Question

Why do some believe Jesus is God. When John 1:18 says "No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god who is at the Father’s side is the one who has explained Him." and 1 John 4:12 states "No one has seen God at any time. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us." Yet Jesus was physically on Earth at one time?

Answer 1

jesus is not GOD

Answer 2

I know, but some people do think that ^.^

Answer 3

lol.they must be wrong

Answer 4

two religions or i guess four say jesus was messenger of god

Answer 5

what u think ?

Answer 6

Im really confused o.o lol. What do you mean :p?

Answer 7

lol.in short jesus was messenger of god :P

Answer 8

Ohhh yeah :p
he spoke as God’s representative. He also acted as God’s helper and took part in the creation of all other things too..God sent Jesus to teach people the truth. Jesus taught about God’s Kingdom, a government in heaven that will bring peace to earth.

Answer 9

And..to die for our sins :p

Answer 10

It's more rational and reasonable to say that Jesus, a man was sent down by god, than to say that Jesus is god, and cane down into the flesh, in order to kill himself, to make a point and forgive all of our sins.


Rationality at its best, in my opinion.

Answer 11

.......

Answer 12

Christians. Christians believe that Jesus is God, not just some people lol. I don't understand how the verses you quoted say that he isn't God, though. In fact, different translations of John 1:18 say that he is himself God. For example, the NIV says "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." Of course, the NIV isn't exactly the best translation, but still. But you also made a mistake when quoting this verse. It's "the only begotten God," and the capital "G" is important. Capital "G" means Yahweh. As you pointed out, this verse is clearly talking about Jesus, and it calls him God.

Christians believe in the Trinity, because the Bible mentions the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, but it says that each of them are "God." Using John 1:18 once again, it says that the only begotten God is at the right hand of the Father, which is saying that the Father is separate, but obviously he's still God, and so is the Son.

That's only one verse. But there you go, that's why Christians believe that Jesus is God..

Answer 13

@TheRaggedyDoctor And why do you think this trinity makes sense rationally?

Answer 14

jesus was not god.

Answer 15

@alphadxg Why do you think it doesn't? You described it as God sending himself down to kill himself, but that's not how I look at it at all. The whole point of the Trinity is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate, but one God.

Answer 16

two religions i guess 3 believe that.islam,christianity and jews

Answer 17

Islam doesn't say that Jesus was God.. Judaism definitely doesn't.. but Christianity does.

Answer 18

can u explain how doc?

Answer 19

I already did..

Answer 20

then what abt islam.in islam people say that prophet mohd p.b.u.h has seen GOD.i m sure god wasnt jesus

Answer 21

Yes. I know. I don't believe in Islam lol

Answer 22

i dont believe in christianity .bt jesus was not god i m sure

Answer 23

Oh, well that's fine, then..

Answer 24

ok..jesus was a messenger of god.i believe so

Answer 25

Okay, and I believe that he was God :P

Answer 26

@TheRaggedyDoctor Does the bible ever mention the trinity?

Answer 27

@alphadxg Yes. Not directly, of course. It doesn't say "there is a Trinity" lol.

Answer 28

In the Prophet's it say's God would come to find out for Himself. I personally don't think Jesus was God but the Son of God protected by God and he showed his worth to be in Heaven when God comes. If you ask me this is the only foolproof way God could come unprotected and experience a world going to hell and be saved.

Answer 29

@TheRaggedyDoctor @KenJW
Ok, if these three are seperate but one, is each god 1/3 of god?

Second, does all three (forms of god) are they all God, lets define god here. (God: All knowing, all powerful, Infinite, merciful, etc) Do you agree with this definition of God?

Answer 30

Not 1/3 of God, each are completely God.

And yes, I agree.

Answer 31

I am not a Trinitarian, at least I don't think what presently exist is. When you read the Old Testament you'll discover that God speaks of things as though He has experienced them. At any particulate time man is within it, and it may be God experienced things and communicated it back in time, and It may have been for Him to help guide Him through life as well as others. As said previously there is a path, understanding and comprehension in scriptures as well as any individuals life, what has happened is many no longer believe in scriptures and even their own experience pretending to believe just what others used to confuse the facts. There may me many theory's to fit the facts but ultimately there will be one of choice and if one uses diligence in there studies they may be prepared for choice rather than having their life robbed or control. The thief comes not but to steal, kill, and destroy, John 10:10

Answer 32

@kenLJW

I want the biblical answer to continue this discussion, does the bible follow and praise for the trinity or not, I think it's a simple answer.

Answer 33

Well, the bible does not contain the word "Trinity", however, it read "Godhead". The Godhead is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, although seperate entities, are altogetherly and seperately, one God (which is the definition of the Trinity).

