The Bible teaches that the Son and the Father are clearly separate and distinct persons. Let’s look closely at some of the Old and New Testament passages:
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One God
The Old Testament declares that God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6, 8). And the New Testament affirms that same truth (Mark 12:29; John 17:3;1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Ephesians 4:4-6; etc.). But the One God consists of the – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; Revelation 1:4–6).
In the Old Testament, it starts, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The Hebrew word there for God is Elohim. It is a Plural noun that is used more than 2,700 times in the Old Testament. Also, the three persons of the Godhead appear in the New Testament (Matthew 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 1:4–6).
The Father and the Son
The Father – (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:18; Exodus 33:20; Matthew 11:25; John 8:26-27). No man hath seen the Father. Sinners cannot see Him face to face and live (Exodus 33:20; Deuteronomy 4:12). Some have witnessed a glimpse of His divine presence (John 1:14), but, except in vision, none have seen the divine Person (Isaiah 6:5). The Father, in infinite mercy offered His Son to redeem humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The Son – He is the Word of God (John 1:1; 1 John 1:1; Hebrews 11: 3; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 19: 13), who came to reveal the Father to the world (John 14:7–11). In order to save humans, He voluntarily laid aside the full dimension of His divinity and came to earth (Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-8; John 17:5; John 14:28).
Jesus Christ is called the Son of God (Isaiah 9:6; Psalms 80:15; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 Corinthians 15:28; John 1:1–4; 14:6; John 20:26–29; Revelation 1:8; 1 John 5:11, 12, 20; Colossians 1:16; John 10:18; John 11:25). The Son is equal with the Father (Philippians 2:6; John 1:1-3; John 10:30; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 11:27; 1 John 2:23; John 5:16-23). Therefore, whoever denies the Son, denies the Father (1 John 2:22).
Jesus said that He wasn’t the Father more than 80 times. While always remaining one in purpose and origin, Jesus and the Father are clearly separate and distinct persons. And on more than one occasion, the Father spoke to Jesus from heaven. “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17; Luke 9:35; Mark 9:7; John 12:27, 28). And Jesus also prayed to His heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17:5, 6).
After the resurrection, at the stoning of Stephen, the martyr was filled with the Holy Spirit and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 7:54-56). And the apostle John testified: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one…” (1 John 5:7,8). Also, the apostle Paul affirmed that there were three divine persons: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14 also Hebrews 9:14). And John the Revelator spoke of the Father and the Son as distinct and separate from each other (Revelation 1:4–6).
Who Outranks Whom?
Although the three members of the Godhead are the same in properties and attributes, and equal in power and glory, it appears that the Father is recognized as the ultimate authority. “The head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3 also 1 Corinthians 3:23). Yet, just because the Father seems to have supreme authority, it does not in any way diminish from the divinity of Jesus and the Spirit. The Son constantly receives His glory, power, throne from the Father (John 3:35; John 5:22). The Son lives to glorify the Father, and the Spirit lives to glorify the Father and Son (John 17:1, 5; John 16:14; John 13:31, 32). The Father, Son, and Spirit always seem to be trying to out give and glorify each other (John 17:1, 5; John 16:14; John 13:31, 32).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
