HISTORICAL TERMS
History is a branch of knowledge dealing with past events. Written history is an account of things that exist. The Greek word "historia" means to learn by researching. Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, p. 347 Bacon divided history into four branches: natural, civil, ecclesiastical, and literary. The Great Ideas, A Syntopicon, Great Books, vol. 2, p. 711 The Greeks produced the first historians who they thought of as being both investigators and narrators."

HISTORY VS. PROPAGANDA
The opposite of history is fiction. Historical material is based on knowledge gotten through researching source materials. Fictional works are based on invention and imagination. Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, p. 280 Another word important to our study is propaganda. This is the dissemination and defense of beliefs, opinions, or actions that beneficially promote a group or program. It is an effort to give credence to information that is in whole or in part deceitful or deceptive. This includes the sense of "intending to mislead." Webster's Columbia Concise Dictionary, p. 574 The Encyclopedia Britannica, in its treatment of historical methods, warns that much of the "history" that has been offered to the world over time actually falls under the definition of propaganda. Ency. Brit. 11:528-544; see particularly p. 541-542

It has always been the claim of Christianity that Jesus was a true historical character. It will be the purpose of this chapter to examine some of the roots of those historical claims. This chapter will look at some writings of credible historians beginning with the most ancient and then looking at how modern historians view Jesus Christ. We also will contrast the objective views of these ancient and modern historians with the some views which certain "cultic historians" are attempting to present as history. Note Thucydides remarks on historians who veil or obscure truth in history, Great Ideas, A Syntopicon, Vol 2, p. 714

ANCIENT HISTORIANS WHO MENTION CHRIST

FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS (A.D. 37-95)
Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37-95) was a Jewish historian and military commander. During the period when Rome began savagely putting down Jewish rebellion, Josephus was an apologist for Jewish interests in Rome. Ency. Brit. 13:153 Lets look at a hotly disputed quote Josephus made about Jesus in about 70 A.D. Ant. XVIII, iii. 3, XX, ix. 1; The Person And Work Of Christ, Benjamin Warfield, p. 5; A Ready Defense, p. 199 “At that time lived Jesus, a holy man, if man he may be called, for he performed many wonderful works, and taught men, and joyfully received the truth. And followed by many Jews and many Greeks. He was the Messiah.” Caesar And Christ, p. 554

P. CORNELIUS TACITUS (A.D. 55-120)
Tacitus was an important Roman historian who survived the reigns of nine Roman Emperors. Caesar and Christ, p. 433-437 Here are some of his surviving works: Dialogue On Orators (A.D. 76-77), Life of Agricola (A.D. 97-98), Germany (A.D. 98-99), The Histories (A.D. 115-116), The Annals (dated simultaneous with Histories). Ency. Brit. 21:735-736; see biographical note in preface, Great Books, Vol 15, v. Tacitus mentioned Christ as living in Judea during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius (14-37 A.D.), and confirmed his execution under Pontius Pilate. Annals, Book XV.44, Great Books, Vol. 15, p. 168 P. Cornelius Tacitus (A.D. 55-120) was a Roman historian. Tacitus Annals cover the period from Augustus death in A.D. 14 to that of Nero in A.D. 68. Tacitus Histories begin after Nero's death and proceed to Domitian's reign in A.D. 96. The context of this passage records some evidence for the innocence of Christians accused by Nero of burning Rome. F.F. Bruce has dated Tacitus work as being between A.D. 115-117, and the fire at Rome in A.D. 64.

The Annals, Book XV, A.D. 62-65
38. A disaster followed, whether accidental or treacherously contrived by the emperor, is uncertain ... the conflagration both broke out and instantly became so fierce and so rapid from the wind that it seized in its grasp the entire length of the circus.... The blaze in its fury ran first through the level portions of the city, and then rising to the hills, where it again devastated everyplace below them....
42. Nero, meanwhile availed himself of his countries destruction, and erected a mansion....
43. Of Rome meanwhile, so much was left unoccupied by his mansion, was not built up, as it had been after its burning by the Gauls ....
44. But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the atonements of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous supersition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular."

SOURCES
P. Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals and Histories, Annals, Book 15, 38, 42-44, Great Books of the Western World, vol. 15, R.M. Hutchins, Editor Chief, published William Benton, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., Chicago, 1952, trans. by Church and Brodribb, p. 166-168;
F.F. Bruce, New Testament History, Doubleday Anchor, 1972, p. 164, 399-402; Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd ed., Eerdmans, 1993, p. 556-557;
Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity: Volume I The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, Harper, San Francisco, 1984, p. 33-36;
Will Durant, Caesar and Christ, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1944, 554.

PLINY THE YOUNGER A.D. 61-113
Pliny The Younger (Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, A.D. 61-113) Pliny was trained in the law. He was sent to Bithynia by Emperor Trajan to investigate corruption. Ency. Brit. 18:78-79 He became the Roman Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor. While there Pliny wrote to Emperor Trajan seeking counsel as to how Christians should be treated.

Pliny's letter reveals much about those very early Christians. Pliny had been brutally killing and persecuting Christian men, women and children. He had killed so many that he was wondering if he should continue in such mass slaughter or if he should reserve death for just a few. It was his habit to force all Christians to bow down to the statues of Trajan while they were cursing Christ. This he felt identified true Christians who would be the only ones that dared to refuse.

He recognized that no true Christian could be induced to worship the idol. In his letter he said these Christians, "...affirmed...the whole of their guilt...that they sang...a hymn to Christ as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath...never to commit any fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word, not to deny a trust...." Epistles, X.96 Pliny recorded there were those called Christians in both Pontus and Bithynia. Pliny Epist. xcvi and xcvii to Trajan It is interesting to note Pliny died in office after just two years of such service. Ency. Brit. 18:78 Plinius Secundus was governor of Bithynia (c. A.D. 112) a Roman Colony. As Pliny corresponded with the Roman Emperor Trajan he mentioned some political difficulties he was experiencing in governing the pluralistic populace that included Christians. Christian historian Eusebius wrote of the emperor’s reply to Plinius’ letter, “In reply to this Trajan. made the following decree: that the race of Christians should not be sought after, but when found should be punished.

"It is my custom, lord emperor, to refer to you all questions whereof I am in doubt. Who can better guide me when I am at a stand, or enlighten me if I am in ignorance? In the investigation of Christians I have never taken part; hence I do not know what is the crime usually punished or investigated, or what allowances are to be made. So I have had no little uncertainty whether there is any distinction of age, or whether the very weakest offenders are treated exactly like the stronger; whether any pardon is given to those who repent, or whether a man who has once been a Christian gains nothing by having ceased to be such; whether the punishment attaches to the mere name apart from secret crimes, or to the secret crimes connected with the name.

"Meantime this is the course I have taken with those who were accused before me as Christians. I asked them whether they were Christians, and if they confessed, I asked them a second and third time with threats of punishment. If they kept to it, I ordered them for execution; for I held no question that whatever it was that they admitted, in any case obstinacy and unbending perversity deserve to be punished. There were others of the like insanity; but as these were Roman citizens, I noted them down to be sent to Rome."

SOURCES
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, trans. C.F. Cruse, Hendrickson MA, 1998, Book 3, Chap. 33, p. 98-99.
J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius, London 1957, p. 13-14 as cited by Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd ed., Eerdmans, 1993, p. 557-558; cf. Eusebius, History of the Church, Book 3, Chapter 33;
Moses Hadas, Imperial Rome, Great Ages of Man: A History of the World’s Cultures, Time Life Books, New York, 1965, p. 128;
Will Durant, Caesar and Christ: A History of Roman Civilization and of Christianity from their beginnings to A.D. 325, Simon Schuster, New York, 1944, 554.

TRAJAN EMPEROR OF ROME [A.D. 98-117]
Trajan Emperor of Rome [A.D. 98-117] Roman citizens were free to worship any god as long as that belief system also allowed worship of Roman gods. One of Trajan’s governors was Plinius Secundus of Bithynia-Pontus who had requested a legal precedent for handling of Roman citizens who were also Christians. In reply Trajan enacted a “don’t ask don’t tell” decision that was a precedent throughout the empire. of the Roman empire who wrote an official letter regarding Christians,

You have adopted the proper course, my dear Secundus, in your examination of the cases of those who were accused to you as Christians, for indeed nothing can be laid down as a general ruling involving something like a set form of procedure. They are not to be sought out; but if they are accused and convicted, they must be punished - yet on this condition, that whoever denies being a Christian, and makes the fact plain by his action, that is, by worshiping our gods, shall obtain pardon on his repentance, however suspicious his past conduct may be. Papers, however, which are presented unsigned ought not to be admitted in any charge, for they are a very bad example and unworthy of our time.

SOURCES
Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, trans. C.F. Cruse, Hendrickson MA, 1998, Book 3, Chap. 33, p. 98-99.
J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius, London 1957, p. 13-14 as cited by Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd ed., Eerdmans, 1993, p. 568; cf. Eusebius, History of the Church, Book 3, Chapter 33
Moses Hadas, Imperial Rome, Great Ages of Man: A History of the World’s Cultures, Time Life Books, New York, 1965, p. 128
Will Durant, Caesar and Christ: A History of Roman Civilization and of Christianity from their beginnings to A.D. 325, Simon Schuster, New York, 1944, p. 554

LUCIAN OF SAMOSATA (A.D. 120-190)
Lucian of Samosata (A.D. 120-190) was a Greek sophist and satirist. He was surnamed "Lucian the blasphemer" because of the nature of his dialogues. Ency. Brit. 14:460-462; Caesar And Christ, p. 494-497 Lucian spoke scornfully about Christ and his followers who he said were, "...denying the Greek gods and...worshiping that crucified sophist and living under his laws." The Life Of Peregrinus, cited from A Ready Defense, p. 198; and Ency. Brit. 14:460

On the Death of Peregrinus 11-14, 16
"It was then that Proteus learned the wondrous lore of the Christians, by associating with their priests and scribes in Palestine. And - how else could it be? - in a trance he made them all look like children; for he was a prophet, cult-leader, head of the synagogue, and everything, all by himself. He interpreted and explained some of their books and even composed many, and they revered him as a god, made use of him as a lawgiver, and adapted him as their patron, next after that other, to be sure, whom they still worship, the man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced this new cult into the world.

"Then at length Proteus was apprehended for this and throne into prison, which itself gave him no little reputation to help him later in life and gratify his passion for imposture and notoriety .... The poor wretches have convinced themselves, first and foremost, that they are going to be immortal and live for all time, in consequence of which they despise death and even willingly give themselves into custody, most of them ... all denying the Greek gods and by worshiping that crucified sophist himself and living under his laws. So if any charlatan and trickster, able to profit by occasions, comes among them, he quickly acquires sudden wealth by imposing upon simple folk."

