCE THAT EXISTS (commonly translated I AM THAT I AM, or I AM WHO I AM).
I serve(or am supposed to serve), His Only Begotten Son, Jesus. Which is to say, I serve God's Word, His Only Begotten (through whom all thing were made).
 
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21st November 2002 at 08:50 PM UnidentifiableHeretik said this in Post #1 Do you think we should serve the Trinity? Or, should we serve the same God Jesus served?

Since you call yourself an "Unidentifiable Heretik" perhaps you should tell us first as to what exactly is your relationship with the living God?  Are you His enemy and the enemy of His Word, or have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Once that's out of the way, one can talk about worship.  Without the new birth, there can be no true worship or even recognition of the one true God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

BTW, Jesus of Nazareth did not "serve" God.  He is God, but He submitted Himself completely to the Father's will.  There's a huge difference. The Only Begotten Son is also God the Word, who is God.
 
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For those who may think that YHWH [the LORD in the AV] is exclusively the Father, please note that in Exodus 3:11-18 "God" [Elohim] identifies Himself as "I AM THAT I AM' and also as "I AM". He then calls Himself "The LORD God of your fathers" or "YHWH Elohim of your fathers" (v.15).

When we come to the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth identifies Himself as the same "I AM", which means that He is both YHWH and Elohim!

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM [he is italicised and may be omitted], ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).

"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I sayunto you, Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58). There can be no mistaking this at all. Jesus is Jehovah or YHWH-Elohim.

"Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto then, I AM [he]... as soon then as he had said unto them, I AM [he], they went backward and fell to the ground" (John 18:4-6).

That is why Christ said "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him" (John 5:23).

One of the most mysterious statements in the Bible is this: "And His [Christ's] Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, the Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

What does all this mean? That the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all equally YHWH-Elohim. That is why He commanded believers to be baptized in the NAME [singular] of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt.28:19). Are we supposed to try and explain this? No. We simply worship Him!
 
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iris89

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Hi Everyone:

Here are 5 questions you should give serious thought to:

1) If belief in the Trinity is so important to our salvation why
isn't the word Trinity on the concept of three beings being one found
in the Bible?

2) Why didn't the apostles and early Christians believe in the
Trinity?( If you say they did, prove it from the Scriptures or
quotations from one of the ante-Nicean Fathers before 200 AD

3) Since the Trinity was so contrary to the Jewish belief in God, why
didn't Jesus nad his apostles expend consederable time and effort in
teaching and stressing the Trinity so as to convince the Jews of the
truth of it, as they did other Christian teachings.

4) If the Trinity Doctrine was solidly based truth, why didn't Jesus
and his disciples contradict the Shema of the Old Testament? ( As he
did with other principles that were a change from Shema ) "Listen O
Israel Jehovah our God is one Jehovah" (Deut 6:4) Jesus even quoted
this scripture at Mark 12:29

5) Why would God tell his people to have nothing to do with the Pagan
nations if those pagan nations had the right concept and beliefs
about God? (a Trinity concept of God as part of their worship can be
traced to virtually all Pagan nations of anciet times)


Your Friend in Christ Iris89
 
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iris89

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Hi Everyone:

Here are the facts on 'I am'.




DISCOURSE ON THE MISCONCEPTION WITH RESPECT 'I AM'

Many have a misconception with respect the use of 'I am' in the New Testament [Greek Testament] due to the false teachings of false prophets of the pagan so called Christianized doctrine of the Trinity and Duality in accordance with Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." (American Standard Version; ASV); And are as the Bible says at 1 John 2:1, "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of." (ASV). Their true nature is exposed at 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn `upon them'." (ASV).

These false prophets latch on to Exodus 3:14, "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (ASV), and try to wrongly link it to John 8:58, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am." (ASV) in a vain, straw grabbing attempt, to justify their false doctrines, either the Trinity or the Duality depending on which 'flavor' their particular group of false prophets have lead them to believe in without regard to reality. They willingly fail to recognize the fact that God (YHWH) the Father, and the Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua) are two distinct individuals when even the terms father and son should tell them that, and the Bible makes this distinction quite clear at John 14:28, "Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I." (ASV), wherein Jesus (Yeshua) testifies to the fact, "for the Father is greater than I." Also, this fact is clearly borne out at 1 Corinthians 15:27, "For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him." (ASV), where we see that Almighty God (YHWH) has put everything EXCEPT himself under his Son, Jesus (Yeshua), how much clearer can the fact get that they are two distinct individuals since if they were not, this scripture would be a lie and we know that is not true.

