What are the main doctrinal differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and mainstream Christianity?

[theJW]

I think you know what I believe? I believe what most Christians believe, that Jesus is the Word of God that is eternally generated from the Father as the source of this Word.

Actually, this may sound a bit aberrant to some, since it is the explanation of the Trinity I've adopted. But that's how I choose to explain how God can be eternal and yet revealed simultaneously in time.

Jesus is an abbreviated form of Deity, while Deity remains in His transcendent, omnipotent existence. Can we worship the Father and the Son at the same time? I should think there isn't any other way! ;) If you acknowledge the reality of a segment of a line, you may, at the same time, be acknowledging the reality of an infinite line.

What about the (Hee-hee) Holy Ghost?

 

[Wrangler]

How would you answer Wrangler?

We all claim to believe it.....so what is “the truth”?

Jesus is the way to eternal life.

 

[David in NJ]

But Randy- do you worship the same God Jesus has?

You do not even know who God is let alone try and tell someone!

 

[theJW]

You do not even know who God is let alone try and tell someone!

Flimsy excuse!

 

[David in NJ]

Flimsy excuse!

Flimsy = Yes

Excusable = No

Acceptable = Yes

 

[theJW]

My God is Jehovah- the One who Jesus serves.

 

[theJW]

Hmmm! Yours must be the Nameless Father, the Holy Ghost-God, and the Son of Them- who serve Themselves!

 

[David in NJ]

My God is Jehovah- the One who Jesus serves.

Since you do not know who JESUS is, you do not know who the FATHER is either.

LORD Jesus Christ tells us the TRUTH.

 

[theJW]

Since you do not know who JESUS is, you do not know who the FATHER is either.

LORD Jesus Christ tells us the TRUTH.

Like when he said his Father was the >>> ONLY <<< True God!

 

[David in NJ]

Like when he said his Father was the >>> ONLY <<< True God!

EXACTLY the Pinnacle of Truth that JESUS made!!!

 

[David in NJ]

Like when he said his Father was the >>> ONLY <<< True God!

Which is His Witness of Truth against your unbelief.....................

 

[Randy Kluth]

What about the (Hee-hee) Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost is not a laughing matter. For Christians, He is God and should be shown the utmost respect, including discussions of Him--regardless of your point of view.

The Holy Spirit, like the Son, is viewed from the vantage point of that line segment, which is the finite sphere of man, or creation. We see God in places, which is a finite perspective of God. And this necessarily distinguishes Him from God in His transcendent existence, above and before all of creation.

 

[David in NJ]

I would refer you to "The Kingdom of the Cults" by Walter Martin. But you've probably heard of him, and cringe at the sound of him?

The JWs resemble Christianity but don't want to be associated with organized Christianity, just like Separatists in the Christian World don't wish to be associated with high churches like Catholicism. It is thought by a number of independent-type churches that organization is evil or worldly, and that the worst thing to ever happen to Christianity is that it became a State Religion.

How ludicrous, but nevertheless.... JWs focus on their particular sect more than Christian denominations do. Many Christian denominations admit that there is authentic Christianity in other denominations. I don't think JWs would do that?

JW religion is, in my view, Arian with respect to questions about the Trinity. Jesus was not "A Word made flesh," but rather, "THE Word made flesh."

So the critical difference between JWs and Christianity is in how Christ is viewed as divine in the Scriptures by Christians, whereas JWs apparently do not see things this way. And if the Deity of Christ is removed, then religious practice becomes, from the Christian perspective, an empty legalistic exercise void of Divine approval and blessing.

Going through the motions lacks the power of the Holy Spirit, and thus cannot truly witness to Christ, except in the form of legalism. Even worse, it results in a lack of any sense of spiritual unity with other Christians, reinforcing the need to be separate and sectarian, which is not a true Christian attribute.

@Randy Kluth says: So the critical difference between JWs and Christianity is in how Christ is viewed as divine in the Scriptures by Christians, whereas JWs apparently do not see things this way. And if the Deity of Christ is removed, then religious practice becomes, from the Christian perspective, an empty legalistic exercise void of Divine approval and blessing.

