Many people believe that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal in status, with each being God and yet together being but one God. What is the Bible's viewpoint?
1. The Father and the Son are separate individuals. (see Matthew 2o:23 &26:39; Mark 13:32;John 8:17,18 &14:28 ;Luke 3:21,22). Did Jesus resurrect himself?
2. The Father is greater than the Son before,during and even after the latter's ministry on earth( John 14:28 &2o:17;1 Corinthians 11:3 & 15:27,28). The Father is "the only true God"(John 17:3;1 Cor. 8:5,6;1 Peter 1:3). His personal name is Jehovah.(Exodus 6:3;Isaiah 12:2 &26:4, King James Version).
3. The Holy Spirit is God's active force,not a person. The helper promised at John 15:26 came as tongues of fire and "filled" 12o disciples at Pentecost(Acts 2:1-4). There was no record of the holy spirit writing letters to the congregation, performing miracles,etc like Jesus and Paul. See also how Acts 2:17;11:16 &7:55 ; Matthew 3:11;Genesis 1:2 ;Luke 11:13 ;Hebrews 6:4 spoke about the Holy Spirit.
4. The "oneness" of God,Jesus and the Holy Spirit referred to at John 1o:3o & 1 John 5:7,8 is like the oneness of husband and wife (Genesis 2:24). Just as the husband is distinct from his wife and is her head, God is distinct from Jesus and is his head( 1 Corinthians 11:3). The oneness is unity of purpose, not the same identity. See also John 17:21,22.
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