Interestingly, the scripture they wrongly try to link to in the Old or Hebrew Testament in Hebrew reads: "I am that I am" or as it is sometimes rendered: "I will be what I will be." [source, "Gems from the New Testament" by Vivian Capel, page 56]. If this does not show their perception of reality is completely wrong, this book, "Gems from the New Testament," goes on to say, ""In the Greek Septuagint version of Exodus the statement is: "I am the Being." Here the `I am' is not part of the title as it may
appear from the way the Hebrew is translated and capitalized in many translations. It is just part of a statement describing the title `the Being.' There is thus no connection between this and the words of Jesus.

'Just a few verses farther on in John the _expression `I am' occurs again. This time it was said by the blind beggar who was healed by Jesus, but whose identity was doubted (John 9:9). As with the words of Jesus in the previous chapter it was just an affirmation of his existence and identity, and no connection with any other text can be
implied.'" [source, "Gems from the New Testament" by Vivian Capel, page 56].

This is collaborated by many other sources such as, The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary on the Bible: "The meaning is obscured by the conventional translation I am who I am, which implies that God is the ground of his own existence. The Hebrew verb denotes, not abstract being, but manifestation in a definite character, or name;
and its form indicates habitual manifestation in past, present, or future. Since English requires a tense, the best rendering is 'I will be as I will be.'" [source, "The Interpreter's Onv-Volume Commentary on the Bible]. And by, Rabbi Jordan D. Cohen: "Moses perceived that the people would want to know which attribute of God they can expect to encounter; that is, what their experience of God will be, and what is going to happen to them. God's answer, then, leaves things open-ended. Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh is based on the future tense conjugation of the Hebrew verb meaning "to be." Often translated as "I Am Who I Am," the phrase is more accurately translated as "I Will Be That Which I Will Be." The people will come to know God through their unfolding experiences together." And Rabbi Stephen Pearce, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. "God's answer in Exodus 3:14, "'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' -- 'I will
be what I will be' -- sent me to you" is so illusive and ambiguous that this description could not have been very believable."

These facts really blow apart what the Trinitarian and Modalist scholars have attempted to define Jesus by the name "I AM." It is claimed that God used such as a name in the Hebrew scriptures and that Jesus makes the same application to himself. We will
examine a number of verses on this matter, first considering if "I AM" is really a name of God, and then considering the where people say the name is applied to Jesus.

But let's consider every use of 'I am' in the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the American Standard Version, and see the following two facts, FIRST, 'I am' was a common idiomatic expression of the day and was used in many ways, none however, giving personality to it, SECOND, none of them supporting in any way the Trinitarian and Modalist scholars who could not admit that their perception was in error. The following exhaustive list was made using a special software program at a Pentacostal seminary in Puerto Rico where the administration kindly gave permission to use their equipment.

Now note, not one use herein given would give any justification for linking Exodus 3:14 to it in a vain attempt to mislead people into believing the false manmade doctrine that the Father (YHWH) and the Son, Jesus (Yeshua) are one and the same individual which of course they are not.


The number in the front is the number of scriptures from Genesis 1:1 in the American Standard Version so clearly identifying the scripture for scholarly pursuits, then the Book of the Bible is given, then the Chapter, and last the verse. Where 'I am' occurs has been highlighted as <I am> to make it easy for readers to find: [a great example of true 'Sola Scriptura,' note that John 8:58 is scripture #26440]

23963 Matthew 24 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, <I am> the Christ; and shall lead many astray.

23963 Matthew 24 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, <I am> the Christ; and shall lead many astray.

24087 Matthew 26 32 But after <I am> raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.

24116 Matthew 26 61 and said, This man said, <I am> able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

24154 Matthew 27 24 So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, <I am> innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye `to it'.

24173 Matthew 27 43 He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, <I am> the Son of God.

24216 Matthew 28 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, <I am> with you always, even unto the end of the world.

24223 Mark 1 7 And he preached, saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes <I am> not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

24227 Mark 1 11 And a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee <I am> well pleased.

24528 Mark 8 27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that <I am>?



24530 Mark 8 29 And he asked them, But who say ye that <I am>? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

24627 Mark 10 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that <I am> baptized with?

24628 Mark 10 39 And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that <I am> baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

24724 Mark 13 6 Many shall come in my name, saying, <I am> `he'; and shall lead many astray.

24783 Mark 14 28 Howbeit, after <I am> raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.

24817 Mark 14 62 And Jesus said, <I am>: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

24912 Luke 1 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for <I am> an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

24913 Luke 1 19 And the angel answering said unto him, <I am> Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.

25042 Luke 3 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes <I am> not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and `in' fire:

