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Quotations are mainly based on the King James text. Readers are advised to look up each quotation in good translations of the Bible and examine them in context to satisfy themselves that we are not misusing them. Paraphrased bibles and dynamic interpretive translations (such as the Good News Bible) are not suitable for this kind of study. CONTENTS INTRODUCTIONBIBLE TERMS FOR BIBLE THINGS |
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INTRODUCTION
This is a lengthy document. This is not because the proposition is hard to
prove. It is a simple matter to verify the Lord Jesus' deity from the Bible.
Much of the space is taken up in answering many of the arguments brought
up against it. Should any important point have been overlooked kindly e-mail
it to muqaddas@aol.com. AVOIDING THE USE OF THE TERM TRINITY.
The use of the word "trinity" is avoided because:- When talking about the Godhead it is better to use the scriptures and quote relevant passages. Sometimes ideological models are propsed to help us come to terms with things eternal. A popular model is that the godhead is like a family of three people with one surname. Another is that the "trinity" is like a three leaf clover. Models will always be inadequate and likely to present more problems than they solve. So the use of ideological models is also avoided here. The policy will be to draw attention directly to what the Bible says about the deity of Christ Jesus. Let the Bible explain itself. |
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| BIBLE ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS This document then, is not an effort to prove the truth or otherwise of any creed or article of faith, ecclesiastical terminology or theological model. Men, theologians or otherwise, are fallible human beings and liable to make mistakes. Clerics formulate creeds to enforce conformity to their views. A creed that differs from the Bible it cannot be right. If it says more than the Bible it says too much. If it says less than the Bible it says too little. If it says the same as the Bible it is superfluous. This essay is an appeal to the Bible and the Bible alone. |
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1 - THE DEITY OF CHRIST HOW HAVE WE LEARNED CHRIST? Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: OUR UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT MOULDS OUR INNER MAN. THERE IS A DANGER OF MOULDING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST TO BE LIKE US. LET OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEITY OF CHRIST BE BASED ON DIVINE REVELATION - ON THE BIBLE |
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| THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHY GOD Where the words "GOD" and "LORD" are in capital letters in the Authorised Version of the bible, they represent the Hebrew word "YHWH" meaning "HE WHO IS" - the "I AM": Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD (Hebrew YHWH) God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. This name (YHWH) is exclusively Almighty God's name and belongs to no one else! It is blasphemy for anyone else to use the name YHWH (HE WHO IS). For anyone to have the right to use the name YHWH he must be Almighty God. Any other use of the name is the sin of blasphemy. In the Bible this name is applied to the Word of God - the Lord Jesus Christ. THE ONE NAME IS GIVEN TO THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT In Matthew 28:18 the Lord Jesus applies the one name to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father's name is YHWH. So all three have the one name - YHWH: Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Also, according to Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, the Spirit*, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ are spoken of as the same spirit: Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit*, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. All three are YHWH. All three are the Deity.
[* The role of the Spirit of YHWH is explained in
1.Corinthians 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit
of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the
Spirit of God. - See
"THE HOLY SPIRIT"
in "Further Studies"] In heaven the faithful will be in YHWH's likeness which is the same as being in the Lord Jesus' likeness: Psalm 17:14 ... O LORD (YHWH) ... 15 ... I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness NOTE 6 |
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| THE "I AM"s The Lord Jesus claimed to be the "I AM". So they attempted to kill him , believing he had committed blasphemy by appropriating Almighty God's name to himself. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad ... 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him ...
