Simon Brown.

Join me on this journey. Let's seek the truth together! 💡 Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.” Psalm 84: 11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. 12 Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you. 1 John 5:5 Now who is the one overcoming the world, except the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
Showing posts with label 1 John 2:1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 John 2:1. Show all posts

Monday, 31 August 2026

Jesus — Not Mary — Is Our Advocate and Mediator

Bible study examining the BBC Catholic Christmas confession, the Nicene Creed, prayer to Mary and the biblical identity of Jesus Christ.

QUICK FACTS: A DIFFERENT JESUS?

THE BBC CHRISTMAS CONFESSION, PRAYER TO MARY, AND THE CHRIST PREACHED BY THE APOSTLES

What Was Confessed and Prayed During the BBC Televised Midnight Mass at Brentwood Cathedral, Christmas 2021?

Research by Simon Brown


WHY THIS INVESTIGATION MATTERS

On Christmas Eve 2021, BBC television broadcast Midnight Mass from the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary and St Helen in Brentwood, Essex.

During that service, millions of viewers were able to hear a traditional Catholic profession of faith and Catholic devotion.

This article is not written to attack individual Catholics or question their sincerity.

My purpose is much simpler:

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE ACTUALLY TEACH?

Bible study examining God, Jesus Christ and the Gospel, including biblical warnings about another Jesus, false Christs and denying the Father and the Son.

A detailed Bible-study infographic asking what the Bible actually teaches about God, His Son Jesus Christ and the Gospel. It examines Paul's warning about “another Jesus” in 2 Corinthians 11:4, Jesus' warning about false Christs in Matthew 24:24, and John's warning concerning the Father and the Son in 1 John 2:22, encouraging Christians to test church teachings against Scripture. 

If a church tells Christians who God is, who Jesus Christ is, whom Christians should pray to, and who stands between humanity and God, these are not insignificant theological details.
They concern the very identity of:

GOD,

HIS SON JESUS CHRIST,

and

THE GOSPEL ITSELF.

Paul warned Christians about receiving:

“ANOTHER JESUS”

2 Corinthians 11:4

Jesus warned about:

“FALSE CHRISTS”

Matthew 24:24

And John issued the extremely serious warning:

“HE WHO DENIES THE FATHER AND THE SON.”

1 John 2:22

Therefore we have every reason to test what churches teach about Jesus against what Jesus and his apostles actually taught.


WHAT WAS ACTUALLY CONFESSED?

Bible study infographic examining the Nicene Creed, the Trinity diagram and the confession that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining what was confessed during the BBC televised Midnight Mass at Brentwood Cathedral at Christmas 2021. It highlights the Nicene Creed's description of Jesus as “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God” and “consubstantial with the Father,” illustrates the Trinity doctrine, and asks where Jesus and his apostles teach these identities in Scripture. Research by Simon Brown.

During the service the congregation recited the Nicene Creed.
Concerning Jesus Christ, this historic creed contains the striking words:

“GOD FROM GOD,

LIGHT FROM LIGHT,

TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD”

and identifies the Son as “consubstantial with the Father.”

This language is not merely my description of Catholic theology.

It is the historic language of the Nicene faith itself, formulated to affirm the full deity of the Son. (Pfander Center)

This immediately raises an enormous biblical question:

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE IDENTIFY JESUS AS “GOD FROM GOD” AND “TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD”?

Bible study infographic asking where Scripture calls Jesus “God from God” or “true God from true God,” comparing the Nicene Creed with Jesus, Peter, Paul and John.

A detailed Bible-study infographic asking where Scripture identifies Jesus as “God from God” or “true God from true God.” It compares the language of the Nicene Creed with Jesus’ words, Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16, Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 8:6, and John’s purpose statement in John 20:31, encouraging readers to test later theological claims against Scripture. 

Where does Jesus say:

“I am God from God”?

Where does Peter confess:

“You are true God from true God”?

Where does Paul preach:

“Jesus is God from God”?

Where does John tell us that he wrote his Gospel so that we would believe Jesus is “true God from true God”?

These are fair questions because these words concern the identity of Jesus Christ himself.


WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY JESUS IS?

When Jesus asked his disciples:

“But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:15–16

Jesus did not correct Peter by saying:

“No, Peter. I am God from God, true God from true God.”

Instead Jesus declared Peter blessed.

Jesus himself later said:

“I said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

John 10:36

And John tells us precisely why he wrote his Gospel:

“But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”

John 20:31

These are extraordinarily straightforward descriptions:

THE CHRIST.

THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.

THE SON OF GOD.

So why is the additional identification:

“GOD FROM GOD, TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD”

necessary to define the Christian faith?


LET US BE ACCURATE ABOUT THE TRINITY

Before continuing, an important clarification is necessary.

Trinitarians do not believe that the Father and Jesus are the same person.