25048 Luke 3 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee <I am> well pleased.

25116 Luke 5 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for <I am> a sinful man, O Lord.

251Matthew 42 5 32 <I am> not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

25202 Luke 7 6 And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for <I am> not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:

25320 Luke 9 18 And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that <I am>?

25322 Luke 9 20 And he said unto them, But who say ye that <I am>? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

25511 Luke 12 51 Think ye that <I am> come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

25551 Luke 13 32 And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third `day' <I am> perfected.

25608 Luke 15 19 <I am> no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

25610 Luke 15 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: <I am> no more worthy to be called thy son.

25624 Luke 16 3 And the steward said within himself, What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh away the stewardship from me? I have not strength to dig; to beg <I am> ashamed.

25625 Luke 16 4 <I am> resolved what to do, that, when <I am> put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

25645 Luke 16 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for <I am> in anguish in this flame.

25700 Luke 18 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that <I am> not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

25754 Luke 19 22 He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that <I am> an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow;

25835 Luke 21 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, <I am> `he'; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.

See Part 2
 
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iris89

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Part 2 of 'I am'



25892 Luke 22 27 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but <I am> in the midst of you as he that serveth.

25898 Luke 22 33 And he said unto him, Lord, with thee <I am> ready to go both to prison and to death.

25923 Luke 22 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art `one' of them. But Peter said, Man, <I am> not.

25935 Luke 22 70 And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that <I am>.

26065 John 1 20 And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, <I am> not the Christ.

26066 John 1 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, <I am> not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.

26068 John 1 23 He said, <I am> the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

26072 John 1 27 `even' he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe <I am> not worthy to unloose.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, <I am> not the Christ, but, that <I am> sent before him.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, <I am> not the Christ, but, that <I am> sent before him.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, <I am> not the Christ, but, that <I am> sent before him.

26149 John 3 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, <I am> not the Christ, but, that <I am> sent before him.

26218 John 5 7 The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while <I am> coming, another steppeth down before me.

26254 John 5 43 <I am> come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

26293 John 6 35 Jesus said unto them. <I am> the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

26296 John 6 38 For <I am> come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

26299 John 6 41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, <I am> the bread which came down out of heaven.

26300 John 6 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, <I am> come down out of heaven?

26306 John 6 48 <I am> the bread of life.

26309 John 6 51 <I am> the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

26357 John 7 28 Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence <I am>; and <I am> not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

26363 John 7 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where <I am>, ye cannot come.

26365 John 7 36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where <I am>, ye cannot come?

26394 John 8 12 Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, <I am> the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

26398 John 8 16 Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for <I am> not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

26Matthew0 John 8 18 <I am> he that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

26405 John 8 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; <I am> from above: ye are of this world; <I am> not of this world.

26406 John 8 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that <I am> `he', ye shall die in your sins.

26410 John 8 28 Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that <I am> `he', and `that' I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.

26440 John 8 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, <I am>.

26446 John 9 5 When <I am> in the world, <I am> the light of the world.

26450 John 9 9 Others said, It is he: others said, No, but he is like him. He said, <I am> `he'.

26489 John 10 7 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, <I am> the door of the sheep.

26491 John 10 9 <I am> the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.

26493 John 10 11 <I am> the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

26496 John 10 14 <I am> the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,

26518 John 10 36 say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, <I am> `the' Son of God?

26539 John 11 15 And <I am> glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

26549 John 11 25 Jesus said unto her, <I am> the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;

26607 John 12 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where <I am>, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.

26627 John 12 46 <I am> come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.

26644 John 13 13 Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so <I am>.

26650 John 13 19 From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that <I am> `he'.

26664 John 13 33 Little children, yet a little while <I am> with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.

26672 John 14 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where <I am>, `there' ye may be also.

26675 John 14 6 Jesus saith unto him, <I am> the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

26679 John 14 10 Believest thou not that <I am> in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

26680 John 14 11 Believe me that <I am> in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

26689 John 14 20 In that day ye shall know that <I am> in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

26701 John 15 1 <I am> the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

26705 John 15 5 <I am> the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.

26759 John 16 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and `yet' <I am> not alone, because the Father is with me.

26770 John 17 10 and all things that are mine are thine, and thine are mine: and <I am> glorified in them.

26771 John 17 11 And <I am> no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we `are'.

26774 John 17 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as <I am> not of the world.

26776 John 17 16 They are not of the world even as <I am> not of the world.

26784 John 17 24 Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where <I am>, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

26791 John 18 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, <I am> `he'. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

26791 John 18 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, <I am> `he'. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.


