Texacan,

I’ll take that challenge, but will you? It is written:

“3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don't do their works; for they say, and don't do. 4For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5But all their works they do to be seen by men.” Matthew 23:3-5

So you don’t want to be one of those whom Jesus says “binds heavy burdens” on other’s but won’t lift a finger to do as you demand of others, do you?

I’ve tried on other forums to speak totally by quoting the word of God. That didn’t go over well at all.

You “evangelicals” aren’t disagreeing with me, you are disagreeing with the first commandment. And that is one of the problems when I try to use my words to point out what the scripture actually says. So I actually agree that just quoting the scripture is much more authoritative.

“If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God…” 1 Peter 4:11

Here, then, I’ll quote for you what I believe, from the scriptures, which needs no commentary from me to understand, then you quote for me the scriptures that state what you believe (and which you think I am required to believe without being “false” as you claim), and then let’s see who is blowing hot air by following traditions of men and who believes the scriptures that were inspired by the Living God.

Foundation #1:

28One of the scribes... asked him, "Which commandment is foremost of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord [singular] our God [singular], the Lord [singular] is one [singular]: 30you shall love the Lord [singular] your God [singular] with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.... 32The scribe said to him, "Truly, teacher, you have said well that he [singular] is one [singular], and there is none other but he [singular], 33and to love him [singular] with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Mark 12:28-34

It is written:

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

“3This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.” 1 John 2:3-4

Foundation #2:

“13…Jesus… asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18I also tell you that you are Peter (Petros = Rock), and on this rock (petra) I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven." (Matthew 16:13–19)

Christ:

“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1

“The Spirit of the Lord [singular] God [singular] is on me [first person singular], because he [third person, singular] has anointed me [first person, singular] to preach good news to the poor. He [third person, singular] has sent me [first person, singular] to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed” Luke 4:18 & Isaiah 61:1

“And He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone: for I do always what is pleasing to Him.” John 8:29

“17 This is why the Father loves me – because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again. 18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

“You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” Psalm 45:7

“11After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:11-12

Son of God:

“12When your [David’s] days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men” (2 Samuel 7:12-14)

“3 I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant, 4I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne to all generations… 35Once have I sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. 36His seed will endure forever…” Psalm 89:3-4, 35-36 (Also Psalm 132:11-12)

“30Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. 32This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.” (Acts 2:30-33)



Foundation #3:

22"Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know, 23him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.” (Acts 2:22-24).

“37you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for b] God was with him[/b].” Acts 10:37-38

Foundation #4:

“18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to obey all things that I commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-19

~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, you try it, or don’t and prove you are a hypocrite. You quote for me the scripture that, without being interpreted or commented on, explicitly and clearly…

A) Commands anyone to believe that “God is a Trinity of three coequal persons in one substance” or whatever else it is you believe (particularly that you “think” is in the Bible that I don’t believe).
B ) Was openly and clearly confessed by anyone at all in the Bible.
C) Was clearly stated on the Day of Pentecost at the founding of Christ’s ecclesia,
D) Was clearly stated as the basis of Christ’s authority to send other’s out in his name.

I’ll be waiting. Maybe if you give it an honest try you’ll see it’s not as easy as you think or propose.

But, wait, before I go, here, let me show you just how many times Jesus was proclaimed as the “son of God”, without anyone ever proclaiming or “confessing” him to be “The second person of a trinity of coequal persons in one substance” to show what a clear amount of witnesses there are that spoke to the contrary of your “God the Son, second coequal person of the Trinity” mythology:

God— “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is [3rd person, singular] my [1st Person Singular] beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5; also Mark 9:7 and Luke 9:35).
“12When your [David’s] days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men” (2 Samuel 7:12-14)

Jesus— 35“Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ 36He answered, ‘Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?’ 37Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you’” (John 9:35–37).

John the Baptist— “I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)

Nathanael— “Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God[/b]! You are King of Israel!’” (John 1:49)

The Disciples— “Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, ‘You are truly the Son of God! ’” (Matthew 14:33)

Mark— “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1)

John the Beloved— “But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

The Centurion— “And the centurion who was standing over-against him, having seen that, having so cried out, he yielded the spirit, said, ‘Truly this man was Son of God’” (Mark 15:39, YLT).

