3.5.3 Erroneous Views of the Godhead
Erroneous Views of the Godhead
THESE ARE FALSE VIEWS!
Sabellianism
Bishop Sabellius taught that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are simply three aspects or manifestations of God
There are three manifestations of one God
Sometimes this is referred to as three personalities
God does not have split personalities
Oneness teaching falls under this category
Refutation to this view
Scripture clearly teaches the plurality of the Godhead
Elohim is a plural noun.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.—Genesis 1:1
Plural pronouns used to refer to God.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness—Genesis 1:18
The Bible reveals there are three persons within One God.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.—1 John 5:7
There are sharp distinctions revealed in Scripture between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The Father sent the Son
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life—John 3:16
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.—John 16:28
The Son returns to the Father
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.—John 20:17
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.—John 16:16
The Father and Son send the Spirit
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:—John 15:26
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.—John 16:7
The Spirit intercedes with the Father
Likewise 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.—Romans 8:26
The Bible defines the oneness of God.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:—John 17:26
The body is one in unity, yet many in person.
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.—Matthew 19:6
Husband and wife become one, yet there are still two persons.
Arianism
Arius
Presbyter of Alexandria about AD 318
Taught the Son is subordinate to the Father
Christ is not eternal in existence
Jesus had a beginning
Jesus is a lesser God
REMEMBER THIS IS THE FALSE VIEW!
Refutation to this view
The Son is God
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.—John 1:1
Jesus is equal with God
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:—Philippians 2:5-6
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.—Colossians 2:9
Christ is eternal.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.—Revelation 1:8
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.—Micah 5:2
This is a Messianic prophecy.
Tritheism
The belief in three Gods
Refutation to this view
Scripture declares there is One God
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:—Deuteronomy 6:4
Singular - Plural - Singular
Jehovah our Elohim is one Jehovah
These three are one (I John 5:7).
One God revealed in three Persons
Not three Gods.
More than one God would be contrary to Scripture.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.—Exodus 20:3
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