This study paper is comprised of four parts (click each to visit that section:
- The introduction piece;
- The Name Elohim/God;
- LORD: The English As Translated From The Hebrew; and
- Identifying Jesus Christ (found below)
Identifying Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ. A most important name for Christians and ultimately for all mankind. Within His name we have a summary of who He is and His work on our behalf.
Jesus is a Greek name that comes from the Hebrew word Yeshua, meaning “God the Savior” or “God is Salvation.” This name given because, as Matthew 1:21 tells us, “He shall save His people from their sins.”
“God” is used at times in translation for Jesus and is to be understood as “El”; that is, A Mighty One. In verse 20 “the Lord appeared to him, Joseph, in a dream” is also “El,” but meaning The Mighty One – LORD.
Christ, the Greek, means “the anointed one.” The Hebrew word Messiah also means the anointed one. Thus we have Jesus Christ – a mighty savior and the anointed one.
This word anointed is significant. Anointed means also consecrated for purpose or to a purpose. Kings and priests, as mentioned in scripture, were anointed with oil. This simple physical ceremony was a sign, token, that they, having certain official duties and responsibilities before God stood consecrated, that is officially determined fit and selected for service to the LORD. Jesus Christ was “anointed” by God as fit and qualified to be savior for all mankind and for all-time.
In verse 23, “They shall call His name Immanuel,” translated “God with us.” What this means is Jesus Christ, a mighty and great one, anointed of Yahweh, is with His people. This applied to Jesus as a man and has future application when he, upon his second coming, shall be over all the Earth.
The Uniqueness Of Jesus Christ
John 1:1-3 and 14 – 1 “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make.” In the beginning, “the” supplied by English translators. 14 “So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us.” In “A” beginning is better. This was a recreation, a reforming and remaking of the Earth that had become a waste and without life. Verse 3 tells us plainly and as a matter of fact that He, Christ, “made all things.” We need to understand how this is. With the correct and true understanding, a mystery and great source of confusion amongst Christians will be resolved.
Genesis 1:1 is also better rendered in “A” beginning. Implying a previous creation that, although at one time good and in order, had for some reason become without form, void and covered with water. The word God in Genesis 1:1 is from the Hebrew Elohim, a word of plurality that means the mighty ones. More correctly, THE mighty one, implying one with all power and A mighty one, one with appointed powers and responsibility.
From Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 2:3 it is Elohim doing the new creation. Two mighty ones, one acting under the authority and direction of the other. Now in Genesis 2:4, we see for the first time the name LORD, the ever living, self sustaining creator of every thing. In this verse the LORD God, the I Am, ever living one, takes all credit for creating the heavens and Earth. Throughout the remainder of Genesis 2, it is Yahweh Elohim who is referenced in the first person for the completion of the new creation.
As previously and thoroughly discussed, there is only one true Eternal LORD God. The one we know as Jesus Christ was with Yahweh at “the new (a) beginning.” He is a created being. More detailed discussion on this point as we continue on.
The point is this, John 1:1-3 and 14 and several other scriptures must be reconciled to Genesis 1 and 2. Colossians 1:15-16. Verse 15, “The firstborn of all creation.” Verse 16, “For by Him all things were created.” Jesus Christ is the first born of God by the fact that in Him is life which he received from Yahweh. Jesus is a creator and he first had life according to the plan in order to give life at the renewing of the Earth. “All things were created through him.” This is an interesting expression. Through, the idea from one side and out the other. From beginning to end. What we have in this word is a further clarification for the complete responsibility given Him for the new creation.
Hebrews 1:1-3 – 1 “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. 3 The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.” Again we see that it is Christ who remade the world. A better translation is the Earth. Again, as often repeated throughout the New Testament, Jesus is an exact image or representation of Yahweh. This is by a conscious and deliberate determination on His part.
Thus, it is understood that although Jesus Christ was the word of creation, the one who brought into being all things at the renewal – He was given this authority and power. “All power,” a term when referencing Yahweh, I believe no man can completely grasp, is invested with Yahweh. He gives and shares as He determines individual conformity to His standards of truth and righteousness.
John 1:14 states, “The glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Grace and truth, two attributes that constitute the name LORD. Steadfast, unchanging love and truth which makes for perfect righteousness. Jesus Christ is the reflection and likeness of Yahweh, God the Father, in these two all important and distinguishing attributes.
