Studies for Restitution
Whom the heaven must receive
until the times of restitution of all things,
which God hath spoken by the mouth of
all his holy prophets since the world began.
Acts 3:21
THE
DOCTRINE OF GOD
IS IT IMPORTANT?
Study to show thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Prepared by:
Restitution Ministries,
P. O. Box 7137 Kariong
NSW 2250, Australia
www.acts321.org
THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
IS IT IMPORTANT TO US
The doctrine of God involves knowing about God and knowing God. Through this doctrine we may establish a true knowledge of who God is, who His Son is, who the Holy Spirit is and the relationship that exists between them. And thereby we may know who we are worshiping.
This is a common question asked by many, when confronted with the doctrine of God. But may I ask. Why do you go to church? And why do you study the Bible? Or why do you attend other religious meetings? Is it not to worship and learn about your God?
Every true Christian knows that to be a follower of Christ, you must have a constant living relationship with your Saviour. And that through this relationship you will also come to know the Father, because, he who knows the Son knows also the Father. The Son is the express image of the Father. (Heb 1:3)
Jn 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Can you have a moment by moment living relationship with someone and not know him or her? I don't think so.
How many of us after being married just a few years, believe that we truly know our spouses?
And yet how much time have we actually spent with them?
If you work and have other commitments that take up time, you may have spent only a few hours a day with your spouse. And yet you still feel that you know that person very well.
If you're a true Christian, you will have Jesus present in your life every moment of every day. And if this is your experience, how can you not know God?
We need to have the Holy Spirit of God with us moment by moment. {RH, September 27, 1892 par. 6}
Jesus is our constant friend. We are to look to him moment by moment, and by looking to him we are to live. {RH, December 2, 1890 par. 15}
IS IT IMPORTANT FOR A CHRISTIAN
TO HAVE THE RIGHT CONCEPTION OF GOD?
Multitudes have a wrong conception of God and of his attributes, and are as truly serving a false god as were the worshipers of Baal. Many, even of those who claim to be Christians, have allied themselves with influences that are unalterably opposed to God and his truth.
{RH, November 6, 1913 par. 1} "In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
Here inspiration tells us that if you have a wrong conception of God you will be serving a false god.
And how many have this wrong conception? " Multitudes."
Does this imply that only a few (or a minority) have the right conception?
Does this sound important to you?
Who is a false god?
Jn 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Here Jesus speaking to a Samaritan women says, the Jews know who the true God is. So who is the God of the Jews? Is it the trinity?
1Cor 10:20 But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Deu 32:17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new [gods that] came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Here we see that worship to unknown gods is worship to devils.
Now this is extremely important.
So we better have a right conception of the true God. I'm sure that no Christian wants to worship devils.
IS THE DOCTINE OF
GOD
IMPORTANT IN THE BIBLE?
Jn 3:16 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.
Jn 3:16 is the gospel, (in a nutshell.) Now if the whole plan of redemption centres on this great sacrifice, that is, the Father giving His Son to save mankind, wouldn't you agree that it is important to know as much as you possibly can about these two Divine Beings?
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:9 tells us, that the same great sacrifice in Jn 3:16 is the way that God has revealed His love to us. Is this not significant to know who God is?
Jn 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jn 17:3 tells us as plainly as the written Word can, that your eternal life depends upon the knowledge of the Father and His Son. Wouldn't you agree that this is extremely important?
Act 9:19-22 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard [him] were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Ac 9:19-22 it seems here, that even Saul thought it was extremely important to tell others who the Son of God is, seeing this was the first sermon he preached in the synagogues after he was converted.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Connect the three verses below and see what they say to you.
1,1Jn4:9 God reveals His love 2,Jn17:3 life eternal 3,1Jn2:22warning
For whom is this warning given?
More specifically, for whom are all warnings in God's word given?
Is there a problem in Christianity today with a denial of the Father and the Son?
Don't all Christian churches believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
Yes, just about all churches believe that Jesus is the Son of God. But only after the incarnation. (Born in Bethlehem)
Well then, why was this warning given? Why are there so many Bible texts telling us to believe in the Father and the Son?
You see friends, the multitudes in Christianity do not believe in the Father and the Son. Just about every denomination has a trinity doctrine in one form or another. And every form of trinity doctrine teaches that Jesus was not born literally of the Father before Bethlehem
This is the most common way used to deny the Father and the Son even though there is so much Biblical evidence telling us that God sent His Son into the world. Also that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.
Begotten means born, only begotten means only born.
Many today are trying to change the meaning of the words only begotten, but the Bible gives us many other texts that clearly prove this fact, that Jesus is truly the only begotten Son of God, before and after Bethlehem.
