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Introduction
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“My Father”
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“In the beginning was the Word”
INTRODUCTION
It
is my opinion that one of the most conflicting Christian creeds
involves the deity of Jesus Christ. Some denominations teach Jesus
Christ as the Son of God. Others teach that Jesus Christ is the one
and only God. Still others seem to teach a little bit of both. I
have even heard Jesus referred to as an “avatar.”
There are also those, like the Muslims, who believe God could not
possibly have a son. In their opinion, Jesus Christ was simply a
good man who is accepted as a prophet and teacher.
So,
what does the Bible have to say on this extremely important subject?
This study will attempt to address the following questions:
1.
Is Jesus Christ God?
2.
Did Jesus claim to be the Most High God?
3.
Is Jesus the Son of God?
4.
What did Jesus mean by “I and My Father are one?”
5.
Is Jesus both the Father and the Son?
For
those of us who are searching for answers, this study is only a
beginning. It is far from exhaustive. Without a doubt, there is much
more awaiting the individual who is willing to pray, study and wait
on the Lord for answers.
All scripture references are from the New King James Version, unless
otherwise stated.
Hebrew and Greek word definitions, for selected words (in red), are
included from the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,
unless otherwise stated.
I now prefer to use Jesus’ Hebrew name, “Yehoshua” or the shortened
version “Yeshua,” for the following reason:
Wikipedia, the online free encyclopedia
“The name Jesus is derived* from the Latin Iesus,
a transliteration* of the Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iesous). The
Greek form is a rendition* of the Aramaic
ישוע
(Yeshua),
which is derived* from the Hebrew
יהושע
(Yehoshua).
The name Yeshua appears to have been in use in Judea at the
time of the birth of Jesus.”1
However, in order to help us maintain focus, I will use the name
“Jesus” throughout this study.
* The underline was added by me for emphasis.
“My Father”
Isaiah 49:6
“Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My
Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as
a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends
of the earth.’”
The words of Isaiah 49:6 have definitely been fulfilled. Jesus is
truly a light to the Gentiles (nations). Jesus Christ is our Lord
and Savior. We sing praises to His Holy name! Yet, it seems many of
us have missed something of utmost importance. Christ came not only
to fulfill those things outlined in Isaiah 49:6, and much more; He
came to make known His Father.
John 1:18
“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son,
who is in the bosom of the Father, He has
declared
Him.
-
Following is John 1:18 as translated in both the English
Standard Version
John 1:18
English Standard Version (ESV)
“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at
the Father's side, he has made him known.
Declared
–
1834
exhgeomai exegeomai ex-ayg-eh'-om-ahee
from ek - ek 1537 and
hgeomai
- hegeomai 2233;
to consider out (aloud),
i.e. rehearse,
unfold:-- (Translated
in King James Version as)
declare, tell.
1537
- ek
ek ek or
ex ex a primary preposition
denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds),
from, out (of
place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or
remote):-- (Translated
in King James Version as)
after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of),
exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth,
up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly,
in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from,
of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently,
with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import;
often of completion.
2233
- hgeomai
hegeomai hayg-eh'-om-ahee middle voice of a (presumed)
strengthened form of agw
- ago
71; to
lead, i.e. command (with
official authority); figuratively, to
deem, i.e. consider:-- (Translated
in King James Version as)
account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule
over, suppose, think.
According to the Book of John, Jesus said:
John 10:22-30
“ Now
it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.
24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do
You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus
answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I
do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But
you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to
you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they
follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they
shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 My
Father,
who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of
My Father’s
hand.
30 I
and My Father are one.”
·
Verse 30 –Jesus said He and the Father are one. Does this mean there
is only one being?
John 14:25-28
“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I
leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away
and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice
because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is
greater than I.
·
The
above two passages remind me of a passage in the Book of Daniel:
Daniel 7:9-14
“I
watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire;
10 A
fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated,
And the books were opened.
11 “I
watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the
horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body
destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the
rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their
lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 “I
was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a
kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.
·
Verse 13 – the term “the Son of Man” is primarily used in the Hebrew
Scriptures (Old Testament) as a synonym for “mankind.” Yet,
this passage does not appear to deal with any son of Adam. However,
it is recorded, numerous times, in the New Testament that Jesus
Christ referred to Himself as “the Son of Man.”
Following are two examples:
Matthew 9:4-6
“But
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your
hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins
are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But
that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to
forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your
bed, and go to your house.”
Matthew 12:38-40
“Then
some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we
want to see a sign from You.”
39 But
He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation
seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign
of the prophet Jonah.
40 For
as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great
fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights
in the heart of the earth.
There are also passages in the Book of Revelation that specifically
state, “One like the Son of Man.”
Revelation 1:12-14
“Then
I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I
saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the
seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with
a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden
band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool,
as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
Revelation 14:14
“Then
I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One
like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in
His hand a sharp sickle.
·
Daniel 7:9-14 also reminds me of the following passage in the Book
of Revelation:
Revelation
4 & 5
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing
open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a
trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you
things which must take place after this.”
2 Immediately
I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and
One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was
like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there
was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and
on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white
robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and
voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before
the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before
the throne there was a sea of glass, like
crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the
second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a
face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a
flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each
having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do
not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever
the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who
sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the
twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne
and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their
crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You
are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
5 And
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll
written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then
I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy
to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one
in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the
scroll, or to look at it.
4 So
I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read
the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the
elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe
of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll
and to loose its seven seals.”
6 And
I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of
the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a
Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,
which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the
earth.
7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right
hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 Now
when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a
harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the
saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out
of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and
priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then
I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne,
the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying
with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And
every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the
earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard
saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
14 Then
the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four
elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever
and ever.
Matthew 11:25-27
“At that time Jesus answered and said, “I
thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that
You
have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have
revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it
seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been
delivered to
Me
by
My Father,
and no one knows the
Son
except the
Father.
Nor does anyone know the
Father
except the
Son,
and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him
-
Verse 25 – Jesus says it is the Father who is “Lord of heaven
and earth.”
John 6:57
“ As
the living
(2198)
Father sent
(649)
Me,
and
I
live
(2198)
because of the
Father,
so he who feeds on
Me
will live
(2198)
because
of
Me.
John 5:25-27
“Most
assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the
dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will
live
(2198).
26 For as the Father has life
(2222)
in Himself, so He has granted
the Son to have life
(2222)
in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also,
because He is the Son of Man.
Granted
– 1325
didwmi didomi
did'-o-mee a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as
an alternative in most of the tenses);
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by
implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the
connection):-- (Translated in King
James Version as) adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver
(up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have
power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+
with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
Live/Living
–
2198
zaw zao dzah'-o a primary
verb; to live (literally or
figuratively):-- (Translated in
King James Version as) life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
Life
– 2222
zwh
zoe dzo-ay' from zaw - zao
2198;
life (literally or figuratively):--
(Translated in King James Version as) life(-time).
Because
–
1223 diadia
dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act;
through (in very wide
applications, local, causal, or occasional):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) after, always,
among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ...
fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that,
thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore,
with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Matthew 20:20-23
“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons,
kneeling down and asking something from Him.
21 And
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She
said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your
right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But
Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able
to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So
He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with
the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand
and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those
for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
It
is recorded that Jesus also said:
John 17:4-6
“I
have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the
work which You have given Me to do. 5 And
now, O Father, glorify Me
together with Yourself,
with the glory which I had with You before the world
was.
6 “I
have manifested
Your name
to the men whom
You
have given
Me
out of the world.
They were
Yours, You
gave them to
Me,
and they have kept
Your
word.
With
– 3844
para para
par-ah' a primary preposition; properly,
near; i.e. (with genitive case)
from beside (literally or
figuratively), (with dative case) at
(or in) the vicinity of
(objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case)
to the proximity with (local
(especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--
(Translated in King James Version as) above, against, among, at, before,
by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), +
that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past,
save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In
compounds it retains the same variety of application.
John 2:16-17
“ And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things
away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written,
“Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to
Me,
‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of
My Father
in heaven.
It is recorded, numerous times, that Jesus said the Father
sent Him.
Mark 9:36-37
“Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And
when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever
receives one of these little children in My name receives Me;
and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him
who sent
(649)
Me.”
-
The Mounce Greek Dictionary defines this word “sent” as, “to
send forth a messenger, agent, message, or command.
Sent
– 649
apostellw
apostello
ap-os-tel'-lo
from
apo
- apo 575 and
stellw
- stello 4724;
set apart,
i.e. (by implication)
to send out
(properly, on
a mission)
literally or figuratively:-- (Translated in King James Version as)
put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).
John 17:8
“ For
I have given to them the words which You have given Me;
and they have received them, and have known surely that I
came forth from You;
and they have believed that You sent
(649)
Me.
John 8:42-47
“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you
would love Me, for I proceeded
forth and came from God;
nor have I come
of Myself, but He
sent
(649)
Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because
you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are
of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you
want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand
in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a
lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and
the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do
not believe Me.
46
Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you
not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words;
therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
-
Following is John 8:42, as translated in the English Standard
Version.
John 8:42
English Standard Version (ESV)
“Jesus
said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for
I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own
accord, but he sent me.
Came
Forth/Proceeded forth
–
1831
exercomai exerchomai ex-er'-khom-ahee
from ek - ek 1537 and
ercomai
- erchomai 2064;
to issue (literally or
figuratively):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) come (forth,
out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth,
out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
1537
- ek
ek ek or
ex ex a primary preposition
denoting origin (the
point whence action or motion proceeds),
from, out (of
place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or
remote):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
after, among, X are, at,
betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly
above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, +
heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because,
by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X
thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used
in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
BlueLetter Bible
Lexicon definition of 1831
1.
to go or come forth of
a.
with mention of the place out of which one goes, or the point from which
he departs
i.
of those who leave a place of their own accord
ii.
of those who are expelled or cast out
Came
– 2240
hkw
heko hay'-ko a primary verb; to
arrive, i.e. be present
(literally or figuratively):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) come.
Come
–
2064
- ercomai
erchomai er'-khom-ahee
middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and
imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle
voice) eleuthomai el-yoo'-thom-ahee, or (active) eltho el'-tho,
which do not otherwise occur) to come or
go (in a great variety of applications, literally and
figuratively):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) accompany,
appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next,
pass, resort, be set.
