WHO IS YOUR GOD? This is an introduction...

 There are 2 main explainations for the nature of God as Father, Son, & Spirit.

The first is the most common which is the trinity view. It teaches that the terms Father, Son, & Spirit are 3 persons yet somehow still one God.

Then there is the oneness view which states that the one God simply manifests Himself in 3 ways. That these manifestations are "Likened" to persons, but in reality there is simply one God. No mystery about it. 

Isaiah 43,11 states;... "I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior".

Rev 4,2 states that one sits on the throne, not 3.

To help you unravel this great mystery I suggest the following book.

CLICK HERE


UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
(Deut. 6:4) NKJV

If God is a trinity of persons,(instead of simply three ways of revealing Himself) how many thrones are there in heaven, and whom will we see there?” asked a curious student in the religion class.
“You know, I’ve never thought about that. The Bible doesn’t really say,” replied the lecturer, an ordained denominational minister.
I could not believe my ears! An acknowledged theological expert was confessing his ignorance of a basic Bible fact about his God. I raised my hand to respond and then read John’s inspired words in Revelation 4:2: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” KJV 
Also see,.. Isa 6:1--Isa 44:24--Isa 43:11

“The Bible does give us the answer. There is only one throne in heaven, and those who go there will see only one God on the throne,” I concluded.“Well, you’ve offered powerful support for your position,” the teacher conceded as the class period ended.Such confusion about the God they expect to see in heaven is by no means unusual among believers in a trinity of persons.


Believers in 3 persons try to resolve the tension between the many scriptural assertions of God’s absolute oneness and
their affirmation of plurality in the Godhead by reciting that God is “three in one.” When accused of tritheism, they indignantly insist, “Oh no! We believe in one God.”
When asked if Jesus is the incarnation of all the Godhead, however, they maintain that He is not, for their “one” God exists mysteriously as three distinct persons. (see COL. 2,9)
While the concept of “three in one” may be a convenient philosophical concept on earth, it does not provide much help in answering the question, “Whom will we see in heaven?” To answer “three in one” is unsatisfactory, for how can anyone see “three in one”?
If they answer that they will see three, then they
are a tritheist—a believer in three separate and distinct gods—despite his protestations to the contrary. If there is a trinity of persons with separate bodies, each of whom can interact with us individually, then they are not one God in any meaningful sense.
 On the other hand, if they answer that they will see only one God, then the next question is, “Who will He be?” A study of Scripture shows that the One we will see is Jesus Christ, and once a person agrees to that proposition he has essentially adopted the Oneness position.
Revelation 4:8 describes the One on the throne as “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” This Lord is our Lord Jesus Christ, for Revelation 1 has already described Jesus in identical terms: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so,
Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is
to come, the Almighty. . . . I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. . . . I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (Revelation 1:7-8, 11, 17-18).KJV   “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne". (Matt 25,31 NASB)

Another way of putting it would be that God wears many hats, but He is still one God.
 If someone expects or desires to see other divine persons, he should ponder Christ’s words to Philip: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9).

If you would like to know more about "The Oneness of God" here is a PDF book to read. It explaines how the terms "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" properly apply to God and how everything that God is can ALL be found in Jesus Christ!
CLICK HERE







If you read the above book and still have questions or need further clarity the following book is a sequel that goes deeper. CLICK HERE

This next book (below) on the same subject may express some slightly different explainations at some  points. It is the same view of God's nature.
Its called "THE CASE FOR ONENESS THEOLOGY"

Click Here to download   



Water & Spirit Baptism in Salvation

A VERY IMPORTANT PROMISE: ACTS 2,38 Then Peter said to them, (step 1) “Repent, and (step 2let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and (step 3 you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(The next verse says this promise is for everyone today!)
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.NKJV

The book of Acts is a record of the early church. Let it be an example for us today!

The Contemporary English Version (CEV) translates Acts 2,38 as: "Peter said, “Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit." Most versions of the Bible today translate this verse to have the same meaning.