He makes the same claim in the following verses, where the word "he" (in
italics) is not in the original Greek text. John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. We must believe that the Lord Jesus is the "I AM": John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. |
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| THOMAS WAS CONVINCED THAT THE LORD JESUS WAS GOD On seeing the resurrected Christ, Thomas was convinced that the Lord Jesus was indeed God - all doubts having been removed.. John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord and my God". Some say that when Thomas said those words, he was looking up to heaven and addressing God in heaven but the text plainly says they were spoken directly to the Lord Jesus ("said unto him"). Others say it was an involuntary spontaneous expression of amazement. Even if that was so, if the Lord Jesus was not Lord and God, then he should have rebuked Thomas for careless blasphemy. On the contrary, he recommended that others also believe it, thus confirming that he was indeed Lord and God:- John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. |
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| THE NATURE OF THE SON'S DEITY
YHWH CAN BE KNOWN Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD (YHWH): for they shall all know me ... THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE John 17:3 ... this is eternal life that they should know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. [direct translation] WHAT IS GOD LIKE? Does God care? Is he good? Is he just? NO ONE HAS SEEN GOD Exodus 33:20 And he said, ... for there shall no man see me, and live. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time... How then can we know YHWH ? THE LORD JESUS HAS SEEN THE FATHER John 6:46 ... save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. John 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, THE LORD JESUS CAME OUT FROM ALMIGHTY GOD
THE LORD JESUS IS THE REVELATION OF GOD John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. WE CAN LEARN WHAT GOD IS LIKE BY OBSERVING THE LORD JESUS' PERSONALITY John 14:9 He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. John 1:1 The Word was God. 1 Timothy 3:16 (direct translation) The secret of devoutness is incontrovetably stupendous :- Declared just in Spirit, Observed by angels,(7) Proclaimed among the nations Trusted in the world Taken up into glory. |
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| CHRIST HAD ATTRIBUTES THAT WERE EXCLUSIVELY YHWH's YHWH IS THE FIRST AND THE LAST Isaiah 41:4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD (YHWH), the first, and with the last; I am he. YHWH WILL NOT GIVE HIS GLORY TO ANOTHER Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. 12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. YHWH IS THE ONLY GOD Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD (YHWH) the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD (YHWH) of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. THE RISEN CHRIST CLAIMS TO BE THE FIRST AND THE LAST ! Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ...12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.... 13 ... one like unto the Son of man,... 17 ... he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore ... CHRIST IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS He was the means by which everything was created:- Ephesians 3:9 ... God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: He created the planets and the stars:- Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; There is nothing that has not been created by him:- John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Nothing continues its existence without him:- Colossians 1:16 For by him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (Greek. subsist). He created man in his own image: Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: ... 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him .... YHWH IS THE ONLY SAVIOUR ! Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD {Hebrew: YHWH}; and beside me there is no saviour. CHRIST IS OUR ONLY SAVIOUR ! Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. GOD IS OUR SAVIOUR - CHRIST IS OUR SAVIOUR Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; GOD WAS IN CHRIST AS SAVIOUR God sent Christ in a human body just like the bodies in which we sin:- Romans 8:3 What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. In love Christ endured death in that body and God claims it as his expression of love.:- Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God, in Christ, suffered death to bring about reconciliation between sinful man and God: 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. God purchased his church with his own blood:- Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. God functioned in and through Christ:- John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. CHRIST'S ASTOUNDING CLAIMS John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he shall live: |
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| CHRIST WAS WORSHIPPED CHRIST SAID THAT ONLY YHWH SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. PETER AND ANGELS REFUSED WORSHIP Acts 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. EVEN CHRIST'S ANGEL REFUSED WORSHIP INSISTING THAT GOD BE WORSHIPPED Revelation 22:8 ... I John ... fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. CHRIST ACCEPTED WORSHIP AND DID NOT REBUKE HIS WORSHIPPERS Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. YHWH COMMANDED ALL THE ANGELS TO WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. |
