MY RESPONSE TO DERRICK GILLESPIES CRITIQUE OF MY BOOK BOOK: JESUS CHRIST IS NOT GOD AUTHOR: JOY PENROSE-DAVIS Since the

release of my book in June 2011, my beliefs have been consistently challenged by Mr. Derrick Gillespie. He has made his opinions of my beliefs well known with his frequent comments on my Facebook page as well as through direct contact with those who support me. I find Mr. Gillespie's methods quite telling of his character which is further revealed in his online publications, in which he reviews and critiques my book. The content and aim of my book are quite straightforward. I assert that there is only one God (the Father) and that Jesus Christ (the Son), while worshipped as God by many people in many facets of Christianity is in fact not God. This view is based entirely on the Bible. I ask that my readers and people in general analyze the Scriptures for themselves with an open mind and not one clouded with the doctrine passed down from their churches, which is an act the Bible itself admonishes us to do. Before directly addressing his critique, I must say that it is evident to me that though Mr. Gillespie claims to protect my right to have freedom of conscience and my God-given right to believe whatever [I] wish, he will continue in his crusade until I and those who agree with me believe what he believes. Unfortunately for Mr. Gillespie, he has presented nothing short of constant ramblings and contradictory statements, and thus, he will have to continue to martyr himself to his ongoing diatribes against me as I refuse to concede to man-made doctrines and those not supported by the Scriptures. If you should take the time to analyze Mr. Gillespies critique (pages 1-27), you would soon discover that just because a document is lengthy, doesn't mean that there is anything worth reading within it. His critique is so full of holes that there would be nothing left of it, if it were printed on paper. His entire long-winded tirade makes no sense. ABSOLUTELY, NO SENSE, WHATSOEVER! From the arguments he presents, it is obvious that Mr. Gillespie is in a state of confusion about what he really believes. First, he agrees with me that it is the Father alone Who is the only true God. He states: I find the following truths very clearly taught by you, and I applaud you for that: That the Father is the one true GodThat Jesus is always in subjection to His Father as Head, even before His incarnation, and after His incarnation, even today and forevermore. That Jesus today and forevermore, since His incarnation, sees and acknowledges the Father as His God, and as our God. Having applauded me for teaching this truth, however, Mr. Gillespie relentlessly proceeds to prove himself wrong, to prove me wrong and to prove the Bible wrong by producing evidence to show that it is not the Father alone Who is the one true God but that Jesus Christ also is truly God.

If someone should say, I am an atheist, I do not believe in God but I really do believe in God, you would agree that this is a contradictory and nonsensical statement. Well, it is no different from Mr. Gillespie saying that the Father is the one true God, but that Jesus Christ is also truly God in the highest sense. This too is a contradictory and nonsensical statement, unless of course, he is also saying that it is Jesus Christ who is God the Father (which to his credit, he does not). Anyone with a fair sense of reason knows that if there is only one true God then there cannot be another God who is true or His equal. Any other god must be a false god or a lesser god. Before I proceed further, it is important for you to understand my concept of God. When I speak of God, I am referring to the SUPREME BEING; He Who transcends all and has no equal or superior. Jesus, therefore, can only qualify as God if he meets these requirements. If the Scriptures prove otherwise, then we can be certain that it is impossible for Jesus Christ to be God. Below you will find a listing of statements presented and critiqued by Mr. Gillespie. These statements were itemized as the woeful failings of my thesis in his rather lengthy publication and were said to be erroneous teachings which I have put forth in my book. These statements are followed by my responses which as you will see, are all fully supported by the Scriptures Scriptures which God Himself has given us ... for our learningfor doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness... (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16). Statement No. 1: Let me now itemize the woeful failings of your thesisThat Jesus was not God in nature, not divine, or HAS NO DIVINITY WHATOSEVER, whether before or after his earthy sojourn. It cannot be reasonably argued that Jesus Christ is God in nature or that he is divine if he does not possess in totality (ALL) the nature of God the Father. We know that he does not, because the Scriptures make it abundantly clear that Jesus does not possess all the attributes of the Father. For instance, the Bible teaches that life is not inherent in Jesus (John 5:26; 6:57). Like all of us humans, Jesus received life from the Father. Neither is Jesus Omnipotent nor Omniscient (John 5:19-20; 8:28, 38; Mark 13:32). In many respects, Jesus possesses aspects of the nature of God the Father. The same is true of us humans but in some instances to a lesser degree. As Gods offspring created in His image and likeness, He has imparted to us aspects of His nature such as Life, Love, Creativity and the ability to walk in Righteousness. Jesus even taught that if we believe in him, we are able to do all the works that he did and even greater works (John 14:12). Now, it would be very foolish of us to argue that since we possess these aspects of Gods nature and have been endued with great power even to perform miracles, that we are God in nature, and hence, divine. The same is applicable to Jesus. Since Jesus does not possess in totality the attributes of God the Father, then it cannot be said that he is God in nature and hence, divine.