 These words were spoken by Peter (see image below) at the opening of the New Testament church. Does your church teach this clear and unchanging message? MORE EXAMPLES
Acts 8:16,17 ....They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
(NKJ)

 Acts 10:44,48
 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
NASB

Acts 19:5,6 (REBAPTIZED) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,....
(NKJ)
 
These 4 passages in the book of Acts are examples of how the early church (and the apostles) obeyed (and understood)  the great commision in Matt 28,19. The early church understood that Matt. 28:19 points to ONE Name which represents all the redemptive manifestations of the Godhead, for it says "in the name" not names. Matt. 28,19 should not be construed as an oral baptismal formula. If it was then the apostles would have used it. The Lord gave the apostles special understanding of these words of the Great commision.  
Luke 24:45-47
45    Then opened he their (the apostles) understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Verse 47 repeated the Great commision again using different wording.
47    And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. This is a clear reference to Matt 28,19 being fulfilled in Acts 2,38.  I would rather trust the apostles interpretation on Matt 28,19 than anyone else. After all, Eph 2,20 said to! There isn't even one place in the Bible where anyone was ever Baptised (or anything else) using the words of Matt 28,19. Proof that the modern interpretation of this verse is faulty.
IT WOULD ALSO RENDER COL. 3,17 and Phil 2,9-10 TO BE MEANINGLESS.
Did the LORD ever say anything knowing that most listeners would misunderstand his statement such as in Matt 28,19? Yes!
John 2,19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
Why would Jesus say this to them knowing they would misunderstand? The same applies to the modern interpretation of Matt 28,19. 

Matt 16,19 "And I (Jesus) will give you (Peter) the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

We should except Peters words in Acts 2,38!

I have often said that if "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is a name, then "JESUS" is above that (see Phil. 2,10). Zechariah 14:9 says;...
And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be--" The LORD is one," and His name one. (NKJ)

Most church members today don't understand that the name " JESUS " is the FULL revelation of God!  Why? Because of man-made tradition! May the Lord open your understanding as you study this subject. (also see "UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY" on this web-site).

The modern church of today does NOT follow these examples of the apostles in the book of Acts!
Shame on them! Eph 2:20 says the church was "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,...
(NKJ)
Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, and 19:5 all teach baptism
in the name of Jesus. Some people reject the idea
that these four verses speak of a formula, basing their
argument on the slight variations in the wording. For
example, Acts 2:38 says, “Jesus Christ,” while Acts
8:16 and 19:5 say, “Lord Jesus.”
But their reasoning is faulty. What is significant is
that in the Greek all four verses include the name
Jesus. The words "Lord" or "Christ"  may vary in the four passages
but, the name of Jesus is used consistently. For the oral formula for baptism it is recommened however, that "Lord" or "Christ" 
 be added (as examples in Acts show) (or both) to identify the Lord Jesus Christ specifically due to the fact that other people in history have been named Jesus.


For an example of what "in the name of Jesus" means, we need only look at the story of the lame man's healing in Acts 3. Jesus said to pray for the sick in His name (Mark 16:17-18), and Peter said the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus (Acts 4:10). How did this happen? Peter actually spoke the words, "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 3:6). The name Jesus spoken in faith produced the result.
Because of the exalted position of this name, we are exhorted to rely upon the name of Jesus in all we do or say: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). 

Mark 16:16 contains two conditions for salvation: It commands you to believe and be baptized. It did NOT say, “He that believeth and is saved should be baptized.”
Question:
According to Mark 16:16, who shall be saved?
Answer:
Those that believe and are baptized.

John 3:5
 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
(NKJ)
Is Jesus talking about water baptism here in John 3,5 when He says "born of water"? I believe so. See the following verses:.

John 1:26  John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water,...

John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

Acts 11:16 "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water,(born of water) but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'(born of Spirit)
(NKJ)
Acts 2,38 instructs baptism in water & Spirit to be saved. It's easy to see the link between Acts 2,38 and John 3,5.

(Why do verses like Acts 16,31 not include water baptism if it is necessary for salvation? The answer is very simple. For the same reason Mark 16,16 doesn't include repentance for salvation. And for the same reason Acts 3,19 doesn't include belief. These verses are only part of the bigger picture for salvation. To take only one verse in isolation of other passages on the same subject is to not get the whole picture.)

(For a closer look at this subject, see "THE NEW BIRTH" below).

Some will ask, “Well, what about the thief on the cross?" The problem with the thief on the cross when Jesus told him he would be with Him in paradise, is that Jesus was still alive. Christ had not yet died or been buried, so He had certainly not risen yet either. Baptism into Christ was not put into practice until Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 after Christ had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven.

SALVATION BY WORKS?

2 KINGS 5,13-14
13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (Note: The water did NOT heal the man, but his obedient-faith was the key.It's healing (or salvation) by obedient-faith! (OBEY ACTS 2,38!)Also, repentance is required. Repentance is NOT salvation by works either. It may require that you make some changes in your life that would require physical effort to do so such as getting rid of some things in your life or moving from a living condition. This is NOT salvation by works. God alone saves a person based on their response (obedient faith) to the gospel message.

Baptismal Regeneration?

