250 likes | 473 Views
THE DEITY OF CHRIST. Refuting Jehovah’s Witness doctrine concerning Jesus. Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine. “Jesus was the first creation by God”. Jesus was Creator.
E N D
THE DEITY OF CHRIST Refuting Jehovah’s Witness doctrine concerning Jesus
Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine • “Jesus was the firstcreation by God”
Jesus was Creator • Rev 3:14 – And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning(arche; ar-khay’) of the creation of God….” • “The first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • Luke 20:20 – So they watched Him, & sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power(arche; ar-khay’) & the authority of the governor. • “The first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • 1 Cor 15:24 – Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule(arche; ar-khay’) & all authority & power. • “The first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • Eph 1:21 – far above all principality(arche; ar-khay’) & power & might & dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come • “The first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • John 1:3 – All things were made through Him, & without Him nothing was made that was made. • “The Beginning of the Creation of God (Rev 3:14)” means Jesus was “the first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • Heb 1:3 – who being the brightness of His glory & the express image of His person, & upholding all things by the word of His power… • “The Beginning of the Creation of God (Rev 3:14)” means Jesus was “the first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • Col 1:16 – For by Him all things were created that are in heaven & that are on earth, visible & invisible, ... All things were created through Him & for Him. • “The Beginning of the Creation of God (Rev 3:14)” means Jesus was “the first in rank & authority,” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).
Jesus was Creator • Col 1:15 – He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. • Jesus holds the rank of a firstborn son, because He was given authority (Matt 28:18; Col 1:16-20). • David: (Psa 89:19-29, 27) • Israel (Exo 4:18-23, 22)
Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine • “Jesus was the first creation by God” • “Through Him all other things were created”
Jesus was Creator • Col 1:16 – For by Him all things were created that are in heaven & that are on earth, visible & invisible, ... All things were created through Him & for Him. • The NWT add the word “other”, which is NOT in the Greek text. • God says, “Do not add to My Word!” – Gen 3:4; Deut 4:2; Pro 30:5-6; Rev 22:18-19
Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine • “Jesus was the first creation by God” • “Through Him all other things were created” • “A mighty God, but notAlmightyGod, Jehovah”
Jesus was Creator • Isa 9:6 (Jesus) – For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; & the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty[gibbor] God [El], Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. • Isa 10:21 (Jehovah) – The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the [definite article not in Hebrew text] Mighty[gibbor] God [El] (cf. Jer 32:18).
Jesus was Creator • John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the word was God”. • The NWT adds the definite article “a”, which is NOT in the Greek text. • The NWT does not add the definite article to these verses in John 1:6, 12, 13, 18.
Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine • “Jesus was the first creation by God” • “Through Him all other things were created” • “A mighty God, but not Almighty God, Jehovah” • “Jesus is lesser than Jehovah”
Jesus was Creator • Phil 2:5-6 – 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... • The NWT: “existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal with God”
Jesus was Creator • Phil 2:7-8 – but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, & coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself & became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. • Paul was demonstrating the humility of Jesus.
Jesus was Creator • The Watchtower Society, Jesus “gave no consideration” to seizing equality with God when Jesus had no chance of being equal to God. • What is humble about Jesus NOT doing what He COULD NOT do? • However, when (King) Creator becomes Servant – THAT IS HUMILTY!
Jesus was Creator • Phil. 2:5-8 (KJV & NKJV) • Jesus did not grasp, clutch or cling to His rightful place of honor & dignity in Heaven to the extent that He was unwilling to fulfill His Father’s will on earth.
Jesus was Creator • Col 2:9 – For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. • Adam Clarke – "The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Christ 'bodily,' as opposed to the Jewish tabernacle, or temple; truly and really, in opposition to types and figures; not only effectively, as God dwells in good men,butsubstantially or personally, by the strictest union, as the soul dwells in the body; so that God and man are one Christ."
Jesus was God on earth Co-existent – Co-eternalSame nature as the Father