I and my Father are one (John 10:30)

 What was “I and my Father are one” meant to mean?

Let us read the passage.

In brief, the Jews thought that Jesus meant to make himself God. For blasphemy they wanted to stone him to death. However, in his defense, Jesus refuted the Jews: “do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?”.

By saying “I am the Son of God”, not only Jesus had denied that he had tried to make himself God, but also had denied that he had ever said “I am God”. And in Jesus denial, he had also meant to tell us that he was not God Himself.

This has led to an important biblical fact: Jesus had personally told us that he was not God!

Let us continue with the reading and reasoning.

 (1) Jesus’ refutation leads to our first understanding. The phrase “I and my Father are one” is not meant to mean Jesus was the Father, and the Father was Jesus.

Then Jesus continued to expound: “If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do, though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in Him.”

(2) This leads to our second understanding. “I and my Father are one” meant to mean that “the Father is in me, and I in Him”.

 (3) The third understanding is a given one. To sum up, both phrases “I and my Father are one” and “the Father is in me, and I in Him” are not meant to mean Jesus was the Father, and the Father was Jesus!

Then, what is it really mean?

Fortunately, Jesus had used similar language in the followings:

John 17:20-23 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word;  21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.  22 And the glory which You gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  23 I in them, and You in me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them as You have loved me.

From this passage we see the followings parallel usages:

a. “They all may be one” just as “You, Father are in me, and I in you”.

b. “They may be one” just as “we are one”

Apparently, if “I and my Father are one” meant to mean “the Father is in me, and I in Him”, then similarly “we are one” may mean that “I in you, and you in me”.

Logically, we know that “I cannot be physically in you, and you cannot be physically in me”. This leaves us with only one obvious possibility that we are in each other spiritually but not physically.

(4) This leads us to the fourth understanding. With respect to language, be it “I and my Father are one”, or “The Father is in me, and I in Him”, or “They may be one”, or “I in them, and you in me”, all these expressions is not a declarative statement but a figurative statement.

(5) The above can be summed up into the fifth understanding. When Jesus said that “I and my Father are one” and “the Father is in me, and I in Him”, both did not mean to say that Jesus was physically in the Father and became Him or the Father was physically in Jesus and became Jesus! However, they were one and in each other figuratively!

However can we find evidence in the Bible which can justify that spiritually the Father was in Jesus, and Jesus in the Father?

Let us revisit some of the words which Jesus had said as follows:  Jesus prayed to the Father and said “John 17:8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. John 17:17 Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth”. This means that those words that came out from God’s mouth are the truths. Again, Jesus had said the followings: “John 12:49-50 for I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told me, so I speak”.

Jesus’ prayer has led us to the following understandings:

(a) When Jesus received the Word from the Father, figuratively speaking, we can say that the Word was in Jesus.

(b) When Jesus accepted the Word, he had also accepted the Father. So figuratively speaking, we can say that the Father was in Jesus too.

(c) Jesus not only said what the Father wanted him to say, and did what the Father wanted him to do, but also observed Father’s commands. Therefore, figuratively speaking, we can say that Jesus was not only in the Father but also in the Word.

The above three points are solely extracted in according to the meanings within the boundary of our language, its grammar and its metaphorical implication. So metaphorically, this was how Lord Jesus Christ achieved the stage of “the Father is in me, and I in Him”.

It is written to show you how possibly Jesus and Father are one spiritually but not physically. There is no reason for us to play dumb concerning the figurative element in our language? Neither should we play dumb against Jesus’s declaration that he had used figurative language in John 16:25?

Furthermore, by virtue of Jesus who had accepted the Father and His Words and practiced them, figuratively, we can say that Jesus, and God, and the Truth or the spirit of Truth are one!

Besides, Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved most had also given us his first-hand understandings as follows:

(a) He who keeps God’s commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that God abides in us, by the Spirit whom God has given us.

(b) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

(c) God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Definitely, our compassionate God will love to save the world and be in man unconditionally. But if a person rejects God’s Word, not only that he is not in the truth, but also he has given up the opportunity to be one with God. In other words, we are in the truth and abide in God only if we acted in according to the essential principle of the truth. This could be the reason why Apostle John had explicitly commented in the book of 1 John “He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”.

Perhaps, if we can do like what Jesus did, then we may reach the perfect stage as what Jesus had prayed for; God in Jesus, Jesus in us, and we are in each other. We are in one made perfect by both Jesus and God whom are in us!

How to correctly interpret Lord Jesus Christ’s figurative language?

Now we know Jesus had clearly and unequivocally told us that he was not God. He had also told us that he used figurative language when describing things concerning the heavenly Father. Equipped with such clear understandings, we can now attempt to reinterpret a few difficult sentences:

(a) He who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9)

Like the example I mentioned, the figurative expression "he was fierce as a lion; you saw him and you saw a lion" does not mean to say that the person you see is not a man but a real lion. But metaphorically, it means to say that this man has a ferocious personality like a lion.

Likewise, the figurative words of Lord Jesus Christ do not mean to say that when his disciples saw him, they saw God Himself! Rather, metaphorically, when the disciples saw him, they saw God and the truth of God dwelling in him!

(b) And now, O Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was. (John 17:5)

This metaphorical sentence is even more difficult to perceive. However, from the above explanation, metaphorically speaking, Jesus is the Word, and the Word is Jesus. So the "I" in this sentence does not refer to "I as the person in flesh" but metaphorically "I as the Word". Therefore, it is legitimate to interpret that Lord Jesus Christ was referring to "it was the Word, which was sanctified and set-apart by God in the beginning, sharing the glory with God before the world was". Perhaps, Lord Jesus Christ was calling to God to glorify His Word again which God had already glorified before the world was!

