we confess that the Father and the man Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost
are one Being. Our answer is, that we confess, that there is one
Father, and one Son, and one Holy Ghost, and that with these words,
namely, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the only and Almighty God was
expressed by Christ himself, Matt. 28:19. This then is our belief,
namely, that we confess, that when the Father was, there was also the
Son; for the Father never was without the Son. For as the Scriptures
testify of the Father, that he is eternal, and that all things are
through him; so they also testify of the Son, that his goings forth
are from the beginning, from the days of eternity; and all things were
created by him. Mic. 5:1; Col. 1:16; Jn. 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2.
Likewise, also through the Holy Spirit; for all things were made by
him, who has one will and work with the Father and the Son, as may well
be understood from these words where the Scriptures testify that the
Holy Ghost says: Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I
have called them. 2 Esd. 16:62; Psalm 33:6; Acts 13:2. See, my friends,
here the Holy Ghost says that he calls them to this work; now Paul
says, that Jesus Christ has called and sent him. Acts 26:16. And in the
epistle to the Galatians we read, that God called him, and separated
him from his mother’s womb, to reveal his Son by him. Galatians
1:15,16. From these words the unity can clearly be understood. And
there are still other passages which testify concerning the Holy Ghost,
that he appoints the ministers or bishops in the church of God, which
he has purchased with his own blood, and that he also dispenses the
gifts. Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:11.
From these words it is easy to understand the unity and operation of
the Holy Ghost, which he has with the Father and the Son, so that
he cannot be excluded from the unity. Nor can the Son: for he says:
I and the Father are one, John 10:30; which unity and Son of God he
is according to the person as well as according to the Spirit; for
he is frequently, according to his humanity called the Son of God,
as you may read where the centurion said: “Truly this is the Son of
God.” Matt. 27:54. And Paul says, that we are reconciled to God by the
death of his Son. Rom. 5:10. Again, that God did not spare his Son,
8:32. And John says, that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses
us from all sin. 1 John 1:7; 4:10. And Luke says: That which shall
be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35. And to
the Galatians: that God sent forth his Son, who was born of a woman.
Gal. 4:4. Now he who is the Son of God, and whom he has given for our
propitiation (1 Jn. 4:10), was certainly born of Mary in the form of
a human person. And Isaiah says: Unto us a child is born, unto us a
Son is given: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father (Is. 9:6), and other things, which
God says of himself, and which John the Baptist and Christ declare
concerning himself. Read Isaiah where it is written: “Behold, your God.
For, behold, the Lord Sabaoth cometh; he shall feed his flock like a
shepherd.” Is. 40:9.
Also in Ezekiel God says: I will myself attend to my sheep. Ezek.
34:11. Now Christ says, that he is the Shepherd of the sheep, and
that the sheep are his own. Zechariah says: Smite the Shepherd, and
the sheep shall be scattered, and in John we read, that Christ is the
Bridegroom, who has the bride; and in the epistle to the Ephesians
[we are taught], that he gave himself for her, that he might prepare
himself a glorious church. Eph. 5:25. Christ also is the Lamb of God,
and in Revelation we read that the marriage of the Lamb is come, and
that his wife has made herself ready. Rev. 19:7. Hence we can clearly
understand from these words, that Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and
husband of his church, which husband by the prophet Isaiah is called
God: “For thy Maker is thine husband,” he says; “the Lord of hosts is
his name; and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; the God of the
whole earth shall he be called.” Is. 54:5.
See, my friends, from all these words it can clearly be understood,
that Christ cannot be excluded from the unity or from God; since God in
the Scriptures is frequently expressed by the word Christ, as you may
read in Timothy, where Paul calls Christ our Savior, and also calls
God our Savior; and in other places, where God is called our Savior.
Read 1 Tim. 1:1. And God says through Isaiah: I am the Lord; and beside
me there is no Savior. Is. 43:11; 45:5. Now the Scriptures testify,
that man’s salvation lies in the sacrifice of the body of our dear Lord
Jesus Christ, as we above quoted to you some passages; as, that we are
reconciled to God by the death of his Son: the body died, and, as Peter
says: by his stripes we were healed: his body suffered the stripes. 1
Pet. 2:24. And Isaiah: With his stripes we are healed: the stripes were
inflicted upon the body. Is. 53:5.
See, my friend, it is therefore clear from these words, that Christ
cannot be excluded from God with body and spirit, since God ascribes to
himself that which Christ has done, as we explained above concerning
the Shepherd of the sheep. And Christ ascribes to himself that which
God does, as may frequently be understood from the Scriptures; so that
the inference is clear, that they have one will and work: for what
things soever the Father doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. And
as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son
quickeneth whom he will. John 5:19,21. Hence the works of the Son of
God can be ascribed to none other than to God, so that the Son cannot
be excluded from God. When therefore the word God is named, Father, Son
and Holy Ghost are thereby expressed. Thus confess we the only God.
You further desire an answer in regard to the passages which speak
of the one God, whether thereby any other than the Father is named.
I understand your question thus: Whether Christ, who died, is also
comprised in the expression _one God_? Rom. 1:8; 5:8; John 5:18; 1 John
5:9.
_Answer._ In the first place you quote Deut. 6:4, where Moses said:
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God;” and says still further
in the same chapter: “Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye
tempted him in Massah.” v. 16; Matt. 4:7. See, my friend, they tempted
this one God, who by Paul is called Christ, where he says: “And let
us not tempt Christ, as some tempted him.” 1 Corinthians 10:9. Now I
understand from your letter, that you would exclude Christ from God; I
understand it by the passage you quote (John 17), by which you would
prove that Christ is not God. Our answer concerning this passage is:
They that confess Jesus Christ in truth also confess him God, since
God is expressed by the word Christ, as we have proven above from the
words of Paul. You further quote the language of Hezekiah, where he
said: O Lord God of Israel, thou art alone God; thou hast made heaven
and earth. 2 Kings 19:15. By these words you would prove that Christ
is excluded from the one God. And you write in your letter that the
one God of whom Hezekiah spoke made heaven and earth; and you exclude
Christ from the one God; hence you must also exclude him from the
creation of heaven and earth, and must first refute all these witnesses
that testify concerning Jesus Christ, that all that is made was made
by him. Read John 1:3; Col. 1:9; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2; Ps. 33:6. When
you shall have refuted all these witnesses, and excluded Christ from
all the works of God, then I shall admit your view, that Christ is not
comprised in the expression, one God.
You further say that God is invisible and lives forever, but that
Christ was seen, and that he died, and that the child was without
knowledge, and that it grew up in wisdom; concerning which you shall
hear our views afterwards from the confession of our faith, which we
prove from the Scriptures, which latter we must believe. Furthermore,
you say that God knows the times, and that the Son does not know
them. Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32. Our answer is, that Christ speaks this
according to his humiliation; for there are other passages which
testify concerning him, that he knows all things; as where Peter said:
“Lord, thou knowest all things;” and Christ did not contradict him,
saying: “No, Peter, I do not know the last day.” He did not even reply
to it. Again, when the disciples said to him: “Now are we sure that
thou knowest all things.” John 16:30. You further say that God knows
the hearts of all the children of men. Ps. 7:9; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10;
12:3. We say that Christ also knows them; for he knew what was in man,
and needed not that any should testify of man. 2 Tim. 4:8; Revelation
2:23; John 2:25. And Christ said: I know you, that ye have not the
love of God in you. John 9:42. And in John 6:61, we read that Jesus
knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it. But that you write
concerning the revelation of John, that God gave him the same, this
does not imply that he [Christ] does not know anything. You further
say that God is Almighty, and does all things without the assistance
of any one. _Answer_: Above we have proven that Christ Jesus and the
Holy Ghost are comprehended in the word GOD, or you must prove that the
Father does some things without the Son or the Holy Ghost, contrary to
the words of Christ where he says: What things soever the Father doeth,
these also doeth the Son likewise. And: My Father worketh hitherto, and
I work. And: As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them,
even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John 5:19; 17:21. And if we
are to honor the Son as we honor the Father, as the Father requires, we
must certainly confess him God, for the Father is honored as God, and
if we now deny the Son, we have neither the Father, nor the Son, and
we are also the spirit of antichrist. 1 John 2:22. And as God did the
miracles by him, so he, again, did them by the Father. And he said to
two blind men: Believe ye that I am able to do this to you? And they
believed it and were helped. Matthew 9:28. This I state, that you may
know that he frequently ascribes to himself the works which he does,
and sometimes to his Father; in order that you may know that they are
one God, who worketh all things. You say that God requires the Holy
Spirit, which is true. Now you must observe that a certain thing is
sometimes ascribed to God the Father, and sometimes to the Son; for we
read, John 3:16, that God so loved the world, that he gave his only
Son. Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9. And John 10:17, we read that Christ says,
that he lays down his life; no man takes it from him; but he lays it
down of himself. Again, that he gives his flesh for the life of the
world. John 6:51. And that he also imparts the Holy Ghost, and also
sent him to his disciples. John 20:22; 16:7,13; 15:26; Luke 24:49.
