In the mind of a Christian, such a question as this is utterly ridiculous, and without any foundation whatsoever. But to some in the world of religion, it is accepted and proclaimed as though it were true. For example, the Jehovah Witnesses actually believe and teach that Jesus is the first angel that God created. As a matter of fact, they say that Jesus is really Michael, the archangel.

Is this belief or teaching something that is a new doctrine? Did it originate with the Jehovah Witness group? Apparently the answer to both of those questions would have to be no. There seems to be something more than a strong similarity between this denial of Jesus as Deity and what those who believed in Gnosticism concluded many years prior to the Watchtower Society.

As a quick reference to Gnosticism, this writer chose to consider what the College Press Bible Study Textbook Series has to say on Gnosticism in the commentary on Colossians, (pp. 123, 124). The following is a quote taken from that source concerning Gnosticism: "Between God and man there was supposedly a long series of intermediary beings, which were called aeons. Those intermediary beings become less and less spiritual, and more and more material the farther they got from Christ. Christ Jesus was supposedly one of these aeons, a high one evidently. The lowest aeon, called the demiurge was the creator of the earth and material things."

Let's examine this question or concern from the Bible to rind out what the truth is. And this should help each one of us to be better prepared when someone comes knocking at our door teaching a doctrine that is not according to the one that was taught by the apostles and other inspired men.

"His Goings Forth Are From Long Ago"

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel, His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity" (Mic. 5:2). There can be little doubt, that this is a prophetic utterance concerning Jesus Christ, especially when we clearly see its fulfillment in Matthew 2:6.

The point that can be established from this writing is this. The prophet Micah says concerning Jesus, that He is "from

the days of eternity." The Psalmist said the very same thing about Jehovah, using the identical Hebrew word in Psalms 41:13. Simply stated, whatever Jehovah is to eternity or to everlasting, the Son is equal. Thus the Son cannot be created, unless the Father is created. It is a known fact that Jesus was not created because Paul said, ". . . all things have been created by Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16). If Paul's words are accurate (and they are) Jesus would have to be responsible for having created himself. Also see John 1:1-3.

"The Alpha And The Omega"

"Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him, Even so. Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:7-8). "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades" (Rev. 1:17-18).

There are at least a couple of points that can be established from these verses written by the apostle John. First, who is it that verse 7 speaks of? Can there by any doubt? Luke records for us that two angels sent from God told Jesus' apostles that this same Jesus "will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11). Second, who does the description fit? Who was it that was pierced and was dead? With all due respect, you don't have to have the aid of a red-lettered edition to know assuredly that it is Jesus. Hence, it must be accepted that Jesus says concerning himself that he is, "the first and the last, the Almighty."

Thus the conclusion drawn by Thomas after touching the nail scarred hand and the sword pierced side of the resurrected Lord is absolutely correct. "Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God'" (Jn. 20:27-28).

Additional evidence which clearly points to the surety of Jesus' "Deity" comes from the apostle John's attempt to worship an angel. John says that the angel told him, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book; Worship God" (cf. Rev. 22:8-9).

These two verses in the Revelation letter and the admonition not to worship an angel, but rather that worship belongs only to God, takes an added significance when considering what the Hebrew writer recorded in Hebrews 1:5-6. "For to which of the angels did He ever say, Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee? And again, I will be the Father to Him, and He shall be a Son to Me? And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, and let all the angels of God worship Him." The Hebrew writer affirms for us that, God never did give such a distinction to an angel, and the angels apparently understood this, that's why they rejected worship. Not only does God demand the angels to worship his Son, but we also see in the New Testament where Jesus rightfully accepted the worship of man (cf. Matt. 2: 11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 20:9; Jn. 9:38).

Conclusion

The only conclusion that could possibly be reached by any and all honest Bible students is that the Son and the Father are both "Deity" (cf. Phil. 2:6-7). Jehovah is "self-existent," "immutable," "eternal," the "Almighty," "absolute holiness," "righteous," "merciful," "loving," "infinite in knowledge and wisdom," etc. Whatever Divine attributes Jehovah possesses, Christ also possesses.

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

Other Bible verses could be considered (John 8:58; Ex. 3:14; Isa. 8:13-14; 1 Pet. 2:8; Isa. 42:8; 48:11; Jn. 17:5; Psa. 68:18; Eph. 4:8; Jn. 5:18-23; 14:23; 16:15; 17:8-11; Col. 1:19).

Footnotes

(Note: No corresponding number in body of original documentation.) The 1985 Kingdom Interlinear version reveals that the Greek literally says Jesus is "the God" (ho theos).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 2, pp. 46, 54
January 19, 1989