The Deity andGreatness of Jesus

Jesus: Eternal God

The Challenges We Face

Ressurgence of Gnosticism Attraction of Conspiracy Theories The Desire to Present a Sanitized,

Politically Correct Jesus Subtle influences of Hollywood Selfish desires to be free of Jesus´ rule

We Need to See the Real Jesus His Eternity His Power His Position

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

The fundamental distinction (Romans 1:25) If Jesus is a creature, He is distinct from

God If He is the Creator, He is distinct from us

The Bible presents Jesus as existing before the creation and as Creator of all that exists

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Clear claims of Scripture John 1:1-3 Colossians 1:15-17

Implications are so strong that opponents have worked hard to strip these texts of their importance

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

John 1:1 – Is Jesus God, or a god? NWT and arguments based on the

absence of the article (God vs. The God) God is God, with or without the article God is God without the article in

1:6,12,13,18

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Colossians 1:15 – Is Jesus the first creature, or first over all the creatures? Ever since the Arians (4th century)

Firstborn could mean first to be made Argument of Jehovah´s Witnesses

Or it could mean principal heir with authority over the creation (Exodus 4:22)

Which fits the context?

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Colossians 1:15 – Is Jesus the first creature, or first over all the creatures? He is the image of the invisible God, the first

one created, for [because] He created all things . . . ?? Something missing? All other things? Look at comment from the publishers of the

NWT

Publishers of NWT comment about their rendering of Colossians 1:15-20

“But now trinitarians confront you with Paul´s words at Colossians 1:15-20 according to the King James Version. They argue that, if Jesus Christ was before all things and all things consist by him and were created by him and for him, then he must be the very same as the Almighty, Most High God, or be one person with God. But we must harmonize these verses with all other scriptures that Jesus Christ was God´s Son and a creation of His. So the Greek word here must be rendered in the sense of “all other.” Note, then, how the New World Translation blasts the trinitarian argument!” [Source: “Further Enrichment of Understanding,” Watchtower, October 15, 1950, page 396]

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Colossians 1:15 – Is Jesus the first creature, or first over all the creatures? He is the image of the invisible God, the first

one created, for [because] He created all things . . . ??

He is the image of the invisible God, the principal heir over all creation, for [because] He created all things . . .

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Colossians 1:15-17 – Principal heir over all creation, because He made it all This is the the argument of Hebrews 3:3-6 Exodus 4:22 – Israel as firstborn Revelation 3:14

Origin, source, ruler – same word used of God in Revelation 21:6; 22:13

Ruler fits context – see Revelation 3:14,21

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Colossians 1:15-17 – Principal heir over all creation, because He made it all This is the the argument of Hebrews 3:3-

6 Exodus 4:22 – Israel as firstborn Revelation 3:14

Jesus, the Uncreated Creator

Colossians 1:15-17 – Principal heir over all creation, because He made it all This is the the argument of Hebrews 3:3-

6 Exodus 4:22 – Israel as firstborn Revelation 3:14 Psalm 89:27; cf. Psalm 2:6-8 – set as

King, receives nations as inheritance – Hebrews 1:2

Jesus, the Eternal God

Jesus existed before Abraham came into existence John 8:24; 56-59, especially 58 – before

Abraham came into existence, I AM (two different verbs)

Psalm 90:2 – before the mountains came into existence, You Are (same grammatical structure and same two verbs in the LXX)

They did not want to stone Him because he thought he was 2,000 years old, but because His claim was to be God (John 8:59)

Jesus, the Eternal God

Jesus existed before creation (John 17:5) Think of how slowly the universe ages

Scientists suggest 500 million years for the earth and 5 billion for the sun

Trees, rocks, etc. last a long time These things are like a change of clothes in

comparison to Jesus´ eternity (Hebrews 1:10-12 – Psalm 102:25-27)

Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:1

Jesus was Active in HistoryBefore the Incarnation 1 Corinthians 10:4,9 – Paul says Christ

was with the Israelites in the wilderness, and was tested by them

God was tested (Numbers 14:22; 21:5-6; Psalms 78:18-20; 95:6-11 (compare Hebrews 3:7-15 – living God – 12, Christ – 14, Holy Spirit – 7)

Jesus was Active in HistoryBefore the Incarnation Isaiah saw His glory (John 12:37-41) But whose glory did Isaiah see? (Isaiah

6:1-5)

Jesus was Active in HistoryBefore the Incarnation Matthew 23:37

Tendency to think only in terms of His earthly ministry

However, Matthew does not record any of Jesus´ prior visits to Jerusalem (John does – John 2:13; 5:1; 7:10)

Jesus was Active in HistoryBefore the Incarnation Matthew 23:37

23:34 – Jesus would send prophets, etc. 23:37 – but prophets had already been sent,

evidently by the same one who often wanted to save them

Compare to 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 – practically the same language to speak of what God had done in the OT

Language of refuge under the wings is common of God´s protection of His people (Psalm 36:7 and several others)

Jesus is . . .

The uncreated Creator, distinct from all creatures

The eternal God, who has always existed The same God who was active in the

history of the Old Testament

“For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:6)