Is Jesus the Son of God equal with the Father?

Is Jesus the Son of God equal with the Father?

In dealing with a subject as sacred and profound as this, we must attempt to be clear in the meaning of the words we use. "Equal" is not the same as "equivalent." When two mathematical terms are equivalent, one may be used in the place of the other. In that sense, the Father and the Son are not equivalent. They are two distinct Persons and have distinct roles in the Godhead, yet God is one (Deu 6:4)" TARGET="_blank">Deu 6:4) and there is one God (4:35). The Father and the Son (and the Holy Spirit) are equal in substance and in every attribute. The Son is "the express image of His (God’s) person" (Heb 1:3)," TARGET="_blank">Heb 1:3), meaning He answers exactly to God’s substance. All that God is He is.

That they are two distinct Persons is quite evident in many Scriptures, including at His anointing (Mat 3:16, 17)" TARGET="_blank">Mat 3:16, 17) and transfiguration (17:5). Peter tells us that the voice on the Mount of Transfiguration was the Father’s, speaking from heaven (2Pe 1:17, 18)." TARGET="_blank">2Pe 1:17, 18). The Father’s voice came from heaven and the incarnate Son was on earth, while the Spirit descended from heaven to earth at His anointing. These three distinct Persons are equally God; the Father (Psa 102:24a, compared with Heb 1:10)" TARGET="_blank">Heb 1:10) and the Son (John 20:28)" TARGET="_blank">John 20:28) are both addressed as God

The leaders of the Jews knew that, when the Lord Jesus referred to God as His Father, He thus claimed equality with God (John 5:18)." TARGET="_blank">John 5:18). Of course, those unbelieving men didn’t always have their theology right, so we can accept their statement only if it agrees with God’s. "But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever" (Heb 1:8)." TARGET="_blank">Heb 1:8). The speaker in this passage is God (v 1), the Father to this King (v 5), and He addresses the Son as God.

The psalms enumerate the unique works of God (Psa 105) and His unique attributes (Psa 139). The Gospel of the Son of God, John’s Gospel, demonstrates that our Lord did those works and possessed those attributes.

"I and my Father are one" (John 10:30)" TARGET="_blank">John 10:30) expresses the equality of the Father and the Son.

D. Oliver
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Should Christian’s take a fatalistic view of political elections?

Godly living includes subjection to governmental authority (Romans 13:1;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1)" TARGET="_blank">Titus 3:1) and prayer for the salvation of rulers and all men (1 Timothy 2:1-4)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:1-4). The Lord Himself was interested in the affairs of the political world (Luke 13:1-3, 32; 19:12-14)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 13:1-3, 32; 19:12-14), but the only specific involvement is His teaching that His disciples pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth" (Matthew 6:10)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 6:10). We are therefore concerned about God’s will being carried out in governments, including in elections. To this end we pray.

To be fair, though, the argument that Christians shouldn’t vote because they might be opposing God’s will in an election is weak. By the same logic, a Christian could hardly dress himself for fear of violating God’s will on a given day that he wear black shoes instead of brown shoes. We seek to know God’s will, pray for it, and do it. If it were right for Christians to vote, they should seek to ascertain God’s will for an election, pray for it, and vote accordingly. The weak link in that statement is not the difficulty in ascertaining God’s will, but the premise. Christians shouldn’t voluntarily vote.

D. Oliver
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who are the three shepherds of Zecheriah 11?

Can we know from the Scriptures who are the three shepherds of Zecheriah 11:8?

It would be too much for anyone to affirm that there is no light in the Scripture on any point mentioned therein. All anyone can say is that he has no light. The incident of the three shepherds forms part of a prophetic Scripture, referring to the closing days of Israel’s history. As shepherds they would be responsible rulers of Israel, but their names are not indicated here, but no doubt this prophecy will shine out clearly when it is fulfilled. In the meantime students of prophecy, as has well been said, are not called to try to be prophets.

W.H.

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Why do some versions of the Bible not include the name Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12?

Why do some versions of the Bible not include the name Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 14:12?

This page was adapted from an answer at Truth and Tidings Magazine by David Oliver.

Lucifer is a name that means the "shining one, light-bearer, morning star" (Brown-Driver-Briggs). In the English language, we capitalize names, but in Hebrew this is not the case; without using capitals in the Hebrew text, translators must sometimes make an intelligent guess as to whether a word is a general noun or a name. This is a case in which the translators of various Bible versions have come to different conclusions.

