DiscipleHeart

The Eternal Self-Existent Divine Saviour

 

 

Introduction

At the end of the gospel of John, the statement is made: "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" John 21:25. This is true, and this page and the associated linked pages only share a tiny portion of what could be written about Christ—His life prior to the Incarnation, the things that went on while He was on earth, His ascension to Heaven and enthronement on His Mediatorial Throne, His work as our advocate, spending eternity with Him, etc. Much could also be written about His exalted former state in contrast to the role of poverty and difficulty He deliberately chose, in coming to earth. Then there is also the two natures that were resident in Him—the divine nature and the adopted human nature, the latter of which will be maintained for eternity, to say nothing of His retaining human form for eternity. I could speak of His miracles, His teaching, important events, etc, but suffice it to say, this is but a tiny rill compared to the subject matter available to write about. Over time I will add more, but am choosing to share in bits and pieces as I am able to study. 

After carefully studying the Bible and the writings of Ellen White, and other writers, regarding the divinity of Christ, I am completely convinced Christ is the eternal, self-existent, pre-existent, divine Person, who being equal with God in every way, was in close oneness with His Father and is the Second Person of the Godhead.

I acknowledge there are mysteries connected with the Godhead which cannot be easily explained, if at all. For example, the Father having no beginning is impossible to explain. Christ having no beginning is also impossible to explain. The term "begotten" is challenging until one understands the meaning of the word and the history of how that word ended up in the KJV. There is also the use of the terms "Father" and "Son" when there is no divine "Mother," and no "birth" as we understand the words. These human words are inadequate to describe heavenly realities, though they convey important information that is not to be ignored. There are other mysteries as well. But there is more than enough information which is not mysterious, and gives more than sufficient—I think overwhelming—evidence on the divinity of Christ, and therefor removes all excuses for stumbling. I am convinced there is a much stronger case—to say nothing of wonderful harmony and exquisite beauty—for the traditional understanding of Christ's divinity as the eternal, pre-existent, self-existent deity, equal to His Father, compared to the impoverished, minimizing, confusing semi-arian understandings being touted in some quarters.

My advice is to read large amounts of truth which is easy to understand, which is in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures, which God has used for thousands of years, which I share below, and then come to your own conclusions.—Dan

 

Scriptures and Quotations

Was Christ "God" Manifested In The Flesh

There are many strong statements regarding Christ being God in the writings of Ellen White. These are statements where she says "He was God" or something to that effect. There are many other statements where Christ being God is inferred.

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) 16 God was manifest in the flesh.

"Christ was God, but He did not appear as God. He veiled the tokens of divinity, which had commanded the homage of angels and called forth the adoration of the universe of God. He made Himself of no reputation, took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of sinful flesh. For our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich." {ST January 5, 1915, par. 6} 

"He was God, while upon earth, but He divested Himself of the form of God and in its stead took the form and fashion of a man. He walked the earth as a man. He for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He laid aside His glory and His majesty." {Lt11-1887.15}

"Said Christ, “All things that the Father hath are mine.” [John 16:15.] “I and My Father are one. I appoint unto you a kingdom.” [John 10:30; Luke 22:29.] The Lord Jesus lays His hand upon the eternal throne of God with all the ease and assurance of one who rules and reigns, putting on His head the crown of Deity. He sits at the right hand of God and receives supreme honor as God, the glory He had before the world was. He distributes His gifts to all who by faith shall claim them." {Lt83-1895.19}

"What opposites meet and are revealed in the person of Christ! The mighty God, yet a helpless child! The Creator of all the world, yet, in a world of His creating, often hungry and weary, and without a place to lay His head! The Son of Man, yet infinitely higher than the angels! Equal with the Father, yet His divinity clothed with humanity, standing at the head of the fallen race, that human beings might be placed on vantage-ground! Possessing eternal riches, yet living the life of a poor man! One with the Father in dignity and power, yet in His humanity tempted in all points like as we are tempted! In the very moment of His dying agony on the cross, a Conqueror, answering the request of the repentant sinner to be remembered by Him when He came into His kingdom, with the words, “Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” {ST April 26, 1905, par. 2} Christ was God manifest in the flesh. In Him divinity and humanity were united. In Him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. He lived in this world a perfect life, revealing the character to which, through divine grace, man may attain. In His life He left an example that every true Christian must follow. No falsehood ever fell from His lips. Never did He do a dishonest act. He stood forth in unsullied purity and goodness, revealing what man must be before he can enter the holy city." {ST April 26, 1905, par. 3}

 

Was Christ Self-Existent?

