| If Jesus and the Father are one, how did Stephen see Jesus at the right had of God? Acts 7:55, "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." We have already established by St. John 1:18 that "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hat declared him." If one insists that Stephen literally saw God and saw Jesus standing beside God, then we have a clear contradiction of scripture. If one contends that "on the right hand" means a physical position, then we must also accept that "in the bosom of the Father" is a physical position which, of course, would be a curious configuration for a two-part God concept. The answer to this seemingly complicated question is found in Matthew 26:64, "Jesus saith unto him, thou has said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." When Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus on the right hand of God, he saw the glorious relationship of the mediator man, Christ Jesus, on the right hand of power. For further scriptural corroboration that right hand does not necessarily constitute a physical position, read Luke 11:20, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." The "finger of God" is used here figuratively as the power of God just as the "right hand" is similarly used. The preceding rational is required else we have the peculiar situation of one God literally being in the bosom of another god and one God casting out devils with the finger of another God. Stephen leaves no doubt as to his understanding concerning the Deity of Christ. Acts 7:59, "And they stone Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Stephen called upon God, and by what name did he call Him? "Lord Jesus." Does this not harmonize with Paul's experience? Acts 9:5, "And he said, Who are thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus" |