That would be Modalism, not orthodox Trinitarianism.

Trinitarian doctrine correctly distinguishes:

the Father

from

the Son.

The disagreement is somewhere else.

Trinitarian Christianity teaches that although the Father and Son are distinct persons, both are fully divine and share the same one divine being or essence.

Therefore the real question is NOT:

ARE THE FATHER AND SON DIFFERENT PERSONS?

Both Trinitarians and Biblical Unitarians agree that they are distinct.

The real question is:

DOES SCRIPTURE TEACH THAT THE FATHER AND HIS SON ARE BOTH THE SAME ONE GOD?

Bible study asking whether Scripture teaches that the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are both the same one God.

Does Scripture teach that the Father and His Son are both the same one God? Examine what Jesus and his apostles actually taught.

That is the issue this article is investigating.


JESUS CALLED HIS FATHER “THE ONLY TRUE GOD”

Listen to Jesus' own prayer:

“This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

John 17:3

Jesus is addressing his Father.

Jesus identifies the Father as:

“THE ONLY TRUE GOD”

and then distinguishes himself as:

“JESUS CHRIST”

whom that God sent.

Now compare those words with the later creed:

JESUS:

“YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD”

NICENE CREED:

“TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD”

That deserves serious investigation.

A Trinitarian will answer that John 17:3 does not exclude the Son from the divine identity and that the wider Gospel of John teaches Christ's deity.

That argument deserves to be examined on its biblical merits.

But what we must not do is simply assume the Nicene conclusion and then read it back into Jesus' words.

The question remains:

WHO DID JESUS HIMSELF CALL “THE ONLY TRUE GOD”?

His Father.


PAUL IDENTIFIES “ONE GOD, THE FATHER”

Paul writes:

“Yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.”

1 Corinthians 8:6

Again we find:

ONE GOD — THE FATHER

and:

ONE LORD — JESUS CHRIST.

Trinitarian scholars commonly argue that Paul is incorporating Jesus into the divine identity by applying “Lord” language to Christ.

Biblical Unitarians understand the verse differently: Paul explicitly identifies the Father as the one God and Jesus as the one Lord Messiah.

Whichever interpretation a reader accepts, the verse deserves to be allowed to speak before a later creed determines its meaning.


“THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR”

Paul gives another remarkably clear statement:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 2:5

Notice Paul's distinction:

ONE GOD

and

ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY.

Who is that mediator?

“THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.”

This becomes extremely important when we consider what happened elsewhere in the Catholic service.


PAUL WARNED ABOUT “ANOTHER JESUS”

Bible study infographic about Paul's warning concerning “another Jesus” in 2 Corinthians 11:4 and testing teachings about Jesus against Scripture.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining Paul's serious warning about “another Jesus” in 2 Corinthians 11:4. It asks whether the Jesus being taught by Christian traditions is the same Jesus preached by the apostles and encourages readers to test every doctrine against Scripture. Research by Simon Brown.

Paul's warning to the Corinthians should make every Christian pay attention:

“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we didn't preach... you put up with that well enough.”

2 Corinthians 11:4 — WEB

Paul believed it was possible for people to talk about Jesus while presenting a Jesus different from the apostolic proclamation.

That is serious.

The name “Jesus” by itself therefore cannot guarantee that every doctrine attached to Jesus is true.

We must ask:

IS THIS THE JESUS THE APOSTLES PREACHED?

That applies to every Christian tradition, including my own beliefs.

Everything must be tested against Scripture.


JESUS WARNED ABOUT FALSE CHRISTS

Bible study infographic showing Jesus warning about false christs and false prophets in Matthew 24:24 and encouraging Christians to test teachings against Scripture.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining Jesus Christ's warning about false christs and false prophets in Matthew 24:24. It highlights the danger of religious deception and encourages Christians to test teachings about Christ against Scripture and the apostolic message. Research by Simon Brown.

Jesus himself warned:

“For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.”

Matthew 24:24

We should not misuse this verse.

In context Jesus is warning about false messianic claimants. He does not specifically identify the later Catholic Church or the Nicene Creed in Matthew 24:24.

Nevertheless, the warning establishes an important principle:

CHRISTIANS MUST CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THE CHRIST.

We cannot simply accept every claim about Christ because it comes from an established religious authority.


JOHN WARNS ABOUT DENYING THE FATHER AND THE SON

Bible study infographic examining 1 John 2:22, John's warning about denying Jesus as the Christ, and the biblical distinction between the Father and the Son.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining John's serious warning in 1 John 2:22 about denying that Jesus is the Christ and thereby denying the Father and the Son. It explains that Trinitarians distinguish the Father from the Son as separate persons, while investigating the different question of whether Scripture identifies the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the same one God. 

John's words are equally serious:

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”

1 John 2:22

Notice exactly what John says.