Of
– 575
apo
apo apo' a primary particle; "off,"
i.e. away (from something near),
in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or
figurative):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of),
for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In
composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure,
cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
John 6:39
“This is the will of the Father who
sent
(3992)
Me,
that of all
He
has given
Me
I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
John 7:33
“Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while
longer, and then I go to Him who
sent
(3992)
Me
Sent
–
3992
pempw pempo pem'-po
apparently a primary verb; to
dispatch (from the subjective
view or point of departure, whereas hiemi (as a stronger form
of eimi) refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem,
and stellw
- stello
4724 denotes properly, the orderly
motion involved), especially on a
temporary errand; also to
transmit, bestow, or
wield:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) send, thrust
in.
John 13:15-17
“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I
have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you,
a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is
sent
(652)
greater than he who
sent
(3992)
him.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do
them.
-
Verse 16 – As our example, do you think Jesus was also applying
this verse to Himself?
Sent
–
652
apostoloV
apostolos ap-os'-tol-os
from
apostellw - apostello
649; a
delegate; specially, an
ambassador of the Gospel;
officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle")
(with miraculous powers):--
(Translated in
King James Version as)
apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
John 15:1-10
“I
am the true vine, and
My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit
He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He
prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already
clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide
in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide
in Me.
5 “I
am the vine, you are the branches. He who
abides in Me, and I in him, bears
much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If
anyone does not abide in Me, he
is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and
throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If
you abide in Me, and My
words abide in you, you will ask
what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this
My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you
will be My disciples.
9 “As
the Father loved Me, I also have loved you;
abide in My love. 10 If
you keep My commandments, you will abide
in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s
commandments and abide in His
love.
Abide
– 3306
menw meno
men'-o a primary verb; to stay
(in a given place, state, relation or
expectancy):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) abide,
continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X
thine own.
Disciples
– 3101
maqhthV
mathetes math-ay-tes'
from
manqanw - manthano
3129; a
learner, i.e. pupil:--
(Translated in
King James Version as)
disciple.
BlueLetter Bible
Lexicon definition of 3306
-
to remain, abide
-
in reference to place
-
to sojourn, tarry
-
not to depart
-
to continue to be
present
-
to be held, kept,
continually
-
in reference to time
-
to continue to be, not
to perish, to last, endure
-
of persons, to
survive, live
-
in reference to state or
condition
-
to remain as one, not to
become another or different
-
to wait for, await one
-
Verse 1 – The King James Version refers to the Father as the
“Husbandman.”
-
Verse 1 – Jesus is showing that the Father is greater than He
is. In this allegory, the Father tends to the vine (Jesus).
-
Verses 4 -10 – The word “abide” appears 10 times in 6 verses. Do
you think this is important?
-
Verse 7 – A conditional statement – “If you abide in Me”
and if “My words abide in you” then (implied) “you
will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” What if
you choose not to agree to the conditions?
-
Verse 8 – Jesus would not call for disciples (students) if there
was nothing for them to learn.
-
Verse 10a – Another conditional statement – “If you keep
My commandments” then (implied) “you will
abide in My love.” Again, what
if you decide that you would rather not conform to His
conditions, what do you think will happen?
-
Verse 10b – Jesus abides in the Father’s love because He keeps
the Father’s commandments.
-
John 15:4-7 – Makes me think about all of the blessings that
await the individual who chooses to “abide.”
Psalm 91 lists a few of the blessings:
Psalm 91
“He
who dwells
(3427)
in
the secret
place of the Most High
Shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my
fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely
He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in
darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A
thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because
you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your
dwelling place
(4583),
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because
he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My
name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer
him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
·
Verses 14 thru 16 – It is as if the Most High enters into the
conversation.
Dwells
– 3427
yashab yaw-shab' a
primitive root; properly, to sit down
(specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication,
to dwell,
to remain; causatively,
to settle,
to marry:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) (make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self,
endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring
again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down,
still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
Secret
– 5643
cether say'-ther or (feminine)
cithrah (Deut. 32:38), {sith-raw'}; from 'cathar' (5641);
a cover (in a good or a bad, a
literal or a figurative sense):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
backbiting, covering, covert, X
disguise(-th), hiding place, privily, protection, secret(-ly,
place).
5641
– cathar saw-thar' a primitive root;
to hide (by
covering), literally or figuratively:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
be absent, keep close, conceal, hide
(self), (keep) secret, X surely.
Abide/Place
– 3885
luwn loon or liyn {leen};
a primitive root; to stop (usually
over night); by implication, to
stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)
to be obstinate (especially in
words, to complain):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) abide (all
night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night,
(cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to)
murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night).
Dwelling place
– 4583
ma`own maw-ohn' or maiyn (1
Chronicles 4:41) {maw-een'}; from the same as '`ownah' (5772);
an abode,
of God (the
Tabernacle or the Temple), men
(their home) or
animals (their
lair); hence,
a retreat (asylum):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) den,
dwelling((-)place), habitation.
Name
– 8034
shem shame a
primitive word (perhaps rather from 'suwm' (7760)
through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare 'shamayim'
(8064)); an appellation,
as a mark or memorial of individuality;
by implication honor, authority,
character:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) + base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
7760
– suwm soom or siym {seem}; a primitive root;
to put (used in a great variety
of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and
elliptically):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) X any wise,
appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge,
commit, consider, convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get,
give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make
(out), mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,
purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on,
up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down, ((over-))turn,
X wholly, work.
8064
– shamayim shaw-mah'-yim
dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused
root meaning to be lofty;
the sky (as
aloft; the dual perhaps alluding
to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the
higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) air, X
astrologer, heaven(-s).
·
Verse 1 – Brings to mind the following passages:
Isaiah 11:1-5
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow
out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
3 His
delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
·
Verse 2 – Are these the seven Spirits in Revelation 5:6 (see page
7)?
Jeremiah 33:14-16
“ ‘Behold,
the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will perform that good
thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house
of Judah:
15 ‘In
those days and at that time
I will cause to grow up to David
A Branch of righteousness;
He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
16 In those days Judah will be saved,
And Jerusalem will dwell safely.
And this is the name by which she will be called:
THE
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’
Zechariah 6:11-13
“Take
the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on
the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then
speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying:
“Behold, the Man whose name is the
BRANCH!
From His place He shall branch out,
And He shall build the temple of the Lord;
13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord.
He shall bear the glory,
And shall sit and rule on His throne;
So He shall be a priest on His throne,
And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’
True
–
228
alhqinoV
alethinos al-ay-thee-nos' from
alhqhV
- alethes 227;
truthful:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
true.
227 -
alhqhV alethes
al-ay-thace' from
a
- a 1 (as a negative particle) and
lanqanw - lanthano
2990;
true (as
not concealing):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
true, truly, truth
Vine
–
288
ampeloV
ampelos am'-pel-os
probably from the base of
amfoteroV
- amphoteros 297 and that of
alwn-
halon 257; a vine (as coiling about a
support):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
vine.
Vinedresser
–
1092
gewrgoV
georgos gheh-ore-gos'
from gh -
ge 1093
and the base of
ergon - ergon
2041; a
land-worker, i.e. farmer:--
(Translated in
King James Version as)
husbandman.
Branch
(Isaiah 11:1)
–
5342
netser nay'-tser from 'natsar'
(5341)
in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a
shoot; figuratively, a
descendant:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) branch.
Branch
(Jeremiah 33:15;
Zechariah 6:12)
–
6780
tsemach tseh'-makh from 'tsamach'
(6779); a sprout (usually
concrete), literal or figurative:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
branch, bud, that which (where) grew
(upon), spring(-ing).
6779
– tsamach tsaw-makh' a
primitive root; to sprout
(transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) bear, bring
forth, (cause to, make to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow
(again, up), (cause to) spring (forth, up).
Jesus was always obedient to the will of His Father. Even to the
point of death.
Matthew 26:36-56
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said
to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and
He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then
He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.
Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He
went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O
My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You
will.”
40 Then
He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter,
“What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and
pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again,
a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father,
if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will
be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep
again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So
He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the
same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to
them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour
is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at
hand.”
47 And
while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with
a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests
and elders of the people.
48 Now
His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is
the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus
and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
50 But
Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And
suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out
his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high
priest, and cut off his ear.
52 But
Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take
the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think
that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will
provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must
happen thus?”
55 In
that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as
against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with
you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But
all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be
fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
John 20:16-17
“Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She
turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus
said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet
ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them,
‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father,
and to My God and your God.’”
-
Verse 17 – Jesus calls His Father, and ours, His God. In
Revelation 3:12 Jesus again refers to His Father as His God.
Revelation 3:7-13
“And
to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the
key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one
opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set
before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you
have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My
name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue
of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will
make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have
loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to
persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall
come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast
what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who
overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God,
and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of
My God and the name of the city of My God, the
New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.
And I will write on him My new name.
13 “He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Jesus never said He is the source of Life (The Father). As it says
in John 1:18, “He has made Him known.”
Back to Table of Contents
“In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.”
John
1:1
According to John, the reason he wrote his gospel account was, “that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God,
and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31).” So,
what does John mean when he says in John 1:1 that, “The Word was
with God, and the Word was God?”
John 1:1-3
In
the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2
He
was in the beginning
with God. 3 All
things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that
was made.”
Word
- 3056
logoV logos
log'-os - from
legw
– lego 3004;
something said (including the
thought); by implication, a topic (subject
of discourse), also reasoning
(the mental faculty) or motive;
by extension, a computation;
specially, (with the article in John)
the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--
(Translated in King James Version
as) account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X
have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, +
reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, +
none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word,
work.
He
– 3778
outoV houtos
hoo'-tos, including nominative masculine plural houtoi hoo'-toy,
nominative feminine singular haute how'-tay, and nominative feminine
plural hautai how'-tahee from the article
o - ho 3588 and
autoV - autos 846; the he (she
or it), i.e.
this or
that (often with article
repeated):-- (Translated in King
James Version as) he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the
same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
Beginning
– 746
arch arche ar-khay'
- from
arcomai - archomai 756;
(properly abstract) a commencement,
or (concretely) chief (in various
applications of order,
time, place, or rank):--
(Translated in King James Version
as) beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate,
power, principality, principle, rule.
With
– 4314
proV pros pros - a
strengthened form of
pro
- pro 4253; a preposition of
direction; forward to, i.e.
toward (with the genitive case,
the side of, i.e. pertaining to;
with the dative case, by the side of,
i.e. near to; usually with the
accusative case, the place,
time,
occasion, or respect,
which is the destination of the relation,
i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):-- (Translated in King
James Version as) about, according to , against, among, at, because
of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for
intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X
together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case,
it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion
towards, accession to, or nearness at.
There are those who believe that before His existence as a human,
the “Word,” Jesus, was only the thoughts, expressions and words of
God; but did not have a separate existence apart from God. However,
is it possible for the “Word of God” to be a person called the “Word
of God” who spoke the words of God?
