Who is Jesus Christ ?
Last revision: 2/2/98
Who is Jesus Christ ? A man ? A god ? Almighty God ? A created spirit creature ? Which is it, is Jesus Christ God or is he a created being ? How about both. Hey, this would solve the dilemma of the scriptures supporting both roles.
Many Scriptures Show Jesus
To Be God
The majority of Christian churches (Christendom), recognize the supreme position that Jesus Christ holds. They acknowledge the role of God that Jesus Christ has. “The one alone having immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom not one of men has seen or can see. To him be the honor and might everlasting ,Amen” (Tim 6:16). He is the “alpha and Omega”, “the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:13,16) (ALL translations show Jesus to be the alpha and omega, except the New World Translation of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) He is also the “word”, and “the word was god” (John 1:1) He also stated that “He and the father are one” and “He that has seen me has seen the father” (John 10:30; John 17:21,22; John 14:9) “He is the reflection of his glory and the exact representation of his very being and he sustains all things by the word of his power” (Heb 1:3) Jesus is also the one “who is destined to judge the living and the dead” (2 Tim 4:1) He is also the “first and the last” and holds “the keys of death and of Hades” (Rev 1:18) It is only in Jesus’ name that one can find salvation, not in Jehovah's name. as it states: “there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved” (Acts 4:12) According to this and additional scriptures, many believe that Jesus Christ is God. Do all of these facts prove or establish that Jesus Christ is God ?
A Closer Examination
Firstborn & Beginning
of Creation
Other Christian denominations, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, recognize the scriptures that point to Jesus Christ being created. In Colossians 1:15 , Jesus is called “the firstborn of all creation” and in Revelation 3:14 he is called “the beginning of creation.” In many bibles this verse is translated as "the ruler of creation", for the Greek word for beginning, arche can mean both origin and the first to rule. Also, Some scholars have brought out that the Greek word for "firstborn" is prototokos and is interchangeable as a title of pre-eminence or first in place or rank. For instance, in Gen 41:51-52 Joseph is called the "firstborn" of Manasseh and Ephraim is called the second. But in Jer 31:9 Ephraim is called the "firstborn", showing this title to speak of pre-eminence or importance, not the literal first born of Manasseh. It is true this can be applied to Jesus title as "firstborn" in Colossians 1:15, so that Jesus has the title of pre-eminence or first in rank in creation, rather then being the first one to be created as some claim. It is also true, that the Greek word for "creation" is ktisis, and can mean a creature, showing Jesus Christ to have been created or can mean the act of creating, founding, establishing , beginning, former, constructor, etc., showing Jesus to be the former that began the construction of creation, however this is not the same as being the author and designer of it. Both of these thoughts certainly show the plausibility of Jesus Christ as being a created creature and separate from God Almighty, acting as his his "master worker" and constructor, thus the "beginner of construction" and the "first of importance in creation."