“Only Begotten.” Yahweh, by impregnating Mary’s ovum by His spirit (His very essence), even as a man gives a very part of himself, became the Father of Jesus Christ. Jesus, God’s anointed one of His own free will, in covenant with Yahweh according to purpose and plan, agreed to cease to exist in order to take onto Himself the burden of man’s sin.
As scripture tells us, true Christians are those born by God’s holy spirit upon repentance and baptism. We now are children growing into maturity. At the resurrection we will be as He is, changed into a mature spirit being with eternal (That is everlasting) life. In a real sense, we will share with Jesus a common beginning and conclusion: A spiritual begettal that leads to life everlasting.
Psalm 45:6 and 7
Psalm 45:6 and 7 – 6 “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in justice. 7 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” The psalms and many other Old Testament scriptures reference Jesus Christ in His position as a God, a mighty one, who has a covenant relationship with Yahweh. This spirit being desired and determined to be in His character a replica of His creator and later as His Father. The Anointed, A Mighty One of the Old Testament (A Mighty One, the second being in “Elohim”) and Jesus Christ of the New Testament are one and the same – in their godly character.
Jesus is as a God to us because of his authority and power and position of responsibility and his relationship with Yahweh. Yahweh is the first person of Elohim, the mighty, all powerful, one true God who alone is to be worshipped. Jesus is our elder brother, Lord, King, High Priest and most important to us individually; He is our savior by fact of His work on our behalf. For these things He is due our heartfelt, sincere honor and reverence.
Hebrews chapter one quotes Psalm 45:6 and 7. Hebrews chapter one and also two contain interesting and valuable information and understanding about Jesus Christ as the Son of God, His first born. Before continuing on, please read these two chapters. The following commentary is to help clarify selected verses.
Hebrews 1:3. Jesus who reflects God’s glory and is in His character a replica of His Father’s nature. Jesus, A Mighty One of Elohim, by the power that was invested in him; by His spoken word all things were made and are maintained. Jesus having done all things perfectly as God’s son now sits on his right hand. His sacrifice and our ongoing repentance and commitment gives us continuous access to God the Father, LORD.
Verse 4. this verse is in preparation for what is to come. Inheritance, inherit, to receive something, usually of value. Jesus as the word of the Old Testament, because of His excellent character, defined by the motives of His heart, mind and works, became as God’s favored and chosen one. “A Mighty One.” The second being of the name Elohim. He excelled all the other angels. Jesus inheritance, which is unique to Him, has obtained a more excellent name – “Son of God.”
Verse 5. In Psalms 2:7 it says, “You are my son. Today I have begotten you.” Psalm 2:7-9 – 7 “The king proclaims the LORD’s decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. 8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession. 9 You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.” The second part of this verse (verse 7) is taken from II Samuel 7:14. in context it has application to Jesus and the physical descendants of David, it is dual in meaning. Paul is reviewing these things for certain Jews who could not grasp the reality of Jesus Christ and who He really is; the Son of God and His work on our behalf. This unbelief that held the Jews is very much present in the Christian churches today. The Jews could not accept Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God. Christians today accept Jesus with limited understanding. They still have much to learn and appreciate.
Paul, in order to make a strong point, references several times Old Testament prophecies pertaining to Christ. Paul is stating in plain language, with support from scripture, that Jesus Christ, born of a woman and begotten by Yahweh, is a literal son of God.
Paul, to reinforce his point, repeats what was previously written – He (Yahweh) is Christ’s father and He considered Him (Christ) to be His son in the full sense of the word, even as a human father claims the son of his wife to be his own son.
Verse 6. “When he again brings” should be stated as “and again, when he brings .” That is in consideration of the next comment, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
“Let the angels worship Him.” These few brief words have been misunderstood and a source of confusion as to what the angels actually did in recognition of the baby Jesus. Matthew 2:11 – 11 “They entered the house where the child and his mother Mary were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The wise men also “worshipped” Jesus. How is this possible?
Here we have an infant somewhat over the age of one year, probably closer to two years old. The word worship, depending on context, can have one of several meanings. The assumption being the angels and wise men worshipped Jesus as God, a being with great powers, able to answer prayers and determine the course of history. One who has life to give.
