THE DEITY OF CHRIST Refuting Jehovahs Witness doctrine

THE DEITY OF CHRIST Refuting Jehovah’s Witness doctrine concerning Jesus

Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine l “Jesus was the first creation by God”

Jesus was Creator l Rev 3: 14 – And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning (arche; arkhay’) of the creation of God…. ” l “The first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l Luke 20: 20 – So they watched Him, & sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power (arche; ar-khay’) & the authority of the governor. l “The first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l 1 Cor 15: 24 – Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule (arche; ar-khay’) & all authority & power. l “The first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l Eph 1: 21 – far above all principality (arche; ar-khay’) & power & might & dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come l “The first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l John 1: 3 – All things were made through Him, & without Him nothing was made that was made. l “The Beginning of the Creation of God (Rev 3: 14)” means Jesus was “the first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l Heb 1: 3 – who being the brightness of His glory & the express image of His person, & upholding all things by the word of His power… l “The Beginning of the Creation of God (Rev 3: 14)” means Jesus was “the first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l Col 1: 16 – For by Him all things were created that are in heaven & that are on earth, visible & invisible, . . . All things were created through Him & for Him. l “The Beginning of the Creation of God (Rev 3: 14)” means Jesus was “the first in rank & authority, ” that is, the head of something (arche; ar-khay’).

Jesus was Creator l Col 1: 15 – He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. l l l Jesus holds the rank of a firstborn son, because He was given authority (Matt 28: 18; Col 1: 16 -20). David: (Psa 89: 19 -29, 27) Israel (Exo 4: 18 -23, 22)

Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine l “Jesus was the first creation by God” l “Through Him all other things were created”

Jesus was Creator l Col 1: 16 – For by Him all things were created that are in heaven & that are on earth, visible & invisible, . . . All things were created through Him & for Him. l l The NWT add the word “other”, which is NOT in the Greek text. God says, “Do not add to My Word!” – Gen 3: 4; Deut 4: 2; Pro 30: 5 -6; Rev 22: 18 -19

Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine l “Jesus was the first creation by God” l “Through Him all other things were created” l “A mighty God, but not Almighty God, Jehovah”

Jesus was Creator l Isa 9: 6 (Jesus) – For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; & the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty [gibbor] God [El], Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. l Isa 10: 21 (Jehovah) – The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the [definite article not in Hebrew text] Mighty [gibbor] God [El] (cf. Jer 32: 18).

Jesus was Creator l John 1: 1 – “In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the word was God”. l l The NWT adds the definite article “a”, which is NOT in the Greek text. The NWT does not add the definite article to these verses in John 1: 6, 12, 13, 18.

Jehovah’s Witness Doctrine l “Jesus was the first creation by God” l “Through Him all other things were created” l “A mighty God, but not Almighty God, Jehovah” l “Jesus is lesser than Jehovah”

Jesus was Creator l Phil 2: 5 -6 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God. . . l The NWT: “existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal with God”

Jesus was Creator l Phil 2: 7 -8 – but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, & coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself & became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. l Paul was demonstrating the humility of Jesus.

Jesus was Creator l The Watchtower Society, Jesus “gave no consideration” to seizing equality with God when Jesus had no chance of being equal to God. l What is humble about Jesus NOT doing what He COULD NOT do? l However, when (King) Creator becomes Servant – THAT IS HUMILTY!

Jesus was Creator l Phil. 2: 5 -8 (KJV & NKJV) l Jesus did not grasp, clutch or cling to His rightful place of honor & dignity in Heaven to the extent that He was unwilling to fulfill His Father’s will on earth.

Jesus was Creator l Col 2: 9 – For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. l Adam Clarke – "The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Christ 'bodily, ' as opposed to the Jewish tabernacle, or temple; truly and really, in opposition to types and figures; not only effectively, as God dwells in good men, but substantially or personally, by the strictest union, as the soul dwells in the body; so that God and man are one Christ. "

Jesus was God on earth Co-existent – Co-eternal Same nature as the Father