A slave of Christ (YHWH)

[Fred]

In the Old Testament a slave/servant (doulos) of the Lord is a worshiper of the Lord (YHWH).

In 2 Kings 10 Jehu juxtaposes the slaves/worshipers of the Lord (YHWH) with those who are slaves/worshipers of Baal.
The Greek words in parenthesis are from the LXX.

2 Kings 10:19-23
(19) Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants (doulous), and all his priests. None must be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” However, Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants (doulous) of Baal.
(20) Jehu commanded, “Consecrate a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they called one.
(21) Then Jehu sent messengers throughout all Israel, and all the servants (douloi) of Baal came; there was not a man left who did not come. They entered the temple of Baal, and it was filled from one end to the other.
(22) Then he said to the custodian of the wardrobe, “Bring out the garments for all the servants (doulois) of Baal.” So he brought out their garments.
(23) Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants (doulois) of Baal, “Look carefully to see that there are no servants (doulōn) of the Lord here among you—only servants (douloi) of Baal.”

It is interesting that in the New Testament Christians are slaves of the Lord Jesus. This demonstrates they worship Him as being YHWH. Notice this used in equality with that of the Father (God).
James 1:1
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:6-7
(6) Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.
(7) Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men.
1. Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: of the true worshippers of Christ (who is kyrios pantōn, Acts 10:36) Ephesians 6:6 (doulos, page 158).
2. BDAG (3rd Edition): Ephesians 6:7 through wordplay Jesus Christ, as κύριος, is here viewed as the ultimate recipient of the slave's service (douleuō, page 259).
3. Murray Harris: The very existence of the phrase 'slave of Christ' alongside 'slave of God' in New Testament usage testifies to the early Christian belief in Christ's deity. Knowing the expression 'slave of the Lord' from the Septuagint, several New Testament writers - John, Peter, Paul, James and Jude - quietly substitute 'Christ' for 'the Lord', a substitution that would have been unthinkable for a Jew unless Christ was seen as having parity of status with Yahweh (Slave of Christ: A New Testament Metaphor for Total Devotion to Christ, page 134).

Romans 16:18
for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.
Philippians 3:18-19
(18) For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
(19) Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things.
Instead of their God being the Lord Christ to whom they are to serve (worship), their god was their stomach to whom they served (worshiped).
1. Robert H. Mounce: Their god, the supreme object of their concern, was the belly. (Wycliffe Bible Commentary, page 1329)

Romans 12:11
Do not lack diligence; be fervent (zeontes) in spirit; serve the Lord (tō kyriō douleuontes).
1 Kings 19:10
He replied, “I have been very zealous (zēlōn ezēlōka) for the LORD God of Hosts (tō kyriō pantokratori), but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”

To be fervent (zeontes) in one's spirit in serving (worshiping) the Lord Jesus in Romans 12:11 corresponds to Elijah being zealous in his worship of the Lord God Almighty (cf. 1 Kings 18:36).

 

[Josheb]

Lots of good stuff in that op but I'm not following how it relates to the Trinity. Can you clarify that for me?


I'll add this: It's important to understand doulos in its cultural context because one form of doulos in among the Romans was a sex slave. That's not what the OT and NT are about. In post-Egypt Israel slavery as we knew it in 19th century America (the outright ownership of another human) or the Hebrews knew in Egypt was prohibited by God. They are reminded of their enslavement throughout Deuteronomy and many of God's commands (like the sabbath rest, the forgiveness of debt cycle, and care of slaves) are predicated on that remembrance. The Jews were prohibited from owning Jews. So when we read about slaves in the Bible it usually references the bondservant, someone who is working off a debt they cannot repay. That, in turn, is messianic because there is someone who paid the debt we could not pay.

Hope that's helpful.

Now, if you're amenable, clarify for me how this op is related to the Trinity? Thx

 

[Fred]

Lots of good stuff in that op but I'm not following how it relates to the Trinity. Can you clarify that for me?

It demonstrates the Lord Jesus is God.

 

[Josheb]

It demonstrates the Lord Jesus is God.

You might want to include that in the op next time .

 

[Fred]

You might want to include that in the op next time .

From the OP:
It is interesting that in the New Testament Christians are slaves of the Lord Jesus. This demonstrates they worship Him as being YHWH. Notice this used in equality with that of the Father (God).

 

[Josheb]

From the OP:
It is interesting that in the New Testament Christians are slaves of the Lord Jesus. This demonstrates they worship Him as being YHWH. Notice this used in equality with that of the Father (God).

I saw that.

If you've debated the matter with non-Trins then you probably know many see that as support for modalism, not the Trinity. Many non-trins read Phil. 2:6 MUCH differently than Trins. You probably also know bluntness is required because similar language is used but often with entirely different meaning.

Just saying.

 

[Fred]

I saw that.

If you've debated the matter with non-Trins then you probably know many see that as support for modalism, not the Trinity. Many non-trins read Phil. 2:6 MUCH differently than Trins. You probably also know bluntness is required because similar language is used but often with entirely different meaning.

Just saying.

Yes, true.

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings Fred,

In the Old Testament a slave/servant (doulos) of the Lord is a worshiper of the Lord (YHWH).

It demonstrates the Lord Jesus is God.

Jesus is our Lord, Ruler, Master. We are servants of both the One God, Yahweh, God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was the Servant of Yahweh and is the Beloved Son of Yahweh. Psalm 110:1 clearly distinguish between Yahweh and David and our Lord. I suggest that your claim is a faulty syllogism. Possibly this is evidence of how shallow is the theory of the Trinity and lack of Scriptural support.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[Fred]

Jesus is our Lord

Which demonstrates He is YHWH.

https://christcentered.community.forum/threads/the-name-of-the-holy-spirit.467/page-2#post-30351

 

[Fred]

lack of Scriptural support.

Your claim of my lack of Scriptural support just crashed and burned.

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again Fred,

Your claim of my lack of Scriptural support just crashed and burned.

Late Saturday night here. I am not interested in discussing the Trinity at length now. Psalm 110:1 is a very clear picture of the status of Jesus. Also consider Revelation 3:20-21. Signing off until Monday as I am very busy Sunday. I am involved in a slow "Trinity" thread, "Yahweh ...".

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[Fred]

Psalm 110:1 is a very clear picture of the status of Jesus.

This proves the Lord Jesus is God.

Psalm 110:1
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Daniel 7:13-14
(13) I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like a Son of Man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him.
(14) And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.


The Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of pelach in Daniel 7:14. One of the ways of offering pelach is by prayer (Daniel 6:10, 16).
This demonstrates the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of prayer.

According to Jesus in Luke 4:8 God alone is the proper recipient of latreuō. As with the above, one of the ways of rendering latreuō is by prayer (Luke 2:37). Since the Lord Jesus is the proper recipient of prayer proves He is the proper recipient of latreuō. This demonstrates He is God.

Remember, Luke 4:8 is a quotation from Deuteronomy 6:13 in what it teaches about the ONE YHWH of Deuteronomy 6:4. One cannot biblically affirm Jesus is the proper recipient of prayer, but deny He is YHWH.

Also consider Revelation 3:20-21.

Jesus isn't the Father. I have no problem with that.

You should consider Revelation 3:19 for a believer is to understand Jesus in the same way he/she understands YHWH.

1. What the Old and New Testaments affirm about God:
Hebrews 12:5-6 (cf. Proverbs 3:11-12)
(5) My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
(6) For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.

2. Is affirmed in reference to the Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Revelation 3:19
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

3. Which demonstrates that the Lord Jesus is the Almighty.
Job 5:17
Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.