He speaks of:

THE FATHER

and

THE SON.

Again, the fact that they are distinct is not the disagreement with Trinitarians.

Trinitarians also distinguish the Father from the Son.

The question is whether these two distinct persons should additionally be identified as the same one God, together with the Holy Spirit.

Nor does 1 John 2:22 say:

“Anyone who believes in the Trinity is Antichrist.”

John's explicit test concerns denying that Jesus is the Christ and thereby denying the Father and the Son.

Therefore I do not need to make John say something he did not say.

His actual warning is serious enough.

WE MUST NOT CHANGE THE IDENTITY OF THE CHRIST.

Bible study infographic asking whether “God from God” and “true God from true God” add a later identity to Jesus that should be tested against Scripture.

A detailed Bible-study infographic asking whether a later identity has been added to Jesus Christ. It compares the Nicene Creed's words “God from God” and “true God from true God” with biblical descriptions of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God and the one sent by the Father, encouraging readers to test later doctrinal claims against Scripture. 

HAS A LATER IDENTITY BEEN ADDED TO JESUS?

This brings us back to the BBC confession:

“GOD FROM GOD”

“TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD.”

Those words are not Bible quotations.

That alone does not prove them false. Christians regularly use non-biblical terminology to summarize biblical ideas.

The word Bible itself is not used by Scripture as the modern title for the complete collection.

So the argument cannot simply be:

“Those exact words aren't in the Bible, therefore they are false.”

The much stronger question is:

CAN THAT IDENTITY BE DEMONSTRATED FROM THE TEACHING OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES?

Because the New Testament explicitly calls Jesus:

the Christ — Matthew 16:16

the Son of God — John 20:31

the Lord — Acts 2:36

the man Christ Jesus — 1 Timothy 2:5

the mediator — 1 Timothy 2:5

the one God sent — John 17:3

and the one whom:

“GOD RAISED UP”

Acts 2:32

Peter says:

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 2:36

Paul says:

“Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name.”

Philippians 2:9

These texts repeatedly distinguish God from the Jesus whom God sends, raises, appoints and exalts.

That is why I believe “true God from true God” requires biblical demonstration rather than merely creedal authority.


THEN COMES THE PRAYER TO MARY

Bible study infographic examining the Catholic Hail Mary prayer and comparing prayer to Mary with Scripture's teaching about God the Father and Jesus Christ as the one mediator.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining the Catholic Hail Mary prayer heard during the BBC service: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” It compares this practice with Scripture concerning prayer to the Father and Jesus Christ as the one mediator between God and mankind.

The BBC service raises another major biblical issue.
The Catholic Hail Mary concludes:

“HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,

PRAY FOR US SINNERS,

NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.”

This is much more than saying:

Mary was blessed.

Scripture itself says Mary was blessed.

Elizabeth said:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Luke 1:42

Mary herself said:

“For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.”

Luke 1:48

I therefore gladly call Mary:

BLESSED.

The disagreement is not about whether Mary should be respected.

It concerns directing religious petitions to Mary after her death.


CATHOLICS BELIEVE MARY CAN HEAR THEIR PETITIONS

Bible study infographic examining the Catholic belief that Mary can hear petitions and intercede for Christians, compared with biblical teaching about prayer to God through Jesus Christ.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining the Catholic belief that Mary and the saints are alive with God and can hear petitions and intercede for Christians on earth. It fairly acknowledges the Catholic distinction between invoking saints and worshipping the dead, while asking where Scripture instructs Christians to address Mary or departed saints. The study compares this practice with biblical teaching about prayer to God, Jesus Christ as mediator and intercessor, and the need to test religious traditions against Scripture. 

Catholic theology maintains that Mary and the saints are alive with God and can intercede for Christians on earth.

Therefore Catholics would object to my describing this simply as “worshipping the dead.”

That distinction should be acknowledged.

But it does not answer my biblical question:

WHERE DID JESUS TEACH HIS FOLLOWERS TO PRAY TO MARY?

Bible study infographic asking where Jesus, Peter, Paul or John taught Christians to pray to Mary or ask departed saints for intercession.

Bible study infographic asking where Jesus, Peter, Paul or John taught Christians to pray to Mary or ask departed saints for intercession.

Where did Peter invoke Mary after Christ's ascension?

Where did Paul tell Christians to ask Mary for heavenly intercession?

Where did John instruct the churches to direct petitions toward departed believers?

This is where I believe the practice encounters a serious biblical problem.


“THE DEAD DON'T PRAISE YAH”

Bible study infographic examining Psalm 115:17, “The dead don't praise Yah,” and whether Scripture supports praying to or invoking departed saints.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining Psalm 115:17: “The dead don't praise Yah, neither any who go down into silence.” It asks whether Scripture provides biblical support for invoking departed saints and shows how Psalm 115 directs God's people away from idols and toward trusting, praising and worshipping Yahweh. 