Lucian of Samosata was a master of Attic Greek and Aramaic. He used his rhetorical skills in entertainment. His comedic dialogues included many mocking reports of gullible Christians. Even from the language of this attack comes evidence that a community of Christians were already leading lives yielded to Jesus Christ with “outstanding acts of kindness."

SOURCES
Lucian of Samosata, On the Death of Peregrinus 11-14, 16, translation by A.M. Harmon in Leob Classical Library, Cambridge, 1936, and cited by Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd ed., Eerdmans, 1993, p. 561-562.
Eerdmans’ Handbook to the History of Christianity, ed. Tim Dowley, Grand Rapids MI, 1988, p. 87.

GAIUS SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS (c. A.D. 69-140)
Suetonius was an influential historian in the Roman empire. Suetonius was a government employee under emperor Hadrian [A.D. 117-138]. Suetonius authored Lives of the Caesars from Julius to Domitian. Dr. Gonzalez writes that "most historians agree that "Chrestus" is none other than Christus," and links this quotation with events in A.D. 51 mentioned in the book of Acts [Acts 18:2]. An early pagan account mentions "Chrestus" in a context, date and area in agreement with Luke's account, "And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them." Acts 18:2 This is external evidence for the credibility of both Holy Scripture and Jesus Christ as being historically credible.

Deified Claudius, Book 25, Number 4
Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of "Chrestus," Claudius expelled them from Rome.

Nero, Book 16, Number 2
Punishment was inflicted on the Christiani, a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition.

SOURCES
John C. Rolfe, Suetonius, Loeb Classical Library 2: 49-55 (Cambridge MA: Harvard University, 1997), vol.. Reference to “Chrestus” 2:105-106, “Christiani” seen as a mischievous superstition. Ibid.
F. F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Book of Acts, (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1977), 368.
Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), 557.
Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity: Volume I The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation (San Francisco: Harper, 1984), 32.
Will Durant, Caesar and Christ: A History of Roman Civilization and of Christianity from their Beginnings to A.D. 325 (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1944), 554.
Tim Dowley, Eerdmans’ Handbook to the History of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans 1988), 53.
Edwin M. Yamauchi, “Jesus Outside the New Testament: What is the Evidence?” Jesus Under Fire, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 215-216.

THALLUS (52 A.D.)
Thallus was a Samaritan historian and one of the earliest pagan writers to mention Christ, Although a pagan, none of his writings has survived into our time. The only way we know about him is because he was mentioned by a later historian named Julius Africanus (221 A.D.). Ency. Brit. 1:315 Africanus was a Christian historian of sufficient credibility as to be cited by the twentieth century humanist historian Will Durant in volume three of his Story of Civilization, Caesar and Christ. p. 555 Here is Africanus' quote:

"Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away this darkness as an eclipse of the sun; as it seems to me" (unreasonably, of course, because a solar eclipse could not take place at the time of the full moon, and it was the season of the Paschal full moon that Christ died.) cited from A Ready Defense, p. 200-201

PHLEGON
Phlegon was another first century historian whose chronicles have not survived into our time. Again we only know about his writings because they were preserved by Julius Africanus. After Africanus remarked about Thallus' opinion about the cause of darkness, he quoted Phlegon who said, "...during the time of Tiberius Caesar an eclipse of the sun occurred during the full moon." A Ready Defense, p. 201; Phlegon is also mentioned by Origen in Contra Celsum, Book 2, Sections 14, 33, 59; see the quote in Defense, p. 201

EARLIEST TEXTUAL WITNESS TO CHRIST P52 A.D. 110

P52 Greek Manuscript John 18:31-33, 37-38

Textual Note

Date: A.D. 100-105 Location: John Rylands Collection at Manchester England Importance: this text preserves language verifying Jesus' trail. The text names Pilate. While the fragment is missing the word Jesus due to damage the text itself that is undamaged preserves several sentences from John 18. Reference: Comfort and Barrett, The Text of The Earliest New Testament Greek Manuscripts, Tyndale, 2001, 365-368.

EARLIEST ARCHEOLOGICAL WITNESS TO CHRIST

2000 YEAR OLD OSSUARY OF THE BROTHER OF JESUS

The 2,000-year-old ossuary—a box that held bones—bears the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Until now, all references to the three men have been found only in manuscripts.

Andre Lemaire, a paleographer at the Sorbonne University in Paris (École Pratique des Hautes Études), first saw the artifact and its inscription while examining the relics of a private collector in Jerusalem. He dates the box, which was empty, to 63 A.D.

The ossuary is not quite rectangular, like most burial boxes found so far, but trapezoid in shape. It is about 20 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 12 inches high. The image on top shows the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Photograph courtesy of Biblical Archaeology Society

"This is probably going to be the biggest New Testament find in my lifetime, as big as the Dead Sea scrolls," said Ben Witherington, a New Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

SOURCE:
Andre Lemaire, a paleographer at the Sorbonne University in Paris (École Pratique des Hautes Études).

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS
Hillary Mayell, National Geographic News, October 21, 2002.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1021_021021_christianrelicbox.html 10-25-02, 8:59 AM

BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL NEWS
November/December 2002 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
http://www.bib-arch.org/bswb_BAR/bswbbar2806f1.html 10/21/02 6:28:47 PM

EARLIEST CHRISTIAN HISTORIANS

Tertullian [Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus A.D. 155-222] is the earliest and one of the most important church historians. Ency. Brit. 21:964-966; Eerdman's Handbook To The History of Christianity, p. 111-112 Tertullian did major translation work from the Greek into Latin. Tertullian was an apologist from Carthage a Roman province in Africa. His writing was to the Roman authorities in Africa. In those disputed writings, Tertullian mentions some historical "source material" in the form of a letter sent between the Emperor Tiberius and Pontius Pilate which has not survived into our time. This letter named Christ, stated his claim for divinity, and the futile appeal Pilate made to save his life. Tertullian's Apology, V.2; cited in A Ready Defense, p. 200

ANCIENT PERSONAL MAIL MENTIONS CHRIST
In the British Museum is the manuscript of a letter dated 73 A.D. from a Syrian man named Mara Bar-Serapion. He wrote from prison to his son Serapion. In the letter he noted the deaths of Socrates, Pythagoras and Christ. Here is a quote, "What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their king? It was just after that their kingdom was abolished...the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion...(the wise King) lived on in the teaching which he had given." New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? F.F. Bruce, Inter-Varsity Press, 1972, p. 114; cited from A Ready Defense, p. 201-202

"YESHUA OF NAZARETH" IN RABBINICAL WRITINGS
Baraia, "On the eve of Passover they hanged Yeshu (of Nazareth) and the herald went before him for forty days saying (Yeshu of Nazareth) is going forth to be stoned in that he practiced sorcery and beguiled and led astray Israel. Let everyone knowing him aught in his defense come and plead for him. But they found in him naught in his defense and hanged him on the eve of Passover." Baraia, Babylonian Sanhedrin 43a; cited from A Ready Defense, p. 202

The Amoa Ulla, "And do you suppose that for (Yeshu of Nazareth) there was any right of appeal? He was a beguiler, and the Merciful One hath said, "Thou shalt not spare neither shall thou conceal him." It is otherwise with Yeshu, for he was near to the civil authority." A Ready Defense, p. 202; "Ulla" was a disciple of R. Youchanan.

Sanhedrin 43a, R. Shimeon ben Azzai said [concerning Jesus]: "I found a genealogical roll in Jerusalem wherein was recorded, Such-an-one is a bastard of an adulteress."

THE MISHNA
Klausner wrote, "To support the words of R. Yehoshua (who, in the name Mishnah, says, What is a bastard? Everyone whose parents are liable to death by the Beth Din). That Jesus is here referred to seems to be beyond doubt." Klausner

The Baraita (Eliezer speaking) "Once I was walking along the upper market of Sepphoris and found one [of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth] and Jacob of Kefar Sekanya was his name...." Dikduke Sof'rim to Aboda Zara. Munich Mss, ed. Rabinovitz

Klausner, There can be no doubt that the words, "one of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth..." are in the present passage both early in date and fundamental in their bearing on the grounds of the slight variations in the parallel passages...."

MODERN HISTORIANS

Encyclopedia Britannica, treats Jesus as a genuine historical figure using 20,000 words to describe His time and place in history. This work noted the quantity of secular independent witnesses to various aspects of His life saying, “these independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus, which was disputed for the first time and on inadequate grounds by several authors at the end of the eighteenth, during the nineteenth, and at the beginning of the twentieth centuries.” Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Life Pub, Josh McDowell, 1989, vol 1, p. 87 The twenty-eighth edition from my library says this about the contemporary sources that mention Christ, “they may help refute the contention, advanced quite seiously by some critics at the end of the nineteenth century, that Jesus never actually lived at all and that the story of Jesus was the Christian elaboration of myth about a god who appeared on earth for awhile in human form.” Ency Brit 13:14 Another quote from this source says, “The term "Jesus Christ" thus designates a historical person who lived in Palestine during the reigns of the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, but it also designates one who has been the object of Christian faith and worship for almost twenty centuries.” Ency. Brit. 13:13; see full article pp. 13-26

Time Life: Great Ages of Man
When Time - Life published their history of Imperial Rome, as a part of their Great Ages Of Man series, they explained Rome's brutal treatment of Christians using Pliny's letter [we included earlier] to Emperor Trajan. Imperial Rome, Time Life, 1965, Moses Hadas, p.128 In a later chapter titled, “Seedbed of Christianity,” Time - Life included the same quotation from Tacitus we already quoted. ibid. p. 167 Also see examples of primitive Christian art photographed from the catacombs of Rome which Time - Life reproduced depicting Christ and the apostles. ibid. p. 167-171

H.G. Wells
H.G. Wells, in his evolutionary explanation of history, also mentions the historicity of Christ. He quotes Flavius Josephus just as we have earlier included. He used quotes both from Josephus' work titled, Antiquities and the Wars of the Jews. In addition Wells includes a “map of Galilee” showing how the main cities and topography mentioned in the New Testament were in his opinion based in reality. The Outline of History, Garden City, 1920. Note particularly Book VI Christianity And Islam, and Chapter XXVIII titled The Rise of Christianity And The Fall of the Western Empire, p. 524-536 Well’s wrote, “The documents that testify to his acts and teachings we shall treat as ordinary human documents. If the light of divinity shine through our recital, we will neither help nor hinder it. About Jesus we have to write not theology buy history." ibid. p. 528 While Wells obviously missed Jesus' message, he placed him correctly as beginning his ministry in A.D. 30 when Tiberius was emperor and Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea. ibid. p. 538

