The Bible says, “I said, You are gods” – But is this entirely true?
I said, You are gods
Many a preacher today teaches that we are gods, or little gods, based on the incorrect interpretation of scripture. Some are very subtle in the way they teach this message, others come out right and just say it.
The verse they will show you to try prove their point is John 10:34; Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?
But let me explain what Jesus really meant:
Jesus was in dialogue with the Jews of His day and quoting from the Old Testament Psalms, saying: “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”‘? The Jews wanted to stone Jesus for calling God His Father and making Himself equal with God. So Jesus quotes Pslam 82 to them to show the distinction between himself and those in Pslam 82 who were called ‘gods’.
Pslam 82 was written AGAINST certain unjust rulers in Israel’s history. Men of high distinction (Judges/Rulers) were almost seen as gods because of the power they wielded over the nation. The problem is these men were UNJUST. Verse 82:2 says: “How long will you judge unjustly, And showpartiality to the wicked? and verses 6-7 say, 6 “I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.” 7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.” So these rulers are not gods, they were given this name by mere men, but were they still children of God? Yes. But they will die like everyone else. So the point Jesus was making was that if unjust rulers can be called gods (by men), how can the Jews who wanted to stone Him object to Him saying that he was the Son of God?
Can you see how easily scripture gets twisted and the next minute you have men and women running around teaching New Age teachings under the banner of Christianity.
BEWARE of ANYONE who tells you that you can be a God or Christ. When you become a born again Christian you grow to become more Christ-like, you DO NOT become like Christ or a Christ or anything Divine for that matter. However in Charismatic churches you do; you become a little god – ‘Faith’ becomes an actual force that you wield at your command as you speak things into existence. This is totally and utterly occult. The New Age religion believes in something similar, that each person is a god/goddess, they just have not realised it yet – a god trapped in a human body part of a huge cosmos – trying to turn the world into one spiritual tower of Babel.
THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD:
1. Deuteronomy 4:35,39 – Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (39) Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
2. Deuteronomy 6:4 – Hear, O Israel: The LORD thy God is one LORD. [Note in Mark 12:28-34 how Jesus and a Jewish scribe he encountered understood this text.]
3. Deuteronomy32:39 – See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
4. 2 Samuel 7:22 – Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
5. 1 Kings 8:60 – That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
6. 2 KINGS 5:15 – And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know thatthere is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
7. 2 Kings 19:15 – And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
8. 1 Chronicles 17:20 – O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
9. Nehemiah 9:6 – Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
10. Psalm 18:31 – For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
11. Psalm 86:10 – For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
12. Isaiah 37:16,20 – O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou has made heaven and earth. (20) Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
13. Isaiah43:10,11 – Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.
14. Isaiah44:6,8 – Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, andI am the last; and beside me there is no God. Fear ye not, neither be afraid; have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
15. Isaiah 45:21 – Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time: who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.
16. Isaiah 46:9 – For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
17. Hosea 13:4 – Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior beside me.
18. Joel 2:27 – And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
19. Zechariah 14:9 – And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
20. Mark 12:29-34 -And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth:for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
21. John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
22. Romans 3:30 – Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
23. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 – As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
24. Galatians 3:20 – Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
25. Ephesians 4:6 – One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
26. 1 Timothy 1:17 – Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
27. 1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
28. James 2:19 – Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Debs, when I was in the Worldwide Church of God–which I left in the 1990s–we were taught the lie Satan promised Adam and Eve that they would be as God. This was from that verse in John 10:34. Isn’t it interesting that Satan still uses that Scripture to bring up the same idea that he used in Eden? Ironically, it was the cause of getting our first parents driven out of their home.
When Jesus said “Ye are gods” it is apparent that He could not have meant it as cultists want it to mean–as you have shown, Debs. For one thing, God has always existed, He is also infinitely perfect, He doesn’t need anything to keep Him alive… &c., &c., &c.
