3.1 The Bible & Christianity

Ground Rules

Before we begin, let us establish a clear principle:

If a high-ranking priest declared a fourth person as God alongside the existing three, would that become true?
If a high-ranking priest claimed that the Father could die, would that become doctrine?
Or would such claims be tested against scripture first?

If the answer is “test it against scripture,” then the standard is clear: the ultimate reference for truth is the Bible itself, not later authority claims.

So the method in this section is simple: evaluate each claim by returning to the biblical text.

It does not attempt to summarize all Christian theology. Instead, it asks whether specific passages can be read in a way that supports strict monotheism and a messenger role for Jesus.

How the Bible Describes God

Authoritative Declarations

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."

Deuteronomy 6:4

"God is not a human being, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?"

Numbers 23:19 (spoken by Balaam)

"I the Lord do not change."

Malachi 3:6

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Timothy 1:17

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One."

Isaiah 40:25

Taken together, these verses are read here as emphasizing one God who is unique, unlike creation, and ultimate in authority.

These attributes together form a clear and consistent picture of God’s nature.

Jesus in His Own Words

The following verses are presented in this article as evidence that Jesus speaks as one sent by God:

1. Core distinction: God vs. Jesus

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

John 17:3

2. Jesus is sent (not the source)

"My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me."

John 7:16

"For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me."

John 6:38

3. Jesus is dependent on God

"I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of Him who sent me."

John 5:30

4. Jesus identifies as human

"You are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God."

John 8:40

5. Prophet framing

"Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.'"

Mark 6:4

Additional Supporting Passages

Jesus Attributes His Works to God

"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

John 11:41–42

"I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"

John 10:32

Early Witnesses Describe Him as a Man Sent by God

"Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know."

Acts 2:22

"He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people."

Luke 24:19

"After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, 'Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.'"

John 6:14

Response to Accusations of Equality with God

"Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing... By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."

John 5:19–30

Conclusion

Taken together, these passages consistently describe God as the ultimate source of power, authority, and truth—unique, independent, and the origin of all actions and guidance. In contrast, Jesus is presented as a man sent by God, through whom miracles are performed, who speaks what he hears from God, and who acts in submission to God’s will.