The Distinctiveness of
the Father and His Son

A few years ago I had the opportunity to enter into a most interesting theological discussion with two very sincere Christians about the nature of the Godhead. One individual was a Pentecostal believer of  “Jesus Only.” This belief is a type of monarchianism which maintains that the Godhead is composed of one Being who revealed Himself as the Father in the times of the Old Testament; Jesus Christ during the time depicted in the gospels; and the Holy Spirit from the ascension until today. The other individual I was conversing with was a member of the Nazarene Church who was Trinitarian. The Pentecostal was first asked by the Nazarene if their church believed in the Trinity. After a clarification from each on their beliefs they asked me what I believed on the subject. I stated very simply that based on the Bible, I could not believe the doctrine of either; the reason being that both theologies reject the Bible teaching that God did have a real Son and that He sent Him to die for the sins of humanity.

False Gospels Teach Role Playing

The “Jesus Only” view presents a God who did not really have a Son, but rather assumed the role of a son. After the crucifixion, this Being then rose from the dead to assume the role of the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian view in reality states a very similar position, but from a different perspective. While it allows for three distinct persons within the Godhead, it denigrates the sacrifice of Calvary to one of role playing. Trinitarianism states that the terms “Father” and “Son” as revealed in Scripture do not really mean father and son, but rather express roles they accept in carrying out the plan of salvation. For example:

In the New Testament, Jesus used Father to bring us into a close and personal relationship with God. (Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... p. 20)

It may be inferred from the Scriptures that when the Godhead laid out the plan of salvation at some point in eternity past, They took certain positions or roles to carry out the provisions of the plan. (Signs of the Times, July, 1985)

This is basically the same view that LeRoy Froom put forth in his book Movement of Destiny in an effort to promote Trinitarianism.¹ During the mid 1950’s, when Walter Martin was preparing his first book on Seventh-day Adventists, he approached the brethren in the General Conference asking for their official position on the Godhead. A Trinitarian position was essential if Adventists were to be removed from culthood status.²

Do the terms “Father” and “Son” refer to “roles” that God and Christ play, or do they really state the literal relationship between the two? Does John 3:16 really say: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life?” Or should it read, “God so loved the world, that he gave his fellow God...?” Does the wise man merely ask a rhetorical question when we read: “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?” (Proverbs 30:4)

The Scriptures clearly state that God and Christ are two distinct beings and that the terms “Father” and “Son” are not used to express roles, but rather a real and personal relationship between the two. Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) Yet he goes on to explain that oneness.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:20-23)

The early Adventists accepted these verses in a literal way. They believed in a real God and a real Son. Sister White wrote, “The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one.” (8T, p. 269) James White also noted:

Jesus prayed that his disciples might be one as he was one with his Father. This prayer did not contemplate one disciple with twelve heads, but twelve disciples, made one in object and effort in the cause of their master. Neither are the Father and the Son parts of the “three-one God.” They are two distinct beings, yet one in the design and accomplishment of redemption. The redeemed, from the first who shares in the great redemption, to the last, all ascribe the honor, and glory, and praise, of their salvation, to both God and the Lamb. (Life Incidents, p. 343)

Thus the prayer of Jesus was for the disciples to have perfect unity as He had perfect unity with the Father. God desires the whole universe to be in harmony with Him as Christ is in harmony with Him. In Philippians 2:5 we are told, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” What mind did Jesus have? He had the mind and thoughts of His Father. Notice how clearly Jesus brings this out as recorded in the book of John:

I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. (John 8:26)

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (John 8:28)

I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. (John 8:38)

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:49, 50)

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14:10)

If  Scripture utilizes the speech of mortals in the sense it is universally used and understood by mortals, then God is the Father of Jesus Christ and Jesus is His Son. The repetition of the terms “Father” and “Son” for God and Christ is astonishing! Jesus refers to God as “my Father” at least 52 times in statements such as:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32)

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Matthew 11:27)

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:29, 30)

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:28)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

Jesus is positively mentioned as the “Son of God” at least 37 times in the New Testament in verses such as these:

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33 )

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:34)

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (John 1:49)

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:36)

