Can We Believe That This High Priest Is God: The Trinity Exposed!

Now of the things which we have 

spoken this is the sum: We have

such an high priest, who is set

on the right hand of the throne

of the Majesty in the heavens;

a minister of the sanctuary, 

and of the true tabernacle, 

which the Lord pitched,

and not man.

Hebrews 8:1-2

     The writer of Hebrews sets forth the argument as to who Jesus Christ is and why we should have our faith in Him. This argument uses history, those promises of God foretold before Jesus came to earth, and how certain men (Melchisedec, especially) depict the One promised, a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Due to the fact that Jesus was a man, born of a woman just as with any other human some will teach that He could not be God, maybe a god, but certainly not The God. The resurrection, although reported that Jesus was seen alive after His crucifixion and seen to rise into heaven bodily seems to say that He was not God, but maybe a god. Are we not talking about two separate Persons? Yes! Is Jesus not called our High Priest and sits at the right hand of God, therefore He must be another god to sit at the right hand of God? Maybe you have questions about this Jesus Christ and whether or not He is God, of the same substance as God. You may be one who questions, or does not understand the Trinity as in Orthodox Christianity. I believe that it is apropos to take time to examine this doctrine of the Trinity and this I will do taken from my book: "The Trinity Exposed: False or true? Who is right? How does this affect my faith?" If we are to follow the words of Peter (1Peter 3:15) to be prepared to answer as to our faith then we must study and prepare according to Scripture ahead of any questions that may come or have already been asked and you have a hard time answering. 

     The Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity is peculiar to the Christian religion. It is peculiar in its form that in the Godhead there are three distinct Persons, co-equal, co-existing, and co-eternal and of the same substance or essence. While being of the same essence they are yet distinct in their Personage and have functions separate from One Another and all the time operating as God, each have knowledge of One Another and there is no secret thing existing between the Persons of the Christian Trinity. It must be noted that when it is spoken of the Christian Trinity, this means of the Reformed Orthodox Trinitarian Doctrine of the Trinity. There are those who while claiming to be Christian hold to a separate and different Trinitarian theology. If yo are confused now, or have trouble understanding and articulation this Doctrine it may well be that you have never been taught in much depth the glorious richness of this Doctrine as revealed in the Bible. Many pastors and Church leaders will avoid this subject for it is easier to teach things that are easy on the ears, those thing that have little or no controversy, therefore, the Church congregants may be receiving good things to direct their everyday lives, but have no ground for those Doctrines that form Christianity, Doctrines that are so plainly taught in the Bible. Because of the effort it takes, the difficulty, pastors and Church leaders often are reluctant to teach these Doctrines, to examine the various opposing theologies, that is, if they had even come in some manner to study this Doctrine, so that they then could give answers and assistance to their Churches. Some give little effort to be able to articulate the Doctrine while others are so "mature" that they don't make the effort. Unfortunately this leaves a vacuum in the congregants understanding and forces them to accept either teachings that are incomplete or are in opposition to Biblical truth and are based upon the authority for the most part upon the Church or Church leaders. Further, a person may accept to believe a Doctrine just because of family history, that this is the Church the family has always belonged, and having no other leaders to direct them to study this Doctrine or any other Doctrine, will find it easy to acquiesce on the basis that the Church they attend refers to Christ and has in some way associated themselves with the word "Christian." It is my hope and prayer to God for the ability to give direction and guidance with Scriptural ground to give clarity on such a topic as the Orthodox Trinitarian Doctrine. This Doctrine stands apart from all other religions that cannot form a Trinitarian formula or analogy to explain or to confirm this great article of the Christian faith. It has been said and is true that the axiom "error begets error" is factual and the opposite is just as true: "Truth begets Truth." When truth is not upheld then error or lack of teaching, then the truth becomes itself error, and will lead people whose desire it is to be a "good, faithful Christian" to accept that error and fill the vacuum with other practices so as to make genuine their faith. This replacement practice in some Churches has been a problem throughout Christian history; one only has to look at some to the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, especially in the early days of the Church, you will find that there was lack of Biblical material to be available to to the average person. Further, Restoration Theology has been at the center of many Churches with the attempt to return to the early Christian Church and bringing along with that form of religion practices that have led to the acceptance of such things "supernatural gifts," (by this I mean revelatory gifts), etc., adding to the overall confusion in the minds of Christians, even leading them away from Doctrines that are the foundation of the Christian faith, such a Doctrine that is being treated in this book, the Doctrine of the Trinity. Taking time to study this Doctrine of the Trinity will give you sound arguments for believing the Orthodox Trinitarian Doctrine and grounding your faith upon that doctrine. Take your time, don't rush, look up Scriptures, pray for guidance, allow the Holy Spirit to direct.

