6-Questions About Christ's Divinity - NIV

1. Doesn't the Bible Teach That Jesus Was the "First Born" of Creation and Therefore, Having Been Created, Cannot Have Been Co-Existent with the Father From Eternity? Here Is the Text Used for This Question:
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the _invisible_ God, the _firstborn_ over all creation.

2. The Previous Text Refers to Jesus As the First Born of Every Creature. Jesus Declared That He Was the "I Am" Meaning the Self-Existent One.
Exodus 3:14 God said to _Moses_, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has _sent_ me to you.' "

John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus _answered_, "_before_ Abraham was born, I am!"

The Greek word here for first born is prototokos meaning the pre-eminent one-the one who has the privileges and prerogatives of God. Jesus is the first born not in the sense of time. Jesus is the first born in the sense of privilege. All the privileges of the first born are His. David was the eighth son of Jesse, yet called the first born because of his priviledged status as king.

 3. Jesus Existed Before Abraham. Isaiah the Prophet Called Him the Everlasting Father.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the _government_ will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, _Everlasting_ Father, Prince of Peace.

4. Micah Declares That His Origin Is From Everlasting.
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem _Ephrathah_, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from _ancient_ times. "

5. John Affirms That Jesus Is God.
John 1:1 In the _beginning_ was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

6. Jesus Had The Privileges And Prerogatives Of God.
Philippians 2:5-11 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not _consider_ _equality_ with God _something_ to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human _likeness_. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became _obedient_ to death-- even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the _highest_ place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue _confess_ that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 2:14 Since the _children_ have flesh and blood, he too shared in their _humanity_ so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--

Hebrews 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and _faithful_ high priest in service to God, and that he might make _atonement_ for the sins of the people.

While the world was lost He voluntarily left heaven to become a man, dwelling in human flesh, fighting temptations as we fight them. He overcame in our behalf.

Next Bible Study: 7-Salvation

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