I AM
I AM
(This article was written in response to a friend who is a practicing “Jehovah Witness” who requested more information concerning Christ and His divine nature as God)
INTRODUCTION
The following is a compilation of scriptures given to the accuracy and proof of the deity of Christ. I send forth this information in the humblest disposition I can manifest. I am so appreciative of you giving me this opportunity to set forth what I believe the Bible teaches concerning Christ’s nature. These matters are of the upmost importance, and, are a matter of our soul salvation. As I often say, anything other than an understanding is a misunderstanding. And, it is vitally important that we not miss it! Please, via our conversation, keep an open and honest heart. Be willing to investigate. Examine all that is said in light of the scriptures. And may God bless your search to determine whether these things are so!
PROPHECY AND FULLFILMENT
In the book Of Isaiah, chapter 7: 14 we read, “Therefore, the lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
In the book of Matthew, chapter 1: 21-23 we read, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us, emphasis mine).”
WHAT ISAIAH SAW
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 6: 1, Isaiah goes into the temple the year that king Uzziah dies and sees the Lord sitting upon a throne. Concerning the angels, verse 3-5, says, “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” The phrase “Lord of hosts” in the Hebrew is Yahweh, i.e., Jehovah.
In the book of John chapter 12: 41 we read, “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.” What things did Isaiah say? The things said in verses 38-40. When did Isaiah see his glory? In Isaiah chapter 6. Who did he see? Yahweh. Who is the context speaking about in John 12? Jesus. Therefore, when Isaiah saw Yahweh, he saw Jesus!
EEL GIBBOR
In Isaiah, chapter 9: 6 the Bible teaches us, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This no doubt is Messianic and refers to Christ. However, I understand that the reasoning of the Jehovah Witnesses is that Christ is here called “Mighty God” and not “Almighty God.”
It is interesting to note that Isaiah 10: 21 says, “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.” Verse 20 makes it plain that the “mighty God” of verse 21 is Jehovah—the Holy One of Israel. But, the Hebrew which is translated “mighty God” in Isaiah 10: 21 is exactly the same as that which is translated “mighty God” in Isaiah 9: 6. Thus, there is no distinction to be made! If “eel gibbor” refers to Jehovah in Isaiah 10: 21, how could it be argued that the same expression does not refer Jehovah in 9: 6? And if it refers to Jehovah in 9: 6—and it does—then the fact of the deity of Christ is established.
TRUTHS THAT CANNOT BE DENIED
Isaiah urged God’s people to sanctify “Jehovah of hosts” (8: 12-14), a command applied to Jesus by Peter (1 Peter 3: 14-15). Furthermore, Isaiah’s “Jehovah” was to become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence (8: 14), a description that New Testament writers applied to Christ (cf. Romans 9: 33, 1 Peter 2: 8). Isaiah foretold that John the Baptist would prepare the way for the coming of Jehovah (40: 3). We see this very fulfillment in Matthew 3: 3 and John 1: 23.
In Psalm 110: 1, we are told, “The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Jesus later explained that this verse pictures the Father addressing the Christ (Luke 20: 42).
The writer of Hebrews quoted the Father as addressing His Son in this way: “Of old you [Jehovah—Psalm 102: 25] laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands” (Hebrews 1: 10). Not only does this verse apply the word “Jehovah” to Jesus, but it actually attributes the quotation to the mouth of God Himself!
AN EXEGETICAL TREATMENT OF JOHN 1: 1-3
The reading is: “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”
The first thing I would like to bring to your attention is the two-letter word “an.” This is translated “was” in John 1: 1. It is the imperfect indicative of the Greek “eimi,” which means “I am.” (I will have more to say on this in the section below entitled, “What Some Have Said”). The Greek imperfect tense denote continuous action or state of being in past time. Even in the beginning the Word “was”—continuous being in past time. This unequivocally proves that Christ was not created by God, but experienced continuous being even prior to the beginning!
