Jesus Christ holds real positional authority, yet He remains subordinate to God the Father, the Absolute Deity. He always referred to Himself as One sent by the Father, speaking not His own words but those the Father commanded, establishing the Father's superior rank. As the Messiah, He is Savior, Teacher, elder Brother, Head of the church, and King, given all authority in heaven and earth. Through Him, the Word, all things were made and are sustained. Though equal to the Father in nature, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and submitted perfectly to the Father's will. His authority, demonstrated over the sea and in His teaching, is delegated, for the head of Christ is God, whom He flawlessly represents.

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The Last Words of Jesus Christ

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ's positional authority is evident in His unique relationship with God the Father and His role in the divine order. He always referred to Himself as One sent by the Father, establishing without doubt who held the greater authority. He declared that the words He spoke were not His own but came from the Father who sent Him, giving Him a commandment regarding what He should say and speak. The One who gives the orders and sends another is in a superior position to the One who is sent and obeys those orders. Thus, the line of authority was clear: God the Father held the superior position, followed by Jesus Christ in the chain of command. His authority was also recognized by the people, who were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, unlike the scribes. Even the educated elite were shocked at His depth of learning and wisdom, despite Him not being perceived as an intellectual, influential political leader, or established religious scholar. He seemed to come out of nowhere, yet His knowledge and philosophy impressed many, though they were not willing to change themselves. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated His authority over natural elements, as seen when He commanded the raging sea to be still, exercising a power similar to that displayed in the original taming of the waters. His disciples marveled, asking, "Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!" This act underscored His extraordinary authority, setting Him apart from ordinary men.

Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus Christ holds a unique and unparalleled positional authority, as He is the Messiah, born of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. Through His ministry within God's purpose, He became our Savior, our Teacher, our elder Brother, the Head of the church, and King to whom all authority in heaven and earth has been given. No other being who has ever lived has been bestowed with such titles in one comprehensive role. His authority is further evidenced by His role as the Word, the creative energy of the universe, through whom all things were made and are sustained. He upholds, preserves, and sustains the creation, keeping it functioning as He designed, demonstrating an immense power that continues to this day. His positional authority is also reflected in His unoriginated relationship with the Father, sharing the same character and deity, yet distinct in personality, with neither being inferior to the Other. This authority underscores the significance of the New Covenant, as He was sent by God Himself to carry out this responsibility, highlighting His critical role in the expansion of God's Family.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ occupies a position of authority that is real and significant, yet always subordinate to the Absolute Deity, His Father. This positional authority is established through the biblical distinction between two personalities in the Godhead who share the same divine nature but not the same rank or function. Though equal to God in kind, Christ emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave rather than clinging to equality with the Father. Christ Himself confirmed this hierarchy both while in the flesh and after His resurrection, declaring that He has a God who is His Father, thereby affirming that even in His glorified state He remains subordinate to the One who is supreme. This relationship is neither Trinitarian nor Ditheistic. The Son is not part of a co-equal Godhead structure; rather, the Father alone is the Head, and Christ Himself submits to that headship, as Paul affirms when stating that the head of Christ is God. This order reflects a governing principle seen throughout creation: there can be only one Head, for multiple heads produce confusion. The Father and Son are equal in nature, being of the same God-kind, but unequal in function and responsibility—one holds ultimate authority, and the other operates in submission to that authority. Christ's positional authority, though real, is delegated and limited by the Father. Ephesians 1 shows that God raised Christ, seated Him at His own right hand, and appointed Him head over all things to the church, granting Him headship specifically for the benefit of the church, His body. This authority did not originate with Christ independently but was given to Him by the Father, who remains the ultimate Source of every blessing. The principle that "the less is blessed of the better" further illustrates this order, showing that Christ, though highly exalted, receives His authority and blessing from the Father, who is greater. Christ's assignment on earth exemplifies this submissive positional authority. He came not to establish His own will but to do the Father's will completely, fulfilling tasks such as preaching the gospel, bearing witness to God, providing an example for His followers, and ultimately dying for the sins of the world. His glory is revealed not in occupying the highest position but in His perfect obedience and submission to the One who holds that position. Christ's role is further clarified through the concept of divine nature rather than a triune Godhead. Correcting mistranslations such as "Godhead," the material shows that Christ perfectly expressed the divine nature of the Father in bodily form, functioning as the complete complement of the Father—filling up and perfecting the revelation of the invisible Absolute Deity. Because humanity cannot see or hear the Father directly, Christ was appointed to reveal Him fully, doing so with such perfection that He could be mistaken for the Father Himself. Yet Christ Himself denied being self-revelatory, affirming that the Father is greater, that the Father sent Him, and that seeing Him means seeing the Father by representation, not identity. Thus, Christ's positional authority is defined by delegated headship, perfect submission, and flawless representation of the Father's nature, forming the pattern believers must follow in their own submission to God's purpose.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Father is the source of everything and the Son is the channel through which He carries out His purpose. Jesus declared that the Father is superior to Him.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Christ Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus 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. Ritenbaugh

Although 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.

All in All (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The end of the sanctification process is when Christ will have defeated all enemies and put all things under His feet. Then, God the Father will be all in all.

Of Freedom and Independence

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Ideas of independence apart from God emanate from carnal human nature which is aligned to the rebellious mind of Satan.

Power Belongs to God (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Human 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.

Principles of Church Leadership

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major responsibility for the fracturing of the WCG rested with the leadership, based on a philosophy of authoritarianism Christ warned against.

Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.

Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews' audience consisted of converts from Judaism, suffering estrangement from family and community, excommunicated from the temple.

Power Belongs to God (Part 2)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We may be going through a period of hopelessness, but must believe that all things work together for those who believe and are called for His purpose.