Psalm 115 says:

“The dead don't praise Yah, neither any who go down into silence.”

Psalm 115:17 — WEB

Whatever one's broader theology of the intermediate state, this verse certainly does not establish the Catholic practice of invoking departed saints.

Indeed, nothing in Psalm 115 tells God's people to communicate with them.

Instead the Psalm directs God's people toward Yahweh.


JESUS — NOT MARY — IS OUR ADVOCATE

Bible study infographic comparing Catholic invocation of Mary with Scripture identifying Jesus Christ as our Advocate, one Mediator and Intercessor.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining Catholic titles and petitions directed to Mary alongside Scripture's teaching about Jesus Christ. It compares Marian titles such as Advocate, Helper and Mediatrix with 1 John 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:34, which identify Jesus as our Advocate, the one Mediator and the one who intercedes for believers. Research by Simon Brown.

This is where I believe Catholic invocation of Mary becomes even more problematic.
Official Catholic teaching has historically applied titles to Mary including:

Advocate

Helper

Benefactress

and

Mediatrix.

Catholic theology insists these titles do not place Mary above Christ. It teaches that Mary's intercession is entirely subordinate to and dependent upon Jesus.

That distinction must be stated fairly.

Nevertheless, Scripture says:

“If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.”

1 John 2:1

Who is identified as our Advocate with the Father?

JESUS CHRIST.

Therefore my question is:

IF JESUS IS MY ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, WHY SHOULD I INVOKE MARY AS ANOTHER HEAVENLY ADVOCATE?

Bible study infographic asking why Christians should invoke Mary as another advocate when Jesus Christ is identified as our Advocate and the one Mediator in 1 Timothy 2:5.

A detailed Bible-study infographic asking why Christians should invoke Mary as another heavenly advocate when Scripture identifies Jesus Christ as our Advocate with the Father and the one Mediator between God and mankind. It examines 1 John 2:1, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25 and especially 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 

JESUS — NOT MARY — IS OUR MEDIATOR

Paul says:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 2:5

Not two mediators.

Scripture explicitly identifies:

ONE MEDIATOR.

And names him:

THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.

Catholics respond that Mary's intercessory role does not compete with Christ's unique mediation, just as Christians on earth can pray for one another.

But there remains an important difference:

The New Testament explicitly tells living Christians to pray for one another.

Where does it tell Christians on earth to address Mary or departed saints and request their intercession?

That is the evidence I believe is missing.


JESUS ALREADY INTERCEDES FOR US

Paul writes:

“It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Romans 8:34

Hebrews says:

“Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 7:25

Put these passages together:

OUR ADVOCATE — JESUS CHRIST.

1 John 2:1

OUR MEDIATOR — JESUS CHRIST.

1 Timothy 2:5

OUR INTERCESSOR — JESUS CHRIST.

Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25

Therefore I ask:

WHAT HEAVENLY FUNCTION IS MISSING THAT REQUIRES CHRISTIANS TO INVOKE MARY?

Jesus is not an inadequate mediator.

Jesus is not an inadequate advocate.

Jesus is not an inadequate intercessor.


DID JESUS TEACH US TO PRAY TO MARY?

When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he said:

“Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.’”

Matthew 6:9 — WEB

Jesus directed his followers toward:

THE FATHER.

Jesus himself prayed to his Father.

The apostles prayed to God.

I find no corresponding instruction from Jesus:

“When I am gone, pray also to my mother.”

That should matter enormously to Christians.


WHAT ABOUT STATUES AND RELIGIOUS IMAGES?

Bible study infographic examining statues and religious images alongside biblical warnings about idolatry in Exodus 20:4–5, Leviticus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 4:15–16.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining statues and sacred religious images in Christian devotion. It considers God's warnings concerning idols, carved images and bowing before them in Exodus 20:4–5, Leviticus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 4:15–16, and asks whether devotional practices involving images of Mary and the saints are consistent with these biblical commands. Research by Simon Brown.

The issue becomes still more serious when invocation of Mary and saints occurs in devotional settings involving statues and sacred images.
God commanded Israel:

“You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath... You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them.”

Exodus 20:4–5 — WEB

God also commanded:

“Don't turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Yahweh your God.”

Leviticus 19:4 — WEB

Moses reminded Israel that they saw no form when Yahweh spoke and warned:

“Watch yourselves very carefully... lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure.”

Deuteronomy 4:15–16 — WEB

These are extremely serious warnings.