Remember what we read about the multitudes having a wrong conception of God? Could that statement possibly apply to a small minority of people? So who are the multitudes?
As you have light revealed to you, please pray and take the time to study this subject so that you will not be labelled a liar before God. Investigate the true sonship of Jesus before Bethlehem. And then receive one of the greatest blessings you will ever experience.
Mar 12:28-34 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.
31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].
Mar 12:28-34 records of one of the most assuring replies that Jesus ever gave to a man. Vs34 "Thou art not far from the kingdom."
How would you like Jesus to say that to you?
But why did Jesus say this?
What was the scribe's discreet answer in this conversation? Vs 32,33 He knew who the God of heaven was and how to worship Him.
(He referring to one.)
It seems that it was important to the scribe to know who God is.
And what does vs 33 mean, "with all the understanding"?
Does this imply a mystery? See 8T 268 below.
The Scriptures clearly indicate the relation between God and Christ, and they bring to view as clearly the personality and individuality of each. 8T
Why was it so important for Paul to preach "Christ, He is the Son of God" as soon as possible, after he was converted?
He now realised, (1Jn 4:9, Jn 17:3, 1Jn 2:22) the importance of knowing who God is and who the Son of God is.
This is also why it was so important for the scribe to know who God is?
IS THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
IMPORTANT FOR SALVATION?
Jn 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
What power is Jn 1:12 speaking of?
Jn 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
This is the power of God to convert the soul, to become a son of God.
The power is the Spirit of God, the personal presence of Christ in us.
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Jn 1:12 [even] to them that believe on his name:
What does this mean?
The Bible tells us that Jesus has many names, signifying many different aspects of the work He performs for us. But if you were to sum up all these names into one, what would that name be?
Clearly, Jesus is the "Son of God." The only begotten Son of God.
See, Hebrews 1:4 and Proverbs 30:4
But why is this name the one that is so important? Jn 1:12,13.
You see friends, if Jesus was not truly the Son of God before Bethlehem He could not have been given all the other names He possesses.
This is why it was so important for Paul to preach, (straightway) "Christ, He is the Son of God."
This is also why it was so important for the scribe to know who God is. You see the scribe knew that the eternal God of heaven had a Son, and this Son was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, the only begotten Son of God.
Jn 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (again we are told to believe that Jesus is the Son of God)
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (again we are told to believe)
Jn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (again we are told to believe)
1Jn 5:9,10 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (again we are told to believe)
Mat16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
The Old Testament also tells us, that before Bethlehem there were those who acknowledged the Sonship of Christ before His Incarnation.
Dan 3:25 ….and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Jn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
If we link Mat 16:16-18 with Jn 1:12, we can see that the affirmation of faith upon which Jesus said He would build His church is, that Christ is the Son of the living God. Isn't this important?
IS THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
IMPORTANT FOR UNITY?
Unfortunately, some people say that this is a divisive doctrine but the Bible says the exact opposite. It is easy to see why Satan has spread that deceitful belief. He certainly does not want anyone worshiping the true God of Heaven, if worshiping Him brings salvation.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
This is what will bring the church into the fullness of Christ, the church triumphant, not militant. No wonder Satan is worried about the unity this doctrine is bringing.
· Mat16:16 gives us the affirmation of Faith that Christ is the Son of the living God.
· Jn 1:12 tells us we receive power by believing in His name, which is, the Christ the Son of God.
· Eph 4:13 tells us that the knowledge of the Son of God will be in unity, not division.
· Therefore may we conclude that it is important to have a correct understanding of who the Son of God is, so we can believe in His name and receive the power of God, that we so desperately need for unity in Spirit and truth.
· Eph 4:14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
The correct understanding of the Son of God, coupled with Ep4:14 will certainly take your eyes off man and certainly lead you back to the Bible as your only standard of doctrine.
· Eph 4:14 assures us that we will be protected from all wind of doctrine, after coming into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.
· Lets not be preoccupied with division, it is God's work to separate the wheat from the tares. Instead, let our concern be directed to following truth, and the truth will set us free.
IS THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
IMPORTANT TO SATAN?