Going through the motions lacks the power of the Holy Spirit, and thus cannot truly witness to Christ, except in the form of legalism. Even worse, it results in a lack of any sense of spiritual unity with other Christians, reinforcing the need to be separate and sectarian, which is not a true Christian attribute.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BINGO

 

[Aunty Jane]

God’s appointed judge Martin's book is probably still used as an important reference examining the differences of JW and orthodox Christian beliefs. Unlike some who misrepresent various sects, I don't think Martin was ever successfully sued for misrepresenting JW beliefs.

Since satan was going to do to modern Christians (in this time of the end) exactly what worked for him with first century Judaism....why would we bother and waste our time and resources on what was already foretold to take place? Christendom is a mirror image of first century Judaism. History is repeating right under your noses.

A God of order, but not a God of exclusion no. It really depends on your orthodoxy.

Since when has “orthodoxy” been a measure of truth?
If that was the case then nothing could move forward as new ideas and concepts replace old worn out beliefs and ideas that are now of no value.

God’s revelation of truth has always been progressive....we are not stuck in the past with centuries old beliefs that came directly from an apostate church.....one foretold long in advance.
We have moved on and extracted ourselves from that disunited mess. (Rev 18:4-5)

If your belief is heterodox (with respect to traditional Christian beliefs), I can understand why you would want to separate from the orthodox Christian formulas. You can maintain proper order among your own if you don't wish to avoid contamination with outsiders.

So where does “orthodoxy” originate in the church system? All foundational beliefs held in Christendom originate from the Roman Catholic church....Constantine was the prime mover of that false religious counterfeit....a pagan Roman Emperor is responsible for the beliefs you all hold in common....
Concerning Constantine, historian Paul Johnson states: “One of his main reasons for tolerating Christianity may have been that it gave himself and the State the opportunity to control the Church’s policy on orthodoxy and the treatment of heterodoxy.”
He introduced ideas hundreds of years after the apostasy had already weakened the church....and the history of this very unchristian institution is filled with blood and violence....not to mention the pagan Roman religious ideas that were fused with what Christianity had become....(2 Cor 6:14-18)

What passes for “Christianity” today is nothing more than modified Roman Catholicism....and anyone who thinks the Catholic Church represents the teachings of Jesus Christ....is delusional.

The New World Translation Bible had inserted "a God" in the passage. from HERE ...

At the beginning of his classic work on Jesus Christ, John opens with the significant phrase “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was ____.” John 1:1 Throughout the history of the church, the end of this opening classic has been translated “God.” Opposing this translation, the New World Translation, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (the publishing arm of the Jehovah Witnesses) translates the ending “a god.”

As I said, your kind of claim that Jesus is THE Word of God is not orthodox Trinitarianism, but rather, a form of Arianism.

It has similarities, as Arius denied that Jesus was God....but Arius also believe that God was incomprehensible.....an unknowable God. We know God through the teachings and characteristics of his son...to know the son is to know the Father...because he is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” (Col 1:15 NASB) As the firstborn of all creation...that makes him part of that creation. (Rev 3:14)
And how does a visible man become the image of an invisible Being?...only in character and personality.

I rest my case. I've properly identified your belief as Arian in nature. Why deny it, since that's precisely what you've stated you believe? If that's what you believe, own it!

How can I own what I never declared? You declared it but it isn’t the whole truth. Arianism was accepted for quite some time until the trinitarians took over and derailed Christianity again. The God of Israel was not three gods in one head....he was unambiguously.... “one Yahweh”. (Deut 6:4)

In saying Jesus is THE Word, you're saying that at the same time he is less than God, and in fact must be less than God in order to redeem us. Isn't that what you just said? He's an angel or some kind of superior mortal representative of God?

The unique being that became the man Jesus has a God and is called his “servant” and his “high priest”.
Can the “Most High” God serve himself in these capacities? Has he ever? Or have these avenues of service been only open to human servants of his? And since Christ’s priesthood is served in heaven, and he still calls his Father “my God” (Rev 3:12)....it appears as if your pet doctrine is undermined and shown to be false.