Jesus was not being worshipped in such a manner as this; he was but a very young child. This type of worship would be inappropriate. Jesus was being recognized as the coming Messiah. He is being recognized as the legitimate Son of God (Yahweh). The worship of the angels and wise men was an act of reverence, deep respect, appreciation and love for the one who would grow into manhood and become the redeemer and savior for all men. Further, their worship was an acknowledgement of prophecy. Jesus, as God’s appointed heir and son was to rule over the Earth upon His return 2000 years later as King and High Priest. He was not being worshipped as a “God.”
Verse 7. Here angels are explained as to their being and their function defined. Paul wants it understood everything previous explains and describes the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. He is not to be compared to angels – He is the true Son of God.
Verse 8 and 9. God (LORD) here referred to His son Jesus as God (El), A Mighty One. His power of rulership is to be forever. Righteousness is the standard that identifies His kingdom. Verse 9 reveals the two things that set him apart from his companions, fellow created beings. His superior love for righteousness and hatred for lawlessness.
Let us further clarify. As we know, Elohim is a plural word, one that identifies certain characteristics. In this situation it is descriptive of Yahweh’s and El’s creative powers, The Mighty One and God’s Anointed. The Word is in a covenant relationship with Yahweh. As an extension of the covenant agreement, the Word (Christ), willingly agrees to empty Himself of His existence to become the Son of God, as part of Yahweh’s grand plan. This further separates Him from all others.
In verses 10 through 12, Paul proceeds to explain an overriding fact and point of truth. That he, Yahweh, in “THE” not “A,” laid the foundation for the Earth and created the heavens. “These things will grow old and may cease to be, but you, Yahweh, will always be the same forever.” Paul had previously explained and positioned the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The sum of this matter is that the Son is who He is – A Son. Yahweh is who He is – creator and sustainer, the originator of all that is – no exceptions. Furthermore, He is all truth and righteousness and in this – He is our assurance.
Verse 13. Yahweh never said to anyone but Jesus Christ, His Son, “Sit at my right hand and I will make your enemies your footstool.” Again Paul is making it very clear the great differences between Jesus and angels.
Hebrews 2:5-8 – 5 “And furthermore, the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels. 6 For somewhere in the Scriptures it says, What is man that you should think of him, and the son of man that you should care for him? 7 For a little while you made him lower than the angels, and you crowned him with glory and honor. 8 You gave him authority over all things.”
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all of this “happen.” In verse 5, it is confirmed that Christ not angels will be appointed the supreme authority. In verse 6, Paul again quotes, possibly from Psalm 8. The question, why give heed To man? Why so much concern for Jesus, the Son of man? These things are important to God because in His great plan life has value and purpose.
Verse 9. in this verse Paul explains again Christ’s great commission which includes one of the primary reasons for His walk among men – that He would take on Himself the burden of death for our sins so that we might have an opportunity for life everlasting.
Verse 10. The word “are” is an insertion by the translators. A better selection would be “exist.” Here Paul again states that Jesus Christ, in His previous existence as the creating word and a mighty one before God and men, should be the founder that brings many to salvation. In order for us to be acceptable to God, He first proceeded us and was perfected in His sufferings for our sakes.
Verse 11. If we accept Christ’s sacrifices, made clean by His blood (sins forgiven upon repentance and the penalty now cancelled), we become as one with Christ. All, everyone, including Jesus, have one source – that is God the Father. Jesus was begotten by God. We as adults, upon repentance and baptism, receive God’s holy spirit and are thus “born” a new man or woman. The resurrection is our change. We are imbedded with an essence of the very substance of Yahweh. For this reason Christ accepts us as true brothers and sisters, for our source of everlasting life is the same as His.
Verses 12 and 13 – 12 “For he said to God, ‘I will declare the wonder of your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among all your people.’ 13 He also said, ‘I will put my trust in him.'” And in the same context he said, “Here I am together with the children God has given me.” Here the close family relationship is affirmed. The last part of verse 13, “here am I. And the children whom God has given me.” True, we are as brothers and sisters to Christ, yet we are as His children; for he is our elder brother and claims responsibility for us.
