1 "Jesus is GOD, because he is called "Son of GOD""

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2 "Jesus is GOD, because he was "begotten" by GOD"

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3 "Jesus is GOD, because he is called "Lord""

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4 "Jesus is GOD, because he forgave sins"

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5 "Jesus is GOD, because he did miracles"

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6 "Jesus is GOD, because he rose from the dead"

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7 "Jesus is GOD, because he is "one" with the Father"

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8 "Jesus is GOD, because he is "not from this world"

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9 "Jesus is GOD, because he calls himself "good""

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10 "Jesus is GOD, because he shares the same titles with GOD"

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11 "Jesus is GOD, because he is called "the Spirit"

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12 "Jesus is GOD, because he is the "firstborn"

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13 "Jesus is GOD, because he "dwells" in the believers"

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14 "Jesus is GOD, because "the fullness of GOD" dwells in him"

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15 "Jesus is called "GOD" in the Bible"

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16 "The word "Logos" describes a divine person"

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17 "Jesus pre-existed"

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18 "Jesus is (co-)creator of the earth"

 

19 "Jesus literally comes "from heaven""

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20 "Jesus was worshipped"

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21 "Jesus is all-mighty and all-knowing"

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22 "Jesus is the "I am" in Exodus 3,14 f."

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23 "Jesus is "the Wisdom" in Proverbs 8"

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24 "Jesus is the "Angel of the LORD" and the "Archangel Michael""

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25 "Jesus' name shows his divinity"

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26 ""elohim" & "echad" point to the plurality of GOD"

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27 "GOD died for our sins"

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28 "Jesus had to be GOD to save us"

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29 "The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead"

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30 "Belief in Jesus' divinity is necessary for salvation"

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1 - "Jesus is GOD, because he is called "Son of GOD""

 

The terms Father and son express a spiritual relationship between GOD and His creatures. GOD is the Father from whom everything comes. We humans are descended from GOD and are supposed to be His children. This relationship is based on love, trust and obedience to GOD. Even in the Old Testament, GOD was called Father (Psalm 89,26 / 1st Chronicles 17,13 / Isaiah 64,7 / Isaiah 63,16 / Jeremiah 3,19 / Jeremiah 31,9 / Malachi 2,10). Even the Jews who argued with Jesus referred to GOD as their Father Father (John 8,41). Calling GOD Father, as Jesus and all believers do, does not mean equating oneself with GOD. In the Hebrew and Aramaic languages ​​the term son is used for persons who are loved by GOD and who are close to Him. Jesus was closer to the Father than anyone before him. Adam was the first human Son of GOD (Luke 3,38). Israel is also Son of GOD (Exodus 4,22 f. / Hosea 11,1). Just like Jesus, believers are called Sons of GOD or Sons of the Most High (Luke 1,32 / Luke 6,35 / Hebrews 1,5 / Revelation 21,7). Angels are also called Sons of GOD in the Bible (Genesis 6,4 / Job 1,6).

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That Jesus is GOD's unique Son does not mean that he possesses the same nature as his Father, as it says in the Trinitarian creed. Being the Son of GOD does not express a metaphysical lineage. The idea that gods beget offspring who have the same divine nature as themselves was widespread in Greco-Roman paganism and was later transferred to the Christian faith by the so-called "Church Fathers". That Jesus is GOD because he was begotten / born of GOD is a purely philosophical assumption read into the Bible by Trinitarians. In this respect, the designation "GOD the Son" is not only unbiblical, but it also distorts the biblical meaning of son and thus elevates a creature to the status of GOD. There are only four instances in the New Testament where monogenēs is mentioned in connection with Jesus; and these are exclusively by John. None of the other apostles use this designation in their letters. If monogenēs were to denote Jesus' divinity and thus distinguish him from all other children of GOD, then a continuous use of this word throughout the entire New Testament would be expected for the sake of clear differentiation. Monogenes can also refer to Jesus' election as the Messiah. In Hebrews 11,17-19, this term is used in reference to Isaac, the son of Abraham, even though Abraham had other sons besides Isaac (Genesis 16,11 / Genesis 25,1). Here, it is clearly about Isaac's election and not his nature.