     This blog may be long but is set forth to lay the foundation. The writer of Hebrews in his letter to the Churches faced the same problem, that there were other so-called Christian religions teaching another gospel. We must do the same, take the time to know the truth, especially the truth about this Orthodox Christian Doctrine of the Trinity.

And I will put enmity between

     thee and the woman, and

between thy seed and her seed;

    it shall bruise thy head, and 

thou shalt bruise his heel.

                   Genesis 2:15

The first promise of the Messiah

Richard L. Crumb

Our High Priest (Jesus Christ) Revealed In Scripture: Believe Upon Him!

And they truly were many priests,

because they were not suffered to continue

 by reason of death: but this man, because

He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable

priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to 

save them to the uttermost that come

unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth

to make intercession for them. for such

a high priest became us, who is holy,

harmless, undefiled, separate from 

sinners, and made higher than the 

heavens; who needeth not daily, as those 

high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first

for his own sins, and then for the people's:

for this He did once, when He offered

up Himself. For the law maketh men '

high priests which have infirmity; but

the word of the oath, which was since

the law, maketh the Son, who is 

consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 7:23-28 

     Changing from the inside/out, our faith and our beliefs changing will only be a sidestep, maybe to avoid or evade making a decision, to dodge a problem, or simply to avoid making a decision that is based upon deliberate and careful study. To change from one thing to another in the manner of a sidestep is not real change. To change truthfully from one thing to another is to have change based upon Scripture and not man's ideology, theology, or philosophy. One might change from doing bad to doing good, but more often than not it is only a philanthropic which any man can do but does not mean that change is Scriptural. Often man imagines that God wants us to be perfect, perfect specimens of what He can do and philanthropy seems so good and the one doing this is also good, maybe even thinking that they are perfect, at least in the sight of God. That is not the purpose of God. How can it be? Man can become perfect in this life? If so, then why the need for a Savior? Why did Jesus come to earth to die? Attempting to achieve personal holiness by doing is absolutely wrong for this is for you, not for God, and what a person calls manifestation of God may not be the will of God. I hear some say that God wants us to be healthy, never sick, well if this is what God wants then why did He bruise His Own Son? Human perfection is not the goal of Christian perfection: God's will is: the perfection of your relationship to His Son Jesus Christ. Some believe and teach that by human effort and devotion a person can reach the standard that God wants, but in a fallen world this can never be done. God's call is to you to live in perfect relation to Jesus Christ and then you will produce in other lives a longing for God and a longing to know the truth. God is getting you to a place where He can use you, but we must let Him do it. Not by some doctrine, not by some teaching that is contrary to Scripture (and you will only know this by careful study), not to belong with the "haves" and not to be with the "not haves." 

     Without evidence Mormons teach that life has always existed, as a god, for if this is true then we would be like God, or to be a god. Where do you find that in Scripture? That Jesus is just another being, but then they add, he has more intelligence than other spirit beings, other lives. Man can by believing what the Mormons teach, even if it sounds Orthodox, will become a god once again as in their pre-carnal life. 

     Jehovah Witnesses say that Jesus is only a creation, a teaching from Arius who was condemned because that teaching is not found in the Bible. Jehovah Witnesses attempt to live a quiet and peaceful life, to do, this or that, and then be accepted, maybe not as perfect, but good for the good they have done. What about all the good being done by those who do not even claim to be Christian? Is it not the same philanthopy? 

     The writer of Hebrews has clearly outlined what God had promised, a Savior, but not a created Savior, one that had to make a choice to be the Savior, rather that Jesus was foretold, was illustrated to be, as in the analogy or Melchisedec. Jesus is the High Priest who is in need of nothing, nothing as in sacrifices to be brought to Him. Nothing other than to believe what Scriptures have revealed: He is God come to earth to pay this debt of sin that man can not pay and then by His death to make intercession eternally for all who believe upon Him. Not a doctrine, not a special manifestation of some gift, no, a simple living according to His revelation and coming to a right relationship with Him. You, or anyone else can come to Jesus in any other way, simply believe, believe the call of God, and then be devoted, but not to works, not to doctrine, but to Him. Note: the Scripture: "thy Lord the LORD, and thy God" who is the Lord? Jesus Christ and He is called "thy God."

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, 

     and thy God that pleadeth

the cause of His people, behold,

    I have taken out of thine hand

the cup of trembling, even the 

    dregs of the cup of my fury;

thou shalt no more drink it again:

                 Isaiah 51:22

 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!