Jesus The Son Of God And Christians As Sons
Nicodemus comes to Jesus and acknowledges He is God’s anointed one. Jesus then explains and confirms how the Kingdom of God is obtained. John 3:1-8 – 1 “After dark one evening, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee, 2 came to speak with Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you.’ 3 Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.’ 4 ‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ 5 Jesus replied, ‘The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. 7 So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. 8 Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” In verse 3 Jesus states one must be born again to be in the Kingdom of God. In Verse 5 Jesus further says that being born again consists of three things. Repentance – marked by fact of one’s willingness to be baptized and receive the holy spirit. In verse 6 Jesus makes a plain conclusion – flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit. In verse 7 Jesus confirms we must be born again, pointing back to verse 5. In verse 8 Jesus makes an analogy. God’s spirit is liken unto the wind. In our current human condition we have an awareness of the wind and it is also as converted Christians we are aware of God’s spirit in our lives. Yet it is not until our change into spirit beings will we be able to comprehend complete and true spirituality. Wind cannot be seen, grasped or in some way held, we know it is there. It is by evidenced faith we know God’s holy spirit to be present within us.
I John 5:1 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.” If we believe Jesus is the Christ – that He is our savior by fact that He is God’s chosen and anointed one; then we have been born of God. However, in this same verse, also in John 1:14 and 18, 3:16 and I John 4:9, Christ is referred to as begotten. Is there a reason for this distinction?
There is a major difference between us and Jesus Christ. His very existence is because God’s spirit united with Mary’s ovum and thus he was conceived or begotten. We humans are already living beings by fact of our human father and mother. As adults, when we repent and receive an essence, earnest of God’s spirit, we are at this point considered to be born again. A new birth by the fact within us now is God’s spirit – a very part of the one true creating and sustaining LORD.
At our human conception we are begotten to be born as physical human beings and given an allotted number of years to live. At our spiritual birth we are born with God’s spirit and an opportunity for everlasting life. We are begotten of human parents and thus are born into this world. Upon conversion we are given God’s spirit and thus considered born again. This is an analogy to help us understand our new beginning in God and Christ.
I John 5:18 – “We know that those who have become part of God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.” John says those born of God do not sin. His point is easy enough to grasp. John is referring to men and women who are not slaves to habitual sin. People born of God by his spirit know the ways of Satan and how to avoid his treacherous lies and deceptions. Perhaps more important is the fact we are making progress in coming to grips with our own human nature and its tendency for sin.
How does God see us as we live our lives day to day? John 1:12 and 13 – 12 “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn!” This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan – this rebirth comes from God. I John 5:11-15 – 11 “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 So whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life. 13 I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. 15 And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.” We are now the children of God, learning and growing in our new lives founded in Christ and dedicated to the truth and righteousness of the Eternal God.
Romans 8:14-17 – 14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family – calling him ‘Father, dear Father.’ 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures – for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” We are lead by God’s spirit; therefore, we are His sons or children, depending on the translation. These verses clearly describe our relationship to God and the benefits.
I John 3:1 and 2 – 1 “See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children. 2 Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” When God is revealed to us at the resurrection, we shall see Him as He is, spirit beings of similar substance.
With the previous two verses we touched on the third and final step of God’s plan; the resurrection. With all the evidence given, we can come to and conclude that the resurrection to spirit beings is a change. For us humans it is a change from a fleshly, carnal, temporary existence to spiritual everlasting life. Job sums up the whole matter in simple and easy-to-understand words. Job 14:14 – 14 “If mortals die, can they live again? This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release (change).”
In the Old Testament there were a number of men and women God called to serve Him in numerous and varied ways. To these individuals he granted His holy spirit and they shall also be in the first and better resurrection. To try and go beyond this point of understanding is not necessary, except to say all these ancient servants of God understood the blood sacrifice pointing to a savior for all mankind.
The whole chapter of I Corinthians 15 concerns the resurrection. Please read this chapter carefully. Verses 51-54 – 51 “But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. 53 For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. 54 When this happens – when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die – then at last the Scriptures will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'”
Micah 5:1 & 2 The CHRIST of Micah
Micah 4:1-8,”It shall come to pass in the latter days.” This is a prophecy for the end time years. The time we now live in. The final years leading into the Great Tribulation for all peoples and all nations. The point being made—it is the LORD God who will accomplish the fulfillment of all end time prophecies.
Micah 5:1 & 2 will be the focus of this discourse. This chapter is duel in prophecy. The former days, those days leading up to Israel’s captivity beginning 722-721 BC. Also a latter day prophecy for the English speaking and all nations.