If John Nelson Darby’s French translation of this verse (cited by the person who sent in these questions) were translated back into English, the Hebrew word would be the "brilliant star." However, in Darby’s English Bible translation, the text says, "How art thou fallen from heaven, Lucifer, son of the morning!" A Bible translator may choose whether to translate a word as a general noun (as in Darby’s French translation) or a proper name or title (as in his English translation). This is done based on the context of the words. This involves some degree of interpretation in translating. Because there is a variety of opinion on how the translation should be done, perhaps some translators (ESV, NASB, YLT, and others) gave a neutral translation. That is, they did not interpret the text, but simply translated the words exactly.

The problem with translating this verse is determining where the quote from "all the kings of the nations" (v 9) stops. The words of their mourning for the fallen king of Babylon (v 4) continue at least to the end of verse 11. The passage likely contains a reference to Canaanite and Syrian mythology (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, TWOT). The son of one of the gods attempted to, but was unable, to hold the throne. He "attempted to climb to the highest point of heaven and as the dawn star [emphasis added] was ever condemned to be cast down into Hades." If the heathen kings are still speaking in verse 12, they may be citing this mythology when "the dawn star" was thrown down. Even if this is the reference, the Spirit of God moves from this to the more profound incident of which this is a reminder (perhaps elements of the myths were actually perversions of truth revealed long before). Only one truly aspired to superiority above other angelic creatures ("upon the mount of assembly" with a throne above "the stars of God" in v 13, also see Job 1:6; 2:1;" TARGET="_blank">Job 1:6; 2:1; and 38:7) and to be "like the Most High." The pride of the king of Babylon was like Satan’s pride, and the fall of the king is similar to Satan’s condemnation to be in the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 20:10). The "light-bearer" or "morning star" in this passage is Lucifer, Satan himself, whether the word is translated "morning star," "light-bearer," or "day star" rather than "Lucifer."

D. Oliver

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How does a saved person have "the rightousness of God"?

To what does "the righteousness of God" (Romans 3:22)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:22) refer?

Gods court and law requires righteousness. Romans 3:10" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:10 flatly states that the defendant (man) has not satisfied the requirement. Man is guilty. "Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," the guilty is pronounced "right with God," justified (verse 24). The "propitiation" (verse 25) has satisfied the requirements of the court and the Judge pronounces that the guilty has a righteous standing. This righteous standing is the "righteousness of God" that the law didnt produce, but was "witnessed by the law and the prophets" (verse 21, see also Romans 4:1-8)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 4:1-8).

This "righteousness of God" is received by faith, apart from merit, solely through the blood of Christ (verse 22, with Romans 5:1; 3:24; 5:9)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:1; 3:24; 5:9). It is not an exchanged righteousness - a record of sin removed and a record of righteousness replacing it. It is a righteousness based on Gods requirements being met by the sacrifice. Neither is this an engrafted righteousness, as though we now possess an attribute of God, the righteousness of God. It is a righteous standing, declared and accounted by God and based on the satisfaction God has received from the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

D. Oliver
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Is Satan the Lucifer in Isaiah 14?

What is the meaning of verse 13 in Isaiah 14" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 14?

The previous chapter begins Isaiah’s burden against Babylon and blends statements about Babylon’s total devastation (yet future, Isaiah 13:9-13, 20;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 13:9-13, 20; Revelation 18:21-23)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 18:21-23) with her overthrow by the Medes in 539 BC (vv 7, 8; 21:2-4; Dan 5:25-31)." TARGET="_blank">Dan 5:25-31). Chapter 14 continues and extends the thought. God’s judgment on Babylon in 538 BC would assure Israel of God’s millennial blessing on Israel. What was going to happen, when some from Israel returned from Babylon (now past, see Ezra, Nehemiah), foreshadows Israel’s yet-future return from the nations and her ascendancy. Likewise, the proverb (vv. 4-20) that Israel takes up against the king of Babylon may have this same duality - bringing together Babylon’s kings (like Belshazzar in the past) and all kings who attempt what Babylon’s kings hoped to accomplish. That includes the Beast, the future "Man of Sin." Babylon’s king fell (Dan 5:30)." TARGET="_blank">Dan 5:30). Political, infernal, and internal national results follow (Isa 14:4-11)." TARGET="_blank">Isa 14:4-11).

