Doctrines and Principles
Was Christ a Created Being?
PrintQuestion:
I have heard some argue that Jesus did not eternally exist prior to His incarnation. They claim that the Bible says He had a beginning and that only God the Father has existed forever. Is this true?
Our Answer:
There are well-intended “believers” who contend that Jesus Himself was also a created being prior to His earthly life. Some have even suggested that He may have been the twin brother of the great archangel Lucifer – the very Lucifer who later became Satan the devil. Those who hold this view believe that God the Father stands alone as the One Being who has eternally existed.
However, Jesus' own words as well as the Biblical record reject this belief. When speaking to the religious leaders of His day Jesus said, “Before Abraham was I Am” (Jn. 8:58). Here, the Messiah identifies Himself as the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The very God who informed Moses that “I am” was his name (Ex. 3:14). The scriptures declare that the God who spoke to Moses was the Eternal—the infinite Being who inhabits eternity. The Psalms describe Him as “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psa. 90:2). This is the One who was made manifest and walked among men as the Savior of the world.
God’s word also identifies the Christ as the creator of all that exists. In his letter to the church at Colosse, the apostle Paul leaves no doubt regarding this truth. Notice what Paul says.
For by Him [Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. (Col. 1:16-17)
Here Paul is declaring that everything that has a beginning was created by the Messiah. Now notice what Paul did not say; He did not say “some things.” He did not say “most things.” He did not say “everything except Himself.” Paul declares without hesitation that “all things,” in all places, and in all forms, were the product of Jesus’ creative power. In other words, if they were made, Jesus made them. This is true for both the spirit realm as well as the material universe. None other than Jesus Christ is their Maker. When they first came into being, Jesus was there. Therefore, if Jesus were a created being, it would have been necessary for Him to create Himself in order for the scriptures to be true.
Paul was not the only servant of God who believed Jesus was the source of all creation. The apostle John also understood that the Messiah was the Great Creator who fashioned everything that exists. Notice what John writes.
All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. (Jn. 1:3)
These words state with great clarity that Jesus Christ can rightfully stake claim to creating all that has ever been created. Jesus was the God who spoke and earth existed. He was the God who fashioned the heavens by His wisdom. He was the God who formed the oceans, fixed the currents, built great mountains, and gave life to all that lives, including the angels. He is also the one that the book of Hebrews describes as having “neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (He. 7:3).
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Related Link : Was Christ a Created Being? (From Chatroom Notes)
