Many in the first century were writing about Jesus as “a god” or “my god”, although not as Most High God, or God. There is no suggestion they learned this from the apostles. They considered Jesus like a god to them, their god, as in the centre of their universe, their lives revolving around him. Like some today might consider baseball their god, or music, or facebook. In those times monotheism had not yet been reformed by the Rabbis so calling something or someone your god was not yet widely regarded as heresy or idolatry. The actual apostles seldom risked confusion and always called Jesus ’Lord’ rather than divine, never using God when speaking of him. Later the writings changed as Pharisee Rabbis such as Akiva started to make monotheism into a new thing all about not calling anything or anyone divine except the Most High God. Many follow this same concept today, calling ‘polytheism’ any implication of another being having divinity. So it is easier for such people to find a way to hide the divinity of the Son of God by calling the Son a mode or persona of a singular divine essence. However, this is not because of any scriptures or revelation but simply through fear of the Pharisaical accusation of polytheism. So instead of the biblical teaching that the Father is the Most High God with Jesus as His subordinate Son, we are told we must accept Oneness or told we must accept Trinitarian dogma. But if we are led by the Holy Spirit, then we will learn the truth taught by Jesus, as given to Jesus by the Father, even if it contradicts Oneness and the Trinity concept.
