6-Questions About Christ's Divinity - NKJ

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 And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. And He said, Thus you _shall_ say to the _children_ of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most _assuredly_, I say to you, _before_ Abraham was, 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 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.

4. Micah Declares That His Origin Is From Everlasting.
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the _thousands_ of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From _everlasting_."

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 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not _consider_ it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no _reputation_, taking the form of a _bondservant_, and coming in the _likeness_ of men. [8] And being found in _appearance_ as a man, He humbled Himself and became _obedient_ to the point of death, even the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also has highly _exalted_ Him and given Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should _confess_ that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have _partaken_ of flesh and blood, He Himself _likewise_ shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things _pertaining_ to God, to make _propitiation_ 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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