Images of the crucifixion are not for worship either
Good to hear, it's my hope that people don't mistakenly worship idols and images of Christ.
I believe (know), as do many, many Christians that Jesus and God are ONE, and Jesus himself says so on more than one occassion:
I happen to believe Jesus--that isn't even his name, his name was Joshua--Christ's words have been taken out of context. Time and time again, Christ said he was the "Son of God."
You took one snip of John 10:30, but here it is in context (starting at 10:22):
My own comments in
red.
"22 Now the feast of the dedication was celebrating at Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in the porch of Solomon. 24 The Jews therefore surrounded him, and said to him, Until when dost thou hold our soul in suspense? If thou art the Christ,
Chrism was Holy Oil used in anointment, the word Messiah means "Anointed One," and now that we have context: the Jews are criticizing Jesus'/Joshua's claim to be the Messiah. Regardless this conversation is about proof of being the Messiah and / or Son of God.
say so to us openly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye do not believe. The works which I do in my Father's name, these bear witness concerning me: 26 but ye do not believe, for ye are not of my sheep, as I told you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them life eternal; and they shall never perish, and no one shall seize them out of my hand. 29 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can seize out of the hand of my Father. 30 I and the Father are one."
In the next few lines Jesus explains what he meant by "are one" in detail.
"31 The Jews therefore again took stones that they might stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewn you of my Father; for which work of them do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them,
Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
Jesus is referring to Psalm 82:
PSALM 82. Thus saith the Lord: Ye are gods and children of the Most High.
In Psalm 82 God calls the Jews "Gods" and "sons" and "daughters" of God. Now that this is in context, it actually sounds like Jesus is saying he is fulfilling this scripture. In fact in John 14:12-14 Christ says that those who have faith can do even greater works than him. How can people be "greater" than God? The answer is that Jesus was the Son, not God himself.
35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), 36 do ye say of him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am Son of God?
God called the Jews "sons" of God. Jesus fulfilled the scripture (Psalm 82).
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not; 38 but if I do, even if ye believe not me, believe the works, that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him.
Here Christ explains what "one" means. The spirit of the Father is in Christ Joshua and Joshua's spirit is in the Father. But any person can have the same relationship with God. Christ says so in John 14.
39 They sought therefore again to take him; and he went away from out of their hand"
John 10 Darby Bible Translation
And Christ Joshua (who you call "Jesus") also goes on to say God is greater than Christ and God can reside inside you, just as God's spirit is with Christ. Therefore, anyone can be on the same level as Christ, but no one can be on the same level as God, not even Christ. Please read below, John 14:16
"16 And I will beg the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him nor know him;
but ye know him, for he abides with you, and shall be in you."
The Holy spirit of God will reside inside the faithful.
"18 I will not leave you orphans, I am coming to you. 19 Yet a little and the world sees me no longer; but ye see me; because I live ye also shall live. 20 In that day ye shall know that
I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."
The faithful will have the same spiritual "union" with God as Christ. They will be "one."
"21 He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me; but he that loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas, not the Iscariote, says to him, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us and not to the world? 23 Jesus answered and said to him, If any one love me, he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him."
Again, God will make a "home" in the faithful. They will build a spiritual home.
"24 He that loves me not does not keep my words; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but that of the Father who has sent me."
Christ isn't speaking for himself, he is a messenger of God. A servant.
"25 These things I have said to you, abiding with you; 26 but the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and will bring to your remembrance all the things which I have said to you."
The spirit of the heavenly father will reside in the faithful, teaching them miracles.
"27 I leave peace with you; I give my peace to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it fear. 28 Ye have heard that I have said unto you, I go away and I am coming to you. If ye loved me ye would rejoice that I go to the Father, for my Father is greater than I."
The Heavenly Father is greater than Christ.
"29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it shall have come to pass ye may believe. 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world comes, and in me he has nothing;"
Many times in the NT Satan is referred to as the "God or Ruler of this word."
"31 but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has commanded me, thus I do. Rise up, let us go hence."
John 14 Darby Bible Translation
My conclusion is that the man Christ, Joshua who is called Jesus because of a bad translation, was a spiritually devote follower and servant of God. That is the reason Christ "increased in wisdom and stature" Luke 2:52, questioned God's plan and begged for mercy Mark 14:32-42, asked God "Why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46
"Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen," Isaiah 43:10. "I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people," Psalms 89:19.
Christ "I am among you as he that serve," Luke 22:27.
eace
