We Can All Agree: Understanding the Godhead

We Can All Agree

Understanding the Godhead

By

Rachel Cutler Rogers

We Can All Agree

Trilogy Christian Publishers A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

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Copyright © 2021 by Rachel Cutler Rogers

All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

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Manufactured in the United States of America

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-64773-710-8

E-ISBN: 978-1-64773-711-5

This book is dedicated to anyone who has ever thought,

If you can teach it, I can learn it.

Foreword

Is Christ divided? I start purposely with this question because my intent––my hope, is for this to be a thought-provoking book. So, again I ask, is Christ divided (1 Corinthians 1:13)? Is He split into many pieces, one for each group of people who need a Savior? Of course not. There is only one Christ; just one for every person that’s ever lived, or ever will live. Christ is not divided, but, unfortunately, many of his followers are. Why is that?

Why aren’t we aware in this day and age of the important biblical truths concerning unity; concerning oneness? There are many Christians who haven’t heard preaching on unity at all. If that’s true of you, let me be the first to introduce you to the following portion of scripture. Consider Psalm 133:1,3b, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity... 3b for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. Yes, there is a God-given reward for unity among Christians! These verses tell us that the Lord commanded a blessing where He found his people in one accord. I wonder how many blessings, are just waiting to be poured out.

We know that God intends for His children to be there for each other, to lift each other up in love. The Bible teaches us, Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:24, 25). In other words, let’s love and encourage one another. Set aside time to get together with our fellow Christians, because we need each other. Why do we need each other? Because God uses people to accomplish His will.

Although the Bible teaches otherwise, we still have deliberate segregations among those claiming Jesus Christ as their Lord. We have Christians who avoid other Christians who aren’t under the same title that they’re under. But isn’t it the understanding of the Holy Scriptures that all those who come through the precious blood of Jesus are of the same family (see Ephesians 3:15)? Why then, beloved, do we isolate ourselves from our brothers and sisters? Remember, God uses people. And who knows which of His people He will use to be the answer to our prayer?

In 1 Corinthians 1:10, the Apostle Paul reminds us: I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Herein lies the will of God; that there be no divisions among God’s children. Paul is speaking to believers who wanted to be associated only with the one who had baptized them, rather than being yoked in fellowship with all Christians. He rebuked them for their segregations, and then confronted them with the question in verse 13, Is Christ divided?

We’re facing the same obstacle today that followers of Christ faced in Paul’s day. For what are church denominations, if not divisions in the Body of Christ? Friends, God’s Word clearly states that this is not His will. 1 Corinthians 3:3–5 declares, Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴ For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? ⁵ Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? Certainly, the person or people who helped bring us to the knowledge of the truth are to be greatly appreciated, but let’s remember to give the glory, honor, and loyalty to God who drew us with His Holy Spirit; without which no man would be saved.

We know that the Word of God is true, revealing His will and His ways. And again, His will is unity—being perfectly joined together in love. Conversely, the will of Satan is division and destruction. He knows full well the power in the unified will and prayers of God’s people. This is why he fights so endlessly to divide us. I believe that division in the Body of Christ, is the single biggest weapon our enemy has against us. Sadly, many Christians are willingly handing the enemy this advantage, continuing to ignore the Word and will of our God.

We need to realize that we’re all in the same family—God’s family. And, let’s acknowledge that God sees all of His children as righteous through the blood of Jesus. I’m speaking of born-again Christians, not someone who simply says he or she believes in God. I’m speaking of people who have the Spirit of God dwelling inside them; those who have repented and made Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

Let’s be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven operating on earth as it does in Heaven, in one accord! In Luke 11:17, Jesus warns us: Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. Similarly, you’ve heard the famous quote, ‘united we stand, divided we fall’. It’s a proven truth. God does not recognize any ‘separated’ kingdoms of light. His Word clearly declares that there is only one kingdom of light: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another (Romans 12:5).

How did we get all these different denominations and doctrines, you ask? From people who have strayed from the teachings of the Bible. It’s that simple. To start, the Bible teaches us that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (see 2 Timothy 3:16), but people are erroneously teaching that some scriptures are not applicable for today. There’s part of the problem. In addition to that mistake, people are making doctrines out of one single scripture instead of searching all the scriptures to understand the whole counsel of God. Finally, there are Christians that are teaching and passing on doctrine from generation to generation, that is in error. Why would they do that? Because they didn’t discern that it was error when they heard it, not knowing the scriptures for themselves.

It’s for this reason, and many more, that we need to seek the Lord for His understanding as we hear the preaching and teaching of His Word. We want to hold to the truths that agree with the Word of God and reject anything that contradicts it—no matter who the teacher. It’s crucial that we read the Word of God for ourselves! That’s where we’ll find the truth. Sometimes the scriptures are vague, and sometimes they’re very specific. That shouldn’t prompt us to add to them, nor take away from them. They are perfect, and forever settled in heaven. Let’s be content to hold to the Bible exactly the way it is.