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| THE GODHEAD Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead* bodily. ALL that god-ness (the WHOLE essence of the one theos) dwelt in the Lord Jesus' body. Note the contrast with "philosophy and vain deceit" in verse 8. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. The word "bodily" emphasises that the whole essence of the Godhead was there in reality, not representatively. |
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| MANIFESTATIONS OF YHWH [Theologians call these appearances "theophany"] Nobody can see God (John 1:18 "No man hath seen God at any time"). So who was seen in the following incidents: VISITING ABRAHAM ? Genesis 18:1 And the LORD (YHWH) appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. IN THE FIERY FURNACE? Daniel 3:25 He (King Nebuchadnezzar) answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. [or "a son of a god"] IN ISAIAH'S VISION ? Isaiah was distressed because he had seen YHWH Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD (YHWH) of hosts. John is referring to Isaiah's vision of YHWH in when he says that Isaiah saw Jesus' glory In John 12 he quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him (Jesus)." So in Isaiah's vision of YHWH he was beholding the Lord Jesus. Similarly In Revelation John sees "the first and the last" (i.e. YHWH) who was dead and is alive (i.e. The Lord Jesus) appearing like a son of man. Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: ... 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw 13 ... one like unto the Son of man 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore ... |
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| HIS PRE-EXISTENCE HE HAS BEEN ENTERING INTO ACTION IN THE WORLD FROM THE VERY BEGINNING Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. [or: whose procedures have been from the very start, from time eternal] This is quoted with reference to the Lord Jesus in Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. HE IS FROM HEAVEN: John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things ... The Lord Jesus is called the WORD of God. [o logoV tou Qeou] Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. The WORD of God was already in existence at the beginning: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word ... [en arch hn o logoV] Note that John 1:1 does not have a Greek verb such as ginomai (ginomai - to become) to express the idea that the WORD came into being at the beginning. It has the verb estin (estin - to be) indicating that he already "was" in existence at the very beginning. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: ... 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him .... HE IS THE ETERNAL LIFE: God is eternal so it follows that his Word is eternal. In 1.John 1-2 the Lord Jesus, whom the apostles knew personally, is called "the eternal life": John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word*, and the Word* was with God, and the Word* was God. [en arch hn o logoV kai o logoV hn proV ton Qeon kai QeoV hn o logoV] John 1:1 is typical of a Hebrew build-up to paradoxical crescendo:-
[The import of this fantastic Hebraism is lost in the feeble and dubious translation: "The Word was a god"]3 The Holy Spirit then carefully points out that he had a distinctive identity: John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. |
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2 - ANSWERS TO CLAIMS THAT THE BIBLE DENIES HIS DEITY THE CLAIM THAT HE WAS THE FIRST BEING TO BE CREATED THE BEGINNING OF GOD'S CREATION [beginning, origin: arch arche] Rev. 3:14 ...These things saith the Amen ... the beginning of the creation of God Here arche means the Lord was the orgin or source of the creation. To insist that arche here means the Lord was the first to be created would contradict passages such as John 1:3 where it says that everything was made by him - not with him. FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION [ firstborn, firstbegotten: prwtotokoV prototokos] Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Here prototokos is used figuratively of the Lord Jesus' supremacy over all the creation. In the scriptures the word "firstborn" several times denotes the supremecy normally belonging to the firstborn, and is used that way when refering to those who are not actually physical firstborn: Jeremiah 31:9 .... for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. [Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob by Leah (Genesis 29:32, 49:3) but the birthright was given to Joseph's sons because of Reuben's immoral act with Bilhah (Gen.35:22, 49:4, 1.Chronicles 5:1)]
Mark 10:18 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Evidently the Lord asked him this question to make him think seriously about the implications of his statement. If the Lord Jesus was good then he was God. What kind of person would say that the Lord Jesus was not good? The Lord Jesus was sinless and good. (John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? Hebrews.4:15 ... without sin. 2.Corinthians 5:21 ... him ... who knew no sin ... Acts 10:38 ... Jesus of Nazareth ... who went about doing good ...). |
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| THE CLAIM THAT HE WAS ONLY A GOD, NOT THE GOD Psalm 82:6 "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High). [The J.W. translation of John 1:1 reads: "the Word was a god"3 - See "THE WORD WAS GOD" above]. It is claimed that the Lord Jesus was a god only in the sense that the nations spiritual leaders are described as gods in John 10:30-39, where the Lord Jesus is quoting from Psalm 82:6. If, as is claimed, the Jesus was defusing a dangerous situation by saying that he was claiming to be no more than a spiritual leader why did his accusers still want to arrest him (v.39). |