If Jesus is God in nature and possesses all the divinity of the Father then we need to address the following questions: Why is life not inherent in Jesus? (John 5:26; 6:57; 2 Cor. 13:4). Why is the Father the only inherently immortal Being? (1Tim. 1:17; 6:16). Why is Jesus not Omnipotent? (John 5:19-20; 8:28, 38). Why is Jesus not Omniscient? (John 5:19-20; 8:28, 38; Mark 13:32). Why is the Father greater than Jesus? (John 14:28; 1 Cor. 11:3). Why is the Father Jesus God but Jesus is not the Fathers God? (John 20:17).

Statement No. 2: That Jesus was CREATED by the Father as the first of his creation at the beginning, and thus why he is called the first born of all creation, or the beginning of the creation of God. Beings exist by two means Self-existence or Creation. There is no in-between; there is no other way. If Jesus, therefore, is not self-existent it means that he was created. Jesus is not self-existent (John 5:26). The scripture is very clear on this matter. There is only one self-existent Being and that is God the Father. He exists by His own power. He is not dependent on anyone for His existence. That, however, is not the case with Jesus. Like the rest of creation, Jesus was brought into being by the Father. Jesus is dependent on the Father for his existence. Like all of us, without the Father, Jesus would not exist. The Bible uses several terms to describe how Jesus came into being. Some of the terms used are Gods firstborn, begotten, first born of all creation and the beginning of the creation of God (Heb.1:6; John 3:16; Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14). Jesus being called the firstborn tells us that he is the first to have been born, (but not physical birth, as we know it). The term begotten also relates to being born. Now, if Jesus came into existence by being born or being begotten that does not negate the fact that he is a created being. Jesus being created is confirmed by the Scriptures which tell us that Jesus is the firstborn and the beginning of all creation. The fact that Jesus is referred to by these creation related terms tells us that he must have been part of Gods creation just as angels and humans are, irrespective of the method or means by which God chose to bring him into being. Jesus being born or begotten cannot be presented as proof that he was not created. Every one of us is created by God, yet every one of us has also been born. We do not argue that one is either born or created and cannot be both. Since this is the case with us, why should we think that it is any different with Jesus, especially in light of the fact that he is called both the first born of all creation and the beginning of the creation of God (Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14). These terms without doubt, link Jesus to being part of Gods creation. This may surprise you but Jesus Christ is no longer the only begotten of the Father (John 3:16). If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you too are now begotten (1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 5:18). But not only are you now begotten, you are also re-