And The Word Became Flesh

 In the book of John, Jesus had told us before: “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father”.

Through this, Lord Jesus Christ had clearly and unequivocally explained to his disciples that in the past, he had been using figurative language telling them concerning the heavenly Father.

It is not a surprise to know that Jesus used figurative language! After all, both figurative statement and declarative statement are just part of our language expressions. For example, a similes expression “he was fierce as a lion” or a figurative expression “you see him you see a lion”, are not meant to tell us that the person is no more a human being and has become a real lion. Unfortunately, such figurative language has been neglected and possibly being used to fool the unsuspected Christians.

Let us examine how it has been utilized to twist the meaning of Bible words!

What is the Word means?

Logically, we need to know what the Word is before we can properly understand what Apostle John meant to tell us concerning the Word.

In fact, Lord Jesus Christ himself has told us where the Word came from and what effect it has! Please refer to the following records:

Jesus replied, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word he shall never taste death" (John 8:51). Jesus said, “My doctrine is not mine, but His who sent me” (John 7:16). “For I have given to them the words which you have given me; and they have received them" (John 17:8). "I have given them your word" (John 17:14). “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). “And has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man” (John 5:27). “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

(C) Apparently, the words which Jesus preached were the words given to him by the Father. The heavenly Father’s words are the truths. Those who kept the Truth would have life and should never taste death. Those who rejected God’s Word would be judged by the spoken words from Jesus in the last day. This understanding has become the third cornerstone of my biblical knowledge.

(D) Indeed, the Word specified by Apostle John meant to mean every spoken word of God and not God Himself. . This understanding has become the fourth cornerstone of my biblical knowledge.

With this solid understanding, it shall help us to correctly interpret the meaning of the scriptures!

How the Word became flesh?

To interpret solely base on a short and precise phrase “And the Word became flesh” is prone for error. As we may inadvertently interpret what we think what the words should mean rather than what the words mean to be.

Fortunately, to certain extent, the same similar event might have been recorded in parallel in other Gospels.

Coincidently, author Luke happened to give a more detailed description on how Mary gave birth to the Son of God. He wrote: Luke 1:35-37 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."

God is spirit. So author Luke said that when God that is the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, at the same time the power of God overshadowed her. Through the manifestation of God’s power, this time it ended with Mary conceived without sleeping with a man and gave birth to a holy man, the Son of God. Since God's power could cause the barren Elizabeth to conceive and bear a son, it could also cause Mary to conceive and bear a child without sleeping with a man, because in God nothing is impossible!

This means that author Luke was trying to tell us that our Almighty God was not being born again to become a man, and Jesus was not God Himself.

Author Luke used the terms "Spirit" and "Most High" in his writing, but Apostle John used a different term "Word". If Luke's account is being rephrased with Apostle John’s term, the text will read as follows: "When the Spirit of truth came upon Mary, and the power of God’s Word overshadowed her, Mary conceived without having to sleep with a man and gave birth to a child”. In the eyes of Apostle John, this is the complete process of how the Word would become flesh.

I hope you can see that by interpreting the phrase “the Word became flesh” to mean that our Almighty God had entered Mary’s womb and was born as Jesus which implies that Jesus was God is wrong.

After understanding the meaning of the phrase "the Word became flesh", the meaning of other phrases in John 1:1 becomes clear.

The Word was God

Most Christians can perceive the following important underlying concept embedded in the Bible Book: "Every word of God possesses the same complete fullness of the divine nature of God, in Power and in Spirit"!

For example, when God said, "Let there be light," WALAH, the sun was created through the manifestation of the power of God's Word. As the Earth rotates, we experience the phenomena of day and night, light and darkness. Metaphorically speaking, of course, this is what Apostle John’s saying of "the Word was God" meant to mean.

Therefore, by interpreting the words spoken from God’s mouth as another individual image of God or God Himself, is simply nonsense.

In the beginning was Word but not in the beginning was Jesus

Likewise, the meaning of the phrase "In the beginning was the Word" becomes easy to understand. "In the beginning" is just a time attribute. Therefore, the phrase means to tell us that it was the word of God which existed in the beginning but not Jesus whom was only born by Mary through the manifestation of God’s Word just two thousand years ago.

The claim that Jesus existed in the very beginning is like forcefully stuff in Apostle John’s throat "the concept of reincarnation which is heavily promoted in other religions"!

The Word was with God

The phrase has also become simple and easy to understand. It means that the Word of God was together with God!

Therefore, to interpret this phrase as "God is with God Himself" has made the understanding sounds so absurd!

The Word and its spirit

It is undeniable that the words of God, like the words of human beings, contain a spirit – the activating and essential principle that can influence people.

As such, the first possible meaning of “the spirit of truth” means to tell us “it is the activating and essential principle of the truth”.

There is no doubt that man does not have the ability to do it. However, if God is willing, the omnipotent God can make every word that comes out of his mouth into a supernatural being at any time.

As such, the second possible meaning of “the spirit of truth” means to tell us “it is the supernatural being of the truth”. This might be what the spirit of truth meant to mean when mentioned by Lord Jesus Christ.

Taking a step back, by interpreting “the Word was with God” as "the Spirit of truth is with God" still makes more sense comparatively.

I have just showed you the possible meanings of what our language means to tell us within its legitimate boundary.

Nevertheless, to interpret that the words of God or the spirit of God’s words as God Himself is not only twisting the meaning of words, it is also a pure nonsense!

Let me apply this understanding to Lord Jesus Christ’s saying!

