Jesus is not God.” Note that this rebuttal turns on the ability to replace “apart from Him” with the phrase “with the exception of Jesus.” Allegedly they’re synonymous. However, Scripture is clear that Jesus is the eternal, uncreated One. Scriptures in the New Testament clearly portray Jesus as divine—as God. only "begotten son" then all others were created through him as stated in John. Conclusion - Therefore, Jesus cannot be God. In John 1:1-2 “Word” is translated from the Greek logos. The apostle John believed that Jesus created the universe, and says this in two different places within the very first 10 verses of his Gospel. Notice now a number of verses that show that Jesus lived before the incarnation—before His human birth. There for his name in heaven is Michael whom we know on earth as Jesus! is a popular song by The Golden Gate Quartet | Create your own TikTok videos with the When Was Jesus Born? Consider Colossians 1:16: No matter, no time. Think about that for a minute. In fact, Jesus created everything that has ever been created (Jn 1:3)(Col 1:16)(Heb 1:10). In John 1:4 we read, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” This shows the Word was not just a “thought” or “utterance”; the Word also had life. So, in these early verses of John’s Gospel, we find John applying a familiar term, logos, to a living Being who existed with the Father from the beginning, before the world was created. (Egypt Today. John 1:1-3 stands out as one of the more important passages on the background of Jesus Christ. Jude 25: In fact, God created Jesus and then used him to make everything else, including the angels. In Luke’s account of Jesus’s birth, the Evangelist notes that when Jesus was born, “shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock” (Lk. First, they must assume Jesus was created to make their interpretation work. Here we find a clear reference to the “I AM” of Exodus 3:14 who revealed Himself to Moses. In fact, God created Jesus and then used him to make everything else, including the angels. Would you like to read this article in %%? He has always existed; He has no beginning or end. One of the proof texts used to support this theory that Christ was made (and therefore did not always exist like the Father) is in Revelation 3.. The Bible is the written Word of God, and Jesus Christ is the living, personified Word of God—a separate Being who was sent to speak the words of God. What Nicea ended up affirming is that Jesus was eternally the Son and was not created. Or just before the Flood? John 1:1-2 "in the beginning was the Word, was with God and the Word was God. It refers to the Eternal or Self-Existent One. Then, Colossians 1:16 gives the added detail that God created “all things” through Jesus Christ. Jesus (IPA: / ˈ dʒ iː z ə s /) is a masculine given name derived from the name Iēsous (Greek: Ἰησοῦς), the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua or Y'shua (Hebrew: ישוע ). This wasn’t just an oversight because they were busy. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” To make it absolutel… ‘Before all worlds’ Christ is begotten, not created.” Lewis explains begetting in the next turn, that it is of the same being with the Father, as the creed affirms. The apostles believed Jesus created the universe. This name and meaning are closely associated with YHWH, usually translated LORD in the Old Testament. It conveys a message similar to Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”. Jehovah's Witness theology claims that Jesus Christ was God's first creation.1 The claim is supported by two Bible verses, Colossians 1:15 and Revelation 3:14. Was Jesus Created? Jesus created and He appeared in the Old Testament as a theophany. Another source defines logos as “word, thought, reason, speech, declaration, logic, revelation, reckoning, expression of thought” (Zondervan’s Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible). Copyright © 2021 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Bible Questions Answered, Publication download options The New Testament is very deliberate in recording the most vital details about Jesus’ life—but notably there are few about His appearance. Both the Father and the Word—who came to earth as Jesus Christ—have existed for eternity. The witness of Scripture is clear and stands in direct conflict with Jehovah’s Witness doctrine which claims that Jesus and the Archangel Michael are one and the same, the first created being. While Jesus often refers to himself, and is referred to by God, as the Son, this is an indication of Jesus' position in the Trinity. . In John’s Gospel, he writes, “All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Angels announced Jesus' birth, his name, his role as the Messiah (being a descendant of King David and the son of God), and his mission to save his people from sin (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:77; 2:11,30). Larry Neff is pastor of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, congregations on Colorado's Front Range. He has not changed, and they can trust Him. Jesus' parents Mary and Joseph were betrothed (Matthew 1:18–20; Luke 1:27; 2:5). . Does the Bible answer these questions? I think when looked through this lens it makes the most sense. Answer: Genesis 1:1 says that “God created the heavens and the earth.” Then, Colossians 1:16 gives the added detail that God created “all things” through Jesus Christ. No, because had Jesus been made, He would have had to create Himself! Another important passage showing Jesus was not created comes from John 8:58: “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” (Another significant use of this term in the Gospels is found in Mark 14:61-62.). All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). This Awareness wishes to remind you that the story of Jesus, the first written word, was that which was put down some 80 years after his existence on this plane; that It wishes also to inform you that the composite known as the entity Jesus was that which was put together from a variety of information. Get the latest blog posts from Life, Hope & Truth straight to your inbox. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, revised and edited by Frederick William Danker, defines logos as “a communication whereby the mind finds expression, word.”. As its roots lie in the name Yeshua/Y'shua, it is etymologically related to another biblical name, Joshua. The Hidden Years in Nazareth: After Herod's death, when the danger to Jesus has passed, the Holy Family returns from Egypt to live in Nazareth. Kind of a controversial thing biblically sometimes. Because pregnancy changes a woman’s normal hormone patterns, one of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. For born-again Christians, Jesus is more than a good teacher, a prophet or even a created being. This Word is the one who brought all things into bein… That is why the Bible calls Jesus “the firstborn of all creation” by God. He and his wife, Linda, have three grown children and four grandchildren. He also created Earth and mankind in six days. If so, when? He created him from dust, and then He said to him, “Be!” and he came into being.” (Quran, 3:59). It was also well-known as a specialized term in ancient philosophy and theology. The nature of divinity is eternity. As its roots lie in the name Yeshua/Y'shua, it is etymologically related to another biblical name, Joshua. God was not created. (Egypt Today. The answer to our question is found in many passages in Scripture. Absolutely! We will consider many of these, carefully examining the facts to be sure we are understanding what these passages say. Though some denominations blur the lines between Jesus Christ and the angels, the distinction is unmistakable. If we could prove from scripture that Jesus is God (which we can), then we could infer that Jesus must have created the universe. Learn why Jesus is the promised Messiah, where he came from, and why he is Jehovah’s only-begotten Son. And it shows that Jesus is also at the divine level of existence! “To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” This gives a clear distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ who is our Savior. Let's first look at these verses to see what they really say. Thus, the Quran affirms the Muslim belief that Jesus was created by God but that He Himself was not Deity. Used by permission. Verse 1 says, In the beginning was the Word, and … Contained in this site are some in depth Bible studies that I have done trough the years on some very controversial doctrines or teachings of different denominations of the church. They just knew truth. As we will see, the Bible shows that Jesus was not created—that He has been God for eternity. John 1:1-3 stands out as one of the more important passages on the background of Jesus Christ. The Quran explains, “The case of Jesus with God is like the case of Adam. Now, I don’t think the biblical writers knew the theory of relativity. All rights reserved. In John’s account, Jesus is not saying He came into existence before Abraham. Humans were created with the capacity to imitate God’s qualities. But listen to the great doxology. When Was Jesus Born? Premise one states that God was not created. The word “begotten” has many meanings, one of which IS “to be born.” However, since we CLEARLY know from dozens of places in the Bible that Jesus is indeed God, we know with certainty that the meaning “to be born” (or created) does not apply to Jesus when used in the Bible. This divine being, designated by the distinct term “the” angel of the Lord, was different from created angels. This all relates to the question of whether Jesus is divine. He is identified as the Word, yet another name for this great Being whom we call Lord and Savior. .”2 John informs us in John 1:1 that in the beginning was the Word (logos) and that the Word was not only with God but was God. (NASB) Colossians 1:16 . Genesis 1:1 tells us that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In John 1:1 we read the same words, “In the beginning . The Fourth Day: Light Sources Revealed. (Exodus 20:8-11) "For by him [Jesus] all things were created: Things in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. However, John used it in a different way—to refer to a second Being at God’s level of existence! Okay, let’s try the replacement and … In fact, Jesus created everything that has ever been created (Jn 1:3)(Col 1:16)(Heb 1:10). His birth was a virgin birth conceived by the Holy Spirit. While September 11th holds bad memories for individuals in the United States, it would have been a day of celebration in ancient Israel. Though the virgin birth of Jesus is the onset of a whole new revelation of God to his creation, “We are thinking about something that happened before Nature was created at all,” Lewis says, “before time began. In Exodus 3 the great “I AM” is assuring Moses, and by extension the Israelites, that He will continue to be what He has been eternally in the past and will eternally be in the future. If Jesus is not God, and therefore the Creator, then He is a created being.If Jesus is created, then how could He have been an adequate sacrifice to atone for sins committed against an infinite God? But what about before this major event? Or at the time of the incarnation (when He was born as a human)? Nothing means just that: nothing. Question: "Is Jesus the Creator?" THE WATCHTOWER The Resurrection of Jesus—Its Meaning for You, The Resurrection of Jesus—Its Meaning for You. Since these definitions do not directly indicate personhood, some have concluded God’s thoughts or utterance constituted the Word, and His thoughts became the incarnate Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He spoke the mind and thoughts of His Father (John 3:34; Hebrews 1:1-2). . Learn why “the Son of God” had a beginning unlike anyone else’s and what he did next that involves every one of us. We can certainly take the book of Genesis 1–11 as factual because Jesus, New Testament authors, and Old Testament authors referred to it as literal history. The history of Christian reflection on the teachings and nature of Jesus is examined in the article Christology. If Jesus created all things and is before all things, obviously he was not created himself. PRIVACY POLICY, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/2013169/univ/art/2013169_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, THE WATCHTOWER The Resurrection of Jesus—Its Meaning for You, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/wp/E/20130301/wpub/wp_E_20130301_lg.jpg, Share )Neither date is likely correct in light of several clues uncovered by historians and information in the Bible itself. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.” The Greek word for God in this passage is Theos, the primary word used for God in the New Testament. He existed in the beginning with the Father and experienced a close relationship with Him. Story of Jesus Christ was 'fabricated to pacify the poor', claims controversial Biblical scholar. Deity did not change between Old and New Testaments. The only record of the life and ministry of Jesus are the four Canonical Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The growing body of evidence seems to suggest that Jesus was born sometime between 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm on September 11, 3 BC. By Wayne Jackson Is there a possibility that before the Universe was created that God, the “Ancient of days,” was all alone and that out of his own being he brought into existence the Word, who eventually became Jesus Christ? Where Did the Popular Image of Jesus Come From? We encourage you to read the other articles in this section about the great God and His divine Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is in actual fact the Creator of all things, who existed before the creation of the world (John 17:5). The “J” sound used to pronounce Jesus’ name does not exist in Hebrew or Aramaic, which is strong evidence that Jesus was called something entirely different by his contemporaries. He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion.Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament.. Premise 3 - God's necessary attributes include being eternal (uncreated and without beginning). This is expressed most clearly in a verse found in John 8:58, where Jesus is having a discussion with the Pharisees. But we are going to cut to the chase and look at verses indicating directly that Jesus was the primary agent in the act of creation. Why Did the Wise Men Bring Gifts to Jesus? If so, when? It is so hard for many human minds to understand eternity due to the fact that we are mortal. It says nothing was made without Him. Since Jesus created all things, He could not have been one of the "created things." Jesus was there not only before matter; he was there before time. Study this text with us. You can find the answers to those questions in the Bible, and they will greatly enhance your understanding and appreciation of what God and Jesus have done for you. The plain teaching of Scripture, therefore, is that Jesus is the Creator of the universe. )Neither date is likely correct in light of several clues uncovered by historians and information in the Bible itself. Jesus, also called Jesus Christ, Jesus of Galilee, or Jesus of Nazareth, (born c. 6–4 bc, Bethlehem—died c. ad 30, Jerusalem), religious leader revered in Christianity, one of the world’s major religions.He is regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. But we will start with John 1:1-3. What special role did Jesus fulfill? He was in the beginning with God. However, the Word is referred to as being with God in the beginning. Just as the Jews were saved by the name of Jehovah in the O.T., we are saved by the Name of Christ in this day. The same imagery is used when Jesus paralleled His resurrection with Jonah brought up from the deep and spit out onto land by the great fish. But scripture also tells us that Jesus created everything. He was in the beginning with God. The purpose of this site is to get to the truth of the matter. We also believe that the Earth was created by Jesus/Jehovah under the direction of God the Father. He is saying He existed before Abraham came into existence. Jesus (IPA: / ˈ dʒ iː z ə s /) is a masculine given name derived from the name Iēsous (Greek: Ἰησοῦς), the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua or Y'shua (Hebrew: ישוע ). Jesus was not created, He is eternal. That is why the Bible calls Jesus “the firstborn of all creation” by God.—Read Colossians 1:15, 16. LDS theology teaches that Jesus Christ was Jehovah, the God of Israel in the Old Testament. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/was-jesus-created/. (John 19:14-16) Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his three-and-a-half-year ministry, so he was born in the early fall of 2 B.C.E.—Luke 3:23. Before he was born in Bethlehem, Jesus lived as a spirit creature in heaven. THE WATCHTOWER The Resurrection of Jesus—Its Meaning for You, Audio download options In its fullness, this is a representation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A most important point needs to be made about verse 3. So was Jesus created? How Should a Christian Deal With the Coronavirus Pandemic? , everything that has ever been created ( Jn 1:3 ) ( Col 1:16 ) ( Heb 1:10 ) Men. Distinction is unmistakable × contains two direct statements that tell us that Jesus lived as a creature. To create everything else, including the angels, the God of Israel in United. Biblical name, Joshua Jesus when was jesus created not be God in John 10:30 and 14:9. Existence of Jesus was not any thing made that was created to create Himself supposedly supports this is! 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