Well, that's what you believe about outsiders, that they are not "pigs" but "goats?" So conventional Christians, to you, are "clean animals" who are destined for capital punishment? And JWs conveniently belong to the "sheep" group, who are destined for Eternal Life? Am I right?

To be saved, one has to do more than claim to be a servant of his God....label wearers will not make the cut. A goat in sheep’s clothing is no better off than the wolf who is also disguised the same way.
Jesus knows those who belong to him...We can allow him to decide who is a “sheep” and who is a “goat”, as both are claiming to be “clean” in God’s eyes.

Salvation goes not to the multitude, but to the elect who properly worship, or who at least properly apply for divine mercy. There are many Christians who either are purely nominal Christians or who fail to present a true picture of what they were saved to be and do.

Salvation is open to all who accept the sacrifice of Christ and repent of their sins and bring their lives into full harmony with Christ’s teachings. It’s the “teachings” that determine what a person feels obligated to do..... or to excuse what they fail to do...
For most in Christendom, it is what they fail to do, and they choose to do the opposite of what they profess.
Who is the God that Jesus served? We must serve the same God...not the one invented by the Catholic Church gradually ushered in over hundreds of years after his death and resurrection.
The God of Israel is unchangeable.....so he could not be transformed into a threesome if he never was to begin with. Can you find Christendom’s god in the Hebrew Scriptures?

Nothing personal Aunty Jane--you seem like a nice person and I sometimes like what you say. But we aren't likely to come to any agreement on JW theology being anything other than heterodox from a Christian pov. But thanks for answering nonetheless.

I don't think any group is immune from lackadaisical, untrustworthy adherents of their faith. Why would JWs be any different from Christian churches who suffer some of this?

I never said otherwise.....we will all answer to God’s appointed judge on an individual basis....not as part of a label wearing collective....but having said that, Christians must, of necessity, belong to a global brotherhood who all accept one truth, and who preach one united message in every nation. This is in obedience to the Scriptures...(1 Cor 1:10; Matt 24:14; Matt 28:19-20)

Who are out there preaching this message in obedience to Christ’s command....? When was the last time a member of any church came to my door with the good news of the kingdom? (Acts 20:20; Matt 10:11-14) The answer for me is..... “never”.

If you ever come in to our church I'm sure you'll find some weak, unworthy, or false Christians there. But that's the church that Jesus founded. Let the wheat grow up together with the tares.

True Christians are NOT dotted here and there in a disunited and bickering church system created by men....they are a single separated brotherhood because Jesus has been separating them out for over 100 years now, as the “Gentile Times” run their course in these “last days”.

When Jesus said they would “grow together”...he meant in the world....not in individual churches who teach all manner of things that have no scriptural foundation. All must believe one truth, for the simple reason that truth does not come in varieties or flavours.....or denominations.

Jesus will let us all know soon enough....as we will all stand before the same judge.

 

[PS95]

@Randy Kluth says: So the critical difference between JWs and Christianity is in how Christ is viewed as divine in the Scriptures by Christians, whereas JWs apparently do not see things this way. And if the Deity of Christ is removed, then religious practice becomes, from the Christian perspective, an empty legalistic exercise void of Divine approval and blessing.

Going through the motions lacks the power of the Holy Spirit, and thus cannot truly witness to Christ, except in the form of legalism. Even worse, it results in a lack of any sense of spiritual unity with other Christians, reinforcing the need to be separate and sectarian, which is not a true Christian attribute.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BINGO

Denying Christ's deity is only one part of this catastophe of a religion. Sometime, I will have to read this thread thoroughy. I have a feeling there is quite a bit of rubbish to be set straight.
Jesus did not say it would be simple with false teachers, as it is very deceptive-- and especially if you dont know their little twisted games.
But for now- lets' start with this doosey-
This little discussed one is quite the humdinger-----According to JWs--

-The Watchtower Jesus' death did not pay for our sins.
Since Jesus, was one mortal man He could only pay for the sin of one mortal man, Adam. Adam will not be forgiven though-
How are JW sins paid for?
-When a JW dies physically - they have paid for their sins "by dying" to Jehovah and now have a "clean slate".
People dont like when I use the word , 'forgiven" because they are not actually ever forgiven- they PAID. ---Atoned, if you will. That's why I call them, Self-atoning JWs. (It is a slap to the face of the Lord Jesus.) --They got this- dont need him!