You further quote 1 Cor. 15:28. Our answer is, as above: That sometimes
a work is ascribed to the Father and sometimes to the Son; that all men
might know that they are one. For we read that God the Father set Jesus
Christ at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Eph. 1:20. And we
also read, that the Lord sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high, Heb. 1:3. Therefore my friend, you may well take heed before you
proceed in such a weighty matter, and first well prove with the word of
Christ and his apostles, that you do not run away with a word, without
first proving whether it agrees with all the words of God. Farewell,
and read with the understanding.
Our belief and ground concerning the incarnation of Jesus Christ is,
that we confess and believe, that the only begotten Son of God, who
was with the Father before the foundation of the world (John 17:24),
and was in the form of God (Phil. 2:6), was foreordained before the
foundation of the world; whose goings forth are from the beginning;
by whom the world was made, John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; and who,
though he was rich, became poor for our sakes, and came forth from the
Father, came into the world; came down from heaven; and through the
power of the Most High was conceived in Mary, and became man in her.
For the Word became flesh (John 1:14), so that it was seen with the
eyes, and handled with the hands; of the word of life. 1 John 1:1. Born
of Mary (Luke 2:7); given unto us as a son (Is. 9:6), and crucified,
died, and buried for us; raised from the dead, for God raised up his
child Jesus (Acts 3:15; 10:40; 1 Thessalonians 1:10); and he ascended
up where he was before (John 6:62), for he that descended is the
same also that ascended, Eph. 4:10. We also believe, that the Son of
God, when the time was fulfilled, became Abraham’s son, David’s son,
Abraham’s seed, the Son of man, and the son and fruit of Mary, when he
became man; not that the Son of God took his origin or beginning from
Abraham, or David, or Mary; for we have above shown by the Scriptures,
that he was with the Father before the foundation of the world; and was
before Abraham was. John 8:58. We therefore believe, that Jesus Christ,
without any division, visible or invisible, mortal or immortal, wholly
and entirely, is the first-begotten, own, true, Son of God, as all
believers have confessed him, as we can read in the holy Scriptures.
Peter confessed him as the Son of the living God. Likewise also John
the Baptist confessed him; for he said: I saw, and bare record that
this is the Son of God. John 1:34. Nathanael said: “Rabbi, thou art the
Son of God.” Martha in like manner confessed that he was the Christ,
the Son of the living God, who had come into the world. John 11:27.
This is our confession concerning the incarnation of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Now if some one should ask us whether we do not believe that
the Son of God assumed flesh and blood, in which he dwelt; and that
the Son of God remained the same as he was, invisible, immortal,
unchangeable, as is the Father; we answer thus: If it were true that
the Son of God remained invisible, immortal and unchangeable, as the
Father, and assumed flesh and blood from Mary, in which he dwelt, it
could not be said with truth, that the Son of God became man; but
according to truth it would have to be said, that the Son of God
assumed a man, in whom he dwelt; for to assume is to assume, and to
become is to become, and assuming cannot be called becoming. There
further follows from it, that if the Son of God remained invisible,
as the Father, he could not be crucified, and in this case he that
hung on the cross, is not the Son of God; for he was seen, and God
has but one Son. It further follows from it, that if the Son remained
invisible, God did spare his Son, contrary to the words of Paul, where
he says, that God spared not his Son, but delivered him up for us all.