The Personification of Wisdom
In Proverbs chapter 8 there is a prophecy about wisdom. As the Easton Bible Dictionary states: "Wisdom" in Prov. 1:20; 8:1; 9:1-5 may be regarded not as a mere personification of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:24). In many bibles this "wisdom" is translated as a “she”, but if you read the entire chapter it states that this “wisdom” became God’s “master worker” and the “beginning of God's creation”, or the "beginning of his way " “from times earlier than the earth.” (Proverbs 8:22, 30) I can see no other than Jesus Christ fulfilling this role of wisdom. Not only is this same expression in Proverbs 8: 22, “beginning of God's creation”, used to describe Jesus in Revelation 3:14, but the title of "wisdom" is also applied to "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God", in 1 Corinthians 1:24 and verse 30, “Jesus Christ has become to us wisdom.” As Jesus stated: "Wisdom is proved righeous by its works." And Jesus deciples or "children" reflect his wisdom by their works" of love and mercy towards all others, thus showing "love of neighbor." (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:35; Matt 22:37-39)
However to state that this "wisdom", Jesus, is simply a creation, can not be entirely accurate, for verses 22 and 24 state that God "produced" and "brought forth" him. This can certainly imply that Jesus was more then an independent creation, but actually "produced" from a part of God, "brought forth" out of him. In this sense Jesus would be the "exact reflection of glory and the exact representation of God's very being", yes, a part of God. Although completely separate, it would be hard to tell apart the difference from Jesus and his Father Jehovah. This would not make Jesus the same individual person as his father, God, for he would be an independent being, however he would still be a part of God, being "brought forth" and "born" from him. This makes Jesus entirely divine and a part of God. In this sense, "the word", Jesus, " was God ... and we had a view of his glory." For this he could rightly say, "He that has seen me, has seen the father." This would all the more, make him a perfect and equal "ransom sacrifice" as he "emptied himself" of being a powerful spirit being, becoming a weak human, equal to Adam, and taking on a slave's form in the likeness of men." (Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6; Phil 2:7; Heb 1:3; John 14:9)
As shown below, the Hebrew words used in Proverbs 8:22 and 24, in describing "wisdom", Jesus, can be defined as being "born", "brought forth" and "of God originating, creating." This could suggest him as being born from God, thus being a part of him, yet completely separate. It is possible that this can be compared to Eve, who was "taken out of" or "brought out of" of Adam. She was certainly a part of Adam, a rib from his body, yet a completely separate independent person. All humans have procreative powers, giving birth to offspring that come from two DNA genetic codes. But here, Eve was taken directly out of Adam, with the same exact genetic code, but female. Although a completely seperate person, she was still a part of Adam. For this God stated that "the two will become one flesh."
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STRONG'S CONCORDANCE |
STRONG'S CONCORDANCE |
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chuwl {khool} or chiyl {kheel} #02342 |
qanah {kaw-naw'} #07069 |
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| When [there were] no depths,I was brought forth [02342] ; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water - Pro 8:24 HEBREW | The LORD possessed [07069] me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.- Pro 8:22 HEBREW | ||||
| a primitive root; TWOT - 623; v AV - pain 6, formed 5, bring forth 4, pained 4,
tremble 4, travail 4, dance 2, calve 2, grieved 2, grievous 2, wounded 2, shake 2, misc 23; 62 1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained 1a) (Qal)1a1) to dance 1a2) to twist, writhe 1a3) to whirl, whirl about 1b) (Polel)1b1) to dance 1b2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth 1b3) to wait anxiously 1c) (Pulal) 1c1) to be made to writhe, be made to bear 1c2) to be brought forth 1d) (Hophal) to be born 1e) (Hithpolel) 1e1) whirling (participle) 1e2) writhing, suffering torture (participle) 1e3) to wait longingly 1f) (Hithpalpel) to be distressed |
a primitive root; TWOT - 2039; v AV - Buy 46, get 15, purchased 5, buyer 3, possessor 3, possessed 2, owner 1, recover 1, redeemed 1, misc 7; 84 1) to get, acquire, create, buy, possess 1a (Qal) 1a1) to get, acquire, obtain 1a1a) of God originating, creating, redeeming His people 1a1a1) possessor 1a1b) of Eve acquiring 1a1c) of acquiring knowledge, wisdom 1a2) to buy 1b) (Niphal) to be bought 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to possess
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STRONGS CONCORDANCE |
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laqach {law-kakh'} #03947 |
| This one will be called woman. Because out of man this one was taken. - Gen 2:23 |
| a primitive root; TWOT - 1124; HEBREW AV - take 747, receive 61, take away 51, fetch 31, bring 25, get 6,take out 6, carry away 5, married 4, buy 3, misc 26; 965 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy,bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of,select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning) |
John 1:1 ...... "The Word Was God"
It is true that in John 1:1 "the word was God." Not only was Jesus "brought forth", and "born" from solely God, but apparently every word spoken by Jesus were God's words, thus he is called the "word" and could be rightly called God, for he was a part of God and the "reflection of glory and the exact representation of his very being and he sustains all things by the word of his power." And it was this "word" of Jehovah that the heavens themselves were made." (Psalms 33:6) In verse 14 the "word", Jesus, "became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory", but notice his separation from the father, Almighty God, in verse 18 which states: "No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten "god" who is in the bosom with the Father is the one that has explained him."
