Interpretations of Jesus
Prophecies
Who created the world?
- Trinitarians: Jesus as God
- Unitarians: Not Jesus, but God
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Malachi 2:10 | The "Him" in John 1:10 refers to Jesus and quotes Malachi. | confusing concepts |
John 1:1-3 | Jesus as "the Word" was the Creator. | biased translation |
Acts 3:14-15 | Jesus is the "Author of life". | biased translation |
1 Corinthians 8:6 | The Father gave the command, but Jesus did the actual creation work. | confusing translation |
Colossians 1:13-17 | Jesus created the world. | context |
Hebrews 1:2 | The Father made through Jesus the world. | confusing translation |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 33:6-9; 95:3-6; 148:5; Isaiah 44:24, 45:12, 48:13; Romans 4:17; Revelation 4:11 | God alone created the world, not Jesus. | godhead |
Why was the world created?
- Trinitarians: To live for Jesus
- Unitarians: To glorify and love the Father
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Colossians 1:13-17; Hebrews 1:1-2 | We were created for Jesus | context |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Ephesians 1:3-6; Mark 12:33 | We were created to be adopted by the Father for His glory and our love. | godhead |
What was prophesied about Jesus nature?
- Trinitarians: Jesus is God
- Unitarians: Jesus is human
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal | |
---|---|---|---|
Psalm 2 | The LORD "begot" Jesus before Psalm 2 was written. | bad conclusion | |
Psalm 78 & Matthew 13:34-35 | Jesus is God. | bad correlation | |
Psalm 82 | Jesus is God. | confusing translation | |
Psalm 97 | Jesus is God. | bad quotation | |
Psalm 102 | Jesus is God. | bad quotation | |
Psalm 118 & Matthew 21:2; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7 | Jesus is God. | bad correlation | |
Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23 (ESV) | Jesus is called "God with us". | bad conclusion | |
Isaiah 9:6 | Jesus is the eternal Father. | biased translation | |
Isaiah 40:1-5 quoted by Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 3:4-6 | John the Baptist prepared the path for God, then Jesus came. | confusing statements | |
Isaiah 54:13, John 6:45-46 | Prophesied that God would teach, then Jesus came. | bad correlation | |
Isaiah 61:1-2 & Luke 4:14-22 | Jesus did miracles, therefore he is is God. | bad conclusion | |
Micah 5:2 & Matthew 2:5-6 | Jesus is the eternal ruler, which is only possible for God. | bad conclusion | |
Zechariah 11:4-17 quoted by Matthew 27:3-10 | Both the LORD God and Jesus was priced 30 pieces of silver. | biased translation | |
Zechariah 12:10 (NIV) | Prophesied that God would be pierced, then Jesus was pierced. | biased translation | |
Malachi 3:1 & Matthew 11:7-11 | Jesus fulfilled the prophecy which implies he is "the LORD of hosts". | bad correlation | |
Matthew 16:27-28 | Jesus will return to judge the world. | bad conclusion | |
Matthew 25:31 | Jesus will sit on a throne in heaven, therfore he is God. | bad correlation | |
Revelation 1:8 | Jesus is the Alpha and Omega which is God. | confusing translation | |
Revelation 5:8-14 | Jesus is worshipped by all angels and creatures, therefore he is God. | confusing events | |
Revelation 21:6-7 | Jesus is eternal, therefore he is God. | bad conclusion |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Genesis 3:15, 49:10; Psalm 16:8-11 & Acts 2:22,25-34; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 30:21; Micah 5:2-5 & Matthew 2:5-6 | God has no ancestors, yet Jesus would be a descendant of Judah. | man-part of Jesus |
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 & John 5:46-47, Acts 3:22-26 | Jesus would be a human prophet like Moses. | man-part of Jesus |
Psalm 2; Acts 13:16, 32-33 | God is eternal, yet it was prophesied that Jesus would be born. | man-part of Jesus |
Psalm 110:1; Micah 5:2-5 & Matthew 2:5-6; Matthew 22:41-46 (ESV); Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:40–44 | God does not have a god, yet Jesus would have a God. | man-part of Jesus |
Isaiah 11:1-2; 42:1-2; 61:1 | Jesus would need God's Spirit.. | man-part of Jesus |
Isaiah 42:1-4 & Matthew 12:15-21; Isaiah 52:13-53:12 & Luke 22:37 | God serves nobody, yet Jesus would be God's servant. | demo |
Isaiah 61:1-2 & Luke 4:14-22 | Jesus is distinct from God. | demo |
Daniel 7:10,14,27 | Jesus appeared separately before God. | symbolic |
Daniel 9:24-27; Zechariah 13:7-9 & Mark 14:27; Matthew 26:31 | God is immortal, but Jesus would die. | man-part of Jesus |
Luke 1:26-37 | Gabriel announced that Jesus would be the son of God, not God Himself. | godhead |
Revelation 1:1 | God gave Jesus a revelation. | |
Revelation 1:4-5 | God and Jesus is mentioned distinctively in the same sentence. | |
Revelation 4:2 & Revelation 5:2-6 | God is seen distinctively from Jesus | symbolic |
Gospel
Do we need to belief Jesus is God to be saved?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
The council of Nicaea determined that anyone who do not believe Jesus is God is a "heretic". | theology | |
1 John 1:1-2; 4:2 | Anyone that state that "Jesus is not God in the flesh" is the antichrist. | bad conclusion |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Luke 7:36-50 | Jesus converted a woman without telling her that he is God. | |
Acts 2:14-47 | Peter converted 3000 people without telling them Jesus is God. | |
Acts 13:13-44; 17:22-34 | Paul converted people without telling them Jesus is God. |
How is it possible to follow the standards of Jesus?
