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So far Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth has really gone into some depth in terms of apostolic instruction on the way to live and be in that day and age.
He has addressed marriage at length and at this point in his address he speaks about the Christians relationship to idols.
We remember that idolatry was almost the universal practice of the Greeks and there in Corinth was a temple dedicated to Diana.
Where there are idols there are sacrifices to idols – and sometimes those sacrifices included edible items that could be later consumed by others – including Christians.
And so here in chapter 8 Paul writes:
1st Corinthians 8.1-6
June 3rd 2018
Milk
1st Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
So the question at hand – is it okay for Christians to partake of the meat that had been offered in sacrifice to idols?
Now, the answer to this specific questions probably doesn’t have application to any of us directly but the Principle certainly applies – which we will talk about in a moment.
In any case, getting back to them there would certainly be a conversation going on among the Corinthian Christians over this.
See, when those sacrifices were made to heathen gods, a part of the animal was given to the priest that officiated, a part was consumed on the altar, and a part (probably the principal part) was the property of him who offered it.
This part was either eaten by him at home, as food which had been in some sense consecrated or blessed by having been offered to an idol; or it was partaken of at a feast in honor of the idol, or it was in some instances exposed for sale in the market, in the same way as other meat was sold.
Therefore, Paul is addressing whether it would be right to partake of that food, either when someone was invited to the house of a heathen friend or when it was offered up for sale in the market.
To a Jew there would probably be a natural objection to eating it because it was once part or tied to pagan rites and rituals.
Then, probably more among gentile converts, there were those who would have eaten such meats without an issue.
Within the body these various opinions could have caused division.
From the words of Paul the converted Gentiles probably had the right take on the subject – idols and the offerings to them have no power or meaning in the world.
But there was an approach or attitude that Paul adds to the matter that must be considered and which we will get to shortly.
So we begin by reading:
Now as touching things offered unto idols, (concerning the topic) we know that we all have knowledge (OR this is a subject we all readily understand. It is all around us and as Christians we get all the nuances of what eating it might mean or what it might not mean. The topic has been hashed and rehashed over and over again. But then Paul adds in connection to the knowledge and wisdom of the subject surrounding eating things offered to idols . . .) “knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
What does this mean? I think Paul is saying:
Knowing all the angles of an argument can lend to us becoming proud or arrogant of matters. To me, I think this comment is directed in all probability to the Jews who had converted after coming out from under the ceremonial law.
They probably had every reason under the sun to explain why eating meats offered to idols was forbidded – and could probably argue their points really well.
This is the result of long exposure to legalistic thinking – those in possession of such knowledge have the tendency to get “puffed up,” and since the Law of the Jews was centralized in the external, there is typically some great judgment placed on people who have greater liberty when associating with “external things” (like meats offered to idols, properties owned by reprobates, stocks representing questionable business with questionable products and services and on and on and on.
There is an author named Robert Pirsig who tells the story of a country church that was beloved by the people going up for sale and the townspeople going ballistic when a local bar decided to buy it and move locations.
This is akin to what is happening here. There are people who place a great deal of meaning in material associations and there are others who see little intrinsic meaning in anything on earth.
That is not the issue, really. The issue Paul is addressing is how do the two types get along in this world?
So he begins by plainly stating that KNOWING tend to puff people up who are involved in the debates.
Scribal knowledge of the law, and knowing all the in’s and outs why something should or should NOT be is not the answer.
Paul was trying to get them away from this thinking. So he starts off with
“knowledge puffed up, and made us proud, and that we should be careful lest it should lead us astray by our vain self-confidence.”
He proves the fallibility of knowledge by saying right out of the gates, “all” have knowledge – but this fact did not stop all from having issues between themselves over how the situation should he managed.
So he addressed the situation quickly and provides the solution, saying:
1st Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
A we are presented with the grand rule of the faith – agape love, translated charity here in the King James.
Knowledge of things can puff people up and create division bu agape love edifieth – the Greek word being OI-COD-OHM-EO – which means builds up.
Such an important word in the Christian vocabulary – OI-COD-OHM-EO – real Christian love builds up. Therefore, the rule of thumb (which Paul is going to give us in a minute) is whatever action or words build the situation and people involved up, that is the attitude or action to take.