-
According to Revelation 19:13, “His name is called The Word of
God.”
Revelation 19:11-14
“Now
I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on
him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He
judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a
flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a
name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He
was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His
name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white
and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Name
– 3686
onoma onoma on'-om-ah
from a presumed derivative of the base of
ginwskw - ginosko
1097
(compare 3685); a "name"
(literally or figuratively) (authority,
character):-- (Translated in King James Version as) called,
(+ sur-)name(-d).
-
If the “Word of God,” Jesus, did not exist prior to His
incarnation as a human, than how do we explain the follow?
John 1:14-34
“And
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth.
15 John
bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I
said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred
before
(1715)
me,
for He was before
(4413)
me.’”
16 And
of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen
God at any time. The only begotten
Son, who is in the
bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
19 Now
this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and
Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He
confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And
they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He
said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
And
he answered, “No.”
22 Then
they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those
who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
23 He
said: “I am
‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Make straight the way of the Lord,”’
as
the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 Now
those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they
asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the
Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John
answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One
among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming
after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy
to loose.”
28 These
things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where
John was baptizing.
29 The
next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This
is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is
preferred before
(1715)
me,
for He was before
(4413)
me.’
31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to
Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And
John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not
know Him, but He who sent me
to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the
Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes
with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified
that this is the Son of God.”
·
Verses 15, 18, 30 – Different translations have some very
interesting variations on these three verses. Here are just two
versions. Definitely something to think about.
|
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) |
English Standard Version |
|
John 1:15
“(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom
I said, ‘He
who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before
me.’”)
|
John 1:15
“(John
bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom
I said, ‘He
who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)
|
|
John 1:18
“No one has ever seen God.
It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.”
|
John 1:18
“No
one has ever seen God;
the only God, who is at the Father's side,
he has made him known."
Footnotes:
a.
John 1:18 Or the only One, who is God; some
manuscripts the only Son
b.
John 1:18 Greek in the bosom of the Father
|
|
John 1:30
“This is he of whom I said, ‘After
me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before
me.”
|
John 1:30
“This
is he of whom I said, ‘After
me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before
me.’"
|
Preferred
– 1096
ginomai ginomai
ghin'-om-ahee a prolongation and middle voice form of a
primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate),
i.e. (reflexively) to become (come
into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative,
intensive, etc.):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) arise, be
assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be)
come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be
finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow,
happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be,
partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed,
X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would,
be wrought.
Before
– 1715
emprosqen
emprosthen em'-pros-then from
en - en
1722 and
proV
- pros 4314;
in front of (in
place (literally or figuratively)
or time):-- (Translated in
King James Version as) against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of.
Before
– 4413
prwtoV protos
pro'-tos contracted superlative of
pro - pro
4253; foremost (in
time, place, order or importance):-- (Translated in King
James Version as) before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of
all), former.
Only Begotten
– 3439
monogenhV monogenes
mon-og-en-ace' from
monoV
- monos 3441 and
ginomai
- ginomai 1096;
only-born, i.e.
sole:-- (Translated in King James
Version as) only (begotten, child).
Son
– 5207
uioV
huios hwee-os' apparently a primary word;
a "son" (sometimes of animals),
used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--
(Translated in King James Version as) child, foal, son.
Sent
– 3992
pempw pempo pem'-po
apparently a primary verb; to
dispatch (from the subjective
view or point of departure, whereas hiemi (as a stronger form
of eimi) refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem,
and
stellw
- stello
4724 denotes properly, the orderly
motion involved), especially on a
temporary errand; also to
transmit, bestow, or
wield:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) send, thrust
in.
·
Verse 33 – Like Jesus, John says he was “sent.” This is a very
interesting statement. I Wonder who spoke to John and at what point
in time, or out of time, did the one who sent John speak to him.
This may not be the case; however, verse 33 brings to mind Jeremiah
1:4-5.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
“Then
the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 “Before
I formed you in the womb I
knew
you;
Before you were born I
sanctified
you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Knew
- 3045
yada` yaw-dah' a primitive
root; to know (properly, to
ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,
figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially
(including observation, care, recognition; and causatively,
instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) (as follow):--
(Translated in King James Version
as) acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint,
assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend,
consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause
to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to
let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned,
+ lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard,
have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a
surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will
be, wist, wit, wot.
Sanctified
– 6942
qadash kaw-dash' a primitive
root; to be (causatively,
make,
pronounce or observe as)
clean (ceremonially
or morally):--
(Translated in King James Version
as) appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep)
holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied
one, self), X wholly.
·
Verse 15, 30 - According to these two verses, John (the Baptist)
says Jesus existed before him. However, according to the Book of
Luke chapter 1, John was conceived six months prior to Jesus’
conception; so, as a human, John was older. Therefore, in verses 15
and 30, it appears John is referring to Jesus’ existence before His
birth as a human.
Luke 1:10-38
“And
the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of
incense. 11 Then an
angel
of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar
of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was
troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But
the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer
is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you
shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy
and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15For
he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink., He will also be filled with the
Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. 16And he
will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of
Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a
people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zacharias
said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I
am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 The
angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the
presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring
you this good news. 20 And behold, you shall be
silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take
place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled
in their proper time.”
21 The
people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay
in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to
speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the
temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When
the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.
24 After
these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept
herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “This
is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked
with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”
26 Now
in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a
city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed
to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The
virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice,
highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed
are you among women!”
29 But
when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the
angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor
with God. 31 And behold,
you will conceive
in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the
Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father
David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob
forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a
man?”
35 And
the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the
Son of God. 36 Now
indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old
age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called
barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then
Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me
according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Angel
– 32
aggeloV
aggelos ang'-el-os from
aggello (probably derived from
agw
- ago
71;
compare 34) (to bring tidings); a
messenger; especially an "angel";
by implication, a pastor:-- ):--
(Translated in King James Version
as) angel, messenger.
The
concept of the “Word of God” is not new to the New Testament. As
stated in “The Memra (The Word)” by Bro. Mark, “We can see that the
Divine Logos (the Word) was a concept fully accepted by the Jews at
the time of Christ. When John wrote his Gospel, he was fully aware
of the use of the word memra as an appearance of God to men.
It was common usage during his day.”
-
This brings to mind Moses and the burning bush:
Exodus 3:1-6
“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the
priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert,
and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the
Angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a flame of
fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the
bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this
great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
4 So
when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look,
God called to him from the midst
of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”
And
he said, “Here I am.”
5 Then
He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off
your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of
your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon
God.
Angel
– 4397 mal'ak
mal-awk' from an unused root meaning to
despatch as a deputy;
a messenger;
specifically,
of God,
i.e. an angel
(also a
prophet, priest or teacher):--
(Translated
in King James Version as)
ambassador, angel,
king, messenger.
Appeared
– 7200 ra'ah
raw-aw' a primitive root;
to see,
literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and
implied, transitive, intransitive and causative):--
(Translated in King James
Version as)
advise self, appear, approve, behold, X certainly, consider,
discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, X
indeed, X joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one
upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive,
present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let)
see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy,
stare, X surely, X think, view, visions.
Lord
– 3068 Yhovah
yeh-ho-vaw' from 'hayah' (1961); (the)
self-Existent
or Eternal;
Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:-- (Translated in King James
Version as) Jehovah, the Lord.
1961
– hayah haw-yaw a primitive root (compare 'hava'' (1933));
to exist,
i.e. be
or become,
come to pass
(always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary):-- (Translated
in King James Version as) beacon, X altogether, be(-come),
accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do,
faint, fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
God
– 430 'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of ''elowahh'
(433); gods
in the ordinary sense;
but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the
article) of
the supreme God;
occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates;
and sometimes as a superlative:--
(Translated
in King James Version as)
angels, X exceeding,
God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
433
- 'elowahh el-o'-ah; rarely (shortened) >eloahh {el-o'-ah
probably prolonged (emphat.)
from ''el'
(410); a
deity or the Deity:--
(Translated
in King James Version as)
God, god.
Another, of many, examples in found in Judges 6.
Judges 6:11-24
“Now
the Angel
(4397)
of the
Lord
(3068)
came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in
Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son
Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it
from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the Lord
(3068)
appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with
you, you mighty man of valor!”
13 Gideon
said to Him, “O my lord
(113)
, if the Lord
(3068)
is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where
are all His miracles which our fathers told us about,
saying, ‘Did not the Lord
(3068)
bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord
(3068)
has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
14 Then
the Lord
(3068)
turned to him
and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from
the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
15 So
he said to Him, “O my Lord
(136),
how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in
Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And
the Lord
(3068)
said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall
defeat the Midianites as one man.”
17 Then
he said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight,
then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me.
18 Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You
and bring out my offering and set it before You.”
And
He said, “I will wait until you come back.”
19 So
Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from
an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth
in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth
tree and presented them. 20 The Angel
(4397)
of God
(430)
said to him,
“Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this
rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so.
21 Then
the Angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that
was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread;
and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the
unleavened bread. And the Angel of the Lord departed out of his
sight.
22 Now
Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So
Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord
(136)
God(3069)
! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord
(3068)
face to face.”
23 Then
the Lord
(3068)
said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not
die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and
called it The-Lord-Is-Peace
(3073).
To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
lord
– 113 'adown
aw-done' or (shortened) adon {aw-done'}; from an unused root
(meaning to
rule);
sovereign,
i.e.
controller (human
or divine):--
(Translated in King James Version as) lord, master, owner. Compare
also names beginning with "Adoni-".
Lord
– 136 'Adonay ad-o-noy'
am emphatic form of ''adown'
(113); the
Lord (used as a
proper name of God only):--
(Translated in
King James Version as) (my) Lord.
God
– 3069 Yhovih
yeh-ho-vee'
a variation of
'Yhovah'
(3068) (used
after ''Adonay'
(136), and pronounced by Jews as ''elohiym' (430), in order to
prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere
pronounce 'Yhovah' (3068) as ''Adonay' (136)):-- (Translated in King
James Version as) God.
The-Lord-Is-Peace
– 3073 Yhovah
shalowm yeh-ho-vaw' shaw-lome'
from 'Yhovah'
(3068) and 'shalowm'
(7965); Jehovah (is) peace; Jehovah-Shalom, a symbolical name of an
altar in Palestine: - (Translated in King James Version as)
Jehovah-shalom.
7965
– shalowm shaw-lome'
or shalom {shaw-lome'}; from 'shalam' (7999);
safe, i.e. (figuratively)
well,
happy, friendly; also
(abstractly) welfare, i.e.
health,
prosperity,
peace:-- (Translated in King
James Version as) X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X great,
(good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably),
prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, (X all is,
be) well, X wholly.