- Trinitarians: It is impossible to follow a God Jesus, therefore we should only strive to be more like Jesus
- Unitarians: It is possible to follow a human Jesus
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
John 13:15 | Jesus commanded that we should do as he did. | strive |
1 Peter 2:21 | Peter say it is possible to follow Jesus. | strive |
Should we worship and serve Jesus?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No, but we should obey and respect Jesus
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
1 Samuel 7:3-4 & Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8 | Only the God, YHVH, should be worshipped and served. | demo |
Matthew 4:1-2 | Jesus fasted (worship a greater God). | demo |
Acts 24:14 | Paul only worship the God of the fathers of Israel (the fathers of Israel did not knew Jesus). | godhead |
Essence
Did Jesus previously exist before he was born?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Jesus created the world, therefore he must have pre-existed. | multiple arguments | |
Daniel 7:13 | Jesus was seen by Daniel before he was born. | bad conclusion |
Luke 2:41-52 | Jesus knowledge from his pre-existence, made that he had an understanding beyond any other teacher when he was still a child. | bad conclusion |
John 1:1-14 | Jesus is "the Word" which existed before our world was created. | biased translation |
John 3:13 | Jesus said that he descended from heaven which implies he was already alive in heaven before coming to Earth. | idiom |
John 8:58 | Jesus said that he existed before Abraham was born. | context |
John 17:5 | Jesus said that he had been with the father before the world existed. | interpretation |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 1:1 | Matthew's genealogy shows that many people existed before Jesus came into existence. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 1:17-18 | Matthew recorded that Jesus originated from his birth. | man-part of Jesus |
The prophecies were about a future Christ who did not exist yet. | man-part of Jesus | |
Nature shows that a son has to be younger than his father. Therefore there has to be a period where the Son did not exist yet. |
What was Jesus when he was born on Earth?
- Trinitarians: Fully 100% God and fully 100% man (God-man)
- Unitarians: A 100% human like us, except that he did not inherit any sin from Joseph (virgin birth) and therefore he was sinless and holy like God originally created Adam. Jesus is not God Himself, but the Son of God which means his Father is also his God.
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Mark 1:1; John 1:39, 20:30 & Matthew 8:20; 9:6; 10:23... | Jesus is both "Son of God" and "Son of Man". | bad conclusion |
What is Jesus today?
- Trinitarians: Trinitarians argue among themselves on this point. Some suggest:
- Hypostatic Union: Jesus was already God from the beginning and that his nature never changed.
- Kenosis Theology: Jesus only temporary limited ("emptied") himself from his God-hood to have a true human experience like us.
- Unitarians: A resurrected and exalted lord (king)
Scripture | Trinitarian - Hypostatic Union argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Malachi 3:6 | Jesus is the LORD and never changed. | confusing concepts |
Scripture | Trinitarian - Kenosis Theology argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Acts 9:1-8 | Jesus' limitation was removed so that he could appeared to Saul. | bad conclusion |
Philippians 2:10-11 | Jesus' exaltation means: He removed his previous human limitations. | context |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 18:20 | It was necessary for Jesus to return so that God's Spirit could continue God's work in the body (delegates) of Christ in the absence of Jesus | godhead |
Philippians 2:9-11 | Jesus' exaltation means: He received great authority from God to be our Lord. | |
Philippians 3:21 | Paul's disciples have the same type of body as Jesus. | man-part of Jesus |
Witnesses
How did Jesus identified himself?