Only One True Almighty God
Many will reason on this, that there can only be one true God, as brought out in many scriptures, such as Isaiah 43:10, and that any other gods must therefore be false. But this is not true, for there are many true "gods", but only one true Almighty God, as brought out in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, "For even though there are many who are called "gods" whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many "gods" and many "lords", there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him, and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him." Many theologians will argue that this would determine all other Gods as false, But this is not correct for not all other "gods" are false, some are and some are not, however none are the one true Almighty God over all. The fact that the judges of Israel were called "gods" in Psalms 82:6 and John 10:34, shows they were not false "gods", rather they were true "gods" in the sense of having a degree of power, position and authority. It is only those claiming to be, or to receive the worship that belongs to, the one true "Almighty God", that can be labeled as false "gods." (Hebrews 1:3)
God Alone Created The Earth And Man Upon It
In Isaiah 44:24 and 45:12-13, it states: I Jehovah am doing everything stretching out the heavens by myself laying out the earth, who was with me?......I myself (alone) have made the earth and have created even man upon it." NWT This is true that it was God ALONE or by HIMSELF who did the work in Isaiah 44:24 and 45:12,13, yet this does not mean he did not use his "master worker" of Proverbs chapter 8, his son Jesus, who was "brought forth" making him a part of God, to do the creating for him. Many interpret Genesis 1:26 which states, "Let us make man in our image", to include both God and his son as the creators, for it was only the Almighty God alone who designed creation and entrusted his power with his son Christ Jesus, "the exact representation of his very being", asigning him the construction work of creation. For this he is called "the beginning of creation." Just as the "father and Jesus are one" in purpose and unity, it was Jehovah alone, who "stetched out the heavens." (John 10:30)
Notice in 1 Chronicles 29:1 that it was king Solomon ALONE, who was chosen to build God's temple, "Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. " (KJV) So here God chose Solomon ALONE to build the temple, yet was it him alone who did the actual building ? No, king Solomon had workers help do the building for him. Stones were taken and cut in a different location and then brought to Jerusalem to be contructed. (1 Chronicles 3,4) So just as Isaiah 44:24 states that Jehovah ALONE is the actual creator and author, this does not rule out that he used his son, the "master worker" to do the construction and forming of creation for him.
The One Who Was Pierced - God ? or Jesus ?
In Zechariah 12:10, there is a prophecy about the future messiah to be "pierced" and shows Jehovah to be the one speaking and states: "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son." The New World Translation omits the word "me", so that it says "...they will look upon the one whom they have pierced..." instead of "me, the one they have pierced." Does this prove that Jesus is God Almighty ? No, for this can certainly be compared to Jesus words about actions taken towards humans to be the same as doing them to him "to the extent you did it to one of my brothers, you have done it to me" and after Saul or Apostle Paul persecuted the Christians, Jesus words to him were: "Why are you persecuting me?" Also, Jehovah stated in Zechariah 2:8: "touching you (his people) is touching my eyeball." The point is, actions taken, for, or against, humans are to be the same as doing such to Jesus and Jehovah, just as the action of piercing Jesus is likened to piercing Jehovah. (Matthew 25:40 and Acts 9:4)
I And The Father Are One
As far as John 10:30, where Jesus states "I and the father are one", in this context and compared to the later chapter 17, the context does not support that Jesus is the father, for all of Jesus deciples are to be one as Jesus states in John 17:21-23: "in order that they may all be one, just as you Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me forth... in order that they may be one just as we are one..." Just as Adam and Eve were "one flesh" and Paul and Apollos were "one", they were one in purpose, not as a literal being. (1 Cor 3:5-9; Matthew 19:4-6)
I Am