At this point, we must emphasize that the Bible does not teach "baptismal regeneration," for the water and the ceremony do not have saving power in themselves. Water baptism is not a magical act; it is without spiritual value unless accompanied by conscious faith and repentance.  The Roman Catholic Church for example is a promoter of Baptismal Regeneration. Infant baptism is a good example of this. How can a baby have faith and repent? Baptism is important only because God has ordained it to be so. God could have chosen to remit sin without baptism, but in the New Testament church He has chosen to do so at the moment of baptism. Our actions at baptism do not provide salvation or earn it from God; God alone remits sins based on Christ's atoning death. When we submit to repentance and water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38 22,16 and John 3,5 (and other verses) God honors our obedient faith and forgives our sins.
Why take the chance? Follow the examples of the original church in the book of Acts as I have and be baptised (or rebaptised) with the matchless name of Jesus Christ called over you. THIS CONCERNS YOUR SALVATION!


The following book presents everything you need to know about this important subject. CLICK HERE for "THE NEW BIRTH".



(Special note: In "THE NEW BIRTH" there is a good section on speaking in tongues (and miracles for today). My view on tongues however is a little different. I don't agree that one will necessarily speak in tongues in every case that someone receives the Spirit. There are other signs of reception of the Spirit such as praise or prophecy or speaking the word with boldness. In the following verses:(Acts 4,31 8,17 9,17) nothing is said about tongues when the spirit was received. In Acts 4,31 the evidence was speaking the word of God with boldness, not speaking with tongues. In Acts 8,17 it does not say what the evidence was. It could have been the same evidence as in 4,31. It could also be prophecy (19,6). And in 9,18 the evidence was something like scales that fell from his eyes because he was blind. In short, something miraculous besides tongues was the evidence. Some argue that he spoke in tongues and then he received his sight. However, it doesn't say this. There are different evidences that can happen when the Holy Spirit comes in. (See 1 Cor 12,4-11)To say it always has to be tongues is just wishful thinking for some folks. Praise is another evidence in 10,46. The evidence could be any one of these, or a combination as seen.  Chapter 9 page 239 of "The New Birth" points out that speaking in tongues are NOT an infallible sign of the Spirit's abiding presence. A very interesting point indeed coming from someone who believes that you must speak in tongues! 1 Cor 12,4-11 tell us that tongues are one of the gifts. 1 Cor 12,30 also clearly implies that all do NOT experience this!  Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Many contend that 1 Cor 12 isn't talking about receiving the Holy Ghost. But verse 13 shows that Holy Spirit Baptism is part of the subject! My conclusion on tongues is that it IS a gift that some do not experience. Tongues are biblical and are for today and can be viewed as a evidence in many cases such as Acts 10,45-47. However, to say that ALL must speak in tongues or they are not saved is taking it too far. Why don't these same people that demand that ALL will speak in tongues not insist that ALL will prophecy (as in 19,6) and fire set on all of them (as in 2,4)? We could easily (by the same reasoning) conclude that none have the Spirit because ALL of these don,t always happen! 
 To see what the best evidence is for the Holy Spirit read Galatians 5:22-23. If you don't have THIS then it doesn't matter how much someone speaks in tongues! For further study on this view of tongues see the following links:...CLICK HERE and Here



The Myth of Endless Torment in Hell

I am a Christian and I believe the Bible. I believe the Bible is true
and authoritative. I do not believe in endless torment. I used to, but
now I don’t, not because I don’t believe the Bible, but because I am
genuinely convinced the Bible does not teach it.
That’s the case this book will make. It is an appeal to the Word, and
the words in the Word, with full confidence that the Author of
Scripture and Creator of Language used His creation and wrote His
book to clearly communicate and not confuse.
You may hold to the dogma of endless torment with a clenched fist,
but I hope you will at least hope I’m right. Either way, I have no
doubt the following evidence will be compelling to the thoughtful
reader.
Endless torment is true or it’s not. Belief or disbelief doesn’t will it in
or out of existence. If it’s true, my little squirt gun can’t put it out. If
it’s not true, your little match can’t keep it lit.
So, let’s relax, search the scriptures, and see whether it’s so.



Modesty as the Bible teaches it

 I Timothy 2:9
...in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,...NKJV
“Our Clothing Sends a Message” CLICK HERE

UNITY AT THE EXPENSE Bible Teaching

Dangers of the Ecumenical movement
Many Christians are joining the ecumenical movement, thinking God has ordained it to bring all Christians into unity. But this book reveals that the ecumenical movement is nothing more than a smokescreen, hiding the Vatican's real intent, to stamp out religious freedom and rule the world.
Our fight is not with the Roman Catholic people who have been betrayed by their church. Our job is to rip the mask off her face, and let the poor Roman Catholics see what they're really tied to. They have to find Christ as the answer and it's our job to try to win them to Christ.
 Be careful of those who compromise with ROME!! CLICK HERE

Rev 17:7
And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.