-
Verse 24 – The King James Version actual renders
“The-Lord-is-Peace” as “Jehovahshalom.”
Judges 6:24
King James Version (KJV)
“Then
Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it
Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the
Abiezrites.
-
The Angel of the Lord in Judges 6 reminds me of the Angel in
Exodus 23.
Exodus 23:20-33
“Behold,
I send an Angel
(4397)
before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place
which I have prepared. 21 Beware of Him and obey His
voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your
transgressions; for My name is in Him. 22 But
if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I
speak, then I will be an
enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
23 For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to
the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites
and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off.
Speak
– 1696 dabar daw-bar' a
primitive root; perhaps properly, to
arrange; but used figuratively (of words),
to speak;
rarely (in a destructive sense)
to subdue:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
answer, appoint, bid, command,
commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,
say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use
(entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
For
more on “The Memra,” please follow the links below.
MEMRA
The Memra (The Word) – by
Bro. Mark
MEMRA (= "Ma'amar" or "Dibbur," "Logos") – Jewish Encyclopedia
Targums – Memra – John 1:1 -
edited by Malachi Yosef
Based on John 1:1, the next question, in my mind, is how the Word
can be both “with God” and “was God?” “With God” implies more than
one - while “was God” implies only one. Is there any scriptural way
we can possibly resolve this? Perhaps the first five chapters of
Genesis will provide an answer.
Genesis 1:26-27
“Then
God said, “Let Us
make man in Our
image, according to Our
likeness; let them
have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air,
and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping
thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in
His own image; in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
-
From the very first chapter in the Hebrew Bible, we see a
reference to God in the plural – “Let Us” and “Our.”
-
Next, the word “man,” in verse 26, pertains to humankind and not
specifically the man named Adam.
-
Instead of emphasis on “in the image of God He created him,”
perhaps the emphasis should be on “male and female He created
them.” Take into consideration that “them” equals “him (Adam).”
God
– 430
'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of ''elowahh' (433); gods
in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus,
especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a
superlative:-- (Translated in King
James Version as) angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X
(very) great, judges, X mighty.
Man
– 120
'adam aw-dam' from ''adam'
(119); ruddy i.e.
a human being (an individual or
the species, mankind, etc.):-- (Translated in King James Version as)
X another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of low
degree), person.
Image
– 6754 tselem tseh'-lem from
an unused root meaning to shade;
a phantom, i.e. (figuratively)
illusion,
resemblance; hence,
a representative figure,
especially an idol:-- (Translated
in King James Version as) image, vain shew.
Likeness
– 1823 dmuwth dem-ooth'
from 'damah' (1819); resemblance;
concretely, model,
shape; adverbially,
like:-- (Translated in King James
Version as) fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude.
Another example of this is found in Genesis 5:1-2.
Genesis 5:1-2
“This is the book of the genealogy of
Adam
(121).
In the day that God created man, He made him in the
likeness
(1823)
of
God. 2 He created them male and female, and
blessed them and called them
Mankind (Adam) in the
day they were created.
Adam
–
121 'Adam aw-dawm'
the same as ''adam'
(120); Adam
the name of the first man,
also of a
place in Palestine:--
(Translated in King James Version as) Adam.
Mankind
–
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from ''adam' (119);
ruddy
i.e. a human
being (an
individual
or the
species,
mankind,
etc.):-- (Translated in King James
Version as) X
another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of low
degree), person.
Now
let us back up to Genesis Chapter 2 for more detail:
Genesis 2:1-24
“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were
finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work
which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His
work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh
day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work
which God had created and made.
4 This
is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were
created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the
heavens, 5 before any plant of the field was in the earth
and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not
caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till
the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and
watered the whole face of the ground.
7 And
the Lord God formed man
(120)
of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life; and man
(120)
became a living being.
8 The
Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the
man
(120)
whom He had formed.
9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow
that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life
was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil.
10 Now
a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it
parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the
first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole
land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the
gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are
there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon;
it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is
the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river
is the Euphrates.
15 Then
the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend
and keep it.
16 And
the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden
you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of
it you shall surely die.”
18 And
the Lord God said, “It is not good that man
(120)
should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to
him.”
19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of
the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam
to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living
creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names
to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the
field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
21 And
the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam
(121),
and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh
in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had
taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 And
Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore
a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh.
-
There are a few points we can ponder from the above passage:
1.
Verse 7 – The man Adam, was created from the dust of the
earth.
2.
Verse 18 – The Lord God said it was not good that man be
alone. So He made a helper comparable to Adam. According to the
New International Version, The Lord God made a helper “suitable” for
Adam.
Genesis 2:18 New
International Version (NIV)
“ The
Lord
God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a
helper suitable for him.”
3.
Verses 21-22 - The Lord God did not start from scratch (the
dust) to make Adam’s helper. To be suitable or comparable for Adam
required that Adam’s helper be created from Adam.
4.
Verse 23 – Adam states that the one he named “woman” was bone
of his bone and flesh of his flesh, because “she was taken out of
man.”
5.
Verse 24 – says “they shall become one flesh.” However, other
translations, including the King James Version, says “be one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
King James Version (KJV)
“Therefore
shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto
his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Genesis 2:24
New
International Version (NIV)
“That
is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife,
and they become one flesh.
6.
Following is a simple diagram that highlights what the above
verses are saying.
|
Adam (Alone) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam
(man) |
+ |
Helper/ Companion
(woman) |
= |
Adam (mankind) |
|
|
|
+ |
 |
= |
 |
They shall be one flesh because they are one flesh |
7.
The above premise can be written out as follows:
“In the beginning of God’s creation of Adam was The Helper
(Companion) and The Helper was with Adam and The Helper was Adam.
The Helper was in the beginning of God’s creation of Adam with
Adam.”
or
“In the beginning of God’s creation of man was the woman and the
woman was with man and the woman was man. The woman was in the
beginning of God’s creation of man with man.”
Based on the above illustration, is it out of the realm of
possibility to say that since we are made in the image and likeness
of God - “Us”, “Our” - that there is a similarity in existence
between The Lord God (Heavenly Father) and Jesus (Son of God)? This
is by no means a comparison between Jesus and the woman (Eve) in
terms of gender and functionality, only in how two individual beings
can be one. On the other hand, how one individual
being can become two.
Perhaps The Lord God, not wanting to be alone, created (brought
forth)* from Himself
a helper (companion) suitable/comparable for Himself.
If
the above concept seems too fanciful, consider the following Bible
Passages:
EXAMPLE 1
It
is recorded in both Matthew and Mark that Jesus spoke this
concerning Himself.
Matthew 26:31
“Then
Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of
Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Mark 14:27
“Then
Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of
Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.
·
Many cross-reference Bibles will direct you to Zechariah 13:7 as the
source of this quote:
Zechariah 13:7
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,
Against the Man who is My
Companion,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
“Strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered;
Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Man
– 1397 geber
gheh'-ber from 'gabar' (1396); properly,
a valiant man
or warrior;
generally, a
person simply:--
(Translated in King James Version as) every one, man, X mighty.
Companion
– 5997 `amiyth aw-meeth' from a primitive root meaning to
associate;
companionship;
hence (concretely) a
comrade
or kindred
man:--
(Translated in King James Version as) another, fellow, neighbour.
EXAMPLE 2
In
Hebrews 1, the author draws repeatedly from the Hebrew Scriptures in
order for us to recognize that the “Majesty on High” calls Jesus,
the Son of God, both “Lord” and “God.”
Hebrews 1
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to
the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days
spoken to us by His Son, whom
He
has appointed heir of all things,
through whom also
He
made the worlds; 3 who being the
brightness of His
glory and
the
express image of His
person,
and upholding all things by the word
of His power, when He had by
Himself purged our sins, sat down at the
right hand of the
Majesty
on high,
4 having become so
much better than the angels
(32),
as He has by inheritance obtained a more
excellent name than they.
5 For
to which of the angels did He ever say:
“You
are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And
again:
“I
will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?
6 But
when
He
again brings
the
firstborn
into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
7 And
of the angels He says:
“Who makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But
to the Son He says:
“Your
throne, O God,
is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God,
has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
10 And:
“You,
Lord,
in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”
13 But
to which of the angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
14 Are
they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those
who will inherit salvation?
Through whom
– 1223 dia
dia dee-ah' a primary preposition
denoting the channel of an act;
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or
occasional):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
after, always, among, at, to avoid,
because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ...
(Translated in King
James Version as) fore, from,
in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby,
therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In
composition it retains the same general importance.
Brightness
–
541
apaugasma
apaugasma ap-ow'-gas-mah
from a compound of
apo - apo 575 and
augazw
- augazo 826;
an off-flash, i.e.
effulgence:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
brightness.
Effulgence
(dictionary.com) - a
brilliant radiance; a shining forth.
575
-
apo apo apo'
a primary particle; "off,"
i.e. away (from
something near), in various senses (of
place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) (X
here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th),
from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition
(as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation,
completion, reversal, etc.
826
-
augazw
augazo ow-gad'-zo from
augh - auge 827;
to beam forth (figuratively):--
(Translated in
King James Version as) shine.
827
-
augh
auge owg'-ay of uncertain derivation;
a ray of light, i.e. (by implication)
radiance,
dawn:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) break of
day.
Glory
–
1391
doxa doxa
dox'-ah from the base of
dokew
- dokeo 1380;
glory (as very apparent), in a
wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--
(Translated in
King James Version as)
dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.
Glory (dictionary.com)
– noun, plural glo·ries.
1. very great praise,
honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown: to win
glory on the field of battle.
2. something that is a
source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an
object of pride: a sonnet that is one of the glories of English
poetry.
3. adoring praise or
worshipful thanksgiving: Give glory to God.
4. resplendent beauty or
magnificence: the glory of autumn.
5. a state of great
splendor, magnificence, or prosperity.
Express Image
–
5481
carakthr
charakter khar-ak-tare'
from the same as
carax - charax 5482;
a graver (the
tool or the person), i.e. (by
implication) engraving (("character"),
the figure stamped, i.e.
an exact copy or (figuratively)
representation):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) express
image.
Person
–
5287
upostasiV
hupostasis hoop-os'-tas-is from a compound of
upo - hupo
5259 and
isthmi - histemi
2476; a
setting under (support),
i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence,
or abstractly, assurance
(objectively or subjectively):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) confidence,
confident, person, substance.
5259
-
upo hupo hoop-o'
a primary preposition; under,
i.e. (with the genitive case) of place
(beneath), or with verbs (the
agency or means, through); (with the accusative case)
of place (whither (underneath)
or where (below)
or time (when
(at)):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
among, by, from, in, of, under, with.
