Did they think of him as God or as God's son? If not where did idea or teaching start?
Answers (4)
Read John 14
In verse 8 Philip ask Jesus the question you are asking. Please continue reading and focus on verses 10-12. If you notice Jesus continually says he is in union with his father. One meaning of the word union is "the action or fact of joining or being joining together or blending, uniting.". Now let us use an illustration for, example if you are in union with your father are you your father or a separate person? Jesus was helping us to understand, as he mention in the latter part of verse 12 "I am going away to the father." If you are going away to your father does that mean you are your father? When Jesus said to his apostles "When you see me you see the father." Usually when people make this statement what do you think that means? When people make this statement would you agree then that they are referring to the personality, trait or action of a child to his mother or father.
The bible is not a divine mystery. It is written for us to get to know the Creator. That is one of the reason God has allowed man to write the bible under his inspiration so we can reason with ourselves. False teachers of the bible have used the bible to confuse us, because either they do not understand the bible themselves or for other selfish gain. I hope this reasoning was helpful.
For more information on this subject and others, please go to www.jw.org "Online Library" search box.
No he wasn't. No where in the bible does it indicate they thought this. The teaching started in the 4th century. That is when the trinity doctrine was introduced into the Christian religion. But it is also stated in historical writings that the Trinity doctrine is no where to be found in the bible and is not a bible teaching.
No where in the Bible ever mention Jesus as God. Let's look at a few scriptures to prove Jesus is not God but God's son:
1) After Jesus baptism Matthew 3:17 says, "Look! Also, a voice from the Heavens said: "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved."
That voice from heaven acknowledgeing his Son is no other than God himself Jesus Father.
2) After Jesus death Mary went looking for him. John 20:17 Jesus said to her: "Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God."
Jesus could not be any more clearer that he is not God but that he was ascending to God.
3) John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."
This proves again that Jesus is not God. For God gave his Son for mankind to have e erlasting life.
4) John 17:3 says, "This means everlasting life, their coming to know you the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ."
Two people are mention here. God the Father and Jesus the son.
As mention before Jesus is never mention in the Bible as God. As a matter of fact even Jesus himself refer to himself as the Son of God. This teaching is false and started off with the trinity teaching. The trinity is never mention in the Bible.
Hope the above information satisfy your question.