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Who is God and who are we in him?

Who is God?

The Holy Spirit: Another Comforter

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I used to believe that the Holy Spirit is merely the power of God and that’s it. But later on, I was given more illumination by the Holy Spirit to know him better. I now believe that the Holy Spirit is not just merely power but that the Holy Spirit is God.

It would take a great deal of in-depth study to deal with this topic but in this blog, let me just focus on one point regarding the term “another Comforter”  used by Jesus in the King James Version of the Gospel of John. By studying this term, we will hopefully understand that the Holy Spirit is truly God and not just merely the power of God.

Who is the Paraclete?

In both 1 John 2:1 and John 14:16, the word translated Comforter or Advocate comes from the Greek word, parakletos. Other Bible translations or versions render it also as Helper, Paraclete or Counselor. Let us just use the word Comforter of the King James Version since it’s familiar to all.

Both passages come from the same author, John. The context is quite clear in 1 John 2:1 that John is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Comforter. This is not in doubt.

But on the other hand, it is also quite clear based on context in John 14:16-17, 26 and John 15:26 that the Comforter being referred to here by Jesus himself is the Holy Spirit and not himself. Jesus made a clear distinction between himself and the Holy Spirit. Who then really is the Comforter?

Jesus is Our Comforter

Well, as I understand it in plain English (not my native language), Jesus Christ is our Comforter. When Jesus said “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (KJV John 14:16-17, 26), I take it to mean that Jesus was referring to himself as the Comforter while he referred to the Holy Spirit as another Comforter. That is quite clear in this passage, I think.

The Holy Spirit is Another Comforter

Dr. K. J. Stavrinides with me and my wife in February 1994 in Tagaytay, Philippines.

A Greek theologian, Dr. Kyriakos Stavrinides explained this very important word “another“ to all the ministers of the Worldwide Church of God gathered during a conference in Tagaytay, Philippines sometime in 1993-1994. He said that there are two Greek words that Jesus could have used for the word “another“ namely, 1) “allos” which means another of the same quality and status and, 2) “heteros“ which means another of a different quality and status.

Jesus chose the Greek word, allos. He clearly meant that the Holy Spirit was of the same quality and status just like him! Jesus could have used the Greek word, heteros but he did not! Jesus knew what he wanted to say and what he meant! And John wrote it that way! Clearly, the Holy Spirit is God just like Jesus is God.

As a native Greek speaker, Dr. Stavrinides explained that that is the only way to understand it in Greek.

Jesus is the Paraclete and the Holy Spirit is another Paraclete of the same quality and status whom Jesus sent after he went back up to heaven. They are one with the Father. The Father and the Son are in us because the Holy Spirit is in us to comfort us, guide us and lead us until Christ be formed in us.

There is no doubt in my mind. The Holy Spirit is God!

Featured photo above: Ardent Hot Springs, Camiguin Island, Philippines. By Veejay Joson

Who is God?

Why Some Believe the Earth is Flat

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It’s amazing and surprising to me that in our modern age, some people still do believe that the earth is flat — a flat circle! Yes, that is correct. They think that the earth is not spherical or a globe. Why is this so?


Well, it’s surprising to note that when you check the internet,  flat earth believers abound and they do present to you a lot of their alleged “scientific proofs” to prove they are right. A lot of YouTube videos are out there attempting to “prove” the earth is flat.

Two Reasons Why

I can think of two main reasons why they believe it. It is aptly said by Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher and theologian of the 19th century. I got this quote recently from a friend on the internet. Kierkegaard allegedly said that:

  • “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”

Believing What is Not True

Yes, to believe what is not true is to be led into error. That’s for sure. For most flat earth believers, they really believe with all their heart that the Bible teaches that the earth is flat — which of course, is not true. They cannot be reasoned out of it no matter how hard you convince them that the Bible was not written as a scientific textbook, a cook book, an engineering book or a carpenter’s manual — to name a few examples. That is their faith. That is what they believe in. That is their religion. No amount of convincing will do the trick — unless of course God opens their minds.

Refusing to Believe What is True

With this premise and foundation that God has revealed to them in the Bible that the earth is flat, they therefore will not accept and will refuse to believe what is true! While the Bible does talk about a flat earth and the sun rising and setting, they will refuse to believe that there are various considerations in Bible interpretation like literary context, historical context, who the original authors and original audiences were, etc. They will refuse to believe these contextual considerations in Bible interpretation and insist that the Bible is revealing scientific data.

They will refuse to believe all the verified, empirical, authentic and scientific data gathered throughout the centuries by scientists, astronomers and the like. They will think that there is a big conspiracy to hide the “truth” that the earth is really and actually flat. They will suspect all scientific data that does not match up with their “biblical view” that the earth is flat. They think God has revealed to them the truth and the rest of humanity are deceived by a worldwide conspiracy group — which includes NASA.

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Who is God?