Irrespective whether Lord Jesus Christ was talking concerning the supernatural being of the truth or the essential principle of the truth, both had been made known to the disciples. Therefore it makes sense for Lord Jesus Christ to say to his disciples that " the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; but you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you”. Of course, like the world, the disciples also could not see the invisible supernatural being of the truth, but they did know the truth’s essential principle.

Then we should ask ourselves a critical question. Do we think by having the supernatural spirit of truth in us will automatically make us understand all the essential principles of the truths, while we do not need to put any effort studying them?

Sadly enough, this world is full of such marketing genius telling you just that: you do not need to study the essential principles of truths recorded in Bible book and you will be saved just by having the spirit of truth in you. Come and get it from me!

However, Lord Jesus Christ had told us otherwise. Only if we keep the truths, implying that if we have voluntarily being influenced and acted by the essential principles of truths, then we will be sanctified by the truth and have life. For the job of the spirit of truth is to guide us into all truth (John 16:13) implying that if we study the truths passed on by Christ, the spirit of truth will guide us to understand the true essential principles of the truths. It is to guide us to understand rather than to indoctrinate us with the essential principles of the truths!

Besides, Lord Jesus Christ had also disclosed what the spirit of truth would do. It turns out both Jesus and the spirit of truth were doing the same job as follows: “Jesus only speaks what the Father told him. Whereas, the spirit of truth only speaks whatever he hears from the Father”.

(E) Truly, by just accepting the name Jesus but not accepting the truths which Jesus spoke, will not save no one! This understanding has become the fifth cornerstone of my biblical knowledge.

The Gospel of John is a book telling the story of God’s Word

By studying the Gospel of John, I am able to see that this is a book which tells the story of God’s Word! It described in detail where the Word came from and what work it had accomplished.

Here you go:

In the beginning and before the world was, God had already sanctified the Word which God will use to save us, what a glorious thing it is (In the beginning was the Word).

It is also a glorious and honorable thing that God’s Word had been kept together with God (the Word was with God).

God’s Word which possesses the same complete fullness of the divine nature of God, in Power and in Spirit is even more glorious and honorable (the Word was God).

By love, God decided to send His Word into the world in two thousand years ago, and Jesus was born through the manifestation of the power of God's Word.

Then God chose Jesus, gave him the Word (Truth) and sent him to do what the words meant to do. If this is not glory and honor, what is?

To the satisfactory of God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ was able to declare that he had finished the work which God had given him to do, and had set up the way in which the world can be saved (John 17:4).

This is also the most beautiful ending of the "story of God's word" as recorded in the Gospel of John!

Next article will share with you how Jesus explained the meaning of “I and my Father are one”!

 

The consequence of listening to and obeying interpretations which opposed to the meaning of God's words

 Honestly, I believe most Christians would think as follows: The church passes its doctrines and truths to preachers; Preachers pass it on to the believers, believers accept and abide with faith. Even if the truth goes against the original meaning of God’s words, since it has nothing to do with the believers, so there is no reason for the believers to receive any punishment.

Is it really what we think what it should be?

Recently, I have revisited the story of Eve and the serpent. When I relate it to the title, I can't help but feel horrified!

The story is summarized as follows:

[And the serpent said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'you shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

After that, God announced His judgment, so the serpent was cursed, and it would walk on its stomach and eat dirt and would have enmity with people; Although Adam and Eve did not die on the spot, but because they could no longer eat the fruit from the tree of life, they could not be immortal forever; ]

Carefully analyzing this incidence, we can get several important points:

First, the serpent took the initiative to explain to Eve the meaning of God's word.

Second, the serpent has cunningly evoked Eve's desire - a desire to be like God knowing good and evil.

Third, although there are some discrepancies between "lest you die" and "you shall surely die”, by and large, Eve still could vaguely remember the key points of God's command. But under the temptation, Eve chose to satisfy her own desires and accepted serpent’s explanation instead.

Fourth, the serpent, Eve, and Adam were punished by God, which clearly proved that serpent’s interpretation was wrong.

Fifth, by believing and obeying false interpretations which were opposite to God's truth and command (everything that comes out of the mouth of God is truth), Eve and Adam came under the righteous judgment and became mortal.

By examining the details of the incidence, we can clearly see the roles played by the Serpent Eve and Adam. The serpent was the initiator. Eve was the first recipient. Subsequently, she might also play the role of an influencer and influence Adam, making him the second recipient. But under the preaching, accepting and observing interpretations which opposed to the original meaning of God's words, no matter what role they played, all of them were subjected to the same righteous judgment. No one was spared.

Clearly, today's churches, preachers and believers are also playing similar roles to those of Serpent, Eve and Adam respectively. Therefore, if the teaching is against the original meaning of God's word and commandment, then we will all be judged justly by God. As our compassionate and righteous God will not favor us over Adam and Eve.

Most Christians may think that since the church is preaching Jesus, for sure it will not deliberately distort the meaning of God's words which Jesus gave us? I used to trust that this is what a church should do. But if that's what you think, you need to think again. Because even the most basic fact that Jesus is the Son of God and not God Himself has been distorted by the church. What other truths are there that they won't dare to distort?

Next article will share with you the meaning of “the Word became flesh”.

Believe in Bible Truth!

 

The cornerstone of my biblical belief

While studying Bible, we may come across some records either by the statement itself or in its complete context, which we can fully understand with complete certainty. I consider such understanding as the cornerstone of my faith which remains true forever! The following presents some of the immutable biblical facts:

(1)  Jesus declared that he was a man

John 8:40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

It is not a mistake. What you read is absolutely correct. Jesus had declared that he was just a man.

(2) Jesus denied he was God

When the Jews heard Jesus said that “I and my Father are one”, they thought that Jesus meant to make himself God, thus committed blasphemy. As such, they wanted to stone him to death. Jesus defended himself, saying that “do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?”.