created and re-born (2 Cor. 5:17; John 3: 3). It is clear, therefore, that being begotten does not exclude one from being created or being born. It is not one or the other. They all go hand in hand. Statement No. 3: That Jesus being called Gods only begotten Son means he is a creature, the first creature of GodNow, your thesis, because of its failure to sufficiently/properly research, properly define words, and properly apply exegesis, it has reduced Jesus to being just like all other sons of God : a CREATURE!! I did not say that Jesus being Gods only begotten Son means that he is a creature. That statement by Mr. Gillespie is simply not true. In chapter six of my book, I explain that the term begotten relates to being born, hence, Jesus being the Fathers begotten is an indication that he was procreated or born of the Father but not physical birth as we understand it. Contrary to Mr. Gillespies claim, I have not reduced Jesus to being just like all other sons. In my book, I explain that Jesus is the highest of Gods creation. On page 26, in reference to Jesus I said, The Personal Word, however, is unique, because unlike angels and mankind he is the Word Personified. He is one-of-a-kind. There is no other son like him. How can anyone having read this statement make such an accusation unless their agenda is to MISLEAD and DECEIVE? Let me also be quick to explain that nowhere in my book have I referred to Jesus as a CREATURE. My only use of the designation creature in relation to Christ is not my own word, but a direct quotation of the Scriptures in which Jesus is described to as the firstborn of every creature (Col 1:15 KJV). If Mr. Gillespie has a problem with the word creature being ascribed to Christ he should not be attacking me; he should erase it from the Scriptures. Statement No. 4: That Jesus failed all so-called equality tests with the Father, and hence could not be God in nature, either before becoming man or after his ascension. The following Equality Test provides infallible proof that Jesus is not God in nature and neither is he equal with the Father. It reveals the great disparities that exist between the Father and the Son whether Jesus is in his human capacities or in his heavenly state.

EQUALITY TEST
Jesus on earth Yes Yes No No Jesus in Texts heaven Yes John 14:28;17:2; Rev. 1:1; Eph. 4:6 Yes John 15:10; Heb. 5:8; 1 Cor. 11:3 No John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 3:12; 7:10 No John 20:17; 1 Cor. 8:6; 1 Pet. 3:18; 4:11

The Father is greater than Jesus The Father is the Head of Jesus Jesus is the Supreme Being Jesus is the God of the Disciples

Jesus on earth Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Earth No Jesus is the Decision-maker No Jesus is Omniscient No Jesus is Omnipotent No Jesus lives by his own power No Jesus worships the Father as hisYes God Jesus is subject to the Father Yes Jesus is servant of the Father Yes

Jesus in Texts heaven No Luke 10:21; Acts 17:24 No Matt. 20:23; Acts 1:6-7; Rev. 1:1 No Mark 11:13;13:32; Rev. 1:1 No John 5:19-20;14:10; 2 Cor. 13:4 No John 6:57; 2 Cor. 13:4 Yes John 20:17; Rev. 3:12 Yes Yes John 15:10; 1 Cor.15:28 Isa. 42:1; Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27-30 (NKJV)

My Equality Test has not failed the acid tests of logic and the Bible as Mr. Gillespie has set out to prove. As you can see, Jesus has failed this Equality Test with the Father, which underscores the truth that Jesus could not be God in nature, either before becoming man, while in his humanity or after his ascension. (See Comparative Chart on my website www.joypenrosedavis.com entitled Is Jesus Christ Really God? This chart shows in detail the vast inequalities that exist between the Father and the Son). Statement No. 5: That Jesus could not be said, IN NO SENSE WHATSOEVER, to have had two natures as a man, simply because, by your application of LOGIC (of all things!!), it is an impossible reality, and because of the so-called evidence of Jesus operating as a full human on earth. Jesus, while on earth did not have two natures IN NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. According to Heb. 2:17, Jesus was made exactly like man. Jesus, therefore, possessed one nature only; the nature of man. Hence, Jesus was fully man only; he was not fully man and fully God. Moreover, it is impossible to possess two opposing natures. For example, a person cannot be mortal and be immortal at the same time. One is either mortal OR immortal; one cannot be mortal AND immortal. A person cannot possess the ability to die and at the same time possesses the ability not to die. That is an impossible reality. Mr. Gillespie also made the following statements: 1. By insisting that Jesus is not God in nature (I did not say in person) This again proves Mr. Gillespies state of confusion. In this statement, Mr. Gillespie says that Jesus Christ is God in nature but that he is not God in person. Judge for yourself: Does such a statement make sense? How can Jesus be God in nature and yet not be God in person? Is it not a persons nature that determines who he is?