The Ethiopian Eunuch— “Then Philip said, ’If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” (Acts 8:37, NKJV)

The Apostle Paul— “Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

The angel Gabriel— 32“‘He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.’ 34Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?’ 35The angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:32–35).

The Jews, including the High Priest— 70“They all said, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say it, because I am.’ 71They said, ‘Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!’” (Matthew 26:63–65; Mark 14:61 and Luke 22:70–71). Also: “The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God’” (John 19:7).

The devil— “The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread’” (Matthew 4:3).

The demons— “Behold, they cried out, saying, ‘What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God?’” (Matthew 8:29, also Luke 4:41). Note: “the devils also believe and tremble…”! (James 2:19)

Now, where did anyone in the Bible confess Jesus to be “God the son” or “the second person of the Trinity” or any other of the myriad of unscriptural phrases that Trinitarians have invented that you think condemn me as being “false” for not believing?

I’m afraid you have again imagined a conversation that didn’t happen! I did not challenge you, I merely stated an observation of your repetitive meandering posts. And.....where did you perceive that I “demanded” anything of you? How many takers do you get by playing this juvenile game of False Accusations! LOL!

When I copy and paste I go through it and clean it up......you should take the time to do this! It makes it much easier for someone to read should they have the desire! You do realize that CD doesn’t approve of this function......It is beneath the intelligent and the educated! 🥴😱🥸

I find that those who continually accuse others of being judgmental and of lying, are the worst abusers! IMO 🤷🏻‍♀️

I believe that this is an appropriate scripture for you!

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

You said you were curious, so I “assumed” you were being honest and so, I admit, I turned your “curiosity” into a “challenge”.

Boy, you’d think a guy defending his beliefs with scriptural quotes was a bigger sin than breaking God’s greatest commandment! And then <gasp> also having the gall to (better sit down for this one) “challenge” someone to quote the scriptures for their beliefs! What absolute gumption on my part! Pray tell do forgive me! /sarcasm

So now you are also accusing me of being blind because I believe exactly what the scriptures say without adding to it, and without polluting it with traditions of men that just so happens were adopted from pagan philosophy!?!

Boy, that’s rich. Talk about calling good evil and evil good!

I’m afraid you have again imagined a conversation that didn’t happen! I did not challenge you, I merely stated an observation of your repetitive meandering posts. And.....where did you perceive that I “demanded” anything of you? How many takers do you get by playing this juvenile game of False Accusations! LOL!

That’s a whole lot of “copy and paste!” You do realize that CD doesn’t approve of this function......It is beneath the intelligent and the educated! (My interpretation) 😜🤪🤨

I’m sure he will come up with an excuse of why it’s appropriate for you, but not for me! That is one of his finest attributes! 🤓

I find that those who continually accuse others of being judgmental, hypocritical, and of lying, are the worst abusers! I don’t know which you depend on more, those accusations or your “traditions of men!” 😂

You requested me to provide appropriate scripture....I believe that these two are appropriate for this occasion.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1: 8-9

You said you were curious, so I “assumed” you were being honest and so, I admit, I turned your “curiosity” into a “challenge”.

Boy, you’d think a guy defending his beliefs with scriptural quotes was a bigger sin than breaking God’s greatest commandment! And then <gasp> also having the gall to (better sit down for this one) “challenge” someone to quote the scriptures for their beliefs! What absolute gumption on my part! Pray tell do forgive me! /sarcasm

So now you are also accusing me of being blind because I believe exactly what the scriptures say without adding to it, and without polluting it with traditions of men that just so happens were adopted from pagan philosophy!?!

Boy, that’s rich. Talk about calling good evil and evil good!

It's not copy and paste🤣🤣🤣🤣

That's Tommy's actual writing...

Directed at you... Specifically...

Seeing as how you appear not to understand terms such as "judgemental", "hypocritical", and "deceitful", it's not surprising that you project such behavior on others....

You remind me of a student I had years ago... He would have a concept he wanted to use, but didn't really understand it... And then would come up with just bizarre arguments and statements that in no way made sense...

Also...

Your first scripture states that Christ is not God... Brutal... (Do you actually read them before you post them???)

And the second one is just ironic