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), Edward Gibbon in his two volume, Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, treated the historicity of Christ as a reality. Britannica Great Books, Vol. 40, Chap. XV titled: The Progress of the Christian Religion, and the Sentiments, Manners, Numbers, and Condition of the Primitive Christians; p. 179-206

The National Geographic Society, published in 1967 a volume titled, “Everyday Life in Bible Times.” It had a chapter titled, “The World of Jesus.” They began the chapter quoting the historian Gospel writer Luke. The passage they chose placed Jesus’ ministry as beginning in the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar. They included in their chapter ancient artwork that depicted Jesus’ ministry with photographs of areas where Jesus ministered in Palestine. They also included photos of coins and ancient inscriptions that mention characters actually found in the Gospels. Everyday Life in Bible Times, National Geographic Society, 1967

Phillip Schaff, who authored the eight volume history of Christianity commented on the integrity of the Gospel writers who documented much of the historical activities of Jesus, “This testimony, if not true, must be downright blasphemy or madness.” History of the Christian Church, Eerdmans, 1910, Phillip Schaff, p. 109

C.S. LEWIS TRILEMNA
C.S. Lewis, the Cambridge University scholar and once skeptic of Christianity wrote, “a man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg or else he would be the Devil of Hell.” Professor Lewis said, "you can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." Mere Christianity, New York, 1952, C.S. Lewis, p. 41

Professor Josh McDowell, using C.S. Lewis famous dialogue created a flow chart diagram for skeptics to use who have a problem with the historicity or even the deity of Jesus Christ. Dr. McDowell sees a Trilemma of possible thoughts that this chart displays so well that we will include the chart here. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, vol. 1, p. 104

The threefold questions C.S. Lewis and Professor McDowell present make it clear that Jesus must be either a liar, lunatic or Lord. His chart begins at the top with two choices. The choice to the right presumes Jesus’ claims were true, and the choice at the left presumes they were false. We will start with the right. If Jesus’ claims are true then we follow the line down to the decision point either we accept His claims or we Reject them. If we look at the left side of the chart it is a bit more complex. It begins with another decision with two choices both dealing with the presumption that Jesus claims are false. The first choice presumes that Jesus was false but He did not know that He was wrong. If we follow that line of thought to the bottom of the chart we see it leads to His being sincerely deluded as a lunatic. If we look at the other choice it presumes Jesus was false but knew His own claims were false. If we follow this line of thought it leads to the conclusion that He was a liar, hypocrite, demon and a tremendous fool because He died for a lie.

Was Jesus a Liar? This choice has a problem in context with the historical record of Jesus going to the cross. Ency Brit. 13:19, 21 Would a liar die for His own lies when at several points in His trials He was told He could go free with a whipping if He would just renounce His own claims? Jesus went to the cross for blasphemy [saying He was God Mk 14:61-64] and not for perjury. Jn 19:7 Jesus’ integrity was evident in His life and ministry. The skeptic philospher J.S. Mill who studied Jesus life and while rejecting His deity noted His integrity. “About the life and sayings of Jesus there is a stamp of personal originality combined with profundity of insight in the very first rank of men of sublime genius.” Evidence that Demands a Verdict, 1:105 Another philosophical opponents of Christianity, William Lecky wrote, “it is reserved for Christianity to present to the world an ideal character ... with the highest pattern of virtue.” Evidence that Demands a Verdict, 1:105

Was Jesus a Lunatic? Professor McDowell says this choice, according to historians who have looked carefully at the historic record must be rejected. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, 1:106-107 Not even Jesus’ own enemies raised this claim against Him. The reason historians have rejected this claim is because not even Jesus own enemies raised this issue. Witnesses from both camps who knew Him observed Him teaching in the temple since He was twelve. He taught in synagogues and hilltops throughout Palestine. He was known and loved by nearly all except a few political leaders and the Sanhedrin.

CONCLUSION
If all we knew about Jesus Christ came from history books alone we would have an incomplete record. But there is evidence even in fallible historical records to give reasonable people a reason to believe that the historic person of Jesus Christ as presented in our Bibles lived in agreement with that Biblical record. There is agreement in time and place from both testaments of the Bible and from history and archeology. There is much evidence that Jesus was fully a human being having been both born and crucified. There is evidence that major predictions that Jesus Himself made during His lifetime, such as the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. that point to the fact that Jesus was more than human.

Thousands saw Jesus after His resurrection which is additional evidence that Jesus was more than just another human being. The historical record of Jesus is so strong that even skeptics trying to diminish Christ have often been used as corroborating witnesses centuries later.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Matt 16:15

Jesus asked this question of His disciples just after asking them who the world said He was. Jesus asked this question because there was confusion in His day. Today there is even more confusion. It will be the purpose of this chapter to take an overview of looking at the evidence of who Christ was in eternity past before His incarnation at Bethlehem. We will examine important Biblical evidence. We can only enter into a sustained in depth study like this because of the amazing unity and harmony of the Bible.

Historically, the Christian church has been in agreement about the core beliefs central to the person of Jesus Christ. These core of beliefs include the following:

1. Jesus Christ is uncreated and self existent and is as infinitely eternal in eternity past as He will be in eternity future.

2. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. As fully God Jesus is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent and unchanging. Before Bethlehem we see Jesus active in creation, preservation, in appearing to humanity as the preincarnate Christ in a series of Theophanies, and active as redeemer working out humanities salvation.

3. Jesus added humanity to His deity to accomplish our salvation. In His incarnation Jesus is one person, the second person of the Trinity, with two natures one being human and the other being divine.

4. The ascended Christ today is universal Lord and God, and divine head of the body of Christ shepherding His people. Christ is today the true and living Vine through whom the “branches” are connected, living and producing fruit. Christ is indwelling the hearts of His people. He is the Chief Cornerstone in relation to the stones of the building. Christ is the High Priest in relation to His royal priesthood of the believer. As our High Priest Christ is interceding today for His people. Christ is preparing a place for His people in heaven. Christ’s presence is today manifest in His church.

5. The future work of Christ will include His work as the Bridegroom with His bride the church. At an undisclosed date in the future Christ will rapture His church and then judge His people in heaven before the marriage union in heaven. At a later but undisclosed time Christ will return to earth in His glorious second coming together with His church and His angels. At that time Israel will be delivered from her enemies. The coming kingdom will give Gentiles the choice to put their faith in the returning Lord or join Satan in the Lake of fire. The curse upon all creation will be relieved and the physical creation be restored. Satan will be bound and demonic activity stopped. Jesus Christ Our Lord, Moody, 1969, Walvoord

JESUS OWN TESTIMONY
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures" [Luke 24:44-45].

While the Hebrew Old Testament included the same number of words and books as our modern Bibles, the scribes kept them in a little different order in that day. Our modern Bibles are patterned more after the Septuagint. The Hebrew Bible had three divisions called the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. It is an important source of evidence to see that Jesus included all three divisions of the Old Testament as being a resource about the reality of Jesus Christ before Bethlehem.

EVIDENCE FOR THE ETERNALITY OF CHRIST

Is their Biblical evidence that Christ was as fully eternal in eternity past as He will be in eternity future? Lets begin with Jesus’ own testimony.

Jesus Testimony About His Own Eternality

"Before Abraham was, I Am." Jn 8:58

Most scholars say this passage teaches much more than the mere fact that Jesus lived before Abraham. Dr. John Mitchell, founder of Multnomah School of the Bible, wrote “Mark that Jesus didn’t say, ‘I was Abraham’s God.’ Instead, He said, I Am.” An Everlasting Love, Multnomah Press, 1982, p. 173-174 The United Bible Societies Translator Handbook [UBSTH] on this passage says, “I Am is used in the absolute sense in which it identifies Jesus with God the Father. United Bible Societies Translator Handbook Series; Ex 6:1-3 Dr. Mitchell went on to say this left these leaders with just two choices, “that is to worship Him or stone Him.” In confirmation, the text reads in the next verse that some who heard Jesus tried to stone Him. We see more confirmation as we Look at other passages containing Jesus’ own testimony,

“And now, O Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had2192 with you before the world was.” John 17:5

Jesus is not instructing His disciples in this passage but praying His high priestly prayer to the Father days before the cross. There is evidence in this passage that Jesus was God before His incarnation in the verb He used “I had” which comes from the Greek word “eichon” which defines Jesus’ glory in eternity past is in the imperfect tense which defines a continued action in the past.

Barnes’ said, “There could not be a more distinct and clear declaration of the pre﷓existence of Christ than this. It means before the creation of the world; before there was any world. Of course, the speaker here must have existed then, and this is equivalent to saying that he existed from eternity.” Barnes' Notes cf. John 1:1﷓2; 6:62; 3:13; 16:28 Here is another remarkable passage from that same event and context.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24

Here is a wonderful revelation as we overhear Jesus’ prayer of the relationship between the persons of the Trinity. The Father and Son had a loving relationship in eternity past. There was love. We also see evidence for the honor and dignity of Jesus in eternity past. Barnes’ Notes says, “This is another of the numerous passages which prove that the Lord Jesus existed before the creation of the world. It is not possible to explain it on any other supposition.” Barnes' Notes

John’s testimony:
“In the beginning 746 was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

John consistently agrees with the rest of the Biblical record revealing Christ as Eternally God. The word “beginning” comes from “arche.” The UBSTH series says John is calling his readers attention back to language in Genesis chapter one. Several commentators say John is going back further than creation into eternity past. Dr. Robertson says John’s language in this passage, “carries our thoughts beyond the beginning of creation in time to eternity.” Dr. Mitchell said, “This is perhaps the most straightforward statement of Christ’s deity that John could make.”

When John wrote, “and the Word was with God,” Dr. John Mitchell said, “the plurality of the Godhead is clearly seen here. Christ was with God. Go back to Genesis. Mark the plural pronouns used in these verses where God is speaking.” Gen 1:26; 3:22 When John wrote, “... and the Word was God.” Barnes’ Notes says, “There is no more unequivocal declaration in the Bible than this, and there could be no stronger proof that the sacred writer meant to affirm that the Son of God was equal with the Father.” Barnes' Notes

OLD TESTAMENT TESTIMONIES

Micah’s Testimony came 700 years before John’s. Micah includes two evidences for Jesus’ divinity in addition to the prophesy that located His birthplace.

