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.

No related posts.

If we look at the right hand of God as literal we run into several problems in scripture.

Some verses say that Jesus is sitting, while others say that he is standing.

Acts 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Acts 7:55-56  ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,  ⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

This interpretation would make Jesus separate from God, making two beings, and making Jesus not God.

If we take these verses literal, then we have Jesus literally sitting or standing ON God’s right hand. If we take these verses literal, then we must take other verses literal that speak of Jesus and God, which means that Jesus is IN the bosom of the Father.

John 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Looking at the books of Psalms, we see David with God AT his right hand.

Psalm 16:8  I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

It is clear from their contexts that all of these verses are figurative.

Psalm 77:10  And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

Psalm 109:31  For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

Isaiah 48:13  Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

Isaiah 62:8  The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength

Jesus used the finger of God.

Luke 11:20  But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

These verses are not speaking literally. God is using figurative speech to show His power.

When Stephen was being stone to death, he looked up and said that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

Acts 7:55-56  ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,  ⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Stephen was not claiming that he saw the second person in the Godhead standing beside the first person in the Godhead. This understanding would make two separate beings. It would also make Jesus not God, because he was standing beside God. If Stephen’s intention was to describe the trinity, why did he see them separate, and why did he not mention the Holy Ghost?

Stephen wasn’t claiming that he saw God and Jesus next to each other in heaven. Stephen was saying he saw Jesus, who is the glory of God. He was saying that Jesus, who is the glory and power of God, was the one God.

Isaiah 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

The right hand of God is used figuratively to show the power and majesty of God. The phrase ‘right hand’ is even used in figuratively in English, for example, “he’s my right hand man”. There are many verses of scripture that use the phrase ‘right hand’ in reference to power.

Exodus 15:6  Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Psalm 98:1  O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Psalm 110:1  The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Matthew 26:64  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:62  And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Luke 22:69  Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

1 Peter 3:22  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Right hand also refers to the power to save.

Exodus 15:6  Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Psalm 44:3  For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

Psalm 98:1  O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Isaiah 59:16  And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Acts 5:31  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Jesus is our savior. In this sense, Jesus is at the right hand of God as our intercessor and high priest.

Romans 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Hebrews 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Jesus said himself that he had the power of God. All power was given to him.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Ephesians 1:19-23  ¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  ²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  ²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  ²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Hebrews 10:11-13  ¹¹ And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:  ¹² But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;  ¹³ From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Jesus was exalted as our mediator and savior. He sat down on the right hand of God in the sense that he was glorified as the savior of the world. This was the glory that Jesus had in the plan of God.

John 17:3-5  ³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  ⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.  ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

The glory that Jesus had was in the plan of God as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. He had all power to save, and he exercised that power by becoming our sacrifice.

Now that Jesus has fulfilled his role as our sacrifice, he no longer must be confined to human limitations.

Philippians 2:6-8  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.

He never stopped being God, because he was God manifest in flesh, but his focus was on becoming our sacrifice. To do that, he took upon himself humanity, becoming God manifest in flesh- 100% God and 100% man.

1 Timothy 3:16  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.

He is now glorified and ascended to his throne. Now, rather than acting as a man with human limitations, he acts as God. This is what Stephen saw- Jesus exalted, standing in the glory of God. He is now finished with his redeeming work. He sat down from his work to take his place as the Almighty God. This is how John sees Jesus on the Isle of Patmos: as the First and Last, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

The right hand of God is not difficult to understand if it is taken in context. The context shows that it symbolic. There are many problems that are created by trying to make the right hand of God literal. Mainly, if it is literal, Jesus is a separate being standing next to God, making Jesus either a separate God or not God at all. This teaching contradicts scripture.

The right hand of God is figurative. It is symbolic of God’s power and strength; His salvation, and majesty. It demonstrates God’s omnipotence. It shows the saving power of Jesus as God manifest in flesh. It demonstrates that Jesus, who had the saving power of God, has sat down from his saving work to reign as the Almighty God.