26792 John 18 6 When therefore he said unto them, <I am> `he', they went backward, and fell to the ground.

26794 John 18 8 Jesus answered, I told you that <I am> `he'; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

26803 John 18 17 The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also `one' of this man's disciples? He saith, <I am> not.

26811 John 18 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also `one' of his disciples? He denied, and said, <I am> not.

26823 John 18 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that <I am> a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

APPENDIX:

(1) Interesting item from an anonymous Bible scholar who identifies himself only as 'Dave,' but his writings clearly make evident his/her knowledge in the area of 'I am':

"Therefore, just as the KJV translates EHYEH as "I will be" in Exodus
3:12, we would want to do the same in Exodus 3:14. We thus come up with
a translation of "I will be what I will be." While it is not argued that
"I am" is an impossible translation, it simply is not the best.

What though of the Greek Septuagint? Does this support "I AM" as God's
name? After all, it does use the present tense EGW EIMI. However, a
complete examination of the verse must be considered. Here is the entire
text from the LXX version of Exodus 3:14:

KAI EIPEN hO QEOS PROS MWUSHN EGO EIMI hO WN KAI EIPEN hOUTWS EREIS TOIS
ISRAHL hO WN hAPESTALKEN ME PROS UMAS

We find that EHYEH ASHER EHYEH here is translated as EGW EIMI hO WN,
while EHYEH's third appearence is translated again as hO WN. Brenton
thus provides the following the translation.

LXX Exodus 3:14 And God spoke to Moses, saying, I am THE BEING; and he
said, Thus shall ye say to the children of Israel, THE BEING has sent me
to you.

See part 3 of 'I am'
 
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iris89

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Part 3 of 'I am'


In the LXX, God identifies himself as "the being" or "the existing one."
Not the "I am." Here the pronoun and verb EGW EIMI serve to identify who
he is claiming to be, nothing more. He then again identifies himself as
the hO WN.

We thus see that nothing can derived here as God's name being the "I AM"
or, as many like to call him, "the Great I AM."

ANI HU
The Hebrew words ANI and HU are both pronouns, literally translating to
I and HE. Many consider this to be a type of proper identification for
God. You will generally find this translated as "I am he," as "am" is
considered to be implied. We will now consider each of the verses in
Isaiah to see if this is being used as a proper identification or simple
as an identification with the pronoun he being derived from who he has
previously identified himself as.

Isaiah 41:4 Who has planned and done it, calling forth the generations
from the beginning? I Jehovah am the first and the last; I am He.

This verse has Jehovah identifying himself as Jehovah and the first and
the last. He asks the question of, "Who has planned and done it, calling
forth the generations from the beginning." By the use of ANI HU after
stating who he is, he explains that he is the person doing it in answer
the question presented.

Isaiah 43:10 You are My witnesses, says Jehovah; and My servant whom I
have elected; that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am
He. Before Me there was no God formed; nor shall any be after Me.

Here Jehovah again uses the _expression, but is he again using this as a
proper identification, or simply expounding on what he said? We find
that this identification is in reference to verse 3, where he states who
he is.

Isaiah 43:3 For I am Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, your
Savior. I gave Egypt for your atonement; Ethiopia and Seba instead of
you.

We can be certain that verse 10 is a reference back to this, as Jehovah
is explaining that he is truly their God, none other.


Isaiah 43:13 Yea, from this day I am He, and no one delivers from My
hand. I will work, and who will reverse it?

The context here is Jehovah speaking in reference to the one delivering
salvation. So when God says "I am he," how should we take this?
Contextually as being their savior.

Isaiah 43:11 I, I am Jehovah; and there is no Savior besides Me.

The next verse is very simple to see, as the reference is provided in
the same verse. Notice the text in bold providing our answer.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am He who blots out your trespasses for My sake;
and I will not remember your sins.

The following verse requires a wider look at the context, but it does
nevertheless provide our answer.


Isaiah 46:4 Even to old age I am He; and I will bear to gray hair; I
made, and I will carry; and I will bear and deliver.

The context here is speaking of how the idol gods are nothing. God is
telling us that he is the true God.

Isaiah 45:21 Declare and bring near; yea, let them consult together. Who
has revealed this of old; who has told it from then? Is it not I,
Jehovah? And there is no God other than Me; a just God and a Savior;
there is none except Me.

Isaiah 46:9 Remember former things from forever, for I am God, and no
one else is God, even none like Me,

The reference here is then clearly that of Jehovah being truly God and
the true savior, in contrast with the idols.

This next verse is simply Jehovah answering that he is the one who was
identified.

Isaiah 48:12 Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel My called: I am He; I am
the First; surely I am the Last.