Answer 34

@xo.minnie.xox I advise you to read the book of John by itself, with not the assistance of ANYTHING distributed by the Watchtower. The way I see it, in order to truely be a Christian, you must adhere the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Gospel (the good news). With that being said, since you believe that the JWS (Jehovah's Witness Society) have the ablosute Truth (that which is revealed by God through His Word), then you should find no trouble in reading the bible by itself. I challange you to do this, @xo.minnie.xox , read the book of John by itself (just one book from the bible), and see whether or not it contradicts with what the Watchtower teaches, if it does, then see where your heart sides with: God and His Word (the bible) or the Watcher; who has more authority, God's Word or the Watchtower.
P.S. Read, preferably, the KJV or if you must the NIV or NKJV...just anythinig NOT from the JWS or Watchtower.

Answer 35

@jonnyVonny @TheRaggedyDoctor

does all three (forms of god) are they all God, lets define god here. (God: All knowing, all powerful, Infinite, merciful, etc) Do you agree with this definition of God?

Answer 36

@alphadxg Yup. I agree.

Answer 37

@TheRaggedyDoctor Then why does Matthew 24:36 Jesus says, ""But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

If these three are one and if Jesus is God, then why doesn't the Son or the holy spirit know the time of the hour?

Answer 38

Why do you think this contradicts the trinity?

Answer 39

@alphadxg Also, notice how it doesn't say that only God knows the day or the hour, and that the Son does not know because he is not God. It says only the Father knows.

Answer 40

@alphadxg , First off, let me let me define who God is: He is all powerful, all knowing, loving, merciful and just. God is comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They all together are God and INDIVIDUALLY, separately, 100% God, however, they still are 1 God. I know this doesn't make sense... how can 3 persons be 1? Truth be told, I don't even understand it; it is a mystery of who God is.
Secondly, the lovely scripture you provided was inacurrate; what you provided was either a deliberate misquotation of the bible, or a very poor translation of the bible, for in the KJV is reads not what you put forth. I advise you to look up that scripture online... I wont post it because it is a real pain typing this on my phone.

Answer 41

Here, lol. KJV says, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

Answer 42

@jonnyVonny IT is not a question of mystery as you say, "Truth be told, I don't even understand it; it is a mystery of who God is. "

Corinthians 14:33King James Version (KJV)

33 For God is not the author of confusion


"Secondly, the lovely scripture you provided was inacurrate; what you provided was either a deliberate misquotation of the bible"

What about the translation is misleading? I would love to know.

Answer 43

@TheRaggedyDoctor

"Why do you think this contradicts the trinity?"

Because, This contradicts that the holy spirit and sun are God, because prior to this question I asked you explicitly, "does all three (forms of god) are they all God, lets define god here. (God: All knowing, all powerful, Infinite, merciful, etc) Do you agree with this definition of God?"

You replied with, "Yup. I agree".

If Jesus is not all knowledgeable, then he can not be god by definition. Which further implies that Jesus never claimed divinity and this statement further proves that he wasn't god.

Answer 44

@alphadxg , First off, I am referring to the scripture you presented earlier regarding Christ not knowing when the end of the world was. With what you presented, it reads that He knows not the end of the world, while the KJV reads that such claim was never made. You ask, "What about the translation is misleading?" I never said what you posted was misleading, rather that the "quotation of scripture" was either deliberately misquoted on your end or the source of your information was inaccurate.
Secondly, the scripture you provided "For God is not the author of confusion" is utterly arbitrary to what I had said previously.
Lastly, I fail to see the point you're trying to make due to lack of scriptural evidence.

Answer 45

Sorry, lastly was it is rather inconsistent of you (and possibly malicious/deceitful) to use different translations of the bible in your endeavors to prove your point.

Answer 46

@alphadxg
Sort of. Even God the Father isn't always all-knowing. Not because he can't be, but because he chooses not to know certain things. In the very beginning, he gave Adam and Eve free will, and told them not to eat the forbidden fruit, trusting that they would stay faithful to him, even though they didn't.
He created Lucifer, trusting that him and the rest of the angels in heaven would stay faithful to him, even though they didn't.
Another example would be Job. God trusted that Job would stay faithful, even if everything was taken from him, and he was. God didn't forsee this, and so Jesus doesn't have to see what he doesn't want to see either.

So like @JonnyVonny said, KJV is one of the best translations, but even with the one you quoted, the idea of the Trinity isn't contradicted.

Answer 47

@TheRaggedyDoctor Oh no, oh no oh no. What you are saying is misguided (truthfully its blaspheme, however i believe you're misguided). God KNEW what they were going to do, however, he allowed them to do what they did; nothing transpires without the LORD's knowledge and I dare say His consent (I'm not saying that He wanted those horrid events to happen [including other stuff that goes on in this world today such as rape, murder ect.], rather that he ALLOWS it to happen), for otherwise, this means that he has not absolute power, which is a blasphemeous lie.

