Bishop's Epistle: THE DUAL NATURE OF CHRIST . (Chapter Five: The Test of Deity)

Christ Pantocrator, Sinai

The Test of Deity

Throughout this paper we have been discussing the dual nature of Jesus of Nazareth. It should be quite clear by now that one can not arrive at a correct understanding of who Jesus is without the knowledge of the deity and human natures in Jesus. This knowledge is key; and, in this chapter we will discover how to apply this all important Key.

Some have asked: If, indeed, Jesus has two natures, one divine and one human - and if He does exist and have being on two separate planes - How can it be determined which nature, human or divine, any particular Jesus-Passage is referencing? (Jesus-Passage: any passage of Scripture that references Jesus; were, either He is speaking or is being spoken about.)

This question is answered by the following method: The God Test.

The God Test method is simply this: there are five characteristics that are true of God anywhere and at any time (these we will call the God-Absolutes), if the Jesus-Passage is in disagreement with any one of these five God-Absolutes, that particular Jesus-Passage is referencing His human nature. If, on the other hand, the Jesus-Passage reflects any one of the God-Absolutes, that particular Jesus-Passage is referencing His God Nature.

In the following list are the God-Absolutes:

1. God has Omnipresence (1 Kings 8:27);

2. God has Omniscience (Acts 2:23;1 Peter 1:2; Isaiah 46:10);

3. God has Omnipotence (Genesis 17:1);

4. God is Immutable (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6);

5. God is Eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27)

The God-Absolutes listed above will be applicable to Jesus as God, but not to Him as Man. Employ these God-Absolutes to determine if a given passage of Scripture is referencing Jesus as God (Son of God), or as Man (Son of man).

Amen

THE APOSTOLIC CREED

I believe in one God, solitary in being; Maker of Heaven and Earth, and all things therein: by His eternal Word. That is to say: By the breath of his mouth. Thereby, and because of creation, reasonably termed the Father.

Who, because of us sinners, and for our salvation, became manifested in flesh. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. This incarnation not lessening His deity, nor altering his humanity; fully God and fully man, consubstantiated. Therefore, the angel named him Jesus - Jehovah Savior. As to his deity, He is the same essence, nature, and being as the Father. As to his humanity, he is a like essence, nature, and being with us men. Thereby, and because of generation and redemption, reasonably termed the Son of God.

Who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, was buried, and descended into Hades. Who, in His deity raised Himself from the dead on the third day, ascending to the right hand of the Majesty on High; from which he shed forth His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Thereby, and because of emanation and sanctification, reasonably termed the Holy Spirit.

I believe in the one true saving gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Which saving graces are individually appropriated respectively, through repentance, water baptism with the invocation of Jesus’ name: thereby, washed in his blood; and the infilling of His Spirit as in the beginning.

I believe in the holy, universal, and apostolic Church, the communion of the saints, and the forgiveness of sins; the sacramental mysteries of: Jesus name water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the laying on of hands. I believe in the resurrection of the body, the catching way of the Church; the physical return of Jesus Christ, eternal judgment and life everlasting.

The Icon at the top of this essay is Christ Pantocrator, Sinai, which has different facial expression for each side of its face to represent the Dual nature of Christ: God and man. Here each side is mirrored to show the two personas.

Be sure to continue reading the Dual Nature in chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the links provided here:

Chapter One: Introduction to the Fact

http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-dual-nature-of-jesus-of-nazareth.html

Chapter Two: Jesus is Yahweh Godhttp://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-dual-nature-of-christ-chapter-two.html

Chapter Three: Jesus is Human

http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-dual-nature-of-christ-chapter-three.html

Chapter Four: Distinctions Between the Two Natures

http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-dual-nature-of-christ-chapter-four.html

Chapter Five: The Test of Deity

http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-dual-nature-of-christ-chapter-five.html

Apostolically Speaking

☩☩ Jerry L Hayes

(Mar David Ignatius)

Be sure to listen and subscribe to the Bishop's Podcast: Apostolic Bishop, at:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-apostolicbishops-podcast/id1472262392?fbclid=IwAR2FlRYnNsw5Vu_Bz4PjyEdiAxFMawhtD2BFr_S7WysrpFcYjuQYSHGAlZ

Read other Essays from the pen of the Bishop on he subject of the Godhead:

Godhead Theology is a study of Christian Godhead theology. ... Was He God or not? In Godhead Theology Bishop Jerry Hayes follows that debate through the first 300 years of the Church's history. Our book is in five sections: Section One ... demonstrates Modalistic Monarchianism as the original orthodoxy of the Chruch; Section Two introduces the Apostolic Creed ... ; Section Three is an affirmation of Modalistic Monarchianism; Section Four is Modalism's responses to objection from the pluralists Trinitarians, Binitarians, Arians and Semi-Arians. Included are two comprehensive indexes: Subject Index and Scripture Index. 613 pages.

Own this classic book today by ordering from the link provided here:https://www.amazon.com/Godhead-Theology-Modalism-Original-Orthodoxy/dp/1516983521/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Bishop+Jerry+hayes&qid=1554244653&s=books&sr=1-4

The Jesus Debate is a written debate between Bishop Jerry Hayes and Prof. Willy Olmo. This book contains all papers submitted between this two knowledgeable men. Bishop Hayes affirms and defends the Oneness of God; Prof. Olmo affirms and defends Arian Unitarianism.

Own this classic debate by ordering from the link provided here:
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Debate-Modalism-Arianism-Unitarianism/dp/1484036670/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Bishop+Jerry+hayes&qid=1554244653&s=books&sr=1-6

The Hayes vs Mulbah Debate is a formal written debate on the subject of the Godhead, between Bishop Jerry L Hayes (Onenessarian) and Minister Andrew Mulbah (Trinitarian). This work contains the debate in its entirety plus other related material. Included are the two Creeds from which both disputants argue their respective views: The Apostolic Creed (the statement of faith for the Oneness/Modalistic Monarchian theology) and the Athanasian Creed (the official statement of faith for the Trinitarian theology).

Own this remarkable debate today, by ordering it from the link provided here:https://www.amazon.com/Hayes-Mulbah-Debate-Oneness-Trinity/dp/1727358953/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Bishop+Jerry+hayes&qid=1554244653&s=books&sr=1-8

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Bishop's Epistle

Saturday, June 29, 2019

THE DUAL NATURE OF CHRIST . (Chapter Five: The Test of Deity)

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