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The Father-Son Relationship (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, reveals a clear hierarchy within Their divine nature. By Jesus' own testimony in John 14:28, the Father is greater than He, placing Him in a secondary position despite His divinity. This truth is unarguable, as Jesus spoke with honesty and clarity. Scriptures such as I Corinthians 15 show that even after His resurrection, when He was fully Spirit once more, Jesus remained subject to the Father, acknowledging Him as His God. Revelation 3 further confirms this, with Jesus declaring "My God" four times, indicating One in authority over Him, greater than He, even sixty years after His resurrection. While both the Father and the Son are equally of the God kind, sharing the same uncreated, eternal nature as spirit Beings, They are not equal in authority or function. As seen in I Corinthians 11:3, God's government is hierarchical, with rankings assigned from the Head down. This ranking does not imply qualitative superiority but denotes responsibility and function. The Father holds greater responsibility, and the Son submits to Him in fulfilling His role within Their purpose. I Corinthians 8:6 and Ephesians 4:5-6 emphasize this order, with the Father as the Supreme, Absolute God, beyond whom there is no other, while Jesus, though God, answers to Him as our Lord, Savior, and Head of the church. The Father is revealed as the only wise God in I Timothy 1:17, the ultimate Being to whom all things flow through the Son. Jesus' responsibility is immense, preparing us for the Kingdom of God as our High Priest, yet the Father remains over Him. This hierarchical structure mirrors human family roles, where assigned functions must be fulfilled without concern for qualitative equality, focusing instead on obedience to God's design. Thus, while Jesus is worthy of worship and honor as God, the scriptures consistently affirm that the Father is the Head, the Absolute and Supreme, greater in authority and function.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father is greater than the Son, as Jesus Christ Himself declared, clearly distinguishing Himself from the Absolute Deity. He stated, "The Father is greater than I," emphasizing that They are not co-equal despite being of the same kind. This distinction is further evident when He acknowledged that the Father sent Him, indicating a separate Being who dispatched Him on His assignment. Additionally, Jesus said, "If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father," highlighting that it is impossible to be both Father and Son simultaneously, as They are two distinct Beings. Scripture reinforces this hierarchy, showing the Father as the Supreme God who appointed Jesus to be the Head of all things to the church, demonstrating the superior appointing the subordinate. In Matthew 27:46, Jesus cried out on the stake, "My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?" revealing that He had a God above Him. Similarly, in John 20:17, after His resurrection, He told Mary Magdalene that He must go to "My God and your God," affirming that He and Mary shared the same God. Furthermore, I Corinthians 11:3 states that God is the Head of Christ, setting the Father apart from the Son in authority. Jesus consistently deferred to the Father, as seen in His prayer, "Not My will, but Yours be done," a statement the Father could never make, underscoring the Father's supreme position. The Father is the Source, answering to no one, while the Son acknowledges a God above Him. This hierarchy is evident in Romans 5, where reconciliation is through Jesus Christ to the Father, with whom we have peace and before whom we stand. Jesus taught to pray to the Father through Him, positioning Himself as the means of access to the Supreme Ruler. In moments of personal struggle, such as in Matthew 11:25-27, Jesus submitted to the Father's will even when faced with rejection by the Galileans, recognizing that the Father had overruled Him by concealing revelation from those people at that time. His submission was not a singular act but a moment-by-moment yielding to the Father's will, energizing and strengthening Him to complete His assignment, as seen in John 4. Even at the crucifixion, when His will diverged significantly from the Father's, the Lesser yielded to the Greater, ensuring the fulfillment of Their purpose. This consistent submission of Jesus to the Father exemplifies the clear distinction and hierarchy between the two Beings.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible consistently presents God the Father as greater than the Son, Jesus Christ. Numerous scriptures, including those from Jesus' own words, affirm that the Father and the Son are not co-equal, with the Father holding superior authority. Jesus Himself declares in John 17 that the Father is the only true God and that He was sent by the Father, indicating a greater/lesser relationship. The Father is shown as the Source of all things, providing Jesus with what He needs to fulfill His role as the Channel through whom all is accomplished. Paul, in I Timothy 1, emphasizes that there is only one God, who is invisible and the King of all creation, with no one, including Christ, superseding Him in authority. Jesus is described as the image of this One God, reflecting the Father's character, attitude, purpose, and virtues, yet distinct from the reality of the Father, further underscoring the hierarchy between Them. The Father is the Supreme God, the object toward which all creation moves, while the Son works out the Father's will, consistently pointing others toward Him through word and example.