Verse 1, “…now gather yourself…” This verse has several explanations. One being the nations will strike the judge. That is Jesus Christ. Meaning all humanity by our collective sins caused His death (Mark 15:19). In His life Jesus completed the work given to Him as the suffering Messiah. Soon He will return to be judge and ruler (King).
The Idea for this commentary is to help explain Christ’s position as God’s Holy and anointed of the Old Testament and His birth as the true Son of God.
Verse 2, King David was born in Bethlehem. Here is also a prophecy for Jesus Christ. The crucial wording that will have our attention is the second half of this verse. Let us begin by quoting from the NKJV. But first a consideration. Specific Hebrew writings can often be quoted in several different ways. The matter usually boils down to good, better and best understandings and translation skills.
NKJV, “Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting.”
HCSB,”One will come from You to be Ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.”
NLT, “yet a Ruler of Israel will come from You who will Rule Israel for Me. One whose origins are from distant past.”
Amplified Bible, “From You will come one Who will rule Israel for me. His origins are, His going outs (appearances, activities) are from long ago—Ancient of Days.”
Complete Jewish Bible, “Out of You will come forth for me the future ruler of Israel. Whose origins are far in the past, Whose activities begin in ancient times.”
The Expositors Commentary helps to give a measure of clarity. It is He whose activities stem from the distant past, yet His coming is still future. The Hebrew word GEDEM translates into our English words old, past, ancient. The Hebrew OLAM often denotes great antiquity as well as eternity in the strictest sense.
The context must determine the expanse of time by the expressions. The word GEDEM can only indicate great antiquity, it’s application to a future ruler—one yet to appear on the scene. Only in Christ does this prophecy find fulfillment.
What is strongly implied is a ruler with a distant past is the LORD’S Holy and anointed one. This individual through a long period of time achieved a most prominent position and relationship with the LORD. His creation began as an angel with free moral agency, able to make decisions and follow through with deeds. Spirit or flesh the program is the same for all.
He in a covenant agreement with the LORD Yahweh, agreed to become the One and only true Son of God. He willingly emptied Himself of His past to fulfill a commission that would in due time produce numerous opportunities and blessings for all mankind, for all time.
The Resurrection — Our Change
Our change and what it entails. How are we to understand Christ’s death as a human and his resurrection as a spiritual being? Let us come to appreciate certain wonderful truths that existed in the early church but became lost under rubbish piles of lies. Lies given as truths and better understanding after the passing of the apostles and their successors, two generations removed. In our earlier comment on the names of Elohim and LORD, the groundwork was laid for this most important, interesting and vital understanding.
The purpose and hope of this discourse is to make clear what the Messiah, God’s anointed servant of the Old Testament, in covenant agreement with Yahweh, was willing to give up in order that He should have the privileged position as the LORD’s firstborn. With this came the opportunity to bring us (mankind) into a similar relationship He now enjoys with His father.
For converted and dedicated Christians life’s journeys leads to the first and better resurrection. At the resurrection we are changed. The dead in Christ will be risen up.
We have a small deposit of God’s spirit that is now a part of what and who we are. We are now considered to have been born again. The old man is dead, the new man in Christ is alive and active. At our change, everything that was a part of our physical being, including our appearance, will be a part of our new spiritual existence. Everything that identifies our personality – our thinking, character – everything contained in our minds, the reservoir and source of all our expressions, all that identifies us as unique and one of a kind. All these things we possessed in our physical lives will be changed over and constitute our new spiritual lives.
Our new spiritual lives will have focus and clarity for God’s values. Our desire will be His will, His values, everything will be relative to our new life. We will not ever want to sin again.
Jesus Christ is the true Son of God because of his singularly unique birth. At the very instant of conception God’s servant, His anointed one, the second person of Elohim, A Mighty One; the one who was Abraham’s Mechezeldec and David’s Lord and quoted often in the Psalms; who stood by Israel in her journey, the one who on certain occasions acted as God’s agent – He who is quoted in Isaiah referring to Yahweh; this created spirit being who was much favored by Yahweh because He loved truth and righteousness above his fellows and hates iniquity cease to exist. This being is gone, never to be again.