-So why did Jesus die to a JW? uhh.. He died for Adamic sin which means that we now have a path to follow that maybe can lead to everlasting life if you become a JW and in good standing for life, and make it through 1000 yrs on a paradise earth without sinning once! Sin once?= dead.

-Meanwhile, ruling over them from heaven are the JWs who have thier heaven tickets stamped and the apostles along with Michael/Jesus.
ONLY those heaven bound people have been born again, are in the New Covenant, have Jesus as their mediator, are spiritual sons of God, are branches of the true vine, been baptized onto Christ's death, partakers of His flesh & blood,.. etc etc etc..
Those people are the JW version of Catholic "saints" in a way. ..and their 8 man panel of "governing body" are like their little popes. They serve as mediators for the earthly people and make all the silly rules and tell them what the bible says.
You are not to disagree or boom gone and shunned....

You may be asking-- but we all die.. if we pay for our sins when we die then we are all saved? No silly. You must be a JW and die or have been born without ever hearing the Jw version of their new gospel that THEY PREACH-- of the 1914 return of Jesus invisibly when He chose them as best church in 1919. God only does business with them.

-See how that works?

-Jws generally are not upfront about their beliefs, and will only somewhat tell you what I just said ,but in a very convoluded way, so that you dont quite understand, and sounds ever so intelligent.
I gave you the laymans nutshell formula. That is all you need. Trust me. It only gets worse from here.

So tell me- Did Jesus' death pay for your sins?
If not, you may be a JW, or a Bahaii or Muslim, Hindu, Buddist, ..

 

[PS95]

Waiting for your comments JWs. @Aunty Jane @TheHC
We have heard from Keiw and theJw- they ignored the topic totally and yelled about the trinity ...

IF this doesnt make you QUESTION- Nothing will!!

I can't even begin to get my head around this. If you know how your church handled this let me know. I didnt even hear about it from my church at the time because it was all donated. We take care of our own.- My daughter's church delivered several boxes to elderly church members and donated the...

www.christianityboard.com

 

[ReChoired]

Like when he said his Father was the >>> ONLY <<< True God!

You do not understand that phrase.

The Father's nature is His own, underived (Jhn. 17:3).

The Son's nature is from the Father's nature (Jhn. 1:14,18, 3:16,18; Heb. 1:3, 11:17; 1 Jhn. 4:9)

The nature of the Holy spirit is not mentioned in scripture. It is left a mystery. To speak on that which is not revealed to us is a mistake, and silence is rather golden.

Deu_29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.​

Now for phrases “only true God” and “only begotten”: “Mono” & “Gene”

Mono is simply “one”, “only”. Mono is used in conjunction or connection, gene. Gene refers to race or nature (that which is the content of essence), that which comes about or exists through/from another. It's used this way even coming down to our English:

“gene (n.) 1911, from German Gen, coined 1905 by Danish scientist Wilhelm Ludvig Johannsen (1857-1927), from Greek genea “generation, race” (from PIE root *gene- “give birth, beget”). De Vries had earlier called them pangenes. Gene pool is attested from 1946.” - gene | Etymology of gene by etymonline​

That is why the Father is called: monon alethinon theon, ton theon

And because the Son is in the express image of the Father, is called: monogene, logos en o theos

The Father's nature is His own, underived (“true”*), but the Son, because He is the Son has that same nature because of the Father.

True - 168 Synonyms & Antonyms for TRUE | Thesaurus.com
Authentic - 42 Synonyms & Antonyms for AUTHENTIC | Thesaurus.com
Original - 98 Synonyms & Antonyms for ORIGINAL | Thesaurus.com​

It means underived.

So monogene in connection with monon alethinon theon means that the nature of the Son is of the Father and he is the only Son of the Father with that nature of the Father. Created Angels and humans are sons, but not of that same nature as the Father and Son are.