Many are Called but Few are Chosen

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“Many are cold, but few are frozen.” For people who are somewhat familiar with the Bible, we laugh when we hear this expression because we know this is a distortion of the the Bible verse found in Matthew 22:14 which says, “Many are called but few are chosen” as it is written in the King James Version (KJV) of 1611.

Salvation Only for Some?

The verse in Matthew 22:14 is quite familiar to many and out of this verse, some people have come up with their various interpretations which say that:

  1. Not all are going to be saved but only a few. This is a view held by some who hold on to a view called “limited atonement.” In this view, only the elected few will be saved among the billions of people of this world since Adam. And to them, that’s final. God has already decided from the foundation of the world who will be saved (just a few) and who will be lost (the many). That’s their view of election and predestination.
  2. Not all are being saved at this time, during this present age or era. Only the elect few or the little flock have been chosen and given salvation for now. The rest of humanity will have their chance to salvation in the future during the millennium and after the millennium. This is a view based on eras, eons or dispensations — a view called dispensationalism.

These are the two broad views that I know of held by some groups as they read and interpret this verse in Matthew 22:14. Of course, there might be variations to this view just like there are various views on dispensationalism.

But is this really what Matthew 22:14 is saying? Let’s try to find out and study this verse based on its own context.

Getting the Context

Actually, Matthew 22:14 is the ending part of a parable which Jesus gave about a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. Jesus was giving a parable about what the Kingdom of God is like (Matt. 22:1-2).

In this parable, the king “called” (KJV) or “invited” (NIV, NJB) his people to the wedding banquet but some refused to attend. The king then invited “as many” (KJV) or “anyone” (NIV) his servants could find (Matt. 22:9). During the wedding banquet itself, the king noticed one of the guests was not wearing the proper attire for the ocassion and he was thrown outside into darkness. Then Jesus said, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (NIV, Matt. 22:14)

This statement angered the Pharisees. We read: “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words” (Matt. 22:15). The background to this parable is that Jesus was actually talking about the chief priests and the Pharisees in this parable as well as in the previous Parable of the Tenants in Matthew 21:33-44. This is the larger context and background story behind the statement: “Many are called but few are chosen.”

The chief priests and the Pharisees rejected Jesus and wanted to kill him. So Jesus gave these parables and it was intended for them. Yes, they were “called” or “invited” but in the end they were not “chosen.”

“When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.  46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet” (Matthew 21:45-46  45).

The larger context becomes even clearer when we read Matthew 21:31-32: “Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

Jesus here was talking to the chief priests and the elders who questioned his authority (Matt. 21:23). The chief priests, elders and Pharisees rejected Jesus, the King. Therefore the King rejected them and threw them outside into darkness in the parable.

Based on context therefore, my understanding is that salvation is for all. The many are invited! The many are called! Tax collectors and prostitutes are included! Not only chief priests, elders and Pharisees! God is not limiting those whom he will save and enter the Kingdom of God. Anyone (tax collectors and prostitutes included) who comes to the Lord will be saved. They have been chosen out of the many.

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Who is God?

Flat Earth Theory

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Did you know that some people today — yes, in our modern age — believe that the earth is flat? Yes, that is correct. A flat earth theory. Some people today really believe with all their heart that the earth is flat. You might find that absurd, weird, foolish, stupid, gullible or however you might want to describe it but they hang on to their belief with such tenacity that the earth is indeed really flat. And they are sincere about it. They really believe it. It is not a globe. It is not spherical and they will show to you their “scientific proofs” complete with many YouTube videos and various articles found on the internet.

They believe that NASA and science in general are out to deceive the whole world — a conspiracy theory — showing fake photos, fake videos and fake scientific facts that the earth is spherical or a globe. Yes, they also believe in so many conspiracy theories! But what is their basis that the earth is flat? Well, they claim their view is based on the Bible. That is the foundation of their faith, their belief — it’s their “religion.”

In most instances, the Bible does really talk about a flat earth and I agree. But there lies the problem! That’s where the misunderstanding can occur!

Bible Not a Science Textbook

While the Bible does give some information about science, it is important to understand and realize that the Bible is not primarily a science textbook. Of course, God and science are not in conflict. God is the author of true science and true religion but please take note: the Bible’s main purpose is not about science. It is something else. It’s about the gospel. It’s about the Kingdom of God. It’s about Jesus Christ.

It is sad to note that flat earth believers use the Bible as a science textbook. They deny this of course, but in practice, they do use the Bible as if everything said there is always scientific or about science. They think the Bible is a scientific book that proves a flat earth. They have not considered the Bible’s various contexts — historical, literary, cultural and various other related contexts as they interpret the Bible.

Context, Context, Context!

We have to consider that the Bible was first written and addressed first of all to an original audience in their original setting — in their own time, place, cultural, historical and literary settings. It has to be understood first in that context — in their original setting with the original audience before we can apply it into our modern times.