By saying so, not only Jesus had denied that he had tried to make himself God, but also had denied that he had ever said “I am God”. And in Jesus denial, he had also meant to tell us that he was not God Himself. He only claimed himself as “the Son of God”.

(3) Apostle John stated that “No one has seen God at any time”!

Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved most, shared with us his first-hand understanding. His conclusion implied that Jesus of Nazareth, whom he saw with his own eyes and touched with his own hand, is not God! Clearly, Jesus' refutation and Apostle John's understanding resonate well with each other!

 (4) My Father, of whom you say that He is your God.

During a conversation with the Jews, Jesus said “It is My Father who honors me, of whom you say that He is your God”. Jesus said to Mary Magdalene “but go to my brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God”.

Obviously, Jesus not only told us that he is a human being like us, but also he worships the same "God the Father" as we do.

Of course there are many similar examples you can find in the Gospel of John. But even just based on the above four examples, the clear-cut meaning radiated from them is good enough for me to make a conscious decision. The following understandings have become the cornerstone of my biblical knowledge:

 (A) Therefore, “Jesus is not God” has become the first corner stone of my Biblical knowledge.

(B) Jesus is a man, he called himself Son of man (John 5:27), he is Christ, he called himself Son of God; all have become my second corner stone of my Biblical knowledge.

Moving forwards, unless there are ironclad facts and reasons, I will not eliminate such explicit understanding. This has also become my unswerving principle.

How to deal with two seemingly opposite biblical records?

There is no denying that Bible contains two types of apparently contradictory records. Even the Jews were confused and misinterpreted its meaning.

To repeat the example mentioned above: Lord Jesus Christ refuted, "I said I am the Son of God; why do you say I am blasphemy"? After listening to Jesus' explanation, the Jews still believed that when Jesus said "I and my Father are one; the Father is in me, and I in Him", Jesus meant to make himself God, and thus committed the sin of blasphemy!

Obviously, you can see that the problem is not with Jesus but with the Jews!

Ask yourself a question: did the Father not sending Jesus to save us but to confuse us?

Obviously, the answer is no, because Apostle John had clearly told us his first-hand understanding that "no one has seen God at any time" implying that Jesus whom he had seen was not God Himself. He was not confused by the words of Jesus, but instead, he had clearly understood them!

Clearly, the problem is not with the seemingly contradictory records, but with us who read the Bible right now!

Challenge to my cornerstone belief

Obviously, the imminent challenge to my cornerstone belief is the church’s theological theory of "Jesus is the Son and the Father at the same time" which have been preached for over 2,000 years!

But at least I still deeply believe that Lord Jesus Christ and the disciple he loved most, would not deceive us with false words! Therefore, I come to believe that the problem is not in Jesus’ sayings but in us who fail to read the words properly.

Furthermore, whether perceptually or intellectually, I think that the church taking into its own hand to freely exclude one explicit biblical fact with another biblical fact is a gross mistake.

Since 2007, I have been researching the Gospel of John with this principle, thoroughly examining the church's interpretations and the biblical texts which appear to state that Jesus is God, looking for legitimate reasons which can be used to overturn the cornerstone of "Jesus is not God".

So far, I am able to identify errors contributing to the wrong interpretations. To my amaze, the most common mistake is to interpret figurative language as a declarative language. This mistake appears as too simple to be true, but truly, it is as simple and foolish as it appears!

In year 2012, 2017 and 2019, I have collected and published three books respectively. At the beginning of this year, I am inspired to publish a series of articles that will share with you some of the most difficult questions and concepts I have encountered while writing the book "Jesus in the Eyes of Apostle John".

Next article will talk about “what the Bible has told us concerning the consequence of listening to and obeying interpretations which opposed to the meaning of God's words”.

 If God is willing, you may see these articles soon!

我与父原为一（约翰福音10:30）

 

『我与父原为一』的意思是什么呢？

让我们阅读经文吧！

概要的说，犹太人认为耶稣这話的意思是要把自己当做神。因為這僭妄的話，猶太人要用石头打死他。然而，耶稣在辩护中驳斥了犹太人：“父所分别为圣，又差到世间来的，他自称是神的儿子，你们还向他说，你说僭妄的话吗？”。

说“他自称是神的儿子”这句话意味着耶稣不仅否认他要把自己当作神，并且还否认“他自称自己是神”。耶稣的否认也意味着他告诉我们他自己并不是神！

因此我们得到一个重要的圣经事实：耶稣亲自告诉我们他不是神！

让我们继续理解经文的意思！

（1）从耶稣的反驳我们得到第一个理解。 “我与父原为一”的意思并非指耶稣是父，和父是耶稣。

然后耶稣继续解释说：“我若不行我父的事，你们就不必信我。我若行了，你们纵然不信我，也当信这些事。叫你们又知道，又明白，父在我里面，我也在父里面。”

（2）从耶稣的解释我们得到第二个理解。 “我与父原为一”的意思是指“父在我里面，我在祂里面”。

（3）综合起来我们获得第三个理解。“我与父原为一”和“父在我里面，我也在父里面”这两个短语并非说耶稣就是父，和父就是耶稣！

那么，它的真正含义是什么？

幸运的是，耶稣在以下使用了类似的语言：

约翰福音17:20-23 “我不但为这些人祈求，也为那些因他们的话信我的人祈求。21 使他们都合而为一。正如你父在我里面，我在你里面，使他们也在我们里面。叫世人可以信你差了我来。22 你所赐给我的荣耀，我已赐给他们，使他们合而为一，像我们合而为一。23 我在他们里面，你在我里面，使他们完完全全的合而为一。叫世人知道你差了我来，也知道你爱他们如同爱我一样。”    