PSALM 115 DESCRIBES MAN-MADE IDOLS

Bible study infographic examining Psalm 115:4–8, man-made idols, religious statues and the Catholic use of images of Mary in Christian devotion.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining Psalm 115:4–8 and its description of man-made idols of silver and gold that cannot speak, see or hear. It acknowledges the Catholic distinction that a statue of Mary is not regarded as Mary herself or as a god, while asking whether devotional use of religious statues is consistent with biblical warnings concerning idols and images. 

Psalm 115 says:

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they don't speak. They have eyes, but they don't see. They have ears, but they don't hear.”

Psalm 115:4–6

And concludes concerning them:

“Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them.”

Psalm 115:8

Catholics will answer that a statue of Mary is not regarded as Mary herself, nor is the material statue considered a god.

That is an important distinction.

But the biblical question remains:

DID JESUS OR HIS APOSTLES INTRODUCE STATUES OF MARY AND THE SAINTS AS OBJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRISTIAN DEVOTION?

I cannot find such a practice in apostolic Christianity.


THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS: FLEE FROM IDOLATRY

Bible study infographic highlighting Paul's command to “flee from idolatry” in 1 Corinthians 10:14 and John's warning to keep ourselves from idols in 1 John 5:21.

A detailed Bible-study infographic examining the New Testament's serious warnings against idolatry. Paul commands Christians to “flee from idolatry” in 1 Corinthians 10:14, while John warns, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” in 1 John 5:21. The image emphasizes the importance of testing religious practices against Scripture and reserving worship for God.

Paul tells Christians:

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

1 Corinthians 10:14

Not:

Get as close as possible while carefully defining the practice as something less than worship.

Paul says:

FLEE.

And John concludes his first letter:

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

1 John 5:21

These warnings deserve to be taken with the utmost seriousness.


DOES CATHOLICISM “WORSHIP” MARY?

We need to be precise here too.

Catholic doctrine explicitly denies that Mary receives the adoration owed to God.

Catholics distinguish between worship/adoration of God and veneration of saints, with a special degree of honour given to Mary.

Therefore I do not need to accuse Catholics of believing:

“Mary is God.”

They do not.

My criticism is different and, I believe, much stronger:

DOES SCRIPTURE AUTHORIZE THE RELIGIOUS INVOCATION OF MARY AT ALL?

Can Christians address petitions to her?

Can she hear millions of petitions?

Did Jesus establish her as a heavenly advocate?

Did the apostles call her Mediatrix?

Where is the apostolic example?

Those are the questions Catholic tradition must answer.


DOES THIS RISK PRESENTING “ANOTHER JESUS”?

Now the two major subjects of this investigation come together.

The service confesses Jesus as:

“TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD”

while also directing a petition toward Mary:

“PRAY FOR US SINNERS.”

I believe both practices must be tested against the apostolic proclamation.

Paul's warning was:

“Another Jesus, whom we didn't preach...”

2 Corinthians 11:4

I am not claiming that this verse explicitly names Catholicism. It does not.

Nor am I claiming that individual Catholics knowingly reject Jesus.

They confess Jesus Christ and sincerely believe they are following him.

My argument is about the doctrine, not people's hearts.

If later Christianity attaches an identity to Jesus that the apostles did not teach, or assigns additional heavenly advocates and mediators alongside the role Scripture explicitly gives Christ, then Paul's warning about “another Jesus” becomes an extremely serious reason to investigate.


THE BIBLICAL CHRIST MUST REMAIN THE BIBLICAL CHRIST

The Jesus proclaimed by the apostles is:

THE CHRIST.

Matthew 16:16

THE SON OF GOD.

John 20:31

THE ONE SENT BY THE ONLY TRUE GOD.

John 17:3

THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.

1 Timothy 2:5

THE ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY.

1 Timothy 2:5

OUR ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER.

1 John 2:1

THE ONE GOD RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

Acts 2:32

THE ONE GOD EXALTED.

Philippians 2:9

That is an extraordinary identity.

We do not need to diminish Jesus to reject the Trinity.

On the contrary, we should give Jesus every title, authority, honour and position Scripture gives him.

But neither should we add to his identity something simply because a later council or church tradition tells us to do so.


HOW SERIOUS IS THIS?

Extremely serious.

Because we are talking about:

WHO GOD IS.

WHO JESUS CHRIST IS.

WHO WE PRAY TO.

WHO OUR ADVOCATE IS.

WHO OUR MEDIATOR IS.

WHO INTERCEDES FOR US.

These are not peripheral matters.

Paul feared Christians accepting:

“ANOTHER JESUS.”

Jesus warned about:

“FALSE CHRISTS.”

John warned about denying:

“THE FATHER AND THE SON.”

Paul commanded:

“FLEE FROM IDOLATRY.”

John commanded:

“KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS.”

Therefore Christians should never respond:

“It doesn't matter what we believe as long as we believe in Jesus.”

The New Testament itself shows that what we believe about Jesus matters enormously.


