Most of the false teaching and faulty interpretation of the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ is centered upon Colossians 1:12-17:

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 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, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:12-17)

Specifically, the interpretation of the “firstborn of every creature” found in Col. 1:15 is the center of the controversy of belief between Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  It is important to note that there IS NO DISAGREEMENT between Christians concerning this issue; the debate of the beginning of the Son of God is between other religions; all Christians know with certainty that Jesus Christ is a part of God.

Even more specific in understanding this debate between religions is the Greek word “prototokos” translated “firstborn” within Col. 1:15.   Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this word firstborn identifies Jesus Christ as the “first created” according to their New World Translation Bible.  By interpreting Jesus Christ as being a creation of the Lord God, rather than part of Him, Christ is made just like human beings.  In fact, Jehovah’s Witnesses are convinced that Jesus Christ was the first creation of God, for which all other creations are made.

Sometimes Christians make an error by hearing words that sound okay, and not realizing the implications that can come from a little bit of mistaken interpretation.  When Jesus Christ becomes a created being, He no longer has the nature of God, but rather becomes an example of a creation like all others, that is perfect, but mortal.  Thus, he is made a very good Prophet and an example of God’s handiwork in creation.  This view is false.

Mormon belief takes it even a step further, by suggesting that Jesus Christ came from the union of the LORD God and one of the goddesses, the “Heavenly Mother” up in Heaven  (Smith, 1844).  Rather than created, Mormons believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by a holy union of gods (Wilcox 1987).  Of course, this belief when stated is easily recognized by Christians as false.  Regrettably, Mormons seldom explain the basis of their belief publicly, but rather, espouse the doctrines of their church that are based upon this belief.  Once again, even if sometimes the words  of belief sound familiar, but the foundation of belief  that is based upon the union of gods to form the Lord is a concept completely foreign to the Word of God, it is a false teaching and should be avoided.

The use of the word “prototokos” identifies the Son of God as the firstborn of all creation.  Interpretations of Colossians 1:15 have created at least three different ideas of the meaning of this word; however, once the concept of Christ as the firstborn is examined within the complete context of Scripture, specifically John 3:16 and John 1:1-5, only one interpretation stands true.  These two important Scriptures provide Christians with both a defense towards God’s Truth and a clarification to increase relationship with Him.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16)

John 3:16 says that Jesus Christ is the “only begotten son” of the LORD God. The word begotten (Greek word is μονογενής (monogenēs) (Strong’s 3439) means unique, only one of a kind (note the parts of the word mono and genesis).  The LORD God beget the Lord Jesus Christ; He did not create Him.  Thus, this small point can be used to argue against the interpretations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons regarding the nature of Christ as the “firstborn”.  However, the defense is made even sounder when an understanding of the process of “begotten” is known.

John 1:1-14 reveals something about the “begotten” process of the Lord Jesus Christ that often escapes notice with casual reading.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4)

The WORD was GOD!  The Word was always with God, from the beginning.  The Word of God is a relevant expression of both God’s essence, equal to the expression of His Son, who was begotten by the very breath of His spoken Word.  If one deeply thinks upon this concept as the innermost desire, nature, personality and will contained within the exalted Being of the LORD God that is released when He spoke His Word then the magnificent expression of Christ through that process is more comprehended through our mortal minds.  So, to connect the “begotten” state of the Son of God, who came from the very essence of the LORD God, is completely different from the created state of all things that the Lord made.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:10-14)

The Lord Jesus Christ made the world.  Through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, we become sons of God.  In that sense, Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the sons that becomes a significant typological representation throughout the Word of God in relating the rights, privileges, and responsibilities given to the firstborn in God’s Kingdom.

When these Scriptures of John 3:16 and John 1:1-14 are offered as proof against the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons views, big holes in their reasoning and interpretation seem very apparent.  Jesus was neither created as alleged, nor was he the product of anyone other than the LORD God, whose exalted state expressed His Will through speaking the Word, and the Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, extracted and became His one and only begotten Son.

In our next post, we will discuss the historical development of the firm belief in the Divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning of His Presence.  We will also bring focus to the different groups whose faulty interpretations or misguided opinions led to some false doctrines and belief today.  Finally, we will explain the Trinity in a way that may help you to understand how the LORD God, the Lord Jesus Christ and Their Holy Spirit fit together perfectly.  When the Divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ is understood completely to be a belief critical to Christianity, we will then proceed to the critical debate BETWEEN CHRISTIANS concerning the nature of Christ when He walked upon the earth.

Looking forward to the journey with you also!

Kathy L. McFarland

References:

Wilcox, Linda P. “The Mormon Concept of a Mother in Heaven.” In Sisters in Spirit: Mormon Women in Historical and Cultural Perspective, edited by Maureen Ursenbach Beecher and Lavina Fielding Anderson, 64-77. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1987.

Smith, Joseph, Jr., King Follett Discourse, April 7, 1844, published in Times and Seasons 5 (August 15, 1844): 612-17, and reprinted in the History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 2d ed. rev. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, (1976-1980), 6:302-17; see also “The Christian Godhead–Plurality of Gods”, History of the Church, 6: 473-79.

Was He always fully God and fully man, or did He empty Himself of His divine God being when He assumed his role in the great salvation plan of the LORD God?

What is the legitimate debate between Christians concerning the nature of Christ, and how does that debate differ from the heretical teachings of false religions?

How could the Lord Jesus Christ be tempted if He was God?  How could mere mortal man put God to death on the cross?

Who did the Lord Jesus Christ pray to passionately in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His crucifixion?

How can the Trinity Godhead be understood in our human minds?

What Scripture do the Classical adherents use to defend their position? What Scripture do the Kenotic believers offer in support of their belief?

Is it important that believers know the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ before they can truly be followers of Him?

Was the Lord Jesus Christ Omnipotent and Omniscient when He was in human form?

If the Lord Jesus Christ did not have a dual nature upon this earth, when did He once again assume the nature of God?

These questions and many more will be answered in the coming weeks in our newest apologetic defending the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We will present both sides of the righteous debate among Christians and offer supporting Scriptures for both sides.  We will be identifying the false teachings that took form from the various movements in past time to weaken Christianity by introducing horrendously false ideas into mainstream religion.  Every few days, Becker Bible Studies Teacher Kathy L. McFarland will provide teachings concerning this important theological debate.  She will present a balanced approach offering all sides, and reveal the belief of the Becker Bible Studies organization authors and teachers only after all sides have been presented fully.  Kathy is confident that when these Christology Apologetics are completed, Christian students will be able to figure out their own belief, understand the other side of the debate, become better equipped to defend their view and avoid the false teachings that are often inserted into the mix.  Journey with us along this path, and you will arrive to a sure knowledge of your belief, and know why you know what you know.

I look forward to taking the journey with you!

David “Bucker” Becker

Links to the posts for Christology Apologetics

Christology #1 – Jesus Christ is part of God, or you are not Christian