We are going to return to his use of this word when it comes to speaking tongues and spiritual gifts in chapter 12, but for now, lets apply it to the eating of meats offered to idols. (Paul continues – verse 2 – and says something that really clears the deck. He says):
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing (like about the subject of eating meats offered to idols) he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
All the knowledge in the world means zilch if it is not accompanied, perhaps even set back behind, agape love.
We all know the score when it comes to sacrificial offerings of meat to idols around here he says.
We know that the idols are not the true and living God, we know that they are often associated with dark arts, that they are associated with prostitution and sexual depravity, and that the idols represent some egregious things which are contrary to the Christian God. This stuff is known.
But if you are using your legal stance to reject such food OR if you are using your liberty to eat such food without considering the feelings of others around you, you are failing in your love.
So at this point he begins to lay down his advice as a “living, chosen, trained will- die-for-his-witness Apostle,” saying:
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
An idol – what is it really? Does it have any power? Any ability? Can an idol create live or matter out of nothing.
Can it stop the storming seas or set the north star? No. And idol is NOTHING in the world – especially when compared to the True and Living God.
The whole thing is delusive and frankly absurd – and frankly, in my personal opinion to fear or give any idol attention is ridiculous.
They are nothing in the world. If they are wood they are firewood. If they are tin they can melt. If they are stone they can be chipped and smashed.
They are insensate and have zero capacity to speak, hear, taste, eat, smell or take action.
If I was living in that age I would have been an iconoclast because they are insipid lying powerless diversions that take peoples eyes off the real thing.
So if all I just said is true, and the idols are dead and dumb, then the foodstuffs offered up to them are untainted too.
Therefore, Paul’s advice seems to be that there is no danger in partaking of the food offered in sacrifice to them.
Forget the false superstitions that we tend to associate with such associations.
Paul summarizes the point by saying that an idol is nothing in the world.
It’s an interesting reference or word choice since in Hebrew the word for idol is “elilim (from the singular Elil) which means vain, null, nothing-worth, nothingness, vanity, weakness, etc.; indicating their vanity and powerlessness in the world.
To provide the opposing view he adds:
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
This line hearkens back to what the Jews called the Great Shema:
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE LORD.”
Straight up pure monotheistic worship of the true and LIVING God – not false dead or dying gods – the True and Living God.
So Paul’s point seems to be , “look – we know there is no power in idols and that there is only on true God.
Eating meat sacrificed to false fake crumbling idols was not going to change any of that . . . HOWEVER . . . let’s not let our understanding and knowledge of all of this ride roughshod over the minds of those who might be more sensitive to such things (which he will touch on in a few verses. But before doing so he offers up a great set of passages, saying at verse 5)
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
For though there be “that are called gods.”
Now, in the King James the translators to English took the liberty to write gods with a lower case. And then in verse six write God with an upper case.
But it was purely the context of the messages that allowed them to do this as the word is theos in both cases no capitalization applied.
Additionally, Paul has said in verse four that in this world “idols are nothing” and these words tells us that whatever gods are seen as gods in this world not one of them deserve an upper case G.
So there’s no problem with the liberties that the King James took.
In verse five, even though he has said that in this world idols are nothing, he admits that the earth is full of gods and lords – adding,
“Whether in heaven or on earth,” which I interpret at gods said to reside in heaven and gods said to reside on earth.
Perhaps there may be allusion here to the sun, moon, and stars when he says, in heaven but he may just be referring to celestial deities said to reside in heaven, though they were supposed occasionally to visit the earth (like Jupiter, Juno, Mercury, and others).
And when he says, “Or in earth,” he may be speaking of the gods said to dwell here like Neptune or Ceres.
Here Paul says a line (planted in a parenthetical reference) that has been used by our LDS friends to what they think is their theological advantage:
(as there be gods many, and lords many,)
Of course people like the LDS will suggest that Paul is admitting to many gods (with a Capital G) but all he seems to really be admitting to here are idols that people consider gods and lords which are in fact, nothings.
Of course, this cannot be an admission by Paul that they were truly many gods and lords that ought to be worshipped, but it is a certainly a declaration that the world itself seems to believe this to be so.
In fact, Paul states that there are many. I thought I’d pull up a few lists to show you all what Gods are out in the world.
Ready? They can be broken down into a few groups:
First the Theists (belief in God).
Includes . . .