Related posts:

1. Is the Son the Father?
2. The Baptism of Jesus
3. One Throne in Heaven

Matthew 3:16-17  ¹⁶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  ¹⁷ And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:9-11  ⁹ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.  ¹⁰ And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:  ¹¹ And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke 3:21-22  ²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,  ²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

John 1:29-34  ²⁹ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  ³⁰ This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.  ³¹ And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.  ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.  ³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  ³⁴ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Why was Jesus baptized?

Jesus was not baptized for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins as we are (Acts 2:38). Jesus had no sin (1 Pet. 2:22). He had no need of remission of sins. Also, John’s baptism was a baptism unto repentance (Acts 19:4). Jesus had no need to repent, since he never committed sin. Jesus was not born into sin because God was his father. So then, why was he baptized?

Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.

Matthew 3:15  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Jesus was baptized as an anointing to the priesthood. This is how Jesus manifested himself to Israel.

John 1:31  And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

This began his ministry.

His baptism also revealed to John that Jesus was the Messiah, because John was given the sign of the Holy Ghost descending on Jesus as a dove.

The voice from heaven and the descending dove

The Deity of Jesus was omnipresent. Even though all the fullness of the Godhead dwelled in Jesus bodily (Col. 2:9), the omnipresent Spirit of God still filled the universe. This means that Jesus was on earth and in heaven at the same time.

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

Through his omnipresent Spirit, it would be no problem for Jesus to speak from heaven and send a manifestation of his Spirit in the form of a dove while his human body stood in the Jordan River (Bernard, p. 172). The voice and the dove do not require ‘persons’ within the Godhead any more than a theophany in the Old Testament. Just because God manifested himself in theophanies did not mean that heaven was left empty of the Spirit of God. God spoke through hundreds of Holy Ghost filled believers at the same time on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11). It is not difficult for God to hear and answer all of our prayers at the same time. Nothing is too difficult for God.

The voice and the dove were manifestations of the one God.

The voice

God is omnipresent. The Spirit of God was filling the universe at the same time that God was manifest in flesh and standing in the Jordan River. God was speaking from His omnipresence as a voice from heaven. The purpose of the voice from heaven was to show the people that were present that Jesus was the Messiah. The voice revealed the identity of Jesus.

The dove

The dove was a sign to John the Baptist.

John 1:32-34  ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.  ³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.  ³⁴ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

This was for John’s benefit so he would know that Jesus is the Christ. John could not see the Spirit of God, so God revealed to John the Spirit of God symbolically.

The dove was also symbolic of the anointing of Jesus. In the Old Testament, priests were anointed with oil when they began their priesthood.

Exodus 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

1 Kings 19:16  And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

Priests were even washed with water along with the anointing oil.

Exodus 29:4  And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Exodus 29:7  Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

In this same manner, and for this same purpose, the dove is symbolic of Jesus being anointed as a priest by the Spirit of God.

Jesus is ‘the anointed one’- the Messiah.

The baptism of Jesus is often used to teach a Trinitarian concept of God. There is nothing in this event that requires God to be divided into ‘persons’. God can speak to a million different people, while answering the prayers of another million people, while at the same time speaking through another million people. This does not require three million ‘persons’ within the Godhead. All this requires is an omniscient, omnipresent God. The Jewish believers that were present did not all of a sudden start teaching a new revelation about the Godhead. They were still just as monotheistic as they were before. They still believed in one God- the one God, Creator, and Father that would be their savior and redeemer- their Messiah.

The baptism of Jesus does not teach a Trinitarian view. Those who wish to use the baptism of Jesus to teach the trinity have no defense against tri-theism. Those who use this to teach tritheism are teaching against the thousands of verses that teach strict monotheism. Both, Trinitarians and tritheists, find themselves in direct contradiction to scripture. Many Trinitarian scholars teach that the baptism of Jesus is in reference to the authoritative anointing of Jesus as the Messiah (Bernard, p. 175).

