John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
This passage of scripture teaches us in no uncertain terms that Christ existed in eternity, prior to His incarnation on this earth, a sacred truth that must be incorporated into the larger context of the themes of salvation. The reason why this truth is so important is because it reveals the fact the Christ is fully God in the highest sense, and therefore was able to offer His life to save us, something which no created being could do. The Bible teaches us in several different passages that Christ existed in eternity with God The Father, and even though some Christian denominations deny this fact, yet it is plainly stated in the scriptures, not only by the Bible writers, but also by Jesus Christ Himself. Let's read:
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
John 8:56 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? 8 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
The words "I Am" pertain to God and God alone, and they were used by Christ as He spoke with Moses at the burning bush, hundreds of years before His incarnation. When Moses posed the question of what to tell the Hebrews when they would ask for the name of God who sent him, the reply was given by Christ, "Tell them I Am has sent You". And in the New Testament, as Paul was rehearsing the history of the Jews during the years of their sojourn in the wilderness, He refers to Christ as The God who led them during their pilgrimage. The following passages of scripture, when stacked together reveal the unmistakeable truth that Christ is God in the highest sense, and that He existed in eternity with God The Father. Let's read:
Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
1st Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
The reason why this sacred truth is so important to us in our day, is because Jesus in His capacity as God is able to do what only God can do, that is to give us eternal life. Not only this, but He can help us with overcoming all sin by engaging His omnipotent power in our behalf, as we exercise faith and trust in Him. The erroneous theory that teaches its adherents of two different Gods in the Old and New Testaments is totally without merit, for Christ is the God of the Old Testament as well as the New. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms the sacred truth of Christ's preexistence in eternity as God in the highest sense, and as we look forward to His second appearing, let us do so with full assurance, that He is able to save to the uttermost , them that come unto Him by faith. Let's read:
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.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!