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further references:

Gen 6,2 + 4 / Deut 14,1 / 2nd Sam 7,14 / Job 1,6 + 2,1 + 38,7 / Ps 2,7 / Isa 9,5 / 1st Chr 28,6 / Mt 5,9 + 45 / Lk 1,26-37 / Lk 3,38 / Joh 8,29 / Rom 1,3-4 / Heb 4,15​​​

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To be a son of GOD means to have a holy/godly mind, just as Jesus has. It means to think and act like GOD (Matthew 5,9 / Matthew 5,44 f. / John 8,44 / John 10,31-39 / John 14,31 / 1st John 3,9-11). In contrast, the term sons of the devil or son of the evil means an ungodly person; while son of a donkey represents a stubborn / unreasonable person. Sons of man, as Jesus calls himself, simply means man (Psalm 8,5 / Hosea 2,1). If we believe in Jesus and follow his example, we too become sons and daughters of GOD (Revelation 21,7). To become a child of GOD, a person must first be born again (John 3,5-7). At the same time, the old person must die (Romans 6,3-13). Being born of GOD or begotten by GOD does not mean that someone is GOD or consists of the same divine substance as the Father. It means having the same mind / attitude as GOD. This can apply to both humans and angels. Whoever obeys GOD's commandments comes from GOD (Romans 8,14 / 1st John 3,9) and is one (= of one mind) or one spirit (= of one spirit) with Him (John 10,33 / John 17,22 / Romans 8,9 / 1st Corinthians 6,17). On the other hand, those who behave according to the flesh do not come from GOD, but from the devil (John 8,44 / 1st Peter 1,4 / 1st John 3,8 + 10). A figurative analogy to this is the becoming one flesh of man and woman (Ephesians 5,31-32). While man and woman are a physical unity, Christ and his church form a spiritual unity.

 

further references:

Lk 6,35 / Lk 20,36 / Joh 20,17 / Rom 8,15 + 19 + 29 / Rom 9,4 / Rom 6,16 / Gal 4,5-7 / Eph 1,5 / Phi 2,15 / Heb 2,10-18 / Heb 5,8 / 1st Joh 3,1​​

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Furthermore, the term son means to be heir (Psalm 2,7-9 / Galatians 4,7 / Hebrews 1,2). GOD gave the earth to Adam and his descendants for eternal possession. But because Adam sinned against GOD, he lost the inheritance GOD intended for him. Because Jesus is the first and only person who was faithful to GOD in everything and obeyed GOD's commandments without exception, he is the rightful heir to GOD'S kingdom. And because Jesus made atonement for the rest of humanity through his death on the cross, all who believe in him become children of GOD and therefore also heirs or co-heirs (Romans 8,17).

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further references:

Dan 7,18 + 27 / Mt 5,5 / Mt 25,34 / Mk 12,1-9 / Lk 22,29 / Gal 3,19-29 / Gal 4,1-7 / Col 1,13 f. / Heb 9,15 / 1st Pet 1,3 / Rev 21,7​​​

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The term GOD is a title of reign / rule and Son of GOD is accordingly a honorary title for (human) kings / rulers who are anointed by GOD and who rule in the name of GOD (John 10,31-38). This is how it was and is understood by Jews. A son of GOD is someone who rules and judges in the name of GOD. In this respect Son is also a synonym for Christ, which means the anointed of GOD. Jesus is the King of the Jews appointed by GOD. For this reason, the terms Son and Christ are often used together (Matthew 16,15 f. / Matthew 26,63 / Luke 22,67-70 / John 20,31). Solomon was chosen by GOD as his son (1st Chronicles 28,6). This does not express descent, but rather a status that a person has before GOD or is given by GOD.

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further references:

Ps 89,28 / 1st Chr 28,1-7 / Lk 4,18 / Joh 1,49 / Joh 18,37 / Acts 3,19 / Acts 9,20-22 / Heb 9,24

 

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see commentary on...

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Isaiah 9,6:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace​

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John 1,1-18:

the only begotten Son, being in the bosom of the Father

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John 5,18:

but he was even calling GOD his own Father, making himself equal with GOD

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John 5,22 f.:

that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father

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1st John 2,22 f.:

 

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either

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1st John 5,20:

He is the true GOD and eternal life​

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2 - "Jesus is GOD, because he was "begotten" by GOD"

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The phrases born of GOD and begotten by GOD refers to the second / new creation which is represented by Jesus, the firstborn of the new creation. In contrast, there is the first / fallen creation, which is represented by Adam, the first man. The word begotten (Old Greek: gennaó) means, in a physical sense, to give life to someone and expresses the beginning of a person's existence (Matthew 1,1-17). In a spiritual sense, it can also mean to awaken / to appoint someone as well as to convert / to lead someone to faith. It is used equally for Jesus, believers, and other people (John 1,13 / John 3,3-9 / 1st Corinthians 4,15 / James 1,18 / 1st Peter 1,3 + 23 / 1st John 3,9 / 1st John 4,7 / 1st John 5,4). GOD formed Adam from the dust of the earth and gave him the ability to reproduce. After the Fall, humans multiplied and passed on their sinful nature to their offspring. As long as humans sinned, death reigned over them. Thus, it was only through a sinless person that death could be overcome. For this reason, Jesus could not be begotten through the flesh like any other human being. Instead, Jesus was begotten by GOD through the power of the Holy Spirit and without the influence of a man in the womb of a virgin (Luke 1,35).