In the comparative, it retains the same general applications,
especially of inferior position or condition, and specially,
covertly or moderately.
2476
-
isthmi histemi
his'-tay-mee a prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o (of the
same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses);
to stand (transitively or
intransitively), used in various applications (literally or
figuratively):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) abide,
appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay,
present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).
Word
– 4487
rhma rhema
hray'-mah from
rew
- rheo 4483;
an utterance (individually,
collectively or
specially),; by implication,
a matter or
topic (especially
of narration, command or
dispute); with a negative naught
whatever:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) + evil, +
nothing, saying, word.
Power
– 1411
dunamiV dunamis doo'-nam-is
from
dunamai - dunamai
1410;
force (literally or figuratively); specially,
miraculous power (usually by
implication, a miracle itself):--
(Translated in
King James Version as)
ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of)
miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
1410
- dunamai
dunamai doo'-nam-ahee
of uncertain affinity; to be able or
possible:--
(Translated in King
James Version as)be able, can
(do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Majesty
–
3172
megalwsunh megalosune
meg-al-o-soo'-nay from
megaV - megas
3173;
greatness, i.e. (figuratively)
divinity (often God himself):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
majesty.
3173 -
megaV megas meg'-as
(including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi,
etc.; compare also
megistoV
- megistos 3176, 3187);
big (literally or figuratively,
in a very wide application):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est),
high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
High
–
5308
uyhloV
hupselos hoop-say-los'
from uyoV - hupsos 5311;
lofty (in place or character):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
high(-er, -ly) (esteemed).
5311
-
uyoV
hupsos hoop'-sos from a derivative of
uper - huper 5228;
elevation, i.e. (abstractly)
altitude, (specially), the sky,
or (figuratively) dignity:--
(Translated in King James Version as) be exalted, height, (on) high.
Having become
– 1096
ginomai
ginomai ghin'-om-ahee a
prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb;
to cause to be ("gen"-erate),
i.e. (reflexively) to become (come
into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative,
intensive, etc.):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to
pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended,
fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid,
grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be,
partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed,
X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would,
be wrought.
Much better
– 5118
tosoutoV osoutos
tos-oo'-tos from tosos (so much; apparently from
o - ho
3588 and 3739) and
outoV - houtos
3778 (including its variations);
so vast as this, i.e.
such (in
quantity, amount, number of space):--
(Translated in
King James Version as) as
large, so great (long, many, much), these many.
Excellent
– 1313
diaforoV
diaphoros dee-af'-or-os from
diaferw
- diaphero 1308;
varying; also
surpassing:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
differing, divers, more excellent.
1308
- diaferw
diaphero dee-af-er'-o
from dia - dia 1223 and
ferw - phero 5342;
to bear through, i.e. (literally)
transport; usually to bear apart,
i.e. (objectively) to toss about
(figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ",
or (by implication) surpass:--
(Translated in
King James Version as) be
better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent,
make matter, publish, be of more value.
Name
– 3686
onoma
onoma on'-om-ah from a
presumed derivative of the base of
ginwskw
- ginosko 1097 (compare 3685); a "name"
(literally or figuratively) (authority,
character):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
1097 -
ginwskw ginosko
ghin-oce'-ko a prolonged form of a primary verb;
to "know" (absolutely) in a great
variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with
others not thus clearly expressed):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) allow, be
aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can
speak, be sure, understand.
Again
–
3825 palin palin pal'-in
probably from the same as
palh - pale
3823 (through the idea of
oscillatory repetition); (adverbially)
anew, i.e. (of place)
back, (of
time) once more, or
(conjunctionally) furthermore or
on the other hand:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
again.
Firstborn
–
4416
prwtotokoV
prototokos pro-tot-ok'-os from
prwtoV
- protos 4413 and the alternate of
tiktw
- tikto 5088;
first-born (usually as noun,
literally or figuratively):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
firstbegotten(-born).
4413 –
prwtoV protos pro'-tos
contracted superlative of
pro - pro
4253; foremost (in
time, place,
order or importance):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of all), former.
4253
– pro
pro pro a primary preposition; "fore",
i.e. in front of,
prior (figuratively,
superior)
to:--
(Translated in King
James Version as)above, ago, before, or ever. In the comparative, it retains the same
significations.
5088 -
tiktw tikto tik'-to
a strengthened form of a primary teko tek'-o (which is used only
as alternate in certain tenses); to
produce (from seed,
as a mother,
a plant,
the earth,
etc.), literally or
figuratively:--
(Translated in King
James Version as)bear, be
born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail.
-
Hebrews 1: 5 – is taken from Psalm 2:
Psalm 2
“Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against
the
Lord and against His Anointed,
saying,
3 “Let us break
Their
bonds in pieces
And cast away
Their
cords from us.”
4 He
who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I
will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
10 Now
therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Son (Verse 7)
– 1121
ben bane from 'banah' (1129);
a son
(as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal
and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation,
quality or condition, etc., (like ''ab' (1), ''ach' (251), etc.)):--
(Translated in King James Version as) + afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-)
(Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-)
(Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, +
(young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X
common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very
fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, +
nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X
soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, +
tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
Son (Verse 12)
– 1248 bar
bar borrowed (as a title) from 'bar' (1247); the
heir
(apparent to the throne):-- (Translated in King James Version as)
son.
1247
- bar bar (Aramaic) corresponding to 'ben' (1121); a
son,
grandson, etc.:-- (Translated in King James Version as) X
old, son.
-
Hebrews 1: 8-9 – is taken from Psalm 45:
Psalm 45
“My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 You
are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.
3 Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One,
With Your glory and Your majesty.
4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth,
humility, and righteousness;
And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.
5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s
enemies;
The peoples fall under You.
6 Your
throne, O God,
is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your
God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and
aloes and cassia,
Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
9 Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women;
At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
10 Listen,
O daughter,
Consider and incline your ear;
Forget your own people also, and your father’s house;
11 So the King will greatly desire your beauty;
Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
The rich among the people will seek your favor.
13 The
royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;
Her clothing is woven with gold.
14 She shall be brought to the King in robes of many
colors;
The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought;
They shall enter the King’s palace.
16 Instead
of Your fathers shall be Your sons,
Whom You shall make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all
generations;
Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.
God
–
430 'elohiym
el-o-heem' plural of ''elowahh' (433);
gods
in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus,
especially with the article)
of the supreme God;
occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates;
and sometimes as a superlative:-- (Translated in King James Version
as) angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great,
judges, X mighty.
-
Hebrews 1:10 – is taken from Psalm 102:25-27:
Psalm 102:24-28
“I
said, “O my God,
Do not take me away in the midst of my days;
Your years are throughout all generations.
25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but You will endure;
Yes, they will all grow old like a garment;
Like a cloak You will change them,
And they will be changed.
27 But You are the same,
And Your years will have no end.
28 The children of Your servants will continue,
And their descendants will be established before You.”
-
Chapter 1 of Hebrews also agrees with what the Apostle Peter
said in the Book of Acts:
Acts 2:14-38
“ But
Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to
them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be
known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not
drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the
day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And
it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’
22 “Men
of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man
attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God
did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and
foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands,
have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God
raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was
not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David
says concerning Him:
‘I
foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men
and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is
with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and
knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of
his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to
sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke
concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not
left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This
Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore
being exalted to the right hand of God, and having
received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He
poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For
David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘The
Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
36 “Therefore
let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has
made this Jesus, whom you crucified,
both Lord and
Christ.”
37 Now
when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to
Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what
shall we do?”
38 Then
Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
·
Verse 22 – Jesus said, in John 14, that the Father in Him
does the works.
John 14:9-11
“Jesus
said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not
known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can
you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that
I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I
speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but
the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe
Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else
believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
Made
– 4160
poiew poieo poy-eh'-o
apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary;
to make or
do (in a very wide application,
more or less direct):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, +
bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue,
deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise,
fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, +
lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me,
observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, +
raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, +
transgress the law, work, yield.
Both
– 2532 kai
kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and
sometimes also a cumulative force; and,
also,
even, so then,
too,
etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other
particles or small words:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) and, also,
both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Lord
– 2962
kurioV kurios koo'-ree-os
from kuros (supremacy); supreme in
authority, i.e. (as noun)
controller; by implication,
Master (as a respectful title):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) God, Lord,
master, Sir.
Christ
– 5547
CristoV Christos khris-tos'
from
criw - chrio 5548;
anointed, i.e.
the Messiah,
an epithet of Jesus:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) Christ.
5548
- criw
chrio khree'-o probably akin to
craomai -
chraomai 5530
through the idea of contact;
to smear or
rub with oil, i.e. (by
implication) to consecrate to an office
or religious service:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
anoint.
EXAMPLE 3
It
is also recorded that Jesus said this:
Mark 12:28-37
“Then one of the scribes
came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving
that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the
first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus
answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear,
O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And
you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
This is the first commandment. 31And the
second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than
these.”
32 So
the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken
the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the
understanding, with all the soul, and with all the
strength,
and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole
burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 Now
when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not
far from the kingdom of God.”
But after that no one
dared question Him.
35 Then
Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is
it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:
‘The Lord
said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
37 Therefore
David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”
And the common people
heard Him gladly.
-
Verse 29 – is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Hear,
O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is
one! 5 You shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your strength.
·
Deuteronomy 6:4 is referred to as “the Shema” - “Hear, O Israel: The
Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
It is the primary prayer in the Jewish prayer book.
The
word “one” in the Shema could mean a quantity, an ordinal
(pertaining to order) or united.
The Hebrew word “one” in Deuteronomy 6:4 is “echad” and the primary
usage in the Hebrew Scriptures pertain to “quantity.” However, in a
few cases it does represent an “ordinal.” Still, in very rare
instances it can also mean “united.”
As
it turns out, Genesis 2:24, “they shall be one flesh,” just happens
to be one of the very rare instances when it does mean united.
To
be perfectly honest, I cannot say with any degree of certainty that
united applies to the Shema; however, there is a possibility
that it does. Still, I can see the validity in using all three
meanings –quantity, order and united – in the
Shema. Of course, this is what I see. You may think otherwise.
If
you are interested in learning more about the meaning of “echad” in
the Hebrew Scriptures, refer to this excellent article “The
Word “Echad.”
One
– 259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from ''achad' (258);
properly, united, i.e.
one; or (as an ordinal)
first:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) a, alike,
alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly,
each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once,
one, only, other, some, together,
258
- 'achad aw-khad' perhaps a primitive root;
to unify, i.e. (figuratively)
collect (one's thoughts):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
go one way or other.
United (Dictionary.com) –
adjective
1.
made into or caused to act as a
single entity: a united front.