Definition of "Self-Existence": "Existing of or by oneself or itself independently of any other being or cause: not caused to exist by someone or something else" Regarding Christ, He was not created and brought about in any way, by any cause including His Father.

John 10:17-18 (KJV) 17 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

"He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. He was above all finite requirements. ... Of the highest angels it could not be said that they had never borne a yoke. The angels all bear the yoke of dependence, the yoke of obedience. They are the appointed messengers of Him who is Commander of all heaven. {Ms 101, 1897, par. 27} No one of the angels could become a substitute and surety for the human race, for their life is God’s; they could not surrender it. On Christ alone the human family depended for their existence. He is the eternal, self-existent Son, on whom no yoke had come. When God asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Christ alone of the angelic host could reply, “Here am I; send Me.” [Isaiah 6:8.] He alone had covenanted before the foundation of the world to become a surety for man. He could say that which not the highest angel could say—“I have power over my own life. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” [John 10:18.] {Ms 101, 1897, par. 28}

"Christ is equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. He could pay the ransom for man’s freedom. He is the eternal, self-existing Son, on whom no yoke had come; and when God asked, “Whom shall I send?” he could reply, “Here am I; send me.” He could pledge himself to become man’s surety; for he could say that which the highest angel could not say,—I have power over my own life, “power to lay it down, and ... power to take it again.” {YI June 21, 1900, par. 2}

"After God created man in His image, the form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it had no vitality. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, breathing, intelligent being. All parts of the human machinery were put in motion. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the perceptions of the mind, the senses, were placed under physical law. It was then that man became a living soul." {Ms117-1898.9}

"With solemn dignity Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.” {DA 469.4} Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2, margin.  {DA 469.5}

 

Was Christ Pre-Existent?

Definition of Pre-Existence: "Existence in a former state or previous to something else" (In this case, prior to creation of this world.)

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God."

John 8:58 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

John 17:5 (KJV) 5 "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

Proverbs 8:22 (KJV) 22 "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old."

Proverbs 8:30 (KJV) 30 "Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;"

Colossians 1:17 (KJV) 17 "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

"Christ is the pre-existent, self-existent Son of God.... In speaking of his pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God. He to whose voice the Jews were then listening had been with God as one brought up with Him." {ST August 29, 1900, par. 13}

"While God’s Word speaks of the humanity of Christ when upon this earth, it also speaks decidedly regarding his pre-existence. The Word existed as a divine being, even as the eternal Son of God, in union and oneness with his Father. From everlasting he was the Mediator of the covenant…. Before men or angels were created, the Word was with God, and was God. {RH April 5, 1906, par. 5} The world was made by him, “and without him was not anything made that was made.” If Christ made all things, he existed before all things. The words spoken in regard to this are so decisive that no one need be left in doubt. Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore. {RH April 5, 1906, par. 6} … There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was one with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light, unapproachable and incomprehensible." {RH April 5, 1906, par. 8}

"Christ alone was able to represent the Deity. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone sufficient to accomplish this work." {Ms44-1895.3}

 

Is Christ Eternal?

Definition of "Eternal": "Of infinite duration" or "Everlasting." In Christ's case, no beginning; no ending; from all eternity.

John 1:2 (KJV) 2 "The same was in the beginning with God."