 

GOD did not beget Jesus as GOD, as the Trinitarian creed states, but as a man. When a child is begotten, life begins. In this sense, the word beget (Old Greek: gennaó) has the same meaning as create. GOD begot Jesus as a new human being / new creation without any relation to the old creation. GOD's Spirit was, as it were, "the holy seed" that fertilized Mary so that new human life could be created, untainted by the flesh, just as Adam was before the Fall. For this reason, Jesus, unlike all people conceived through the flesh, was without sin from the beginning of his life. This fact makes Jesus the unique Son (Old Greek: monogenēs huios) and the true image of GOD (Colossians 1,15). Jesus' birth marks the end of the old creation and the beginning of the new creation (in Christ). Therefore, believers are also referred to as the firstborn or firstfruits of creation (James 1,18 / Hebrews 12,23). The claim that Jesus existed before he was conceived is a contradiction in terms. The unbiblical dogma that GOD became man corresponds to an "incarnation" (transformation). However, an incarnation is something different from conception. On the other hand, the Bible also uses the word gennaó in connection with Jesus in the sense of appointing or calling. GOD appointed Jesus as King and Judge over all people. As with Jesus, it is also said of Solomon that GOD became his Father and he his Son (1st Chronicles 28,6 / Hebrews 1,5). Here, it is not about lineage, but about the calling of a person; in this case, as ruler and judge in GOD's place.

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further references:

Genesis 6,2 + 4 / Deuteronomy 14,1 / 2nd Sam 7,14 / Jb 1,+ 2,1 + 38,7 / Ps 2,7 / Isa 9,5 / 1st Chr 28,6 / Mt 5,9 + 45 / Lk 1,26-37 / Lk 3,38 / Joh 8,29 / Rom 1,3-4 / Heb 4,15

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3 - "Jesus is GOD, because he is called "Lord""

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LORD (Hebrew: adonai) stands for the name of GOD: Yahweh. The title Lord (Hebrew: adon / Old Greek: kyrios) is used for both GOD and earthly rulers, kings, rulers, landowners, landlords, slave owners, fathers, husbands. Adonai is never used in reference to Jesus. The LORD (adonai) made Jesus Lord (adon) over all creation and head over the church of GOD (Acts 2,36 / Romans 14,9 / Ephesians 1,22). Jesus Christ came in the name of the LORD / Yahweh. Jesus is both the Lord (Old Greek: ho kyrios) and our Lord (Old Greek: hemon kyrios). This underlines that the word kyrios is a royal title. However, the phrase our LORD / our Yahweh (adonai) is not found anywhere in the Bible. Instead, it is always Yahweh, our GOD (Old Greek: hemon theos). Jesus, however, is never called our GOD. Lord (kyrios) and GOD (theos) do not have the same meaning. Rather, it depends on the respective context. Furthermore, if kyrios were synonymous with Yahweh, then the formulation Lord Jesus (Acts 16,31) would make no sense.

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further references:

Ps 110,1 / Mk 11,9 / Mk 13,25 / Mt 10,24 / Mt 20,8 / Mt 21,30 / Mt 23,39 / Mt 27,63 / Acts 4,23-31 / Acts 5,30 f. / Acts 25,26 / 1st Pet 3,6

 

 

see commentary on...

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Genesis 18,1-3:

Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby

 

Genesis 19,24 f.:

Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens

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Matthew 22,41-45:

The Lord said to my Lord

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John 1,22 f.:

Make straight the way for the Lord

 

John 20,28:

My Lord and my GOD

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Romans 10,13:

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

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1st Corinthians 2,16:

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ

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Jude 1,4:

Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord

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Revelation 17,14:

because he is Lord of lords and King of kings

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4 - "Jesus is GOD, because he forgave sins"

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The Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' time believed that only GOD could forgive sins and that anything else was tantamount to blasphemy. When Jesus granted a person forgiveness of his sins, he explained that he was doing so with the authority that GOD had given him (Matthew 9,6 / Mark 2,10 / Luke 5,24). This special authority was intended to clarify Jesus' position as Messiah and his role as GOD's representative and judge. At the same time, Jesus emphasized that he would never judge or make decisions on his own authority, but always only in accordance with the will of GOD, his Father (John 5,30). Jesus later passed this authority on to his disciples (John 20,23). In everything Jesus did, he referred to GOD the Father. If Jesus were GOD, he could do everything by his own authority. It is basically GOD'S free and sovereign decision to transfer the right to forgive sins to any person. As GOD's representative, Jesus received the right from GOD to forgive sins. However, the fact that Jesus can forgive sins in no way proves that he is GOD.

