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Image and Likeness of God (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has revealed Himself through His Word, declaring that He possesses form and shape. In Genesis 1:26-27, it is clearly stated that man is made in His image and likeness, establishing a foundational truth about His purpose and our potential to be like Him. This image is not merely a future promise but a present reality, as the creation of man in His image is described in the past tense, indicating a physical resemblance already accomplished. The Bible contains over 20,000 references to God, describing in detail what He is like, yet some cast doubt on these clear statements, suggesting that God's descriptions of Himself are merely figures of speech. Such an approach mirrors the deceitful tactic used by satan in questioning God's explicit instructions to Adam and Eve, fostering uncertainty about even the simplest revelations of God's nature. Scriptures like Numbers 23:19 affirm that God does not lie, emphasizing that He means what He says about Himself. To suggest otherwise is to accuse Him of deceit, a serious contradiction to His character. Unlike human tendencies to project our flaws onto God, as seen in ancient mythologies, His ways and thoughts are far higher, and He cannot lie. The word "image," translated from the Hebrew "tselem," means shape, resemblance, or figure, with no abstract connotation when applied to human reproduction, as in Genesis 5:3. Consistently, this same term is used for God in Genesis 1:26-27, indicating a concrete, physical likeness. Similarly, Greek terms like "icon" in Romans 1:23 and Matthew 22:20 denote a direct relationship between the original and the image, as seen in reflections or familial resemblances, reinforcing that man's form is derived from God's own. Throughout Scripture, terms like "tselem," "demooth," and "icon" are used for both God and idols, referring to visible, tangible forms perceivable by natural senses, not requiring spiritual insight. In Ezekiel 1, descriptions of living creatures and thrones further illustrate this concept of form and shape, aligning with the understanding that man reflects God's physical image. Thus, if man is made in God's image bodily, it follows that God Himself must have outward form and shape.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The concept of being made in God's image is central to understanding our spiritual potential and destiny. God has revealed Himself in His word with form and shape, resembling a man, as seen in numerous accounts where individuals like Abraham, Moses, and the seventy elders witnessed Him with tangible qualities. God has feet, a voice, and a face, and He converses and interacts as a solid being, demonstrating substance and corporeality. Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, emphasized His physical reality to His disciples, showing He was not a ghost but had flesh and bone, affirming that He retains a body even in His glorified state. 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 as well. God's revelations consistently show Him with form and shape, from Genesis to the New Testament, where figures like Isaiah, Amos, and Stephen saw Him as a man, recognizable and with distinct features. The Bible states that the redeemed will see God's face in the kingdom of God, using the term "prosopon," which refers to the face or countenance, reinforcing that God possesses a tangible form even in His ultimate glory. This image extends beyond mere physical likeness to include personality and character, as we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, our Elder Brother. The patterns established by God in creation reflect His nature, where beings reproduce after their kind, bearing the image of their parents. As God's children, with His Spirit, it follows that we should bear His image, contradicting the notion that we will not be like Him. The scriptural terms for image and likeness, such as "tselem," "demooth," and "icon," overwhelmingly refer to observable form and shape, not just moral or spiritual qualities, affirming that if man is made in God's bodily image, then God must have a body. God's consistent self-revelation with form challenges any teaching that denies His corporeality, urging us to accept His word as it plainly states, ensuring we strive toward a clear and comprehensible goal of being like Him.

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?

The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The true understanding of Elohim dismantles the entire trinity argument. God is reproducing Himself; we are being prepared to become a part of Elohim.

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.

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah

Sermonette by John Reiss

Looking forward to the promises that God wants to give to billions of His human creations inspires us to keep on striving through the trials and struggles.

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.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We receive more of God's Spirit as we respond to His calling, drawing near to His presence and reversing Adam and Eve's fatal errors.

Truth (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Through the shaping power of God's Holy Spirit, He starts to fill the chasm that divides us so we can have fellowship with Him.

Self-Government

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Submitting to a human government is a work that requires self-government. Paul thoroughly disciplined his body as he followed the example of Jesus Christ.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Fourteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Only God's calling, followed by repentance and a rigorous conversion process, will safeguard us from the fiery holocaust that is coming upon this the world.