Psalms 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2 (NKJV) 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

"The terms of this oneness between God and man in the great covenant of redemption were arranged with Christ from all eternity." { ST August 24, 1891, par. 10}

"The world was made by him, “and without him was not anything made that was made.” If Christ made all things, he existed before all things. The words spoken in regard to this are so decisive that no one need be left in doubt. Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore." {RH April 5, 1906, par. 6}

"Then said the Jews unto Him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” {ST May 3, 1899, par. 3} Here Christ shows them that, altho they might reckon His life to be less than fifty years, yet His divine life could not be reckoned by human computation. The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures." {ST May 3, 1899, par. 4}

"From all eternity Christ was united with the Father, and when He took upon Himself human nature, He was still one with God." {ST August 2, 1905, par. 9}

"Christ should be uplifted as the first Great Teacher, the only begotten Son of God, who was with the Father from eternal ages. The Son of God was the Great Teacher sent into the world as the Light of the world. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” [John 1:14.] {Lt67-1895.4} From eternity Christ has been man’s Redeemer." { 9T 220.2}

"I say in the name of the Lord, Give your attention to this Word. The Lord has ever existed in perfection from all eternity. He has been ever what He now is, “I am that I am;” “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity.” This is His title. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” Psalm 90:2. “I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3:6. With Him is no variableness or shadow of turning." {Ms180-1897.2}

 

Is Christ A Person?

John 1:14 "And the Word was made 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."

"There is a personal God, the Father; there is a personal Christ, the Son." {Ms86-1898}

"Christ came to the world as a personal Saviour. He represented a personal God. He ascended on high as a personal Saviour, and he will come again as he ascended to heaven,—a personal Saviour." {GCDB March 6, 1899, par. 6}

"As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in His Son. The outshining of the Father’s glory, “and the express image of His person,” Jesus, as a personal Saviour, came to the world. As a personal Saviour He ascended on high. As a personal Saviour He intercedes in the heavenly courts. Before the throne of God in our behalf ministers “One like unto the Son of man.” Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 1:13." { MH 418.4}

"The Lord Jesus came to our world to represent the Father. He represented God not as an essence that pervaded nature, but as a God who has a personality." { 19MR 250.4 }

"He who denies the personality of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, is denying God and Christ." {Ms23-1906.20}

 

Is Christ Distinct From The Father?

"Distinct" means "different."

John 17:1 "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:" 

"Christ is one with the Father, but Christ and God are two distinct personages. Read the prayer of Christ in the seventeenth chapter of John [John 17:1, for example], and you will find this point clearly brought out. How earnestly the Saviour prayed that his disciples might be one with him as he is one with the Father. But the unity that is to exist between Christ and his followers does not destroy the personality of either." {RH June 1, 1905, par. 14}

"The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by him as his right. This was no robbery of God." {RH April 5, 1906, par. 7}

"These words [John 17:18-23] show that God and Christ are two personalities, distinct and separate. The unity for which Christ prays, which is to make believers one with Him, as He is one with the Father, does not destroy the personality of God or the personality of Christ." {Lt52-1906.23}

 

Is Christ Equal With God?

Philippians 2:6 "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"

"It was to save the transgressor from ruin that he who was co-equal with God, offered up his life on Calvary." {RH June 28, 1892, par. 3}

"This Saviour was the brightness of His Father’s glory and the express image of His person. He possessed divine majesty, perfection, and excellence. He was equal with God." {2T 200.1}

"Christ did not seek to be thought great, and yet He was the Majesty of heaven, equal in dignity and glory with the infinite God. He was God manifested in the flesh. … He was not the Father but in Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily…." {Lt8a-1890.9}

"I and my Father are one.” {ST November 27, 1893, par. 4} With what firmness and power he uttered these words. The Jews had never before heard such words from human lips, and a convicting influence attended them; for it seemed that divinity flashed through humanity as Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” The words of Christ were full of deep meaning as he put forth the claim that he and the Father were of one substance, possessing the same attributes. The Jews understood his meaning, there was no reason why they should misunderstand, and they took up stones to stone him. Jesus looked upon them calmly and unshrinkingly, and said, “Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of these works do ye stone me?” {ST November 27, 1893, par. 5} The Majesty of heaven stood, calmly assured, as a god before his adversaries. Their scowling faces, their hands filled with stones, did not intimidate him. … He stood before them undaunted. Why did not the stones fly to the mark?—It was because divinity flashed through humanity, and they received a revelation, and were convicted that his were no common claims. Their hands relax and the stones fall to the ground. His words had asserted his divinity, but now his personal presence, the light of his eye, the majesty of his attitude, bore witness to the fact that he was the beloved Son of God. {ST November 27, 1893, par. 6} Had the Pharisees misunderstood his words, he could and would have corrected their wrong impression. He could have told them that he was no blasphemer, although he had called himself the Son of God, and that his words need not necessarily mean that he had invested himself with divine prerogatives, and made himself equal with the Father. But he made no such statement. The impression they had received was the very impression he desired to make. {ST November 27, 1893, par. 7} [Italics added.]