2. Over and over the Father Himself declares that Jesus is his ONLY BEGOTTEN Son, or His very special Son, His unique Son who is the exact copy of his very person/being (Heb.1:1-3). Mr. Gillespie states that the Father has declared over and over that Jesus is the exact copy of his very person/being. Did the Father ever make such a declaration? ABSOLUTELY, NOT! (If those precise words are recorded in any version of the Bible, it is a mistranslation). Is Jesus an exact copy of God the Father? ABSOLUTELY, NOT! Let us hear what the Father says in this regard: To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One (Isa. 40:25). To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? (Isa. 46:5). I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me (Isa. 46:9). There is no ambiguity at all in these statements so there is no excuse to be confused. In very clear and simple words, the Father declares that there is no other being like Him and that He has no equal. Moreover, this truth is corroborated throughout the Scriptures. It is not possible for Jesus to be an exact copy of the Fathers very person or being unless he possesses ALL the Fathers attributes. Based on the evidence of Scriptures we know that he does not. As we have already learned, life is not inherent in Jesus and neither is he omnipotent nor omniscient (John 5:19-20; 26). It is impossible for Jesus to be an exact copy of the Father without possessing these qualities. 3. Jesus Christ is the Creator. Based on some mistranslations of the Scriptures, we have been led to believe that Jesus Christ is the Creator but this is not so. It is God the Father alone Who is the Creator of all (Isa. 44:24). Jesus is a created being (Col.1:15; Rev. 3:14). Jesus received life from the Father (John 5:26). A created being cannot be the Creator. Jesus does not possess the creative powers of his Father (John 5:19-20). Everything that Jesus knows and can do has been taught to him by his Father. If Jesus does not have the power to give himself life or to keep himself alive, how can he be the Creator? (2 Cor.13:4). How can Jesus be the Creator when he does not even have the ability to sustain himself? Like us humans, it is by the power of God the Father that Jesus lives, and moves and has his being, even this very moment in heaven. 4. Jesus is eternal like the Father. Is Jesus eternal like the Father? According to Mr. Gillespie he is, but not according to Scriptures. Firstly, the Scriptures tell us that it is God the Father alone Who is eternal (Deut. 33:27; 1 Tim. 1:17). Secondly, Jesus cannot be eternal like the Father if the Father pre-existed him. That is common sense! The fact that the Father existed before Christ is very easily proven even outside of the Scriptures. In the Bible, we read that Jesus is the Son of God the Father and common knowledge tells us that a father and a son cannot come into existence at the same time, because it is the father who reproduces the son. To argue, therefore, that Jesus is eternal like the Father is like saying that a father and his son are the same age. Of course, you know that is ridiculous!