“But you Bethlehem . . . out of you shall he come forth . . . that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been known from of old, from everlasting.” 5679 Micah 5:2

Jesus as “Ruler”

Micah’s prophecy was so specific that the Herodians were able to use it to target their intrigues against the newborn Jesus. Mt 2:1-7 The word "ruler" comes from the Hebrew word "mashal" which defines ruling and reigning associated with a king and a kingdom. This word connected with Jesus’ birth is strong evidence for His deity. A later chapter will more fully develop word as it is associated with Jesus’ names in eternity past. Jesus as "Everlasting"

The word "everlasting" comes from “‘olam” Strong’s No. 5679 which is found 300 times in the Old Testament, and scholars say means “infinity” in the broadest terms possible. Biblical Commentary on Old Testament, Keil and Delitzsch, 1:480﷓481; cited by Walvoord in Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 23 Dr. Allan Macrae, Professor of Old Testament at the Biblical School of Theology, reminds the student that one of the early names for God in the Old Testament was El ‘Olam which means “The Eternal God” in Genesis 21:33. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 2:672-673, ref. # 1631a. Dr. Macrae said, “the meaning of the word 'Olam 5679 is not confined to the future. There are at least twenty locations where it clearly refers to the past.” ibid. Dr. Macrae said when the Rabbis translated ‘olam into Greek in 250 B.C., they used the Greek word “aion” 165. This is the same Greek word that Paul used to close his letter to Ephesus, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:21 Keil and Delitzsch, Strong, Brown, Driver, Briggs, Vine, Henry, Fraser, Thayer and Zodhiates are in agreement with this interpretation of ‘Olam in Micah. Christians who recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah born in Bethlehem, also see many New Testament passages connecting Him as Creator-God who, while existing outside of time and space, created heaven and earth, time and space. Jn 1:1-3, 10; Eph 3:9; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:2, 11:3; Rev 21:6

Isaiah’s Testimony, in his famous oft quoted Messianic passage sheds much more light on Jesus Christ centuries before His incarnation at Bethlehem.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

While both Micah and Isaiah describe Messiah’s eternality, Isaiah used a different word, 'ad which means "in perpetuity." Dr. Carl Schultz, professor of Old Testament at Houghton College, says ‘ad is elsewhere translated, "world without end," and "to all eternity." Dr. Schultz says ‘ad is linked nineteen times with 'olam. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 2:645, ref. 1565a When Isaiah prophesied Jesus was to be called "Everlasting Father," he said it using these two Hebrew words: 'ad and 'ab. Some scholars say this title means, "Father of Eternity." Walvoord, p. 24

Jesus as Mighty God "El Gibbor"
Isaiah expanded what we know about Jesus Christ when he called him, "Mighty God," which in the Hebrew was "El meaning God, and Gibbor" meaning mighty. The Hebrew word 'el is a generic title used throughout the Bible hundreds of times to mean "God." Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1:41-43, ref. # 93a

Scholars say 'el has its English equivalent in the word "God" which can describe the one true "God," or any "god" from paganism. The Hebrew word "gibbowr," means an intensely powerful warrior, an excellent champion, and a mighty valiant one. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1:148-149, ref. # 310b; see another discussion at 1:42 The psalmist elsewhere linked “gibbor” to Yahweh, “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” Ps 24:8 Jeremiah linked “gibbor” to Yahweh Tsaba’ or the Lord of Hosts, “O Great the Mighty God, the LORD of Hosts, is His name,” Jer 32:18 The psalmist used “gibbor” to identify Messiah in a Messianic Psalm.. Ps 45:3 There is evidence that Isaiah wanted to communicate that the coming Messiah or Jesus was Omnipotent.

The Government
Isaiah agrees with Micah when he said, "the government shall be upon his shoulder." That word government comes from the Hebrew word "misra." It ties Micah's teaching that Jesus would "rule" into agreement with what other prophets wrote about Jesus. That word "misra" means government or empire. Here is evidence for Jesus’ omniscience and omnipotence as the coming King.

Jesus as "Sar Shalom"
When Isaiah said Jesus would be the, “Prince of Peace” the word he used for “Prince” was "sar" meaning a royal head, ruler or military commander. Theological Wordbook or the Old Testament, 2:884-885, ref. # 2295

The word peace comes from "shalom," which doesn’t mean the absence of conflict, but the type of peace that can flourish in the midst of terrible circumstances. Isa 54:10 Shalom occurs more than 250 times in the Old Testament. This peace means safety, completeness, and wholeness. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 2:930-931, ref. # 2401. We see God delivering His people miraculously in time of war, but it is a far greater miracle to be able to produce peace. Here is evidence for Jesus being omniscient and omnipotent in eternity past.

Jesus As Lord of Hosts "Yahweh Tsaba"
The word Lord, in the authorized version when it is found in all capitals "LORD" Yahweh identifies the personal name for God. Dr. J. Burton Payne, Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary says, “the Tetragrammaton YHWH, the LORD, or Yahweh, the personal name of God and his most frequent designation in Scripture, occurring 5,321 times (TDNT 3:1067) in the OT. The first extra-Biblical occurrence of the name is in the Moabite Stone of about 850 B.C.” TWOT 1:210-212 Yah is a contracted form of Yahweh which occurs in the exclamation Hallelu-yah, which comes from halal and yahh which is translated as Praise the Lord. Ps 135:3

History of Name Jesus & Yahweh
The New Testament name “Jesus” comes from the Greek word “Iesous.” In two places we see the name “Jesus” being given by heavenly instruction. Mt 1:21, Lk 1:31 Professor Karl Heinrich Rengstorf said, “Iesous is the Greek form of the Old Testament Jewish name Yeshua (Joshua).” Dr. Rengstorf says this form of the name came into general use at the time of the Babylonian captivity. He said the Septuagint Greek version of the Old Testament [250 B.C.] rendered the Hebrew name Joshua uniformly as “Iesous.” He said the name Joshua is the oldest name containing the divine name Yahweh, in the Old Testament, and it means “Yahweh is help,” or “Yahweh is salvation.”

Dr. Rengstorf said, both Pliny and the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus translated the Hebrew name Joshua into the Greek name “Iesous” in the first century A.D. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 2:330-348 Yahweh [once mistakenly translated Jehovah] is the ancient sacred Hebrew name for the God of Israel. Scholars say this name was held to be so sacred that the Jews seldom spoke it outside of holy days and in worship. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1:210-212, ref. # 484a

The word “hosts” in Isa 9:7 comes from tsaba' which defines a multitude of persons organized for war. Dr. John E. Hartley of Azusa Pacific University says, Yahweh tsaba’ or “Yahweh of Hosts is a special name for God. Yahweh and elohim occur with sebaot some 285 times; most frequently in Isaiah (62 times), Jeremiah (77 times), Haggai (14 times), Zechariah (53 times), and Malachi (24 times). Most often the word sebaot follows Yahweh around 261 times; after elohe, 18 times; after elohim 6 times. There is often a building of divine titles of which this exalted title is often included. The Septuagint translates it to pantokrator which means “Almighty” and “All Powerful” demonstrating God as Omnipotent. Dr. Hartley says, “Although the title has military overtones, it points directly to Yahweh’s rulership over the entire universe. Special attention is given to the majestic splendor of Yahweh’s rule in this title. Ps 84:1, Isa 28:5” Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Moody, 1990, Vol. 2, p. 749-751

Isaiah Links Jesus and Yahweh

The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isa 40:3

Bible scholars agree that this verse links prophetically Isaiah and the ministry of John the Baptist who prepared the way for the LORD. Isaiah spoke hundreds of years in advance the exact language of John the Baptist’s message. Mt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4; Jn 1:23 Isaiah also linked the word "God" Elohim to Yahweh to form one of the hundreds of Old Testament names for God. Lets briefly look at the meaning behind these names.

Elohim &Yahweh Linked to Jesus
When Isaiah used the word “God,” he used Elohim in the Hebrew. Scholars say Elohim is the plural for the Hebrew word "el" that we studied earlier. This generic word is used in places to mean God, "god," angels and judges. The Hebrew Bible has many descriptive names for "God” that used "el" such as: El Elyon, which means the Most High God, or El Shadday which means Almighty God. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Moody, 1980, 1:41-45, ref. # 93c When the authors of the New Testament recorded John the Baptist's ministry, they all quoted Isa 40:3, as being applicable to Jesus. Mt 3:1-3, Mk 1:2-5, Lk 3:2-6, Jn 1:23 When Malachi wrote about Messiah he also called him Yahweh. Mal 4:5-6

EVIDENCE FOR JESUS HUMANITY BEFORE BETHLEHEM

An important sign of the true Messiah was a miraculous birth to a virgin.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Here is evidence also that Jesus as God had two natures one being human from His mother Mary and the other being Eternal God from His Father.

Another entire line of evidence for Jesus’ humanity is in His sacrificial death as a Lamb to the slaughter. We will only look at one passage even though there are several.

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

JESUS AS SECOND PERSON OF TRINITY

The Trinity is an important historic belief of the church. There are evidences for the Trinity in nearly every section of Scripture. The Triune God is One God in three persons. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. As the second person of the Trinity Jesus is fully God. Every attribute of the Father is shared with the Son. Jesus is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent and unchanging. The prophets said Jesus was Eternal God. Jesus agreed. Jn 8:58, Rev 1:8, 13, 18; Jn 5:18; 9:35-39; 13:13 Jesus' disciples agreed. Col 2:9, Heb 1:8, Phil 2:6, Rom 9:5, Tit 2:13, 1 Tim 3:16

THE SHEMA (DEU 6:4)

Conservative Jewish communities have their young men memorize the "Shema." A few still fasten Deu 6:4 to their foreheads, wrists and door posts like ancient Jews in the Bible. Deu 6:8 It is foundational because historically, the Jews used the passage to focus their belief in the one true God.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: Deu 6:4

Yahweh is that sacred personal Hebrew name for the God of Israel, being linked in identity to Elohim which is the plural for the Hebrew name “el.” Echad technically means one. Dr. Herbert Wolf, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton, says is also used in Gen 2:24 to describe the unity and oneness of Adam and Eve who were said to be "one" flesh. Dr. Wolf went on to say that some scholars feel, “the usage of the word allows for the doctrine of the Trinity.” Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1:30 Dr. Jack B. Scott, professor of Old Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary said, “Elohim comes from Eloah as a unique development of the Hebrew Scriptures and represents chiefly the plurality of persons in the Trinity of the godhead.” Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Moody, 1980, vol. 1, p. 41 Later Dr. Scott said this about Elohim, “This word, which is generally viewed as the plural of eloah is found far more frequently in Scripture than either el or eloah for the true God. The plural ending is usually described as a plural of majesty and not intended as a true plural when used of God. This is seen in the fact that the noun elohim is consistently used with singular verb forms and with adjectives and pronouns in the singular.” ibid., 2:44 He continued, “in the very first chapter of Genesis, the necessity of a term conveying both the unity of the one God and yet allowing for a plurality of persons is found Gen 1:2, 26. This is further borne out by the fact that the form elohim occurs only in Hebrew and in no other Semitic language, not even in Biblical Aramaic.” ibid., 2:44 Professor Scott said, “Often elohim is accompanied by the personal name of God, Yahweh. Gen 2:4-5; Ex 34:23; Ps 68:18.”