Deists – belief in one God who does not intervene
Duelists – believe in two Gods of opposing natures
Monotheists – one God only
Polytheists – more than one
Then the atheists (or no belief in a god)
So let’s hear some.
Description
God(s)?
Heritage
Area of Origin
Amish
Peaceful Christian fundamentalist group famous for its rejection of technology and strict adherence to OT and NT laws
Monotheist
Christianity
NOT GOING TO EVEN COVER ancestor worship
Belief that good relations need to be kept with tribal ancestor spirits. Often a form of Shamanism
Not defined
Natural thought
NOT GOING TO EVEN COVER
animism
The belief that all objects contain spirits. More a traditional form of belief than a “religion” in the Western sense
Not defined
Natural thought
Asatrú
A modern uptake of Nordic religion
Polytheist
Scandinavian folklore
Aum Shinrikyo
Dangerous and violent religious community responsible for the 1995 Sarin gas attack on Tokyo’s subway and other crimes. Eventually they apologized, stopped using the Bible, and formed the more prosaic group called Aleph
Theist
Christianity and Far Eastern religion
Bahá’í Faith
Belief that a series of prophets have come from God, and that Bahá’í is the latest religion founded by God. A liberal offshoot of Islam, but persecuted in Iran
Monotheist
Shi’a Islam
Brahma Kumari
This group are preparing to rule the world after a coming apocalypse, and embrace many practices which are now called New Age
Monotheist
Hinduism
Branch Davidians
Apocalyptic suicide cult famed for its dramatic armed fight against authorities in the town of Waco, USA, in 1993
Theist
Christianity
Buddhism
The belief that meditation and good living can break the cycle of reincarnation and result in enlightenment
Atheist
Hinduism
Celtic Paganism
Modern reconstructions of Celtic paganism form part of the neo-pagan range of religions
Not known
Prehistoric
Chen Tao
A series of civilisations on Earth have arisen but destroyed themselves in nuclear war. Each time, some faithful believers were rescued by flying saucers and put back on Earth
Theist
Christianity and Buddhism
Chinese Religion
A varied cultural religion practiced traditionally on a town-by-town and region-by-region basis
Atheist
Prehistoric
Christadelphians
Bible-based Christianity
Monotheist
Christianity
Christian Apostolic Church In Zion
Fundamentalist Anti-science flat-earth Christian cult, who also predicted the End of the World would occur 4 different times
Theist
Christianity
Christianity
Belief that a single creator god had a son, Jesus Christ, born to a human mother, and that Jesus’ crucifixion by the Romans brings salvation
Monotheist
Judaism6 and paganism7
Concerned Christians
Fundamentalist Christians active in USA, Israel and Greece who expected the end of the world in year 2000, starting with a nuclear attack on the USA, which they appeared to be trying to instigate themselves
Theist
Christianity
Confucianism
A collection of ethical and moral teachings
Atheist
Chinese religion
Dami Xuanjiao
A millenarian cult based on the belief that Jesus would return to judge survivors in 1999. Suspected of being on the verge of mass suicide after predictions of the end of the world failed in year 2000
Theist
Christianity
deism
Belief in a single creator god who is not “personal” and does not have human emotions, and which many believers say does not interact with the world
Monotheist
theism
Divine Lightmission
A self-help religious group involving meditation, with few fixed beliefs
Hard to tell
Hinduism
Druidism
Celtic religion in prehistoric England. Modern reconstructed Druidism is part of the neo-pagan range of religions
Not known/polytheist
Prehistoric
Druze
A semi-secretive esoteric religion with features of a Mystery Religion
Monotheist
Islam
dualism
Belief that either (1) There is a good and evil god of equal, or almost-equal power, or (2) there are two gods, such as a male and female one
Dualist
Natural thought
Ebionites
1st century Jewish Christians, possibly the earliest form of Christianity to exist
Monotheist
Judaism
Eckankar
New Age religion, a mix of Sant Mat, Theosophy and Scientology
Monotheist
New Age
Gnosticism
The belief that we must escape from this world, which was created and is ruled by an inferior and unworthy god, and reunite with the true god
Polytheist
Prehistoric
Hare Krishna
The embracing of Krishna through correct living, honesty, spiritual life and austerity
Polytheist
Hinduism
Heathenism
Modern uptake of Nordic religion. Part of the neo-pagan range of religions
Polytheist
Asatru
Heaven’s Gate
Apocalyptic suicide cult who combined Biblical eschatology with New Age and ideas about UFOs. All 39 members committed suicide in San Diego, USA in 1997
Theist
Christianity and New Age
Hinduism
Cultural religion of India which was historically decentralized and disparate and not a single belief system. Western influence made it into a single religion, an identity which Hindus now accept
Polytheist
Prehistoric
Hookers For Jesus / The Family Of God