Let us now further examine the Scriptures to ascertain its teachings on this issue. The Father pre-existed Jesus (John 5:26). It is the Father Who begot Jesus (John 1:18; 3:16). It is the Father Who gave Jesus life (John 5:26). Jesus is Gods offspring (Col. 1:15). Jesus is the first of all that God created (Rev. 3:14). Having examined the Scriptures how can one intelligently argue that Jesus is eternal like the Father when the evidence is overwhelming that the Father pre-existed Jesus. Since it is obvious that the Father existed before Jesus (since it is the Father Who brought Jesus into being), on what basis can one argue that Jesus is eternal like the Father? 5. Jesus is said to set up or brought forth or possessed as Gods Wisdom in imagery... (Proverbs 8: 22-30). Is it Jesus who gives wisdom to God the Father? Does God have no wisdom outside of Jesus? In the above statement, Mr. Gillespie is saying it is Jesus who is personified as Wisdom in the Old Testament Scriptures and that it is he who is the Wisdom whom God the Father used in all His creative works. Now, if it is Jesus who is this Wisdom, there are certain questions we need to address: Why is God the Father wiser than Jesus? (John 5:19-20). Why is the Father the only wise God? (Rom.16:27; 1 Tim. 1:17). Why is Jesus not self-existent like the Father? (John 5:26). Why is the Father Jesus Father? (John 20:17). Why is the Father Jesus God? (John 20:17; Rev. 3:12). Why is Jesus not Omnipotent? (John 5:19-20). Why is Jesus not Omniscient? (John 5:19-20; Mark 13:32). Why does the Father possess more ability and power than Jesus? (John 5:19-20; Acts 1:7). Why is the Father greater than Jesus? (John 14:28). Why is it the Father Who teaches Jesus everything he knows and can do (John 5:19-20; 8:28). Why does the Father rule over Jesus? (1 Cor.11:3). Why is Jesus the Fathers servant (Isa. 42:1; Acts 3:13; 26; 4:30 NKJV). Why was it necessary for the Father to endue Jesus with wisdom? (Isa. 11:1-2). Why doesnt Jesus have the wisdom to keep himself alive? (2 Cor. 13:4).

6. Jesus is Omnipotent like the Father. Jesus Christ is NOT omnipotent like the Father. The Scriptures declare only one Person as being Omnipotent and that is God the Father (Rev. 19:6). The Father possesses power that Jesus does not (Matt. 20:23; Acts 1:6-7). Jesus taught that all power belong to God the Father (Matt. 6:13). Everything that Jesus can do has been taught to him by his Father

(John 5:19-20; 8:28). All the power that Jesus possesses has been given to him by his Father (John 10:18; 17:2). Like us humans, Jesus cannot operate without the power of the Father. Even at this very moment, Jesus lives by the power of God the Father (2 Cor. 13:4). How can anyone armed with such knowledge insist that Jesus Christ is Omnipotent like the Father? 7. Jesus is self-existent. Mr. Gillespie contends that Jesus is self-existent because he gives eternal life to those who accept him as Lord and Savior. A careful study of the Scriptures, however, shows that Jesus is only able to give eternal life because the Father has given him that power. This is what Jesus said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:1-3). Do you see that without the Father there would be no eternal life because Jesus of himself does not have that power? If Jesus does not possess the power to give himself eternal life, how would he be able to give eternal life to others? (John 5:26; 6:57; 2 Cor. 13:4). It is very strange that Mr. Gillespie should insist that Jesus is self-existent because not only does he acknowledge that Jesus is the Fathers begotten but in his own words, only the Father is un-begotten among the divine specie; the Son isnt Clearly, this is strong evidence of the vast difference between the existence of the Father and the existence of the Son. The Father being un-begotten means that He is not the offspring of anyone. He exists by His own power. Jesus being the begotten means that he came forth from the Father. He is the Fathers offspring. He exists by the power of the Father. We see, therefore, that the Father can exist without Jesus but that Jesus cannot exist without the Father. Having acknowledged this truth (the un-begotten state of the Father and the begotten state of the Son), Mr. Gillespie continues to argue that Jesus is selfexistent. This again is a reflection of Mr. Gillespies confusion. 8.If divinity or the Godhead was one person alone, then the image of God in man would be borne by only one person alone. Only the male would be humanity; not all persons. But because the image of God in Man applied to all persons, and humanity in Man is a shared reality between all persons of Man, then correspondingly God-hood is a shared reality between the persons of divinity. According to Mr. Gillespie, the Godhead cannot consist of one Person only because the image of the Godhead is mirrored in humanity, and humanity does not consist only of one person or the male only. If we should go by this reasoning then the Godhead should not consist of just two or three persons but the total human population, which is billions. Also, since the image of the Godhead is reflected in humanity, then the God Family should not be just Father and Son, but having made them male and female, God should also have a wife who should bring forth children just as humans do.