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Lucifer . . . , before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God's dear Son. His countenance, like those of the other angels, was mild and expressive of happiness. His forehead was high and broad, showing a powerful intellect. His form was perfect; his bearing noble and majestic. A special light beamed in his countenance and shone around him brighter and more beautiful than around the other angels; yet Christ, God's dear Son, had the pre-eminence over all the angelic host. He was one with the Father before the angels were created. . . . {FLB 67.2}
The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as an injustice to Lucifer, who, it was claimed, was also entitled to reverence and honor. {PP 37.1}
Lucifer was envious of Christ, and gradually assumed command which devolved on Christ alone. {SR 13.1}
Lucifer
was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ. Yet when all
the angels bowed to Jesus to acknowledge His supremacy
and high authority and rightful rule,
he bowed with them;
but his heart was filled with envy and hatred. Christ had been taken into the
special counsel of God in regard to His plans, while
Lucifer was unacquainted with them. He did
not understand, neither was he permitted to know, the purposes of God.
{SR
14.1}
Lucifer greatly desired to be in the counsels of God.
Lucifer wanted to be included in the planing of all God's purposes.
But that privilege was given only to God's dear Son.
Zec 6:13 "…and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."
The counsel of peace between them both means, there was only two in that counsel.
It was Lucifer alone who desired the counsels of God be between three.
But if Lucifer had been granted permission to enter into that counsel would he have been satisfied with third place?
Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High, he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven; for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry. Lucifer desired God's power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. {FLB 68.4}
You see friends, Lucifer already had third place. And this was his problem, he wasn't content with third, he wanted first place. (see FLB 67)
Can there be a warning here for us as well?
Here we see why Lucifer could not have been entrusted with such a great responsibility as that of governing the universe.
There is an infinite difference between a created being, (even Lucifer the greatest created being ever,) and being begotten of the Father, the only born Son of God.
It is the same infinite difference as between creator and creature.
Did Satan's great desire for position and worship end when he was cast out of Heaven? Is it in his character to humbly accept defeat?
In 2247BC only about 100 years after the flood, was the building of the tower of Babel. Satan was hard at work to change the most important doctrines that God had established for mankind's salvation.
This he achieved through the death of Nimrod and the birth of his supposed son Tammuz. Through the birth of Tammuz, (the sun god) we have sun worship, whereby we have the Sunday Sabbath. And through this same birth, we have the birth of Satan into the Godhead. This he was able to institute through the first pagan trinity. (Nimrod, Semiramus, Tammuz) This birth was on the 25th December. Amazingly enough most Christians and nearly all the world celebrate this day as the birth of Christ. Nothing could be further from the truth. It was a birth alright, but it was the opposite of Jesus, if you can put it that way. The birth being conceived was the birth of Satan into the Godhead. You see, from this Babylonian trinity we get all the other trinities. This was the birth of the original trinity. And although different forms of the trinity were to evolve later, the common purpose for this institution is that worship could be attributed to three. We have seen that the counsels of God were between two, our Heavenly Father and His dear Son Jesus Christ. Only Lucifer wanted a committee of three.
YI July 7 1898 The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.
Deu 32:17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new [gods that] came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Now you can begin to understand just how easily we can be misled into false worship. This knowledge can and certainly should change your understanding of Christmas. And I pray that it will help your understanding as to what the trinity truly represents.
The place in the Godhead that Satan has tried to take, is the place of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the personal and intimate presence of the Father, and His Son Jesus. This is the way in which the Father and His Son are everywhere present. It is also the way in which they minister to us. The Holy Spirit does not have a throne in heaven as do the Father and the Son. We are not to pray to the Spirit, but we are to pray for the Spirit. This is the way we can have the Father and the Son abiding with us. The Father and the Son alone are to be worshiped. There is no inspired instruction (KJV) to worship the Holy Spirit, or to call it "God the Holy Spirit". Unfortunately man has taken upon himself to introduce this title in just about every Christian religion.
Lucifer did not consider the position of the Father and His Son. You see theirs was a highly exalted position, not to be questioned, not even in Lucifer's mind. The Father and the Son have both a physical body and a Spirit form. The Spirit form as we have seen is the way in which the Father and His Son are everywhere present (omnipresence.) This is the omnipresent spirit of the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. God's word, the Bible reveals much about the Father, the Son and their spirit. It is through God's word that we know the Father and the Son have a physical body and an omnipresent spirit. When Jesus was on earth He spoke much about His Father and the comforter, (the Holy Spirit.)
May I ask does inspiration reveal the Holy Spirit as one having a physical body?
If not, why not?
Can this be why the Holy Spirit was the point of Lucifer's infiltration into the Godhead?
Lucifer had a physical body also, but he did not have an omnipresent spirit.
But, through the false trinity doctrine, Satan has been able to deceive nearly all of Christendom into believing there is a third God or a manifestation of three God's out of one
And what does the Bible say about worshiping a false god? Deu 32:17
This brings us right back to Lucifer's original intention. He wanted worship. And sadly through the trinity doctrine he now has it.