 

Why Was It Necessary For Christ To Be Equal With God?

"Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, only one equal with God could make atonement for its transgression. None but Christ could redeem fallen man from the curse of the law, and bring him again into harmony with Heaven. Christ would take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin—sin so offensive to a holy God that it must separate the Father and the Son. Christ would reach to the depths of misery to rescue the ruined race." {ST November 4, 1908, par. 2}

 

Is Christ The “I Am”?

Exodus 3:14 "And God said unto Moses, I Am that I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you."

John 8:57 "Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

"I AM means an eternal presence; the past, present, and future are alike with God. He sees the most remote events of past history, and the far distant future with as clear a vision as we do those things which are transpiring daily. We know not what is before us, and if we did, it would not contribute to our eternal welfare. God gives us an opportunity to exercise faith and trust in the great I AM." {Lt119-1895.12}

"[I]n the Child of Bethlehem was veiled the glory before which angels bow. This unconscious babe was the promised seed, to whom the first altar at the gate of Eden pointed. This was Shiloh, the peace giver. It was He who declared Himself to Moses as the I AM. It was He who in the pillar of cloud and of fire had been the guide of Israel."{ DA 52.3}

"With solemn dignity Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.” {DA 469.4} Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2, margin.  {DA 469.5}

 

Is Christ Part Of The Godhead?

Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

"In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In Him is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God are expressed in His character. The gospel is glorious because it is made up of His righteousness. It is Christ unfolded, and Christ is the gospel embodied. Every page of the New Testament Scriptures shines with His light. Every text is a diamond, touched and irradiated by the divine rays. {Ms44-1898.21}

Christ in his Godhead shone forth as he burst from the tomb, and rose triumphant over death and the grave. The disciples understood, when they saw him arisen from the dead, what he meant when he said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” {ST May 30, 1895, par. 7}

"Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man. Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to humanity, and this representation the disciples had been privileged to behold for over three years. {DA 663.5} Christ was seeking to lead them from their low condition of faith to the experience they might receive if they truly realized what He was,—God in human flesh." { DA 664.2}

 

What Is The Result Of Denying The Absolute Godhead Of Christ?

1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."

"The greatness of God cannot be measured or comprehended. And that doctrine that denies the absolute Godhead of Jesus Christ, denies also the Godhead of the Father; for no man knoweth the Son but the Father." {ST June 27, 1895, par. 3}

 

What Do We Learn About The “Oneness” Between Christ And His Father In John 10:30 and John 17:21?

John 10:30 "I and my Father are one."

John 17:21 "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

"He is the source of all wisdom, for He placed Himself directly on a level with the eternal God. In His humanity the glory of heavenly illumination fell directly upon Him, and from Him to the world, to be reflected back by all who receive and believe on Him, mingled with His perfection of character and the luster of His own character. While Christ stood forth distinctly in His human personality and appealed in striking but simple language to humanity, He was in such perfect oneness with God that His voice came with authority, as the voice of God from the center of glory." {Ms8-1896.4}

"Here the position of Jesus Christ in reference to his Father is brought to view. While they are one in purpose, and one in mind, yet in personality they are two." {RH August 15, 1907, Art. A, par. 4}

"Christ is one with the Father, but God and Christ are two distinct personages. Read the prayer of Christ in the seventeenth chapter of John, and you will find this point clearly brought out. How earnestly the Saviour prayed that His disciples might be one with Him as He was one with the Father. But the unity that is to exist between Christ and His followers does not destroy the personality of either. They are to be one with Him as He is one with the Father. By this unity they are to make it plain to the world that God sent His Son to save sinners. The oneness of Christ’s followers with Him is to be the great, unmistakable proof that God did indeed send His Son into the world to save sinners." {Ms58-1905.14}

 

What Was Christ’s Role In Creating The World? 