To further bolster his arguments that Jesus Christ is God and to find support for the erroneous doctrine of the Trinity, Mr. Gillespie has quoted extensively from a number of early-century writers. Firstly, one should never forget that these writings are not part of the Scriptures. Secondly, we must be aware, that these writers were never with Jesus and his disciples nor were they with the Apostle Paul, so like us, they do not have first-hand knowledge of the gospel. They were not eyewitnesses. While I do not deny that their writings may be beneficial in some respects, we certainly do not need to depend on them in order to establish the teachings of the Scriptures. Whatever we do not understand the Holy Spirit is there to guide us. We can always pray to the Father to open our eyes to the truth. Much of the confusion in Christianity is brought about because we rely too heavily on the teachings of others, instead of searching the Scriptures for ourselves. Mr. Gillespie states that my work reflects the real spirit of anti-Christ because I deny that Jesus Christ is God. To prove his point, he quotes the following passage of Scripture: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also (1 John 2:22-23). Let me make this unquestionably clear: I DO NOT deny that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah). Actually, there is an entire chapter in my book dedicated to proving that Jesus (alone) is the true Christ (Messiah). There was none before him and there will be none after him. Neither do I deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. What I strongly deny, however, is that Jesus Christ is the Supreme Being or that he shares equality with God the Father. Can you find in the Scriptures where it says that anyone who denies that Jesus Christ is God has the spirit of antichrist? ABSOLUTELY, NOT! That is a teaching forced into the Scriptures by Mr. Gillespie in an attempt to discredit my work. If I have the spirit of anti-Christ, so do the inhabitants of heaven because in heaven Jesus is not recognized, acknowledged or worshipped as God (Rev. 5:9-10; 7:9-12). Only God the Father receives that honor. It is obvious that Mr. Gillespie does not know what he believes. At the beginning, I stated that Mr. Gillespies critique makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. Now you can judge for yourself. This is what we have learned from Mr. Gillespie. See if you can make sense of it because I simply cannot. The Father is the one true God yet Jesus is God in the highest sense. Jesus is God in the highest sense but he is not another true God in status. Jesus is God in the highest sense but he is not equal with the Father in status as Head. Jesus is God in the highest sense yet he is subject to the Father. Jesus is God in the highest sense yet he worships the Father as his God. Jesus is God in the highest sense yet he is the Fathers servant. Jesus is God in nature and divinity but he is not God in person. The Father is (the only divine Head figure in the universe), yet Jesus is divine coruler on the throne of the whole universe. Jesus is divine co-ruler on the throne of the whole universe, but he is not equal with the Father in status as Head.

The Father is un-begotten, Jesus is the begotten of the Father, yet Jesus is selfexistent and eternal like the Father.

As the evidence has shown, the arguments presented by Mr. Gillespie to prove that Jesus Christ is God have failed the scrutiny of Scriptures. To quote Mr. Gillespie, he has failed the acid tests of logic and the Bible and his critique must be rejected and be consigned to the scrap heap of human thought. The evidence of Scriptures reveal that contrary to Mr. Gillespies claims, Jesus Christ is not God in nature and neither is he equal to the Father. Such doctrines are purely man-made and are debunked by the clear teachings of Scriptures. Mr. Gillespie may continue to be blinded by his erroneous beliefs. He may continue to ignore the truths as put forward in the Scriptures; truths which I have presented in my book, in this and in other publications. He may further seek to discredit me and even worse, fool and incite others by twisting words, stringing words together, making false statements and calling them things which they are not. But know this, there is only one Word to which we must measure all others against and that is the Word of God. Joy Penrose-Davis 2012 Website: www.joypenrosedavis.com Facebook: Joy Penrose Davis, Author