God plainly reveals through Scripture that God the Son (Jesus) and God the Father are distinct persons. This is contrary to the false teaching of those who deny that Jesus and God the Father are two distinct Persons (e.g., Oneness Pentecostals).
Consider the following:
- John 1:1-2 –“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” This passage shows that the Word (Jesus) was with God, implying distinction, yet also shares in divinity.
- John 17:1-5. In Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, He prays to the Father, saying, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you…” This prayer reveals a clear interpersonal relationship between the Father and the Son, affirming their distinct persons.
- Matthew 3:16-17 – At Jesus’ baptism, “the Spirit of God descended like a dove… and a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” Here, the Father speaks about the Son, clearly distinguishing the two persons.
- John 14:16-17 – Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” Jesus (the Son) asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit, revealing the distinction between all three persons of the Trinity.
- 1 John 2:1 –“But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” Jesus, as the advocate with the Father, is distinct from the Father, interceding on behalf of humanity.
- John 5:19-23 – Jesus says, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” This passage shows that the Son operates in perfect harmony with the Father but is distinct in role and function.
- Luke 22:42 -Jesus prays to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” This verse highlights the distinct wills of the Father and the Son, yet the Son’s submission to the Father’s will.
- 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 – Paul writes about the Son handing over the kingdom to the Father: “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father… The Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” This passage affirms the distinct roles of the Son and the Father in the ultimate plan of salvation.
- Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus commands baptism in the distinct names of the three persons of the Trinity, further indicating distinction.
These verses, among others, illustrate the distinct personhood of Jesus (God the Son) in relation to God the Father, while both are united in the divine nature. Thanks be to God.
