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Jesus' Pre-Existence
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughMany fail to acknowledge the preexistence of Jesus Christ as the God of the Old Testament and the Word in prehistory. Some hold a narrow view of monotheism, citing Deuteronomy 6:4 to argue there is only one God, one person, thus excluding Jesus Christ from divinity. Others believe He was a created being, merely human and unworthy of being God, misinterpreting Revelation 3:14 where He calls Himself the Beginning of the creation of God. However, this phrase, correctly understood from the Greek word "archee," means the Beginner or Author of God's creation, indicating He is the Source of all that exists. Scriptural evidence affirms this truth. Colossians 1:15-17 reveals that all things were created through Him, establishing Him as the Creator, not a created being. Ephesians 3:9 and Hebrews 1:2 further confirm that God made the worlds through Him, proving He existed before His human birth with a timeless, infinite preexistence. Hebrews 7:1-3 describes Melchizedek, a priest-king without genealogy, beginning, or end, likened to the Son of God, suggesting He was the preexistent Christ, the King of righteousness and peace. John 1:1-5 declares that Jesus, as the Word, was with God and was God from the beginning, possessing self-sustaining life and giving both physical and spiritual life to humanity. Revelation 19 and I John 1:1-2 reinforce this eternal existence, identifying Him as the Word of Life who was with the Father forever. John 1:18 states that He has seen God, a feat possible only in His preexistent state, as no human can see God and live. John 3:12-13 and 3:31-32 affirm that He came from heaven, having firsthand knowledge of heavenly things, which He taught on earth. Jesus Himself testifies to His preexistence. In Luke 10:18, He declares He saw satan fall like lightning from heaven, indicating He was present and active during that rebellion, showcasing His divine power. In John 6:45-46, He claims to have seen the Father, a statement possible only as a preexistent God being. John 8:52-57 records Him stating that Abraham rejoiced to see His day, asserting His existence before Abraham as the I AM, identifying Himself as the God of the Old Testament. Throughout John, His "I am" statements—such as the bread of life, the door, and the light of the world—connect to the divine name Yahweh, affirming His preexistent divinity. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, recalling His long history with Israel as the Lord who led them out of Egypt and guided them through centuries, revealing personal memories of His preexistent role. Paul in his writings also identifies the Being who was with Israel in the wilderness as the same One who became our Savior, Jesus Christ. Finally, in Revelation 22, He reaffirms His identity as the Ever-Living One, the Creator from the beginning, and the God of the Old Testament, bearing titles only God can claim.
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 Is God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ is the Word, by whom the world was created. He has always interfaced between mankind and the Father, having primacy as our Lord, Master, and Ruler.
Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)John identifies Christ as co-eternal with the Father, equal in character, but subordinate in authority. Christ's sonship was unique; He was the 'only Begotten Son.'
Hebrews (Part Four): Who Was Jesus?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ was not just an extraordinary man, but also possessed the massive intellect needed to create, design and implementing all manner of life—He was God.
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.
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.
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.
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.
God the Father in the Old Testament
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Hebrew Scriptures reveal the existence of the Father. Deuteronomy 6:4 refers to God as one, signifying unity of purpose and identical character.
Then Comes the End
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeChrist's return marks the beginning of the end of mankind's problems. However, His return will not be the final end, which comes when God is all in all.
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.
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.
In The Likeness of Men!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus was subjected to the same experiences as the rest of us, having the appearance, experiences, the capability of receiving injury and suffering temptation.
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.
John (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEven many extra-biblical sources such as Tacitus, Seconius, Justin Martyr, Pliny, and Josephus corroborate and validate the biblical accounts of Jesus.
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.
John (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
Defining Logos (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe 'word of the Lord' came (appeared) to Abraham, suggesting that the Word (dabar, the Hebrew equivalent of logos) is a Being, the 'Lord God.'