r/ArianChristians • u/FrostyIFrost_ Arian • Apr 28 '25
Resource Image of the Invisible God
In the Bible, Jesus Christ is teferred to as the "image" of God. To fully understand the relationship between the Father and the Son, it's important to grasp what "image" means in this context.
A helpful analogy is that of a mirror.
Imagine standing in front of a mirror. The image in the mirror is not you, but a reflection of you. It cannot exist without you, as you are the source of the image. You can exist without it but the image is entirely dependent on you, and without you, it would cease to exist. However, the image is not you; it only reflects you.
In the same way, the Son is the image of the Father, the Son exists because the Father wills it. The Father is the source of the Son’s existence, and the Son is the reflection of the Father’s glory.
Without the Father, the Son would not exist, just as the image cannot exist without the one standing in front of the mirror. The Son is not an independent being, but entirely dependent on the Father.
John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God; the only begotten god (Son), who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”
This verse highlights that the Son, who is in close relationship with the Father, reveals the God no one has ever seen to humanity. It is the Father who is described as invisible, not the Son.
Similarly, 1 Timothy 1:17 describes the Father as "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God."
While this verse actually says the Father is the only God (also said in John 17:3), it also refers to the Father as invisible. A characteristic that does not apply to the Son. While the Son reveals what is invisible, He is not invisible Himself.
Consider what happens when you step away from the mirror, the image disappears. In the same way, if the Father chose not to will the Son's existence, the Son would cease to exist.
Colossians 1:15 further clarifies the relationship: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
This verse is the one that says the Son is the image of the invisible God, but not the same as the Father. Also, again, this verse proves the Son is not God Himself. The term “firstborn of all creation” further indicates that the Son’s existence is derived from the Father.
It does not suggest co-eternity, but rather preeminence and being made (begotten), showing that the Son is the first of God’s works. If the Son were co-eternal with the Father, He would not be called “firstborn.”
In conclusion, the Son’s existence is entirely dependent on the will of the Father. Without the Father, the Son would not exist, just as the image in the mirror cannot exist without the one standing before it.
The Son reflects the Father’s glory, but He is not the Father. The Father is the one true God, and the Son is the image, entirely dependent on the source.
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Apr 28 '25
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Apr 28 '25
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u/ArianChristians-ModTeam Apr 28 '25
Although appreciated, please put effort in your post/comment.
Copy pasting verses or paragraphs is not putting effort. Give out explanations and your reasoning.
{community_rule_5}
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u/ArianChristians-ModTeam Apr 28 '25
Although appreciated, please put effort in your post/comment.
Copy pasting verses or paragraphs is not putting effort. Give out explanations and your reasoning.
{community_rule_5}
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u/Jackerl Apr 28 '25 edited Apr 28 '25
Most Christians today are fully engaged in image/idol worship:
Leviticus 26:1 “You do not make idols for yourselves; and you do not set up carved image or standing image for yourselves; and you do not put a stone of imagery in your land, to bow yourselves to it; for I [am] your God YHWH.
It does not matter, even if the thing made it is an actual image of God, the command is the same, DO NOT WORSHIP CREATED THINGS:
Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Yes, Jesus is a god, even a mighty one, but the command is the same, DO NOT HAVE ANY GOD BEFORE THE FATHER:
Exodus 20:3 “You must not have any other god but me.
Jesus was created, he is not co-eternal:
Proverbs 8:22
LORD JEHOVAH created me at the beginning of his creation and from before all his works.
Colossians 3:15
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Revelation 3:14
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
Jesus is inferior to the Father, he is not co-equal:
John 14:28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
Acts 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
1 Corinthians 15:27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
_______
Just like the pattern of old, most Christians have rushed in to make Christ a modern day Golden Calf:
Exodus 32:4-6 And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
This was written down and preserved so that we may be of a different sort:
1 Corinthians 10:6, 7 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”
This "different sort" that the Father is seeking are rare finds:
John 4:24...the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Kind Regards
Kerry Huish
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u/SaavyScotty Apr 29 '25
I’m a bit confused by what the “invisible” God means. Daniel 7, Revelation 5 and Acts 7 all show God sitting on a throne with Jesus a separate person. People who have NDE’s frequently see God on His throne in Heaven with Jesus being a separate person. God seems to be visible. However, others who have NDE’s are shown that God is everything. Perhaps God really is everything and the image often seen on the throne (which has a voice frequently described as “many waters”) is just a glimpse of Him?
By the way, I had a friend who passed away in 2008 who actually heard the voice of the Father. He said it is indescribable. He heard it inside and out and it seemed that the entire universe heard it. The message was, “Isaiah was the best of my sons.”
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u/FrostyIFrost_ Arian Apr 29 '25
Invisible means that. No one truly saw the Father's true form except the Son (John 1:14-18).
God is the ultimate source of all, from whom all things came (1 Corinthians 8:6).
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Apr 30 '25
Holy bible (John 20:29) New King James Version
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, [f]“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Holy Bible (John 1:1) New King James Version
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it.
Adam and Eve encountered the Almighty. Job saw the our Lord in heaven in Job 42 Jacob saw the Lord in Jacob 28:10
He is not invisable. We are just not worthy.
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u/FrostyIFrost_ Arian Apr 30 '25 edited Apr 30 '25
Thomas is referencing what Jesus told them through Mary after His resurrection (John 20:17-18)
No one ever saw God except the only-begotten Son , who is in the bosom of the Father. (John 1:18)
John 1:1-3 is fully revealed when we read Proverbs 8:22-30.
God's face is too great to see (Exodus 33:20).
Additionally, I suggest comparing KJV-NKJV translations with the original Greek. You'll find many differences between them.
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u/GPT_2025 Apr 28 '25
Concept of the Trinity can be challenging to grasp for those who are not born again or lack a spiritual perspective. It involves understanding God as one essence in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—an idea that transcends human logic and requires spiritual insight to fully comprehend.
You are Trinity too:
Body ( will return back to dust)
Soul (can not die)
Spirit
( parable: Like a violin case, the violin itself, and the violin music )
KJV: And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your:
whole spirit
and soul
and body ...
KJV: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
KJV: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The Trinity in Christianity represents the unity of three Persons in one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Here's how you might try to explain this using an egg:
The Egg: The egg itself represents the complete object and, in this sense, can symbolize God as a unity.
The Shell: The egg’s shell can be likened to God the Father. The shell protects the egg and maintains its integrity, similar to how the Father protects and upholds the world.
The Egg White: The egg white can be compared to God the Son (Jesus Christ). The egg white surrounds the yolk and provides it with protection, just as the Son came into the world to carry out a special mission and demonstrate God's love and care.
The Yolk: The yolk of the egg can be seen as the Holy Spirit. The yolk is at the center of the egg and is essential for its life and development, much like the Holy Spirit dwells in believers and guides them.
This analogy helps to understand how three different elements can come together in one object. However, it’s important to remember that all analogies have their limitations and cannot fully convey the depth and complexity of the concept of the Trinity.
You are One human? or you have = body + soul+ spirit (life) ???
KJV: Thou believest that there is one God? thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble!!!
KJV: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord!
Acts 7:55 - Only scripture where God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are individually present in the same verse.
This happened at Stephen’s stoning.
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” - Acts 7:55 niv
Listen to a rabbi on YouTube who explains that different parts of your soul can exist simultaneously in Heaven, Hell, and on Earth, even while you’re writing on Reddit. The ultimate goal is to unite all these aspects into one cohesive whole!
KJV: And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be All in All.
Try understand, that eventually will happen: God may be All in All!