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From: Jamie Smith
Recently I listened to a radio broadcast from a local church. The pastor was teaching his congregation a little jingle on Arius put to the tune Camptown Races. They sang of the silly beliefs of Arius.
Now the primary bug-a-boo about Arius was that he believed Christ to be created – not God. Let’s briefly look at why Arius believed what he did and how to answer that opinion.
Jn 14:28: “...the Father is greater than I.” The Father is greater than the Son.
Lk 22:42 saying, “... not My will, but Thine, be done!” God conforms His will to no one. Christ’s conformed to God’s.
1Ti 2:5 “For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and mankind, a human, Christ Jesus,” God is God. Christ is Mediator between God and man.
Re 3:14: “...the Faithful and True Witness, and God’s Creative Original:” Christ was God’s first creation.
Jn 19:30: “...And reclining His head, He gives up the spirit.” Christ was mortal.
Rom 15:6: “...the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ has a God.
1Cor 15:28: “...then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him...” At the end of the ages, Christ shall be subjected to God.
1 Cor 11:3: “the Head of Christ is God.” Christ is not the head of God.
Jeepers! Looks like Arius was on to something. There is a sender and a sent, a source and a channel, a giver and receiver, an absolute and a relative. God is invisible and inaudible. Christ was seen and heard. Can any know Christ while thinking Him other than as He presented Himself?
I’ve been sitting on this letter for some time having a certain disquietude concerning orthodox reaction. However, if one is afraid to search out these ideas, remember: love casts out fear. And so seeing God’s most precious title: “The God and Father of Jesus Christ” being sullied in current popular teaching, I hope to at least put forward these thoughts for any who might be wondering about these things.
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