Scripture provides truth, but no single scripture provides the whole truth. The temptation to separate individual portions of Scripture from the totality of the Bible is very dangerous. Good theology depends on our ability to combine many truths into a well-balanced mosaic that provides an understanding of the nature of God, creation, mankind and righteousness (living out right relationships).

Christian theology, based on Scripture, teaches that there is One God, in the form of the Trinity made up of the personalities of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These verses deal with the relationship between Father and Son.

In this passage, the Jewish leaders accuse Jesus of making himself equal with God. However, Jesus corrected them by speaking truth. Jesus and God his father were united in purpose. Jesus on earth could only do what he had seen his father doing. The healing ministry of Jesus was a continuation of God’s ministry to mankind throughout human history. The healing the Jewish leaders witnessed was just the beginning, and greater works were yet to come. God the father and Jesus the son were united in their standards of judgment for humanity. The Jewish leaders were judging by the law, but God and his Son would be judging by the law of relationship. The key to that righteous judgment centered upon humanity’s relationship with Jesus. Before Jesus was incarnate in human form, Israel was judged on their relationship with God the Father, but Jesus told them that from that day forward they would be judged on the way they responded to their encounters with him.

In complete unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are God. Because of this truth, there was no option for Jews to continue worshiping God, while choosing to reject Jesus. The same biblical truth applies to Christians today. Christians do not have the option to accept one and reject the other; biblical truth does not allow for a “Jesus only” theology. Christian belief in Jesus the Son requires we believe in God the Father who sent Him.