At this point, I want to devote some time to the phrase “God” in John 1: 1. It is very interesting that the New World Translation (see my comments on the section, “A Brief Review of The New World Translation” below), inserts the indefinite article “a” before God. It reads, “a god.” This is the only translation (NWT) that I know of that does this. And if my understanding is correct, the justified reason is to do away with the deity of Christ.
However, the absence of the article is correct in the Greek. In the statement “and the Word was with God” the word “God” is preceded (in the Greek) by the definite article. In the statement “and the Word was God” the word “God” is not preceded by the definite article.
IN ESSENTIALS OF NEW TESTAMENT GREEK, Dr. Ray Summers has the following: “The basic function of the Greek article is to identify. At this point an important differentiation should be observed. When the article is used with construction, the thing emphasized is ‘identity’; when the article is not used the emphasized is quality of character. For example, ho nomos means “the law.” It points out a particular law and gives specific identity. nomos means ‘law’ in general…The difference is clearly seen the use of ho homos and theos. Ho theos is used of the divine Person ‘God.’ theos is used (generally) of the divine character or essence of God. Thus, “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God (ton theon) and the Word was divine (theos)’ gives the sense” (page 129).
In A MANUAL GRAMMAR OF THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT, Dana and Mantey have the following: “When identity is prominent, we find the article; and when quality or character is stressed, the construction is anarthrous…A study of the uses of the term as given in Moulton and Geden’s CONCORDANCE convinces one that without the article theos signifies divine essence, while with the article divine personality is chiefly in view…The use of theos in John 1: 1 is a good example. Pros ton theon points to Christ’s fellowship with the person of the Father; theos an ho logos emphasizes Christ’s participation in the essence of the divine nature. The former clearly applies to personality, while the later applies to character or essence…The articular construction emphasizes identity; anarthrous construction emphasizes character” (pages 138-140).
Now what is interesting is the inconsistency of the Witnesses in translating theos without the article. For example, the word “God” (theos)—without the article—appears in John 1 in verses 6, 12, 13, and 18. In these verses they translate with the capital “G” and in no instance do they have “a god.” Why? Because they are bias in their treatment of Jesus as God! And the translation has to be made to fit their particular tenants of doctrine concerning Jesus and his deity!
CREATED OR CREATOR?
Paul, in Colossians 1: 15, refers to the Christ as being the “firstborn of all creation.” It is argued that this proves that Christ was a created being, and, therefore, not equal with God. But what proof is offered for concluding that the “firstborn of all creation” means that He was a created being? In the Greek word “prototokos” is inherent the notion of preeminence. And, the context certainly involves the preeminence of Christ (verse 18: “…that in everything he might be preeminent”). The Witnesses agree that Jehovah was involved in the creation. If it should be said of Him that He was “the preeminent one of all creation” it certainly would not be implied that He Himself was created. It would only imply that He was involved in (related to) the creation. The New Testament clearly teaches that God (Jehovah) was the direct force of the creation, and that Jesus Christ was the indirect agent of creation (John 1: 1-3; Colossians 1: 15-16). This is the force of the “dia” with the ablative case when related to “agency.” These verses in Colossians 1 plainly state that “…by him all things were created…all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (verses 16, 17). All things that were created were created by him—by means of the Christ. Now, please observe this logic. If He is a created being he had part in creating Himself. But, if he had part in creating Himself then He existed before he created Himself. And, if he existed before he created Himself he could not be a created being! Please read and reread over this again to see the force of this logic! In verse 17, Paul states, “…he is before all things…” THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD has the note: “has existed prior to.” He existed prior to all things. It is therefore clear that Colossians 1: 15does not teach that Christ is a created being. It does teach that with regard to the whole creation—because of who He is—He is the preeminent one!
WHAT SOME HAVE SAID
Thomas. On the very day of the Lord’s resurrection He made an appearance to the disciples when Thomas was not present. The disciples told Thomas about the Lord’s appearance in their midst. Thomas said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20: 25).