Ephesians 3:9 "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:"

John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:10 (KJV) 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not."

"The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. “By Him were all things created, ... whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Colossians 1:16." {PP 34.2}

"Divinity flashed through humanity, transfiguring his countenance as he said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” [Verse 18.] As he uttered these words the minds of the disciples were illuminated, and they realized that the mighty God, clad in the garb of humanity, was among them. They beheld him as a man, and yet as one infinitely higher than angels, the Creator of all worlds, and equal with the Father in dignity, glory, and blessing. Yet he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." {Ms117-1894.10}

 

How Did Christ Humble Himself In Coming To Earth?

Isaiah 53:2 "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

John 1:14 "And the Word was made 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."

Philippians 2:6 "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

"Christ had condescended to leave His high command, step down from an infinite height and assume humanity, He could have taken upon Him any condition of humanity He might choose. But greatness and rank were nothing to Him, and He selected the lowest and most humble walk of life. The place of His birth was Bethlehem, and on one side His parentage was poor, but God, the Owner of the world, was His Father. No trace of luxury, ease, selfish gratification, or indulgence was brought into His life, which was a continual round of self-denial and self-sacrifice. … Had He possessed the semblance of outward show, of riches, of grandeur, the poorest class of humanity would have shunned His society; therefore He chose the lowly condition of the far greater number of the people. The truth of heavenly origin was to be His theme: He was to sow the earth with truth; and He came in such a way as to be accessible to all, that the truth alone might make an impression upon human hearts." {Ms9-1896.12}

"He voluntarily assumed human nature. It was his own act, and by his own consent. He clothed his divinity with humanity. He was all the while as God, but he did not appear as God. He veiled the demonstrations of Deity which had commanded the homage, and called forth the admiration, of the universe of God. He was God while upon earth, but he divested himself of the form of God, and in its stead took the form and fashion of a man. He walked the earth as a man. For our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. He laid aside his glory and his majesty. He was God, but the glories of the form of God he for a while relinquished.{ RH July 5, 1887, par. 4 } … As a member of the human family he was mortal, but as a God he was the fountain of life to the world. He could, in his divine person, ever have withstood the advances of death, and refused to come under its dominion; but he voluntarily laid down his life, that in so doing he might give life and bring immortality to light. He bore the sins of the world, and endured the penalty which rolled like a mountain upon his divine soul. He yielded up his life a sacrifice, that man should not eternally die. He died, not through being compelled to die, but by his own free will. This was humility." { RH July 5, 1887, par. 5 } (Learn more about Christ humbling himself on this page and the extent of His humility in this precious sermon.)

 

 

Christ's Incarnation—His Birth In Bethlehem—Is A Mystery

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) 16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

"The incarnation of Christ is the mystery of all mysteries." {Lt216-1906.21}

"There is a mystery surrounding the birth of Christ that can not and need not be explained. {ST July 30, 1896, par. 2} In contemplating the incarnation of Christ in humanity, we stand baffled before an unfathomable mystery, that the human mind can not comprehend. The more we reflect upon it, the more amazing does it appear. How wide is the contrast between the divinity of Christ and the helpless infant in Bethlehem’s manger! How can we span the distance between the mighty God and a helpless child? And yet the Creator of worlds, he in whom was the fulness of the Godhead bodily, was manifest in the helpless babe in the manger. Far higher than any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, and yet wearing the garb of humanity! Divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined, and man and God became one. It is in this union that we find the hope of our fallen race. Looking upon Christ in humanity, we look upon God, and see in him the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person. {ST July 30, 1896, par. 3}

 

The Holy Spirit Dwelt In Christ When He Was On Earth.

