Let me educate you. In the Hebrew language there are three numbers. We only have two in the English language. The three numbers are
singular, dual, and
plural. Singular number speaks of “
one,” dual numbers speaks of “
two,” and plural numbers speaks of “
three or more.”
When a Hebrew noun ends in “
im” the plural number is indicated. In Genesis 1:1 it is said that Eloh
im, note the plural ending [
im] was the creator, not just one, not just two but at least three are involved in the act of creation.
The verb however is singular “bara.” We might render it in this way...”In the beginning, God [plural] He [singular] created [singular] the heaven and the earth.” Seems like a contradiction, doesn’t it? If the subject GOD is plural, then the verb and inferred personal pronoun should be plural as well, according to the rules of grammar. In other words, in the beginning Gods “
They” created the heaven and the earth.
The point is however that the Bible distinctly teaches that although God subsists in three different persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit yet He is still ONE GOD and NOT three GODS!
The opening of the Bible is of course not the only place we find this interesting interchange of combination between the singular and the plural. As in Matthew 28 and Genesis 1:26-27, and there are many more like examples. By your own admission you searched the Scriptures as the Bereans, yet in my estimation you have not really. I might as well add this passage: “
It is the glory of GOD to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.”
Tell me. Where in the Bible does it explicitly say that Dagon or Baal-zebub as being the same Elohim as the GOD of the Bible, subsisting in three distinct persons yet ONE GOD? Can you name the three persons in Dagon or in Baalzebub?
The Jews would not accept the gift. They put it from them. They turned away everlasting life by rejecting the Word of God (in this case the Gospel).
Aside from unsaved man NOT having the power to accept the things of GOD. He is also spiritually dead therefore he has no life in him. Jesus said: “
He that is of GOD heareth GOD’S words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of GOD” (John 8:47).
Jun said:
We could render therefore Genesis 1:1 this way:
“In the beginning, the Gods created the heaven and the earth.”
Gadar said:
This is utter foolishness. The Scriptures teach monotheism, not your polytheism. "Elohim" is a plural word, but not always. When used of the one true God, it is the plural of majesty, not of number.
“Elohim is a plural word but not always??? Where do you read that and where do you read the word “Elohim” is indicative of the word “majesty?” Chapter and verse, please. Read my definition of the “singular” and “plural” concept above, it is not that difficult to understand!
Here is another of the singular and plural concept in Genesis 1:26-27, but I will speak about it later.