Why The Mystery

By Carl Keller

As author, my intent is to provide a proper format in approaching and understanding what is one of the greatest mysteries of all time, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:16: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim. 3:16). If the reader can understand why there is a mystery or hidden truth, the mystery itself begins to be revealed. Who is the one true God? Multitudes today are still locked in darkness without this understanding. Are their divisions in the Godhead? Why can't the doctrine of the Trinity be brought into focus and clearly understood and taught by even the most knowledgeable of biblical scholars? The clarification concerning the doctrine of the Trinity is one of the greatest of modern religious dilemmas. This appears simply because, in Scripture, there is seemingly evidence of more than one person in the Godhead. Does not this confusion of the obvious appearance of three divine entities mentioned in New Testament Scripture need some kind of explanation, especially since it contradicts Old Testament theology clearly stating that there is but one supreme deity? Through the years of teaching this subject, my experience has been that honest people who are hungering for truth have accepted this teaching as absolute truth. Very few with an open heart to truth have not been absolutely astonished at these principles as they unfolded before them. But just as astonishing is the fact that, for most of them, nowhere have they been presented with these scriptural truths before. The desired purpose of this book is to bring into focus a clear view of the deity of Christ and to give the student a launching pad for his or her own research into this most intriguing portion of scripture summarized in 1 Timothy 3:16.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641146432

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Why the Mystery

Carl Keller

ISBN 978-1-64114-642-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64114-643-2 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by Carl Keller

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

This work of love is dedicated to my precious mother, Marie Keller.

It is with my utmost respect and appreciation for her that this book is being dedicated. If the choice had been mine, I could never have picked a better mother. You are definitely a Proverbs 31 woman of God who has made so many sacrifices of love toward the entire family and me.

Thank you for the many times you protected and cared for us, even when we were not aware. You have managed to take care of the household (five children) and then worked at night to assure that we were always provided for. I have never seen you idle when there was work to be done, you were always faithful to Dad and your dedication to God and to His holiness has been a great inspiration and example to us all.

This day, as Proverbs 31 states, Your children rise up and call you blessed. I love you, Mom.

Love,

Carl

Foreword

I am exceedingly fortunate due to the fact I am among the small percentage of the masses of humanity who has found true purpose and direction in this pilgrimage we call life. To find the true light and no longer be stumbling in darkness without direction and to walk in that light have been my greatest privileges.

I am even more blessed because I have had the amazing good fortune of being born into a godly Christian home. My parents possess the highest of Christian qualities and have forged my call to minister whenever and wherever I can.

My father has been an evangelist and pastor since the very young age of fifteen. The teaching and doctrinal principles put forth in this book are the same unwavering doctrinal teachings he and my mother have held to throughout their lifetime. My parents are, of course, among many who hold steadfastly to these principles. Although many are fortunate to obtain these precious truths, the words of God still remain true: strait...and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The path of truth is just that. The unwavering and sound doctrinal teachings have provided reason to not change with new ideas, philosophies, or winds of doctrine, which have been the shipwreck of so many.

The value I place upon these teachings has prompted me to write this book. My hope is that sound doctrine will have a place in every heart and be the anchor for every soul’s salvation. The fact is still true that the only answer to everlasting life lies within the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sad part is that this basis for life has been so distorted, twisted, misinterpreted, and changed that true revelation or understanding of what Christ has provided to man has been hidden or veiled to the lost.

From what I have gathered through the years, I have come to several important conclusions: First, every answer in our search for eternal life lies hidden in Scripture. Second, if we earnestly seek those truths they are available to us. The main condition to acquire that knowledge is simple in application: Refuse to change one word, rightly divide the Word, and then your answer will come. The Bible will work as God intended.

The apostle Paul, addressing the church at Corinth, said, If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In other words, as one commentary rightly asserts the meaning of Paul’s words, the devil has so effectively veiled the light of the gospel in a sinner’s heart that he is incapable of learning the true gospel. But God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness into creation, is also able to take away that veil and to shine the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ into every heart that truly is seeking direction for life.

These last words are the intent of this book: that basic doctrinal structure will be the launching pad for someone’s search until revelation and understanding come to that seeking heart. I am convinced that the understanding of these writings cannot come without revelation from God as He is the source of all understanding of spiritual truths. When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.