从这段话中我们可以看到以下平行的用法：

1. “使他们都合而为一”就像“你，父在我里面，我在你里面”。

2. “使他们合而为一”就像“我们合而为一”一样。

如果“我与父原为一”的意思是指“父在我里面，我在父里面”，那么“我们合而为一”的意思就是“我在你里面，你在我里面”。

从逻辑上讲，我们知道“实质上，我不能在你的身体里面，你也不能在我的身体里面”。这给我们留下了唯一一个明显的可能性，我们是在精神上但不是实体上合而为一。

（4） 这将我们引向第四个理解。从语言上来说，无论是“我与父原为一”，或“父在我里面，我在父里面”，或“他们合而为一”，或“我在他们里面，你在我里面”，所有这些语句都不是陈述式而是比喻式的文体。

（5）以上可以归纳为第五个理解。当耶稣说“我与我父原为一”和“父在我里面，我在他里面”时，其意思并非指耶稣在父身体里面并且变成了父，或者父在耶稣身体里面并且变成了耶稣！然而，从精神上来说，他们是一体的，并且相互的在彼此里面！

但是我们是否可以在圣经里找到证据证明“父在耶稣里面，耶稣在父里面”是一个正确的说法？

让我们重温以下耶稣所说的话：耶稣向天父祈祷，并说：

约翰福音17:8 因为你所赐给我的道，我已经赐给他们。他们也领受了，又确实知道，我是从你出来的，并且信你差了我来。

约翰福音17:17 求你用真理使他们成圣。你的道就是真理。

约翰福音12:49-50 因为我没有凭着自己讲。惟有差我来的父，已经给我命令，叫我说什么，讲什么。50 我也知道他的命令就是永生。故此我所讲的话，正是照着父对我所说的。

 

耶稣的祷告带给我们以下的一些理解：

（a）当耶稣接受父赐给他的话语时，我们可以隐喻的说，神的话语已经在耶稣里面。

（b）当耶稣接受父的话语，意味着他也接受了父。因此我们可以隐喻的说，父也已經在耶稣里面。

（c）耶稣不仅只说父要他说的话和做父要他做的事，并且遵守父的话语，因此我们可以隐喻的说，耶稣不仅在父里面，耶稣也在神的话语里面。

以上三点，完全是从我们的语言，语法和隐喻直接引申出来应有的意思。从比喻上说，主耶稣基督一生的作为，是致使他能够达到“父在我里面，我在父里面”的境界的原因。

以上所写，只是提出来表明『耶稣和父』是如何在灵性上而不是身体上合而为一。为什么我们要对我们语言中应有的隱喻性元素与耶稣在约翰福音 16:25 声明他使用比喻式语言装聋作哑呢？

更进一步的说，耶稣完美的接受父和父的话语并谨守遵行，在隱喻和精神上，我们可以说，耶稣，和神，和神的真理或真理的灵已经合而为一！

除此之外，耶稣最爱的门徒使徒约翰也给了我们他第一手的理解如下：

（a）遵守神命令的，就住在神里面。神也住在他里面。我们所以知道神住在我们里面，是因他所赐给我们的圣灵。

（b）凡认耶稣为神儿子的，神就住在他里面，他也住在神里面。

（c）神就是爱。住在爱里面的，就是住在神里面，神也住在他里面。

可以说，慈爱的神会无条件的拯救世人，会无条件的住在人里面。但人如果弃绝神的话语，他就不在真理里面，自己放弃了与神合一的机会。换句话说，如果我们按照真理的基本原则行事，我们才算是在真理里面，也在神里面。这也是为什么使徒约翰会在约翰壹书很清晰的说：“人若说我认识他，却不遵守他的诫命，便是说谎话的。真理也不在他心里了”。

也许如果我们能像耶稣那样做，那么我们就可能达到耶稣所祈求的完美的境界；父在耶稣里面，耶稣在我们里面，我们在彼此里面。因为父与耶稣同在我们里面，使我们的合而为一变的更加的十全十美！

如何正确理解主耶稣基督所说的比喻式的句子

既然了解耶稣清晰和明确的告诉我们他并非是神和他是用比喻文描述天父的事，我们可以尝试重新解读一下几个难懂的句子：

（a）人看见了我，就是看见了父（约14：9）

就像我提过的例子，“他像狮子一样凶猛；你看到他就看到了狮子” 这句比喻式的表达并不是指你看到的那个人不是人而是一头真正的狮子，而是在比喻上说这人有像狮子一样凶猛的个性。

同样，主耶稣基督这比喻式的话，并非指门徒看到了他就等于看到了神本身！而是隐喻的说，门徒看到了他，就等于看到住在他里面的神和神的真理！

（b）父阿，现在求你使我同你享荣耀，就是未有世界以先，我同你所有的荣耀。（约17：5）

这句话的隐喻性比较难懂。从以上解释，在隐喻上说，耶稣就是道，道就是耶稣。因此这句话所说的“我”并非指“肉体上的我”而是隐喻“作为道的我”。因此，可以合理地解释主耶稣基督这句话所指的是“道在太初就被神分别为圣，并在还没有世界以先，就与神同享的荣耀”。或许，主耶稣基督是在呼唤天父再次荣耀祂的话语，有如在世界以先就已经与祂的话语同享的荣耀！

道成肉身

 

