Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Eternal

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Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine of the eternal nature of Christ is a foundational tenet of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is not a created being but has existed eternally as God. This belief is rooted in various scriptural passages that highlight His divine nature and eternal existence.

Scriptural Foundations

1. John 1:1-3: The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration of Christ's eternal existence and divine nature: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as pre-existent and co-eternal with God, participating in the creation of all things.

2. Colossians 1:16-17: The Apostle Paul emphasizes Christ's role in creation and His preeminence over all things: "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This text underscores Christ's eternal nature and His sustaining power over the universe.

3. Hebrews 1:10-12: The author of Hebrews attributes eternal characteristics to Christ, quoting from the Psalms: "And: 'In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.'" This passage affirms the unchanging and eternal nature of Christ.

4. Revelation 1:8: In the book of Revelation, Christ is identified with the eternal God: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and was and is to come—the Almighty." This title, "Alpha and Omega," signifies the eternal existence of Christ, encompassing all of time and creation.

Theological Implications

The eternal nature of Christ is integral to understanding His divinity and His role in the Godhead. As the second person of the Trinity, Christ's eternal existence affirms His equality with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This eternal nature is essential for the efficacy of His redemptive work, as only an eternal God could provide a sacrifice sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity.

Historical Affirmation

Throughout church history, the eternal nature of Christ has been affirmed by various creeds and councils. The Nicene Creed, formulated in AD 325, explicitly states that Christ is "begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father," underscoring His eternal and divine nature. This creed was a response to early heresies that denied the full divinity and eternal existence of Christ.

Conclusion

The eternal nature of Christ is a cornerstone of Christian belief, affirming His divinity and His role in the creation and sustenance of the universe. Through scriptural testimony and historical affirmation, the church has consistently upheld the truth that Christ is God, existing eternally with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
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Hebrews 1:8-10
But to the Son he said, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.
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Revelation 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Our believing has eternal meaning when it becomes ... truth, or the truthfulness of God
or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

2424. Iesous -- Jesus or Joshua, the name of the Messiah, also ...
... is His name, as the incarnate, eternal Son of God (Mt 1:21,25, see also Lk 1:31) --
the Christ, the divine Messiah (the second Person of the holy Trinity). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2424.htm - 7k

1345. dikaioma -- an ordinance, a sentence of acquittal or ...
... judicially-approved act") -- properly, an act God , focusing on ... which correlates
to its profound (eternal) effect ... relates to their awarded at Christ's return (cf ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1345.htm - 8k

Library

Jesus Christ is True and Eternal God...
... Article X Jesus Christ Is TRUE and Eternal God? Jesus Christ Is True and
Eternal God We believe that Jesus Christ according to ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article x jesus christ is.htm

The Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby
... gospel is that whosoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish, but have
eternal life. ... promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the death of christ and.htm

God in Christ
... as have eternal life, in the day when Christ the Lord of life shall have destroyed
death, and put all enemies under his feet, and given up the kingdom to God, ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon i god in christ.htm

Rejection of Errors
... 7. Who teach: That Christ neither could die, nor needed to die, and also did not
die, for those whom God loved in the highest degree and elected to eternal life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors 2.htm

Rejection of Errors
... contradict the Scriptures, which declare that God will not ... grant in time, both faith
in Christ and perseverance ... all who were appointed for eternal life believed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm

A Divine Saviour.
... us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is
true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.". ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter v a divine saviour.htm

A Pressed Man Yielding to Christ
... enters the heart of man, and therefore the Lord Jesus Christ himself begins ... the
believing or the non-believing on the Son of God, the eternal destiny of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/a pressed man yielding to.htm

The Person and Work of the Substitute
... labor and pray, and use the means;" - that is, law, not gospel: - but Christ has
done all ... "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter vi the person and.htm

The vision of God.
... Were not the Promiser. God the Eternal! For I know it, I feel it,. ... Dwells in the
Man. Jesus Christ. Even then, when one of the beams from God to our world. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the vision of god.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... The Forty-Ninth Chapter: The Desire of Eternal Life; the ... The Fifty-Third Chapter:
God's Grace Is Not Given ... to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/