Mark 1:10-11 (KJV) 10 "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

Luke 4:1 (KJV) 1 "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness," 

Luke 4:14 (KJV) 14 "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about."

"At the age of twelve, the people saw that the Holy Spirit was resting upon Jesus. He felt something of the burden of the mission for which he had come to our world. His soul was stirred into action. … [A]s he studied the Bible, the Holy Spirit brought these things to his mind, and showed him the great work that he was to do in the earth. As he grew in knowledge, he imparted knowledge to others." {YI November 28, 1895, par.4}

"He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit." {DA 123.3}

"The same Holy Spirit that abode in Christ was, by divine promise, to be imparted constantly to every disciple of His. Even Christ, during His ministry, was in His divine-human nature constantly receiving the Holy Spirit and imparting blessings as He went about doing His appointed work." {Lt218-1906} 

 

Christ Was The Second Adam

1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

"Christ is called the second Adam. In purity and holiness, connected with God and beloved by God, he began where the first Adam began. Willingly he passed over the ground where Adam fell, and redeemed Adam’s failure." {YI June 2, 1898, par. 1}

 

Christ Did Not Lose His Divinity In Coming To Earth

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) 16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,"

"The apostle would call our attention from ourselves to the Author of our salvation. He presents before us his two natures, divine and human. Here is the description of the divine: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” He was “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” { RH July 5, 1887, par. 3 } Now, of the human: “He was made in the likeness of man: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death.” He voluntarily assumed human nature. It was his own act, and by his own consent. He clothed his divinity with humanity. He was all the while as God, but he did not appear as God."{ RH July 5, 1887, par. 4 }

"Christ had two natures, the nature of a man and the nature of God. In Him divinity and humanity were combined. Upon His mediatorial work hangs the hope of the perishing world. No one but Christ has ever succeeded in living a perfect life, in living a pure, spotless character. He exhibited a perfect humanity, combined with Deity; and by preserving each nature distinct He has given to the world a representation of the character of God and the character of a perfect man. He shows us what God is and what man may become—Godlike in character." {Ms94-1899.47}

"When Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died. Deity did not sink and die; that would have been impossible. …" Lt280a-1904.8} 

"But although Christ’s divine glory was for a time veiled and eclipsed by His assuming humanity, yet He did not cease to be God when He became man. The human did not take the place of the divine, nor the divine of the human. This is the mystery of godliness. The two expressions human and divine were, in Christ, closely and inseparably one, and yet they had a distinct individuality. Though Christ humbled Himself to become man, the Godhead was still His own. His Deity could not be lost while He stood faithful and true to His loyalty. Surrounded with sorrow, suffering, and moral pollution, despised and rejected by the people to whom had been intrusted the oracles of heaven, Jesus could yet speak of Himself as the Son of man in heaven. He was ready to take once more His divine glory when His work on earth was done." { ST May 10, 1899, par. 11 }

 

Did Christ's Continuing Divinity Mean He Could Not Be Tempted?

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) 15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

"Our Lord’s trial and test and proving shows that He could yield to these temptations, else the battle was all a farce. But He did not yield to the solicitude of the enemy, thus evidencing that the human nature of man, united with the divine nature by faith, may be strong and withstand Satan’s temptations. {Ms57-1890.7} Christ’s perfect humanity is the same that man may have through connection with Christ. As God, Christ could not be tempted any more than He was not tempted from His allegiance in heaven. But as Christ humbled Himself to the nature of man, He could be tempted. He had not taken on Him even the nature of the angels, but humanity, perfectly identical with our own nature, except without the taint of sin. A human body, a human mind, with all the peculiar properties, He was bone, brain, and muscle. A man of our flesh, He was compassed with the weakness of humanity. The circumstances of His life were of that character that He was exposed to all the inconveniences that belong to men, not in wealth, not in ease, but in poverty and want and humiliation. He breathed the very air man must breathe. He trod our earth as man. He had reason, conscience, memory, will, and affections of the human soul which was united with His divine nature. {Ms57-1890.8} Our Lord was tempted as man is tempted. He was capable of yielding to temptations, as are human beings. His finite nature was pure and spotless, but the divine nature that led Him to say to Philip, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” also [John 14:9], was not humanized; neither was humanity deified by the blending or union of the two natures; each retained its essential character and properties. {Ms57-1890.9} But here we must not become in our ideas common and earthly, and in our perverted ideas we must not think that the liability of Christ to yield to Satan’s temptations degraded His humanity and He possessed the same sinful, corrupt propensities as man. {Ms57-1890.10} The divine nature, combined with the human, made Him capable of yielding to Satan’s temptations. Here the test to Christ was far greater than that of Adam and Eve, for Christ took our nature, fallen but not corrupted, and would not be corrupted unless He received the words of Satan in the place of the words of God. To suppose He was not capable of yielding to temptation places Him where He cannot be a perfect example for man, and the force and the power of this part of Christ’s humiliation, which is the most eventful, is no instruction or help to human beings." {Ms57-1890.11}