Isaiah 48:2 For they are called of the holy city, and rest themselves on
the God of Israel; Jehovah of Hosts is His name.

And so, we find that it is said that Jehovah is the God of Israel, and
then he identifies himself as that one.

The following two verses have a definite predicate, thus answering the
question of identification in themselves.

Isaiah 52:6 So My people shall know My name thus in that day; for I am
He speaking. Behold Me!

Isaiah 51:12 I, I am He comforting you. Who are you, that you should
fear from man? He shall die! And from the son of man? He is given as
grass.

Jehovah is thus the one speaking and the one comforting. There is no
quazi-proper name being used. Simple self identification.

One final use of ANI HU for God is found in the Pentatuch. Yet, it is no
different than any of verses we have already considered.

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, I am He, and there is no other God
with Me. I kill, and I keep alive. I wound and I heal, and there is no
deliverer from My hand.

Who is he?

Deuteronomy 32:36 For Jehovah will bring His people justice; and He
shall have compassion on His servants, for He sees that their power is
gone, and only the imprisoned and abandoned remain. 37 And He will say,
Where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge?

The Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament explains this
very clearly:

"The repetition of "I" is emphatic: "I, I only it," as an _expression of
being; I am it, e???´ e??µ?, Joh_8:24; Joh_18:5. The predicate Elohim
(vid., 2Sa_7:28; Isa_37:16) is omitted, because it is contained in the
thought itself, and moreover is clearly expressed in the parallel clause
which follows, "there is not a God beside Me." Jehovah manifests himself
in His doings, which Israel had experienced already, and still continued
to experience."

It is not logical to conclude that ANI HU is some type of proper
identification of God. For example, we also find ANI YWHW ("I [am]
Jehovah") throughout scripture.

Further, even King David used ANI HU of himself at 1 Chronicles 21:17,
again showing that it is not a proper identification of God.

Now though ANI HU are both pronouns, they are often translated as EGW
EIMI in the LXX (EIMI is a verb). Yet, as we have already seen, this is
not functiing as a proper name, but is dealing with refering back to an
identification that has already been provided.

While we have already seen that there really is nothing to connect to
the Hebrew scriptures with EGW EIMI and ANI HU, we will still make a
consideration of the Greek New Testament, making it clear that there is
no divinity being expressed by the use of EGW EIMI." [source, anonymous known only as Dave]

(2) Jesus identifies himself as the one "sent" by a superior, he did not
come of his own accord (Jn.8:16,29,42,). This superior is identified
as "Father" and "God" (8:54). Is not the sender
The superior of the one sent? (Jn.13:16 cf Jn. 14:28). Jesus does
nothing of his "own initiative" and he can only speak what he
was "taught" by the Father (8:28). Jesus does not seek his own
glory, but God's and "keeps His word" (8:50, 54). Could this be said
of Almighty God?
So why do the Jews try to kill him? Probably for the same reason
that they stoned Stephen. Does this mean that Stephen was claiming
equality with God?
Let us look at the context even more closely:
Jesus says they will die (v.21)
Jesus says they are killers (v.37,40)
Jesus says their Father is not God (v.41)
Jesus says their Father is Satan (v.44)
Jesus says he is above Abraham (vss. 53-58)
Says A Rabbinic Anthology, "So great is the [merit] of Abraham that
he can atone for all the vanities committed and lies uttered by
Israel in this world." (London, 1938, C. Montefiore and H. Loewe, p.
676)
It was only after all this, and after FIVE "I AM's" [EGW EIMI vss.
12, 18, 24, 28, 58] that they tried to stone him. The Jews did not
understand the I AM to mean that he was saying he was Jehovah, they
were upset at him for elevating himself above Abraham, and this is
only heightened by the fact that he was hurling the above rebukes at
them, simply put. [source, Maria Delgado de Rio Piedras]

Your Friend in Christ Iris89
 
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Hi Everyone:

Here is my discourse below in done in 'Sola Scriptura" methodology and completely referenced to not only book, chapter, and verse of the Bible, but to which translation it was taken from in the most honest possible way of presentation of Bible information. It is over 95% pure Bible scriptures 'talking' directly to you and NOT the words of a man or a woman. Start learning from it and give not into endless and useless speculation. Do not be ever learning, but never really knowing anything as the old Spanish Moor proverb goes [obviously this is a translation and not the original words of this proverb.]