在约翰福音书里，耶稣曾经说过：“这些事，我是用比喻对你们说的。时候将到，我不再用比喻对你们说，乃要将父明明地告诉你们”（约16：25）。

可见，主耶稣基督很清晰和明确的告诉门徒，之前他是用比喻式语言描述关于天父的事。

知道耶稣会用比喻文并非一件稀奇的事！ 毕竟，比喻文和陈述文的句子都只是我们语言表达的一部分。 例如，一个明喻式的表达“他像狮子一样凶猛”或者比喻式的表达“你看到他就看到了狮子”并不是指那个人不是人而是一头真正的狮子。不幸的是，我们语言的隐喻性不仅被忽视了更可能被故意用来愚弄那些毫无戒心的信徒。

让我们来看教会如何以此曲解圣经文字的意义吧！

道是指什么？

从逻辑上讲，首先我们需要先了解什么是道，然后才能正确理解使徒约翰告诉我们关于道的意思是什么。

其实主耶稣基督已经亲口告诉我们道是从何而来，它又有什么功效！

请参考以下的记载：

耶稣回答说，“人活着不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话”（路4：4）。耶稣说，“我实实在在地告诉你们，人若遵守我的道，就永远不见死。If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death。”（约8：51）。耶稣说，“我的教训不是我自己的，乃是那差我来者的”（约7：16）；“因为你所赐给我的道，我已经赐给他们。他们也领受了”（约17：8）；“我已将你的道赐给他们”（约17：14）求你用真理使他们成圣。你的道就是真理（约17：17）。并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄（约5：27）弃绝我不领受我话的人，有审判他的。就是我所讲的道，在末日要审判他（约12：48）。

（C）可见，主耶稣基督口中所传的话语，就是父赐给他的道，天父的道就是真理，遵守真理的人就有生命并永远不见死，弃绝神的道的在末日主耶稣基督所讲的道会审判他。这理解成为了我圣经知识的第三块基石。

（D）由此可见，使徒约翰所描述的“道 the Word”，指的就是神口中所出的一切话语，而并非是指神本身！这理解成为了我圣经知识的第四块基石。

有了这一个扎实的理解，它会帮助我们正确的解释经文的意思！

道如何成为肉身？

仅仅依照“道成了肉身”这精简的短语去理解其意思，会很容易出错。尤其是我们会不经意地添加己意，以我们自己的意思去解释，而不是让这些词句说出它们原本的意思。

还好在某种程度上，同样类似的事件会平行的记载在其他福音书里。

恰好作者路加对玛利亚如何生下神的儿子赋予更详细的说明。他写道： “路加福音1:35-37 天使回答说，圣灵要临到你身上，至高者的能力要荫庇你。因此所要生的圣者，必称为神的儿子。（或作所要生的必称为圣称为神的儿子）36 况且你的亲戚以利沙伯，在年老的时候，也怀了男胎。就是那素来称为不生育的，现在有孕六个月了。37 因为出于神的话，没有一句不带能力的。For with God nothing will be impossible.”

神是灵。所以作者路加说，当神就是圣灵降临在玛丽亚身上，与此同时至高神的能力荫庇她。在神的能力彰显之下，这一次的结果是，玛利亚没有与男人同房就怀孕并生下圣洁的人——神的儿子。神的能力既然可以使不能生育的以利沙伯怀孕生子，也一样可以使马利亚没有与男人同房就怀孕生子的事发生，因在神是没有不可能的事！

这意味着作者路加试图告诉我们全能的神并没有重新被生出来成为了人，而耶稣也不是神本身。

作者路加在写作时用了“圣灵”和“至高者”的术语，但使徒约翰却用不同的术语“道”。如果以使徒约翰的术语重新描述路加的记载，得文如下：“当真理的灵临到马利亚身上，也是神话语的能力笼罩着她时，玛利亚在没有与男人同房的情况下怀孕生子”。在使徒約翰眼中，这就是“道成肉身”应有的完整过程。

我希望你能看出“道成肉身”是指全能的神进入马利亚腹中被生出來成为耶稣并意味着耶稣就是神的说法是错误的。

了解“道成肉身”这句短语的意义后，约翰福音壹章壹节其他短语的意义便一目了然了。

道就是神

大多数基督徒都可以理解隐含在圣经书里的这一个重要概念：“从神口中所出的每一句话都拥有与神一样完全丰盛的神性，灵性和能力”！

举例来说，当神说“要有光”时，哇啦，藉着神话语能力的彰显，太阳被创造出来了。因地球的自转，我们体验到白天和黑夜、光明和黑暗的现象。当然，比喻地说，这就是使徒约翰所说“道就是神”应有的意思和精神。

可见，把神口中所说的话，解释为是神自己的另一个个体形象，是神的本体，那简直是在胡说八道。

太初有道并非太初有耶稣

同样的，“太初有道”这句话的意思也变得很容易明白。“太初”是说明时间的定语。所以这句话告诉我们，是神的话语在太初的时候就存在了，而并非是在两千年前因神的道的能力彰显下才被玛利亚生下来的耶稣。

耶稣在太初就存在的说法，是硬生生的把“其他宗教所提倡的轮回概念”塞进约翰的口里！

道与神同在

这句话也变得简单易懂，其意思是指神的话语与神同在一起！

可见把这句话解释为是“神与神同在”听起来多么的荒谬！

神的话语与神话语的灵

无可否认，神的话语和人类的话语一样都含有可以影响人的精意 – the words’ spirit， which is the activating or essential principle influencing a person。

因此“真理的灵”第一个可能的意思是指“真理的精意”。

然而毫无疑问的，在人不能，但如神愿意，无所不能的神随时都可以让祂口里所出的一切话变成一个超乎自然的灵。这就是主耶稣基督所提到的真理的灵（spirit of truth）的由来和应有意思!

