It is good to hear from you again. John 17 is certainly one of the
great text of the Bible on the subject of the Godhead. Jesus is praying to the Father
before the time of His death on the cross. His first request is for God to glorify Him so
He could glorify the Father. The purpose of His coming into the world was to offer eternal
life to as many as the Father gives. Eternal life He explains is to know God the Father
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. He explains in verse five the glory He is praying for
is the glory they shared before the world was. The glory was to be offered because He had
finished the work He was sent to do on this earth (Verses 4,5).
I'm sure the phrase you are wanting me to talk about is "The
Only true God" in verse 3. Does this mean Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not God since
it says of the Father that He is the only true God? If so what does He mean when He speaks
of the glory they shared before the beginning of the world? What does He mean in Verses
20,21 when He says He and the Father are one? What does it mean in Hebrews one when He
says in verse 8, "Your throne O God is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness
is the scepter of Your Kingdom."?
The word true as used in the gospel of John means real, genuine,
without mixture. Jesus says of the Father You are the only true, real, genuine God. It
wasn't to say He wasn't God, but to point to the greatness of the Father. Remember
Philippians 2:5-11 says Jesus didn't see equality with God as something to be held on to.
He submitted and became a man.
Maybe it is time you explained to me what it is you really do
believe about Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Do you believe He is only a man? Do you believe
is deity but of lesser power and greatness than the Father? These are fundamental matters
and I'm glad to discuss them with you. But please give me more information as well.
Sincerely,
Leon Barnes