Rom. 8:32. And God would in this case also not have given us his Son,
contrary to the teaching of John, where he says: “God so loved the
world, that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16.
Furthermore, if he remained immortal, it can not be said, that we are
reconciled to God by the death of his Son, contrary to Paul, where he
says, that we are reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Rom. 5:10.
Nor can it be said that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us
from all sin. It can only be said that the flesh and blood of Mary
cleanses us from all sin, contrary to the teaching of John, where he
says, that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Nor can it be said, that God raised up his child Jesus; for if he did
not die, he did not raise him up, contrary to the teaching of Paul, 1
Thessalonians 1:10; Acts 2:24; 10:40. Now if some one should ask us,
whether we believe, that the Son of God was changed; we answer, that
we believe, that the Son of God for our sakes was changed so much that
he became what he was not, namely, he, who before was rich, for our
sakes became poor. And he, who was in the form of God, became man; for
the Word became flesh, so that it was seen with the eyes and handled
with the hands. And he, who before was invisible, became visible; and
arose from the dead; and ascended up where he was before. For he that
descended is the same also that ascended; and he sits on the right
hand of the Majesty on high, and is our advocate, our mediator, and
ever lives to reconcile us. See, my friend, thus confess we the love
which God has shown toward us. So that Jesus Christ humbled himself
for our sakes, became lower than the angels, and was found in fashion
as a man. Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:7. Behold, my friend, this is the answer
to the remark that the child grew up in wisdom. For when he became
like unto man, as Paul teaches, he became in all things like unto his
brethren. Heb. 2:17. Now, another man grows up in wisdom; therefore the
Son of God humbled himself, put himself in our stead before God his
Father, and took upon him our sins, and paid for them in our stead,
so that in our place he cried to God with strong crying and tears,
and offered up [prayers and supplications] unto him that was able to
save him from death. Heb. 5:7; Matt. 27:46. Not, my friend, that he
needed to be saved on the part of his own person. Now if some one
should ask us, whether by such an incarnation as you have confessed
here he did not lose his Sonship, and unity with God, we answer: We
have proven above by the Scriptures, that Jesus Christ was the Son of
God before every creature (Col. 1:15), and was with the Father before
the foundation of the world; whose goings forth are from the beginning
and from eternity. And he did not lose his Sonship by his incarnation;
for, while he was man, the Father confessed him as his Son. Matt. 3:17;
17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22. And Christ said, that he was the Son
of God. John 10:36. Likewise did Peter. Matt. 16:16. John the Baptist,
Nathanael, Martha, and Thomas confessed him as their Lord and God. And
Christ said: I and the Father are one. From these words it is easy to
understand, that by his incarnation he did not lose his first identity
and unity; for the Son of God could become man, so that he died; but
nevertheless remain God and the Son of God. For we read concerning the
first man Adam, who was a figure of Christ, that God made him of the
earth, so that Adam became a living soul, flesh and blood, capable of
suffering and dying, and yet remained earth; for God said: Dust thou
art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Rom. 5:14; Gen. 1:19; Sir. 17:1.
Abraham also confessed, that he was dust (earth). Gen. 18:27. Now, when
the word earth is named, everything is comprised in it, that is earth
and takes its origin from the earth. Now Adam and Abraham, who were
earth died, and all men who are of the earth, will be able to die; but
the earth on which we walk can not die. Nevertheless, both are earth,
and both are comprehended in the term earth. Now, when the word God is
named, everything is comprised in it, that is God, and all that has
its origin from and with God; namely, with the word God, we express
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Now the Scriptures testify, as we have
abundantly stated above, that the Son of God became man, so that he was
seen, and that he died; but the Father and the Holy Ghost did not die.