Richard L. Crumb

Jesus Christ Our High Priest And Savior According To Scripture: Not By Man's Doctrines

For there is verily a disannulling

of the commandment going before

for the weakness and unprofitableness

thereof. For the law made nothing

perfect, but the bringing in of a better

hope did; by the which we draw nigh

unto God. And inasmuch as not without

an oath He was made priest: (for those

priests were made without an oath by

Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware

and will not repent, Thou art a priest

forever after the order of Melchisedec):

by so much was Jesus made a surety

of a better testament. 

Hebrews 7:18-22

     Last blog my title stated that the argument was and is settled, at least for those who will take the time to examine Scripture. How is it settled? There must be an argument that has proof as to its postulate, and in this case the postulate is that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and Savior, One in whom we can have a sure hope. How can a person find the truth? How can an argument be proved? Evidence, a preponderance of evidence, nothing else will do. Men may propose a theory and that theory may even sound true, but is it true and does it have evidence to prove this theory, nothing else will do than evidence. Orthodox Christianity has held as its foremost doctrine that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and is the Savior, and is the One in whom man can put their trust for everlasting life. Orthodox Christianity has always held that Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God, and is God, true God of true God. Other religions claiming to be Christian: i.e., Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, do not hold to the definition of Jesus that Orthodox Christians hold, for one says that He is a god, a created being, that there is no Trinity as do the Jehovah Witnesses, and the Mormons that claim similar teaching as to Jesus Christ, that He is their Lord and Savior, and creator of all things, the Only name by which a person can be saved, the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, born of a virgin, Mary, in Bethlehem, died on the cross taking the sins of all mankind and was the first fruits of the resurrection of mankind and a free gift to man. Now, all this sounds to good, much like Orthodox Christianity. But is it? No! One must dig deeper into the teaching and belief to come to a factual understanding. There are differences that must be recognized, Mormons do not believe in the Trinity, that Jesus is of the same substance as God the Father, therefore it is not necessary to believe in the Trinity to be called a Christian. Let us dig deeper: Mormon doctrine teaches that we are all eternal beings, that we first existed as intelligences, then God organized our spirits. We lived with God in our pre-mortal state for some unknown period of time. As Spirit children we had the right to choose right from wrong and that God revealed to us His plan for our salvation to become more like Him, the Mormons call this the "Plan of Happiness."
      The Mormons teach that Jesus was more intelligent than all others and that God probably organized the spirit of Jesus before all the worlds were created. Mormons teach that Jesus offered to become our savior and our creator. Jesus would offer Himself as the ransom for man. The Mormons teach that there was another one in heaven, another eternal being, Lucifer, a powerful and charismatic spirit and due to his pride of being intelligent above others he desired glory for himself and willfully decided to rebel. Are Jesus and Satan brothers as some say? Mormons teach that all are brothers and sisters for all are spirit creature of God, therefore we are all related: taken from this site: 
 Since both Christ and Lucifer were born of the Father, they were brothers in a spiritual sense, as all of us are brothers and sisters in that sense ─ we are all the sons and daughters of God. 
 http://mormonfaq.com/mormon-beliefs/jesus-christ/is-lucifer-the-brother-of-jesus
     While the Mormons teach much similarity to Orthodox Christianity when examined it is found that the similarity ends where their doctrines and beliefs begin so they are not similar in actuality. They have no proof for their suppositions and theories, they have only their theological bent. The writer of Hebrews faced similar challenges by the Gnostics, and other sects that held different views of Jesus and in his book he is clearing up the matter: Jesus is the Savior, and is the promised one seen in the Old Testament far back as Adam and emphazised in the narrative of Melchisedec and brought to conclusion in Hebrews as well as other Scriptures. God, the Father did make Him to be Priest, Savior, the Only Begotten Son, but not from some eternal spirit, rather He came Himself by putting flesh upon His Wisdom ensuring that the Only Begotten Son, and this can only be true if the Only Begotten Son was begotten from the same substance as the One begotting. 
     Do not be fooled by Jehovah Witnesses, or the Mormons, or any other religion that does not teach the truth from Scripture but have added their theological bent to their theology, no matter how good it may sound, it is not the truth and the Bible, not the Book of Mormon, which is very controversial, and the translation of the New World Translation of Jehovah Witnesses. Put your faith, your hope, in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible, the Bible translated from manuscripts that are extant and have always manifested the truth: there is no need for another "bible." 
     This blog may be long, but important for we must learn the truth, not some "good" sounding philosophy that you can get from watching Dr. Phil, no, by learning the truth from the Bible that has always been the Bible, ensuring that your faith will stand against those who attempt teach another gospel.

Some trust in chariots
    and some in horses,
but we trust in the name
    of the LORD our God.
               Psalm 20:7

Trust In the Lord taught by the Apostles

Richard L. Crumb     



 underhanded.