Sexually promiscuous group who fell foul of police suspicion. As is often the case, increasing pressure from outside resulted in the group retreating even further into insanity, and they became The Family, predicting the end of the world
Theist
Christianity
Humanism
An organized form of atheism where moral and ethical goodness is emphasized
Atheist
The enlightenment
Islam
Strict monotheism taught by Muhammad, the world’s 2nd largest religion
Monotheist
Judaism
Jainism
Beliefs include non-violence and equality of all living things
Atheist
Prehistoric
Jedi Knights
A campaign saw many put this down as their religion on the UK census in 2001. Midichlorians exist in all living beings, which create a ‘living force’ that can be interacted with
Animist
Science fiction
Jehovah’s Witnesses
A 140-year-old Christian fundamentalist/literalist organisation famous for preaching that the world is about to end (nowadays – because of the existence of the United Nations)
Monotheist
Christianity
Judaism
Organized Judaism emerged from Babylonian writings. Belief that God has a special contract with a Hebrew tribe, involving many specific rules of behaviour
Monotheist
Prehistoric
Mennonite
A Protestant Christian denomination
Monotheist
Christianity
Mithraism
Roman mystery religion that believed that the Son of the Sun was a saviour who was sacrificed for the good of all
Monotheist
Roman mystery religions
monotheism
Belief in a single creator god
Theist
Natural thought
Mysticism
The belief that God is unknowable but accessible, and that doctrinal religion hampers spiritual growth
Not defined
Natural thought
Native American Church
Beliefs vary from tribe to tribe and are sometimes noticeably Christian
Monotheist
The Peyote religion
New Age
A disparate and diverse collection of popular beliefs and practices
Not defined
Counterculture
no religion
The rise secularisation has seen public and private religion decline throughout the developed world
Not defined
Natural thought
occultism
Normally existing within other belief systems, occult systems concentrate on esoteric meanings in texts, often with magical undertones
Not defined
Counterculture
Order Of The Solar Temple
Apocalyptic suicide cult, with mass suicides in Switzerland, France and Quebec, in preparation for Jesus’ second coming
Theist
Christianityand New Age
Paganism
Part of the neo-pagan range of religions
Polytheist
Counterculture
pantheism
God is everywhere, and everything, but is not transcendent and may have no distinct consciousness
Monotheist
Natural thought
Pastafarianism
A parody religion based on worship of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Monotheist
Parody
People’s Temple
Apocalyptic suicide cult that imploded, resulting in the deaths of over 600 adults and 276 children
Theist
Christianity
polytheism
Belief in multiple gods, often in some form of hierarchy
Theist
Natural thought
Raja Yoga
An astika school of Hindu philosophy based around mastering and quieting the mind, involving meditation
Polytheist
Hinduism
Rastafarian
God (called Jah) fathered a black Jesus; marijuana use in rituals
Monotheist
Christianity
Ravidassia
Souls are part of the divine and proper living allows us to realize God
Monotheist
Hinduism and Sikhism
Salvation Army
Christian organisation of evangelists organised along military lines, famous for charity work
Monotheist
Christianity(Methodist)
Santería
A combination of West African, Caribbean beliefs with some elements of Roman Catholicism
Monotheist
Christianity and West African spirituality
Satanism
An atheist religion that uses dark and evil symbology for self-development and anti-religious purposes – Satan itself is not a real being, just a symbol
Atheist
Atheism
Scientology
Derived from the writings of science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, a series of practices called Dianetics is used to clear minds of alien influences and attain a state of mental perfection
Atheist
Science fiction
Shamanism
Belief that Shamans need to keep good relations with tribal ancestor spirits for the good fortune of the whole tribe
Not defined
Natural thought
Shinto
Official collection of practices in Japan, more cultural than religious
Atheist
Japanese culture
Sikhism
Prayer, meditation and self control to become a soldier of God
Monotheist
Hinduism
Spiritualism
The belief that the souls of the dead communicate with the living, mostly through Mediums, but, suffered serious credibility problems with the original founders admitted to fraudulently inventing the ‘rappings’ that formed the communications
Not defined
Christianity and New Age
sun worship
The basis of much symbology used in many subsequent religions
Not defined
Prehistoric
Taoism
A relaxed and peaceful religion based on following and accepting the flow of life
Atheist
Chinese philosophy
theism
The belief in god(s)
Polytheist
Natural thought
Thelema
A magical system of discerning True Will with inspiration from a host of Egyptian gods
Polytheist
Occultism
Theosophy
Mired in fraud arrests and exposés, the Spiritualism scene had soured, so Madame Blavatsky reinvented her routine as a new religion, using an Indian theme
Huh?
