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Image and Likeness of God (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has clearly revealed in His Word that He possesses form and shape, as stated in Genesis 1:26-27, where He declares that man is made in His image and likeness. This foundational truth, laid out in the very first chapter of the Bible, establishes that we are created with a physical resemblance to Him, contrasting us with animals who reproduce after their own kind. The implication is evident: just as offspring bear the image of their parents, we bear the image of God, with the potential to be exactly like Him, reflecting His purpose for us. The Hebrew word "tselem," translated as image, means shape, resemblance, or figure, carrying no abstract connotation when applied to human reproduction, as seen with Adam and Eve. Yet, when applied to God, some question this clear meaning, assuming He has no true form or shape. This same word "tselem" appears in contexts like Exodus 20:4 and Leviticus 26:1, where it undeniably refers to physical likeness in idols, showing consistency in its usage. Similarly, the Greek word "icon," used in the New Testament, reinforces this direct relationship of resemblance, as seen in Romans 1:23 and Matthew 22:20, indicating a prototype drawn from the original, much like a reflection on water mirrors the sun. God's revelation through His Spirit to His children affirms that He is not a mystery beyond comprehension, but One who discloses Himself plainly. Scriptures such as John 5:37 and Luke 3 confirm that He has a visible form and an audible voice, witnessed by those present. Jesus Himself taught that a spirit being's body is not vaporous but solid, possessing spirit flesh and bones, as He demonstrated after His resurrection. Nowhere in Scripture is it stated that God lacks a body or only assumes one temporarily; rather, the consistent testimony is that He has outward form and shape, and we are made in His image bodily. To deny this is to contradict the plain statements of His Word, accusing Him of not meaning what He says, which is contrary to His nature, for He does not lie.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The concept of being made in the image and likeness of God is central to understanding our potential and purpose. God has declared that we are His children, and He is our Father, having given us His Spirit. Yet, it is now taught that we are not to be in His image or to be God as He is God, which defies the patterns established in creation where offspring reflect their parents. Bears beget bears in their own image, and so it should be with us as children of God, reflecting His form and shape. God's revelations in His word consistently show Him with form and shape like a man. From Genesis, where the Lord appeared to Abraham as a man, to the accounts of Moses, the seventy elders, Gideon, Manoah and his wife, Job, Isaiah, and Amos, all describe God with the appearance of a man, possessing tangible qualities such as feet, a voice, and the ability to eat and converse. Even in His glory, as seen by Moses, God retained shape and form, demonstrating solidity and substance. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, emphasized His corporeality to His disciples, showing He was not a ghost but had flesh and bone, a tangible body with shape and size. He was restored to the glory He had before the world was, returning to the form He held as the model for Adam, composed of spirit but still possessing a recognizable body. We are to be transformed to be like His glorious body, indicating that if we are to have a body like His, then He must have a body now. The terms used for image and likeness, such as tselem, demooth, and icon, overwhelmingly refer to outward form and shape in their biblical contexts, not merely moral or spiritual likeness. If man is made in the image and likeness of God bodily, then God must have a body, an outward form and shape. This is further supported by visions in the New Testament where Jesus retains His form even when glorified, as seen by Peter during the transfiguration and by Stephen, who recognized Him standing beside another God being. God's consistent self-revelation shows Him with a face, as promised to the redeemed who will see His face in the kingdom of God. Scriptures affirm that we will see Him face to face, without need for figures of speech or disguises, confirming His tangible presence. This clear testimony from numerous biblical witnesses stands against modern notions that God is incomprehensible or without form, aligning with the simple truth that we are made in His image and likeness, both in form and potential character.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Right from the beginning in Genesis 1, He assures us we are made in His image, and if we look at ourselves, we see that God has hair, eyes, a forehead, ears, a nose, a mouth, teeth, a chin, a face, hands, arms, shoulders, a waist, legs, and feet. When He says that we are made in His image, we are in the same form and shape, and in addition, we have intellectual powers, are capable of character, and possess personality that we can detect and project, even as He does. When He states that we are in His image, He includes the whole person, from what we look like to how we act. Hundreds of scriptures affirm that God has a body, and if so many scriptures do not mean what they say, then how can we trust any scripture to mean what it says? If numerous scriptures describe God as having parts and feelings, and He does not possess them, it should be shown in at least one place that He does not, so we can take such statements as figurative; otherwise, we have no authority to interpret all such passages as figures of speech. A figure of speech always has something real behind it at its base. God is not universal mind, conscience, or goodness, nor an abstract power filling space; except for the vast difference in power and potential, the only difference between men and God is that mankind is earthly flesh and bone, mortal, while God's body is spirit, immortal, perfect, and self-existent.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The numerous scriptural references to angelic beings indicate that the spiritual entities have tangible substance. God is not a universal nothingness.

'Like Father, Like Son'

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

God gives His specific purpose statement less than one-tenth of one percent of the way into the Bible: 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.'

God's Master Plan

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Like any good builder, God has a master plan to accomplish His purpose for humanity. We find the blueprint for His creation in the pages of the Bible.

God's Non-Transmittable Attributes (Part Two): Omnipresence

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In Psalm 139, David points out God's attribute of omnipresence, that is, His ability to be present everywhere at all times by His Holy Spirit.

God the Father (Part 1)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus reveals that the Father has always had supreme authority, and that He and His Father are absolutely at one in purpose. We must conform to their image.

God Is . . . What?

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

What is God's nature? Is God one Being? Two? Three? Bible students have long searched for the answers to these questions. The truth is both simple and profound.

Knowing God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

To fulfill one's purpose, one must be singularly focused on what one wants to accomplish. Divided minds result in no productivity or even devastation.

Our Divine Destiny

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's called-ones have been given the ability to decipher the scattered concepts, revealing the purpose of their destiny throughout the Scriptures.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The doctrinal changes made by the Worldwide Church of God have devastating ramifications. Predictably, when the vision was changed, God's law was cast aside.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Father is the source of everything and the Son is the channel through which He carries out His purpose. Jesus declared that the Father is superior to Him.

These Things We Know

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The writings of John contain nine categories of "we know" assertions. Fully knowing consists of developing a deep intense relationship with God.

Lessons from the Count to Pentecost

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The Sabbaths midway through the count to Pentecost represent times of faithlessness among our ancestors who complained about food and rejected God's leadership.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

From the beginning, God has set apart certain individuals, putting them through a sanctifying process, perfecting their character until they reflect His image.

Our Affinity to Christ

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Our lives must be totally wrapped up in Christ, exemplifying His character. As we overcome, taking the same steps as Christ did, we will receive His reward.

What Is Real Conversion? (Part Four)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sometimes we are so caught up in our activities that we forget the goal of the conversion process. Where do we want to end up when our lives are complete?

Why Are We Here and What Is Our Focus?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

God has a plan to bring all to Christ, but each in his own order. We cannot have a proper understanding of the plan if we do not keep Christ as the focus.

Of Snowflakes and Suns and Glory

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

The glory we reflect to God goes all the way over the sun to God's throne room; God in turn reciprocates with spiritual assets and gifts.

Self-Government (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Regardless of whether one submits to God, government, or community, self-government is the best means to having a safe, smooth course toward an objective.