After eight days the Lord again appeared to the disciples. This time Thomas was present. The Lord said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered: “My Lord and my God!” The Greek Testament says: “The Lord of me and the God of me.” There IS the DEFINITE ARTICLE immediately preceding the word “God.” And, therefore, even according to the “Witnesses” with respect to John 1: 1 the word “God” is a reference to Jehovah. Thomas was not only declaring the deity of Christ (John 20: 28), He called Him Jehovah!
Paul. In Titus 2: 13, Paul speaks of “…our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” Our great God and the Savior is clearly identified as being Jesus Christ.
Jesus. The deity of Christ is clearly established in what Jesus said about Himself! Jesus, in His public ministry, definitely claimed to be the Son of God (as in John 3: 18), and often called God His Father. The Jews understood plainly that in this claim He was claiming to be equal with Jehovah. Note carefully John 5: 18. “This is why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” Pay close attention to the phrase, “equal with God!” Because he taught that He was the Son of God, and was, therefore equal with God the Father, the Jews accused Him of blasphemy! In John 10: 33 we have: “The Jews answered him, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.’” They accused Him of blasphemy because He said He was the “Son of God” (John 10: 36). If this claim to be the “Son of God” did not carry with it inherently the notion of equality with the Father, the Jews would not (could not) have accused Him of blasphemy! Note: The Jews held exactly the same view in this regard as is that held by the “Jehovah Witnesses”: they failed to recognize and to accept the fact that the claim to be the “Son of God” meant that He was equal with God the Father—that He was deity!
God. What does God the Father has to say about it? In Hebrews chapter 1, there is a discussion concerning Christ and His superiority over angels. (This proves He was not created an angel being He is superior over angels). God arrests our attention in verses 8-9 concerning Jesus. “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” Please take note that God calls Jesus “God” in these passages. And the Hebrew is theos in the three citations of God!
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE NEW WORLD TRANSLATION
It has been my studied conviction that the New World Translation, published by the Watchtower Society, is a biased translation of the Bible published to prove the peculiar teachings of the Watchtower Society, which they cannot prove by reference to the standard translations. I have already shown attempts of this very thing, (e.g., John 1: 1), and many other mistranslations could be cited. This version of the scriptures demonstrates several attempts to support so called “Jehovah Witnesses” doctrine, through erroneous translating and bias wording.
Take for example Paul’s discussion of the humility of Christ in Philippians 2: 5-8. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
In this reading we have:
1. Reference to the Lord’s existence prior to His coming to live among men.
2. The fact that He existed in the “form of God.”
3. The fact of His being on equality with God.
4. The fact that there came a time when He counted this equality not to be a thing to be grasped (held on to).
5. That He emptied Himself of the form of God and took upon Himself of the form of man.
Clearly this, too, establishes the deity of Christ! However, the only thing that can be done by the “Witnesses” is to mistranslate. Verse 6 in their version reads this way: “…who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.”
Also, consider that in John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” Now, why would the Jews pick up stones to throw at Him? Because Jesus used an all familiar phrase to the Jews—“I Am!” Their familiarity with this phrase is especially remembered when God said to Moses in answer to who Moses should say sent him. He said to tell them, “I Am” have sent you! What was Jesus claiming when He uttered these words? The very thing the Jews understood Him to be saying—He is deity!
To get around the force of this, the New World Translation, renders Exodus 3: 14 this way: “This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, ‘I SHALL PROVE TO BE has sent me to you’“(Exodus 3: 14, NWT), and “Most truly I say to you, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been” (John 8: 58, NWT). So, in the JW’s translation, Jesus’ words appear to have no connection with Exodus 3: 14.
Interestingly, their own study Bible prove that Jesus was claiming to be the I AM. Their 1984 large-print New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures with References has a footnote on Exodus 3: 14, admitting that the Hebrew would be rendered into Greek as “Ego eimi”—“I am.” And their 1985 Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures reveals that Jesus words in John 8: 58 are the same “ego eimi” (footnote), “I am” (interlinear text).
This is sad and irresponsible exegesis. More could be cited, but I pray that this will suffice for now and give you an opportunity to peruse the information provided (Acts 17: 11).
∼Stacey Mobley
