Kingdom Ready

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

20. Jesus is the Son of God, not God the Son.

The title and position of being a son implies the title and position of a father. A father and son are never the same person or the same being; they are not one in essence and being. Jesus Christ is never identified in Scripture as God, nor is he ever called “God the Son.” He is always called the “Son of God.” When Peter was asked who he believed Jesus to be, he replied,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

19. Jesus was in all ways made like his brethren.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14-18)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

18. Christ died. The Bible tells us that God is immortal, He cannot die.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)

“who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)

Jesus Christ truly died as a result of his crucifixion.

“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” (Acts 2:23)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

17. The Word of God makes a bold point in telling us that Jesus Christ was tempted. We have the record of his being tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). And we also have the statement in Hebrews that our Lord was tempted in every manner that we are, yet he was without sin—he never gave into the temptation.

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

16. There are two distinct wills. There is the will of God, the Father, and the will of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38)

“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’” (Matthew 26:39)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

15. In Scripture, God the Father is greater than His Son Jesus Christ in knowledge, in power and even in divine authority. As for knowledge, Acts 15:18 states, “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” The one true God is omniscient; He knows all things, even the end from the beginning. But the Bible reveals that Jesus didn’t know certain aspects concerning his second coming.

“But of that day and hour [of Christ’s return] no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

14. The Hebrew idiom of coming from heaven or being sent by God. There are verses in the gospel of John that seem to say that Jesus Christ literally came to earth from heaven.

“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” (John 3:13) [The best Greek texts omit the last phrase, “who is in heaven.”]

“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

13.

Hebrews 1:10

“And:
‘You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

I feel compelled to address this verse in relation to the question of Jesus not being God, because they follow immediately after Hebrews 1:8, 9. And there are a number of questions that come to mind. Is verse 10, addressed to Jesus as were verses 8 and 9? If this is addressed to Jesus what does it mean? Or is it addressed to God?

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

12.

Hebrews 1:8, 9

“But to the Son He says:
‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’”

Hebrews 1:8, is another verse of Scripture that is often quoted to prove that Jesus Christ is God. The argument is, “See, God the Father, calls His Son, God. Therefore Jesus must be co-eternal and co-equal God.”

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

11. The first two verses of Hebrews 1, are also thought by Trinitarians, to teach that Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things in the beginning, thus making him God. So let’s read the verses and then dig a little deeper into its meaning.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds”