As early as this point, we are already asking for the indulgence of the members of other organizations of faith to pay attention to our discussion about some very important religious matters. We do not have any intention of putting any preacher, or any organization, in bad light. This religious exposition only aims to open the minds of our fellowmen concerning spiritual matters, because it is in this area that our society is weak.

The interest of many people in our society is focused only on the material and physical matters. Many seem to have neglected and forgotten matters that pertain to salvation. Although there are some who talk about God and salvation, the fact remains that the greater number of our people are preoccupied on worldly things and other forms of wickedness. While the number of religious organizations increases, the rate of criminality and other heinous acts likewise increase.

This study aims to bring to light the fundamental doctrines of God, and how we can find peace of mind especially in this times when wickedness is all around us. This is our invitation to you.

Most of the Born Again Christian groups, particularly the so-called “Oneness group” teach that Christ is also the Father, and they use John 10:30 as their basis. The verse says - “I and my Father are one.” Simply because they read Jesus saying, “I and my Father are one”, they already concluded that Christ is also the Father. But if we are going to ask the Bible, we will find out that this is an incorrect interpretation.

Let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ, in what aspect were He and the Father one? This is what John 17:11 says - “And now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

If you notice, “that they may be one as we are” means, Jesus wants those that the Father had given Him to be “one” also, in the same manner that He and the Father are “one”. It does not mean that, if you had been given to Jesus, or I had been given to Jesus, or Peter had been given to Jesus, it does not follow that you are already me, or I am already you, or you and I are also Peter! Of course, we all have our separate identities and states of being, but we are one in Jesus.

Therefore, even if Jesus said, “I and my Father are one”, it does not mean that He is also the Father, and the Father is also Christ. In Matthew 24:36, we can read that the Father and the Son have distinct persons. “But of the day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Take note, friends, that Christ, Himself, said this. Not even the Son knows the exact day and hour of judgment except the Father. If Christ is also the Father, it will turn out that He was lying when He said that the Son does not know the day and hour of judgment. But Christ and the Father cannot lie! Titus 1:2 says - “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” While I Peter 2:22 says - “Who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”

One of the more important things that Jesus said was that, His Father is greater than Him. This could be read in John 14:28 - “Ye have heard how I said to 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.”

On the other hand, John 10:28-29 says - “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

Aside from the verses we have cited, another reason why our Lord Jesus Christ came was because, He was sent by the Father. In other words, Jesus Christ was sent, and was commanded by the Father to fulfill His will. And a messenger of the Father, He will speak only of the things that the Father had told him. As written in John 12:49 - “For I have not spoken of myself; but of the Father which sent me, he gave a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

So, we have to be cautious before receiving the Christ that many pastors today wants us to accept because if you will receive a false Christ, you will surely be led to perdition.

Let us try to understand the warning of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:4-5 - “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you; For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many.”

If you noticed, our Lord Jesus warned us that “Many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.” Therefore, many, indeed, shall come in His name to deceive many. “To come in His name” is different from “to come for His doctrines.” Seek for a preacher who comes in His name and, at the same time, brings His doctrines. But, if the one who comes to you brings only the name of Jesus Christ, without His doctrines, the Bible said, reject him. II John 1:10 says - “If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God-speed.” Why? Because, while the name of Jesus is important, His doctrines are equally important. Just like the name gold, it becomes important only if it is real gold. You are simply cheating people if you call a bronze gold, when it is simply coated with, or dipped in gold. That is what most preachers are like today. They capitalize on the name of Jesus, but they teach doctrines which are not of Jesus.

You really have to pay attention to the doctrines. It is the doctrine that a preacher imparts that will determine if he is of God, or not. That is what our Lord Jesus said in John 7:17-18 - “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether if be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he hat seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

The Christ of the Bible said, a messenger of God does not teach self-made doctrines. That is why his doctrines are flawless. However, if you find out that the doctrines of a particular organization of faith are erroneous, that is a proof that such an organization is not of God. Why are we very definite about it? In John 16:13, Jesus said - “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 show you things to come.” If a religious organization teaches wrong doctrines, that means that the Holy Spirit is not guiding it, and therefore, it is not of God.