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The God of the Old Testament
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsThe apostle John reveals that the Word, who is Jesus Christ, is God and the Creator God of Genesis. All things were made through Him. The Logos, the One who speaks, spoke this world and everything in it into existence. Paul testifies in Colossians 1:16 that Christ was the Creator. Yahweh of the Old Testament and Christ of the New refer to themselves as the First and the Last because both are the same self-existent, eternal Being. In Exodus 3:13-15, Jesus declares that He is I AM, their God. The Bible identifies Jesus Christ as the God of the Old Testament, Yahweh Elohim. Therefore, when Jesus speaks, He is both the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New.
God the Father in the Old Testament
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ as God/LORD of the Old Testament: The Israelites knew only one deity, YHWH, who had made a covenant with them and revealed Himself to Moses on the mount. They generally thought of God in the singular as YHWH. However, they also knew that God identified Himself as Elohim, a plural noun indicating more than one Being. John 1:1-3 clearly states that God and the Word are two separate personal Beings, essentially equals, revealing the existence of the Father and the Son. In Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" This does not necessarily speak of God as one in number but describes a characteristic of God, indicating that He is unique and united. The Father and the Son are perfectly united in purpose and harmony. Psalm 2, understood as a Messianic prophecy, refers to the Son as "My Son" and "His Anointed," indicating that the One speaking is the Father. This psalm was used in ancient Israel as a coronation hymn, where the king was considered the son of God by anointing. The New Testament clearly applies this to Jesus Christ, revealing the Father and the Son. Psalm 110 is another Messianic prophecy where YHWH refers to the Son, Jesus Christ, and "my Lord" refers to David or a later Israelite king. Jesus and Peter understood this psalm to refer to the Father and the Son, with the Son being greater than David. In Daniel 7, the Ancient of Days, who is the Father, and the Son of Man, who is the Son, are described. Both terms suggest eternity and eternal life, applicable to both the Father and the Son, though the Father is always shown in the senior position.
Why Is Christ, the Son, Called 'the Everlasting Father' (Isaiah 9:6)?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe answer lies in understanding who the God of the Old Testament is. He—Yahweh—fulfilled many roles, and one of them is as Israel's Father.
Jesus Is God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus claimed to be the God of the Old Testament, a fact reported in the Bible. He stated that He came down from heaven and would return there, indicating His divine origin and eternal existence. Jesus' assertion that no one has ascended to heaven except Him who descended from heaven underscores His unique divine nature. He also claimed to inhabit eternity, aligning Himself with the uncreated nature of God, as mentioned in Isaiah 57:14-15. Jesus used the divine name "I AM" when confronting the Jews, directly associating Himself with the God who spoke to Moses at the burning bush, thus claiming to be the timeless God. Furthermore, Jesus is identified as the Creator in Genesis 1, where He spoke the world into existence, and in John 1:1-3, which states that all things were made through Him. Colossians 1 and 2 reinforce His preeminence as the Creator and Redeemer, affirming His divinity and eternal existence. In Revelation 3:14, Jesus is described as the beginning of God's creation, emphasizing His eternal nature and role in creation.