Spiritualism and Westernized Indian spirituality
Traditional African Church
A range of Churches ranging from mostly Christian, to those mostly encapsulating native African spirituality
Monotheist
Christianity and African culture
Unification Church
Sun Myung Moon embodied the Second Coming of Christ, and his commercialist church runs a media empire
Monotheist
Christianity
Unitarianism
A liberal and non-Trinitarian Christian church
Monotheist
Christianity
Unitarian-universalism
A liberal and diverse pluralist religion accepting of believers without needing them to leave their current religions
Not defined
Christianity
Unitas Fratrum
A Protestant Christian denomination
Monotheist
Christianity(Protestant)
universalism
Belief that all people go to heaven
Theist
Natural thought
Voodoo
A traditional religion from Haiti with an ethical focus on combating greed and promoting honor
Deist
African traditional theology
Wicca
Neo-pagan organisation based around reconstructed elements of folklore
Dualist
Counterculture
Witchcraft
A description of various cultural practices, which are often part of a parent belief system
Not defined
Natural thought
Yezidism
An ancient religion. Malek Taus looks after the world with 6 other angels. Heavily persecuted by Muslims and accused of Devil Worship
Monotheist
Zoroastrianism and ancient Mesopotamian culture
Zhu Shen Jiao
As this group got more and more excited about establishing a Kingdom of God, in the approach to year 2000, its leaders were arrested amid fears that it would turn into a suicide cult
Theist
The Shouters
Zoroastrianism
An ancient dualistic religion from Iran with one good god (Ahura Mazda) and one evil one (Ahriman)
Dualist
Prehistoric
So, those are some of the “gods many.” But Paul doesn’t stop there. He says:
(as there be gods many, and lords many,)
Are these words interchangeable? If so, why does it sound so strange to say:
“God is my shepherd,” instead of “the Lord is my Shepherd.”
And why does Paul seems to differentiate between gods and lords many by using two different names?
First of all, Paul is speaking about lower case gods and lords here in the world (which he says are “many.”)
We just listed some of the many gods but when it comes to lords there are more. The reason I say this is because generally speaking God is a term for the focal point of focus of adoration and worship of a person – but lord or lords are those we serve and obey.
In other words, a person may have Vishnu as their god while they find themselves serving a dozen lords including money or debt, lust, greed, their boss, the flesh – Lords a many.
We recognize the phrase, “he or she is lording over my life,” so in some ways, gods are the supreme source while Lords may be whittled down to those we choose or are forced to serve.
That is why the term Lord in the Bible is applied to magistrates and kings and masters over slaves more than gods are.
But when it comes to Christianity and the ultimate understanding of God and Lord in the faith, what are the differences.
When we read the word LORD in all capitals (all though small capitals) it is the Hebrew word JEHOVAH (or what is actually spelled YHWH without any vowel markings.
This is God’s personal name which again is translated LORD (in all smaller caps). So in this case we see that LORD is actually MORE intimate a term to describe God than the other word that is translated God, Eloi or Elohim.
Sometimes the Hebrew word translated Lord (Uppercase L lower case “ord”) is adon or adoni – and this means ruler, absolute ruler or leader or husband.
This word is translated to the Greek word, Kurios (in the New Testament Greek) and it means “supreme in authority, master, and/or even sir.”
When the term is applied to Jesus, as in Jesus is Lord, it is used in the sense of “Master of Supreme Authority.”