Then there's John 8:58. Here Jesus tells the pharisees, "I am." The New World Translation translates this as "Before Abraham, I have been." Apparently this is grammatically incorrect. The actual Greek words are "I am." Does this mean Jesus was specifically recalling Exodus 3:14, where God tells Moses his name as "I AM"? It certainly agrees with the context, and this could be the reason that angered the Jews, wanting to stone him for this. Does this necessarily prove that Jesus is God Almighty? No, for Jesus, as God's "Word", "master worker", "beginning of creation", "chief agent of life", "only begotten son", and "reflection of glory and the exact representative of his very being" certainly has the "legal right" and "position" to call himself the same name as the father and therefore "I AM." For "he that has seen me (Jesus) has seen the father." His "name, Jesus, is now above all others", including Jehovah's. He is the "yes" and the "amen" and the "I AM" to all of Jehovah God's promises, fulfilling and "proving to be" all of God's prophesies and promises. "For the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying" and "to him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone putting faith in him gets forgiveness of sins through his name." (Revelation 19:10; Acts 10:43; Exodus 3:14; John 8:58; John 1:1; Proverbs 8:29; Revelation 3:14; Acts 5:31; John 3:16; Hebrews 1:3; Ezekiel 21:27; Phillipians 2:9; John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Phillipians 2:9)
Only One Is Good - God
Many will quote Mark 10:17-19 (Matthew 19:16-19) to prove that Jesus was not "good" as God Almighty is, and therefore could not be God or a part of God being made and "brought forth" directly out of him. But how could Jesus not be "good" and yet be the "exact representation and image of God's glory?" For it was Jesus who also stated, "He that has seen me has seen the father." What does the context of Mark chapter 10 show ? What was the context of the man who spoke to Jesus? Was it about the "good" person Jesus? Or was it about the "good" needed to gain everlasting life. Jesus then answered, it is God who is good, follow his commandments ..." (Heb 1:3; John 14:8)
What does the context of Mark chapter 10 show ?
Mark 10:17-19
"A man ran up to Jesus and fell on his knees and asked him, Good rabbi, what must I do to obtain eternal life? Jesus said to him,"
A. "Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God! You know the commandments - Do not . . . "
B. "Why do you call me good? No things are good except God's commandments alone." For you know the commandments - Do not . . . "
C. " Why do you ask me what is good? No one is good except God and his commandments. You know his commandments - Do not . . . "
Does the context show that it is only God who is good and not his son Jesus? Or does the context show that it is only God's commandments alone that are good in order to obtain everlasting life? The fact that Jesus proceeds to list many of God's "good" commandments in order to explain to the man the requirements needed to obtain everlasing life, show the later context to be the true meaning. And these commandments or works or not the sacrifice of preaching or religious organizational activity, but rather mercy shown to other persons, for God wants mercy, not sacrifice.
Who Did Jesus Pray To ?
There are also some very logical questions to ask yourself, that defy the mysteriousness of the belief in a Godhead or Trinity. Who did Jesus pray to ? himself ? No. Another part of himself of the Godhead ? Yes, for example, when Adam would speak to Eve, he was speaking to a part of himself, the exact DNA used to produce her, a female version of exactly him, a female Adam. For this God would symbolically describe them as "the two would become one flesh." Later Apostle Paul would use this same terminology when speaking about married couples. And for this Jesus could speak to a separate person, God Almighty, the father, and yet still be speaking to a part of his very self, as he spoke right before his death he stated: My God, My God, why have you forsaken me ? (Matthew 27:46)
Does God, the father, need to prove himself loyal ? Does God ever have to learn obedience ? No, but Jesus his son , who was a part of him, did as stated in Phillipians 2:8 and Hebrews chapter 5:8-9 " he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes , death on the cross" and "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered and after he had been made perfect he became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him." Can God be tempted by the Devil ? Does God have to prove his integrity ? If he can not, then why did the Devil try to tempt him, for God, who has the power and authority over all, could have taken all the the world's kingdoms or governments at any time. He did not need the Devil to offer them to him. But all of this shows the loyalty, integrity, humility, faithfulness, loving kindness and mercy that Christ Jesus showed. And for this Jesus was "appointed to a superior position" of the father, Almighty God.