Right from the "Shema" there are strong reasons to believe that God presented a picture Jesus Christ in the Trinity hundreds of years before his birth in Bethlehem. Another evidence is in the way Jesus used the shema in his own teaching, “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” Mark 12:29 Jesus commanded his disciples to be monotheists here and also at Matthew 4:10. His disciples were all monotheistic Jews.

Jesus Was Not a Polytheist
As our sacrificial offering, Jesus had to take our sins to the cross with no blemish of sin. The first and foremost commandment in the Law, first in the Decalogue was to avoid the sin of polytheism having no other gods. Ex 20:1-3 Jesus never violated this or any Biblical Law. Jesus said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Mt 4:10 But then He turned right around and accepted Thomas’ worship allowing Thomas to call Him God. Jn 20:26-29 Jesus was not introducing Himself as Israel’s “second god” in violation of the first command-ment. Instead He presented Himself as also being one and the same with the Father. Jn 17:11 Yet the evidence shows Jesus and the Father as being distinct. Everywhere we see this manifest in Scripture we see evidence for Jesus being the second person of the Trinity. Elsewhere Jesus, as God, commanded worshiped as God. Jn 5:23 We see evidence of angels worshiping Him. Heb 1:6, Rev 5:8-14

Jesus Disciples Not Polytheists
Most of Jesus’ disciples were devout Jews who had been trained all their lives to be monotheists in a polytheistic world. They learned to memorize the Shema Deu 6:4 from their youth. Yet we see John, Jn 1:1, 1 Jn 5:20-21 Peter, 1 Pet 3:15 Thomas, Jn 20:26-29 Paul, Titus 2:13, Rom 9:5 and the author of Hebrews Heb 1:8 all calling Jesus God.

JESUS WORK BEFORE BETHLEHEM

New Testament Evidence Jesus Creator God

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, 2963 or principalities, 746 or powers: 1849 all things were created by him, and for him: 17. And he is before all things and by him all things consist." Col 1:16-17

Paul's List of Jesus' Creations

1. Everything in heaven (including angels)
2. Everything in earth
3. Everything that is visible
4. Everything that is invisible (including angelic hosts)
5. Thrones in heaven and earth (heavenly authorities)
6. Dominions in heaven and earth (global authorities)
7. Principalities in heaven and earth (international authorities)
8. Powers in heaven and earth (regional authorities)
9. Preserves everything he created

Isaiah’s Confirmation of Jesus as “Creator God”

“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Isa 45:18

Paul already revealed that Jesus created “all” things. But here God is revealing through Isaiah that it was Yahweh Elohim who created “all” things and that Yahweh Elohim did the work alone. This is a strong evidence or proof text demonstrating that Jesus is called both Yahweh and Elohim in the Old Testament. Yahweh and Elohim as being the creative energy and says He did and there is no one else involved. We see strong evidence of the One Triune God in this passage.

More Confirmation of Jesus Work Before Bethlehem

“Have you not known? Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” Isa 40:28

Dr. Thomas E. McComiskey, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity says the word “create” in the Qal stem defines the “ex nihilo” creation which means God created the heavens and earth out of nothing. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Vol. 1, p. 127 We also see from this passage clear teaching that Jesus as Yahweh Elohim is omnipotent and omniscient before Bethlehem.

JESUS WORK OF PRESERVING CREATION BEFORE BETHLEHEM

There are two important passages that give evidence for Jesus’s work of preserving things that He has created. The passage from Colossians also has evidence that Jesus was has been performing this work in eternity past.

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”4921 Col 1:17

“. . . and upholding all things by the word 4487 of his power” Heb 1:3

EVIDENCE OF JESUS COMING FROM HEAVEN

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” Jn 3:13

John is clearly saying here that Jesus is unique in coming down from heaven. The Biblical idea that Jesus came down from heaven is well documented. Jn 1:15, 18, 30, 3:13, 16; 6:33, 42, 50-51, 58, 62; 7:29; 8:23, 42; 9:39; Eph 1:3-5; 1 Pet 1:18-20 Most of these references, along with pointing out Jesus coming down from heaven, also show he is God.

JESUS WORK MAKING PREINCARNATE APPEARANCES BEFORE BETHLEHEM

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:13-15

Most scholars agree that when we see the “Angel of the LORD” in the Old Testament that we are reading about the appearance of the “pre-incarnate” Jesus. There were many purposes for Jesus’ pre-Bethlehem visits. Some were made to reveal God. Some were to instruct. The Law was instituted through this means. Sometimes these visits were timed with major deliverances for Israel from her enemies. Some were to give prophecies about future events for Israel, the Gentiles and the church. Some of those future events have already been fulfilled in the past. Some were Messianic prophecies. Some visits were focused on events still future today.

JESUS' WORK AS SAVIOR BEFORE BETHLEHEM

John saw that Jesus was a Sacrificial Lamb from eternity past.

“. . . written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev 13:8

John the Baptist confirmed Jesus as that Lamb before Jesus began His ministry.

“. . . behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jn 1:29, 36

Paul’s testimony of Jesus work as Savior Before Bethlehem.

“Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 2 Tim 1:9

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Eph 1:4-5

What a remarkable work of Christ. When we chose to follow Christ, this was no surprise to him. Jesus has known about our decision to follow Him from before the foundation of the world and took action on that reality in eternity past. We have been the focus of much effort before Bethlehem. Eph 2:10, 2 Thess 2:13, 1 Pet 1:2

EVIDENCE THAT JESUS IS FULLY GOD

“For in him dwells all the fullness 4138of the Godhead bodily.”

Col 2:9 The word “fullness” in this passage comes from the Greek word “pleroma.” The word Godhead is translated as divine nature in modern versions. It comes from the Greek word “theotes” and it means the state of being God. Together this linking of pleroma and theotes is a powerful evidence that Jesus Christ is fully God. The UBS Translator’s Handbook series says about this passage, “Paul here emphasizes that all of God's nature is present in Christ, not diluted or dispersed among intermediary spiritual beings. It emphasizes the reality of the incarnation.” UBS Translator Handbook Series

EVIDENCES THAT JESUS IS FULLY MAN

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:7﷓8

The first Adam, as the first human with a special God given dominion brought the fall. The last Adam, Jesus Christ left the glory He had with the Father to come and die for our salvation. An angel could not die for man’s sin. It had to be a kinsman redeemer. Man had to die for man. It is very important that we understand that to qualify as man’s savior Jesus Christ had to come to the earth and live under the law with no sin and then die a substitutionary death for all humanity.

RESURRECTION POWER EVIDENCE OF JESUS DEITY BEFORE BETHLEHEM

“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” Hosea 6:1-2

In a passage prophetically connected with the resurrection of Christ, we see Yahweh in verse one with a description of the resurrection approximately 700 years before Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The words “raise us up,” come from the Hebrew word “quwm” 6965 which according to Strong’s Dictionary is “a primitive root meaning to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative). According to Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Dictionary these are some synonyms of “quwm:” to rise, arise, rise up, stand, or to stand up. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology 3:267 uses this passage and “quwm” as an example to show the resurrection was a reality in the Old Testament.

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? Hosea 13:14

Many scholars link this passage with Paul’s statement in 1 Cor 15:55. Isaiah confirmed the reality of the resurrection before Bethlehem when he wrote, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. 6965 Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isa 26:19 Irenaeus said Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones pointed to resurrection. Ezek 37 Daniel had nearly a New Testament fullness to the resurrection, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Dan 12:2 Jesus “Unchangeable” Before Bethlehem

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Heb 13:8

In His divinity Jesus never changed. Jesus however was a person with two natures. In His human nature was normal growth. He grew within Mary’s body before birth and developed into a carpenter at Joseph’s shop for His first thirty years. But in His divine nature there was never change. He was Immanuel meaning God with us.

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE BEFORE BETHLEHEM
1. JESUS IS GOD Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Mic 5:2, Jn 8:58, Isa 40:3; Col 1:16-17, 2:9; Rev 1:8, Jn 1:1-3, 14; Jn 9:35-39; Phil 2:6-11

2. JESUS IS SELF-EXISTENT Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Jn 1:1-3, Col 1:16-17, Eph 1:4

3.JESUS IS ETERNAL Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Jn 8:58, Mic 5:2, Isa 9:6, Jn 1:1-3, 14; Rev 13:8; Col 1:17; Rev 1:8

4. JESUS IS OMNIPRESENT Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Jn 1:1, Col 1:17, Isa 9:6, Heb 13:8; Mt 28:20; indwelling every believer Jn 14:18, 20, 23; with Nathaniel Jn 1:48 His humanity His omnipotence did not conflict with the local nature of his human body.

5. JESUS IS OMNISCIENT Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Isa 45:20-23, 46:9-10; Heb 13:8; Jn 2:25; 6:64; 13:1; 16:30; 18:4; 19:28; 21:17; Col 2:3; 1 Cor 1:30

6. JESUS IS OMNIPOTENT Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Isa 43:1-11; 45:15-18, 21-23; 61:1-3; Heb 13:8; Col 2:9; Mt 28:18; power to forgive sin, save, preserve heal and cast out demons: Mt 9:6, Lk 8:25, Mk 1:29-34; Heb 7:25; 2 Tim 1:12

7. JESUS IS IMMUTABLE Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Heb 13:8; Heb 1:10-12 cf. Ps 102:25-27

8. JESUS WAS SUBORDINATE TO THE FATHER Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Heb 1:5-8; Jn 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38-40, 65; 8:28-29; 12:44-50; 16:23-28; 17:1-26

9. JESUS PLANNED TO COME TO EARTH FROM HEAVEN AS A MAN Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Jn 1:1-3, 14; 3:13, 16; 6:58; 8:42; 16:27-28; Rev 13:8

10. JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2; Job 19:25-26; 14:13-15

11. JESUS' SACRIFICE IS SUFFICIENT Before his incarnation at Bethlehem. Rev 12:11;Jn 3:16; 5:24; 6:38-40; 10:27-29; 17:3, 12

The I Am Statements in the New Testament.

I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am! John 8:58

Here again I Am is used in the absolute sense in which it identifies Jesus with God the Father. UBS Translator Handbook Series The source of these “I Am” sayings are rooted in the Mosaic Law. Exod 3:14 God used this name to identify Himself as being uniquely the only God. The evidence that Jesus’ hearers understood His claim to be their God is in the next verse where they fully intended to stone Him for blasphemy.