In most instances in the Bible, it was written from an earth-centric point of view where “the sun rises” and “the sun sets.” It was written by human authors from their human perspective (inspired by the Holy Spirit of course) and they were not trying to give a scientific explanation that the earth was flat. That’s what they can naturally see — the sun rising from the east and setting to the west. They were not trying to explain science. Most often the original authors were trying to convey a message to their original audience and not necessarily explaining nor revealing scientific data. Let’s be mindful of this fact when we are applying it into our modern times.

Most errors of flat earth believers are in their disregard of context — especially literary context. Believing that the Bible teaches a flat earth (a disregard of literary context), they then proceed and come up with their “scientific proofs” that the earth is flat.

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Life & Love, Who is God?

Living Like A Gentile

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In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he narrated how he opposed Peter to his face because he was clearly wrong (Gal. 2:11). Paul said that Peter was not acting according to the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:14).  Those are strong words of rebuke! What was it that Peter did that was clearly wrong?  What did Peter do that was not according to the truth of the gospel? Let’s find out.

It was at the church at Antioch, north of Jerusalem,  that believers in Christ were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:28). Paul and Barnabas were also there as leaders in that congregation at that time. It is located somewhere in modern Turkey. According to Google, it is 678.3 kilometers from Jerusalem. That is quite some distance and would take a long time to travel during those days. Peter, whom we can safely assume to be a church leader coming from Jerusalem, visited Antioch to see the church members who were a mixture of both Jewish and Gentile Christians (Gal. 2:11).

Peter “Used to Eat with the Gentiles”

On this occasion, Paul said something significant. He said that Peter “used to eat with the Gentiles” (Gal. 2:12).  This clearly shows that Peter did it regularly — that is, eating with Gentile Christians on a regular basis. We don’t know how long his visit lasted but most likely, it was a long visit considering the distance involved.

But what’s wrong with Peter eating with Gentile Christians on a regular basis? Well, there must have been something wrong because Paul said so! And Paul told Peter about it!

In the Bible — as well as in modern use — the word, Gentile simply means that a person is not a Jew as is commonly understood. Most of us will be in that category — Gentiles. According to Jewish custom and law, the Jews were to separate themselves and should have nothing to do nor should they associate  with Gentiles. During those times, there were 3 Jewish laws that stood out which identified Jews from Gentiles namely: 1) circumcision, 2) dietary laws and, 3) Sabbath keeping.

Whether Peter ate unclean food or not is another topic for another blog but in this particular incident, Peter was clearly “eating with Gentiles” as Paul said which was a no-no for Jews back then.

But of course Peter understood that it was now alright to “eat with Gentiles” because he already understood from the Lord through a vision that he should “call no man common or unclean” (Acts 10). It was OK to mingle and eat with Gentiles contrary to Jewish customs and tradition. He understood that it was now alright to associate with Gentiles and especially so because these were his brothers and sisters in the Lord — the Gentile Christians at Antioch.

Double Standard Life

What then was the problem? Well, according to Paul it was Peter’s hypocrisy that was the problem. He was not acting in accordance with and in line with the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:13-14). Certain men from James who were of the “circumcision group” (meaning, Jewish Christians) came to the Antioch church which caused Peter to  separate himself from his Gentile brothers—although he “used to eat”  with them. That was not good according to Paul.

But why was Peter afraid? Well, because these “certain men” were Jews —Jewish Christians from Jerusalem — “from James.” And Jews normally separated themselves from Gentiles. That was the problem. Peter was not acting consistent with what he knew was the truth. The other Jewish Christians including Barnabas were wrongly influenced too by Peter’s hypocritical attitude. That was not good for the church and for the gospel.

Before these Jewish Christians visited Antioch, Peter “used to eat” with the Gentile Christians. He knew it was alright as God had shown to him in a vision to “call no man common or unclean” (Acts 10). He was “living like a Gentile.” He was not “living like a Jew” although he was a Jew. He knew it was alright. But then because of his fear of what his fellow Jews might think about him, he separated himself from his Gentile brothers when his Jewish Christian brothers from Jerusalem arrived. That was a clear case of hypocrisy. He should have been consistent with his attitude and not become a respecter of persons. That was Paul’s point.

Law of Moses Not for Christians

Most likely, these visiting Jewish Christians must have been imposing their customs too as can be seen in the epistle to the Galatians itself and in Acts 15. Paul then clarified that the Jewish Christian brothers should not force nor impose their “Jewish customs” on their Gentile Christian brothers. The clear message is that it is alright to “live like a Gentile“ and not “live like a Jew” if one is a Gentile Christian (Gal. 2:14).

This particular incident between Paul and Peter and the whole epistle of Galatians show that the Christians are not bound by the Law of Moses. That’s the clear message of the whole epistle to the Galatians. Christians have freedom in Christ to live like a gentile and not like a Jew following Jewish customs.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1).

Photo credit: Wikipedia