- Jesus Christ -
Appointed By The Father
To The "Superior Position"
and "Name" Of Almighty God
Everything Subject To Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was "obedient as far as death" and “for this very reason also God exalted him to a
superior position and kindly gave him the name , that is above every other name, so that in the name
of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground and every
tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the father” (Phil 2:9) Jehovah appointed
Jesus a superior position making him "responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him
." (Heb 5:8; Phil 2:10,11) "God exhaulted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand."
(Acts 5:31) Notice that God "put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him as head over
all things to the church" (Eph 1:22) 
And also "In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is
not subject to him." (Heb 2:8) and "...Christ, who is the head over every power and authority"
(Col 2:10 "...who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand with angels, authorities and powers in
submission to him." Jehovah also gave Jesus a higher name then himself, making the name of Jesus the only
name for salvation. For it is only in "Jesus name that is above every name, so that in the name
of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground and every
tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. "This would explain
the absence of the tetragramaten
in the Christian Greek scriptures. Jesus name would replace the use of Jehovah's name. (Phillipians 2:9) This is
not just a high position, but the position of Almighty God himself. Not that Jesus is the same as Jehovah, for
they are two seperate persons, rather Jehovah has appointed his son, Jesus, to sit on his throne and rule as the
Alpha and Omega.
Jesus Rules On God's Throne
True it is stated that Jesus is seated at God's "right hand in the heavenly place" (Eph 1:20), either in favor with God or a literal position, yet this does not take away from his position as God and ruling from God's throne. This can be confirmed in Psalms 45:6 and Hebrews 1:8, which states: "God is your throne forever and ever." - NWT or "Thy throne O God, is forever and ever." - NASB True, the later version can be interpreted to mean that Jesus is Almighty God, yet this does mean he is the same as his father, Jehovah, for it is certainly possible that Jesus was the one appointed by Jehovah to rule on his throne, obtaining the position of the "Almighty" God, the "Alpha and Omega" and the "I Am", along with the highest name, power, glory and authority and worship that goes with it.
Revelation 7:10, states, "to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb." and Revelation 22:3, "But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city and his slaves will render him sacred service." Are these seperate thrones ? Or, Do they share the same throne ? The possiblity of Jesus being the "one who is seated on the throne", being the one "who was appointed to the superior position" of Almighty God can not be ignored. For he is "King of kings and Lord of lords" and "will rule as king forever and ever." For Jehovah himself has installed Christ Jesus as his king, "saying I, even I have installed my king. Upon my holy mountain." It is also certainly possible that Jesus is the "King of eternity" and "the only God", spoken of in 1 Tim 1:17, since in the prior verses and context of the entire chapter speak about Christ Jesus. In the same letter of 1 Timothy, 6:15, Jesus is "the King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, the one alone having immortality who dwells in unapproachable light, whom not one of men has seen or can see." And for this, Jesus is the one, who is to recieve the "honor and might everlasting, Amen." (Rev 1:3; 4:2, 5:13; 15:3; 19:16; 11:15; Psalm 1:6;)
God's Kingdom = Christ's Kingdom
Constantly the "kingdom" is spoken of as "God's kingdom", yet Revelation 11:15 includes Jesus as the ruler of the "kingdom", "the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he will rule as king forever." Along with Jesus, he "bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and made them into a 'kingdom' and priests to our God and they are to rule as kings (over) (on) the earth." Jesus also calls this "kingdom", "my kingdom", for he is the king and ruler. (Daniel 6:26, 2:44, Luke 17:20; Matt 4:11, John 18:36)
Christians Go To Christ Only For Salvation