Jesus in the Feasts (Part One): Unleavened Bread
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEven though the prophetic significance of the Holy Days outlines the the plan of God, the work of Jesus Christ in each event is even more significant.
The Glory of God (Part 2): In Christ
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we (following Jesus' example) display the way of God in our lives, bearing His name, and keeping His commandments, God's glory radiates in our lives.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe identical actions of the Lord and the Angel of the Lord show they are the same Being. The God known by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses was Jesus Christ.
Christ's Revelation of the Father
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJohn 1:1-3 reveals Jesus' pedigree as the Logos (Spokesman), whose function was to declare or reveal the Father. He had existed with His Father from eternity.
Jesus' Pre-Existence
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughIt's not just an intellectual exercise to say Jesus was the God of the Old Testament - we must truly believe and submit to Him as eternal God and Savior.
The High Christology of Colossians
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHigh Christology as a doctrinal stance was not enough to prevent the eventual apostasy of those in Asia Minor. Doctrine must produce the right conduct.
Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.
Announcing . . . Christ's Birth!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe blending of paganism with inspired Scripture has degraded and obscured the meaning and glory of what happened in the announcement of Jesus Christ's birth.
Christ, the Chief Cornerstone
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf a foundation is flawed, the building cannot stand. God built His spiritual temple on the prophets and the apostles, and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone.
Passing By in Glory
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus' walking on the water in the pitch-black darkness of early morning, revealing Himself to the disciples, alludes to the time God passed by Moses.
Image and Likeness of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus did not take on a different shape or form when He was transfigured. Taking on the image of the heavenly does not vaporize one into shapeless essence.
Christ Our Rock
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen Moses uses the metaphor of a rock, he thinks of the connotative qualities of enduring, unchanging, solid, awesome, strong, majestic, and beautiful.
Power Belongs to God (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHuman beings, even those who have been called, have an innate fear that God will not always provide. This fear originates in doubt about God's power.
The Glory of God (Part 1): The Shekinah
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Shekinah, the pillar of cloud and fire, depicts God's visible presence and protection. Yet His glory is manifested in many other ways as well.
Why Did God Command Israel to Go to War?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeGod's command for Israel to execute total war on the Canaanites has a rational—and yes, Christian—explanation. He is not cruel; there is a benevolent reason.
Seeking God in the Mundane
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPentecostalism, with its sensationalism, is dangerous to a true believer. God is more interested in quietness and meekness than in bombastic displays of power.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe husband is charged to exercise love to his wife, actually a more demanding task than submitting, carrying more instructions than the command to submit.
Back to Basics
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIncreasing knowledge without the capacity to process it leads to insanity. To combat information overload, we must get back to the basics of Christianity.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe heroes of faith may have had a longer period of testing than those called now, but the trials will come at greater intensity here at the end.
Passover and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Passover is a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless milieu. Jesus provided hope at His last Passover, exuding confidence despite what lay ahead.

Did God Change the Law of Clean and Unclean Meats?
'Ready Answer' by John O. ReidWere the clean and unclean laws abolished at the cross? A closer look at the pertinent New Testament scriptures reveals God's intent.
Passover and I Corinthians 10
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Old Testament examples, the Corinthians had a careless presumption, allowing themselves to lust, fornicate, tempt God, and murmur.
The Helper and the Angel of the Lord
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeChrist frequently used 3rd person titles, such as the Son of Man and the Helper. Just as Christ sent the Helper—Himself—so Yahweh sent His Angel—Himself.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.

Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.
The Shepherd of Israel
Sermonette by David C. GrabbePsalm 80 shows that the Shepherd of Israel sat between the Cherubim in the Holy of Holies, showing that Jesus Christ is the God who interacted with Israel.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and Son are separate; the Father is the source of all power, while the Son serves as the channel through which we interface with the Father.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ and God the Father are one in spirit and purpose, purposing to draw us toward that same kind of unity that currently exists between them.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAlthough Christ is not the Absolute Deity, He is nevertheless the complement of the Father. He had a pre-existence as the God of the Old Testament.
John (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle John has provided at least eight separate forms of witness, establishing the veracity of Jesus Christ's identity as God in the flesh.
The Bible's Claims About Itself
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must challenge the Bible to verify its claims, and conversely, we must take up the challenge to put its instructions to the test in our lives.
The Angel and the Apostle
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeHebrews 1-2 establish Christ's superiority over angels, but notably do not mention the Angel of the Lord. Instead, the author handles the Angel differently.
John (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn emphasizes the reality of Jesus as the Logos (a word revealing hidden thought), the manifestation of God in the flesh, emphasizing His preexistence and divinity.
The All-Important Introduction to Revelation
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughSkipping the first chapter of Revelation deprives us of vital information necessary for understanding the rest of the book.