1 Corinthians 2:8
The Godhead
One of the most controversial subjects in today’s Christian culture is that of The Godhead. Every denomination has its dogma and its own particular beliefs when it comes to the Godhead and the vast majority of the teaching attempts are not biblical and cannot be explained from the bible alone. Instead, imagination, pretense, exclusion and rejection of clearly written bible verses must be embraced in order to fit many “explanations” of the Godhead.
Most expositions of the subject still lack and omit critical bible passages and verses which are either contradictory to the writer’s own attempts to explain the Godhead or they’re too controversial for the writer to tackle. The result is usually a disclaimer of sorts made by today’s biblical teachers stating “the Godhead is a great mystery which cannot be understood”, or a declaration that we must accept (by blind faith alone) the traditional teaching of years past. I disagree with those types of assessments and reject any notion that the Godhead is too difficult to fully understand or comprehend.
If you’re not ready (or willing) to tackle some very tough scriptures which seem to contradict themselves at times, then this teaching is probably not for you, at least not until you fully understand your core, foundational beliefs. Without a solid foundation, much of this will be extremely difficult for you. You may also become confused and unable to comprehend or reconcile your past teaching or doctrinal beliefs with what the Bible teaches.
A Gentle Warning and A Challenge for You!
The study of The Godhead is strong meat! In fact, it is VERY strong meat (spiritually speaking, of course). I want to present a kind warning for you and reinforce the idea from the previous paragraph: without a firm grasp upon the very foundations of the common faith, it is likely that you will stumble with this teaching.
As with all teaching found on The Elijah Project, pray and study to PROVE all things! Don’t take my word for it and I would even suggest that you don’t even believe it until YOU have proven it for yourself.
Have you ever studied the Godhead reconciling scripture which pertains to Godhead and which includes the very nature of God? Have you been taught, line by line, scripture by scripture or have you just picked up a few scriptures here and there and compared them with how things work in the natural world? Perhaps you’re simply holding to what you were told or taught from a church creed or from some other common belief?
I mentioned it in the first sentence of this section but I want to mention it again before we dive into the teaching series. The study of the Godhead is very strong meat which will present you with scriptures which seem to contradict themselves, especially in the initial pages of this study, however, the scriptures do NOT contradict themselves. Just bear with the series, take notes, make references of both your own beliefs and the information presented in this seres on the Godhead.
What do you believe? Do you belive in a Trinity? Maybe you believe in a Plurality, Oneness, Modalism, Jesus Only, Two Persons, Three Persons, Three “Personalities”, physical bodies, spiritual bodies, perhaps a combination of physical and spiritual? What is it YOU personally believe?
When studying the Bible, you should always let the Word of God explain itself and as with any bible study, I trust you are taking notes, making references to compare later or at least using bookmarks in your own bible for future reference. Remember: Scripture builds upon scripture and everything you need to know is fully contained within the pages of the Word itself.
Did you know the King James bible was written on a 6th grade level and it can be easily understood by even a casual bible student. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bible is impossible to understand unless they’re a priest, a Greek or Hebrew scholar or a multi-year Seminarian.
LEARN TO RESOLVE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE. You don’t need “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”, or a “more understandable” translation or external reference books in order to comprehend the bible. The Word of God does a fine job of explaining itself. I’ll add this note: The Evidence Bible is the closest English translation I’ve found which retains the meaning of the scriptures. I don’t necessarily agree with many of the footnotes and commentary, however, the verses contained in The Evidence Bible appear to be extremely close to the KJV (and it’s easier to read for many people).
As we study the Godhead, we are going build scripture upon scripture and let the Word of God EXPLAIN ITSELF!
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14
Before proceeding, let’s examine some of the core beliefs about God’s nature before we begin the actual study. Several beliefs are prevalent in the world today but is impossible for all to be true. The most common beliefs with an abbreviated description are listed below.
Monotheism
The belief that God is absolutely one, undivided and indivisible. He has no partners and no physical body, no offspring, no children. God simply exists.
Latter Day Saints (Mormon)
God exists in 3 physically distinct and individual beings who are ‘one in purpose’ rather than one in substance. Jesus and Satan are “spirit brothers”, both children of God the Father and all people (humanity) were also siblings in heaven before being physically born on earth.
Binitarianism
God is comprised of only two persons: the Father and the Word (Jesus). The Holy Spirit is only the power (or the essence) of God.
Unitarianism
God is a single unitary person. Jesus is the Son of God (a prophet) but not God Himself.
Arianism
Jesus is only a created being, subordinate to God.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Only Jehovah is truly God. Jesus is God’s first creation and is synonymous with Michael the Archangel. The Holy Spirit is God’s “active force.
Tritheism
Father, Son, Holy Spirit are three separate and distinct gods who work together in agreement.
Partialism
God is split into 3 parts, each being one-third of total God.
Docetism
Jesus’ physical body was only an illusion and he was a pure spirit. In other words, he only seemed to be human to those around him but was not in reality, a human as we know it.
Trinitarianism
This is the traditional belief and view of the Godhead. God exists as three distinct, co-equal persons (sometimes labeled as “personalities”). Father, Son, Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit if you wish to use that term instead) are all “one God”.
Modalist
God is a single person who manifests himself in three “modes” (or forms). Father, Son, Holy Ghost are all different forms of God. The core belief is that God is the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Spirit in regeneration and that God simply switches his mode (form) at will.
Sola Scriptura
The scriptures are the sole source of information concerning God’s entire nature. God is spirit, Jesus is the Son (The Word who was made flesh), Holy Ghost is God’s nature dwelling in believers.
Which of these beliefs do you hold for yourself?
The most common of these and, by far, the largest denominational organizations today subscribe to two beliefs: Modalism and Trinitarianism.
Let’s begin the study to determine what the Word of God itself says about The Godhead. Always remember this: Let scripture interpret and explain scripture!