2.
formed or produced by the uniting of
things or persons: a united effort.
3.
agreed; in harmony.
verb (used with object),
u·nit·ed, u·nit·ing.
1.
to join, combine, or incorporate so
as to form a single whole or unit.
2.
to cause to adhere: to unite two
pieces of wood with glue.
3.
to cause to be in a state of mutual
sympathy, or to have a common opinion or attitude.
4.
to have or exhibit in union or
combination: a person who unites generosity and forgiveness.
5.
to join in marriage.
verb (used without object),
u·nit·ed, u·nit·ing.
6.
to become joined together or combined
so as to form a single whole.
7.
to act in concert or agreement.
8.
to share a common opinion, attitude,
etc.
9.
to be joined by or as if by adhesion.
-
Verse 29, 35-37 – I find it interesting that almost immediately
after Jesus acknowledges the Shema as part of “The
first of all the commandments,”
it is documented that He reminds the scribes what King David
declared, “The
Lord said to my Lord.”
-
In the Book of Luke, it says the above quote “The Lord said to
My Lord” comes from the Book of Psalms.
Luke 20:42
“Now
David himself said in the Book of Psalms:
‘The
Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
The
original passage is in Psalm 110:
Psalm 110
“The
Lord said to my
Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of
Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
3 Your
people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
4 The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The
Lord is at Your right hand;
He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.
6 He shall judge among the nations,
He shall fill the places with dead bodies,
He shall execute the heads of many countries.
7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He shall lift up the head.
Lord
(1st)
– 3068 Yhovah
yeh-ho-vaw' from 'hayah' (1961); (the)
self-Existent
or Eternal;
Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:-- (Translated in King James
Version as) Jehovah, the Lord.
1961
– hayah haw-yaw a primitive root (compare 'hava'' (1933));
to exist,
i.e. be
or become,
come to pass
(always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary):-- (Translated
in King James Version as) beacon, X altogether, be(-come),
accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do,
faint, fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
Lord
(2nd) – 'adown
aw-done' or (shortened) adon {aw-done'}; from an unused root
(meaning to rule);
sovereign,
i.e.
controller
(human or divine):-- (Translated in King James Version as) lord,
master, owner. Compare also names beginning with "Adoni-".
-
Some interesting points to ponder:
1.
Psalm 45:7 – “Therefore God (Elohim), Your God (Elohim),”
implies more than one “God” with one of them being superior to the
other.
2.
Wikipedia, the online free encyclopedia, says in part
regarding the Hebrew word “Elohim” (God):
“Elohim
(אֱלֹהִים)
is a grammatically singular or plural noun for "god" or "gods" in
both modern and ancient Hebrew language.
When used with singular verbs and adjectives elohim is
usually singular, "god" or especially, the God. When used
with plural verbs and adjectives elohim is usually plural,
"gods" or "powers". It is generally thought that Elohim is a
formation from eloah, the latter being an expanded form of
the Northwest Semitic noun il (אֵל,
ʾēl). It is usually translated as "God" in the Hebrew Bible,
referring with singular verbs both to the one God of Israel, and
also in a few examples to other singular pagan deities. With plural
verbs the word is also used as a true plural with the meaning
"gods". The related nouns eloah (אלוה)
and el (אֵל)
are used as proper names or as generics, in which case they are
interchangeable with elohim.”
To
read the entire article,
click here.
3.
Psalm 110:1 – “The Lord (YHWH) said to my Lord (Adon),”
implies more than one “Lord” with one of them being superior to the
other.
4.
It appears Jesus quotes a portion of Zechariah 13:7 as
pertaining to Him. According to Zechariah 13:7, the Superior
Lord/God has a “Companion.” If we take into consideration Matthew
26:31 and Mark 14:2, does this mean that Jesus is implying that He
is the “Companion?”
What do the advocates of the “God has no son” mind-set think of the
following?
Proverbs 30:1-4
“The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man
declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 Surely
I am more stupid than any man,
And do not have the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who
has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s
name,
If you know?
-
Here is an interesting translation of Proverbs 30: 4 from the
Orthodox Jewish Bible. As you will see, when it comes to the
mention of “His Son” they refer us to the Targum on “Memra.”
Mishle 30:4
Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)
4 Who
hath ascended into Shomayim, or descended? Who hath gathered ruach
in the hollows of His hands? Who hath bound the mayim in a cloak?
Who hath established all the afsei aretz (ends of the earth)? What
is Shmo (His Name), and what is Shem Bno (the Name of His Son [See
Memra, creative Word of G-d in Targumim]), if thou canst
tell?
Luke 1:26-33
“ Now
in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of
Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man
whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name
was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to
her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with
you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But
when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the
angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor
with God. 31 And behold,
you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call
His name Jesus. 32 He will be
great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the
Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
33 And
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom
there will be no end.”
The
life of Jesus, the Son of Man, is also key to our understanding.
Back to Table of Contents
“The Son of Man”
A
very important factor to consider is the life of Christ as recorded
in the gospel accounts.
On
the previous page, we stopped at Luke 1:33. However, there is an
important aspect of Christ’s conception that we must consider. Let
us begin where we left off.
Luke 1:33-35
“And
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom
there will be no end.”
34 Then
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a
man?”
35 And
the angel answered and said to her, “The
Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the
power of the
Highest will
overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy
One who is to be born will be
called the
Son of
God.
-
The above passage informs us that Jesus was conceived by the
power of the Highest and not through the lineage of the man
“Adam.” However, His mother, Mary, was human. This reminds me of
Genesis 3:15.
Genesis 3:14-15
“ So
the Lord God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
Holy
– 40
agioV
hagios hag'-ee-os from hagos
(an awful thing) (compare
agnoV
- hagnos 53, 2282);
sacred
(physically,
pure,
morally blameless
or religious,
ceremonially,
consecrated):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
(most) holy (one, thing),
saint.
53
–
agnoV
hagnos hag-nos'
from the same as
agioV
- hagios 40; properly,
clean, i.e. (figuratively)
innocent,
modest,
perfect:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
chaste, clean, pure.
Spirit
– 4151
pneuma pneuma pnyoo'-mah
from
pnew - pneo 4154; a current of air, i.e.
breath (blast)
or a breeze; by analogy or
figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human)
the rational soul, (by
implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman)
an angel,
demon, or (divine)
God,
Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually),
mind.
4154
–
pnew
pneo pneh'-oa primary word; to
breathe hard, i.e. breeze:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
blow.
Come
– 1904
epercomai
eperchomai ep-er'-khom-ahee
from
epi
- epi 1909 and
ercomai - erchomai
2064;
to supervene, i.e.
arrive,
occur,
impend,
attack, (figuratively)
influence:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
come (in, upon).
2064
- ercomai
erchomai er'-khom-ahee
middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and
imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle
voice) eleuthomai el-yoo'-thom-ahee, or (active) eltho el'-tho,
which do not otherwise occur) to come or
go (in a great variety of applications, literally and
figuratively):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
accompany, appear, bring, come,
enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
Upon
– 1909
epi
epi ep-ee' a primary preposition; properly, meaning
superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of
distribution (with the genitive case), i.e.
over,
upon, etc.;
of rest (with the dative case)
at,
on, etc.; of direction
(with the accusative case) towards,
upon,
etc.:--
(Translated in King James Version as) about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching),
at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as
much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over,
(by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In
compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc.
(literally or figuratively).
Power
– 1411
dunamiV
dunamis doo'-nam-is
from
dunamai
- dunamai 1410;
force (literally or
figuratively); specially, miraculous
power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily,
-y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence,
mighty (wonderful) work.
Highest
– 5310
uyistoV
hupsistos hoop'-sis-tos
superlative from the base of
uyoV
- hupsos 5311;
highest, i.e. (masculine
singular) the Supreme (God),
or (neuter plural) the heavens:--
(Translated in
King James Version as) most
high, highest.
5311
- uyoV
hupsos hoop'-sos from a derivative of
uper - huper 5228;
elevation, i.e. (abstractly)
altitude, (specially), the sky,
or (figuratively) dignity:--
(Translated in
King James Version as) be
exalted, height, (on) high.
5228
- uper
huper hoop-er' a primary preposition; "over",
i.e. (with the genitive case) of place,
above,
beyond,
across, or causal, for the sake
of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more
than:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, +
very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very
highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in
stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of
the above applications.
Overshadow
– 1982
episkiazw
episkiazo ep-ee-skee-ad'-zofrom
epi - epi 1909 and a derivative of
skia - skia 4639;
to cast a shade upon, i.e. (by
analogy) to envelop in a haze of
brilliancy; figuratively, to
invest with preternatural influence:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) overshadow.
4639
– skia
skia skee'-a happarently a primary word; "shade"
or a shadow (literally or
figuratively (darkness of error or an adumbration)):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) shadow.
Therefore
– 1352
dio
dio dee-o' from
dia -
dia 1223 and
oV - hos 3739;
through which
thing, i.e.
consequently:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) for which
cause, therefore, wherefore.
Born
– 1080
gennaw
gennao ghen-nah'-o from a
variation of
genoV - genos 1085;
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the
mother); figuratively, to regenerate:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of,
gender, make, spring.
1085
- genoV
genos ghen'-os from
ginomai
- ginomai 1096; "kin"
(abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or
collective):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
born, country(-man), diversity, generation, kind(-red), nation,
offspring, stock.
1096
- ginomai
ginomai ghin'-om-ahee a
prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb;
to cause to be ("gen"-erate),
i.e. (reflexively) to become (come
into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative,
intensive, etc.):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) arise, be
assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be)
come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be
finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow,
happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be,
partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed,
X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would,
be wrought.
Note – the Greek word “ginomai”
was first introduced on page 20 under “Preferred.”
Called
– 2564
kalew
kaleo kal-eh'-o akin to the
base of
keleuw -
keleuo 2753; to "call"
(properly, aloud, but used in a
variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
Son
– 5207
uioV
huios hwee-os' apparently a primary word; a "son"
(sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or
figuratively, kinship:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) child, foal,
son.
God
– 2316
qeoV
theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity;
a deity, especially (with 3588)
the supreme Divinity; figuratively,
a magistrate; by Hebraism,
very:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) X exceeding,
God, god(-ly, -ward).
Following is what little we know, Biblically, about Jesus as a
child.
Luke 2:21-52
“And
when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,
His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before
He was conceived in the womb.
22 Now
when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were
completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to
the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord,
“Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the
law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 And
behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon,
and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it
had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see
death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came
by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the
Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord,
now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all
peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And
Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were
spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to
Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall
and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken
against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own
soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 Now
there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband
seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was
a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart
from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers
night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave
thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who
looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 So
when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom; and the
grace of God was upon Him.