Jesus was born of a woman and grew into manhood. He completed all the work given to Him. He lived a perfect, sin-free life. His life as lived daily and his word as recorded were a reflection, an imitation, of his heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ as He grew and matured became filled beyond measure with God’s holy spirit. His spiritual condition gave Him full remembrance of His former existence and also gave him wisdom and understanding. His work on Earth, that is His duty and commission, was precise and unquestioned in His mind. Jesus knew and awaited the future after His mission was completed – to be resurrected to glory – seated on His father’s right hand side and to receive all power as appointed to Him by His father.
Christ gave his life’s blood for us so that we might also have the opportunity for a new spiritual birth, grow from a child into a mature adult and be changed at His coming into a spirit being. We acknowledge Jesus as our elder brother and Yahweh as our true spiritual Father.
Jesus went before us. We have the same spiritual essence present in us that conceived Him and multiplied as he developed into the man who, when baptized of John, commenced His great work of redemption and salvation for our benefit on behalf of His Father. God in His wisdom and grand plan has made available to true believers a very small portion in comparison to what Jesus was given. However, we are commanded to grow spiritually and strive to become more and more like the Son and Father in our minds and hearts.
Jesus Christ, our savior, died and was three days and three nights in the grave (72 hours). He was raised from the dead with a new spiritual body that is composed of the same spiritual matter that abided in Him as a human being walking the Earth. We, the resurrected and changed saints, will also be composed of some form of the spiritual material that constitutes Yahweh, the Father. God’s anointed and favored one of the Old Testament is gone. Soon our physical bodies also will be gone forever. Our elder brother’s previous spiritual and physical condition and our to-be-previous physical condition served a purpose.
Should We Worship And Pray To Jesus Christ?
With everything previously stated about Jesus Christ, I believe it would be incomplete and a lack of fairness not to mention, at least briefly, this matter of should Jesus Christ, the Son of God, be worshiped in the same manner as Yahweh, His father.
The Ten Commandments are the basic conditions and guidelines for maintaining an ongoing beneficial and satisfying relationship with God. The covenant relationship and its requirements for Israel and all mankind are not subject to man’s questioning or his desire to negotiate terms or maneuvering for some sort of clarification and better understanding.
God set forth the covenant and what is needed to maintain and keep it in good standing. Man’s only options are to accept and strive to live accordingly in an agreeable relationship with God and men. Or he can reject and submit to the folly of human vanity, lust and self-determination. In other words, submit to the foolish reasonings of humanistic thought that men can live without God, and given enough time would solve his problems; thus, bringing peace and prosperity to the world. This is total nonsense and the overriding reason, fact of life, is that mankind is about to involve himself in wars that would leave no human survivors.
There is no evidence the angels had a covenant relationship with God. They were given guidelines of behavior, which in all probability included the principles set forth in the Ten Commandments. Righteous works within the law were necessary to keep them in a proper relationship with Yahweh. The story of Lucifer and one-third of the angels’ rebellion is well-known. It is interesting to note that Abraham was not offered a covenant relationship with God until after he had proven himself righteous by willingly committing himself to live by God’s laws and follow His directives, two being to sacrifice his son and move to a new land.
The one we know as Jesus Christ had proven Himself superior to all other created spirit beings. God for a grand purpose invited Him into a covenant agreement/relationship which He readily accepted. As mentioned before, in Genesis the first two chapters, we see in the descriptive word/name Elohim two beings. One we know as Yahweh – the singular Mighty One – and a second personage, a lesser god – that is A Mighty One under authority. God’s qualified and Anointed one who at the beginning, the re-creation, had certain duties and agreed-to responsibilities. Included was his destiny to become mankind’s savior and give direct access to God.
Within Elohim is the first and primary covenant agreement. This agreement is the pattern for all covenant relationships offered to individuals and nations. God deems a covenant relationship as necessary because he is Yahweh – a God of truth and righteousness, this is His name. He anchors everything in his dealings with men committing to personal acceptance and agreed-to responsibilities. Even though God is absolutely faithful to His covenants, He makes allowances for our weakness. However, when all is said and done, all must willingly, if necessary through the hardship of trials and suffering and tribulation accept the terms of the covenant as given or be rejected.