Can you see now how thoroughly Satan's plan has been executed?
Before Babel there was no mention of a trinity anywhere. Before the transition of pagan Rome to papal Rome, there was no mention of a trinity in Christianity. (trinity or Sunday Sabbath)
It was about this same time that the (little horn) papacy had undertaken to eradicate all people who were of a similar belief, namely the three horns of Daniel 7:8 i.e. the Heruli, Ostrogoths and Vandals followed by the church in the wilderness, the Waldensies, whose founding goes back to the preaching of the apostle Paul in Italy. So important was the removal of God's truth that this bloody persecution continued for over 1260 ys.
So thorough was this eradication, that as far as we know, all written records were destroyed. Only a small remnant of people remained. May it be God's will that one day some authentic records of these people's beliefs will be uncovered.
But even so by God's mercy in 1844, He brought back the truth of the doctrine of God into His last remnant church, (the Seventh-day Adventist Church) so that through the preaching of the three angels messages, this truth along with the Sabbath and other truths, would be restored.
And this was so, for about 70 years. God's remnant, (the Seventh-day Adventist Church) was on fire for the Lord, and many souls were won to the kingdom during these years, until about 1930. This was after the true and faithful founding members had all passed away, those willing to be used by God, to establish the remnant church based upon God's foundation. (See 1SM 206-207 1SAT 345 E.W. 258)
Now the time was right to bring in the change of doctrine that Satan so desperately wanted. He was determined to counter the truth God had reinstated. Now, it was possible for Satan to use his agents to infiltrate God's remnant church with his long-awaited heresy.
It wasn't enough for Satan to have nearly all of Christendom deceived, he wanted all Christendom. Just as it wasn't enough to be the greatest created being in the universe, the greatest of the heavenly angels. No, he wanted more; he wanted to be above God Himself. He wanted it all.
In 1980 the S.D.A. church was formerly pronounced trinitarian. The doctrine was voted in at a general conference meeting the same year.
From 2247BC until 2005 has been 4252 years. Satan has deceived the world and the Seventh-day Adventist Church collectively.
Would Satan have persisted for 4252 years with his trinity heresy, if it wasn't important to him?
May I conclude, that YES, the doctrine of God is important to Satan, because apart from the Sabbath, there is no other doctrine he has worked so hard and so long on. And it wasn't all by chance.
Praise God He still has a remnant, and His truth will be preached until the times of restitution of all things, including the doctrine of God.
In summary, please note the importance of these points.
If Christ is abiding in you moment by moment, you will know Him.
Jn 14:7 By knowing the Son you will know the Father.
By a wrong conception of God, you will be worshiping a false god.
Jn 3:16 God gave His only begotten Son so that you may live. This alone should compel you to want to know who God and His Son are.
Jn 17:3 Plainly tells us this knowledge is a matter of life or death.
Act 9:19-22 This was the first doctrine the apostle Paul preached.
1Jn 2:22 Not believing in the Father and His Son, makes you a liar.
1Jn 5:10 By not believing God's record, you make Him a liar.
Mar 12:28 The scribe knew God, and Jesus complimented him.
The 1st com. warns not to have any other gods before the true God.
The doctrine of God is the basis for your relationship with God. Without a correct understanding of this doctrine you cannot understand Jn 3:16 and this text is the heart of the gospel. Without this understanding you do not have the gospel.
And without the gospel, you do not have the sanctifying truth, which is the power unto salvation, from God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.
IS THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
IMPORTANT TO JESUS?
God in His mercy has given us His Word, that we may know the truth.
In simple language Jesus Christ Himself told us that,
"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" Jn 3:16,17
The
text says "His Son" not another God,
and not another playing the role of a Son.
Was it important that Jesus Christ died for us? Absolutely.
And what about the reason given to condemn Jesus to death, was that important? Yes, Absolutely.
What was the reason Jesus was killed? Mat 26:63,64 Mar 14:62
Because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the true Son of God.
Dear friends, I pray that there may have been something in this study to arouse your interest in studying this doctrine. Based on my experience, I can tell you from the start, that the search for this truth is not an easy task. If your searching takes you to seek man's opinion, you will never find the truth. But if you are earnestly seeking God's guidance with much prayer and Bible study, there is no doubt that God will show you His truth. This is so, because God wants you saved. So why would He mislead you. Yes the doctrine of God is important to Jesus, so why shouldn't you look to Jesus He is the Way the Truth and the Life; there is no need to look to man. If you seek God with all your heart and soul, the promised blessing is that you will never be lost.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Jn 17:3
YES THE DOCTRINE OF GOD IS IMPORTANT