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Exod 3:14 The purpose of the “I Am” statement was to teach the uniqueness of the God of the Bible as being the only God. The prophets used the “I Am” statement to record the fact that He is unique as the only God. When God appeared to Moses at Sinai, commissioning him to deliver Israel; Moses, being well aware of the difficulty of impressing the people, asked by what name of God he should speak to them: "They shall say to me, What is his name?" Then "God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM .... say .... I AM hath sent me unto you." Exo 3:14 The name of the Deity given here is similar to Yahweh except that the form is not 3rd person future, as in the usual form, but the 1st person ('ehyeh), since God is here speaking of Himself. The optional reading in the American Revised Version, margin is much to be preferred: "I WILL BE THAT I WILL BE," indicating His covenant pledge to be with and for Israel in all the ages to follow. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

"This is what the LORD says﷓﷓ Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” Isa 44:6

OTHER I AM PASSAGES
Jesus presented Himself in the New Testament from Matthew to the Book of Revelation as the “I Am.” When He did so He was not merely demonstrating His eternality but was using passages and contexts which demonstrated He was fully God in eternity past.

“I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." Matt 22:32

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Rev 1:8

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" [John 1:1-2].

Before the world was created, the Word already existed. As the commentaries point out, John obviously intends that his readers see a parallel between the opening words of his Gospel and the opening words of Genesis. "In the beginning" refers to the period before creation. Creation was not mentioned until verse 3. John wants his readers to understand that at whatever point the creation began, the Word already existed. UBS Translator Handbook Series

In the beginning. These words come from two New Testament Greek words, “en” and “archee.” Archee is definite and the similar to the Hebrew word [bªre'shiyth] found in Genesis. Gen. 1:1 John carries our thoughts beyond the beginning of creation in time to eternity. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Was the “Word.” Without delay the writer presents the central figure of the Gospel, but does not call him Jesus or Christ. At this point he is the Logos Word. This term is a Greek word logos which means a word or saying one gives by word of mouth. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words Logos defines the subject of what is being said including the thought as well as the expression. The rabbis used Logos in important passages referring to Messiah when they translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek in B.C. 250. Ps 33:6 Logos suggests wisdom, power, and a special relation to God. Wycliffe Commentary

Logos and Revelation. Though the Greek term logos may be rendered "word," it would be wrong to think it indicates primarily a grammatical or lexical unit in a sentence. Greek has two other terms which primarily identify individual words, whether they occur in a list (as in a dictionary) or in a sentence. The term logos, though applicable to an individual word, is more accurately understood as an expression with meaning; that is, it is "a message," "a communication," and, as indicated, a type of "revelation." A literal translation, therefore, more or less equivalent to English "word," is frequently misleading. UBS Translator Handbook Series

And the Word Was With God. Christ was with someone in this passage which defines Him as being the Second Person of the Trinity. The Logos was with Theos. This passage also defines Him as a being capable of having relationship. Who was Christ in eternity past? He was as Son being with God the Father. “The preposition [pros], which, with the accusative case, denotes motion toward, or direction, is also often used in the New Testament in the sense of with; and that not merely as "being near or beside," but as a living union and communion; implying the active notion of conversation.” Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament Elsewhere John used this same preposition to describe the relationship of the Father and Son. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched﷓﷓ this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” I Jn 1:1﷓2 “John's statement is that the divine Word not only "abode" with the Father from all eternity, but was in the living, active relation of communion with Him.” Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament

And the Word was God. “By exact and careful language John denied Sabellianism.” Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament The heresy of Sabellianism taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were one person being contrary to the Trinity which taught that there is one God in three persons. Ency Brit 19:790 John is introducing the world not to God [Theos] but to Christ as Logos. “The subject must be the Word; for John is not trying to show who is God, but who is the Word.” Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament

CHRIST WORKING AS CREATOR GOD OF ALL THINGS

"He was with God in the beginning." John 1:2

John repeats part of what he has already introduced in his prologue. Again the language evidences the persons of both Christ and the Father as being in relationship from eternity past. John is “emphatically reiterating the eternal distinctness of the Word from God ("the Father"), and His association with Him in the Unity of the Godhead.” Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary “John clearly states of the Logos Pre﷓existence before Incarnation, Personality, Deity.” Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3

Again we see the work of the Son distinct from the Father in this passage. That the name Logos should be connected to creation was not new. The psalmist wrote, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” Ps 33:6 When the rabbis translated this passage from the Hebrew into the Greek Septuagint they used Logos.

Paul confirmed John’s testimony, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Col 1:16

Enough passages in the New Testament link Christ with the work of creation in eternity past that it is a New Testament theme. Rom 11:36; 1 Cor 8:6; Heb 1:2, 10-12; Rev 4:11; 10:6; 14:7

CHRIST WORKING AS PRESERVER GOD

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Col 1:17

The verb “hold together” comes from sunistao which is a compound word made of “sun” meaning with and histemi meaning stand. Together they define the action of holding something together. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words Christ’s work preserving can be seen as being even greater than His creative works. “Christ not only creates, but "maintains" in continuous stability and productiveness. He, the All﷓powerful, All﷓holy Word of the Father, spreads His power over all things everywhere.” Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament John Walvoord has said Christ’s preservation work can be seen in the atom as well as the starry heavens. Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 50

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Heb 1:3

“That is, by his powerful word, or command. The phrase "word of his power" is a Hebraism, and means his efficient command. There could not be a more distinct ascription of divinity to the Son of God than this. He upholds or sustains all things﷓﷓ that is, the universe.” Barnes' Notes There is a great deal of Old Testament evidence for Christ sustaining all things in eternity past by His powerful word. Ps. 33:9 We see the reality of His word in the New Testament. Matt. 8:26﷓27

JESUS AS THE “FIRST AND THE LAST”

“I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8

Alpha is the first letter [a] of the Greek alphabet. Omega [W] is the last. Used here of Christ they indicate that before the beginning and after the end He would still be God. There is evidence for His eternal existence and sovereignty. Rev 21:6; 22:13 These words are used of Christ.” UBS Translator Handbook Series Later in the same chapter Christ identified Himself with this same name. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” Rev 1:17; cf. 2:8 This verse is important because it does more than give evidence for Christ’s eternality but when John used the word “Almighty” he used the Greek word pantokrator Strong’s No. 3841 which defines Christ as being universally sovereign Omnipotent God.

In important Messianic prophecies we see the same language defining Christ in the Old Testament. Isa 41:4; 44:6 “Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD﷓﷓ with the first of them and with the last﷓﷓ I am he." Isa 41:4 The second passage clearly defines the “Beginning” and the “End” as Christ. "This is what the LORD says﷓﷓ Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” Isa 44:6 “The Rabbinical writers used the phrase "from 'Aleph to Tav," to signify "completely, from beginning to end." Thus one says, "Adam transgressed the whole law from 'Aleph even to Tav.” Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament In the Hebrew alphabet “aleph” is the first letter and “tav” the final.

PREEXISTENCE OF SON OF GOD

Christ was “sent.” Looking at the evidence from the New Testament we see Jesus’ own testimony that He was sent by the Father. Evidence of this “sending” demonstrates the pre-existence of Christ as well as His place as Second Person of the Trinity in eternity past.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

[Sent] [apesteilen (grk 649)]. See the note at . "Sent" rather than "gave" , because the idea of sacrifice is here merged in that of authoritative commission. (from Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament)

Christ Came from Above. "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.” John 3:31 “The Messiah, represented as coming down from heaven.” John 3:13; 6:33; 8:23 Barnes' Notes

Additional Evidences
“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33 “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38 When Jesus said “I am come down” he used the Greek word, katabebeeka which defines the action of descending in the perfect active indicative. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament “But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:23 This language is peculiar to John and to his Gospel. Jesus states the radical antagonism between His opposer and Himself, as based upon difference of "origin and nature." They spring from the lower, sensual, earthly economy; He from the heavenly. Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament

JESUS’ HEAVENLY ORIGIN PASSAGES

John the Baptist’s Testimony. “John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"John 1:15 “This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'” John 1:30

Jesus Own Testimony. “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.” John 1:18 “No ne has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven﷓﷓ the Son of Man.” John 3:13

Other evidences. Jn 6:33, 42, 50-51, 58, 62; 7:29; 8:23, 42; 9:39; Eph 1:3-5; 1 Pet 1:18-20

JESUS AS FULLY GOD IN ETERNITY PAST

Fullness of Godhead. The evidence from Scripture is that Jesus Christ is fully God as the second person of the Trinity.

“or in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” Col 2:9

Christ’s Full Content of Divine Nature. The word translated "divine nature" or "deity" in the NIV comes from the Greek word theotes Strong’s No. 2320 is elsewhere translated Godhead or divinity. It occurs only here in the NT. Paul here emphasizes that all of God's nature is present in Christ, not diluted or dispersed among intermediary spiritual beings. Col 1:19 Paul was emphasizing in this passage the reality of the incarnation and uniqueness of Christ as being fully God made fully human. UBS Translator Handbook Series In this sentence “Paul states the heart of his message about the Person of Christ. There dwells at home in Christ not one or more aspects of the Godhead but the very essence of God.” Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament In this passage “Paul here disposes of the Docetic theory that Jesus had no human body.” Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

CHRIST AS SECOND “PERSON” OF TRINITY

God’s Nature in Christ. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,” Phil 2:6 Christ is “literally in the form of God. "Who" points to Christ as the subject. The word rendered "being" is not the common Greek word for "being," but it denoted one's essential and unchangeable nature. The participle is either present or imperfect. In either case, it signifies a continuing state, so it is best rendered [he always had], or "was his from the first." UBS Translator Handbook Series

God The Father’s Testimony. The first public declaration from the Father that gave evidence for acceptance of the Son from heaven was at Jesus’ baptism, “and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:22

The next affirmation evidence from the Father was at the mount of transfiguration. “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Matt 17:5

Peter’s testimony. “For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 2 Pet 1:17

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER

Jesus died as a substitutional offering for humanity. Before any offering could be accepted by the Father it was the object of prayer. We see Jesus praying this way in John’s gospel. “The Prayer naturally divides itself into thee parts: First, What relates to the Son Himself, who offered the prayer ; secondly, what had reference more immediately to those Eleven disciples in whose hearing the prayer was uttered ; thirdly, what belongs to all who should believe on Him through their word, to the end of the world ; with two concluding verses, simply breathing out His soul in a survey, at once dark and bright, of the whole past results of His mission.” Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary

Glorify Your Son. “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” Jn 17:1 Jesus was praying that God would “manifest His power in my death, resurrection, and ascension, as to afford evidence that I am the Son of God.” Barnes' Notes Both John the Baptist and Jesus’ births were both associated with important miracles. Due to Herod’s intrigues Jesus fled to Egypt and did not return to the city of His birth but moved to Nazareth where events of His birth were unknown. Everyone believed John the Baptist because he was not removed from the context of the miracles associated with his birth. At His birth Jesus voluntarily set aside the manifestation of His glory in heaven. Phil 2:6-11 But after His ascension He has never been seen without that glory that He returned too.