In other words:

The Father is “The only true (underived in nature) God”

The Son is "The only begotten" (derives His nature from the Father because He is the Son), "God"​

Keep in mind, “only begotten” has nothing to do with time, or creation, or coming into existence in these contexts, but and only deals with the existing nature of the Son in relation to the Father. The words are not the same as ‘to generate’, ‘give birth, ‘γεγεννηται’, G1080.

The Father is hierarchially higher than the Son:

Gen_41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.​

 

[ReChoired]

Hmmm! Yours must be the Nameless Father, the Holy Ghost-God, and the Son of Them- who serve Themselves!

That is simply a mistaken notion, not properly understanding the eternal Heavenly Trio.

I think a lot of Christians actually misunderstand these eternal Heavenly Trio, and have confuson in their own minds, and in their own speeches, so hopefully the following may help bring clarity.

GOD – ELOHIYM (THREE PERSONS/BEINGS THAT WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY, AS FAMILY, AS MARRIAGE, AS TEAM, AS CHORD)

“Elohiym” (Gen. 1:1 HOT, etc) x (a lot) (true plural, 3 or greater form), “us” x 4 (plural pronoun), “our” x 3 (plural pronoun): Gen. 1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Isa. 6:8; “we” x 3 (plural pronoun): Jhn. 3:11; “Creators” x 1 (Ecc. 12:1 HOT, “בוראיך”) (plural pronoun) (see also Job 33:4; Isa. 43:7; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Heb. 1:2, 2:10; Rev. 4:11), “Makers” x 3 (Job 35:10 HOT, “עשׂי”) & (Psa. 149:2 HOT, “בעשׂיו”) & (Isa. 54:5 HOT, “עשׂיך”) (plural pronoun); “Holy Ones” x 1 (Pro. 9:10 HOT, “קדשׁים”) (plural pronoun); &c; Verbs are plural in association with Elohiym: Gen. 20:13, “התעו” (wander) connected to Elohiym is plural; Gen. 35:7, “נגלו” (revealed) connected to Elohiym is plural; Deu. 4:7, “קרבים” (nigh) connected to Elohiym is plural; Jos. 24:19, “קדשׁים” (Holy) connected to Elohiym is plural; 2 Sam. 7:23, “הלכו” (went) connected to Elohiym is plural; Psa. 58:11, “שׁפטים” (judge) connected to Elohiym is plural; Pro. 30:3-4, “קדשׁים” (holy) connected to vs 4 with the “name” (of the Father), and that of “son’s name”. Even the word “Adonai” (“לאדני”) is given mostly/majority in the plural (Gen. 18:30; Exo. 34:23; Deu. 10:17; Jos. 3:11,13; Psa. 45:11; 114:7; 135:5; Mal. 1:6).

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(A.) Genesis 1:1 KJB - In the beginning God (H430 ; Elohiym, true plural, 3) created the heaven and the earth. (“God said”, “God made”, “God saw”)​

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(B.) Zechariah 3:2 KJB - And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?​

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(C.) 1 John 5:7 KJB - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (“agree in one”, parallel in 1 Jhn 5:8)​

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(D.) Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJB - And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.​

(1.) The Person/Being of the Father (Mat. 6:9; Luk. 11:2), JEHOVAH (“the LORD”, Gen. 19:24b; Zec. 3:2b), the “Ancient of Days” (Dan. 7:9,13,22), “the only true God” (Jhn. 17:3. “τον μονον αληθινον θεον”), “God” (Psa. 45:7b.; Heb. 1:9b.; Jhn. 1:1b., “τον θεον”), who spoke to the Son:

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(A.) Revelation 4:11 KJB - Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.​

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(B.) Revelation 10:6 KJB - And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:​

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(C). Genesis 1:6 KJB - And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.​