Once we begin to study and memorize scripture, eliminating those beliefs that are not found there and standing on the truths that are, we’ll find ourselves agreeing more and more. And remember, in John 16:13, Jesus promises: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth) will help us as we study God’s Word. He will rid us of all of our error and deception, our misunderstandings and misinterpretations, which will in turn bring us together.

Simply stated, this is the burden of the Lord that He has placed in my heart. This is the reason for the points that are brought forth in this book; to bring His children together. Jesus prayed in John 17:11, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Jesus prayed for oneness in the Spirit.

My prayer is that the Lord will open the spiritual eyes of every reader, fill each one with a desire for the truth, and give us all ears to hear the Word of God speak.

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES

Division in the Body of Christ

WO scriptures are scriptures that were referenced in the book but not written out.

How many Christian congregations or families of believers does God recognize in the Body of Christ, according to our Holy Bible?

WO * Ephesians 3:14-15, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; ¹⁵ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

Ephesians speaks of the whole family of God. The whole family means one-singular-family. God has only one, and it reaches far beyond the walls of our churches, the borders of our states, and even the continents that we call home.

Is Christ divided? Paul addresses this subject ….

1 Corinthians 1:10-13:

Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing (have a uniform testimony), and that there be no divisions (dissensions or schisms) among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions (quarrels) among you. ¹² Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

I’ve filled in the blanks of verse 12 and 13 below as though this conversation had taken place in today’s world; in your world. I’ve also picked random, common denominations from our time to bring this subject a little closer to home. Now remember, these people are being REBUKED.

¹² Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am a Baptist, and I’m a Pentecostal, and I am of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I’m Church of Christ. ¹³ Is Christ divided? Were the Baptists crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of the Pentecostal Church?

SIMPLE APPLICATION: Denominations and divisions in the Body of Christ are not God’s will, but the determination and will of man.

To whom do you owe your salvation?

Have you ever really thought about the circumstances surrounding your born-again experience? Was it luck or some manner of coincidence that you were in that place, at that time, in that state of mind to accept Christ? Or, was it a divine intervention of God Himself, that you are now saved (from eternal separation of your Heavenly Father)?

It’s important that we understand that God may have worked through Christians in your church to preach His gospel or show His love to you, but that church and that denomination–those people–did not save you.

Your Heavenly Father chose you, drew you to His presence, and through His Son Jesus Christ, saved you.

We know this by the following scriptures.

Ephesians 1:3-4:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he (Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Many of us have experienced and learned that God works in different ways to interact with His children. He comes to us with His Spirit, and He comes to us through other people. But it is certainly and ultimately the perfect timing and working of the Spirit of God that brings us unto salvation. Without Him moving in the hearer’s heart, man’s words and efforts to bring anyone to the saving knowledge of Christ would be unfruitful. For by grace we are saved….. Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:9). We can’t save anyone. Salvation belongs only to the Lord. The following scriptures confirm this:

Psalm 3:8, Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; ⁶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit givith life.

Doctrine or Deception?

Doctrine or deception? The Bible tells us not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits. Are we hearing doctrine based solely on the Word of God? Or are we being misled by man’s version of God’s doctrine, which ultimately is deception?

Are you listening to and accepting error? Why are so many people in error, (not able to discern the true doctrine) of God’s Word? In Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, "Ye do err (are mistaken), not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."

Jesus solved that mystery for us. People come into error, because they are ignorant of God’s Word.

The Holy Bible should be every Christian’s point of reference, when arriving at their spiritual beliefs and convictions. For All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). We cannot adopt beliefs and doctrines just because someone we care about or respect is preaching it to us. Let the comparison of the Bible tell us if those beliefs are really Truth.

SIMPLE APPLICATION: If your Pastor says something that directly contradicts what the Bible says, the Bible is correct, and your Pastor is incorrect.

Romans 3:4 "….Yea, let God be true,

but every man a liar …"

We understand that every lie that contradicts the truth of God’s Holy Word has its origin in the enemy. Jesus speaks of Satan in John 8:44, ….He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

So how do we know if we’re hearing a lie? We may not know in the moment, but it’s our duty to seek God and pray that He will reveal every deception. We have God’s Word, and we also have the Holy Spirit to teach us the truth from a lie. Remember, Jesus promises us in John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….

The Spirit of Truth or the Spirit of Error

Unfortunately, but unmistakably, while the Holy Spirit and the Word of God are helping to lead us into God’s truth, Satan is fighting to lead us into error. We read about this in 1 John 4:6,

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

The Spirit of truth will never contradict the written Holy Bible, but the spirit of error always will. You can recognize a person being controlled by the spirit of error, as they will not acknowledge or receive the truth of God’s Word when it’s made known to