sharonsweb.net

11-7-06

To make it clear I do not think that any creeds are necessary for salvation or defining who is and who is not Christian. And some of the different creeds contradict each other.

The Nicene Creed was original written in 325 and then revised in 381. Parts of the original were omitted and parts were added to the original as well. It is based on the Apostles’ Creed, but has a very different meaning. The Apostles’ Creed (written within 50 years of Chirst’s life–and more biblical IMO–I don’t think we need it, but what it says seems to coincide with the overall message of the Godhead in the scriptures.) does not say that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one nor does it give that impression. It clearly states:

(From the Apostles’ Creed)
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.”

So in the Apostles’ Creed it is clear that God is the Father Almighty and that Jesus is His Son and our Lord. Not the same being. Not one God with different manifestations.

(from the original Nicene Creed)
“I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty Maker, of al things seen and unseen {fine so far} And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is from the substance of the father {okay, because he is the Son}, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, one in Being with the Father” {okay, now that is significantly different than the Apostles’ Creed…now they are not seperate but in fact the same being}.

So Father and Son, but the same being according to this–so in fact not Father and Son.

(from the Nicene Creed of 381 will bold the text added from the original and will stike what is removed from the oringinal)
“I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, eternally {so according to this addition they are also now co-eternal} begotten from the Father, only begotten, that is, from the substance of the Father, God from God, {why was this removed…perhaps because it seemed like they were in fact 2 seperate beings and this creed was intended to make it seem that they are in fact one being), Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten but not made, one in Being in the Father.”

So according to this revision they are in fact the same being which has co-eternal manifestations as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

So quick recap:

Apostles’ Creed–two seperate beings God the Father and Jesus his Son, our Lord.

original Nicene Creed–Father and Son as two manifestions of one being.

381 Nicene Creed–Son and Father as two eternal manifestions of one being (co-eternal).

The following scriptures show either 1) the relationship between members of the Godhead or 2) that they are seperate beings. These scriptures show that they are not the same being.
Matthew 10:40 “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveith me receiveth him that sent me.”

Matthew 15:24 “…I am not sent but unto…”

Matthew 26:39 & 42 (in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays to Heavenly Father) “And he (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (39)…”He (Jesus) went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done (42).”

Matthew 27:46 (on the cross Jesus says to Heavenly Father) “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?  that is to say “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Luke 4:43 “…I must preach the kindgom of God to other cities also: for therefore i am sent.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

John 3:34-35 “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”

John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

John 5: 17-23; 26-27 “But Jesus answerd them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. There fore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal to God. The Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for what things soever the doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himslef doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth who he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judement unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honourethnot the Father which hath sent him. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man.”

John 5:36 “…for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

…more scriptures to come…one example is Jesus baptism which testifies that they are three seperate beings. Jesus in the water, the Father’s voice, the Holy Spirit as a dove. 3 seperate…not one being with 3 seperate manifestations, but 3 seperate beings.