- Trinitarians: As God
- Unitarians: Not God, but "the Son" of God
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 27:1, John 1:5 & John 8:12 | Jesus said that he is "the light of the world" like God. | bad correlation |
Jesus made various equality claims to the Father. |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 19:17 | Jesus said he is not God | man-part |
Matthew 26:39,42,53; Luke 6:12; John 11:41, 17:1 | Jesus prayed to his God | demo |
John 5:19-30 | Jesus is the Son of God. | godhead |
John 5:44-55, 8:49-50,54, 17:1-3 | Jesus said there is only 1 God which is not him. | man-part |
John 8:39-40 | Jesus said he is human. | man-part |
John 20:17 | Jesus said that he has a God | man-part |
How did the unbelievers identified Jesus?
- Trinitarians: It does not matter
- Unitarians: Not God, but "the Son" of God (it confirms the believers)
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 27:54 | The centurion: Jesus is the Son of God | proof nothing |
How did the apostles identified Jesus?
- Trinitarians: As God
- Unitarians: Not God, but "the Son" of God
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Jeremiah 17:5 (NIV) | We are cursed if we trust in a man, so Jesus cannot be a man. | overgeneralized |
Acts 20:28 (NIV) | Paul mentions "the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." | bad translation |
Titus 2:13 (NIV) | Paul wrote "the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" | bad translation |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 1:18 | Jesus is the child of the Holy Spirit | godhead |
Matthew 16:13-19 | Peter: Jesus is the Son of God | godhead |
Mark 1:1 | Mark: Jesus is the Son of God | godhead |
John 1:19, 20:30 | John: Jesus is the Son of God | godhead |
Acts 9:20; Romans 1:1-6; 2 Corinthians 1:19; Galatians 4:4-5 | Paul: Jesus is the Son of God | godhead |
Hebrews 4:14 | The author of Hebrews: Jesus is the Son of God | godhead |
John 1:30 | John the Baptist said Jesus was human. | man-part |
Romans 5:15-17; 1 Timothy 2:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 | Paul wrote that Jesus is a man. | man-part |
Hebrews 2:14-17 | The author of Hebrews wrote that Jesus was a human. | man-part |
Did the apostles believed Jesus is God?
- Trinitarians: As God
- Unitarians: No
Does the devil belief Jesus is God?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
James 2:19 | The devil know who God was. | not-jesus |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1-2,13; Hebrews 4:15 vs James 1:13 | Jesus was tempted, while God cannot be tempted. | demo |
Matthew 4:3,6; Luke 4:3,9 | The devil never asked Jesus to proof that he is God, instead he challenged his sonship. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4 | Jesus defend himself with a scripture that is only applicable to humans. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4 | The devil tempted Jesus to be disobedient to God. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:5-7; Luke 4:9-11 | Jesus admit that he needs God's protection. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-6 | The devil offered kingdoms to Jesus, but God would not need the devil's help. | |
Matthew 4:9; Luke 4:7 | Only a human can worship the devil, not God. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8 | Jesus said only God (not himself) should be worshipped. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:6-7; Luke 4:12 | Both Jesus and the devil agrees that God is someone distict from Jesus. | godhead |
Sacrifice
Why was Jesus baptized?
- Trinitarians: To set an example for us
- Unitarians: To "fulfill all righteousness" with God
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Jesus only demonstrated how we should baptize and dedicate ourselves to Him. | assumption |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 3:13-17 | Jesus was baptized out of obedience to be accepted by God. | demo |
Matthew 3:13-17; John 17:17-19 | Jesus was dedicated for God's special purpose. | demo |
Mark 1:9; Acts 19:4 | God does not repent (Numbers 23:19), yet Jesus was baptized into repentance. demo |
What was sacrificed for our sin?
