Did Christ have a pre-existence? Or did He first come into being at His human birth?

Question

This is based on the Christian Bible. Is there considerable Biblical evidence that Christ did have a pre-existence? What are some prophecies? Was Jesus from Heaven first or was He born on earth? I believe He came from Heaven.

Answer 1

Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. And to really understand this takes time and a lot of prayer. God has always been God. As I was taught, He is God in three persons.

God the Father is all seeing, all knowing, and he resides in heaven and looks out for us on Earth.

God the Son is Jesus, whom God sent into the world to save us; to die for our sins. And now he is back in heaven "at the right hand of the Father." Jesus always existed, but he is the one who came to Earth to live, as a human, a "blameless life" so that we could all be saved.

God the Holy Spirit, is the presence of God on Earth. He is the one who gives us the power to fight the devil and work miracles in His name. When you read in the Bible, "the Spirit came upon him in power" this is who they are talking about. Now, I am very careful here to say 'who' and not 'what' because they Holy Spirit is not a 'force' that is directed by God and used by us, but God Himself who is with us and for us everyday.

So more to the point of your question, the word "prophecy" doesn't really apply. Jesus was there at the beginning, and he will be there at the end.

I don't really want to limit your search here. So instead of referring you to specific verses, I would advise you to grab your Bible and go see a pastor about this. This could be the start of something new and wonderful for you. Give the pastor a call! :)

Answer 2

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men;
Joh 1:5 and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

Christ is called the "Word" here, it is very clear from this passage that Christ existed prior to his human birth.

Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came to be, I AM!

Here, He claims deity, the term I AM is the name used by God in Exodus. It means the all encompassing One, the self-sufficient One. He is saying that before Abraham even existed, He existed.

There are also many appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament.
Gen. 3:8
Gen. 32:24 - 30
Dan. 3:24 & 25

Answer 3

You could very well find Eternal Lives by JJ Dewey an interesting read. In it he quotes the Bible and Mormon Doctrine to show numerous mentions of reincarnation, including previous lives for Jesus. If you view the Bible as 'considerable evidence' you'll certainly find food for thought.

Answer 4

You might be interested in doing research into theophanies and Christophanies. These are appearances of God in the Old Testament.

I am not an expert on these or else I would list references, but I am sure you can find plenty if you Google it.

Answer 5

Here's just one prophecy about Jesus being eternal.

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

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Here's another passage about Jesus quoted in the New Testament.

Psalms 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

The difference in wording comes from the NT author quoting from the Septuagint, the Greek tanslation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Answer 6

All things where made by the Word of God (Jn.1:1-3 below), the Word of God who was made flesh and dwelt among us (Jn.1:14 below), Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

The Word in the Beginning (Jn.1:1-3 below), at His Birth (Jn.1:14, Re.12:5, Matt.1:21 below), and at the battle of Armageddon (Re.19:13, 15 below).

In the Beginning

Jn.1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn.1:14).

Jn.1:2 The same (Word of God) was in the beginning WITH God (Jn.1:1 above).

Jn.1:3 All things were made by him (the Word of God); and without him was not any thing made that was made.


The Birth of the Word of God/Jesus

Jn 1:14 And the Word (Jn.1:1-3 above) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Re.12:5 And she brought forth a man child (Jn.1:14 above, Matt.1:21 below), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron (Re.19:15 below): and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.

Matt.1:21 And she shall bring forth a son (Re.12:5 above)., and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.


The Word of God at the battle of Armageddon

Re.19:13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God (Jn.1:1-2, Jn.1:14 above).

Re.19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron (Re.12:5 above): and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.


Pat (ndbpsa ©)

Answer 7

John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(1:2)He was with God in the beginning.