Some able commentators apply the next verse to the exalted brilliance of the king this proverb addresses. He became so great and boasted such power. Though proud, he had fallen ("cut down") like a tree. Masterfully, the following verse portrays the thinking of a Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:22, 30, 31)," TARGET="_blank">Dan 4:22, 30, 31), a Belshazzar (5:23), as well as the Beast (7:23, 25; 2Th 2:4;" TARGET="_blank">2Th 2:4; Rev 13:4-6)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 13:4-6). Each of those Babylonian kings (the first kings during the "Times of the Gentiles," Luke 21:24;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 21:24; Dan 2:31-44)" TARGET="_blank">Dan 2:31-44) and the Beast (the last of those kings) was (or will be) opposed to God and His people, lifted up with pride, and judged as was the devil (1Ti 3:6)." TARGET="_blank">1Ti 3:6). Each reflects the consummate pride of Satan, who uses each one, particularly the Beast. But, this is a proverb or simile. None of those men were capable of the full extent of pride the devil expressed. None had been exalted so high or would be so shamefully defeated as he.

Therefore, this section of the proverb (vv. 12-15) is about Satan himself, Lucifer. This proverb, combined with Isaiah’s poetic style, uses figurative language (the morning, cut down, stars of God, mount of the congregation, sides of the north, heights of the clouds); it addresses Lucifer for at least two reasons. First, just as Satan, a greater than earth’s greatest kings and lifted up with unmatched pride, could not rival God, so neither could those proud kings prosper in opposing God and His people. Second, this passage exposes Satan as the instigator behind those kings and all else that opposes God’s people.

D. Oliver
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Your First Visit

Welcome

The Gospel Hall is a carefully chosen name for the meeting place of a church who meets in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The emphasis on the Bible's message, called the Gospel, gives the building its name because of what we do there: we preach the Bible.

Moment of Truth

People here have a common theme - each one has experienced a moment of truth with God that gives them confidence to face life, death and even eternity beyond. Check out some of the Personal Stories to see what we mean by this special moment of understanding called salvation. Each person has faced his/her own guilt before God regarding things done wrong, that is, our personal sin. This moment of salvation doesn't have to occur during a service at the Gospel Hall. In fact, many were saved while doing other things such as reading at home, or while trying to do homework, or even after going to a drug party, or while contemplating suicide while lying on the floor.

What kind of Church is the Gospel Hall?

It dificult to go to a church that you know nothing about. You probably have dozens of questions swirling around your mind such as:

Will the preacher rant and rave and shout strange things from the platform?
Are there secrets or rituals that only "the members" know about?
Of course they want me to donate money, right?
Is this church a political platform for "fixing America?"

First, you can be assured that the services here are done orderly and politely. See the Gospel Hall FAQs to read about the various types of meetings held in the Hall.

Second, the teachings you will hear are not motivated by politics or cult-like agendas. The primary goal of the services is to help people understand what the Bible says. You can get an idea of the services by listening to some sample messages in MP3 audio download format.

Oh, yes, the money. The policy at the Gospel Hall is that no collections are ever taken from visitors at any services. We believe if we can't afford to be offering the service ourselves, then we shouldn't be asking you to pay for it.

Our Roots

The history of the assemblies who meet in the Gospel Hall will show you that our mentors and teachers came from Great Britian during the early 1800's time of influence of the Plymouth Brethren.

Your Needs

We want you to know that we are dedicated to helping you with your needs wherever you are in life. While there is a lot to read on this website, the best way to discover the feel of a place is by spending time with its people. Once you do this, we're convinced that you will find everything that you're looking for and much, much more.

Your First Visit

We would love for you to join us for one of our services. You should...

Contact one of the churches listed in the directory. The phone number is probably a person's home phone or cell phone. They are expecting you to call and ask about the church. They probably will be willing to meet with you beforehand if you have questions.
Pick a Service. See the Gospel Hall FAQs to read about the various types of meetings held in the Hall.
Go to the Hall for the service.
After the service stay around and talk. Getting aquainted after the service can sometimes last longer than the service for some people!

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Is Aaron's miter like the woman's head covering in the church?

