Examine the Verse
John 20:17
This verse is claimed to
provide the basis of the Iglesia ni Cristo belief
that the Father in heaven is the God and
Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Jesus said to her,
“Do not
cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but
go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending
to My Father and your Father, and
to
My God and your God.’”
(John 20:17, 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 In the above verses, the Lord Jesus Himself was talking
to Mary Magdalene by the tomb just after His resurrection.
2. In the verse, Jesus clearly said to Mary, "I
am ascending to My Father and your Father, and
to
My God and your God." This is the message that
Jesus wanted Mary to tell His brethren. Thus, Jesus clearly
recognize the Father in heaven as His Father and His God.
3. In the above verse, the message is very clear that
Father in heaven is the "God and Father of the Lord
Jesus Christ". This biblical fact is also written
in many verses of the Holy bible, such as:
Romans 15:6;
2 Corinthians 1:3;
Ephesians 1:3;
1 Peter 1:3
4. Please note carefully that in the above verse, Jesus
is consistent in teaching that the "only true God is the
Father in heaven" as this is His basic teaching that
means eternal life for believers (John 17:1&3). Jesus never
taught that He is God, God the Son or God incarnate as
Trinitarians believe Him to be. |
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John 20:17 in other versions of
the Bible: |
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Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not;
for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my
brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and
your Father; and to my God, and your God.
(King James
Version)
“Don’t cling to
me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father.
But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my
Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
(New Living Translation)
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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