"How can Jesus be the Son OF GOD, and be GOD Himself? What is He the Father of Himself?"
These questions can easily be answered when we understand the duality of the nature of the Man, Christ Jesus.
First, the Bible describes Jesus operating in multiple functions (functions sharply distinct from one another). For instance:
Jesus is the Root AND Offspring of David - Revelation 22:16 (note: this means He was BEFORE (Root - Creator) AND AFTER (Offspring - the Seed of David)
Jesus is the Prince of princes AND the King of kings - Daniel 8:25, Revelation 17:14 (Note: a Prince is the Son of a King. He is both Prince and King)
Jesus is both the Shepherd AND Lamb - John 10:11, John 1:29
Jesus is both Judge AND Advocate - 2 Timothy 4:1,, 1 John 2:1 (note: that's nice to know that He is both our 'Lawyer' AND 'Judge', if you are on Jesus' side, that would be the courtroom to be in!)
Jesus is both the Lion AND Lamb - Revelation 5:5,6
Multiple functions, sharply distinct from one another... Also note that the church is known as the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) AND the "Bride of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2)
Now let's look at His dual nature as a Man...
First let's get one thing strait. Jesus was completely human, and had all the attributes of humanity (without sin). As a Human, He did things humans do...
As a human, Jesus...
Prayed (Luke 22:44)
Fasted (Matthew 4:2)
Hungered (Matthew 4:2)
Thirst (John 19:28)
Suffered (Luke 24:46)
Wept (Luke 22:44)
Slept (Matthew 8:24,25)
Was tempted in all points (Hebrews 4:15)
Physically died (John 19:33)
Was restricted the knowledge of His second coming (Matthew 24:36)
Now that we understand He was completely human, let's directly look at the duality in His nature...
As a human, Jesus was around 32 years old, when He said, "Before Ambraham was I AM" (John 8:58)
As a human, Jesus was born around 4bc (Matthew 2:1). As God, He has always existed (John 1:1, Philippians 2:5,6, Colossians 1:15-17)
As a human, Jesus was created and has a God (John 20:17). As God He IS God (John 20:28)
As a human, Jesus was restricted the knowledge of His second coming (Matthew 24:36). As God He knows ALL things (John 21:17)
As a human, His Son-ship had a starting point (Psalm 2:7). As God, He is before ALL things (Colossians 1:17).
As a human, He was hungry (Matthew 4:2). As God, He is the Bread of Life, and those that come to Him shall never hunger (John 6:35)
As a human, He was thirsty (John 19:28) as God, He will give living water (John 4:10,13,14) whoever believes in Him shall never thirst (John 6:35, Revelation 21:6)
As a human, Jesus prayed (Luke 22:44) as God He answers prayers (2 Corinthians 12:8, John 14:14,15) and is the one whom we pray to (Acts 7:59,60)
As a human, He was tired and slept (Matthew 8:24,25) as God we find our rest in Him (Matthew 11:28)
As a human, He fasted (Matthew 4:2) yet He is the focus of our fast (Matthew 9:15)
As a human, He physically died (John 19:33), as God He raised HIMSELF from the dead (John 2:19)
As a human, He was tempted in all points (Hebrews 4:15), yet, He knew no sin (Hebrews 4:15)
As a human, He claimed that the Father was greater than He (John 14:28), yet He claimed equality with God (John 5:18)
The duality is not in "persons". The duality is in the Man, Christ Jesus who was born of a woman (therefore has a God), and who pre-existed His created human Body, as God (Philippians 2:5-10,, 1 Timothy 3:16, John 1:1) the Creator of ALL things, including the body He walked around in (Colossians 1:15-17). Submitted by Donnie Cage |
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