TO READ THIS BOOK
CLICK HERE

WOMEN AS SENIOR PASTORS?

The following is not ment for Sunday school teachers and the like. It is only referring to the top leader of a church, the main preacher.

1 Tim 2:12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
WHY?
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. (NKJ) 

CLICK HERE for short study:....
AND FOR A MORE IN DEPTH STUDY CLICK HERE

The Complete Sovereignty of God





On this subject you may discover some differences between  "THE NEW BIRTH" by David Bernard posted above on this site. I find both views in scripture! Because they are BOTH in the Bible they must both be studied! There is a way to harmonise BOTH on a lot of points! ENJOY.


Calvinism, also known as Reformed theology, is a system of biblical interpretation that focuses on the supreme sovereignty of God, His majesty, His holiness, etc.  It relates this to man's fallen, sinful nature.  Because of the great chasm between God and man and because of man's sinfulness, God must predestine people into salvation...or none would be saved.  Therefore, salvation is the work of God and we are the recipients of His gracious election.
I do not believe however that if someone rejects these tenets that I must reject them or that they are not Christians.


 Rom. 9,15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy,  which He had prepared beforehand for glory....NKJV
Rom.8,29" For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." NKJV

EPH 1,4-5 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will...


And for another teaching video CLICK HERE.




If you watched the above video and you want to know more, then I recommend the following book below by: R.C. Sproul. CLICK HERE to read...


 And for a deeper understanding of this subject I also recommend the following book below by: James White. CLICK HERE TO READ.



BIBLE TRANLATION EDUCATION

MY FAVORITE BIBLE VERSION IS THE NKJV. The following book is very informative on the history of the KJV and why it was revised to the NEW KJV. CLICK HERE TO OPEN
FOR A PENTECOSTAL VIEW OF BIBLE VERSIONS CLICK HERE
FOR A REFORMED BAPTIST VIEW OF BIBLE VERSIONS CLICK HERE




     This interlinear is based on the MAJORITY TEXT. I consider it to be the closest to the original as one can get. CLICK HERE to watch video.

TITHES AND MONEY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

[ The Cheerful Giver ] But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7  NKJV

Bible scholar Spiros Zodhiates has a interesting footnote for Malachi 3,7-8 in his "COMPLETE WORDSTUDY OLD TESTAMENT" which states..." This passage is often used by those who advocate “storehouse tithing”; that is, bringing the “tithe” into God’s storehouse (the local church), rather than giving it anywhere else. They suggest that gifts to ministries other than the local church should be above the “tithe.” Certainly the “storehouse” in Malachi represents the temple or a building in the temple complex. However, the Old Testament “tithe” or “tenth” cannot be reasonably equated with ten percent of gross salary or wages which most people earn today. Above all, giving should be a matter between the Holy Spirit and the believer, not a regulation. The “tithe” may be an adequate guide for determining how much some people could give (indeed, for many in a prosperous society, it is probably an inadequate level), but the amount of giving must be a personal decision. The Apostle Paul wrote that God examines the motives for the giving, not the amount (2 Cor. 9:7)."
Zodhiates, S., & Baker, W. (2000). The complete word study Bible: King James Version (electronic ed.). Chattanooga: AMG Publishers.

Before you dismiss this view of TITHING I challenge you to study the following site.

 CLICK HERE




ISRAEL & PROPHECY

CLICK HERE TO OPEN BOOK

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about....Zechariah 12,2 KJV


Although this book was released in 1995 most of the content would not need revision. After 9-11-2001 some comments may need an update. Keep this in mind as you read this book.
Also, any comments in this book concerning the nature of God 
(ie; Father, Son, Spirit) should be consulted in the book "THE ONENESS OF GOD" By David Bernard. (See "UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY" on this site.
THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IS THE SAME AS THE NEW!

William Branham,...An Examination

If you are a follower of the ministry of William Branham then I would like to share something with you. I dearly love the people in the message that I have met in the past. They are fantastic people!
The following is something that I suggest that you read. It may be tough to diggest for message believers but it is worth the time to sit back and reflect. I love you all in the Lord and hope you feel the same about me after reading this. SHALOM!
(CLICK HERE) WHY I LEFT (A Story from a broken heart)

If you read the (above) tract (WHY I LEFT) and would like to know more, I suggest the following site....
(note: I do not necessarily agree with them on some doctrines. My little blog shows my position on that) CLICK HERE