My question is for Unitarians/Biblical Unitarians. In what respect do you know Jesus Christ?
2
votes
2
answers
558
views
Obviously the key to salvation is to "know" Jesus, "the Lord" of Matthew 7:21-23 and the master of the house" of Luke 13:25-27. Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
Vs22, Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?" vs23, And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." In my opinion the four most lethal words in the Bible are, "I never knew you." You can read Luke 13:25-27 yourself.
The key is to "know" Jesus. The Greek word used there in Matthew 7:23 is "ginosko" and refers to an experiential knowledge as in getting to "know" someone (does not mean to simply retaining an intellectual knowledge of someone's existence).
For example, the Greek "ginosko" is used in the LXX to translate the Hebrew word "yada" at Genesis 4:1 where the Bible says that Adam "knew" Eve and she bore a son. Both the Hebrew and the Greek terms in these contexts refer to an experiential, intimate "knowing." Obviously then, to "know" Christ as he requires is to "know" him from experience, personally, intimately, not simply to "know about" him or to memorize facts about him the way one might "know" say, George Washington today.
But this kind of "knowing" for salvation is a two-way street. At John 10:14, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and know My own, and My own know Me." Here again it is obvious that Jesus "know" ("ginosko") those who are his.
This presents Unitarians with a serious problem, how? Since you do not believe Jesus Christ is God, then by what means do you pretend to know or have any experience with Jesus Christ? How can you have had any experience with him and how can He "know" you (intimately, experientially as in the Gree, ("ginosko") if He is NOT God?
None of us were with Him in Israel 2,000 years ago. So if you know him and if you are known by him, how is that even possible unless he is God? This kind of relationship is only possible with someone who is omniscient and omnipresent?
But look, Romans 8:8-11 tells us plainly that Christians are "in the spirit" only if the Spirit of God dwells in them. He continues by saying that if this "Spirit of Christ does not dwell in you, than you are "none of his" - ie. you are not a Christian.
Clearly, to the inspired author of the Book of Romans, the "Spirit of God" and the "Spirit of Christ" are the same spirit. Furthermore for someone to be considered a Christian (ie, "his") then this "Spirit of Christ" must "dwell in" the believer. Who's "spirit" is the "Spirit of Christ?" Is it not Jesus Christ? To NOT have the "Spirit of Christ" dwelling in you means you are indeed "none of His." But only God can "dwell in" the hearts of all of his people, in all places at all times.
Unitarians have reduced the Lord Jesus Christ to a mere man or an angel or an "exalted spirit being" (depending on what kind of Unitarian you are). There is no language anywhere in the Bible which ascribes omnipresence with this ability/characteristic to anyone other than God and God is the ONLY one whom the bible describes as being able to do this. So how is it that the one who alone is this "God" who promises to "dwell in" his people is somehow "not God?" John 14:23, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, AND WE WILL COME TO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM."
Asked by Mr. Bond
(6455 rep)
Jun 10, 2023, 07:37 PM
Last activity: Jun 14, 2023, 04:26 AM
Last activity: Jun 14, 2023, 04:26 AM