41 His
parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up
to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When
they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered
behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they
went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives
and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they
returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was
that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting
in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them
questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished
at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw
Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have
You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You
anxiously.”
49 And
He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I
must be about My Father’s business?”
50 But they did not understand the statement which He
spoke to them.
51 Then
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to
them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
men.
Grace
– 5485
cariV
charis khar'-ece from
cairw - chairo 5463;
graciousness (as gratifying),
of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or
spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its
reflection in the life; including gratitude):--
(Translated in King
James Version as) acceptable,
benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure,
thank(-s, -worthy).
5463
- cairw
chairo khah'-ee-ro a
primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e.
calmly happy or
well-off; impersonally, especially as
salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--
(Translated in King James Version as)
farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice.
Father’s business
–
3962
pathr pater pat-ayr'
apparently a primary word; a "father"
(literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
father, parent.
-
Verse 49 – “Father’s business” is translated as “Father’s house”
in many English translations. Following is one example:
Luke 2:49
English Standard Version (ESV)
“ And
he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that
I must be in my Father's house?”
-
Verses 30 thru 32 - reminds me of the following passages from
the Book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 49:1-10
“Listen, O coastlands, to Me,
And take heed, you peoples from afar!
The Lord has called Me from the womb;
From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.
2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword;
In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me,
And made Me a polished shaft;
In His quiver He has hidden Me.”
3 “And
He said to me,
‘You are My servant, O Israel,
In whom I will be glorified.’
4 Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;
Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,
And my work with my God.’”
5 “And
now the Lord says,
Who
formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,
To bring Jacob back to Him,
So that Israel is gathered to Him
(For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord,
And My God shall be My strength),
6 Indeed He says,
‘It
is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
7 Thus
says the Lord,
The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One,
To Him whom man despises,
To Him whom the nation abhors,
To the
Servant
of rulers:
“Kings shall see and arise,
Princes also shall worship,
Because of the Lord who is faithful,
The Holy One of Israel;
And He has chosen You.”
8 Thus
says the Lord:
“In
an acceptable time I have heard You,
And in the day of salvation I have helped You;
I
will preserve You and give You
As a covenant to the people,
To restore the earth,
To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That You may say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth,’
To those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.
“They shall feed along the roads,
And their pastures shall be on all desolate heights.
10 They shall neither hunger nor thirst,
Neither heat nor sun shall strike them;
For He who has mercy on them will lead them,
Even by the springs of water He will guide them.
Isaiah 60:1-3
“Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising
Isaiah 42:1-9
“Behold!
My
Servant
whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I
have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
5 Thus
says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I
will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to
another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Glory
–3519
kabowd kaw-bode' rarely kabod
{kaw-bode'}; from 'kabad' (3513);
properly, weight, but only
figuratively in a good sense, splendor
or copiousness:--
(Translated in King
James Version as) glorious(-ly),
glory, honour(-able).
·
Verse 1 – John (the Baptist) said the Holy Spirit remained on
Christ.
John 1:32-34
“And
John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I
did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to
me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him,
this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I
have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
·
Verse 8 - I know the general Christian consensus is that God will
not give His glory to anyone else. However, perhaps God is saying He
will not give His glory to anyone else but His Servant - Jesus. Here
is a prophecy that may confirm this. However, the word for “glory”
in the following passage differs from that in Isaiah 42:8.
This passage was included earlier in the study.
Zechariah 6:11-13
“Take
the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on
the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then
speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying:
“Behold, the Man whose name is the
BRANCH!
From His place He shall branch out,
And He shall build the temple of the Lord;
13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord.
He shall bear the
glory,
And shall sit and rule on His throne;
So He shall be a priest on His throne,
And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’
Bear
– 5375
nasa' naw-saw'
or nacah (Psalm ''eb' (4) : ''abad' (6) (7)) {naw-saw'}; a
primitive root;
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and
figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--
(Translated in King James Version as)
accept, advance, arise,
(able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn,
carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self),
extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high,
hold up, honorable (+ man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry,
magnify, X needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard,
respect, set (up), spare, stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X
utterly, wear, yield.
Glory
– 1935
howd hode from an
unused root; grandeur (i.e.
an imposing form and appearance):--
(Translated in
King James Version as) beauty,
comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty.
·
Perhaps some will be offended because of the “Old Testament”
references to Christ as a “Servant.” If so, they should consider
the following:
Matthew 12:15-21
“But
when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great
multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 16 Yet
He warned them not to make Him known, 17 that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
18 “Behold!
My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.”
·
Matthew 12:18-21 is a direct quote from Isaiah 42:1-4
One
of the key Messianic prophecies comes from Deuteronomy 18:15-19.
Deuteronomy 18:15-19
“The
Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me
from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,
16 according to all you desired of the Lord your God in Horeb
in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice
of the Lord my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I
die.’
17 “And
the Lord said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. 18 I
will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their
brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall
speak to them all that I command Him. 19And it
shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks
in My name, I will require it of him.
-
Prophet
is defined in Dictionary.com as:
noun
1.
a
person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration.
2.
a.
a
person chosen to speak for God and to guide the people of Israel:
Moses was the greatest of Old Testament prophets.
b.
(
often initial capital letter ) one of the Major or Minor
Prophets.
c.
one
of a band of ecstatic visionaries claiming divine inspiration and,
according to popular belief, possessing magical powers.
d.
a
person who practices divination.
3.
one
of a class of persons in the early church, next in order after the
apostles, recognized as inspired to utter special revelations and
predictions. 1 Cor. 12:28.
4. the Prophet,
Muhammad, the founder of Islam.
5.
a
person regarded as, or claiming to be, an inspired teacher or
leader.
Wikipedia, under the title “Prophet,
2”
subtitle “Judaism,” defines a prophet (partial definition)
as:
“In Hebrew, the word
נָבִיא
(navi), "spokesperson", traditionally translates as
"prophet".[5] The second subdivision of the Hebrew Bible,
TaNaKh (for "Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim"), is devoted to the Hebrew
prophets. The meaning of navi is perhaps described in
Deuteronomy 18:18, where God said, "...and I will put My words in
his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command
him." Thus, the navi was thought to be the "mouth" of God.
The root nun-bet-alef ("navi") is based on the two-letter root
nun-bet which denotes hollowness or openness; to receive
transcendental wisdom, one must make oneself "open". Cf. Rashbam's
comment to Genesis 20:7”
-
Here is another similar example to Deuteronomy 18:18:
Following is the continuation of Moses’ first encounter with the
“Angel of the Lord.”
Exodus 4:10-16
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
“Then
Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent,
neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have
spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and
slow of tongue.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who has
made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or
blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and I, even
I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”
13 But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the
message by whomever You will.”
14 Then
the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there
not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks
fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when
he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You are
to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will
be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are
to do. 16 Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people;
and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.
-
Jesus said He spoke the words of His Father:
John 8:25-27
“Then
they said to Him, “Who are You?”
And
Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the
beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge
concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the
world those things which I heard from Him.”
27 They
did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
John 8:28-29
“ Then
Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will
know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself;
but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And
He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has
not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please
Him.”
John 12:48-50
“He
who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges
him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but
the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and
what I should speak. 50 And I know that His
command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just
as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
-
Others considered Jesus a Prophet:
Luke 24:18-20
“Then
the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You
the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things
which happened there in these days?”
19 And
He said to them, “What things?”
So
they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who
was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the
people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
John 4:10-26
“ Jesus
answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it
is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and
He would have given you living water.”
11 The
woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well
is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are
You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank
from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus
answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst
again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall
give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will
become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting
life.”
15 The
woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst,
nor come here to draw.”
16 Jesus
said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
17 The
woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’
18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now
have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
19 The
woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you
Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to
worship.”
21 Jesus
said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will
neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship,
for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming,
and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in
spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The
woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called
Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus
said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
John 4:40-44
“So
when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with
them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more
believed because of His own word.
42 Then
they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you
said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that
this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
43 Now
after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.
44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor
in his own country.
John 7:37-41
“On
the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and
cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out
of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But
this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him
would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because
Jesus was not yet glorified.
40 Therefore
many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly
this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the
Christ.”
But
some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?
John 9:13-18
“They
brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now
it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.
15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received
his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed,
and I see.”
16 Therefore
some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He
does not keep the Sabbath.”
Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And
there was a division among them.
17 They
said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He
opened your eyes?”
He
said, “He is a prophet.”
18But
the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and
received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had
received his sight.
Though it appears Jesus knew His heavenly Father from early
childhood; from all indications, it seems Christ lived a “normal”
human existence until He was baptized.
Following are examples that prove this out. Well, at least in a
negative way.
]
Jesus’ brothers’ “did not believe in Him:”
John 7:1-5
“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to
walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now
the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His
brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea,
that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.
4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to
be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the
world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
]
Another example shows those in Jesus’ own country “were astonished”
by Jesus’ wisdom and mighty works:
Matthew 13:54-56
“When
He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue,
so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man
get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this
not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His
brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And
His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man
get all these things?”
]
Still another example says His own people thought He was “out of His
mind:”
Mark 3:13-21
“And
He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself
wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed
twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might
send them out to preach,
15 and
to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; 17 James
the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He
gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; 18 Andrew,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of
Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19 and Judas
Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.
20 Then
the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as
eat bread. 21 But when His own people heard about
this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is
out of His mind.”
-
According to the above examples the Jesus after His baptism was
not the same person as before.
It
appears that it was not until after His baptism and the Spirit of
God entered Jesus, that Jesus started performing signs, wonders and
miracles.
Luke 3:21-23
“When
all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was
baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And
the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him,
and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in
You I am well pleased.”
23 Now
Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age,
being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of
Heli,
John 2:1-11
“On
the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother
of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples
were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of
wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus
said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My
hour has not yet come.”
5 His
mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now
there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner
of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons
apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with
water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He
said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the
master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the
master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did
not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the
water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And
he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine,
and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You
have kept the good wine until now!”
11 This
beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His
glory;
and His disciples believed in Him.
-
The above took place after Jesus was led into the wilderness by
the Spirit, with no food to eat for forty days and nights, and
while tempted by Satan.
After Jesus proved victorious over Satan the signs began.
According to the Book of John, Christ was given the Holy Spirit
without measure.
John 3:33-35
“He
who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for
God does not give the Spirit by measure.
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things
into His hand.
Measure
– 3358
metron
metron met'-ron an apparently
primary word; a measure ("metre"),
literally or figuratively; by implication,
a limited portion (degree):--
(Translated in King James Version as) measure.
John 1:14
“And
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth.
