Volume 1, Issue 38
16 Apr 2016
 In the Bible, the beast theme is oft-repeated and most enlightening. To properly understand it, we must begin with a proper understanding of the doctrine of deification.
The doctrine of deification, which is generally know today as the doctrines of sanctification and glorification, was taught by the Church Fathers—the early theologians and writers of Christianity—as well as by other prominent Christians down through church history, such as John and Charles Wesley.
This doctrine should not be confused with heresies like:
- PANTHEISM’S — “All is god and god is all.”
- HINDUISM’S — “Atman is Brahman” or the divine spark within us all.
- MORMONISM’S — Polytheistic fable: “What God was, we are. What God is, we will become.”
- THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT’S — Belief in humanity’s eventual evolution into divinity (godhood).
- THE POSITIVE CONFESSION MOVEMENT’S — Claim that we are “little gods” with creative power in the sheer force of our thoughts or words.
Instead, the doctrine of deification should be understood as the return of man to the full realization of his created state in “the image of God” through the redemptive work of Christ. In other words, it is the teaching that we Christians are destined to be godlike in our glorified state. Although we will never be gods, we will be godlike.
The Bible teaches that we are “sons” and “children of God.” Yet, it also teaches that we are “adopted” into God’s family, Christ being God’s “only begotten Son” (John 1:12; 1 John 1:3; Galatians 4:5-7; John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). Thus, it is only Christ who is divine. Still, to be God’s children, we must be godlike, which explains the necessity of the second birth and the new creation.
Since God is a Spirit, we must be spiritually born into His family.
- “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:3-7)
- “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”(John 1:12-13)
To be a member of God’s forever family, we mortals have to be recreated as immortals. This new creation is what the Apostle Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 2:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
- We are recreated to share in Christ’s likeness (1 John 3:1-2).
- We are recreated to share in Christ’s nature (2 Peter 1:4).
- We are recreated to share in Christ’s inheritance (Romans 8:17).
- We are recreated to share in Christ’s reign (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; 20:6).
- We are recreated to share in Christ’s glory (2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:14).
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Don Walton
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