- Trinitarians: God
- Unitarians: Jesus
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Romans 5:8 | 1 human sacrifice is not sufficient to pay for all humanity's sin. Only an infinite God can redeem infinite sin. | assumption |
If Jesus was a human, then God could have sacrificed anyone. | assumption | |
Philippians 2:7 (ESV) | God "emptied" Himself to experience human pain, humiliation and death. | bad translation |
John 3:16 | God cannot proof His love unless He sacrificed Himself. | assumption |
Romans 8:34 | God would be a sadist if he sacrifice someone else for His own pleasure. | assumption |
Only someone without sin could be sacrificed. | assumption | |
Only an eternal one can pay for sin committed after the crucifixion. | assumption |
Authority
Is Jesus the Father God?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No, they are distinct persons
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 23:1, 95:7; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:2 & John 10:14 | Both the Father and Jesus is called "the Shepherd". | bad correlation |
Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 60:1-5,19-20; 1 John 1:5-7 & John 1:5, 3:19, 8:12 | Both the Father and Jesus is called "the Light". | bad correlation |
Psalm 55:22 & Matthew 11:30 | Both the Father and Jesus carries our burdens. | bad correlation |
Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, 48:12; Revelation 1:8, 21:5-8, 22:13 & Revelation 1:17 | Both the Father and Jesus is called "the First and the Last". | bad correlation |
Isaiah 43:11; 1 Timothy 1:1, 2:3, 4:10 ... & Philippians 3:20; 2 Peter 1:11, 2:20, 3:18 ... | Both the Father and Jesus is called "the Saviour" | bad correlation |
Matthew 10:40; Mark 9:37; Luke 9:48; John 12:44 | The Father is received, when Jesus is received. | context |
Matthew 16:27-28, Revelation 14:1, 19:11-16, 22:1-5 & Matthew 16:27-28, Revelation 22:1-5 | Both the Father and Jesus will return to judge the world | bad correlation |
John 5:21, Acts 2:24; Romans 4:17; Galatians 1:1 | Both the Father and Jesus can resurrect people | bad correlation |
John 10:30 | Jesus said he and the Father are one. | context |
John 13:33 | Jesus calls his disciples "children" like a Father. | bad translation |
John 14:18 | Jesus adopts children like a Father. | context |
John 15:9 | Jesus can love like the Father. | biased translation |
Romans 14:10-12 vs 2 Corinthians 5:10 | Both the Father and Jesus appear on "the judgment seat". | context |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Exodus 33:20; John 1:14,18 | God has never been seen, but Jesus was see1n. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21; John 1:51 | God personally declared that he is distinct from Jesus. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 5:45-6:9, 26:53 | Jesus prayed to a distinct God. | demo |
Matthew 23:9 | Jesus said that the Father is in heaven while he was on earth. | |
Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 | Jesus and God can be seperated. | reflecting |
Luke 2:52 | Jesus grew in favour with God. | |
John 8:17-18 | Jesus and God the Father are 2 distinct witnesses. | godhead |
John 14:1-2 | It is possible to separately believe in Jesus or God. | godhead |
Acts 7:55-56 | Stephan saw Jesus separately from God. | symbolic |
Acts 10:38 | John preached that God anointed Jesus as a distinct person. | man-part of Jesus |
Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5 | Paul wrote that Jesus is our mediator, distinct from God. | |
Hebrews 3:1-2 | The author of Hebrews says Jesus was appointed like Moses by God. | man-part of Jesus |
Is Jesus equal with the Father?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Genesis 18:25 & Matthew 10:32-33, John 5:22, 1 John 2:1 | Both the Father and Jesus judge sin. | bad correlation |
Exodus 3:14 & John 8:58 | Both the Father and Jesus identified themselves as "I am". | bad correlation |
Exodus 15:26 & John 4:46-54, 5:8-9 | Both the Father and Jesus can heal. | bad correlation |
Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:17 & Psalm 2:12 | Both the Father and Jesus have emotions. | bad correlation |
Numbers 14:17; Matthew 6:14-15 & Matthew 9:1-2; Mark 2:10 | Both the Father and Jesus forgives sin. | bad correlation |
Psalm 33:6-9; 95:3-6; 148:5 ... & John 1:10, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:10, Hebrews 2:10 | Both the Father and Jesus created the world. | multiple arguments |
Psalm 95:3 | Both the Father and Jesus is called "the King". | bad correlation |
Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19 & John 10:11,14 | Both the Father and Jesus is good. | bad correlation |
John 8:55, 13:32, 17:1, 17:5 & John 17:1; Philippians 2:11 | Both the Father and Jesus should be glorified. | bad correlation |
John 14:18-19 | Both the Father and Jesus are inside each other. | biased translation |
John 16:15 | Jesus owns everything of the Father. | context |
Philippians 2:6-8 | Paul states that Jesus is "equal with God". | bad translation |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
God and Jesus are distinct for various reasons. | ||
Isaiah 46:5 | No one is equal to the Father. | |
Matthew 20:23 | Jesus has less authority than the Father. | |
Mark 16:19 | [Mark saw Jesus sat at the right hand of God (submissive position).]() | |
Luke 10:21 | Jesus address the Father as "Lord (Master) of heaven and earth". | man-part of Jesus |
John 8:49-50 | Jesus says the Father is the Judge. | man-part of Jesus |
John 10:29; John 14:28 | Jesus says the Father is "greater" than him. | man-part of Jesus |
Is Jesus almighty?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Job 11:7; Luke 1:37 | God is almighty. | not-jesus |
Matthew 25:31 | Jesus will rule from his glorious throne. | bad conclusion |
Matthew 28:18 | Jesus got all authority. | biased translation |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; Acts 10:38 | Jesus needed the Holy Spirit.. | man-part of Jesus |
Matthew 4:11 (ESV); Mark 1:13; Luke 22:43 | Jesus needed angels to strengthen him. | man-part of Jesus |
John 5:19-20,30 | Although God is almighty, Jesus is limited. | man-part of Jesus |
John 14:12 | Jesus' "works" (miracles?) are limited. |
Is Jesus all-knowing?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Job 11:7; Luke 1:37 | God is all knowing. | not-jesus |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 24:36 | Jesus does not know everything. | man-part of Jesus |
Luke 2:52 | Jesus grew. | man-part of Jesus |
John 5:19-20, 7:16, 14:24 | Jesus teach what he learned. | man-part of Jesus |
John 8:28; Hebrews 5:8 | Jesus is teachable. | man-part of Jesus |
John 10:31-36 | Jesus could not read the Jews' minds. | man-part of Jesus |
Is Jesus omnipresent?