Chris wrote:
The problem I find is that many people who call themselves Christians really only pretend to be Christians. Instead of paying close attention to Jesus´s words and following in his footsteps, they prefer to wallow in the words of the Hebrews, who had a pretty crummy relationship with God. Whereas, Jesus knew himself–and us–to be sons and daughters of God, our maker and creator whom made us in HIS IMAGE and LIKENESS. Why do you think Jesus was able to make miracles? Because he was in tune with the father–he was ONE with the father. AND he taught his apostles that they could do the same and even more. That was one of Christ´s biggest promises. Why then, do you act like those who wanted to stone Jesus for his beliefs?
claiecv,
“Made in the image of God” does not mean you are a god (with a small “g”). John the Baptist never performed a single miracle in his whole life and never prophesied a thing. Was he not made in the image of God? And by the way, Jesus did not perform miracles because He was simply in tune with the Father. He performed miracles because He Himself IS God. Jesus never said or believed that human beings are little gods. So, who is now doing the stoning? You are stoning us for exposing the Word of Faith heresy and lie that humans are little gods. You and your partners are perpetuating the lie Satan started in the Garden of Eden, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
I really think you should repent of your heresy and ask Jesus to forgive you.
Deborah and Tom, well said both of you !!!
So, Jesus quoted something that was written after the crucifixion? Wow, it sounds like this interpretation is a subjective view point. Didn’t Jesus say that He spoke in parable? Matthew 13:34 “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:” This is a good example of why the secular world scoffs at Christians, and I am a Christian.
Jesus spoke in parables to explain spiritual truths to his disciples. Quoting from the Old Testament is not a parable. It is merely affirming what is already written in the Old Testament or the New. The secular world does not always scoff. This is what the Bible says about non-believers.
What people are meaning is not that we are all gods plural. But that we are all God singular, one being. The holy trinity the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost. God lives inside each of us. Saved or not the Holy Spirit is inside each of us ( that is how we instinctively know right from wrong ) God is all, he is the heavens and the Earth. He is each of us. Also is the offspring of any cat a dog? No the offspring of all cats are cats. The offspring off all dogs are dogs. Would not all of the offspring of god be god ( singular because there IS only one God not individual gods ). God can do anything he is all powerful but if we are his children how would we not be God? Am I saying I am God? No Im not as I am unclear on this teaching and as such make no claim to be because I feel that would be careless. But that is the argument people make, not that they are each an individual God but that we are all one being. I do feel as though there is a chance that Jesus meant it quite literally. Do I know this no and I will not claim to. You may if you wish. But even the examples you give speak only of one God and that I %100 believe. However do those examples teach that we could all not be the one being God? Im not debating Im not claiming we are all God Im simply saying that this is the point being made and the question that I dont think ANYBODY is truly qualified to answer except God himself ( I know youre thinking but if we are God that means we can answer it ) no thats not what I mean either. If it is the case that we are all God than we are each a iny part of an infinitely larger whole. The God that can answer this question is the whole that exists greater than the individual parts. We are made in his image? Is he calling himself a human, mortal and born of sin? Of course not he is incapable of sin he is not mortal or human. So how are we made in his image? Does that mean we look like him? Is he male and female then? I believe if we are made in his image and we are his children perhaos Jesus meant it quite literally? I cant judge this and so havent perhaps neither should you and perhaps this is a question that we should not even attempt to answer without being able to ask God ourself we dont know the context. That what I believe.
Justin Cosby
you said “What people are meaning is not that we are all gods plural. But that we are all God singular, one being. The holy trinity the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost. God lives inside each of us. Saved or not the Holy Spirit is inside each of us ( that is how we instinctively know right from wrong ) God is all, he is the heavens and the Earth. He is each of us. Also is the offspring of any cat a dog? No the offspring of all cats are cats…..”
What you have explained is Panentheism (God is in Everything).
Let me explain. Panentheism is essentially a combination of theism (God is the supreme being) and pantheism (God is everything). While pantheism says that God and the universe are coextensive, panentheism claims the God is greater than the universe and that the universe is contained within God. Panentheism holds that God is the “supreme effect” of the universe. God is everything in the universe, but God also is greater than the universe. Events and changes in the universe affect and change God. As the universe grows and learns, God also increases in knowledge and being.