Christ Came With Authority. “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.” Jn 17:2

The word “authority” comes from exousia Strong’s No. 1849 which defines the capacity of power and influence in Christ’s ministry. This stupendous claim was impossible for a mere man to make. Both Matthew and Luke say Christ already claimed authority earlier. Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22 This was repeated again after Christ’s resurrection. Matt. 28:18 Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Knowing God Through Christ. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Jn 17:3 “This is the only place where our Lord gives Himself the compound name JESUS CHRIST." Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary The verb “granted” is in the aorist tense, and points to a specific act in past time, most likely the giving of authority to the Son as a special prerogative of his earthly ministry.” UBS Translator Handbook Series The fact that the Father sent Christ is proof of the Son as second person of the Trinity being fully God.

I Have Brought You Glory. “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” Jn 17:4 “The light in which Jesus presents Himself and His work before His Father's view. His whole life here below was, He says, a glorification of the Father; but in this He only did, He says, a prescribed work﷓﷓ a work "given Him to do." But observe, next, the retrospective light in which He speaks of this. He refers to the time when He was "on the earth," as a past time: His glorification of the Father was now completed; the "work given Him to do" was a "finished" work.” Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary

The Glory I Had With You Before. “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:5 Jesus prays for full restoration to the pre﷓incarnate glory and fellowship John 1:1 enjoyed before the Incarnation. John 1:14 Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament “In heaven grant me a participation of the same honor which the Father has. He had just said that he had glorified God on the earth, he now prays that God would glorify him in heaven.” Barnes' Notes This is evidence of the deep relationship in eternity past between the Father and Son. This is evidence for Jesus’ eternality. When Christ prayed before the world was “there could not be a more distinct and clear declaration of the pre﷓existence of Christ than this.” Barnes' Notes

CHRIST AS OMNIPOTENT GOD

Christ’s work in “creating” and “preserving” the universe are evidence for His omnipotence in eternity past. In Messianic passages His omnipotence can be seen in eternity past.

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.” Mal 3:1

The words “LORD Almighty” come from the Old Testament Hebrew name for Christ Yahweh Tsabaot. When the rabbis translated this passage into the Greek Septuagint they used the word “pantokrator” which was translated as omnipotent in the New Testament. Rev 1:8 John Walvoord listed several evidences for Jesus as being omnipotent from the gospel accounts. Even though His manifest glory was voluntarily set aside outwardly Phil 2:6-11 those who followed Him in Palestine discovered that as God He was omnipotent. Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 29

1. All power in heaven and earth. Mt 28:18
2. Power to forgive sin. Mt 9:6
3. Power over nature. Lk 8:25
4. Power over His own life. Jn 10:18
5. Power to give eternal life to others. Jn 17:2
6. Power to heal physical ailments. Mk 1:29-34
7. Power to cast out demons. Mt 17:18
8. Power to raise dead physical bodies. Jn 12:1
9. Power to transform the body. Phil 3:21
10. Power to produce salvation. Heb 7:25
11. Power to “keep” His followers. 2 Tim 1:12
12. Power to make guiltless before Father. Jude 1:24; Eph 5:27

CHRIST AS OMNISCIENT GOD

As fully God Jesus is omniscient. Christ had two natures one human and one divine. He was not omniscient in His human nature. In eternity past we see Christ in Messianic passages that display His omniscience before His incarnation. Isa 46:10

"This is what the LORD says﷓﷓ Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. 7. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come﷓﷓ yes, let him foretell what will come.” Isa 44:6﷓7

After His incarnation, Christ displayed His omniscience several times. Even as a youth he astounded the teachers Ps 119:99 and priests in the temple with His wisdom. Lk 2:46-47 Even though Jesus was not a seminary graduate He had a supernatural understanding of the Scriptures. Jn 7:15 Crowds amazed at His teaching. Mt 7:28 Jesus Himself stated that He “knew all men,” and He “ knew what was in man.” Jn 2:25 He knew the hearts of all men which is an evidence of deity. 2 Chron 6:30 Jesus’ disciples testified that Christ knew all things. Jn 16:30 cf. 21:17 Christ foreknew His betrayers. Jn 6:64

CHRIST AS OMNIPRESENT GOD

As the second person of the Trinity Christ is fully God and in His infinity everywhere present.

“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Prov 15:3

Some important Messianic passages from the Old Testament give evidence of His omnipresence in eternity past. Isa 66:1﷓4 In His incarnation Christ added humanity to His deity but in His human nature He was not omnipresent.

After His resurrection Christ’s body was changed. 1 Cor 15:4-8 We see Him suddenly appearing in a room Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19; 21:4 and leaving in an equally mysterious manner. Lk 24:51 In that state He promised His disciples that He will abide with them forever. Mt 28:20 He has promised to indwell every believer. Jn 14:18, 20, 23 which would be impossible if Christ were not omnipresent. Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 28 There is some evidence of omnipresence from the testimony of the gospel writers. His experience with Nathaniel that can not be explained with omnipresence. Jn 1:48 While living on earth He was still omnipresent in His deity. Today we understand He is at the right hand of the Father. Mk 16:19; 1 Pet 3:22 He is also working at the same time indwelling His people and church. There are other general reference passages to His omnipresence in eternity past. Ps 139:7-10; Deu 4:39; Jer 23:24

CHRIST AS IMMUTABLE GOD

As the second person of the Trinity Jesus is fully God and in His person and being never changes. In His incarnation His deity added humanity. In His humanity Jesus is not immutable. For example we see Him born through a human mother and being raised as a child in Bethlehem, Egypt and Nazareth. He grew from a child to a man. But in His deity in His essential person He never changes because He is fully God.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

In Old Testament Messianic prophecy Christ was presented in ways that give evidence for His being immutable.

“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

"They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Ps 102:25=27

The author of Hebrews quoted this passage Heb 1:10-12 as evidence that Jesus in His person is immutable from eternity past, present and future. “His unchangeableness applies to all of the divine attributes as well as to His divine nature.” Jesus Christ Our Lord, p. 30

CHRIST AS SELF EXISTENT GOD

By self existent is meant uncreated or uncaused. The evidence from both Testaments speak to His eternality. Micah 5:2 cf. Jn 8:58 He pre-existed the creation of the universe. Jn 1:1-3 cf. Col 1:16-17 He pre-existed the creation of time, space and matter. Gen 1:2, 14 Standing outside of these limited finite “things,” Christ is fully God of all. “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; his understanding is infinite.” Ps 147:5 “Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Ps 40:5 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isa 40:28

CHRIST AS SOVEREIGN GOD

As the unchanging second person of the Trinity Christ is fully sovereign God. He is equally sovereign in eternity past as He is in the present and eternity future.

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death﷓﷓ even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" [Philippians 2:6-11]

All “Authority” is Given Christ. Jesus Himself testified, “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matt 28:18 Peter confirmed His Lordship, “who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand﷓﷓ with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” 1 Pet 3:22 John agreed, “And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” John 5:27 Paul wrote, “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Col 1:18

JESUS WORKING AS SAVIOR GOD

Christ is seen in the Old Testament working out salvation for humanity and preserving them in their salvation. Paul wrote that in eternity past Christ performed the work of choosing His people. Eph 1:4 He also performed the mysterious work Eph 1:9 of predestination. Eph 1:5, 11 His work of redemption was also planned Eph 1:7 from His omniscience in eternity past. Eph 1:5 cf. Rev 13:8

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will﷓﷓ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment﷓﷓ to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" [Ephesians 1:4-11].

Paul wrote that Christ’s work in eternity past for our salvation was directed in love Eph 1:4 for His people. We see no evidence in these passages that Christ’s predestination work in eternity past was universal but that it was directed to His own who loved Him. Rom 8:28; 2 Thess 2:13 As to the completeness of Christ’s work Paul defines it, “according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eph 3:11 The word “accomplished” comes from poieo Strong’s No. 4160 which means to bring about or accomplish. Paul used the aorist tense defining this as a completed action in the past. Important Greek scholars say this means literally, "the purpose of the ages." Vincent's Word Studies of the New Testament “God's purpose runs on through the ages. "Through the ages one eternal purpose runs." Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Romans 8:28-30
28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (NIV)

Additional Passages. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thess 2:13 “who has saved us and called us to a holy life﷓﷓ not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Tim 1:9 “who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” 1 Pet 1:1-2

CHRIST MAKING COVENANT APPEARANCES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Judgments. Jesus Himself declared that, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,” John 5:22 An Old Testament Messianic prophecy relates this work to Yahweh in eternity past. Ps 9:7-8

“The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.” Ps 9:7﷓8

Future Judgments. These two passages identify Yahweh and Messiah as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The future work of making important judgments is the work of Christ. Acts 17:31 Many have concluded that it will be Messiah sitting on the throne of David who will judge the nations. Ps 2:7-9; Isa 63:1-6; Mt 25:31-46; 2 Thess 1:7-10; Rev 19:15 From that throne Messiah will judge Israel. Mt 24:37-25:13 He will judge believers. 2 Cor 5:10 Messiah will also judge the angels. 1 Cor 15:25-26 Messiah will also sit upon the great white throne to judge the wicked dead. Rev 20:12-15

Angel of Yahweh Appearances. Historically the pre-incarnate Christ has appeared many times in the Old Testament under this name. Hagar Gen 16:7-13 Abraham w/Isaac Gen 22:11-18

Other Pre-Incarnate Appearances of Christ. Jacob’s experience wrestling with God. Gen 32:24-32 The appearance to the elders of Israel. Ex 24:9-11 Christ was in the cloud of the Lord. Ex 40:38 And in the cloudy pillar. Ex 33:9-23

Every visible manifestation of God in bodily form is to be identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. Josh 5:13-15; Ezek 1:1-28; Dan 10:1-21 We can understand this because in the New Testament we learn that “no man has seen God [the Father] at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Jn 1:18 Of the three members of the Trinity this eliminates the possibility that anyone has ever seen the Father. We also know that because He is a Spirit no one has ever seen the Holy Spirit. Systematic Theology 5:32

Messianic Revelations. In eternity past Christ was revealing Himself as the future Messiah who would later appear as the second person of the Trinity. From Moses to Malachi there is a stream of revelations that foretell Messiah’s first and second advent. We have devoted an entire chapter to this material. It is so convincing that Christ tells His followers that He can be found in every book of the Old Testament prophetically. “He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Luke 24:44 Paul, in teaching through this material spends a day and night without running out of material. Acts 28:23

Personal names in the Old Testament are filled with descriptive meaning. Prophets, priests, kings and even the enemies of God’s people can be studied through their names as a rich resource about their character. Often we see in the Bible as God changes someone that He first changes their name. Pagan societies touching Israel had hundreds of gods with unique names associated with each god’s place of geographic influence.