Discourse on What God (YHWH) Considers Acceptable Worship:

INTRODUCTION AND FOREWORD:

Obedient followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ are required to worship his Father (YHWH), and Zephaniah 2:10-11 shows how important this is, "This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of hosts. 11 Jehovah will be terrible unto them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one for his place, even all the isles of the nations." (American Standard Version, ASV), clearly showing that God (YHWH) takes the matter of worship to him as extremely important. However, not all worship is acceptable to God (YHWH), as affirmed at Matthew 15:9, "But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men" (ASV), here alluding to false doctrines and myths contrived by men.

This fact is clearly revealed at 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons. 21 Ye cannot drink the cupof the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons." (American Standard Version; ASV). In fact, much worship must NOT be pleasing to Almighty God (YHWH) as the Bible clearly shows that most of humanity is following the broad path to destruction at Matthew 7:13-14, "Go in by the narrow gate; for broad and roomy is the road that leads to destruction, and many are going in by it. 14 But narrow is the gate and hard is the road that leads to life, and few are they that find it." (The New Testament by Charles B. Williams). Also, the Bible reveals that the flock of Jesus (Yeshua) would be small in number at Luke 12:32, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (ASV) showing that Jesus' (Yeshua's) footstep obedient followers would be small in number, yet great numbers claim to be Christian, and this fact clearly indicates that many must really be counterfeit Christians. How so?

Let's consider the fact that all writings and concepts should be judged with respect reliability strictly by whether they are in accordance with God's written word or contrary to it. True Christians should not waste time on profitless things, and at Titus 3:8, " This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Authorized King James Bible; AV). So let's keep focused on Biblical truths and not trivial of man which profits nothing. Remember, "Nothing becomes truth because the majority believe it is true, truth stands alone not dependant on numbers believing it." (Preacher Iris, 2003).

MANY UNKNOWINGLY WORSHIP FALSE GODS:

Many do not take the time to investigate whether their form of worship is acceptable to the Creator (YHWH) and end up worshipping false gods as revealed by Habakkuk 2:18, "What doth the graven thing avail, because the maker thereof hath graven it, a molten, and a false image? Because the forger thereof hath trusted in a thing of his own forging, to make dumb idols." (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible; DRCB). Many for example participate in celebrations that are ostensibly Christian but when their roots are examined, they are found to be of pagan origin; whereas, footstep followers are only admonished to keep one celebration according to the Bible, as directed at 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, "For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24 and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink `it', in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come." (ASV).

The fact that not even all professedly Christians are worshipping God (YHWH) in an acceptable way was made in the introduction, and the Bible amplifies this fact at Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." (ASV); And Titus 1:16 declares, "They profess to know God, but by their actions they disown Him; they are detestable, disobedient, and useless for anything good." (The New Testament by Charles B. Williams); And the point is made at Luke 6:46-49, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Every one that cometh unto me, and heareth my words, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock: and when a flood arose, the stream brake against that house, and could not shake it: because it had been well builded. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great." (ASV).

WHAT ARE THE IDENTIFYING FEATURES OF TRUE WORSHIP?

Feature one is that worship is given only to the Creator (YHWH), and this point is affirmed at Matthew 4:10, "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (ASV); And at Deuteronomy 5:9, "thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me;" (ASV); And at 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, "For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:" (ASV); And at John 17:3, "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, `even' Jesus Christ." (ASV).

Feature two is that we must have absolute faith in Jesus (Yeshua) Christ as our exclusive personal savior as affirmed at John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." (ASV); And at Acts 4:12, "And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." (ASV); and at 1 John 4:3, "and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the `spirit' of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already." (ASV). This is all important since the Bible shows that Jesus (Yeshua) is the only mediator between God (YHWH) and men at 1 Timothy 2:5, ""For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a ransome for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;" (ASV).

Feature three is that one must rely on God's (YHWH's) written word for our guidance, the Bible as shown at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, ""Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (ASV); And affirmed at 2 Peter 1:19, "And we have the word of prophecy `made' more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:" (ASV); And at John 17:17-19, "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth." (ASV); And at Matthew 4:4, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (ASV).

Feature four is his followers will have an accurate knowledge of his Father (YHWH) and be able to explain it as testified to at Colossians 1:9-10, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard `it', do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (ASV); And at 1 Timothy 2:3-4, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth." (ASV); And at 1 Peter 3:15-16, "but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: `being' ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ." (ASV).

Feature five is to be active in letting others know the truth with respect the word of God (YHWH), in fact this is a command given at Matthew 24:14 by Jesus (Yeshua) himself, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come." (ASV); And at Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (ASV); And at Romans 10:10, "for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (ASV); And at Acts *:1-4, "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison. 4 They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word." (ASV); And at 2 Timothy 4:2, "preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (ASV).