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5)

If God and Christ are role playing, why is it not simply stated that God #1 gave God #2 (his pal, brother, or buddy) for the sins of the world? If it is role playing, then the question of God’s honesty with humanity must be addressed. How can God claim to be “a God of Truth” who “cannot lie” if He is dishonest with humanity? (Deuteronomy 32:4; Titus 1:2)  How can Jesus Christ claim to be “the faithful and true witness” if He doesn’t really mean what He says? (Revelation 3:14)

Repeatedly we have heard that the gospel is supposed to be simple enough for a child to understand. What does a child think when he or she reads John 3:16? Childlike faith understands that God had a Son to give and that He did indeed give that Son for the sins of the world. The Scriptures plainly state that Jesus:

• 1. Came down from heaven. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)
• 2. Was from God: “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” (John 8:42)
• 3. Was sent by the Father and is a distinct, separate individual: “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.” (John 16:27-29)

The disciples understood clearly that God and Christ were two distinct beings with God being the Father of Jesus. How different from the Trinitarian who must call the relationship in the Godhead a mystery. “While no single scriptural passage states formally the doctrine of the Trinity, it is assumed as a fact by Bible writers. ... Only by faith can we accept the existence of the Trinity.” (Adventist Review, Special issue, vol. 158, number 31)

Further Plain Testimonies

Paul, writing in Hebrews, expresses the distinctiveness between God and Christ clearly: “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:5-7)

The distinctiveness of God and Christ is revealed in the salutations or the opening lines of almost every New Testament epistle. For example:

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  ... Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:1, 3)

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother. (1 Corinthians 1:1)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia. (2 Corinthians 1:1)

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (James 1:1)

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (2 Peter 1:2)

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (2 John 3)

This same motif is expressed in the body of the epistles as well:

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. (1 Thessalonians 3:11)

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Creeds of men or Creed of God?

The date 325 A.D. is a landmark date for apostasy. This was the year the Nicene Creed was developed. The Nicene Creed established Christ to be co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, thus denying the Father - Son relationship. This Creed was followed by the Constantinople Creed of 381 A. D. which placed the Holy Spirit in equal status with God and Christ. Later the Athanasian Creed was written near the end of the 4th or beginning of the 5th century. This Creed was not written by Athanasius, (a deacon from the time of the Council of Nicæa who worked with Alexander to oppose Arius) but was representative of his belief. The Athanasian Creed states in part:

1. Whosoever will be saved: before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith:

2. Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

3. And the Catholic Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity;

13. So likewise the Father is Almighty: the Son Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty.

14. And yet they are not three Almighties: but one Almighty.

17. So likewise the Father is Lord: the Son Lord: and the Holy Ghost Lord.

18. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord.

25. And in this Trinity none is afore, or after another: none is greater, or less than another.

26. But the whole three persons are coeternal and coequal.

44. This is the Catholic Faith: which except a man believe faithfully, he can not be saved. (S.D.A. Bible Student’s Source Book, pp. 298, 299)

This Catholic doctrine is blasphemy and does not measure up to God’s Word. The Scriptures plainly state: “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6) The Bible says nothing about one in three or three in one; but rather declares “one God the Father” and “one Lord Jesus Christ” the Son of the “only true God.” (see John 17:3) This is not a “Jesus Only” creed nor is it a Trinitarian creed. Shall we believe the creeds and councils of devil-inspired men instead of the sacred words of truth inspired by the Holy Spirit? God forbid! The Bible plainly declares that “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 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.” (Hebrews 1:1, 2) The testimony of Jesus agrees: “There is a personal God, the Father; there is a personal Christ, the Son.” (Review & Herald, November 8, 1898)

The Scriptures clearly state the distinctiveness between the Father and Christ. This distinctiveness is in number as well as in their relationship one to the other. The Bible further affirms that Christ is the only mediator between sinful man and the “only true God,” the Father. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) The Bible demands that we must worship “The Father and the Son [who] alone are to be exalted.” (Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898)

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)

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. (Revelation 4:11)

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 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. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:12-14)

“Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, will be disappointed.” (Review & Herald, July 26, 1892)