Now that Jesus has the "superior position" of God, all Christians, are to go only to him for salvation as brought out in Acts 2:38, “Repent and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.” Now one would only have to go through Jesus’ name to be saved. “For if you publicly declare that word in your mouth that Jesus is Lord and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9)
Jesus Christ Is The Alpha and Omega
In "First" chapter of Revelation verses 4-7, it specifically is speaking about Jesus Christ and his second coming. Verse 7, speaks about how "he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him" (Jesus). Then in verse 8, it states:"I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."(Rev 1:8) According to the context, this is Jesus Christ as the "Alpha and Omega." Then in the "last" chapter of Revelation chapter 22 verses 13 and 16 it states: "I am the Alpha and the Ome'ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end . . . I Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star" - (Revelation 22:13,16). The context shows it is Jesus speaking in both verses. For in verses 12, 17 and 20 it states "I am coming" and in verse 20 it specifically states: "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus."( Rev 22:20) So to interpret the Alpha and Omega in verse 13 as Jehovah, as the New World Translation does, is to miss the context of chapter 22. Many, of course, will say this proves that Jesus is the same as Jehovah or Almighty God, however this is not necessarily so, for it is possible that Jesus integrity has proved so great that the Father, Jehovah, has now stepped down off his throne and appointed Jesus Christ to the "superior postion" of his role as the "Almighty", as the "Alpha and Omega" and the "first and the last." In this real sense Jesus is God to all creation. Jesus Christ is "our great God and saviour" in Titus 1:13. And it was with "God's own blood" that purchased us in Acts 20:28, for Jesus blood could certainly be called God's. The New World translation is one of the few bibles that translates many of the above verses differently to support their theology.
Jesus Christ Was Worshipped
Although Jesus taught his followers to pray to the father , through his name (Math 6:10; John 14:14) and not directly to him, it also shows in Heb 1:6, Jesus being worshipped by the angels. "Let all the angels of God worship him" (Heb 1:6) The New World translation, translates the the Greek word proskuneo as "obeisance" and this is one of the correct definitions of the word, however, this same Greek word, proskuneo, is also used at Matthew 4:10 and John 4:24 and is translated as "worship" in the New World Translation. "It is written, It is the Lord your God you must worship, and it is to him alone, you must render sacred service." (Matthew 4:10) And "God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) These renderings of proskuneo, as "worship" are also correct, as shown below in Strongs Concordance and Vines Expository Dictionary.
| 1."Let all the angels of God worship (obeisance) him" (Heb 1:6) 2."It is written, It is the Lord your God you must worship, and it is to him alone, you must render sacred service." (Matthew 4:10) 3."God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) |
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Strongs Concordance: |
Vines Expository Dictionary |
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A-1 Verb # 4352 Greek: proskuneo |
A-1 Verb # 4352 Greek: proskuneo |
| AV - worship 60; 60 1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead
as an expression of profound reverence 3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one)
or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication
3a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank 3a1) to the Jewish high priests 3a2) to God 3a3) to Christ 3a4) to heavenly beings 3a5) to demons |
"to make obeisance, do reverence to" (from pros, "towards," and kuneo, "to kiss"), is the most frequent word rendered "to worship." It is used of an act of homage or reverence (a) to God, e.g., Matt. 4:10; John 4:21-24; 1 Cor. 14:25; Rev. 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:10 (2nd part); 22:9; (b) to Christ, e.g., Matt. 2:2,8,11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9,17; John 9:38; Heb. 1:6, in a quotation from the Sept. of Deut. 32:43, referring to Christ's Second Advent; (c) to a man, Matt. 18:26; (d) to the Dragon, by men, Rev. 13:4; (e) to the Beast, his human instrument, Rev. 13:4,8,12; 14:9,11; (f) the image of the Beast, Rev. 13:15; 14:11; 16:2; (g) to demons, Rev. 9:20; (h) to idols, Acts 7:43. |
This shows that both 'obeisance" and "worship "are correct definitions of the word proskuneo.