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| THE CLAIM THAT HE WAS ONLY LIKE GOD HE WAS IN THE FORM OF GOD Philippians 2:6 ... being in the form* of God ... He was in the "form" of god in the same way that he took on the "form" of a servant. Philippians 2:7 ... took upon him the form* of a servant ... In heaven the Lord Jesus had the actual intrinsic role of God (that which is worshipped). He relinquished its prestige and took on himself the actual intrinsic abject role of a slave. HE WAS IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
In both these passages the word image is from eikon (eikwn) which in these verses is used to indicate an actual real thing. In 1.Corinthians 15:49 and Hebrews 10:1 are examples of the use off eikon to denote the real thing: 1.Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image (eikwn eikon) of the earthy, we shall also bear the image (eikwn eikon) of the heavenly. We have real earthly bodies. We will have real heavenly bodies (1 Cor.15:44).. And in Hebrews 10:1 it is contrasted with imitation ("shadow"): Hebrews 10:1 ... the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image (eikwn eikon) of the things ... The Lord Jesus is the exact revelation of the essence of the invisible God. John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
The "express image" are from the one Greek word charakter (carakthr). In the New Testament it occurs only here. The Greek word charakter initially denoted an engraving tool, then the unique image engraved in a die. Such dies were used to stamp wax seals to guarantee authenticity or certify authority or signify ownership. The word "person" is from hupostasis (upostasiV) meaning substance or essence. So the figure of speech "the express image of his person" portrays the Son of God as God's essence uniquely engraved in a die. This complements the preceding phrase: "Who being the brightness of his glory". "Brightness", from apaugasma (apaugasma), means the radiance from a light source. The Son is the enlightening radiance of God's glory and the unique engraving of God's essence. He is Deity uniquely impressing his authentic authoritative signature on his every work, from creating the worlds to purging our sins. Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; |
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| THE CLAIM THAT HE WAS ONLY AN ANGEL THE LORD GOD'S ANGEL REFUSED WORSHIP, INSISTING GOD SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED The Lord God has an angel: Revelation 22:6 ... the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. The Lord Jesus was not that angel. In fact the Lord God's angel was also spoken of as the Lord Jesus' angel: Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him ... he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John That angel refused worship, insisting that God should be worshipped: Revelation 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. EVERY ONE OF GOD'S ANGELS WORSHIPPED THE LORD JESUS YHWH commanded all the angels to worship the Lord Jesus. So the Lord Jesus was not an angel. Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. HE WAS NOT AN ANGEL EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER HIS BIRTH The Lord Jesus did not take on the nature of angels when he came into the world. so he was not an angel before his birth. At his birth he did not take on the nature of angels so he did not become an angel at birth. He has never been an angel. Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham HE CREATED ALL THE ANGELS They were all, every one of them, created by him. He obviously did not create himself. So he is not an angel. Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him ... HE EXISTED BEFORE ANY OF THE ANGELS Colossians 1:17 ... he is before all things ... EVERY ONE OF THE ANGELS WERE CREATED FOR HIM They were created for him and without him they could not subsist. Colossians 1:16 ... all things# were created ... for him: 17 ... and by him all things# consist*. HE IS MORE THAN AN ANGEL Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? This was never said to an angel but here it is applied to the Lord Jesus so he is not an angel. The emphasis here is that he is more than an angel. The angels have an auxiliary role: Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? |
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3 - QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS The Bible answer to the questions raised in this and the next section is given after the next section in the section headed "THE BIBLE'S ANSWER ... " THE LORD JESUS CLAIMED TO BE EQUAL TO GOD THE FATHER The apostle John explained that the Lord Jesus made himself equal with God in saying God was his Father:- John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. |
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| HOW CAN HE BE EQUAL TO GOD AND YET GOD BE HIS HEAD? 1 Corinthians 11:3 "the head of Christ is God." |
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| HOW COULD HE BE GOD AND THERE BE THINGS HE DID NOT KNOW? Mark 13:32 "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." |
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| HOW COULD HE BE GOD AND HAVE TO DEVELOP PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY? Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. |