THE QUESTION I ASK THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Bible study infographic asking the Catholic Church why Christians should invoke Mary and the saints when Scripture identifies Jesus Christ as our mediator and Advocate with the Father.

A detailed Bible-study infographic respectfully asking the Catholic Church why Christians should invoke Mary and the saints when Scripture identifies Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the Lord Messiah, the man Christ Jesus, the mediator between God and mankind, and our Advocate with the Father. It examines biblical passages including John 20:31, 1 Timothy 2:5 and 1 John 2:1 and asks whether Christian practice should follow the teaching of Jesus and his apostles. 

I therefore respectfully ask:
If Jesus and the apostles taught that Jesus is:

the Christ,

the Son of God,

the Lord Messiah,

the man Christ Jesus,

the mediator between God and mankind,

and our Advocate with the Father,

then:

WHY MUST JESUS ALSO BE CONFESSED AS “GOD FROM GOD, TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD”?

Bible study comparing Jesus Christ the Son of God with the one true God, the Father, using John 17:3, John 20:31 and 1 Corinthians 8:6.

A detailed Bible research infographic examining the identity of Jesus Christ through the words of Jesus, Peter, Paul and John. It compares the biblical titles Christ, Son of God, Lord, Mediator, Advocate and Intercessor with the later expression “God from God, True God from True God,” and asks where Scripture teaches that confession.

Show me where Jesus teaches that identity.

Show me where Peter preaches it.

Show me where Paul defines the one God as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Show me where John says his Gospel was written so that we would believe Jesus is God from God.

And if Jesus is already our Advocate, Mediator and Intercessor:

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS INVOKE MARY AS ADVOCATE OR MEDIATRIX?

Show me where Jesus commands it.

Show me where the apostles practise it.

Show me where the first Christians are instructed to pray to Mary.

These are biblical questions.

They deserve biblical answers.


CONCLUSION — TEST EVERYTHING AGAINST SCRIPTURE

I respect Mary.

Scripture calls her blessed, and so do I.

But the biblical Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

Luke 1:46–47

Mary pointed toward God her Savior.

And Scripture points Christians toward Jesus Christ as their mediator and advocate.

Therefore I believe Christians should honour Mary exactly as Scripture honours her — without assigning her additional heavenly functions for which I can find no apostolic command.

Likewise, I believe Jesus should be confessed exactly according to the identity revealed by Scripture.

Peter confessed:

“YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.”

Matthew 16:16

John wrote:

“JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD.”

John 20:31

Jesus prayed to his Father:

“YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD.”

John 17:3

Paul declared:

“ONE GOD, THE FATHER.”

1 Corinthians 8:6

And Paul declared:

“ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN,

THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.”

1 Timothy 2:5

For me, these declarations must remain the foundation.

No church council, creed, tradition, pope, priest, pastor — or even my own interpretation — should be permitted to override what Scripture actually says.

The issue is too serious.

If Paul warned us about another Jesus, then we must make certain we have the Jesus the apostles preached.

If God commands us to flee from idolatry, we should not dismiss questions about religious invocation and images as unimportant.

And if God has already given us His Son as our Mediator, Advocate and Intercessor, then I believe we should go through Jesus Christ directly to:

HIS GOD AND FATHER.

ONE GOD.

ONE MEDIATOR.

JESUS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD.

Research by Simon Brown

wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, 8 August 2023

Is the "Helper" in John 14:16 the Third Person of the Trinity?


Infographic examining John 14:16 and the identity of the Helper, comparing the Greek text, biblical context, and traditional Trinitarian interpretation.

Who is the "Helper" promised in John 14:16? This study examines the original Greek language, compares Scripture with Scripture, and investigates whether Jesus was speaking about the Holy Spirit as a separate person or about His own continuing presence with His followers.

Is the "Helper" in John 14:16 the Third Person of the Trinity?

The "Helper" in John 14:16

One of the most frequently quoted passages used in support of the doctrine of the Trinity is John 14:16-18. Trinitarian theology teaches that the "Helper" (or "Comforter," "Advocate," or "Counselor," depending on the translation) is the third, separate person of the Trinity—the Holy Spirit.

But is that really what Jesus meant?

Rather than relying on tradition, church creeds, or theological assumptions, let us carefully examine the Scriptures and allow the Bible to interpret itself.

John 14:16-18

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you."
(John 14:16-18, Berean Literal Bible)

According to traditional Trinitarian teaching, the "Helper" is the third person of the Trinity, distinct from both the Father and the Son.

For example, Matthew Poole's Commentary states:

"Another signifies the personal distinction of the Third from the First and Second Person in the blessed Trinity."

This interpretation assumes that Jesus is introducing an entirely separate divine person.

But does the text itself say that?

Let's investigate.


Who is the "Helper"?

Jesus said,

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper..."

The obvious question is:

Who is this Helper?