The key to understanding the baptism of Jesus is his dual nature. As a man, Jesus was being baptized and anointed as a priest. As the omnipresent God, he was speaking from heaven and manifesting his Spirit in the form of a dove for the benefit of those present and as a sign for John the Baptist.

References

Bernard, David (2001). Oneness of God, The

            Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

Related posts:

1. In the Name of Jesus
2. The Prayers of Jesus Christ
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What the Father is

The Father is God. He is Spirit. He is Deity. He is the Creator. The Father is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient.

Deuteronomy 32:6  Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Isaiah 63:16  Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Malachi 2:10  Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?

What the Son is

The Son is human. The Son is the only begotten of the Father. The Son is our sacrifice. He is subordinate to the Father.

Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Romans 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Hebrews 1:1-5  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  ³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  ⁴ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  ⁵ For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Who Jesus is

Jesus is not just God, or just the Son of God. Jesus has a Divine nature and a human nature. Jesus is both the Father and the Son. He is both God and man. He is both Divinity and humanity. Jesus has two natures. Each nature cannot be substituted for the other. Jesus was the one God manifest in flesh. Jesus had a human body, soul, and spirit, and the one Divine Spirit. Jesus was fully God and fully man.

As God, Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, performed miracles, walked on water, and arose on the third day. As a man, Jesus slept, wept, ate, drank, prayed to God, and died for our sins.

In his Deity, Jesus is the Father

Isaiah 9:6  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.

Isaiah 63:16  Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

John 14:8-11  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?  ¹⁰ Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

1 John 3:1-5  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  ³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  ⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  ⁵ And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Revelation 21:5-7  ⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  ⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  ⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

In his humanity, Jesus is the Son

Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Colossians 1:13-15  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:

Hebrews 1:1-9  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  ³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  ⁴ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  ⁵ For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  ⁶ And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.  ⁷ And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.  ⁸ But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  ⁹ Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

The Son is not the Father. Jesus is the Son, and he is the Father, but his role as Father is not the same as his role as Son.

If there was a distinction in ‘persons’ within the Godhead, this would make the Son subordinate and inferior to the Father in Deity (Bernard, p. 186). This would make the Father superior to the Son. The Son would not be God, because God by definition cannot be subject to anyone (Bernard, p. 186). God has all knowledge. If the Father knows something that the Son does not (such as the second coming of Jesus- Mark 13:32), this would mean that one member of the Godhead had knowledge that another member did not have. This causes many problems with co-equality within the Godhead.

These distinctions are not referring to different ‘persons’ within the Godhead. They are in reference to the two natures of Jesus. As God the Father, Jesus knew all things. As the Son of God, Jesus did not know all things. As the Father, Jesus answered prayer. As the Son, Jesus prayed to the Father.

Jesus did not ‘un-deify’ himself to become a man. He did not ‘sub-ordinate’ himself so one member of the Godhead could pray to another. The human role of Jesus is subordinate to the Deity of Jesus.

John 5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

The Son was sent from God.

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Jesus was sent from God as a man the same way we are sent.

John 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Jesus did not have to pre-exist as the Son in heaven in order to be sent. We are sent just like he was sent.

Verses that describe a distinction between the Father and the Son are not describing multiple ‘persons’ within the Godhead. Instead, they are describing the two natures of Jesus. They are describing the relationship between the Deity of Jesus and the humanity of Jesus. Even though Jesus is the Son, and Jesus is the Father, it is not correct to say that the Son is the Father. The two terms are not interchangeable because they refer to different aspects of Jesus. Jesus is the Father, but not from his humanity. Jesus is the Son, but not from his Deity.

References

Bernard, David. (2001). Oneness of God, The

            Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press

Related posts:

1. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
2. The Father Manifested
3. The Father Sent the Son