Nevertheless, God reconciled the world, and purchased his church by his
blood; for God was made manifest in the flesh. Read Baruch 4:22. For
God is man’s Savior. Read Isaiah 43:11; 1 Tim. 1:15; Tit. 1:4. Now if
Christ’s body were of the earth, in which body our propitiation lies,
as Peter teaches, that we were healed by his stripes, and Isaiah, that
we are healed by his stripes; and Paul, that we are reconciled by his
death; then the earth must be our savior, and not God; and John must
have spoken falsely, when he said, that the Word, which he called
God, became flesh. And before we will believe that Christ’s body is
of Mary’s blood, we want to see this assertion pointed out to us in
the Scriptures, word for word, and we will say nothing against it: for
we must believe as the Scriptures teach us. John 7:38. And if any one
wishes to accept our faith, we will show him word for word where this
is written, namely, that the Word became flesh. Farewell. Read with
the understanding.
HARMAN TIMMERMAN.
From Jan van Hasebroeck three letters have fallen into our hands, which
we have likewise added here for the benefit of the reader.
THE FIRST LETTER OF JAN VAN HASEBROECK TO HIS WIFE.
The abundant grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father, and
the love of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, shows us by the shedding of his
holy and precious blood on the tree of the cross; may he strengthen
and stablish you in the inner man, with his word and the power of his
Holy Spirit; the same give you much wisdom and understanding, that you
may be able to stand, to the praise of the Lord, and the salvation of
your soul; this I wish you, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in
Christ Jesus, and all that fear the Lord from the heart, as a cordial
greeting. Amen.
After all affectionate greetings, I inform you, my dear and much
beloved wife, that I am still reasonably well, inwardly and
outwardly--the Lord be praised forever for his great grace and
mercy--as I trust by the grace of the Lord that it is also with you,
in the inner man and in the outward, as it pleases the Lord. For, my
most beloved, if it pleased the Lord, he would soon have ordered it
otherwise; hence be content with what the Lord has ordered in regard
to you; for he knows what tends to your salvation. O my most beloved
love, be pleased to know, that you were a medicine to my heart the last
time I saw you at the lattice; for, as a hart panteth after the water
brooks, so did my heart long to see your face again. Ps. 42:1. O my
dear wife, that I might see and speak to you once more, and bid you
adieu. But, my dearest, the Lord has not commanded me to take leave
from my friends, but to follow him in the obedience of the truth. Luke
9:61. O my most beloved wife, whom I have wedded before Christ and his
church, for a helpmeet in my pilgrimage, over which helpmeet the Lord
has placed me as head and protector, to feed and nourish you as my own
body. Eph. 5:28. Now, my most beloved, if I have not well attended
to my calling, during the time that we have been together; if I have
grieved you in anything, I kindly ask you from the bottom of my heart,
to forgive me; I have asked the Lord with tears, to forgive me. O my
dear wife, I forgive you from the heart everything you may have done
amiss to me. O my dear wife, you have done nothing amiss to me; but I
have grieved myself; hence I have prayed the Lord, to forgive me the
same. And do you also, my dear wife, pray the Lord in my behalf, that
I may be an acceptable offering to him; for I trust by his grace to go
before you, with our fellow-brethren, and to await you under the altar.
O my most beloved, my heart’s prayer for you is, that you would always
walk worthily before God and his church (Philip. 1:27), as you have
also hitherto done; so that at the last day we may stand and hear his
voice: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world.”
Christ also says: Fear not, little flock; for it is my Father’s good
pleasure to give you his kingdom. Luke 12:32. He also says: Fear not,
for the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Verse 7. My most
beloved, comfort yourself with the word of the Lord, and with the
beautiful promises of God; that you may not faint in the way of the
Lord, because of the great persecution and torments which are inflicted
on his people for his name’s sake; for he says himself: Be not afraid
of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can
do; but fear him, which after he hath killed, hath power also to cast
the soul into hell. Luke 12:4,5. And as the prophet Isaiah has said:
Fear not men, or the children of men, that perish like grass. Isaiah
51:12. Therefore, my most beloved, be not afraid of this pain; for
Paul says that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18.
In another place Paul also says: “Though our outward man perish, yet
the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” 2 Cor. 4:16–18.
O my most beloved wife, my heart’s prayer and desire is, that you would
always associate with them that fear the Lord, as I likewise trust to
do; that hereafter we may meet where men shall not part us, but where
we shall abide forever with the Father and his Son. If we only remain
steadfast, we shall be saved. Matt. 10:22.