Answer 48

What I have said is a hard Truth that steers people away from God. It is hard to accept, but it is true, according to scripture.

Answer 49

@TheRaggedyDoctor Respectfully, this is a belief for you, what the scripture says is something different.

Answer 50

Saying otherwise does not mean God doesn't have absolute power, like I said, it's not that He CAN'T, it's that He chooses not to see certain things for certain reasons.
I agree that He allows these things to happen, but after the Fall of Man, at the time of Noah, he felt sorry that he created man in the first place, and wanted to wipe us out, which suggests not only that he didn't mean for us to be this way, but that he didn't expect us to be this way.
He gave Adam and Eve free will knowing that they could turn against him, but not that they would..

Answer 51

@alphadxg
What do you mean?

Answer 52

@JonnyVonny "Lastly, I fail to see the point you're trying to make due to lack of scriptural evidence."

I made a simple one, but I will repeat it again.

This is what you claimed, "First off, let me let me define who God is: He is all powerful, all knowing, loving, merciful and just. God is comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They all together are God and INDIVIDUALLY, separately, 100% God, however, they still are 1 God. I know this doesn't make sense... how can 3 persons be 1? Truth be told, I don't even understand it; it is a mystery of who God is. "

So you are telling me I have to "Gamble" and believe in the "Mystery" of god. This is irrational and illogical. Can you please give scriptural evidence of the three in one god?

Answer 53

Of course there's scriptural evidence, lol. Most Christians believe in the Trinity, and that's certainly not just because yolo. Off the top of my head, Acts 5:3-4 suggests that the Holy Spirit is God, and John 10:30 and Philippians 2:5-8 say that Jesus is God.
Of course, these are just from my memory... there's plenty more, and I'd find them now if I had time. But in addition to these, in Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Isaiah 6:8, and multiple other verses, God says "our" or "us" when talking about himself, but also throughout the Bible says "I," which indicates plurality, but also unity. Also, when talking about the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit individually, each of them are referred to as "God" in many parts of the Bible.

Answer 54

\(\color{blue}{\text{Originally Posted by}}\) @TheRaggedyDoctor
Of course there's scriptural evidence, lol. Most Christians believe in the Trinity, and that's certainly not just because yolo. Off the top of my head, Acts 5:3-4 suggests that the Holy Spirit is God, and John 10:30 and Philippians 2:5-8 say that Jesus is God.
Of course, these are just from my memory... there's plenty more, and I'd find them now if I had time. But in addition to these, in Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Isaiah 6:8, and multiple other verses, God says "our" or "us" when talking about himself, but also throughout the Bible says "I," which indicates plurality, but also unity. Also, when talking about the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit individually, each of them are referred to as "God" in many parts of the Bible.
\(\color{blue}{\text{End of Quote}}\)

You can't simply say there is scriptural evidence, and then not take the time to give me direct evidence.
Those quotes you gave me of Jesus claiming divinity is not a statement from Jesus. Why do people make the claim for Jesus to being God, yet Jesus never made the claim himself. I please ask you to provide Evidence of Jesus being God and if he makes the claim himself.

"when talking about the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit individually, each of them are referred to as "God" in many parts of the Bible."

Once again, a belief is a belief, can you please provide the evidence for this.

Answer 55

There's belief and there's belief. I used to say belief doesn't make it so it's God that does. The JW, founded in 1879, came out of a culture where information was transmitted by word of mouth, pamphlets, books, and especially the KJB. There main publication "The WatchTower" took it's name for Isaiah 21, but other watchtower appeared afterwards. The Radio in the thirty's was used by FDR, in his fireside chats, to encourages Americans on, especially his well know saying "there's nothing to fear but fear itself". Little did he know that across the ocean Hitler was using the Ratio to organize his people in readiness for WWII. In the fifties the TV came into it's own having three major networks, NBC, CBS, ABC, again organizing Americans to a new age as each network vied for power. These watch towers not only communicated current events but steered culture in a particular direction. The fifty's series with a core family of four were common and prepared Americans for the "Population explosion idea" in the late sixes for this basic idea of smaller families. Other cultures such as China didn't have the influence and where required to pass laws to limit family size. The seventies brought about cable with more than three networks to influences our culture. With the ninety's came the internet with all it's ramifications, bringing Americans a true chance of individualism, no longer fettered to a party, network, line, In our country the period of the Trinity was the three main TV networks where those watching, having the same stimulus, were connected and in my experience still are. The Old Testaments say's your thoughts aren't God's thoughts but that doesn't mean he does know yours and possibly considers them. Well come to the 21 century.