What is the relationship of Aarons mitre with the coverings of 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11?

The teaching of I Corinthians 11:2-16" TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 11:2-16 seems to be more a contrast than a comparison. Headship is the core truth of the passage and is distinguished from lordship. Picturing a body, headship points downward from the head and involves the responsibility of the head for the body. God has established an order in which the head takes care of the body. Lordship is complementary to this and points upward to the head. Lordship indicates the responsibility of the body to the head. The body acknowledges this order by subjection. Authority is linked with lordship, administration with headship. Colossian truth is that He is the head of the Body ("looking from the head down") and is therefore the source of our completeness (Colossian 1:18; 2:10, 19)." TARGET="_blank">Colossian 1:18; 2:10, 19). Ephesian truth is that we are in the Body ("looking from the body up") and are responsible to one another and to the Lord (Ephesians 5:21, 22)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:21, 22).

Second, two spheres of headship are on display in the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11: Christ is head of the man; man is head of the woman (verse 3). The temporary covering on the head of the woman and the lack of a covering on the head of the man expresses Christs headship of the man. The short hair of the man and the long hair of the woman express mans headship of the woman. The first sphere of headship requires incarnation and redemption. The second dates from creation (not the Fall).

Interpreting Aarons head covering in light of 1 Corinthians 1" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1 seems to confuse the issue therefore, since headship is not related to subjection to authority and the covered head displays a New Testament headship.

D. Oliver
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What is the significance of the terms

What is the significance of the terms “Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 32)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 32) and “Kingdom of God” ("1 Corinthians 15:24)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:24)?

The expression “Kingdom of God” does not actually occur in 1 Corinthians 15:24," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:24, but I believe the Kingdom there referred to is the same to all intents and purposes as that proclaimed by John the Baptist. Any godly Jew, versed in the Old Testament Scriptures and especially Daniel’s prophecy, knew that God had transferred the Kingdom from Israel, for their sins, to the four great Gentile Powers—Babylon, MedoPersia, Greece and Rome, the last of which was exercising its sway at the time of the Baptist’s mission. It would also be known from Daniel that the next event on the divine programme was to be the smiting and total destruction of the great-powers, regarded in their integrity as an image, by the stone cut out without hands, to be followed by the “setting up of a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed,” and “which shall not be left to other people,”—”it shall stand for ever.”

What else could a godly Jew understand then by John’s proclamation, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” but that God was about to introduce His, the fifth Kingdom, upon earth? For that, God had His King ready, but the King was also the Lamb of God—for atonement must be made, the only ground on which the Kingdom could ever be set up on this sin-stained earth. Had the Jewish nation received the post-pentecostal testimony to the resurrection of the Lord, God would have sent back the Lord Jesus to destroy His enemies and set up His millennial Kingdom.

It is that Kingdom to which reference is made in 1 Corinthians 15:24," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:24, at the close of which the Lord will put down all His enemies—human and angelic—and then deliver up the Kingdom to God, purged of every “evil concurrent.” This will not be as is so often mistakenly asserted, in the sense of ceasing to reign, for the millennial reign will only be the first stage of the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but in the sense of restoring it to Him. Then no less than before, God will be (not become) All in All, and the Lord will reign as universal King. God’s throne will for ever be the throne of God and the Lamb.

W.H.

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Sell Your Christian or Bible Website WTB

WTB - Want to Buy - Christian Website or your website based on the Bible, Sunday school, prayer, Bible study or related topic.

If you have a website that has been useful for sharing the Bible with the Internet audience but now find it difficult to maintain, please contact us at using the Contact link on the left.

Information we would like to know about your site:

1) Costs. How much are you asking to sell your site for?

2) Value. A website is valuable not for it's design, but for it's traffic. We are interested in buying a site that has some value in its assets such: established time online (more than one year), has some traffic (100 or more visits per day), some quality inbound links from other internet sites (such as dmoz or yahoo directory), some subscribers in a mailing list, and some search keywords that are in the first 10 results of Google, Yahoo or Bing (MSN).

3) History. Tell us about your site. Why and when did you create it? What makes you decide to no longer operate it?

GospelHall.org is a Christian website whose mission is to share the message of the Bible as God's Word. Any websites that we aquire are operated on this understanding.

Shad Sluiter

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