Exodus 20:2 and 3 – 2 “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. 3 Do not worship any other gods besides me.” Verse two is a prelude to verse three. This verse states without any qualification and directly He (Yahweh) is the one true God. In verse 2, “I am the LORD your God.” God is speaking to the Israelites and all mankind, reminding them what he did for Israel. Yahweh/LORD, the one true God with no beginning and all absolute power – his name embodies truth and righteousness. He calls himself their God, the one who was offering a covenant relationship. The Israelites agreed to His proposal and God considered the covenant as binding and enforce.
Verse 3 is an inclusive, complete statement of fact that means what it says, be it man-made, man himself or whatever it may be.
Jesus Christ is a mighty one, our master and ruler. He has authority over us. He gave of himself in a way we probably do not wholly understand. He is our Savior by fact of His willingness to take to Himself our death penalty, die in our place by shedding of His life’s blood. He is our high priest, the resurrected living Christ, who intercedes for us. He is our king because He has been given this authority by the Eternal. In the sense of understanding just laid out, He is as a god to us. His origin is a created and qualified spirit being who Yahweh accepted and invited to play an exalted and crucial role in his grand plan for mankind.
Jesus Christ should not be worshipped or prayed to – this privilege and requirement is reserved only for Yahweh Elohim, the one and only True God. We can approach and make requests in His name, we are told to do so.
The Name Yahweh (LORD) is used over 6000 times in scripture. When we read the Bible, especially Moses, the prophets; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the others, we see Yahweh is constantly speaking in the first person. I will not go into detail and pull up scriptures; this is a duty for the reader. Besides, this writer could not even begin to do justice to the direct and specific words of our LORD. The point is, from the beginning and even till all is accomplished, Israel’s experiences were and are under the direct responsibility and control of Yahweh.
Yahweh has not and will not relinquish any authority or delegate over to others what he deems part of his dominion. There will never be any question that He is supreme and from Him everything has its origin. All creation from the beginning to the end is responsible to Him only. Yahweh alone is to be worshipped.
The grand plan that gives man freedom and an opportunity for everlasting life is under Yahweh’s direct oversight. Man is and always will be directly responsible to Yahweh and none other.
Dictionaries, whether they be Bible or Webster, are in similar agreement when defining the word worship. Here are some of the meanings: Passionately attached to, admire; reverence, esteem, exact, glorify, appreciate, show of intense love and admiration, honor, venerable, delight in, magnify and more can be added.
Our attitude and disposition in worshipping, giving due respect to Jesus Christ, will be lesser and more specific in select ways by reason of His work and relationship to us. Jesus is who He is, the Son of God who is the delight of His father. The words of worship that come from our deepest being are those special words of praise and honor due only the one true LORD God.
The key to correctly understanding the word worship is the context in which used. The verses before and after that help develop whatever the specific point may be. This requires the reader to thoughtfully and honestly judge the motives of the writer and details of the situation.
The bible is written in a straight-forward manner. Perhaps new and more accurate translations will be helpful. With very few exceptions, mainly prophecy, there is not a verse with honest due diligence that cannot be correctly understood. The reader is responsible to establish that God’s word is true, dependable and holds all the necessary detail and requirements for a productive, righteous and knowledgeable Christian life. One who is a true follower of Jesus Christ and worshipper of the one true God.
Prayer, in its simplest understood form is direct communication from us to God. We talk to God about a number of considerations expressed in a full range of human emotions. Prayer to have any value must have a foundation of faith; that is believe, trust and understanding that combines with a solid foundation of knowledge that makes God an easily approachable friend. Included with this, to be effective and compelling to God, one must know and believe as inspired the words of the Holy Bible. God’s attention is given those who are sincere in heart and desirous to live lives of truth and righteousness as outlined by the commandments and laws.
Christians understand that our relationship is direct to Yahweh through Jesus Christ because of his redemptive work which we acknowledge and accept. Jesus always directed worship and prayer to God the Father.
Kinds of prayers range from thanksgiving, praise, petition, deliverance, repentance, acceptance, request for wisdom, understanding, truth and many other important considerations that are generated by our current state of being – repentant sinners who desire the very mind and character of our LORD and His Son.
Yahweh is the originator of everything that is. He does not want confusion in man’s relationship to him. He gives the instruction of the law and examples to make clear and reinforce this one simple premise: The LORD, Him only do we petition and acknowledge as supreme in our lives. There is no other God.
Prayers are acts of worship. A Christian’s life is an act of worship. By our words and deeds we ratify the supreme authority of our LORD God.
