Function and Role vs. Essence: Understanding Yahusha and Yahuah's Relationship

TayU Yaho
3 hours ago
4 min read

In debates surrounding the identity of Yahusha and Yahuah, one of the most common misunderstandings is the confusion between function and essence. This confusion leads to the belief that Yahusha is separate from Yahuah, when in fact, they are one in essence. By distinguishing between these two concepts, we can better understand why Yahusha and Yahuah are not separate beings, but rather, they share the same divine essence while having distinct roles within the divine plan.

What is Essence?

Essence refers to the intrinsic nature of a being, what they truly are at their core. It defines the unchanging, fundamental qualities that make them what they are. In theological terms, essence refers to the fundamental nature of God, eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. Divine essence is unchanging, eternal, and the defining characteristic that makes a being fully God.

For Yahusha and Yahuah, their essence is the same. Both are fully divine in nature, sharing the same divine essence. Yahusha is not a lesser being or a different kind of God from Yahuah. They are one in their divine essence.

What is Function or Role?

Function or role refers to the specific purpose or task a being fulfills. It speaks to what a person does, the actions they carry out, and the part they play within a larger plan or order. Function is temporary and often subject to change, whereas essence is eternal and unchanging.

Yahusha's role as the Son and the Messiah is distinct from Yahuah's role as the Father and the initiator of salvation.

The Critical Difference: Function vs. Essence

To understand the relationship between Yahusha and Yahuah, we must recognize that function does not equal essence. Yahusha and Yahuah are one in essence, but they each have distinct functions within the divine plan.

Essence is about what someone is, their intrinsic nature, whereas function is about what someone does, the tasks or roles they fulfill.
Yahuah and Yahusha:
- They are one in essence, both are fully divine (John 10:30).
- Their functions are distinct, Yahuah is the Father, the initiator, while Yahusha is the Son, the Messiah, sent to fulfill the Father’s plan of salvation.

Why People Fail to Understand the Oneness of Yahusha and Yahuah

Many people mistakenly argue that because Yahusha was sent by the Father, He must be separate from Yahuah in essence. They point to Yahusha's submission to the Father as evidence of inferiority in His divine nature. However, this view confuses role with essence.

Yahusha’s submission to the Father and His obedience are related to His role as the Messiah, not His divine essence. The fact that Yahusha carries out the Father’s will does not mean He is any less divine or lesser in essence.

John 14:28 -“My Father is greater than I.”

This verse speaks to role, not essence. Yahusha is speaking of His role as the Son who submits to the Father. This submission is part of His earthly mission, not a statement about His nature. In essence, Yahusha and Yahuah are one.
John 10:30 -“I and the Father are one.”

This is a direct declaration of the oneness of essence. Yahusha and Yahuah share the same divine nature. Their roles may differ, but in essence, they are unified as one divine being.

Key Passages Supporting the Oneness of Essence Between Yahusha and Yahuah

John 1:1, 14 -“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
- Yahusha, as the Word, is God. His incarnation as the Son does not change His divine essence.
Colossians 2:9 -“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
- Yahusha is the full embodiment of Yahuah’s divine nature. This verse affirms that Yahusha shares the same essence as Yahuah.
Philippians 2:6-7 -“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”
- Yahusha was equal to God in essence but humbles Himself by taking on human form. This is a role He assumes, not a denial of His divine nature.
Hebrews 1:3 -“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being...”
- Yahusha is the exact representation of Yahuah’s essence. He is fully divine, not separate in nature but one with Yahuah.

Greek Philosophy vs. Literal Scriptural Understanding

Some critics argue that the idea of Yahusha and Yahuah being one in essence comes from Greek philosophy, but this claim is a misunderstanding. Greek philosophy influenced some early Christian theology, but it did not create the truth of Yahusha’s divinity or His oneness with the Father.

The understanding that Yahusha and Yahuah are one in essence is not derived from Greek thought, but from the literal text of Scripture. When Yahusha says, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), it is not an abstract philosophical idea; it is a direct revelation from Scripture, affirming the unity of the Father and the Son in essence.

Greek philosophy may have been used later to describe and define these truths, but the truths themselves come directly from the Scriptures. Understanding Yahusha and Yahuah’s oneness in essence is not about philosophy; it’s about taking the literal testimony of the Scriptures at face value.

Conclusion: Yahusha and Yahuah Are One in Essence

The confusion between function and essence leads many to misunderstand the oneness of Yahusha and Yahuah. The Father and the Son share the same divine essence, but they each have distinct functions in the divine plan. Yahusha’s submission to the Father, His role as the Son, and His mission as the Messiah do not diminish His divinity or His unity with the Father in essence.

Understanding the distinction between role and essence is key to recognizing that Yahusha and Yahuah are one in nature. They are not separate in essence, though they fulfill different roles within the divine plan. This oneness in essence is a literal truth revealed in Scripture, not an idea rooted in Greek philosophy.