Answer 56

@alphadxg You are now arguing to win an argument rather to exchange ideas and learn what the truth is regarding the bible. You didn't even have the courtesy to read or look up the scipture that TheRaggedDoctor provided nefore posting your foolishness. In John 10:30 Jesus clearly states that He is the Father, thereby making Himself God, but you wouldn't know for you didn't even look it up. Thus due to your intent, just wanting to "win" an argument, I refuse to continue in this debate, for you will ignore any evidence that I provide, just as you did with TheRaggedDoctor.

Answer 57

John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This verse which is a few verses before John 1:18, says that Jesus was God.

Answer 58

\(\color{blue}{\text{Originally Posted by}}\) @JonnyVonny
@alphadxg You are now arguing to win an argument rather to exchange ideas and learn what the truth is regarding the bible. You didn't even have the courtesy to read or look up the scipture that TheRaggedDoctor provided nefore posting your foolishness. In John 10:30 Jesus clearly states that He is the Father, thereby making Himself God, but you wouldn't know for you didn't even look it up. Thus due to your intent, just wanting to "win" an argument, I refuse to continue in this debate, for you will ignore any evidence that I provide, just as you did with TheRaggedDoctor.
\(\color{blue}{\text{End of Quote}}\)
Thanks for your opinion, but I have clearly looked and studied into this verse, note what I said before. I clearly said, "Nowhere does Jesus claim to say, "I am god" or "Worship me". Those words from Jesus, you will never find.

Now moving onto the subject at hands, when Jesus says, I and my father are one we need to look at the context. but before I mention this, the same john that wrote I and my father are one, also in John Chapter 17 verse number 20 says, " That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

So now you have the Father, Jesus Christ and 12 disciples all one god? No, this one John refers to is one in purpose, but I'll want to hear your rebuttal for this.

Answer 59

\(\color{blue}{\text{Originally Posted by}}\) @autogenius
John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This verse which is a few verses before John 1:18, says that Jesus was God.
\(\color{blue}{\text{End of Quote}}\)
You do realize there is a error in interpretation on your part for this verse. What is the greek word for God used in this context?

Answer 60

I understand your point @alphadxg and I am a big fan of contextual study. I would like to tell you what I have studied on that subject. I understand that some people might interpret the greek translation to be "a god;" but we can see throughout John that John writes about strict monotheism; so "a god" would not be the consistent translation of the greek text. Also, the use of Greek word tenses also helps us understand the intended meaning.
Here is what I found on the internet to translate the text:
"In beginning was the word . . . "
(en arche en ho logos)
"and the word was with the God . . . "
(kai ho logos en pros ton theon)
"and God was the word."--Properly translated as "and the Word was God."
(kai theos en ho logos)

I hope this helps. :)

Citation for translation:
https://carm.org/religious-movements/jehovahs-witnesses/john-11-word-was-god

Answer 61

Logos - Gk speech, word, reason 1) the divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world and often identified with the second person of the trinity, 2) reason in the ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle in the universe.
Actually it is the second definition that should come first, and is the one that modern science is based upon.

Answer 62

1st for those of you who believe in the trinity~ http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201308/trinity/#?insight [search_id]=84b47e2e-2b95-4604-bac2-012b4b604eb3&insight[search_result_index]=1

http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/trinity/#?insight [search_id]=84b47e2e-2b95-4604-bac2-012b4b604eb3&insight[search_result_index]=0 (ARTICLES ON JW.ORG)
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I know I'm very late. But 1st I'd like to point out to @TheRaggedyDoctor That not all Christians believe Jesus is God. There are multiple types of Christianity including Jehovah's Witnesses, we are Christians but we don't believe that.
Second, I'm not sure what you mean by I made a mistake by quoting the scripture because I put a capital G? I think that is what you mean, (and Just btw Yahweh means Jehovah)
Third, I think you are saying that God, Jesus, and the holy spirit are not one..physically but mentally lol idk?
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Next in regards to @JonnyVonny I've read it from the JW's bible and from the KJV. When we had a discussion a while back I think it was on Hell you told me to start the KJV but in my opinion the JW bible makes more sense. After reading from it I wondered if you ever gave "The New Worlds Translation" bible a try...

Answer 63

The rewriting of the KJB, Douay and Rheims, with supposed older manuscripts or more to a groups understanding is a way around what said at the of Revelations 22:19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things, which are written in this book.
I've have found not only in Revelation but in other parts of the Bible where words or wordings have changed, and it is the same Bible I've read off and on for the last 40 years. When something changes like that I wonder and try to understand anew but I'm still in a quandary of what really is going on, why and who changed it, for good or ill.