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| HOW COULD HE BE GOD AND BE TIRED? GOD NEVER TIRES. Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. |
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| HOW CAN GOD BE EXALTED TO THE RIGHT HAND OF HIMSELF? Philipians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him ... |
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| GOD IS ONE - HOW CAN THREE BE ONE? Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: The Lord Jesus himself said there is one God: Mark 12:29ff And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ... |
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| WHY WOULD GOD TALK TO HIMSELF? "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34) |
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| HOW CAN GOD BE OBEDIENT TO HIMSELF? John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them ... I do nothing of myself ... 29 ... I do always those things that please him (the Father). |
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| HOW CAN GOD MEDIATE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND MAN 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; In mediation there are two separate parties and a go-between, so how can one party be the go-between. Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. |
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| HOW CAN GOD HAVE A GOD? John 20:17 Jesus said to her ... for I am not yet ascended to ... my God, and your God. |
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4 - QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LORD BEING THE SON OF GOD The Bible answer to the questions raised in this section is given in the next section headed "THE BIBLE'S ANSWER ... " However clarification on specific points are given in square brackets [ ] in this section. THE BIBLE ASSERTS THAT THE LORD JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD The confession of faith of the first Christians was: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Matthew 16:16; Acts 8:37). Many times in Scripture, Jesus is called the Son of God. He is also called the "only begotten" Son of God (John 1:14,18; 3:16). This expression indicates that no one else is 'Son of God' in the same sense that He is. At His baptism the Father anounced: "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mark 1:11). When He was transfigured, the Father declared to His disciples: "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Mark 9:7). So skeptics raise the following questions:- |
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| HOW CAN HE BE THE SON OF ALMIGHTY GOD AND ALSO BE ALMIGHTY GOD? HOW CAN HE BE EQUAL TO AND YET NOT BE AS GREAT AS HIS FATHER? "My Father is greater than I" John 14:28 |
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| HOW CAN HE BE EQUAL TO AND YET KNOW LESS THAN HIS FATHER KNOWS? "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." Mark 13:32 |
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| HOW CAN HE BE EQUAL TO AND YET HAVE LESS AUTHORITY THAN HIS FATHER? Matthew 20:23 Jesus says to the sons of Zebedee: "but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father" [A simple explanation for this verse is that who would sit on the Lord Jesus' right and left hand sides in his kingdom had already been decided ("for whom it is prepared").] |
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| HOW COULD GOD ABANDON HIS ONLY BELOVED SON? You would not abandon your son. Is God less good to his son than you are to yours? "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Mark 15:34 (Psalm 22:1) [According to verse 24 of Psalm 22 and to Hebrews 5:7 God did not forsake his Son. The Jews thought he had - which could be why the Lord drew their attention to that Psalm. (for more detail on this subject see "FORSAKEN") Psalm 22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; .. 24 For he hath not ... hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. The Lord Jesus knew that the Father would not desert Him. Talking to his disciples of his imminent his arrest and crucifixion the Lord Jesus said : John 16:32 Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you will be scattered, every man to his own, and will leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. God was actually in Christ, even on the cross, through it reconciling the world unto himself: 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. The Father knew the pain and anguish His only well beloved Son went through. However the fact remains that the Lord Jesus still personally suffered it all as a man - Why?] |
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| HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BELIEVE THAT A MAN CAN BE GOD? [With man this is not possible. First it must be clearly understood that the question is not: Can a man become God? but: Can God become man? One might ask the enquirer "But do you believe that it would be impossible for God to become a man?". For non-believers this concept night be a problem but those who believe that nothing is impossible with God are obliged to answer "that is no problem for God" to this question. But the question remains - "Why?"] |