- Trinitarians: Yes
- Unitarians: No
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 139:7-10; Ephesians 4:6; Revelation 19:6 | God is omnipresent. | not-jesus |
Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20 | Jesus says that he is omnipresent. | idiom |
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
John 11:14-15; 14:2-4; 16:28; 17:11-13 | [Jesus can only be at one place at a time.](/god/son/essence/of-man/limitations#Jesus is not omnipresent) | man-part of Jesus |
Does Jesus serve God?
- Trinitarians: No
- Unitarians: Yes
Scripture | Trinitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 2:7-12 | The Son rules over all nations. | confused by name removal |
Psalm 83:18; Daniel 4:34-37 | The LORD has the highest authority. | not-jesus |
Relationships
How does God relate to Jesus?
- Trinitarians: God is Jesus
- Unitarians: God is the Father of Jesus
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal | |
---|---|---|---|
Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11, 9:7; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; 2 Peter 1:16-18 | The disciples heard that God's voice distinct from Jesus | ||
Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11, 9:7; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; 2 Peter 1:16-18 | God is not suffering from NPD when He announces that He loves Jesus | ||
Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11, 9:7; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; 2 Peter 1:16-18 | No father can be his own son, yet some believe God the Father is the Son | godhead | |
Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11, 9:7; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; 2 Peter 1:16-18 | God calls Jesus "My beloved son", not "Godhead member", "body" or "avatar" | demo | |
Matthew 12:48-50; 16:13-19; John 15:14-15; 17:1-26 | Jesus calls God "My Father" | godhead | |
John 4:34, 5:19, 6:38, 8:55, 10:37, 14:31; Romans 6:10 ... | Jesus is a servant of God. | see above | |
John 17:1-26 | Jesus said that he is not God | reflecting |
How does Jesus relate to God?
- Trinitarians: Jesus is God
- Unitarians: Jesus is the Son of God
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 2:7-11; Romans 8:17 | Jesus is a fellow heir of God. | |
Matthew 16:13-17; Acts 3:13, 4:27-30 | Peter said Jesus is "the Son of God". | godhead |
Matthew 16:17; John 9:35, 10:36, 17:1-5, 19:17 | Jesus says that he is "the Son of God". | godhead |
Matthew 27:54 | The centurion said Jesus is "the Son of God". | godhead |
Mark 1:1 | Mark said Jesus is "the Son of God". | godhead |
John 1:39, 20:30 | John witness that Jesus is "the Son of God". | godhead |
John 11:27 | Mary said Jesus is "the Son of God". | godhead |
Ephesians 1:3,15-18 | Paul wrote Jesus is "the Son of God". | godhead |
How does God relate to the disciples?
- Trinitarians: God, the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit
- Unitarians: Our Father
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Psalm 68:4-6 | God is the Father to the disciples. | roles |
Matthew 23:9 | Jesus said, while being on earth: "Call no man your Father on earth" | |
Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:14-22; 5:1-2,8-10 | The disciples are God's adopted and beloved children. | roles |
How does Jesus relate to the disciples?
- Trinitarians: God, the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit
- Unitarians: Our brother or our friend
Scripture | Unitarian argument | Rebuttal |
---|---|---|
Matthew 12:48-50; 25:40; Romans 8:29 | Jesus calls his disciples brothers and sisters. | roles |
John 15:14-15 | Jesus calls his disciples friends. | roles |
(This article mainly focus on the reasoning of the Trinitarians and Unitarians. I also compare interpretations of Jesus from other religions in another article.)