It
is also recorded that Christ referred to His body as a temple.
Matthew 26:59-61
“Now
the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought
false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but
found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they
found none. But at last two false witnesses
came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I
am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”
Matthew 27:39-40
“And
those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and
saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three
days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from
the cross.”
John 2:13-22
“Now
the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold
oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all
out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the
changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said
to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My
Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His
disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has
eaten Me up.”
18 So
the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us,
since You do these things?”
19 Jesus
answered and said to them, “Destroy this
temple, and in three days I will
raise it up.”
20 Then
the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,
and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But
He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His
disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and
they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
Temple
– 3485
naoV
naos nah-os' from a primary naio (to
dwell); a fane,
shrine,
temple :--
(Translated
in King James Version as)
shrine, temple.
-
After Jesus was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit He
declared:
John 14:10
“Do
you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own
authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
Back to Table of Contents
“The Father in Me”
John
14:11
John 14:9-11
“Jesus
said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not
known Me, Philip? He who has seen
Me has seen the Father; so
how can you say, ‘Show us the
Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the
Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak
to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the
Father who dwells in Me does
the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the
Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of
the works themselves.
-
Verse 10 - Do you recall the word “abide” in John 15:1-10 (see
pages 11 & 12)? Do you recall that the word “abide” appeared 10
times in 6 verses? Well, the word “dwell” in verse 10 above is
the same Greek word.
Seen
– 3708
oraw
horao hor-ah'-o properly, to
stare at (compare 3700), i.e. (by implication)
to discern clearly (physically or
mentally); by extension, to attend to;
by Hebraism, to experience;
passively, to appear:--
(Translated in King James Version
as) behold, perceive, see, take heed.
Show
– 1166
deiknuw
deiknuo dike-noo'-o a prolonged form of an obsolete primary
of the same meaning; to show
(literally or figuratively):-- (Translated
in King James Version as) shew.
Dwells
– 3306
menw
meno men'-o a primary verb; to
stay (in a given place, state,
relation or expectancy):-- (Translated
in King James Version as) abide, continue, dwell, endure, be
present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
John 10:37-38
“ If
I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but
if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you
may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in
Him.”
-
Verse38 – is this possibly the meaning of “I and My
Father are One?”
-
Verse 38 – Perhaps this helps to explain verses like the
following:
John 3:9-12
“Nicodemus
answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus
answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not
know these things? 11 Most assuredly,
I
say
to you,
We
speak what
We
know and testify what
We
have seen, and you do not receive
Our
witness. 12 If
I
have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you
believe if I tell you heavenly things?
John 17:11
“ Now
I
am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and
I
come to
You.
Holy Father,
keep through
Your
name those whom
You
have given
Me,
that they may be one as
We
are.
John 17:22
“And
the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that
they may be one just as We are one:
-
I believe when Jesus said His body was a temple, He was speaking
in regards to His body as the temple for the Spirit of God in
Him.
John 1:31-33
“I
did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel,
therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And
John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and He remained
(3306)
upon Him.
33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with
water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and
remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
-
Verse 32 – the word “remained” is the same Greek word as “abide”
and “dwell.”
Luke 4:16-21
“So
He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom
was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to
read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet
Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it
was written:
18 “The
Spirit of the Lord is upon
Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20 Then
He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat
down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on
Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this
Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
John 14:10
“ Do
you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The
words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority;
but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
Upon -
1909
epi
epi
ep-ee' a primary preposition; properly, meaning
superimposition (of
time, place, order, etc.), as a
relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e.
over,
upon, etc.;
of rest (with the dative case)
at,
on, etc.;
of direction (with the accusative
case) towards,
upon,
etc.:-- (Translated in King
James Version as) about (the times), above, after, against, among,
as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-,
(where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because)
of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of,
through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains
essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or
figuratively).
-
There are other examples, in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the
New Testament, regarding the indwelling (entering in) of the
Spirit (or a spirit):
Ezekiel 1:22-25; 2:1-6
“The
likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures
was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over
their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings
spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which
covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side
of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of
their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the
Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood
still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from
above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they
stood, they let down their wings.
2 And
He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to
you.” 2 Then the Spirit
entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet;
and I heard Him who spoke to me. 3 And He said
to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a
rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their
fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 For
they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to
them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ 5 As
for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are
a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among
them.
Ezekiel 3:23-25
“So
I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the
Lord stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar;
and I fell on my face. 24 Then the Spirit
entered me and set me on my
feet, and spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside
your house. 25 And you, O son of man, surely they will
put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out
among them.
Entered
– 935
bow' bo a primitive root;
to go or come (in a wide variety
of applications):--
(Translated
in King James Version as)
abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, + besiege, bring (forth, in,
into, to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to
come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, +
eat, + employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try),
be fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant,
+ have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put,
resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken (in age), X surely,
take (in), way.
·
According to The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
this Hebrew word means “come in,” “come,” “go in” or “go.”
1 Kings 22:21-23
“Then
a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord,
and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ 22 The Lord said to him,
‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit
in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said,
‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’
23 Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the
mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared
disaster against you.”
Nehemiah 9:29-31
“And
testified against them,
That You might bring them back to Your law.
Yet they acted proudly,
And did not heed Your commandments,
But sinned against Your judgments,
‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’
And they shrugged their shoulders,
Stiffened their necks,
And would not hear.
30 Yet for many years You had patience with them,
And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets.
Yet they would not listen;
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy
You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;
For You are God, gracious and merciful.
Ezekiel 37:13-15
“Then
you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your
graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I
will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will
place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord,
have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’”
2 Samuel 23:1-2
“Now these are the last words of David.
Thus
says David the son of Jesse;
Thus says the man raised up on high,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2 “The
Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
Acts 2:17-19
“‘And
it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
Luke 1:67-68
“Now
his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and
prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed
is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
John 14:16-18
“And
I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He
may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom
the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;
but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in
you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to
you.
Matthew 10:19-20
“But
when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you
should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you
should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak,
but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
·
These verses take me back to what Jesus said in John 12:49-50:
John 12:48-50
“He
who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges
him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but
the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what
I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is
everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father
has told Me, so I speak.”
Following is an extraordinary revelation!
John 14:19-21
“A
little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will
see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that
day you will know that I am in My Father,
and you in Me, and I in you.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who
loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will
love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 15
“I
am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every
branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every
branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have
spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the
vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I
am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me,
and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is
cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw
them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you
abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you
will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By
this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will
be My disciples.
-
Jesus said He abides in the Father and the Father dwells
(abides) in Him. The above verses are calling us to abide in
Them.
John 14:23
“Jesus
answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;
and My Father will love him, and We will come to him
and make Our home with him.
John 17
“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may
glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all
flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as
You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they
may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have
sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have
finished the work which
You
have given Me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself,
with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
6 “I
have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of
the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept
Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which
You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to
them the words which You have given Me; and they have received
them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they
have believed that You sent Me.
9 “I
pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those
whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And
all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine,
and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer
in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to
You. Holy Father, keep through Your name
those whom You have given Me, that they may be
one as We
are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept
them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of
them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might
be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things
I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in
themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world
has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not
of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them
out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the
world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is
truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent
them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify
Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
20 “I
do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in
Me through their word; 21 that
they all may be
one, as You,
Father, are in Me, and I in You; that
they also may be
one in Us, that
the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory
which You gave Me I have given them, that
they may be
one
just as We are one
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may
be made perfect in
one, and that the
world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You
have loved Me.
24 “Father,
I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am,
that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved
Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous
Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these
have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to
them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with
which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Though outwardly we are individuals, we who belong to Christ Jesus
are called to be one; as Christ is One
with the Father. Our calling reaches to the heights of being
one with the Most High and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Those who have truly joined themselves to, and continually abide in
Christ; who were once the children of Adam, are now the children of
God. Being transformed into One in the Most High and
in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
John 1:9-13
New
International Version (NIV)
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the
world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was
made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He
came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human
decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
1
John 3:1-3
“Behold
what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be
called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us,
because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we
are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we
shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like
Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone
who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
This is how those of us in Christ Jesus are meant to be:
Acts
2:44-47 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“And
all those who had believed were together and had all
things in common; 45 and they began selling
their property and possessions and were sharing them with all,
as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing
with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, they were taking their meals together with gladness
and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and
having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their
number day by day those who were being saved.
One
– 1520
eiV
heis hice (including the neuter (etc.) hen); a primary
numeral; one:--
(Translated in King James Version
as) a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only,
other, some.
Perfect
– 5048
teleiow
teleioo tel-i-o'-o from
teleioV
- teleios 5046;
to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish,
or (figuratively) consummate (in
character):-- (Translated in
King James Version as) consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.
5046
-
teleioV
teleios tel'-i-os from
teloV
- telos 5056;
complete (in various applications
of labor,
growth,
mental and moral character,
etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588)
completeness:-- (Translated
in King James Version as) of full age, man, perfect.
5056
- teloV
telos tel'-os from a primary tello (to
set out for a definite point or goal); properly,
the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication)
the conclusion of an act or state
(termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely),
result (immediate, ultimate or
prophetic), purpose); specially, an
impost or levy (as paid):--
(Translated in King James Version
as) + continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost.
Back to Table of Contents
CONCLUSION
We
began this study with the following questions:
1.
Is Jesus Christ God?
2.
Did Jesus claim to be the Most High God?
3.
Is Jesus the Son of God?
4.
What did Jesus mean by “I and My Father are one?”
5.
Is Jesus both the Father and the Son?
I
hope this study was helpful in your search for answers.
Now
we have a few more things to think about:
-
Do you Love Jesus Christ?
-
Do you keep the commandments of Jesus Christ?
-
Are you abiding in Jesus Christ?
-
Are the Words of Jesus Christ abiding in you?
-
Do you want to be one in the Most High God and His Son Jesus
Christ?
Did
you notice that none of the above has to do with religion? It is all
about relationship.
John 17:1-4
“ Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may
glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all
flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as
You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that
they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have
sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have
finished the work which You have given Me to do.
If
you have not taken the first step, but would like to do so, consider
these words:
Acts 2:38-40
“Then Peter said to them, “Repent
(turn from you sins to God),
and let every one of you be baptized
(immersed in water)
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
(pardon)
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and
to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And
with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be
saved from this perverse generation.”
1Wikipedia,
article “Jesus”,
shown under “Etymology
of names.”
2Wikipedia,
article “Prophet”,
shown under “Judaism.”
*(“Brought
forth” added for clarification. I did not intend to imply that Jesus
Christ is a created being - like Adam and Eve. I am not a follower
of Arianism. - 9/22/18)
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