Hi Mike,

Thanks for such a fast response!” Anyway, your message cleared up most of it, but I still have an issue with Jesus being called the mighty God, and his name Immanuel meaning God with us. I understand why you wrote that it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, but that still doesn’t explain why he would allow his begotten son to be called God— HIS name. That’s supposed to be his name alone, the ONE true God. Why would he let him be called that since he tells us he is a very jealous God?
Last but not least, the scripture in John about the Word being God and then becoming flesh and dwelling among us, leaves me wondering. He pointedly says that he was with God, was God, and came to live among us.
I apologize if I’m beating a dead horse, but I really want to have all these explained out for me. I feel like I’m on the brink of realization but just can’t quite grasp it…if that makes sense. Old beliefs die hard, unfortunately.
Do you think that people who do believe in the Trinity are sacrificing their salvation?

L____

Hi L____,

I am very glad that you were able to see the scriptures on this subject.
You are so very right, old beliefs die hard, unfortunately”.
It is nothing but your former beliefs that make it hard for you to accept the words you quote to me. Here are your own words:

I still have an issue with Jesus being called the mighty God, and his name Immanuel meaning God with us. I understand why you wrote that it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, but that still doesn’t explain why he would allow his begotten son to be called God— HIS name. That’s supposed to be his name alone, the ONE true God. Why would he let him be called that since he tells us he is a very jealous God?
Last but not least, the scripture in John about the Word being God and then becoming flesh and dwelling among us, leaves me wondering. He pointedly says that he was with God, was God, and came to live among us.

A “jealous God” is not a God who is angry at Himself for calling His Son by His own name. The fact of the matter is that if and when we are in Christ, then we too are ‘gods’.

Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Joh 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Christ here is saying that He is the son of God just as you and I are the sons of God, and therefore “Ye are gods”.

Psa 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

The only reason any of us have any trouble with any of this is because of our “old beliefs”, to use your words.
Sandi just pointed out several verses in Hebrews chapter 1 which I will share with you.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 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; [ aions, ages]
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. [ The firstbegotten was brought into the world]
Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Heb 1:10 And, Thou, Lord [ Christ, “all things are of God, all things are by Christ” 1Co 8:6], in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine [ Christ’s] hands:
Heb 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
Heb 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

I hope this all serves to help you see the truth of Rev 3:14.

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

The scriptures are there. They demonstrate the Truth, which those who are given faith can and do receive.
You are in my prayers that God will given you the faith to simply believe His Word and “let every man [ including me] be a liar”.

Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

When a man speaks the words of Christ, it is not that man speaking but Jesus of Nazareth.

Act 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
Mat 25:40 And the King [ Christ] shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [ it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 It is Christ Himself who equates His followers with Himself, just as the Father considers Christ to be God.
The story of Joseph being made ruler of Egypt should help you to understand how God the Father can call Christ God, and still maintain His own headship. Here is how Christ relates to His Father. Here is how He can call His own Son ‘God’ and still maintain His power over all things.

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.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike