Truth Series

Truth About Respect

Part 3 – The Truth about Respect Series

The doctrine of Jesus’ Oneness movement is not an issue or problem for any popular preachers in Christianity. These preachers never step in to inform the members of their congregations about the doctrine that Jesus’ only group is not Biblical. Maybe; because of fear, they don’t care, are not sure, or are confused. Nothing in the gospel that said Jesus claimed that he is God. Jesus quotes, “Psalm 82- You are gods, all of you, sons of the Highest.”

He was confronted by the Jews who accused Him of blasphemy, which was punishable by death under the law during that time. Jesus being fully God and fully man became a considerable discussion because the growing population believed in the doctrine of Oneness that Jesus and the Father mean “equal to God” (John 10:30).

God has given Jesus full power: the power to give eternal life (5:21-29), Legislative power “Commandment of Love and judge” (5:22, 27; 8:21-30), to be respected and honored (5:23), the power to raise the dead (5:28-29). Chapters 5, 8, 10, and 11 of the gospel of John are related to this doctrine. Jesus will relinquish all the power given to him by the Father and will be in submission to the Father. “But when God puts everything under Christ’s authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, since God had put everything under Son’s authority. Then God will be in control of everything.” 1 Corinthian 15:28GOD’S WORD® Translation

Why are Christians so intimidated when they hear about more than one God? Even those Christians aside from Catholics that believe in the Holy Trinity are not exempted from criticism and Jesus as part of the Godhead. He is a god. I believe when Jesus said, “you are gods,” in Psalm 82:6, it is clear that we can be good like God. This doesn’t mean that we are God or even equal to God. If your last name is Holy and your Father is king Holy, it is automatic that you have a title, eq. Your honor, your highness. In other words, it is about respect.

In Spiritual mode, honoring God the Almighty and the Mighty Son is given, which means praising, and worshipping God because He is our Father, the Savior of humanity. We honor the Son because of His redemptive work when the Father sent Him on a mission. We also address a person as a Reverend when he does a reverential deed worthy of being addressed as Reverend. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine—1 Timothy 5:17

“And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love” 1 Thessalonians 5: 12.

When we honor the Father and the Son, they deserve to be praised because honoring them is not a title but an attribute; that’s why it is different from the physical world. 

When Jesus said they could be gods, they could be gods merely because that word came from God. Anyone who disagrees with Him may think it is an insult because they know very well that they are not worthy to be a god. Firstly, they do not know their Bible very well. Since the accusers of Jesus are legalistic and rooted in believing in One God, anyone that will speak of many Gods is an enemy of their faith, and that is blasphemy punishable by death.

When the church was divided after the success of the reformation, the movement began a noticeable birth of self-righteous Christians who went against other Christians that were not in line with their newfound knowledge. They called themselves reformed/enlightened Christians, who believe they are responsible for carrying the truth across the board to save souls that, sometimes, they are overboard if not overdoing it.

Catholics sometimes become victims of being branded as pagans and other cultic groups. The problem arises when Christians think above their heads; they charge those who disagree with their newfound understanding. When you do not believe in Christ, you are a cult. When you believe in the Father only, you are a cult; when you believe in Christ only, you are a cult. Is this how we want to be identified as an “instigator.” Or troublemakers.

When I saw Christians persecuting other Christians, I felt embarrassed. Being a new born again Christian (Protestant) doesn’t mean we are above other Christians in knowledge and authority. We do not want to be branded persecutors of brothers. Self-righteousness is not the brand we want to hear. The Bible tells us Christians shouldn’t meddle in other people’s business but worry about their affairs. We make observers of our faith confused about our actions.

The doctrine of Jesus’ Oneness movement is not an issue or problem for any popular preachers in Christianity. These preachers never step in to inform the members of their congregations about the doctrine that Jesus’ only group is not Biblical. Maybe; because of fear, they don’t care; they are not sure or confused. Nothing in the gospel that said Jesus claimed that he is God. Jesus quotes, “Psalm 82- You are gods, all of you, sons of the Highest.”

He was confronted by the Jews who accused Him of blasphemy; these people were not confused. They wanted to get Jesus and put him to death. Blasphemy was punishable by death under the law during that time. Jesus being fully God and fully man became a considerable discussion because the growing population believed in the doctrine of Oneness that Jesus and the Father mean “equal to God” (John 10:30).

God has given Jesus full power: the power to give eternal life (5:21-29), Legislative power “Commandment of Love and judge” (5:22, 27; 8:21-30), to be respected and honored (5:23), the power to raise the dead (5:28-29). Chapters 5, 8, 10, and 11 of the gospel of John are related to this doctrine. Jesus will relinquish all the power given to him by the Father and will be in submission to the Father. “But when God puts everything under Christ’s authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, since God had put everything under Son’s authority. Then God will be in control of everything.” 1 Corinthian 15:28GOD’S WORD® Translation

Why are Christians so intimidated when they hear about more than one God? Even those Christians aside from Catholics that believe in the Holy Trinity are not exempted from criticism, and Jesus is part of the Godhead; He is God. I believe when Jesus said, “you are gods,” in Psalm 82:6, it is clear that we can be good like God.

In Spiritual mode, honoring God the Almighty and the Mighty Son is given, which means praising and worshipping God because He is our Father, the Savior of humanity. We honor the Son because of His obedience to the Father who sent him on a mission that cost his life and our freedom from inherited sin. We also address a person as a Reverend when he does a reverential deed worthy of being addressed as Reverend. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine—1 Timothy 5:17

“And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love” 1 Thessalonians 5: 12.

When we honor the Father and the Son, they deserve to be praised because honoring them is not a title but an attribute; that’s why it is different from the physical world. 

When Jesus said they could be gods, they could be gods because that word came from God. Anyone who disagrees with Him may think it is an insult because they know very well that they are not worthy to be a god. Firstly, they do not know their Bible very well. Since the accusers of Jesus are legalistic and rooted in believing in One God, anyone that will speak of many Gods is an enemy of their faith, and that is blasphemy punishable by death.

The Bible tells us Christians shouldn’t meddle in other people’s business but worry about their affairs. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “Be busy with your affairs and do your work yourselves. The result will be a reputation for honesty in the world outside and honorable independence.” Then people who are not Christians will respect how you live, and you will not need to depend on others. This is a bit of good advice to mind our business, and we may be able to avoid the world of an egoistic mind. Our focus will not be blurred, and our minds will not be cloudy and distracted. A pure heart will give us a clear mind. When you respect others, you have already made yourself respectable.

Part 1 — Truth About Free Will Series

Part 2 — Truth On Freedom To Worship Series

Part 3 — Truth About Respect Series

Part 4 — The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit Series

Part 5 — The Truth For Confused Mind Series

Bishop Joseph

Dr. Joseph Vitug, Ph.D. - Bishop Emeritus

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