因此“真理的灵”第二个可能的意思是指“真理的超乎自然的灵”。

退一步说，把“道与神同在”解释为“真理的灵与神同在”，就显得比较合情合理了。

以上我只是向您展示了我们的语言在其合法范围内告诉我们应有的可能含义。

可见，把神的话语或神话语的灵解释为是神的本体，不仅是在曲解文字的意义，更是在胡说八道！

让我将这理解应用到主耶稣基督的话语上！

无论主耶稣基督是在谈真理的超乎自然的灵，还是在谈真理的精意和原则，这些都是主耶稣基督已经传给了门徒的。可以说，主耶稣基督的肉体虽然会离开门徒，但他所传讲的真理和真理的灵却不会！因此主耶稣基督向门徒所说的这句话“真理的灵，乃世人不能接受的。因为不见他，也不认识他。你们却认识他。因他常与你们同在，也要在你们里面”，在这理解下看起来变得是多么的合情合理。像世人一样，因超乎自然的灵是肉眼看不见的，当然门徒们也看不到真理的灵，但真理的基本原则却是他们认识的。

接着我们应该问自己一个尖锐的问题。难道我们以为有了真理的超乎自然的灵后，我们就自然而然地明白所有真理的基本原则，无需再费力研究它们吗？

可悲的是，这个世界上到处都是这样的营销天才，他们会告诉你说：“你不需要研究圣经记载的真理的基本原则，只要你得到真理的灵，你就可以得救了，请快来找我吧”！

然而，主耶稣基督告诉我们的却是与营销天才相反的信息。只有遵守真理，意思是指如果我们自愿被真理的原则影响和照着真理的意思去做，真理才能使我们成圣，使我们得着生命。因为真理的灵的工作只是引导我们进入所有的真理（约翰福音 16:13）。这意味着如果我们研究基督所传授的真理，真理的灵会引导和帮助我们理解真理真正的基本原则。是引导我们理解而不是把真理的原则灌输入我们里面！

此外，主耶稣基督也揭示了真理的灵的作为。耶稣亲自告诉我们，耶稣和真理的灵都在做同样的工作：“耶稣只说父告诉他的话；真理的灵也只说他从父那里听到的一切话”。

（E）诚然，只接受耶稣的名而不接受和遵行耶稣所说的真理，并不能使任何人得救！这成为了我圣经知识的第五块基石。

约翰福音书是一本描写神话语故事的书

研究约翰福音，使我清楚看到这是一本描述神话语故事的书！它很详细的告诉我们神话语从头到尾所做的一切工作。

在太初未有世界之前，神已经将祂要用于拯救我们的话语预备好并分别为圣，这是一件多么荣耀的事（太初有道）。

神一直把祂的话语保留在身边，神的话语能够与神同在一起也是一件多么荣耀和荣誉的事（道与神同在）。

神的话语拥有与神一样完全丰盛的神性，灵性和能力（道就是神），更是荣耀和荣誉无比。

因爱，在两千年前，神才决定差遣祂的话语到世上，耶稣因神话语能力的彰显而生（道成肉身）。

然后神拣选耶稣，把神的话语（生命之道）赐给他并差遣他替神的话语完成它所要完成的工作，这不是荣耀和荣誉，那是什么？

主耶稣基督不负所望，满足了父神的心意，安心的向父神宣告他已经完成神交给他的工作，并为世界打开了一条得救的道路。（约翰福音 17：4）

这也是约翰福音书所说“神话语的故事”一个最美好的结局！

末了，下一篇会跟大家分享耶稣是如何解释“我与父原为一”的意思的！

听从和遵守违背神真理的解释会有什么结果

 

说实在的，大多数的基督徒心里都存有这侥幸的意念：如果教会把真理传给传道，传道再传给信徒，信徒深信不疑的听从和遵守，即使道理违背神话语的原本意思，事不关信徒，因此信徒没有理由受到惩罚。

事情的发展真的是如我们所想的吗？

最近回味夏娃与蛇的故事，反思这问题，不禁毛发悚然！

故事概要如下：

『蛇对女人说，神岂是真说，不许你们吃园中所有树上的果子吗？

女人对蛇说，园中树上的果子，我们可以吃，惟有园当中那棵树上的果子，神曾说，你们不可吃，也不可摸，免得你们死。

蛇对女人说，你们不一定死， 因为神知道，你们吃的日子眼睛就明亮了，你们便如神能知道善恶。

于是女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了。又给她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。

之後神宣告祂的審判，因此蛇受到咒詛，必用肚子行走終身吃土與人彼此為仇；從此苦楚和勞苦伴亞當夏娃一生！亞當夏娃雖沒有當場斃命，但因再也吃不到生命樹上的果子，不能永遠不死，從土而出又歸於塵土成為人類的結局！』

仔細解剖和分析這事故，可以得到幾個重點：

其一，蛇主動向夏娃解釋神話語的意思。

其二，蛇很狡猾的勾起夏娃的私慾 ，–個渴望如神一樣可以擁有分別善惡能力的慾念。

其三，虽然“免得你们死”和“必定死”有一些出入，夏娃还算依稀记得神的吩咐的主要意思。但在私慾引誘下夏娃選擇滿足自己的慾望，接受了蛇的解釋。

其四，蛇，夏娃和亚当，他们全都受到神的懲罰，明確的證明蛇的解釋是錯誤的。

其五，相信和遵守錯誤的解釋以致違背神的真理和命令（神口裡所出一切的話就是真理），在公義的審判下，夏娃和亞當成為必死之人。

如果我们仔细和彻底的分析以上的事故，可以清楚看到蛇夏娃和亚当所扮演的角色。 蛇是始作俑者。 夏娃是第一个接受者。 之后她可能扮演影响者的角色，影响了亚当，使亚当成为第二个接受者。但在传讲、接受和遵守违背神话语原意的解释下，无论扮演的是什么角色，他们都受到了同样的公义审判，无一幸免。