God the Father in the Old Testament
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod the Father is revealed as greater than the Son in the scriptural understanding presented. Jesus Himself declares in John 14:28 that the Father is greater than He, emphasizing a hierarchy within the divine Family. This relationship is subtly hinted at throughout the Old Testament, where the Father's presence and authority are alluded to, even if not fully known to the Israelites at the time. The Father, often obscured in ancient revelation, is now understood to hold a senior position, working in perfect unity with the Son to fulfill Their eternal purpose. Both Beings, as part of Elohim, share eternal existence, yet the Father's greater role is consistently affirmed in Their harmonious actions and decisions.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod the Father is the Source of all things and the Object toward which all creation is moving, beginning and ending with Him. The Son, Jesus Christ, serves as the Channel through whom the Father carries out His purpose, acting as the Conduit for all that is being worked out. There are two distinct Beings, both rightly called God, yet They are not co-equal. The Father is greater than the Son, as Jesus Himself testifies, clearly stating that the Father is superior to Him. This distinction is consistently shown in the Scriptures, revealing that while both are God, the Father holds a higher position. Jesus, by His own words, insists that the Father is greater than Himself, emphasizing a clear delineation between Their roles and authority. The Son's everlasting life and authority to judge are gifts from the Father, and Jesus repeatedly acknowledges that He is sent by the Father. This relationship is further illuminated in Jesus' prayer before His crucifixion, where He states that the Father and the Son are one in character, purpose, and plan, yet not co-equal, as They remain distinct Beings with different levels of authority and responsibilities. The Father is the invisible and inaudible God, the only wise God, as described by Paul, holding dominion over all ages and generations. By contrast, Jesus, when He walked the earth, was visible and had limited authority. The Father remains hidden to direct focus on the Son, who is the Image of the invisible God, reflecting the Father's glory and character. No one has seen the Father at any time, as Jesus confirms, underscoring that the Father is the absolute Deity, distinct from the Son, who manifests the Father's will and purpose. The physical creation and the spiritual redemption both begin with the Father and are carried out through the Son, with no conflict between Them. The only way to the Father is through the Son, who reveals the Father to those chosen. This consistent principle throughout the Scriptures shows that all contact with God is channeled through Jesus Christ, who is the Revelator of the Father's mind and purpose.
Honoring God the Father
Sermonette by Bill OnisickFather's Day may have originated when the Roman Catholic Church set aside March 19 to honor fatherhood.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and the Son are two distinct Personalities with distinct responsibilities in Their unified purpose. Though They cooperate seamlessly, appearing as one, They are clearly two, and the Father is greater than the Son. The Father is the Source from whom all begins and the Object toward which all moves, while the Son is the Channel through whom all is accomplished. The Son serves as the Mediator between the Father and mankind, being the One with whom humanity has always interacted. As the Image of the invisible God, the Son reveals the Father's nature, enabling mankind to know Him, for knowing the Father, the only true God, is eternal life. The Son, in His role, points toward the Father, directing us to Him. While the Son shares the same nature as the Father and reflects His character, He is not co-equal, maintaining a unique and separate identity. The Son's perfect submission to the Father underscores His role as Mediator, always representing the Supreme God before mankind. The Father, as the Absolute Deity, remains distinct and greater, with the Son subject to Him in every respect.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and the Son, though both God, are clearly two distinct beings with superior and inferior positions in Their operations within Their plan. The Bible reveals that both are uncreated, yet the Father is the Source, and the Son is the Means. The Father issues orders, while the Son submits, is sent, and carries them out. The Father remains in the background, unseen and inaudible to human perception, whereas the Son is seen, heard, and reveals the Father. The Son declares that the Father is greater, that the Father provides Him with the words to say and the judgments to make, and is the true Author and Power behind His mighty works. In all matters, the Son defers and submits to the Father, demonstrating a relationship that is not co-equal in operation. The Father commands, and the Son responds in submission, never reversing these roles. The Absolute Deity, the Father, sends, while the Son is sent and never sends the Father. The Father is the Giver, and the Son is the Receiver, commissioned by a Superior and subject to Him, not as a rival but as God's Revealer. This subjection of the Son to the Father will never end, for even when God's purpose reaches its fulfillment, the Son will remain subject to the Father, who is greater and is the Son's God.
Christ's Revelation of the Father
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJohn 1:1-3 reveals Jesus' pedigree as the Logos (Spokesman), whose function was to declare or reveal the Father. He had existed with His Father from eternity.
Jesus Is God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is the Word, by whom the world was created. He has always interfaced between mankind and the Father, having primacy as our Lord, Master, and Ruler.
Parenting (Part 2): Fathers
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPatriarchy is family organization with the father having ultimate authority. The husband's role, grounded in love, must not be abusive or domineering.
Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)John identifies Christ as co-eternal with the Father, equal in character, but subordinate in authority. Christ's sonship was unique; He was the 'only Begotten Son.'
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 Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Father and the Son are two separate personalities, with the Father having pre-eminence. The Bible contains no evidence of a third person in the God family.
Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasMost of Christianity believes in the Trinity, but a slim minority holds to a much older belief, one that hearkens back to the earliest Christians.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon without Becoming Assimilated (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasGod is not a closed triangular Trinity, but a family consisting of God the Father and God the Son, and will include billions of resurrected, glorified saints.
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's command to eat unleavened bread teaches that He rescued His people from the bondage of sin, something they had no power to accomplish of themselves.
What Does 'Non-Trinitarian' Mean?
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe Trinity doctrine cannot be found in the Bible. It was patched together hundreds of years after the deaths of the apostles and the sealing of Scripture.