(2.) The Person/Being of the Son, Jesus JEHOVAH ((H3444; H3068) “ישׁועתה ליהוה”; Gen. 49:18; Exo. 14:13; 2 Chr. 20:17; Jon. 2:10; Psa. 119:174 HOT) or JEHOVAH Immanuel ((Psa. 46:7,11) Psa. 46:8,12 HOT, (H3068; H5973; H430), “יהוה ... עמנו... אלהי”), “the LORD” (Gen. 19:24a.; Zec. 3:2a.; Heb. 1:10; Psa. 102:12,25-27; Heb. 13:4-8), “the son of man” (Dan. 7:13), “the only begotten” (Jhn. 1:14,18, 3:16,18; Heb. 11:17; 1 Jhn. 4:9, is basically monogene (μονογενῆ; Jhn. 3:16; Heb. 11:17; 1 Jhn. 4:9) or monogenes (μονογενὴς; Jhn. 1:18) or monogenous (μονογενοῦς; Jhn. 1:14, 3:18)), “the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father” (2 Jhn. 1:3; Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ πατρός), “the express image of his (God, The Father’s) person” (Heb. 1:3; χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως αὐτοῦ), is not “the only true God” (Jhn. 17:3), but being Himself also “God” (Jhn. 1:1c., “θεος ην ο λογος”; Jhn. 1:14,18, 3:16,18; Heb. 11:17; 1 Jhn. 4:9; Psa. 47:5a.; Heb. 1:8,9a.), even “O God” (Heb. 1:9, “ο θεος”), and the “son of man” (Dan. 7:13), the “fellow” (Zec. 13:7), who acted, “made” all things (Jhn. 1:1-3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-3), on behalf of the Father’s will (Pro. 8:22-36; Jhn. 5:30, 6:38), though, a father in His own right (Isa. 9:6; Heb. 2:13; Isa. 8:16,18; Jhn. 13:33), and yet also the perfect Son (Num. 19:2; “without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke”), the “Angel (Messenger)” (Mal. 3:1b) “of the LORD (Father)” (Zec. 3:1); “Michael” (Dan. 10:13,21, 12:1; 1 Thes. 4:16; Jud. 1:9; Rev. 12:7), the great “I am” (Jhn. 8:58; ἐγὼ εἰμί), see also Jhn. 4:26, 6:20,35,41,48,51, 8:12,18,24,28,58, 9:5, 10:7,9,11,14, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1,5, 18:5,6,8, 13:19:

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(A.) John 1:1 KJB - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.​

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John 1:2 KJB - The same was in the beginning with God.​

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John 1:3 KJB - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.​

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(B.) Ephesians 3:9 KJB - And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:​

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(C.) Colossians 1:16 KJB - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:​

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(D.) Hebrews 1:1 KJB - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,​

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Hebrews 1:2 KJB - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;​

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(E.) Genesis 1:7 KJB - And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.​

(3.) The Person/Being of the Holy Ghost/Spirit, the “another Comforter” (Jhn. 14:16), the “Spirit of truth.” (Jhn. 14:17), “Comforter … the Holy Ghost” (Jhn. 14:26), the “LORD” (Zec. 3:2c.), and a father in His own right (Mat. 1:18; Luk. 1:35; 1 Pet. 1:23; Jhn. 1:13, 3:3-8; 1 Jhn. 3:9, 4:7, 5:1,4,18), yet differing than the Father or the Son (Isa. 48:16; Jhn. 14:26):

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(A.) Job 33:4 KJB - The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.​

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(B.) Genesis 1:2 KJB - And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.​

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(C.) Genesis 1:31 KJB - And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.​

 

[ReChoired]

My God is Jehovah- the One who Jesus serves.

Jesus is JEHOVAH jr, called Jesus JEHOVAH in scripture, even JEHOVAH Emmanuel. See previous post.

QUESTION: WHAT IS GOD THE FATHER LIKE; IS GOD THE FATHER AN ESSENCE PERVADING THE UNIVERSE (PANTHEISM, PANENTHEISM)?