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see commentary on...

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Mark 2,3-11:

Who can forgive sins but GOD alone?

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Acts 7,59 f.:

Lord, lay not this sin to their charge

 

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5 - "Jesus is GOD, because he did miracles"

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All the miracles that Jesus did, he did in the power of the Holy Spirit with which GOD had anointed him (Matthew 12,28 / Luke 5,17 / John 11,41 f. / John 14,10 / Acts 10,38). These served as signs to confirm that Jesus is the Savior announced in the Holy Scriptures. This power did not come from Jesus himself, as is often mistakenly assumed. All knowledge and abilities that Jesus possesses are given to him by the Father. Even before Jesus, various prophets like Moses, Elijah, Elisha, etc. performed supernatural miracles such as healings of the sick, food miracles, raisings from the dead, etc. in the power of GOD; just like the apostles after him. Therefore, the divine gift of performing miracles is not proof that a person is GOD. The fact that the apostles performed signs and wonders "in the name of Jesus" also doesn't prove Jesus' divinity. Rather, they too were meant to point out that Jesus is the Messiah (= the king and judge appointed by GOD), so that people would follow him and no one else.

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further references:

Ex 7-11 / Ex 15,22-18,27 / 1st Kng 18,21-45 / 2nd Kng 4,1-38 / 2nd Kng 6,1-7 / Lk 11,20 / Lk 17,6 / Joh 5,19-21 / Joh 11,42 / Joh 14,10-12 / Acts 2,22 / Acts 3,6 / Acts 5,15 / Acts 6,8 / Acts 9,36-42 / Acts 13,10 / Acts 19,11 f. / / 1st Cor 12,10 + 28 f. / 2nd Cor 12,12

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see commentary on...

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Luke 8,38 f.:

So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him

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Luke 9,42 f.:

And they were all amazed at the greatness of GOD

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6 - "Jesus is GOD, because he rose from the dead"

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The resurrection of Jesus was intended to confirm that he is the Savior promised by GOD and that in him alone lies the salvation of humanity. In the time between his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus was dead; i.e. without consciousness. But because Jesus was sinless, death had no power over him. Therefore, Jesus was given the privilege by GOD to be the first to rise from the dead so that his body would not see corruption. But it was GOD the Father who raised Jesus from the dead; not himself. Jesus rose because he was raised by GOD the Father. After his resurrection, Jesus received the power or privilege from GOD to raise the remaining dead at his return.

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further references:

Acts 2,32 / Acts 3,14 + 26 / Acts 10,40 / Rom 8,11 / Rom 10,9 / 1st Cor 6,14 / 1st Cor 15,3-5 / Col 2,12 / 1st Thes 1,10

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7 - "Jesus is GOD, because he is "one" with the Father"

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That Jesus is one (Old Greek: heis) with the Father expresses a spiritual unity. In 1st Corinthians 3,8, Paul uses the same word when he writes that he and Apollos are one (heis). This is not about the same essence, but about both working toward the same goal. In the same way, Jesus and GOD the Father always pursued the same intentions. Jesus was one (heis) with the will of GOD. This means that Jesus obeyed the Father in everything and did what the Father required of him (John 5,30 / John 8,29). Just as Jesus and the Father are one eins (heis), so too should believers be one (heis) sein (John 11,52 / John 17,11 + 21 f.). Jesus prayed that all his disciples would be of one mind and pursue the same goal, just as he and GOD did. The common goal that unites GOD and Jesus in John 10,30 is to protect the sheep so that no one can cause them to stumble.

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see commentary on...

 

 

John 5,22 f.:

 

that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father

 

John 10,29 f.:

 

I and the Father are one

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John 14,1:

 

believe in GOD and also believe in me

 

John 14,6-10:

 

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father

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John 17,10:

 

All I have is yours, and all you have is mine

 

1st John 5,6-8:

 

For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are one​

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