The Greek word translated Helper, Comforter, Counselor, or Advocate is:

Παράκλητον (Paraklēton)

Instead of assuming its meaning, let's see where else this exact Greek word appears.


1 John 2:1 Gives Us the Answer

John uses the identical Greek word only one other time.

"My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One."
(1 John 2:1)

Notice carefully.

The word translated Advocate here is exactly the same Greek word:

Παράκλητον (Paraklēton)

The identical word translated Helper in John 14:16 is translated Advocate in 1 John 2:1.

And who is this Advocate?

Jesus Christ Himself.

This immediately raises an important question:

Could Jesus be speaking about His own continuing presence with His disciples after His resurrection and exaltation?


"That He May Be With You Forever"

Jesus continues:

"...that He may be with you forever."
(John 14:16)

Who would remain with believers until the end of the age?

Later, after His resurrection, Jesus declared:

"And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age."
(Matthew 28:20)

Notice the similarity.

John 14 says the Helper will remain with believers forever.

Matthew 28 records Jesus saying:

"I am with you always."

Could Jesus be explaining that His presence would continue with His followers after His ascension?


The Spirit of Truth

John 14:17 continues:

"The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him."

Who was it that the world failed to know?

John had already answered that earlier in his Gospel.

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him."
(John 1:10-11)

The world neither knew nor received Jesus.

This closely parallels the description of the Spirit of truth in John 14:17.


"You Know Him"

Jesus then tells His disciples:

"But you know Him, because He remains with you..."
(John 14:17)

Who was already living among them?

Jesus Himself.

The disciples had spent years walking beside Him.

He literally abided with them.


"...And He Will Be In You"

Jesus continues:

"...and He will be in you."

Just a few verses later Jesus explains exactly what He means.

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
(John 14:23)

Notice something remarkable.

Jesus does not say only the Holy Spirit will dwell within believers.

Instead He says:

"We will come to him."

Both the Father and the Son make their dwelling with believers.


"I Will Not Leave You as Orphans"

Perhaps the clearest statement comes immediately afterward.

Jesus says:

"I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you."
(John 14:18)

Jesus does not say,

"The third person of the Trinity is coming to you."

Instead He says plainly:

"I am coming to you."

The following verse continues:

"In a little while the world will see Me no longer, but you will see Me."
(John 14:19)

The focus throughout this passage remains on Christ and His continuing relationship with His disciples.


A Summary of the Evidence

Several observations emerge from comparing these passages:

1. The Greek word Παράκλητον (Paraklēton)

The word translated Helper in John 14:16 is exactly the same Greek word translated Advocate in 1 John 2:1, where it unquestionably refers to Jesus Christ.

2. The Helper remains with believers forever.

Jesus later promises:

"I am with you always, to the end of the age."
(Matthew 28:20)

3. The world did not know Him.

John 14:17 describes the Spirit of truth as One whom the world neither knows nor receives.

John 1:10-11 says precisely the same about Jesus.

4. He already abides with the disciples.

Jesus says,

"You know Him, because He remains with you."

At that moment, Jesus Himself was physically with them.

5. Jesus says He is coming.

John 14:18 leaves little ambiguity:

"I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you."


Romans 8 Helps Explain This

Paul writes:

"You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ."
(Romans 8:9)

Notice how Paul speaks interchangeably of:

  • the Spirit of God

  • the Spirit of Christ

The emphasis is not on introducing a third separate divine being, but on God's own presence working in believers through His Son.


Conclusion

Many Christians understand John 14:16 as referring to a third, separate person of the Trinity because that is how the passage has traditionally been interpreted.

However, when Scripture is compared with Scripture, another interpretation emerges.

The same Greek word Paraklēton identifies Jesus Himself as the Advocate in 1 John 2:1.

Jesus promises that He will be with His followers until the end of the age.

He tells the disciples He is coming to them.

He says both He and the Father will make their home with believers.

For these reasons, many conclude that the "Helper" in John 14 is describing Christ's continuing presence with His people through the Spirit, rather than introducing a third separate divine person.

As always, every reader should examine the Scriptures carefully and prayerfully.

"Now these were more noble-minded... for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true."
(Acts 17:11)

May God's Word be our final authority.


The "Helper" In John 14:16

John 14:16.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you 👉 another Helper, 👈 that He may be with you to the age— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him nor know. But you know Him, for He abides with you and He will be in you.

18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.

The Trinity.

According to the Trinity faith, they say, teach and believe The "Helper" In John 14:16 is the THIRD and a separate person of the TRINITY

Lets be sure with what the Trinitarians say, believe and teach by going to Matthew Poole's Commentary.

