We see that in this verse, the “Father” is mentioned and so is the “Son”, as definite ‘named’ Beings. But is this verse also talking about the “Holy Ghost” as a Person called; “God the Holy Spirit” as many Christians assume?
Inorder to understand MATTHEW 28:19 – one must go back to VERSE 18, to discover exactly what the “Holy Ghost” really is;
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Stay focused on the word; “POWER” Then go to LUKE 24:49;
“And, behold, I send the PROMISE OF MY FATHER upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with POWER from on high.”
Notice how the word “POWER” is linked to the “PROMISE OF MY FATHER” in this verse!
WHAT IS THE “PROMISE OF MY FATHER”? –
Let’s take a look at: ACTS 1:4-5 – this verse will give us the answer!
Acts 1:4-5
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5 For John truly baptized with water; but YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence.”
NOTICE HOW THE “PROMISE OF THE FATHER”, (PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN ABOUT IN LUKE 24:49), IS LINKED TO THE “BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST”
For confirmation that the “PROMISE OF THE FATHER” is the promised gift of the “HOLY GHOST” – Let’s go to: ACTS 2:32-33;
“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and HAVING RECEIVED OF THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
So here in VERSE 33 – it confirms without question that the “HOLY GHOST” is the ‘PROMISED GIFT OF THE FATHER’!
This truth is further cemented in EPHESIANS 1:13 – where Paul tells the believers the following;
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.”
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING;
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
“Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.”
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”
This verse is used widely by people to prove that God is a ‘Trinity’ because the word “us” is used. But is this what the Scriptures of truth is teaching? Let’s examine the Scriptures to see how it really interprets Genesis 1:26.
The first thing that we need to do is to establish; WHO THE CREATOR IS? – We can start to ascertain this by looking at the Sabbath Commandment in EXODUS 20:8-11;
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it”
So we see that it was the “LORD THY GOD” that made the Heavens and the Earth!
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
This verse establishes the fact, that this Creator Being, called “God” – “made the heaven & the earth”
“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O, Lord to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”
This verse tells us that this Creator God “created all things”
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
This verse shows us that this creator has an incredible creative ability, as this God created man “out of the dust of the ground” – wow!
“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Paul confirms that this God is the Supreme Creator, the Chief Designer.
“Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens,and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.”
“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.”
This Creator God is the undisputed Creator, who has no equal, because He is the Source of every living thing.
” That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
” But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.”
” At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?.”
“That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.”
So from the testimony of the Scriptures, we are taught that there is only “ONE” Supreme Creator – which is the “FATHER” who’s name is “JEHOVAH”.
“Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?.”
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”
“[CHRIST] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his [GOD’S] person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
This verse is used widely by people to prove that God is a ‘Trinity’ because this verse, because false and mis-guided teachers imply that this verse is talking about 3-Beings in Heaven. Did John the Disciple really imply that there are 3-co-eternal Beings in Heaven?
In order to understand 1ST JOHN 5:7 – one must take an imaginary trip to heaven to see exactly how many Supreme Beings are really there!
Let’s take a look at the book of Revelation. A book which John the apostle was guided and inspired by the Holy Ghost to write. The book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that speaks so extensively about Heavenly things. For example we get a description of the Heavenly city, the New Earth, other Beings and the Heavenly sanctuary….So if this book speaks so much about Heavenly things, then shouldn’t this same book be clear on how many Supreme-Beings are really there?
” 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints… 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”
So this verse teaches us that the 24-Elders Worship the “Lamb” (Christ) & “Him that Sitteth upon the throne” (God the Father) only Two Supreme-Beings – THE FATHER & HIS SON!
” 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
So this verse teaches us Satan was cast out from the presence of the ONLY two rulers in Heaven; “God”(the Father) & “His Christ” (God’s Son).
” 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
So this verse teaches us, that there are ONLY Two-Supreme Beings who the redeemed praise. “God which sitteth upon the throne” and “the Lamb”. The Father & His Son.
“16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
“7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you…13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
“All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
This truth is reiterated in:
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Here, we see that:
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.“
And this is why Christ could say:
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
The above Bible verse is used widely by many Christians to substantiate the belief that the Holy Spirit is a third separate individual Being, like the Father & Son, called “GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT!” But is this true, according to the Scriptures?
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.“
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.“
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”