The False Teaching
Billy Graham: And you also are right in saying that Christians believe Jesus was God. The
Bible tells us He wasn't just a saintly person or a great religious teacher; it
tells us that He was God in human flesh. This is a mystery we can't fully
understand, but Jesus repeatedly taught, "I and the Father are one" (John
10:30). The proof is that He rose again from the dead.
Augustine, Catholic saint:
ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, JOHN X. 30, "I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE." (6) we are though adopted, men. He is called the Only Son, the Only Begotten,
in that, He is That which the Father is; but we are men, The Father is God. In
then that He is That which the Father is; He said, and said truly "I and My
Father are One." What is, "are One "? Are of one Nature. What is, "are One"? Are
of one Substance.
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Exposing the Error
I and my Father are one. (John 10:30 FNT) To
say that Jesus was God on the basis of John 10:30, as does Billy Graham
and many others, is to err in confusing unity with identity. To
say with Augustine that John 10:30 teaches that Jesus and the Father
are of "one substance" and "one nature"
likewise confuses unity with identity. The verse tells us, in context,
that Jesus and the Father are united in the protection of his
sheep. No one can snatch them out of his hand, and no one can
snatch them from the Father's hand. The two hands are not identical!
They are one in will and purpose. In like manner we speak of the 50
United States as one but they are not identical! Godhead is a nonexistent invention of Christians to aid in confusing unity with identity. Jesus would have told us If this were real. The Father and the Son are each individuals, as are any father and son.
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Declaring the Truth
Jn.14:28 FNT If you were agape- loving me, you would have rejoiced that I go to the father,
because the father is greater than I...31 but in order that the world know that I agape-love
the father, and just as the father commanded me, thus I do.
Jn.14:24 FNT The [one] not agape-loving me does not keep to my
words. And the word that you hear is not mine but of the father having sent me.
Mk.9:37 Whoever receives one of such children in my name
receives me; and whoever receive me, receives not me but the [one] having sent
me. Jn.8:42 ...for I have gone out from God and have come. For
neither am I come from myself, but that [one] sent me.
Lk.22:42 Father, . . nevertheless let not my will but
yours come to pass.
The Father and the Son are two distinct individuals. More
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