Examine the Verse
1 Timothy 2:3-5
This verse is claimed to
provide
the basis of the Iglesia ni Cristo belief that
as the
Son of God, "Jesus is Man" in
nature and state of being.
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3 For
this is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth.
5 For
there
is one God and
one Mediator between God and men,
the
Man Christ Jesus,
(1 Timothy 2:3-5, New King James
Version) |
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Iglesia ni Cristo belief in God and
Jesus Christ:
Iglesia
ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness
of God, that "the
Only True God is the Father" in heaven; The Father is the Lord God Almighty, the
Creator of all things. God is Spirit, eternal, immortal and invisible; He is the
God and Father of Jesus Christ and His Apostles; and that of
Moses,
Abraham and the ancient Israelites.
Iglesia ni
Cristo believes that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God. As the Son
of God,
Jesus is a
Man.
However, Jesus is not an ordinary man but a "very special Man",
who was sanctified; made
Lord, Christ, Savior, Mediator and Judge by God. |
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Apostle's admonition, warning and
unique way of teaching:
1.
No prophecy of scripture is a matter of personal
interpretation. (II Pt. 1:20, NAB)
2. Do not go beyond what
is written. (I
Cor. 4:6, NIV)
3.
We do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to
us by the Spirit,
using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. (1
Cor. 2:13, NLT) |
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Points to Consider: |
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1. Notice
that the above verse, is part of Apostle Paul's letter
to Timothy which verse 3-4 says: "For
this is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth". Thus, it is God's desire for all men to
be saved and also come to know the truth.
2. In the above verse, Apostle Paul clearly explained
the truth which man must know in order to be saved:
"For
there
is one God and
one Mediator between God and men,
the
Man Christ Jesus".
3. Please note very carefully that there are three
elements in this truth that men must come to know (1st)
there is "one God" (2nd) there is
"one Mediator" between the one God and men (3rd)
the one Mediator is the "Man Christ Jesus".
Thus, unmistakably, Jesus is described as a Man.
4. Why is the biblical
proof that the one Mediator Christ Jesus is really a Man not
God?
In Galatians 3:20, this is
written: "Now
there is no mediator when only one party is involved, and
God is one"
(NAB).
Thus, Christ being the mediator could not
be God at the same time, because that would lead to the
ridiculous notion that Christ is a mediator of one.
THEREFORE, Christ Jesus
is unquestionably a Man. |
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1 Timothy 2:3-5 in other versions of
the Bible: |
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3For
this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4Who
will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth. 5For
there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
(King James
Version)
3For
this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4Who
will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth. 5For
there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
(New International Version)
You may use other version or translation of the Holy Bible.
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___________________
Examine
- consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover
essential features or meaning; Source:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/examine
Bible Study
Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free
to visit the
Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or
an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question
you have in mind.
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