无可否认的，今天的教会、传教士和信徒也在扮演类似蛇、夏娃和亚当的角色。 因此如果所传的教义与神的话与诫命的本义相悖，那我们都一样会受到神公义的审判。 因慈爱与公义的神不会偏袒我们超过亚当和夏娃。

基督徒会认为，教会既然是在传耶稣，肯定不会刻意扭曲主耶稣基督传给我们神话语的应有意义。我原本也完全信任教会会这样做。但如果这是你的想法，你就要再想一想了。因为即使是最基本的事实，耶稣只是神的儿子并非是神本身，也已经被教会扭曲了，那还有什么真理是他们不会曲解的呢？

下一篇会分享“道成了肉身”的意思是什么？

相信圣经真理！

 

我的圣经信仰的基石

研读圣经时，会发现一些记载，无论是句子本身或依据完整的上下文，是我们可以完全明确理解其意义的。我视这种理解为信仰的基石，相当于一个永恒不变的真理！以下提出圣经里告诉我们一些永恒不变的事实：

（1）耶稣说他是人

John 8:40 But now you seek to kill me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 我将在神那里所听见的真理，告诉了你们，现在你们却想要杀我。这不是亚伯拉罕所行的事。

你没看错，中文版本漏掉 “人a Man”：“你们却想要杀我，一位将在神那里所听见的真理告诉了你们的人。”

（2）耶稣否认他是神

当猶太人听闻耶穌說“I and my Father are one我与父原為一”，他们以为耶稣的意思是要把自己当作神，犯了褻瀆的罪，拿起石頭要砸死他。耶穌為自己辩护说：“父所分别为圣，又差到世间来的，他自称是神的儿子，你们还向他说，你说僭妄的话吗？”

这句话意味着耶稣不仅否认他要把自己当作神，并且还否认他自称我是神。耶稣的否认也意味着他告诉我们他自己并不是神，并且只自称自己是神的儿子！

（3）使徒约翰说“No one has seen God at any time. 從來沒有人見過神”

耶稣最爱的门徒使徒约翰与后人分享他第一手的理解。意味着，约翰这句定论告诉我们，他亲眼看到和亲手摸到的拿撒勒人耶稣不是神！显然，耶稣的自我辩护和使徒约翰的认知互相在共鸣着！

（4）我的父，就是你们口中所说的神

耶稣与犹太人对话时说“荣耀我的乃是我的父，就是你们所说是你们的神”。耶稣对抹大拉的马利亚说“你往我弟兄那里去，告诉他们说，我要升上去，见我的父，也是你们的父。见我的神，也是你们的神”。

可见，耶稣不仅亲口告诉我们他与我们一样是人，并且他也与我们一样敬拜同一位“父神”。

当然约翰福音书里还有很多同样类似的例子，但即使只凭据以上四个例子，它们所散发出来清晰和明确的意思，足够让我在清醒的意识下做出一个重要的决定，以下的理解成为我圣经知识的基石：

（A）所以“耶稣不是神”成为了我认知的第一块基石！

（B）耶稣是人，是基督，自称他是人子（约5：27），自称他是神的儿子，也同样成为我认知的第二块基石。

进一步说，除非有铁一般的事实和理由，我不会轻易删除这些明确的认知，这也成为了我一个坚定不移的原则。

如何面对两种表面上看起来完全相反的圣经记载？

无可否认的，圣经含有两种表面上看起来完全相反的记载，连犹太人都感到困惑和误解其意思。

重覆上面所提的例子：主耶稣基督反驳说“我自称是神的儿子，你们为何指责我说僭妄的话呢”？听了耶稣的解释后，犹太人依然认定耶稣说这话“我与父原为一；我在父里面，父在我里面”的意思是要把自己当着神，因此犯了亵渎神的罪！

可见，问题不在于耶稣而是犹太人！

请问，父差遣耶稣来，不是要拯救而是要困惑我们吗？

答案是否定的，因为使徒约翰很清晰的告诉我们他第一手的理解“从来没有人见过神”意味着他所见过的耶稣不是神自己。他并没有被耶稣的话语困惑，而是清楚明白话语的意思！

可见，问题不在于表面上看来完全相反的记载，而是当下我们这些阅读圣经的人！

我的信仰基石所面对的挑战

显然在这认知的基石上，迎面而来的挑战是教会提倡了两千多年“耶稣是子也是父”的神学理论！

但至少我还深信主耶稣基督和他最爱的门徒，不会以虚谎的话欺骗我们这些以后才信的信徒！因此，我还是相信问题不在于耶稣的话，而在于我们没有正确的解读。

此外，无论是在感知上还是在理智上，我都认为教会擅自以一个圣经事实删除掉另一个明确理解的圣经事实是一个大错特错的作为。

从2007年开始以这原则研读约翰福音书，彻底审查教会的解释和圣经经文向我们陈述耶稣是神的记载，并寻找其可以推翻“耶稣不是神”的理由。到目前为止，我都可以找出教会解释圣经所犯的错误。

使我不敢相信的是，最常见的错误竟然是错把比喻式语言当着陈述式语言去解释。这错误实在是简单到让人难于置信，但事实上，它就是这么一个又简单又愚拙的事实！

在2012，2017 和2019 总共收集和出版了三本书。在今年2022年年初，觉得应该发表一系列文章，与大家分享我在写《使徒约翰眼中的耶稣》这本书时遇到的一些最难理解的问题和概念。

下一篇会与大家分享“圣经告诉我们，听从和遵守违背神真理会有什么样的结果”。

如果神愿意，这些文章会陆续的与你们见面！