This also exposes the inconsistency and bias rendering of the Greek word proskuneo, in the New World Translation's
treatment of Hebrews 1:6, where they render it as "obeisance", while in Matthew 4:10 and John 4:24, they
render it as "worship." Apparently, the "old light" or former belief of the Watchtower Society
was that Jesus was worshiped, as shown in the July 15, 1898 edition of the Watchtower Magazine, which states:
"We believe our Lord Jesus while on earth was really worshiped, and properly so. It was proper for our
Lord to receive worship in view of his having been the only begotten of the Father, and his agent in the creation
al all things, including man." Also the older version of the New World Translation, translates Hebrews
1:6 with the word "worship", but later changed this to "obeisance." However this rendering
of proskuneo as "obeisance" is not consistent with the rendering in Revelation 5:13-14, which
shows the four living creatures and the 24 elders falling down and worshiping, proskuneo, both the
"one sitting on the throne and the lamb" (Jehovah and Jesus). So all creation including us would worship
the father Jehovah through Jesus name and possibly Jesus as well.
Jesus Christ - Almighty God To All Creation,
But Always Under The Subjection of His Father, YHWH
The only person Jesus has not become the supreme God to is Jehovah himself. Notice 1 Cor 15:27 "For he 'has put everything under his feet.' Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ." NIV version. Certainly, the father has always been"greater than his son Jesus," and the son, who obtains the role of Almighty God, is still always under subjection.to his father. Apparently there will even come a time, "until he has put all his enemies under his feet" and "the last enemy to be destroyed is death" when Jesus "hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father" giving up his rulership and authority as God over all creation back to his father, and "when he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all" (1 Cor 15:23-28 NIV) So there would come a time when Jesus would hand over the kingdom back to his father Jehovah "when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power". It can be likened to the following illustration: It would be as if Queen Elizabeth handed the throne of England over to Prince Charles, and made him King of England. She would still be his mother and the Queen; she would not be any the less; but all authority, honor, power and glory of the monarchy would have been handed over to her son. the subjects would now render him the loyalty and service due the King of England, thought they would hold the Queen Mother in no less respect as the mother of the King. So in this respect, all the authority, honor, power, glory and possibly worship would belong to Jesus Christ. (John 14:28)
View of Others In Their Belief Of Jesus
This article conflicts with both the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses and the main stream interpretation of Christendom. Rather then
| Traditional View - The trinity doctrine that the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit are the one God, but three persons. Jesus Christ Had both the nature and divinity to be called
both man and God, resulting in Jesus Christ as always being God Almighty. All creation is subject to him. Jehovah's Witnesses - Jesus Christ, the son of God, formerly known as, and now again, Michael the Arch Angel, was created and exalted as King, yet never attains the position and authority of God. All creation, including Jesus Christ, is subject to the father, Jehovah. This Web Page - Jesus Christ, the "only begotten" son of God, was "produced" and "born" from God and "brought forth" out of him, making him completely seperate, yet a divine being and a part of God, as his reflection of glory and the exact representation of his very being." And after "empting himself" of his divinity, becoming equal to Adam, and "learning obedience", he provided a perfect "ransom sacrifice", and was exalted to the "superior position" of God Almighty, with the title, name, honor, glory and worship that goes along with it. All creation is subject to Jesus Christ alone, who in turn is subject to the father, Jehovah. This is not far from the Nicene Creed and the Trinity, for Jesus Christ is NOT simply "the greatest man whoever lived," but a part of Almighty God and further, he was appointed as such. |