God the Father is not a perfume. He is not an aethereal essence pervading the universe. That is pantheism, or panentheism (God is all, or in all, things), both of which are gross heresies and destroys the Gospel itself and would even place God in the sinner, including satan himself, which is a violation of Rev. 3:20, etc. God is omnipresent through omniscience (Psa. 139). What do Christians pray like?:​

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(A.) Matthew 6:9 KJB - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (see also Luk. 11:2)​

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(B.) Matthew 16:17 KJB - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.​

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He, the Father, is a “Person”, even His person (Job 13:8; Heb. 1:3 KJB), of which Jesus (the Son) is the “express image” of. (Quoting from KJB)​

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God is local (Gen. 4:16; Exo. 19:17,21, 20:21, 33:14-15; Num. 23:15; Deu. 5:5; 1 Kin. 19:11), has dwelt among mankind (Exo. 25:8, 29:43-45; Lev. 26:11-12; 1 Kin. 6:11-13, 8:13; 2 Chr. 6:2,18; Psa. 132:14; Mic. 1:2; Hab. 2:20; Zec. 2:10; Rev. 21:3), moves about (Gen. 17:22, 18:33; Exo. 19:20; Num. 12:5, 23:4; Deu. 33:2; Jdg. 5:4; 1 Sam. 4:7; Psa. 47:5, 67:8, 68:7; Jer. 14:8; Eze. 11:23; Mic. 1:3; Hab. 3:3; Zec. 2:13), utilizes modes and means of travel (2 Sam. 22:11; Psa. 18:10, 104:3; Hab. 3:8,15; Zec. 9:14), and the Father and the Son have been seen in their form (Gen. 18:1, 35:9, 48:3; Exo. 24:9-11; 2 Chr. 7:12; Job 42:5-6; Isa. 6:1; Eze. 1:26-27, 8:1-2,4; 43:2-3; Dan. 7:9-10; Amo. 9:1; Rev. 4:2-3).​

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Notice “His person” (Job 13:8; Heb. 1:3), “form of God” (Php. 2:6), “shape” (Jhn. 5:37), “image” (Gen. 1:26,27; Heb. 1:3), “likeness” (Gen. 1:26,27), “being” (Act. 17:28), having “parts” (Exo. 22:32), has a very real movable “Throne” on which He sits (Dan. 7:9-10; Rev. 4-5, &c), has “the hair of his head like the pure wool” (Dan. 7:9), has a “face” (Gen. 32:30; Exo. 33:11,20; Deu. 5:4, 34:10; Mat. 18:10; Rev. 20:11), with “eyes” (2 Chr. 16:9; Pro. 22:12; Rev. 1:14, 2:18, 19:12), with “nostrils” (2 Sam. 22:9,16; Psa. 18:15), able to hear and has “ears” (Num. 11:18, 14:28; 1 Sam. 8:21; 2 Sam. 22:7; 2 Kin. 19:28; 2 Chr. 7:15; Psa. 18:6, 34:15, 130:2; Isa. 5:9, 37:29; Jam. 5:4; 1 Pet. 3:12).​

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God is a Soul ((Living Being with form), Jer. 5:9), and is a Spirit (thus having a mind (Intelligence), Mat. 12:28), has a “mouth” (Num. 12:8; Deu. 8:3; Jos. 9:4; 1 Kin. 13:21; Psa. 33:6; Pro. 2:6; Isa. 1:20, 40:5, 58:14, 62:2; Jer. 9:12,20, 23:16; Mic. 4:4; Rev. 1:16), has a “tongue” (Psa. 35:28, 66:17, 71:24, 119:172; the Son praises the Father; Isa. 30:27), has “lips” (Job 11:5, 23:12; Psa. 89:34; Isa. 30:27), has “teeth” (Gen. 49:12) and expresses emotions (Grieved (Gen. 6:6; Jdg. 10:16; Psa. 78:40, 95:10; Eze. 16:43; Heb. 3:10); Jealous/love (Exo. 34:14; Deu. 4:24, 32:21; Psa. 78:58, 79:5; Isa. 42:13; Eze. 38:19; Zep. 3:8; Zec. 8:2; 1 Cor. 10:22); Anger (Num. 12:9; Deu. 32:22; Jdg. 10:7; 2 Sam. 22:8; Job 19:11; Psa. 2:5, 7:11, 21:9, 90:11; Isa. 28:21, 30:30, 66:15; Jer. 30:24; Lam. 2:3, 3:43; Eze. 5:13, 38:18; Hos. 12:14; Nah. 1:6); Hates evil (Psa. 5:5-6, 11:5; Jer. 44:4; Rev. 2:6,15); takes vengeance/justice (Deu. 32:34-35,41-43; Psa. 94:1; Isa. 1:24, 34:8, 66:6; Jer. 46:10; Amo. 2:13; Nah. 1:2; Heb. 10:30)), with organs of speech and breath (Num. 12:8; Psa. 18:8; Isa. 30:27-28; Rev. 1:15), speaks with a language that is understood (Exo. 3:4, 19:19, 20:19,22; Lev. 1:1; Num. 7:89, 12:4, 22:9; Deu. 4:12,33,36, 5:24-26; 1 Kin. 19:12-13; Psa. 68:33; Jer. 25:30; Eze. 43:6; Joe. 2:11, 3:16; Amo. 1:2; Act. 7:31; Heb. 12:19,26), laughs and ‘sleeps’ (Psa. 2:4, 59:8, 78:65), sings (Zep. 3:17), rejoices (Deu. 28:63, 30:9).​