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5 - THE BIBLE'S ANSWER - GOD IN CHRIST - BECAME MAN - IN ORDER TO: 1) BE SEEN TO BE JUST The paradoxes raised in the foregoing questions are understood if we appreciate, in our heart of hearts, our desperate situation before God and how he brought about reconciliation. OUR DILEMMA Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; OUR SINS ARE A BARRIER BETWEEN US AND GOD Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. GOD IS RIGHT IN CONDEMNING SIN We excuse our sins by saying we are only human. Is then God, who made us human, just in condemning our sin? The righteous God is under no obligation to justify himself before sinful man. Yet he chose to be seen to be just. Romans 3:26 To declare ... his righteousness: that he might be just ... He put himself in our situation. "The Word became flesh", the same kind of flesh as that of those who are full of sin. He was tempted in all the ways we are tempted yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. In this way he demonstrated to us that sin is inexcusable. In the flesh he condemned sin. Romans 8:3 ... God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh ... condemned sin in the flesh: GOD IS RIGHT IN JUSTIFYING THOSE WHO IMPLICITLY TRUST CHRIST JESUS Romans 3:26 To declare ... righteousness: that he might be ... the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. |
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| 2) RECONCILE US BACK TO HIMSELF OUR HEARTS NEEDED CHANGIING Talking of his impending death on the cross for our sins he said: John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me |
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| 3) MEDIATE FOR US IN ORDER TO MEDIATE FOR US THEN, IT WAS PROPER FOR HIM TO EXPERIENCE BEING LIKE US AND YET NOT SIN Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil
Luke 2:40 ... the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom * ... SO HE ABDICATED HIS PRESTIGIOUS ROLE AND TOOK ON THIS HUMILIATING ROLE FOR US:- 2 Corinthians 8:9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich |
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6 - THE ROLE OF THE LOGOS OF YHWH (The role of the Word of God) THE REASON BEHIND EVERYTHING IS THE LOGOS Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: |
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| So to understand anything - we need to understand his role. THE GLORY HE HAD BEFORE CREATION Before creation the Father himself was his glory: John 17:5 And now, O Father, thou glorify me with thine own self (seautw th) with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. NOTE 4 |
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| THAT GLORY WAS ABANDONED TO GLORIFY THE FATHER AS SON OF MAN He came forth out of the Father John 8:42 Jesus said ... for I proceeded forth and came from* God ... The Father is the emanator and the Lord Jesus is the emanation. The Emanator and the Emanation are one and equal in essence but diferent in rank. The emanator (the Father) is supperior in rank to the emanation (the Son) but since the Lord Jesus proceeded out of the Father they are equal in essence. He completed his work of glorifying God in his 3.1/2 years ministry. John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. NOTE 4 AS SON OF MAN Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. VIA THE CROSS HE WENT TO THE FATHER John 17:1 These words spake Jesus ... Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: HE WENT TO THE FATHER TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR US TO GO TO BE WITH HIM John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. |
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| THE PREVIOUS GLORY RESTORED - ALSO HE IS NOW SON OF MAN HE HAS RETURNED TO THE FATHER John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God and went to God; THE GLORY HE HAD BEFORE CREATION IS RESTORED TO HIM John 17:5 ... with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH Since the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead he has "all authority". Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power* is given unto me in heaven and in earth. NOW HE IS BOTH SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Luke 22:69 Hereafter the Son of man will sit on the right hand of the power of God NOW HE MEDIATES AS SON OF MAN 1 Timothy 2:5,6 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all ... HE WILL APPEAR IN THE HEAVENS AT THE LAST DAY AS THE SON OF MAN Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, 'It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. AS SON OF MAN HE WILL JUDGE EVERYONE IN THE WORLD Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man |
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| ULTIMATELY YHWH BECOMES ALL IN ALL Through the LOGOS becoming flesh we come to know YHWH: Jeremiah 31:34 ... for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD (YHWH) .... In the waters of baptism, repentant believers, enter into a close relationship with YHWH Matthew 28:18 ... baptizing them in* the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit ... * (Greek eis eis - into - in other words: into the name YHWH) Christ the Logos is to be formed in us: Galatians 4:19 ... Christ be formed in you, We are to become partakers of YHWH's nature 2 Peter 1:4 ... ye might be partakers of the divine nature ... At the end the Son hands over the kingdom and he will be under the father for eternity: 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he (the Son) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father... So that YHWH becomes all in all: 1 Corinthians 15:28 ... when all things shall be subdued unto him (the Father), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. |
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APPENDICES LINKS TO ARTICLES ON RELATED SUBJECTS: "YE ARE GODS" in "Further Studies" |
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