I am going to differentiate between the two for the moment – not to suggest that Jesus was NOT God with us, but to point out that in scripture Jesus is most frequently described as Lord and Savior with His Father being called God.
Again, they can be and are used interchangeably, but there are some nuanced senses in which we see them in these specific terms alone.
When the Word of God (God’s Words) became flesh and dwelled among us, they dwelled in God’s only human Son, Jesus of Nazareth, born of woman, born under the law.
He was called Emmanuel, because He was God with us, but the with us part was all human – and therefore that representation was NOT God. And this can get a bit confusing.
I like to stop and take time on this subject one because it is not easy (so it needs to be examined and re-examined) and because to KNOW the only True God and Jesus Christ His SON is life eternal, it seems to me to be something important; that knowing them personally over all the other gods and lords in heaven and earth has great meaning.
After saying all that Paul has said thus far here in chapter eight about gods and lords, he gives us verse six which to me is very very plain and escapes manipulation. He has admitted that there are all sorts of gods and lords but at verse six he says:
6 But to us (those who are Christians by faith there, and what I would suggest means here too) But to US . . .there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
FROM WHOM and THROUGH WHOM.
Did you catch these distinctions?
All things did NOT come FROM Jesus – all things came FROM the One God, the Father. But all things (to a Christian) come THROUGH JESUS, GOD’s ONLY SON. They do NOT come THROUGH GOD directly to us – but through His only human Son!
This is really important.
God is the FROM source.
Jesus is the THROUGH source.
Life came from God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Light comes from God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Love came to earth from God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Everything comes from GOD, through His only Human Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!
We get ourselves all muddied up when we start messing around with this well-established order by reordering all of this to make Father, and His Son, and the Holy Spirit the One God.
That is NOT, NOT NOT what Paul chose to say here. He said:
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Of (and From)
By (and Through)
Now, again, I reiterate that God was in the Man Jesus Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.
But its really important to examine the human side of our – OUR – Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Why do we call Him OUR LORD And SAVIOR? Because He was one of us. And by and through Him God did all things – and then gave all things.
I’m gonna wrap today up by pointing out some unique distinguishing elements about God the Father and OUR Lord Jesus Christ – just to help you understand why scripture always refers to Him as the Son of God and not God the Son.
God is all wise, but Jesus grew in wisdom and learned obedience by and through the things He suffered.
Hebrews 5 and Luke
2. God has limitless knowledge, but Jesus had limited knowledge.
Mark 13:32
“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
3. God is, and always has been, perfect, but Jesus needed to attain perfection through his suffering.
Hebrews 2:10
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
4. Jesus received holy spirit at his baptism and God was pleased with Him as His Human Son.
Mark 1:9-11
(9) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
(10) As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
(11) And a voice came from heaven: “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
5. God cannot be tempted, but Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are.
James 1:13
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil and He himself tempts no one;
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
6. God does not need to be strengthened, but Jesus did when in the garden.
Luke 22:43 and 44
(43) An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
(44) And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
7. God cannot die. Scripture tells us that God is “immortal,” which means “not subject to death,” but Jesus died.
In Revelation 1:18 Jesus said:
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
8. Jesus is not ashamed to call us his “brothers,” because we have the same Father he does. The Bible teaches that we are “brothers” of Jesus and “sons of God.” Scripture never says or even infers that we are “brothers of God.” Of course this refers to the brotherhood and sisterhood of Man – which Jesus was – but as a Man he was God the Father’s ONLY human Son.
Hebrews 2:10 and 11
(10) In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
(11) Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
10. Scripture says that God is spirit; yet even after his resurrection Jesus said of himself that he was not a spirit, but flesh and bone.
John 4:23
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
Luke 24:39 (KJV)
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
11. The Bible says that God is not a man, but Jesus is very plainly called a man many times in Scripture.
Numbers 23:19a
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind….
John 8:39 and 40
(39) “…If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did.
(40) As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God….
In fact, Jesus favorite title for himself was Son of Man and the Apostles in Acts always referred to Him as such. Consider
Acts 2:22
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
1st Timothy 2:5 Paul says:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
12. Jesus is called the “son of God” more than 50 times in the Bible. Not once is he called “God the Son.” I suggest that Paul has it right here in verse 6 when he said:
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Let’s stop there.
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Prayer