Feature six is to keep oneself separate from the evil world as testified to at John 13:19, "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (ASV); And at james 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, `and' to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (ASV); And at 1 John 2:15-16, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (ASV).

Feature seven is for all those claiming to be footstep followers of Christ to bring their lives into conformance to the ways of God (YHWH) as testified to at Romans 12:2, "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (ASV); And at Colossians 3:5-10, "Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: 7 wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; 8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: 9 lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:" (ASV).

Feature eight is for all worshipers to have Christian 'agage' love among themselves as shown at John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (ASV); And at 1 John 4:20-21, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. 21 And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also." (ASV).

See Part 2 - Discourse on Worship
 
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Part 2 - Discourse on Worship:

ALL TRUE WORSHIPPERS OF GOD (YHWH) HAVE PRACTICED TRUE WORSHIP:

The need for all worshippers of the true God (YHWH) to worship him in truth was shown at Hebrews 11:4, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh." (ASV); And at Hebrews 11:7, "By faith Noah, being warned `of God' concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (ASV); And at Hebrews 11:8-9, "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a `land' not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:" (ASV).

In fact God (YHWH) instructed the nation of Israel in correct worship as shown at Exodus 19:5-6, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine:
6 and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." (ASV); And at Deuteronomy 10:12-13, "And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 to keep the commandments of Jehovah, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" (ASV).

THE NATION OF THE JEWS REJECTS GOD'S (YHWH'S) SON:

Up until the rejection of his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) by the Jews, they had been his chosen people as affirmed at Matthew 21:42-45, "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust. 45 And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them." (ASV); And at Matthew 23:37-38, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (ASV); And at Acts 13:45-46, "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." (ASV).

TRUE CHRISTIANS REVEALED BY GOD (YHWH) BY HIS SON:

All true footstep followers of Christ were not developed by man, but by God's (YHWH's) own Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ as revealed at Hebrews 1:1-2, "God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in `his' Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;" (ASV); And at Hebrews 2:3-4, "how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will." (ASV); And at John 1:14-17, "Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King! 15 They therefore cried out, Away with `him', away with `him', crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified. 17 They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha:" (ASV).

ONLY ONE TRUE CHRISTIAN FAITH:

Many say that there can be many 'paths' to salvation, but the Bible clearly shows that true worshipers of God (YHWH) are not scattered in many different paths or faiths at Ephesians 4:1-6, "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 `There is' one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all." (ASV); And at 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, "Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and `that' there be no divisions among you; but `that' ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them `that are of the household' of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos: and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?" (ASV).

More is required than sincerely believing as shown at Romans 10:2-3, "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." (ASV); And at James 2:14 & 26, "What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?" and "26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." (ASV).

All true Christians must stay spiritually alert so as not to fall into traps of Satan the Devil and thus fall away from true worship as shown at 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate." (ASV); And at head the warning at 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (ASV).

Beware of false teachings concerning God (YHWH) that the Devil has introduced as shown at Genesis 3:4-6, "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." (ASV).

DEPARTURE FROM TRUE WORSHIP STARTED AFTER THE FLOOD OF NOAH'S DAY:

Shortly after the Flood of Noah's day, the Devil started to lead people astray into false worship as shown at Genesis 10:8-10, "And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before Jehovah: wherefore it is said, Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before Jehovah. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." (ASV); And at Genesis 11:4 & 9, "And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top `may reach' unto heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." And "Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." (ASV).

APOSTASY FROM TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEF WAS FORETOLD IN ADVANCE:

The Apostle Paul gave a warning in advance that many would leave the true Christian faith and become apostate, and in fact this started to happen while he was still alive as recorded at Acts 20:29-30, "I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." (ASV); And at 2 Peter 2:1, "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (ASV); And at 1 Timothy 4:1-2, "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;" (ASV).

A good example of a myth that was adopted as a false doctrine is the Trinity; why is this false doctrine so pervasive and ingrained that few any longer question where it came from or its legitimacy or lack thereof? It is due to a quark of history that many are ignorant of. It came about because in 325 A.D. a pagan Worshipper of the Unconquered Sun, Emperor Constantine wanted religious unity within his empire and cared naught for Bible truth. He called all the known bishops of the so called Christian church to a church council which he himself, a pagan at the time of the council - he claimed to became a Christian on his death bed, and through political prowess got the bishops to agree to incorporate into so called Christianity the principle belief of the pagans in a three-in-one god doctrine in rough form that declared coequality and coeternity for all parts/manifestations of this false doctrine. A historian, Will Durant, had this to say about this, "Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it." [see APPENDIX, ITEM 3 FOR DETAILS].