Acknowledgment

A note of thanks to my niece, Kim Haney, for the many hours she spent on editing, preparing, and bringing this book to its completion. Thank you, Kim, for your encouragement to follow through with this publication.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of my nephew, Mark Barnes. Thank you for the time spent in the first phase and preparation of this book.

Introduction

The following paragraphs of this chapter would normally qualify as the author’s preface, which is usually separate from the main body of a book, but in order to avoid jeopardizing the intent of writing this book in the first place, I felt it necessary to include the preface in chapter 1. From the beginning I desired this purpose to be briefly outlined and understood by the reader. First, I understand there have been many publications addressing the subject of biblical deity, for there are also many different reasons for the writing of such material. I therefore felt that the essential reason for this author’s writing needs to be stated and, most importantly, understood by the reader himself. I feel this cannot be overstated as it is of utmost importance and the very core of this book. My intent is to provide a proper format in approaching and understanding what is one of the greatest mysteries of all time, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:16:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Tim. 3:16).

We approach this subject with this format:

To establish the fact there truly is a mystery, or hidden truth, concerning biblical deity.

What that mystery is.

Why there is a mystery.

The mystery revealed.

If the reader can understand why there is a mystery or hidden truth, the mystery itself begins to be revealed. I believe that God would desire for every man to come to full understanding of His mysteries. Yet because of the conditions of men’s hearts and lives, many will never come to the knowledge of truth. They will be ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

If the heart is right before God, He will certainly withhold no good thing from those who love Him and His ways. History proves that the man or woman who seeks understanding concerning the deep things of God has had those things revealed through the passing of time as that person’s desire to serve God has been rewarded with clear understanding. One of those deep understandings of God is the mystery of His deity. As we read His Word and try to focus on absolute truth, it often seems as though we are seeing the picture but a bit out of focus. I liken it to a person with a pair of binoculars. The person can see the image but he cannot clarify details about the object until he brings that object into focus. The purpose of this book is to bring into focus and clear understanding this most important subject of biblical deity. To many, even today, the Godhead is simply out of focus, for one of the greatest areas of biblical study subject to misunderstanding or misinterpretation is this area of deity. I am convinced that without understanding spiritually given by God, the natural man cannot come to the knowledge of this great subject and many more mysteries in the Bible. Therefore, it is crucial to be open to the leading of God’s Spirit as He attempts to lead and guide all men and women into all truth.

Who is the one true God?

Multitudes today are still locked in darkness without this understanding.

Who was Jesus Christ? Was He just another prophet? Was He just another great teacher? Why is there no clear, precise plan of salvation common in religious teachings today?

Are their divisions in the Godhead? Why can’t the doctrine of the Trinity be brought into focus and clearly understood and taught by even the most knowledgeable of biblical scholars? The clarification concerning the doctrine of the Trinity is one of the greatest of modern religious dilemmas. This appears simply because, in Scripture, there is seemingly evidence of more than one person in the Godhead. Jesus simply had to be more than just a man, but if He was more than just a man, who was He?

How can Jesus be both God and man? Who is the Holy Ghost, and what role does He play in this mystery?

Does not this confusion of the obvious appearance of three divine entities mentioned in New Testament Scripture need some kind of explanation, especially since it contradicts Old Testament theology clearly stating that there is but one supreme deity?

For these very questions this work is being presented. Because many people are confused and without proper understanding regarding this subject, we are going to address these questions with a scriptural foundation. Above all, God’s desire is for all to come to the knowledge of truth, and truth will always dismiss confusion. So will all people come to the knowledge of truth?

It certainly would be the desire of God for this to be so, yet the old saying still remains true, There is none so blind as he who will not see! If a person just does not wish to see, he will not see.

Do I expect everyone to understand and accept this teaching? No.

Should everyone who has clear understanding of this important subject expect everyone else to understand and gladly receive it? No.

Jesus Himself was denounced by many even as He proclaimed the essence of truth when He declared Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, yet many did receive Him and found the direction of eternal life through Him and His teachings.

Through the years of teaching this subject, my experience has been that many honest people who are hungering for truth have accepted this teaching as absolute truth. Do I wish anyone just to accept this teaching blindly as truth without being convinced for himself? No, because when understanding comes, it always brings a feeling of fulfilment and peace. This feeling cannot be experienced without one being absolutely convinced these things