Panentheism is most definitely not biblical. In fact, it is extreme heresy that impugns the character of God and makes Him more like a man. God is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-8), but God is not everything. God knows everything, whether actual or possible (Psalm 139:1-6; Romans 11:33-35). God does not learn because He already has all knowledge. God is “affected” by things that occur in the universe, but only in that sin angers Him and holiness pleases Him. Our actions do not change God or impact His essential being.
The Bible presents God as holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8), sovereign (1 Chronicles 29:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 37:20), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscient (Job 28:24; Psalm 147:4-5), omnipotent (Job 42:1-2), self-existent (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 36:9), eternal (Psalm 90:2; Habakkuk 1:12), immutable (Psalm 33:11; James 1:17), perfect (Deuteronomy 32:3-4), and infinite (Job 5:9; 9:10). None of these attributes are compatible with panentheism. God transcends all of His creation, and is in no sense limited or changed by events in His creation.
The Holy Spirit does not live in the unsaved. The Holy Spirit abides in born again believers only. You are confusing the Holy Spirit with mans ‘conscience’ Your conscience is a God-given capacity for human beings to exercise self-evaluation. Paul refers several times to his own conscience being “good” or “clear” (Acts 23:1; 24:16; 1 Corinthians 4:4). Paul examined his own words and deeds and found them to be in accordance with his morals and value system, which were, of course, based on God’s standards. His conscience verified the integrity of his heart.
Your conscience is not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit draws people to God that that man be saved, when a person is born again the Holy Spirit comes to abide in the person and SEALS the believer that he/she is forever a child of God. Having a conscience and the Holy Spirit is 2 different things.
You said “No Im not as I am unclear on this teaching and as such make no claim to be because I feel that would be careless. But that is the argument people make, not that they are each an individual God but that we are all one being. I do feel as though there is a chance that Jesus meant it quite literally.”
No Jesus Christ the Son of God did not mean this literally.
you said “I dont think ANYBODY is truly qualified to answer except God himself”
Really? If you go to the bible you will find the answer to this question.
The bible says:
John 16:13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Do you see that? The Holy Spirit guides a born again believer into all TRUTH and He points us to the Word of God for answers. This means EVERYTHING we need to know is in the bible. I recommend you go and read and research yourself. Open it 🙂
Is this really so misunderstood?
Christ is clearly speaking of us in terms of ownership, as children of God. Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold, all souls are mine.” All souls belong to God.
This verse is more easily understood with the proper punctuation. Put an apostrophe in “God’s”
“You are god’s, And all of you are children of the Most High.”
Hi David
Um, nope. You can’t add an apostrophe.
Psalm 82:1 says, “A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”
From the next three verses we can clearly see that the word “gods” refers to magistrates, judges, etc. people who hold positions of authority and rule.
Psalms 82:2-4
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
Deborah,
I recently found this site while trying to dig up information on a so called “prophet” Kim Clement. There was more than enough information to help finalize my opinion of him being a false teacher. I also have read over dozens of other article on this site and have reviewed all scriptures used as references to supported the chosen argument. I am greatly impressed and very pleased to be in contact with others who seek the Truth of God’s word and do not want to follow man’s doctrinal mandates. God’s word is the ONLY Truth in this world, and once you surrender to the Lord and choose to seek only the Lord, your eyes will be opened and everything else (denominations, leaders, music, movies…..) begins to reveal itself as a lie and stumbling blocks whether it be subtle or not. Thank you for all you do, keep up the good fight.
Hi Warren :hi:
Thank you so much for your comment. Tom and I really appreciate it! :thankyou:
You said “and once you surrender to the Lord and choose to seek only the Lord, your eyes will be opened and everything else (denominations, leaders, music, movies…..) begins to reveal itself as a lie and stumbling blocks whether it be subtle or not”
Absolutely 100% true. You don’t mind me if I quote you – very well said.
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