In fact, the clergy class bear heavy responsibility for false teachings as shown at Matthew 23:13-15 & 33, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye enter not in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering in to enter. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, even while for a pretence ye make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater condemnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves." (ASV); And at Ezekial 34:2-10, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. 4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. 5 And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and there was none that did search or seek `after them'. 7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: 8 As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my sheep; 9 therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: 10 Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them." (ASV).

The Bible also foretold that the majority of the people would want this type of false teaching by the religious leaders at 2 Timothy 4:3-4, "For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables." (ASV); And at Jeremiah 5:30-31, "A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land: 31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (ASV); And at John 3:19, "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil." (ASV).

Clearly, worship that relies on the traditions of men is vain and God (YHWH) dishonoring as shown quite forcefully by Matthew 15:3-9, "And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given `to God'; 6 he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching `as their' doctrines the precepts of men." (ASV); And at Colossians 2:8, "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:" (ASV).

See Part 3 - Discourse on Worship
 
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iris89

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Part 3 - Discourse on Worship:


RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES DONE SIMPLY TO BE SEEN OF MEN ARE NOT PLEASING TO GOD (YHWH):

Many practice religious activities to simply be seen by others such as charitable works in the name of religion and/or going to church or other religious building on Sunday or some other day to be seen by others, but this is detested by God (YHWH) as shown at Matthew 6:1-5, "Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. 5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward." (ASV).

Also, many work to put up salient temples and churches to simply impress others in the community, but this is not required as God (YHWH) can be faithfully worshiped in any adequate facility which is available as shown by Acts &:48-49, "Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in `houses' made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of my rest?" (ASV); And at John 4:20-24, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. 22 Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (ASV).

TRUE CHRISTIANS DO NOT JOIN WITH FALSE WORSHIPERS IN SPIRITUAL BROTHERHOOD:

It is imperative that true Christians do not join with others in spiritual brotherhood as they must not become defiled with false teachings and with those serving this system of things as shown at 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, "Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (ASV); And at 1 Corinthians 10:21, "But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did I spread out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (ASV).

NOW NEAR THE CULMINATION OF THE END TIMES IT IS URGENT TO FORSAKE FALSE RELIGION:

Now, with the Culmination of the End Times close at hand it is imperative to forsake false religion if an individual wants to have God's (YHWH's) approval as shown by Revelation 18:4, "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues:" (ASV); And at 2 Corinthians 6:17, "Therefore: 'Come out of company with them, And separate from them,' the Lord has said, 'And stop touching what is unclean; Then I will welcome you," (The New Testament by Charles B. Williams).

To this end, it may be necessary to change ones religion from that of your parents and/or from that which you adopted later in life as shown by 1 Peter 1:18, "knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;" (ASV); And at 2 Chronicles 29:6, "For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Jehovah, and turned their backs." (ASV); And at Joshua 24:14, "Now therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye Jehovah." (ASV); And at Jeremiah 16:19, "O Jehovah, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, unto thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, `even' vanity and things wherein there is no profit." (ASV).

However, changing to the true religion may bring opposition from ones family and friends, and this was foretold at Matthew 10:34-36, "Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: 36 and a man's foes `shall be' they of his own household." (ASV); And at Luke 12:52-53, "for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law." (ASV).

WE MUST BE FAITHFUL TO GOD (YHWH) AND CHRIST FIRST ABOVE ALL ELSE:

The bible clearly shows that we must first of all be faithful to God (YHWH) and to his only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) above all else at Matthew 10:37, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (ASV); And at Luke 18:29-30, "Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee." (ASV).

In fact real true love for family members can only be shown by setting the right example as testified to at 1 Corinthians 7:12-16, "But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. 13 And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such `cases': but God hath called us in peace. 16 For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

" (ASV); And at 1 Peter 3:1-2, "In the same way you women must accept the authority of your husbands, so that if there are any of them who disbelieve the Gospel they may be won over, without a word being said, by observing the chaste and reverent behaviour of their wives." (the New English Bible; NEB).

Your Friend in Christ Iris89, Ordained Minister of the Gospel attached to Home Missionary Extension Service
 
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Serapha

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iris89 said:
APPENDIX:

(1) Interesting item from an anonymous Bible scholar who identifies himself only as 'Dave,' but his writings clearly make evident his/her knowledge in the area of 'I am':

am'

Hi there!

:wave:


could you cite a source for that anonymous Bible Scholar who identifies himself only as "Dave".


I have an anonymous source that would like have a conversation with your anonymous source.


thanks!


~serapha~
 
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