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Keep in mind that the Father creates by His spoken word, not as like mankind does through ‘procreation’ by unification of genetic material from the male and female. The LDS ideology errs here.​

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God has “shoulders” (Deu. 33:12), wears garments (Job 29:14), “whose garment was white as snow” (Dan. 7:9), wears a crown(s) (Isa. 62:3; Rev. 19:12), and sometimes the Son dresses as priest (Dan. 10:5-9; Rev. 1:13-16), and sometimes the Son dresses as King (Rev. 17:14, 19:16), and sometimes the Son dresses as Warrior (Exo. 15:3, 17:16; Jos. 5:13-15; Isa. 66:16; Jer. 14:9, 21:5; Zec. 14:3).​

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God has “arms” (Isa. 51:9, 53:1; Jhn. 12:38), has a “right hand” (Rev. 5:1; Act. 7:55-56), so has “hands” (Gen. 49:24; Exo. 33:22; Deu. 33:27; Psa. 21:8, 74:11, 89:13, 118:16; Isa. 52:10; Hab. 3:4), having “fingers” (Exo. 8:19, 31:18; Deu. 9:10; Psa. 8:3; Luk. 11:20), utilizes weapons (Deu. 32:23; Job 19:12; Psa. 7:12-13, 21:12, 64:7; Isa. 34:5; Jer. 50:25; Lam. 2:4, 3:12-13; Hab. 3:9), able to be looked upon, “to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone” (Rev. 4:2), having His own “nature” (Gal. 4:8), having also “back parts” (Exo. 33:21-23, speaking of the Son, but remember the Son is in the “express image” of the Father; Jer. 18:17), has a “heart” (Gen. 6:6), and “loins” ((H4975; waist to upper thighs, see 1 Kin. 18:46), Eze. 1:27), able to sit on posterior (Dan. 7:9; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 10:12; Rev. 4:2) and even a “divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4), having “feet” (Rev. 1:15); see also “under his feet” (Exo. 24:10, speaking of the Son, as the Son is in the “express image” of the Father; Psa. 18:9), and so walks (Gen. 3:8; Psa. 104:3).​

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Most simply say that these are symbolic, or 'anthropormorphisms' which actually attempts to make God in mankind's image, when in reality, mankind was made by JEHOVAH Elohiym, in Elohiym's "image", "likeness", which includes "form", "shape", "parts", &c.​

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They etherealize the Father into non-things, and claim God is omnipresent in His person placing Him in the sinner, and some cases, make Him the sinner (pantheism, or panentheism). Let's address this now.​

 

[ReChoired]

Hmmm! ...

How is God the Father omnipresent? Is it by God the Father's person? No, that would teach either pantheism, or panentheism, but it is instead by God the Father's omniscience, as Psalms 139 clearly shows:

Psa 139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.​

Psa 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.​

Psa 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.​

Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.​

Psa 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.​

Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.​

Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?​

Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.​

Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;​

Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.​

Psa 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.​

Psa 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.​

Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.​

Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.​

Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.​

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.​

Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!​

Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.​

Psa 139:19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.​

Psa 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.​

Psa 139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?​

Psa 139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.​

Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:​

Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.​

The Bible teaches God the Father is local, and moves bodily:

Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.​

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2Sa_22:11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.​

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Psa_18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.​

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Psa_104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:​

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Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.​

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Rev 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.​