This verse containeth a new argument by which our Saviour relieveth his disciples under their affliction for the want of his bodily presence; that is, the mission of the Holy Spirit,

another Comforter, as our translation reads it. For this he saith that he will pray the Father; not that himself had no concern in the mission of the blessed Spirit; for himself telleth us, John 16:7, that he would send him; only for the attestation,

1. Of his human nature;

2. Of himself, as our Mediator; and:

3. Of his Father’s concern, as well as his own, in sending the Holy Spirit; he here saith, I will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter.

That term

another, signifieth the personal distinction of the Third from the First and Second Person in the blessed Trinity. And the name here given to the blessed Spirit, Paraklhton, (which we too narrowly translate comforter), is a term exceedingly proper to signify all the operations of the blessed Spirit in and upon the souls of his people. The same word, 1Jo 2:1, where it is applied to Christ, (as here it is to the Spirit), is there much better translated Advocate; and it is most probable that our translators here translate it.

The Trinity.

Is the Trinity faith correct?

Is The "Helper" In John 14:16 The THIRD and separate person of the TRINITY?

Lets have a look, at the word of God.

Jesus said: And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another 👉Helper,👈 that He may be with you to the age. 

John 14:6

The question is: 

And who will be another Helper?

Was Jesus talking about Himself, as being the HELPER?

Is the answer in 1 John 2:1?

Lets have a look.

1 John 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you might not sin. And if anyone should sin, we have an👉 advocate 👈with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

1 John 2:1

Did you see that: we have an "advocate" with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

Could the "Helper" in John 14:16 be the same ''advocate'' in 1 John 2:1?

Helper John 14:6, advocate 1 John 2:1.

Lets now have a look at the Greek word for  "advocate"  in 1 John 2:1, and see what we discover.

Helper, advocate.

As we see, the Greek word John 14:16 for "HELPER" is Παράκλητον.

Let us now have a look at the Greek word in 1 John 2:1, saying *advocate* and see what we discover!

1 John 2:1 advocate.

As we have seen. 

The Greek word for *advocate* in 1 John 2:1, is Παράκλητον, which is the IDENTICAL Greek word for HELPER in John 14:16 also saying Παράκλητον.

Lets now move forward to the next part in John 14:16, saying: that He may be with you to the age.

John 14:16,

Who could Jesus be referring to by saying: 
that He may be with you to the age?

Is the answer in Matthew 28:20?

teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And behold, I am with you all the days, until the completion of the "age."

Matthew 28:20

Did you see that? 

John 14:16 says:  that He (Jesus) may be with you to the age.

And in Matthew 28:20, we also read Jesus saying: And behold, I am with you all the days, until the completion of the "age."

Let's now continue to move forward to verse John 14:17 saying: the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him nor know.

John 14:17

Who could John 14:17 be referring to saying: the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him nor know.

Is the answer in John 1:10?

Lets have a look:

9 The true Light who enlightens every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to the own, and the own did not receive Him.

John 1:10

Did you see that?

and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to the own, and the own did not receive Him.

John 1:10 is telling us the same thing we read in John 14:17 saying: the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him nor know.

Lets again move forward to the next part in verse John 14:17 saying: But you know Him, for He abides with you and He will be in you.

Who could Jesus be referring to saying: But you know Him, for He abides with you?

Well, I think we can all agree Jesus is referring to Himself, and the disciples: He abides with you, Jesus.

We continue, John 14:17 and He will be in you.

WHO is Jesus referring to by saying: and He will be in you?

Lets turn to John 14:23:

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and will make a home with him.

John 14:23

Did you see that?

and we will come to him and will make a home with him.

But there is more in the very next verse of John 14:18 saying:  I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you 

John 14:18

Who is Jesus now talking about?

The answer is in the very next verse of John 14:19 saying: Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more, but you see Me. Because I live, you also will live.

John 14:19

Lets recap on what we have seen and read.

1. The Greek word Παράκλητον, for HELPER in John 14:16, is the IDENTICAL Greek word in 1 John 2:1 also saying Παράκλητον for  *advocate*, which we know applies to Jesus.

2. In John 14:16, Jesus told us how the Helper, would be: with you to the age.

Agreeing with the same person in Matthew 28:20 being Jesus saying:  I am with you all the days, until the completion of the "age."

3. The Spirit of truth, in John 14:17 whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him nor know, agrees with what we read in John 1:10, telling us how: the world did not know Him (Jesus). 11 He came to the own, and the own did not receive Him, we also know is Jesus.

4.  In John 14:17 saying: But you know Him, for He abides with you and He will be in you.

Agree with  John 14:23: Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and will make a home with him.

Conclusion.

As we have seen in the Biblical facts, how The "Helper" In John 14:16 seems to NOT be a THIRD separate person of the TRINITY!

But the "Helper" is the *advocate*, which seems to be applied to Jesus.

However, you decide.

Romans 8:9 Berean Literal Bible

Now you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you; but if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not of Him.