Jn. 14:28 reads, "... my Father is greater than I." If Jesus is equal to the Father, as the Trinity definition states, then why did Jesus say His Father was "greater" than He?
ANSWER: Jesus spoke these words after He humbled Himself and became a servant (Phil. 2:5-8). Furthermore, the word "greater" refers to OFFICE or POSITION and not NATURE! God is God because of His "NATURE" (Gal. 4:8). Jesus is saying in Jn. 14:28 that His Father has a "greater" OFFICE or POSITION than He does. This is how the word "greater" is used as clearly seen in Gen 41:40. That verse reads, "You [Joseph] shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I [Pharaoh] be GREATER than you," (NIV). Pharaoh was "greater" than Joseph only by OFFICE or POSITION, but not NATURE. The nature of Pharaoh and Joseph was the same, that is, human being. Similarly, the president of the USA is GREATER than we are, as far as OFFICE or POSITION is concerne
2006-07-04 05:16:54 · 17 answers · asked by Witness4Christ 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
fashizal ill take you on any challenge bring it on j.w
2006-07-04 05:38:53 · update #1
Jesus is not equal to the "father" because he was a common man who lived and died, and had a story book written about him and his overly embellished actions. The "father" is the higher power that controls life. Common man is not equal to a strong unseen force
2006-07-04 05:20:41 · answer #1 · answered by marishka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
2006-07-04 05:21:18 · answer #2 · answered by Damian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Jesus is equal to the father, as the Trinity states, then is he not equal in all ways? Or is he only equal in some things? Is that equality qualified? If Jesus says his father is greater than he in office or position, what office is that? And what position is that? After all, what is God's office? Is it not his Godship? His creatorship? His universal kingship? And if we follow this line of reasoning to its logical conclusion, that means that there are areas where Jesus is not equal to God. For if God holds a position and office greater than Jesus, how can Jesus be God? If Pharaoh is greater than Joseph only with respect to the throne, does that mean that God is greater than Jesus only with respect to God's throne? And if that is so, does that not mean that Jesus' rulership, whatever it is, is inferior to the rulership of God? How is it then, that Jesus is God Almighty?
Moreover, if Jesus is inferior in office and position temporarily, doesn't that mean that at one time or another, Jesus was inferior to God? And if that is so, doesn't that mean that since Jesus became inferior to God in position and office, there was a time when Jesus was not God? But when was God ever NOT God? When did he ever give up his office or position? When has God ever given up his Godship?
2006-07-04 05:35:35 · answer #3 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You forgot a few verses. Ps 2:7 where God is talking to Michael (who is Jesus), and Rev 3:14 where Jesus tells us that He is the beginning of the Creation of God. John 20:17. God (who is the Father) is Jesus's GOD. You can not be someones God and be God yourself. You may be equal in power (Mat 11:27; Dan 7:13,14; Luke 1:32; 10:22; John 3:35; 5:22; 13:3; 17:3; Acts 2:36; etc.) but that does not make you the one that in charge, you are you fathers son, but that does not make you your father. If you can prove that you are your own father, then maybe you might be able to begin to convince me that Jesus is the God, the Almighty, the Ancient of days, MY MAKER!
2006-07-04 05:45:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many Christians seem to believe so today. In many opinions, it would seem that Jesus is the Father himself. The only thing is I don't see how anyone w/ a rational, logical outlook can say this is true. Jesus prayed to the Father. He couldn't have been praying to himself, could he? I think that Christians have become overly fixated on Jesus Christ and declared him a God when his intention was to bring people to God. That's part of the reason why he stated that no one could come to the Father but by him (I also believe that there he spoke metaphorically and was specifically referring to truth and light being the way to God, not just Christianity or any one particular religion. i.e. there are many vehicles [religions] but only one path that leads to God) I don't think that even he thought he was God's equal.
2006-07-04 05:34:47 · answer #5 · answered by Ξ▼Ξ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus also said, "I and and my Father are one." in John 10:30
Why would the Father be greater?
it is because when Father Jehovah took on the cloak of a human, He limited Himself to the abilities of a human.
Yet He is omnipresent and still existed in the ability to operate as the Spirit of God, unbound.
So He as flesh was limited, yet as Father Jehovah He was unlimited.
I have attempted my feeble explanation. There are no words that a human can express which would explain the things of faith. Faith comes by hearing and that is when you hear His Voice speak to you. Nothing can take that away, ever.
Anything outside of that is carnal knowledge, not matter how religious it looks. Though a mortal may attempt to explain, it cannot be understood except God opens your understanding.
But you have answered your own question so why am I here?
2006-07-04 05:32:01 · answer #6 · answered by nsgrace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This can be answered in two different ways with two opposing answers...according to the Trinity, yes they are equal...but when Jesus lived on Earth as a lowly sinning human being, His Father was Greater than He because He still resided in Heaven. Jesus and His Father are now equals over all of us, but at one time, His Father was Greater.
Take care, and God bless!
Melissa
2006-07-04 05:23:00 · answer #7 · answered by whooblue42 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus, at no time in his life, EVER made himself equal to God. Appropriately, he always acknowledged that his God and Father were superior to him, thus making a very clear distinction between Jesus and Almighty God: they are NOT one and the same. The teaching of the trinity is an outright lie, a falsehood that dishonors both God and Christ, and is a lie that spiritually blinds millions (or billions) today worldwide.
2006-07-04 05:22:43 · answer #8 · answered by X 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All things were created by Jesus and for Jesus Col 1:17
2016-03-30 18:24:14 · answer #9 · answered by Judy G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is the father son so he is not equal to the father. But to your question on the trinity. I believe and was taught that the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost work as one, and that is what the definition meant they are one.
2006-07-04 05:34:20 · answer #10 · answered by Child_of_ God 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