 

How Did Christ Overcome?

2 Peter 1:4 (KJV) 4 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

"He came to our world clothing divinity with humanity to bear the test and proving of God. By His example of perfect obedience in His human nature, He teaches us that man may be obedient. How can this be? Jesus took the nature of man while He lay hold on the throne of God with His divine nature. In His humanity and divinity combined, He overcame every temptation of Satan. {Lt16-1892.17}

"Behold the perfection of Christ who possessed all the attributes of the Godhead and all the perfections and excellencies of humanity. He is our example. … {Lt11a-1894.14} … The nature of Christ was a combination of the divine and the human. Having all the attributes of God, He also represented the excellencies of humanity and showed that all who believe in Christ as their personal Saviour will perfect a character after Christ’s likeness, and be qualified to become laborers together with God. {Lt11a-1894.19} … By taking humanity and combining it with divinity, He was able to meet every demand of the law of God, to overcome every objection which Satan had made prominent as standing in the way of man’s obedience to God’s commandments." {Lt11a-1894.20}

 

 

Christ's Divinity Was Revealed In His Crucifixion

Matthew 27:54 "Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."

"He who was rich for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich. The mysterious Godhead descended to our rescue. We see Him descending from depth to depth of humiliation in our behalf, until the shameful cross arrested His farther descent, and made it impossible to step lower." {Lt72-1897.2}

 

Christ Voluntarily Laid Down His Life

John 10:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

"Christ was without sin, else His life in human flesh and His death on the cross would have been of no more value in procuring grace for the sinner than the death of any other man. While He took upon Him humanity, it was a life taken into union with Deity. He could lay down His life as priest and also victim. He possessed in Himself power to lay it down and take it up again. He offered Himself without spot to God." {Ms92-1899.15}

 

His Divinity Shone At The Resurrection

John 2:19 (KJV) 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

"Christ in his Godhead shone forth as he burst from the tomb, and rose triumphant over death and the grave. The disciples understood, when they saw him arisen from the dead, what he meant when he said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” {ST May 30, 1895, par. 7}

 

Christ Will Retain His Human Nature And Form In Heaven 

Hebrews 2:11 "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"

Hebrews 2:16-18 "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

"This is the mystery of godliness. That Christ should take human nature, and by a life of humiliation elevate men in the scale of moral worth with God; that He should carry His adopted nature to the throne of God and there present His children to the Father, to have conferred upon them an honor exceeding that conferred upon the angels, this is the marvel of the heavenly universe, the mystery into which angels desire to look. This is love that melts the sinner’s heart." {Ms21-1900.15}

"Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who is one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is “not ashamed to call them brethren” [Hebrews 2:11]; [He is] our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father’s throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed—the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness." {Ms41-1892.16}

 

Christ Is Now Enthroned And Working In His Mediatorial Kingdom

Hebrews 9:24 "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:"

"Notwithstanding the apparent triumph of Satan on the earth, Christ is carrying forward His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary." {Ms57-1903.8}

"As our Mediator, Christ works incessantly. Whether men receive or reject Him, He works earnestly for them. He grants them life and light, striving by His Spirit to win them from Satan’s service. And while the Saviour works, Satan also works, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, and with unflagging energy. But victory will never be his." {RH March 12, 1901, par. 5}

 

Does Christ Accept Our Worship?