John 5:22 and 23 explain certain aspects of His (Christ’s) relationship to His father and the authority vested in Him. John 5:22 and 23 – 22 “And the Father leaves all judgment to his Son, 23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.” The word Jesus uses is “honor.” The word worship also contains the idea of honor. In order not to jump to conclusions and form an erroneous judgment or opinion, we must also think and examine scripture in context, especially those words that are easy to twist and misunderstand into something other than their intended meaning. Honor often means to give due respect and reverence to Jesus Christ as the Son of God invested with his authority to judge all things. It is understood the greater honor is to the Father for He is the author of Christ’s authority.
Verse 30. In this one verse Jesus makes a clear and direct statement. In effect He says that everything He does in some way has its source in the will of His father. In other words, all His works are consistently in line with His father’s (Yahweh) directives and desires.
John 5:17 and 18. The works Jesus is referring to are basically the plan of redemption and salvation being accomplished at that moment. The Jewish leadership wanted to kill Christ because they perceived He made Himself equal with Yahweh. This Is what the Jews reasoned in their jealousy, envy and hatred. In verses 19-21 Jesus once again clarifies His position of authority and relationship to His father. Verses 19-21 – 19 “Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and tells him everything he is doing, and the Son will do far greater things than healing this man. You will be astonished at what he does. 21 He will even raise from the dead anyone he wants to, just as the Father does.'”
It is the Father who raises the dead. The Son gives life also, but in a different manner. John 11:25 explains – 25 “Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.'”
John 4:23 and 24. The Samaritan woman at the well encounters Christ. Everything spoken by Christ pointed to His Father, Yahweh. In no way does He connect Himself as due the same kind of honor and reverence.
Let us look at several verses that in some manner mention Jesus being “worshipped.” We do not want to take anything away from Jesus, yet we do not want to attribute to Him that which rightfully belongs to His father.
Matthew 9:18. The ruler, as worded in the NKJV “worshiped Jesus.” The English Standard Version and other translations read “he kneeled,” which is closer to the Greek. Although Jesus was a man in the flesh, He was also as God because of His conception and the fullness of the holy spirit in Him. Jesus is not Yahweh, the originator and sustainer. He is to us A Mighty One and master. In this manner, He is a God to us. He is in many ways superior to us. Kneeling often is a sign of submission, respect and acknowledgement of greatness. The ruler has a serious problem. His daughter has died. This man knew who Jesus was and gave the due respect.
Luke 24:52. How did they and how do we render due worship? By acknowledging He is indeed the first begotten and true Son of God. He is our savior given power and authority. He is seated on the Father’s right hand and high priest on our behalf. He is superior and is recognized by praises of acknowledgment for His exalted relationship with Yahweh.
Mark chapter 5, verses 1-20, is the story of the man possessed by many demons. Verse 6, when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him. They worshipped Him, or as other translations have it, “fell down before Him.” What was the worship of these demons? They knew who Jesus was. That God’s power was with him. Their worship was not for honor but rather a petition to one who had authority over them. Verse 7, “I implore you.” Verse 12, “All the demons begged.” Verse 10, “Begged Him earnestly.” These demons pleaded not to be removed from this location. Their fear was to be cast into the wilderness and cut off from human contact.
Acts 10:25. Cornelius demonstrates his submission to Peter and praises him because of a preconceived notion that Peter’s works and standing with Christ made him worthy of reverence. Peter corrects Cornelius by reminding him that he was only a man and by implication nothing more than a servant for Jesus.
Matthew 4:9 and 10 – 9 “and he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.’ 10 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go, Satan! For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'” Here is the story about Jesus’ temptation. He refutes, better rebukes, sternly and absolutely without question Satan’s scheme to trick and force Jesus to worship him. Jesus states in no uncertain terms “The LORD your God and Him only you shall serve.” Jesus did not say you should worship me and I not you. He stated it is Yahweh Elohim only who is to be worshipped.
This was a very serious matter. Satan desired with all his being that Jesus worship him in the same manner as the LORD God is to be worshipped and served. Our honor and praise to Christ is relative and much diminished compared to what is due the LORD our God.
We could look at many more scriptures and make the same point over and over. I believe how Yahweh our God is to be worshipped, served and communicated with and the kind of honor and respect and reverence due our savior, high priest and king is made very clear by scriptures.