The Trinity Questions – For Traditional Christians - Page 9

brother01 · #81 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 08:59 PM

From John 5 we find this quote from Jesus:

Quote:

"I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"

What did Jesus mean by 'only God'?

prisonchaplain · #82 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 12:03 AM

That there is only one God, and we should seek honor from him.

YoungMormonRoyalist · #83 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

That there is only one God, and we should seek honor from him.

Agreed, and may I further this statement by saying we should also seek to honour him as well as seeking honour from him.

jms.mills · #84 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brother01

From John 5 we find this quote from Jesus:

"I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"

What did Jesus mean by 'only God'?

Which version are you using? The KJV says this in John 5:44

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only."

There is just a slight wording difference, but I think these two short phrases can change the entire meaning of the verse. In my opinion, the difference between "only God" and "God only" is vast.

Based on context of the sermon Jesus is giving, I believe Jesus is saying we should be looking for God's approval not the approval of men.

I hope that made sense.

JMS

brother01 · #85 (**permalink**) 11-14-2008, 07:28 AM

So we clearlly find use for the principle of 'so far as it is translated correctly'!

In looking at the specific word translated here I offer the following blue letter bible link:

Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon

From the use of the word I think the NKJV more correct than the KJV, but that doen't make me right, just that I think I'm right:-)

Taking the principle beyond the one verse, based on the principle Jesus gave of believing what Moses said, that brings us to the foot of the mountain when God gave the ten commandments to Moses. Did God say He alone was God? Did God ever say that when Israel offered sacrifices to demons that the demons were also Gods?

If Jesus was saying 'God only' VS 'only God', what is your view of the implications for us and the Trinity doctrine?

jms.mills · #86 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brother01

If Jesus was saying 'God only' VS 'only God', what is your view of the implications for us and the Trinity doctrine?

The definition from the link you provided stated that the English word "only" was a translation ofGreek work "monos." Here is the definition for those who did not click the link:

monos -- 1) alone (without a companion), forsaken, destitute of help, alone, only, merely

I think this definition fits perfectly with the LDS concept of the Godhead. As I stated before, Christ is saying that we should value God's opinion over the opinion of men. It seems to me Christ is not trying to define the nature of God in this message. To force the doctrine of the trinity into this passage is, in my opinion, trying to force a square peg into a round hole. There are numerous other scriptures which justify the LDS view of the Godhead.

I am not sure if that answered your question. Please ask for clarification if needed.

JMS

Hemidakota · #87 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

That there is only one God, and we should seek honor from him.

I would seek HIS love but leave the honor to HIM. Remember Lucifer words at the second meeting of the council?

Hemidakota · #88 (**permalink**) 11-15-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brother01

From John 5 we find this quote from Jesus:

What did Jesus mean by 'only God'?

How can you believe who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

John 12:43 - For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

In a nutshell, Jesus FATHER was ‘the only GOD’ portrated in His statement to the Jews. GOD is the only person who can give this HONOR or POWER, only to those who are HIS faithful followers that can be entrusted. GOD's power to create and to reign from HIS throne, is HIS HONOR. The elements and all intelligence honor GOD. This is how HE governs and receives power. The priesthood gives HIM the authority to use that power or honor.

"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (John 12:26.) "I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end." (D. & C. 76:5.) Honor is the reward of obedience.

"Now, you know the rest of the story..."

prisonchaplain · #89 (**permalink**) 11-27-2008, 01:39 PM

The dilemma created by the Trinity doctrine is how can God be one God and yet three distinct persons? Trinitarians answer, "That's what the Bible says. We don't have to fully understand how that works."

* Modalists say, the one God is not really three persons--just one, but with three different roles.

* The Subordinationists (think Jehovah's Witnesses) say, There's only one God, Jehovah, the Father. Jesus is something else, perhaps a god.

* What I hear LDS say is that there are in fact many Gods, but we swear allegiance to one--even though the day will come when some of us will become Gods ourselves.

Traveler · #90 (**permalink**) 12-02-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

The dilemma created by the Trinity doctrine is how can God be one God and yet three distinct persons? Trinitarians answer, "That's what the Bible says. We don't have to fully understand how that works."

* Modalists say, the one God is not really three persons--just one, but with three different roles.

* The Subordinationists (think Jehovah's Witnesses) say, There's only one God, Jehovah, the Father. Jesus is something else, perhaps a god.

* What I hear LDS say is that there are in fact many Gods, but we swear allegiance to one--even though the day will come when some of us will become Gods ourselves.

The LDS doctrine is that because of the fall there is only one G-d of slavation that can help mankind. That is Jesus Christ who was with G-d the Father in the beginning and is "one" (ehad - by covenant) with the Father. Jesus is the only Mediator G-d that can deal with man who has fallen. Jesus is the G-d of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Note that prior to the fall all scripture references to G-d are plural and after the fall all references are singular.

The only way Jesus could open up the way was to give himself as a sacrifice. Something the Father could not do because the Father (who is perfect - Matt 5:48) already has a perfect eternal body, he could not suffer any pain and could not die - no evil can effct him or cause him pain, ever. Therefore the Father gave his Son for the sacrifice to redeam mankind. Who ever believes on the Son and his sacrifice will have eternal life.

The Traveler