Is this a salvation issue? Does it mean life or death? Many religious persons will say yes, judging and condemning all those who do not agree with their interpretation on this. However, I find this is absolutely Not a salvation issue. The only requirement for everlasting life is for persons to "exercise faith in Christ." What is exercising faith in Christ? It is performing acts of love and kindness to fellow neighbors, which has the same value and equals the same thing as believing and having the knowledge that Christ is the messiah, our "chief agent and savior" and that "no one goes to the father except through him." It is showing of "works" of love and mercy, not the "works" of sacrifice, which include the sacrifices of teaching and enforcing the beliefs of unclear doctrinal knowledge, such as the trinity, hellfire, 1914 and many other interpretations of men. God wants "mercy, not sacrifice", for "love is the laws fulfillment" and "love is the perfect bond of union", not the unclear doctrines. And Jesus deciples would only be recognized by "this love among themselves", not the unclear doctrinal knowledge. For "the love of Christ surpasses knowledge. (John 14:6; Acts 5:31; James 2:26; Galatians 2:15,16; Eph 3:19; Heb 13:14-15)
Acknowledging ourselves as sinners and confessing Jesus as the Christ and our personal savior is certainly a requirement. Howerver, confession is not necessarily having or confessing the academic knowledge of Christ, as so many churches teach. Only by showing "works of mercy, not sacrifice", love of neighbor, each and every day, on a continual basis, can an individual be confessing Christ as their savior. "The love of Christ surpasses (academic) knowledge." "For whenever people of the nations that do not have the law (of Christ), do by nature the things of the law, these people although not having law, are a law to themselves. The are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts , while their conscience is bearing witness with them and , between their own thoughts, they are being accused or even excused." This applies both to the Mosaic law and the law of Christ.
So those persons who are truly showing "love of neighbor", and "do by nature the things of the law of Christ" and do not have any knowledge of the scriptures or profess a different religion " are demonstrating the law of Christ to be written on their hearts and are being excused." In reality it is these persons who are confessing and exercising faith in Christ. "For he that loves his fellow man has fullfilled the law." For he that knows love knows God, for "God is love." (Romans 2:14-15, 28-29; 13:8; Math 9:13, Romans 13:10, Colossians 3:14, John 13:34,35; Eph 3:19 1 John 4:18-21; 1 John 4:1-3))
I would also venture to say that any Christian denomination that goes as far as to say that one who does not believe that Jesus is God or in the trinity, does not have everlasting life, is putting sacrifice ahead of mercy. This would also hold true if they enforce the other view of Jesus being the son only and not following that reaps death. To view that persons will not obtain everlasting life because of their individual interpretations on this, is putting sacrifice ahead of mercy and is going against the very teachings of Christ. Christians should not "judge each other" or "look down on your brothers", instead each individual person "will all stand before the judgment seat of God" "So then each of us will render an account of himself to God." We are to follow Christ words to "stop judging that you may not be judged, for with what judgment you are judging, you will be judged" ..... "Hypocrite! first extract the rafter from your own eye and then you will see clearly how to extract the straw from your brother's eye." Christians are to put mercy ahead of sacrifice. "For mercy exhalts triumphantly over judgment." (James 2:13) (Matthew 9:13, Romans 14:10-12, Matthew 7:1-5)
This way of thinking, this judging of others based on doctrinal knowledge, sacrifice, ritual observances
and organizational requirements. is 
ignoring love and mercy, which is fulfilling the role of "Babylon the great",
not the Watchtower's teaching that "Babylon the great" is any religion whose doctrinal knowledge stems
from pagan or babylonish teachings. Rather, "Babylon the great" is any religion that puts works of sacrifice,
ritual observances and organizational requirements and doctrinal knowledge ahead of love and mercy. This is "Babylon
the great." For "God takes delight in loving kindness rather then whole burnt offerings." Even putting
the knowledge of "faith in Christ" ahead of love and mercy can be labeled as a "worker of lawlessness",
for as Jesus stated, many would believe in him and would do works of sacrifice in his name, yet they would fail
to perform works of love and mercy, which is the "will of God", and for this he rejected them as "workers
of lawlessness." "For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom
he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother
also." (1 John 4:20:21, Rev 17:1-6 18:4-8, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 7:21-23)