Exodus 3:4-6 4 "And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy 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."

Joshua 5:14-15 "And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."

Matthew 2:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

Matthew 8:2 "And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

Matthew 9:18 "While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live."

John 9:36-38 "He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."

Matthew 14:30-33 "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."

Mark 5:5 "And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,"

Matthew 28:9 "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him."

Luke 24:51 "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:"

"Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship. Man is forbidden to give to any other object the first place in his affections or his service. Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god." { PP 305.4} 

"Jehovah is the name given to Christ. “Behold, God is my salvation,” writes the prophet Isaiah; “I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." {PP 305.4}

"The heavenly gates are again to be lifted up, and with ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy ones, our Saviour will come forth as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jehovah Immanuel “shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.” {MB 108.2}

 

Christ Will Be Acknowledged And Welcomed As God At The Time Of The Second Coming.

Isaiah 25:9 "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”  

Revelation 21:6 “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

 

Can We Pray To Christ?

Revelation 22:20 (NKJV) "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

"If we believe in Jesus, we will love to think of him, love to talk of him, love to pray to him. He is supreme in our affections. We love that which Christ loves, and hate that which Christ hates." {RH May 30, 1882, par. 10}

"Man’s obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of Christ’s righteousness, which fills with divine fragrance every act of obedience. The part of the Christian is to persevere in overcoming every fault. Constantly he is to pray to the Saviour to heal the disorders of his sin-sick soul. He has not the wisdom or the strength to overcome; these belong to the Lord, and He bestows them on those who in humiliation and contrition seek Him for help." {AA 532.1}

"Present yourselves humbly and often at the throne of grace, and tell Jesus your every want, and do not think anything is too small for him to notice. The Lord loves to have you seek him, and tell him your trials, as a child would talk with his parent. When you pray, believe Jesus hears you, and will do the things you ask of him. Show that you have perfect trust in Jesus, and ever seek to do those things that you know will please him, and you will have peace in Christ." {YI February 9, 1893, par. 5}

"There are few who rightly appreciate or improve the precious privilege of prayer. We should go to Jesus and tell Him all our needs. We may bring Him our little cares and perplexities as well as our greater troubles. Whatever arises to disturb or distress us, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. … When you pray, be brief, come right to the point. Do not preach the Lord a sermon in your long prayers. Ask for the bread of life as a hungry child asks bread of his earthly father. God will bestow upon us every needed blessing if we ask Him in simplicity and faith." {CCh 294.1}

"We need a power to come upon us now and stir us up to diligence and earnest faith. Then, baptized with the Holy Spirit, we shall have Christ formed within, the hope of glory. Then we will exhibit Christ as the divine object of our faith and our love. We will talk of Christ, we will pray to Christ and about Christ.
{Ms27-1889.17}

 

Does Christ Encourage Children To Pray To Him?

Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

"Jesus should be the honored guest in the family circle. We should talk with him, bring all our burdens to him, and converse of his love, his grace, and his perfection of character. What a lesson may be daily given by godly parents in taking all their troubles to Jesus, the burden-bearer, instead of fretting and scolding over cares and perplexities they cannot help. The minds of the little ones may be taught to turn to Jesus as the flower turns its opening petals to the sun." {HR January 1, 1880, par. 9}

"I know that much of your time is taken up with your studies, and with doing errands; but, dear children, don’t forget to pray. The Lord loves to have children pray to him. And if you really repent and feel sorry for your sins, God will forgive your sins for Jesus’ sake." {AY 42.1}

"I hope all you that are praying children will endeavor to live your prayers. Pray in faith, believing that Jesus hears you. Jesus loves to have children pray to Him. Believe in and trust Him." {Lt12-1867.6}

"The Lord loves to have children pray to Him, and the dear Saviour will hear that prayer that is offered in sincerity." {Lt22a-1879.15}

 

Will You Accept Christ As Your Personal Saviour?