4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.  

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

The Spirit-Elohim was also "God"; nevertheless they are created. They are formed and made out of and by that which is uncreated. They are Spirit-Forms, the substance of which (spirit) is eternal; while the forms are from a beginning. Each one is a God in the sense of partaking of THE DIVINE NATURE, and being therefore a Son of God.

Now, if we understand this, we shall be able to discern the force and beauty of the expression Yahweh-Elohim, which occurs so frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yahweh is the name of Uncreated Power, Elohim, the organizations of that Power after its image and likeness, whether they belong to the sun, moon, and stars of the universe, or to Israel. Hence also the beauty and the fulness of the phrase, "I am He the Mighty Ones, that formed the earth and made it -- I Yahweh and none without" -- ani-hu ha-elohim; ani Yahweh.

If we comprehend this multiplication and manifestation of Divine Unity, many obscure passages in the English version of Moses and the prophets are easy to be understood; and the mind is prepared to understand the otherwise abstruse teaching of Jesus and the apostles concerning "God."

And I would here remark that in making a new translation of the Scriptures into English, the original words, misrepresented in the common version by the Anglo-Saxon words Lord and God, or in combination Lord God, should be left untranslated, but printed in small capitals and italics; and at the beginning of the book a literal definition of the words be given, without regard to "theology," or "plurals of majesty or excellence."

The English reader might then be able to perceive how no man has seen God at any time; and yet that Jacob had a personal encounter and wrestle with God; and that Moses talked with Him face to face.

When then we read

"And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness,"

we find Moses teaching the contemporary existence of a plurality of Gods before the creation of man but we do not therefore find him teaching a plurality of Eternities in One Eternity, or Three Gods in one Godhead.

This is the notion, not of Moses and the prophets, who positively declare the contrary, but the crotchet of the Old Man of the Flesh, who, professing to be wise, became a fool,

 "and changed the truth concerning God into a lie."

Paul and Moses agree in this, as we have shown before, saying: "There be that are called Gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there be Gods many and Lords many." There is, consequently, no room for dispute on this point. Paul affirms the plurality of Gods, and Moses shows that they existed before the creation of man.

Phanerosis - The Memorial Name

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

"Out of Deity, all things have proceeded: His free, radiant Spirit is the substratum of every existing thing, from the star of the first magnitude to the smallest insect of the air."

Eureka 1.2.

In the Father

We are "in the Father" in the sense that

"in Him we live and move and have our being."

Those who have believed and obeyed the truth are in Him in another sense. In Christ, they are incorporated in his present arrangements and future purposes. But it is reserved for those who experience the change from the earthy to the spiritual nature at the resurrection to know what it is to be in Him in the highest sense; assimilated to the Spirit, they will be one with the Father and the Son, in a sympathy and communion, whose delights are unknown to the flesh.

The Christadelphian, May 1874

"This is life eternal, to know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (Jn. 17:3).

This is the most solemn and exalted, and should be the most joyful and inspiring, consideration possible to man. Certainly it is the most important and fundamental.

As to the evidence of the Divine Existence, the inspired Paul said-

"The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,* so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE"

(Rom. 1:20).

God plainly says that He has given ample evidence of His existence and infinite power, and that men are therefore without excuse in not perceiving it in all things around them. This is CONCLUSIVE, and every wise man will agree heartily. He says again through David-

"The FOOL hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psa. 14:1).

Again-

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psa. 19:1).

More specifically, He says of the Jewish nation-

"Ye are my witnesses, that I am God" (Isa. 43:12).

No one who intelligently considers the 3,500-year history of the Jewish people, right down to this very day, in connection with all the Biblical statements and prophecies concerning them, could fail to perceive their positive evidence, not only of God's existence, but of His infinite power and foreknowledge. Furthermore, His dealings with them reveal a tremendous amount about His character and purpose. Practically the entire Bible is about the Jews, and what God has done, is doing, and will do, with and through them. His whole purpose centers in them.

As a result of the absurd and godless superstition of Evolution, modern man has repudiated the idea of sin and morality, and has in effect adopted the animal philosophy of "Might is right," and "Survival of the fittest." This cold, dead outlook is essential to a consistent and logical acceptance of the Evolution superstition, based on blind force and blind chance. It has brutalized man, mocking all the finer, spiritual principles and characteristics as folly and weakness in a jungle world.

In casting away the Bible, and the rigid restrictions of God's law of holiness and purity on conduct and morals, man thinks he has cast away his chains; but in reality he has cast away his compass, and all the real values and meanings and beauties and joys of his life.

Bro Growcott - Yahweh Elohim

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Lest I make my brother to offend

There are many powerful arguments against worldly things, habits, and activities, but none more powerful than Paul's beautiful declaration

Truly such a body of people is an "epistle of Christ written by the Spirit of the living God"—a peculiar people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, created and ordained of God for the purpose of good works to the honor and glory of His Name.

Nothing is sadder than when—with all the external necessities prepared and supplied—all the "doctrine"—all the ecclesial framework and organization—this divine ideal fails to materialize in its spiritual beauty because the veil of the flesh interposes, and there is coldness and darkness and pettiness and smallness where the marvellous light of God's glory should be flooding and permeating all.

Bro Growcott - 4.35