Philippians chapter 2 tells us that Jesus is in the form of God.
Phi 2:6-8 KJV 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 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.
The Greek word for ‘form’ is ‘morphe’.
3444 morphe {mor-fay’}
Meaning: 1) the form by which a person or thing strikes the vision 2) external appearance
Jesus was the ‘morphe’ of God; the external appearance of God. Jesus was the appearance of God because he had the very nature of God- he was God Himself.
The Greek word for ‘equal’ is ‘isos’.
2470 isos {ee’-sos}
Meaning: 1) equal, in quantity or quality
The Scriptures tell us there is no one equal with God.
Isa 40:25 KJV To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
Isa 46:5 KJV To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Isa 46:9 KJV Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Since there in none that is equal with God, and Philippians 2:6 says that Jesus thought it not robbery to be equal with God, Jesus must be God.
Even though Jesus is God, and it was His prerogative to do as He willed, He did not hold on to these prerogatives. Instead, He was willing to lay His prerogatives aside and take on the form of a servant in order to become the sacrifice for our sins. Did He have to? No. He did this by His own grace. By His grace He willingly took on a human nature and submitted Himself to death on the cross.
Doesn’t this make two ‘persons’ in the Godhead? Doesn’t Jesus have the same nature as the Father? This wasn’t a divine ‘Son’ emptying Himself of divine attributes and becoming incarnate. While Jesus did ‘empty’ Himself of His divine prerogatives, He did not stop being God. He did not turn deity into humanity. He did not stop being the Father to become the Son. He was God manifest in flesh. He took upon Himself humanity, but He still had His divine nature. He had two natures- God and man. He is equal to God because He is God. The term ‘equal’ means that His nature is the nature of the Father. He never lost His divinity or attributes.
His dual nature explains how Jesus was exalted.
Phi 2:9-11 KJV 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God exalted the man Jesus. The name of Jesus is above every name because it is the name of God manifest in flesh. The name of Jesus is the saving name.
Act 4:12 KJV Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus is both God and man. Our God became a man to become our sacrifice for sins. Jesus is our God and savior.
Jesus is both God and man. Our God became a man to become our sacrifice for sins. Jesus is our God and savior.
God became a man? May I ask where did God say He would do this? Moses was not told that YHWH/God would become a man RATHER that God would raise up a Prophet LIKE MOSES. I do not believe the Jews understood or believed,anticipated the Messiah would be God.That would be an insult to them.Ever noticed Jesus being a Jew had the same creed as Jews? Mark 12:28..Here O Israel the Lord OUR God,that is another point not addressed in Apostolic pulpits,Jesus has a God! Jesus never one time claimed to be God and when accused,He denied it.I would think something as important as that would be would have been addressed by the Messiah himself or perhaps He would have corrected those who called the Son of God..
Thank you for your article “In the form of God”. I would be very grateful if you could address the comments made by Steve Mullican as they seem to be both relevant and in need of an answer. Thank you so much.
Hi Pedro. I didn’t answer him on this post because I have already written many articles on this topic and it’s so prominent in Scripture. I did intend to get to it, but I was working overtime at the time and didn’t respond.
Here are my articles:
http://studiesinscripture.com/category/bible-study-guide/doctrine/godhead/
Here are just a few examples where it’s clear in Scripture:
Jesus himself claimed to be God and the Jews recognized that. That’s why they took up stones to stone him.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (Jn. 8:56-59 KJV)
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (Jn. 10:30-33 KJV)
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (Jn. 14:8-9 KJV)
The Bible is clear that Jesus is God:
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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6 KJV)
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matt. 1:23 KJV)
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Tim. 3:16 KJV)