The God of the Bible is unique in world history because He is not geographically limited. God has chosen to identify Himself both testaments using hundreds of names. Each name teaches a lesson about some small aspect about Infinite God. Intl. Std. Bible Ency. 3:2114; New Bible Dictionary, Tyndale, p. 810-813 Scholars have identified four hundred different names and titles of Deity in the Old Testament. Systematic Theology, 7:240 The names of God declare His character. While we are not going to be studying hundreds of these names we will look at a few as they reveal the person and work of Jesus Christ before Bethlehem.

HEAVEN CHOSE THE NAME JESUS

“And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matt 1:21, Lk 1:31

Hebrew roots for the name Jesus. This name that the Gospel writers say the angel brought from heaven was “Jesus.” It comes from the Greek name, )Iesous. Dr. Karl Heinrich Rengstorf, Professor at Munster said, “Iesous is the Greek form of the Old Testament Jewish name Yeshua [Joshua]. The LXX [Septuagint] rendered the name uniformly as Iesous. Joshua is the oldest name containing the divine name Yahweh, and means ‘Yahweh is help,’ or ‘Yahweh is salvation.’” DNTT 2:330-348 Dr. Rengstorf says both Josephus and Pliny translated Joshua into Iesous or Jesus.

“Kurios” and Jesus. Britannica says the oldest Greek versions replaced YHWH with kurios or Lord.” ibid. Josephus and Philo confirm this. Rabbinical schools and tradition kept it alive even though it was not used in liturgy. Early Christian scholars “easily learnt the true pronunciation.” Ency. Brit. 12:995 Britannica lists several sources including Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Epiphanius, Theodoret, Diodorus Siculus, Macrobius, and Jerome. ibid. Samaritan and Ethiopian versions of the Old Testament retained the pronunciation. We see confirmation in the New Testament title given to Jesus as “that name above every name.” Paul said the name highly exalted, every knee would bow, and every tongue confess it in Phil 2:9-11.

Dr. Hans Bietenhard, Professor of Theology at Sterffisburg, says "kurios" is found 9,000 times in the Greek Septuagint and in 6,156 cases it replaces the divine Hebrew personal name for God Yahweh. DNTT 2:510﷓520 The Philippians passage clearly identifies Jesus Christ as being Yahweh to the glory of God the Father.

Yahweh YHWH

"Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD,the God of your fathers﷓﷓ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob﷓﷓ has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." Exod 3:13-15

Dr. J. Barton Payne, Professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological said, “The Tetragrammaton YHWH, the LORD, or Yahweh, the personal name of God and his most frequent designation in Scripture, occurring 5321 times in the Old Testament.” TWOT 1:210-212 Many passages link Yahweh with the person and work of Christ. One important passage has Yahweh speaking hundreds of years before Bethlehem saying, “They shall look on me, the one they have pierced.” Zech 12:10 In A.D. 95, just a few decades after the cross, the apostle John confirmed Zechariah using the same language. Rev 1:7

Yahweh as a verb. Dr. T. Rees, who wrote the article titled God for the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia wrote, Yahweh is “the personal proper name par excellence of Israel’s God. The Hebrews themselves connected the word with hayah, “to be.” In Exodus 3:14 Yahweh is ... translated “I am that I am.” This has been supposed to mean “self existence,” and to represent God as the Absolute.” Systematic Theology, 7:207 God in this passage expanded our understanding of this name when He said, “I will be all that is necessary as the occasion will arise.” Systematic Theology, 7:207 The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says the name is bound up with the Messianic hope. ISBE 2:1266 The name Yahweh is found thousands of times in the Old Testament in passages that portray all of the attributes of God. Yahweh reveals Himself as being eternal, self existent, unchanging, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and as performing all of the works associated with infinite deity. Identifying Himself by the name Yahweh We see God working as creator, deliverer, and savior.

Yahweh and the Triune God. We also see this name associated with all three persons of the Trinity.

1. There is an Old Testament theme from Moses to Malachi that associates the name Yahweh with the first person of the Trinity. Ex 4:22; Deu 32:6; Isa 63:16; 64:8; Jer 3:17-19; Mal 2:10-11

2. There is a more frequent theme associating Yahweh with the work and person of second person of the Trinity. To begin with some of the above quotes for God the Father also contain reference to either the works or person of the Son. Deu 32:6; Isa 64:8; Mal 2:10 Yahweh is identified with the work of alone being Redeemer God which is evidence for Jesus Christ. Isa 44:6 He has identified Himself as Savior God. Ex 14:30 The name is associated with the creation work of God who also states He is the only God. Isa 45:18

3. There are also passages that associate the name Yahweh with the third person. This association is a theme in the Old Testament found in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms. The name title, “Spirit of the LORD” comes from Yahweh - Ruwach. Strong’s No. 7307 Ezek 11:5; Mic 3:8; Zech 4:6; 7:12 When Jesus identified Himself as Messiah He used a quotation from Isaiah 61:1 that included this association of Yahweh - Ruwach as the Spirit of the Lord being upon Jesus. Lk 4:17-18

COMPOUND YAHWEH NAME - TITLES

Dr. John E. Hartley, Professor at Azusa Pacific said, “There is often a building of divine titles.” TWOT 2:750 Dr. Payne said when Jesus wanted to teach his eternality in John 8:58 that he quoted Exodus 3:14 linking both himself and the name Yahweh as being unchangeable and eternal. TWOT 2:211-212

Yahweh - TsidkenuYahweh - YirehYahweh - RaphaYahweh - ShalomYahweh - m'KaddeshYahweh - ShammahYahweh - NissiYahweh - SabaothYahweh - Ra’ahYahweh - KannaYahweh - Gaw’aYahweh - Wayosha’Yahweh - Bowree’Yahweh - Elohim Lord is Righteous Jer 23:6Lord Sees Gen 22:13-14Lord Heals Ex 15:26Lord of Peace Judg 6:24Lord is Holy Lev 20:8Lord Present Ez 48:35Banner of Lord Ex 17:15Lord of Hosts 2 Sam 7:8Lord is Shepherd Ps 23:1Lord is Jealous Ex 34:14Redeemer Lord Isa 44:6Savior Lord. Ex 14:30Creator God Isa 45:18Triune Lord Deu 6:4

Yahweh - Tsidkenu

". . . he shall be called The LORD Yahweh Our Righteousness" [Jeremiah 23:6 c.f. 1 Cor 1:30, 2 Cor 5:21].

Because of its importance this compound divine name was given its own Strong’s reference number 3072. The word “righteousness” is from the Hebrew word “tsidkenu” which means “my righteousness.” It comes from tsadaq which means to make something just, or right morally. The Psalmist used this word to describe the way “the ordinances of Yahweh are sure and altogether righteous.” Ps 19:9 cf. Deu 4:8

This passage is Messianic, but Jeremiah did not write “His” righteousness but “Our Righteousness.” This is evidence for the humanity of Messiah. He is our Kinsman Redeemer. It is also evidence for His power to justify the ungodly. Dr. Harold Stigers, Professor at Glendale, wrote, “The word in this context describes the righteous standing of God’s heirs to salvation, with no charge to be laid against them Isa 54:17 this righteousness actually possessed by Messiah Jer 23:6 is bestowed by him, thus pointing to the New Testament doctrine of Christ our righteousness.” TWOT 2:752-755

Dr. Stigers says there is an emphasis on covenant where “God’s righteousness becomes fidelty to promises ... to rescue the covenant people from trouble is both righteousness, salvation, and victory.” TWOT 2:755

Dr. Colin Brown, professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, says the Septuagint translates this Hebrew word into the Greek word “dikaisyne” [Strong’s No. 1343 which is a vital NT word used by Paul in Romans chapters three through five to describe the imputed righteousness of God] consistently. DNTT 3:358 Dr. Brown mentions the Scriptural theme under which “a man may share, and go on sharing, in Yahweh’s righteousness.” DNTT 3:356 He says “God alone can pronounce a man righteous.” ibid.

Yahweh - Yireh

“And Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided." Gen 22:14

The compound name Yahweh - Yireh means “will provide.” Dr. Robert D. Culver, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Winnepeg Theological Seminary says "yireh" means both seeing and providing. TWOT 2:823

If we study the context of this passage we will see this word also used earlier in Gen 22:8 when Abraham promised Isaac that God would provide a sacrifice. As the story unfolds and Abraham raises his knife to slay Isaac, we see him being stopped by the tender mercies of God. When Abraham looked over his shoulder he saw that God had indeed provided the sacrificial ram who was the type for Jesus Christ. Jn 3:16 The meaning behind this name foreshadows both God’s seeing the world’s need for salvation and His power to provide an adequate Savior.

Yahweh - Rapha

“. . . I the LORD, am your healer.” Exod 15:26

In this context we see “Yahweh - Rapha” delivering His people from the Egyptians. God was showing His people and the world that His people were different from the Egyptians by protecting them from the plagues Egypt was suffering from. The word “healer” comes from "rapha" which means to heal or restore and is also the Hebrew word for doctor. Ps 30:2; 103:3

Brown Driver Briggs say Israel has been delivered from Egypt and they are on the road to Sinai when God presents Himself to Israel using this name. Yahweh presented Himself as Yahweh - Rapha because He wanted them to turn from trusting their Egyptian taskmasters and look to Him with their needs. This is proof of His care, His love and His power. Later, under the Mosaic law when a Jew experienced healing they were told to report the event to the priests, Lev 13 but the priests were not to be regarded as healers. DNTT 2:167 It was solely Yahweh - Rapha who was to be regarded as Israel’s healer.

Centuries later Jeremiah linked “rapha” with spiritual healing from backsliding. Jer 3:22 On several incidents Jesus used the terms healing and salvation synonomously. Mt 9:5; Mk 2:9-12; Lk 5:23-25 Hundreds of years before Bethlehem, Jeremiah linked “rapha” to both the healing and salvation works of Messiah. Jer 17:14 cf. Ps 41:4

Dr. William White, professor biblical languages said, “The themes of healing and resoration as connotations of ‘rapha’ are combined in the usage of Isaiah 53:5, ‘by his stripes we are healed.’ In many of the occurrences, it is God who causes healing or afflicts with disease or catastrophes which cannot be healed but by divine intervention.” TWOT 2:857 There are important uses of “rapha” in Miriam's healing, Num 12:1-16 the fiery serpent on the pole, Num 21:5-9 c.f. Jn 3:14-15 Naaman, 2 Ki 5:1-15 Hezekiah, 2 Ki 20:1-11 and Job. Job 42:10-13

When Jesus brought the incident of the fiery serpent on the pole into the New Testament He used the physical healings Israel experienced as a type for the way