____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ November 5, 2000 ____________________________________________________ The Unique Jesus by Jim R. Everett With what do you compare one of a kind? Since we learn by associating unknown truth with known truths, how are we able to understand that ``the word became flesh''? There is no exact reference point. Jesus was unique in that He was both God and flesh. In the beginning He was God (God-nature) and He became flesh (Jno. 1:14). ``His name shall be called Emmanuel (which being interpreted is God with us)'' (Mt. 1:23). You can compare Him with God, because He is God, and learn some things about Him. You can also compare Him with man, because He was man and learn some other things about Him. However, Jesus, the Son of God made flesh, was unique in that he was only one of a kind -- there will never be another ``Emmanuel''; hence, there is no one with whom you can compare Him to explain HOW God dwelt in flesh. When one takes issue with Jesus being all God and all man (100% of each), then he must believe in a Jesus who was part God and part man. His only other alternative is to affirm that ``The Word'' was all God and not really man or He was all man and not God at all. One should tread carefully when he begins to expound upon that which cannot be explained in human terms -- like, how do you explain God-nature? Students of history are very aware that controversy about the nature of Jesus has caused many false conclusions. If we find ourselves seemingly forced to accept ``off shoots'' in order to ``shore up'' our commitment to a position held, then we should realize that somewhere we got off track. Accommodative interpretation -- interpreting scriptures to accommodate a position -- eventually causes self deception. The Watchtower organization has been guilty of interpreting scriptures to accommodate their beliefs for many years. In a very real way their doctrines about hell, the soul and Jesus are interrelated and interdependent. By comparison, the current controversy about the deity and manhood of Jesus appears to be an attempt to find ONE MAN who has lived a perfect life JUST AS A MAN to prove that man does not have to sin. The determined pursuit of one position has produced, to say the least, some very questionable conclusions about Jesus' God-nature. The deity/humanity of Jesus should never have been raised in the study of whether or not man has to sin. This must be determined on the principle of free will and individual responsibility. When all discussions about Jesus's nature and whether or not man has to sin have worn thin, we must still deal with the real problem -- MAN DOES SIN, ALL MEN SIN. However, if man HAS (is compelled) to sin, his free will is negated. Further, the JUSTICE OF GOD is thereby called in question. But God is just in His condemnation, because MAN SINS of his own will and volition (cf. Rom. 2-3). Man's free will and the justness of God mean that God does not make us sin; Satan cannot force us to do wrong; and we are not compelled to transgress God's will. While there are things we cannot understand and explain about God or how The Word became flesh, there are some teachings which brethren should understand will cause an immediate and strong reaction. That is true for the simple reason that such teachings take issue with that which is so fundamentally essential in our acceptance of Jesus, the Son of God. First Century Man's Dilemma With Jesus: When first century men saw Jesus walking in Palestine, they saw a man. It would be reasonable for them to say that He was a man, because He had a body just like other men. He looked like a man, He spoke like a man, He felt like a man (cf. 1 Jno. 1:1-3). However, it would have been a false and unwarranted conclusion to say He was JUST A MAN. Towards the end of the first century, disciples were influenced by gnostic concepts of flesh being inherently evil. Their concept of flesh compelled them logically to deny that Jesus had come in the flesh. How could God-nature dwell in that which is inherently evil? Their explanation was that He only appeared to be flesh and only seemed to die. Their conclusion that Jesus could not have been flesh did not come from an evaluation of ALL REVEALED FACTS. Furthermore, a denial of Jesus' flesh would necessarily be a denial of His temptation, suffering and death. John called this teaching ``anti Christ'' and warned the disciples about such teachers (1 Jno. 4:1-4). Our Dilemma About Jesus: The postulation that Jesus was JUST A MAN or that His God-nature was diminished in being a man is a grievous mistake. It has created confusion and strife. In becoming flesh, was ``The Word'' less God? How do we understand ``God in flesh'' without diminishing one or the other? The most critical question to be considered is, ``Can God ever become `un-God'?'' or to put it another way, ``Can God lose God-nature?'' We know that ``ho logos'' took upon Himself man-nature (Jno. 1:14; Heb. 2:8-9); therefore, we would have to conclude that if He took it upon Himself, then He could also discard it. But it is impossible that ``ho logos'' (``the word,'' Jno. 1:1-2) who was with God (the Father) and was God (God-nature) could lose God nature, with whatever that includes. If He lost God-nature, then He never was God-nature. An essential prerequisite of God-nature is that it is eternal -- God has always been and God will always be -- God is unchangeable. His nature cannot be lost so as to become ``un-God!'' Whatever else we know or do not know about Jesus, however we may seek to explain it, can never take issue with that fact. Remember that that which is attributable to God nature is omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), omnipresence (all present), and eternal (not mortal or subject to death). Was Jesus this? Could these qualities of nature be ascribed to ``ho logos'' before His physical birth? Did He lose these attributes when He became flesh? Jesus Spoke to Men as They Saw a Man: Several times Jesus said such things as, ''...I can do nothing of myself...I came not to do mine own will but the will of Him that sent me...The Father is greater than I...'' Those statements were actually claims of an inseparable relationship with the Father. To construe such statements as a denial of God-nature, so as to make Jesus less God than The Father, misunderstands why He spoke to men as a man. As man His appeal had to be to The Father. Had He spoken otherwise, men would have seen Him as testifying of Himself (cf. Jno. 5:31 and 8:13-14). Look at passages in which Jesus speaks as a man to men, and understand that He speaks from man's perspective. This requires that we understand some things He said from His unique, God-in-flesh existence. As a man speaking to men, His appeal was always to other witnesses than Himself, though His testimony was true. Hence, as He spoke to men He identified himself with man but also appealed to His relationship with The Father. To claim God as His Father and Himself to be ``The Son of God'' necessarily meant He was God-nature. The evidence of His works, John the Baptist, the Scriptures and the Father all confirm His ``sonship'' (Jno. 5:31-39). ``Sonship'' (``firstborn,'' ``only begotten'') is not genetic; that is, God did not beget God so that ``The Word'' (Jno. 1:1), somewhere back in eternity, was begotten and came into existence when, previously, He had not existed (cf. Heb. 1:5; Jno. 1:14). Rather, ``sonship'' shows relationship and an honored position (cf. Jno. 5:19-29; Col. 1:16; Psa. 89:27). ``Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee'' (Psa. 2:8; Acts 13:33), refers to the resurrection of Jesus as the absolute sign of honored position and accomplished work. The Jews heard Him say, ``I can do nothing of myself but as I hear from the Father that I do'' (Jno. 5:30). Their assessment of that statement was, ``He made himself equal with God...''; that is, ``He is claiming to be God-nature.'' Was that observation accurate or a misguided conclusion affirmed by them in order to accuse Him further? They had previously charged Him with breaking the sabbath because He healed the impotent man on the seventh day. To say that He broke the sabbath was inaccurate and Jesus denied it. But, in His denial of the charge, Jesus makes an observation which shows Him to have the same authority over the sabbath that the Father did (Jno. 5:17-18). When they charge Him with making Himself equal with God by His response to them, He does not deny that. Conclusion: The consistent pursuit of some arguments will lead to a Jesus who was a ``created God,'' or a Jesus who pre-existed only as an idea in the mind of God and genetically became the Son of God through intercourse between the Holy Spirit and Mary. In accepting God in flesh one must apply the laws of uniformity and harmony -- look at everything that is said about Jesus to harmonize what appears to be conflicting statements. Do not take some scriptures that deal with the humanity of Jesus and conclude that being a man made Him less God. Do not look at scriptures which speak of His God-nature and conclude that He was less than all man. Jesus was uniquely one of a kind. Our attempts to explain Him to our satisfaction will always be inadequate. However, when we begin to explain Him so as to make Him more or less than what He was, we will begin to believe in a Jesus who is not the Jesus of the scriptures who saves men from their sins. It behooves us to tread carefully upon such hallowed ground --where, as frail men, we are so limited in capacity to comprehend. ___________________________________________ Just A Few by Cletis Brooks `Twas time for worship on Wednesday night. The Lord occupied His usual pew. They came for to worship Him. No, not many, just a faithful few. The voices they blended in song. Their hearts united in prayer To God they gave honor and glory No, not many, just a few were there. The Lord made note in the Book of Life-- The worship in song, the prayer; The glory and honor He received-- No, not many, just a few were there. Oh Christian friend, `tis You He needs To fill the empty pew For workers strong He calls Yes, for many, not just a few. -- Via The Exhorter, May 21, 2000 ___________________________________________ News & Notes We appreciate the fine job Randy Frame did in preaching last Sunday morning. It was an edifying lesson for all. (John Thompson will be our special speaker for the last Sunday morning of November.) Two of the elders' wives at the University Heights church of Christ in Lexington, Kentucky, have both been very ill--sister Fox and sister Padgett. Let us continue praying for them. Correction Notice: The ``Penny Tuggle'' mentioned in last's weeks bulletin should have been ``Minnie Tuggle.'' (The e-mail version which goes into about 800 to 1,000 homes each week had it correct, but not the hardcopy version for church.) I apologize for the error. Free Bible courses are available for the public. Feel free to request one today. If you live in our area and need a ride to our services, please contact us. One of the members would be glad to provide you with transportation. We also have Bible film slides (a 5-lesson series) that we would enjoy showing in the homes of any of you in the not-too-distant area. Just call or write to find out more. ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________