Text: John 1:1-3
The book of Genesis begins with the phrase, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). John makes an unmistakeable parallel here in introducing his audience to Christ – the Word (John 1:1, 14). The point is clear – Jesus is equal with and one with the Father. These first three verses in John’s gospel lay the foundation for a belief in the deity of Christ.
Jesus “Was the Word“
- Jesus is described using many terms in the Bible – in John’s first description of Jesus, he calls Him “the Word“
- Jesus’ role was in revealing the Father (John 1:18) – seeing Him, one was able to see the Father (John 14:8-9)
- Jesus was God’s new spokesman (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Jesus “Was With God“
- This implies fellowship (joint participation in a work) – Jesus & the Father worked together (John 5:17)
- This implies oneness – a close unity that would provide a model for us (John 10:30; 17:20-21)
- Another point to be made from the fellowship & oneness between Jesus & the Father – one cannot have unity with God while in sin (1 John 1:5-6); Jesus had unity with the Father while on earth (John 10:30); therefore, we know that Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 2:22); He offered Himself as a sinless sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 7:26; 9:14)
Jesus “Was God“
- This is an explicit statement affirming the deity of Christ – before His birth, prophesied to be “God with us” (Matthew 1:23); while on earth, He claimed to be equal with the Father (John 5:17-18); He declared Himself to be “I Am” (John 8:28; Exodus 3;14)
- We should not interpret “was” as meaning that Jesus surrendered His deity at some point – this is simply talking about conditions “in the beginning“
- Jesus was certainly God in the flesh (Colossians 2:9)
- It is essential that we believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24)
Jesus “Was the Beginning with God“
- This implies His eternality – He was not a created being, as some believe
- Firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15) – not because He was the first created, but because He was the Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17)
- Firstborn implies a place of preeminence & prominence
Jesus Was the Creator Through Whom “All Things Came Into Being“
- This shows His power as God (Romans 1:20)
- This shows that He is worthy of praise (Revelation 4:11)
- This shows that we must be subject to Him (Isaiah 45:9)
