# 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 #### Polytheism is an erroneous view of God