I have been doing a lot of research on my own, trying to figure out what the Bible really teaches about God. I tend to believe, much like JWs do, that God the Father of Jesus is an entirely separate and distinct person than Jesus Christ himself. However, it also seems probable to me that Jehovah in the Old Testament is the same person as Jesus (in other words, that Jehovah was Jesus before he was born). I was wondering if any JWs out there could please explain the following similarites between Jehovah and Jesus...
They are both the Savior (Isa 43:3, 43:11, 45:15, 49:26, Hos 13:4, Luke 2:11, John 4:42, Acts 4:12).
They are both the King (Isa 33:22, Zch 14:9, Matt 2:2, 27:11, 25:34, Mark 15:2, Luke 1:32, 23:3, John 1:49, Rev 11:15, 17:14, 19:16)
They are both the Rock that followed Israel in a cloud (Deu 1:32-33, 32:3-4, 1Cor 10:1-4)
***[More to be added, as I have run out of room]***
2007-07-25 09:14:22 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They are both the Judge; note that the Father will not judge us (Deu 32:36, Ps 9:7-8, 96:10-13, Isa 2:4, 33:22, John 5:22, 5:27, 9:39, Acts 10:42)
They both referred to themselves as I AM (Ex 3:14, John 8:58)
They are both the Redeemer (Isa 48:17, 49:7, 41:14, 43:14, Rom 3:24, Eph 1:7, Tit 2:14, Rev 5:9)
They are both the first and the last (Isa 41:4, 44:6, 48:12, Rev 1:11, 1:17, 2:8, 22:13)
They are both the one before which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess (Isa 45:23, Rom 14:11, Philip 2:10-11)
They both will come with all the saints (Zch 14:5, 1Th 3:13, 4:14)
They are both the Creator (2Kings 19:15, Job 38:4, Ps 33:6, Isa 37:16, 40:28, 42:5, 44:24, 45:11-12, John 1:3, 1:10, Eph 3:9, Col 1:16, Heb 1:2)
They are both pierced (Ps 22:16-17, Zch 12:10, John 19:34-37)
They are both priced at 30 pieces of silver (Zch 11:12-13, Matt 26:13-14, 27:3-10)
2007-07-25 09:14:51 · update #1
No, this question is not intended to be negative toward JWs. I apologize if it appears that way. I really like JWs and I think some of their doctrine is really good. I just want to know what their teachings are on these points. If I can't get a satisfactory explanation, then I may give up learning more about them. Honestly, I think that Jehovah may be the same person as Jesus.
2007-07-25 09:31:56 · update #2
The majority of these can be answered by saying that the closeness between Jehovah and Jesus make it to where if something happens to one (usually Jesus), it is as good as happening to the other.
Jehovah created Jesus directly, and thereafter he 'supervised' Jesus as he created everything else. Who is the Creator? It is Jehovah no doubt, but some credit should rightfully go to Jesus for performing the 'dirty work'.
Jehovah loves His son more dearly than any of His other creations. When Jesus was pierced, did Jehovah not feel that pain (like a father sympathizing for his son enduring surgery)?
Jesus died for us in order to save us from sin, but since he did so at Jehovah's bidding, do they not both deserve the title of Savior?
Jehovah established a Kingdom and designated Jesus as the ruling King, but since He is still the Almighty God, does he not still deserve to be called King (over all)?
That's all I got for now, I gotta look this stuff up when I have more time.
2007-07-25 09:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by DwayneWayne 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
You think Jehovah & Jesus MAY be the same? well the scriptures say be SURE of all things,
Here's a few scriptures to show the difference also if Jesus was Jehovah in the old testament it would ve said his name in the Old Testament instead of the other. Gen 1:26 ties in with the Col 1:16 Let US make man in our image.
but here are ones i like to use to show the difference.
1) Luke 2:49 When a boy Jesus said that he would be in the house of my FATHER. (not my own house)
2) There is one thing the Son Jesus dont know that Jehovah God does Matt 24:36..Concerning that day and hour.... If they were the same wouldnt he know if he would be God also??
3) John 8:28 I do nothing of my own initiative but as the FATHER taught me.
4) John 10:36 Jesus told the Jews " YOU blaspheme because "I said I am God's Son..." (he didnt say he was God Almighty, thats what the Jews were trying to trick him on)
5) John 20:17 Jesus said himself out of his own mouth " I am ascending to my Father and Your Father, and Your God and My God.".
Its interesting the bible didnt compare Jesus & God to twin brothers which would more likely seem like an even comparison, but it gave a Simple yet True comparison of God as the Father and his only begotten Son. All of this 3 into one i dont know how they come up with this stuff making it even more complicated seems to me they are going against bible principles when the word TRININTY is no where in the bible just a word man made up.
2007-07-25 20:01:56 · answer #2 · answered by ray_clrk 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you think God is the Father of Jesus, and they are separate and distinct persons, the you should know that Jehovah and Jesus are separate and distinct.
Luke 1:35 In answer the angel said to her: “Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son.
Ps 83:18 That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah,
You alone are the Most High over all the earth.
God Almighty, Most High, only true God are only titles that refer to Jehovah.
.
2007-07-25 18:06:29 · answer #3 · answered by TeeM 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Jesus was created in his father's image so he is very much like his father, only having one parent.
Jesus is also called the word of God because he repeats to humans what his father had told him.
Jesus is king, but his kingship is very limited. Out of the time span of the beginning of creation and the universe which could be millions of years old Jesus is ruler of his father's kingdom for a mere 1,000 years.
As such since Jesus did not rule until after his death and resurrection in the new testament then he is not the same ruler, same being or the same God over Israel in the old testament.
2007-07-25 20:58:32 · answer #4 · answered by keiichi 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You are correct;
Jehovah, YHWH is the God & Father of Jesus.
2 seperate & distinct individuals.
1 in purpose.
O.k. there are 12 Q's here.
But let me get to the heart of the Q's.
The closeness that the 2 share is immeasurable.
Jesus does nothing of his own initiative.
Let's use something, that's closer to us for understanding.....
A man will name his son his own name,
or the dad's 1st name is the child's middle name.
A son will take on characteristics of his dad in many ways, attitude, mannerisms, feelings, thought process, way of speech etc...
So Jesus in like manner is a perfect reflection of his God & Father.
A name or title may be applied to the son, an attribute of the Father.
Human example: have u not seen a parent & child, that the child is a spitting image of 1 of his/ her parent.
1 of mine is a 'close' reflection of me, 20 yrs., ago.
Ppl call her "little Bambi."
Just last nite I was reading; how when Jehovah sent a messenger to a person, that person would call the messenger by Jah's name bc the message & messenger was from Him.
Since it is truth you seek, you should go to ur local Kingdom Hall, speak to a mature Christian brother, he will be more than willing to help you find the answers you seek;
through Scriptures.
I'd like to address each verse you brought out.
Although in this forum, it's to difficult.
I'd have to go & search each 1 out,
read all corresponding Scripture etc...
Jesus is the one who gave his life.
God cannot die.
Jesus did all that was his Father's will.
Through Jesus; God will save mankind.
They are both Saviors.
The cloud was Jesus.
Not Jehovah himself, He never left His throne in heaven....
His Son, was there,hence Jehovah was there.
2007-07-25 20:15:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Jesus prayed to his Father Jehovah in the heaven. Jesus said he cannot do anything without his Father in the heaven. why don't you have a bible study with a Jehovah Witness and they would be happy to answer any or all of your questions. see the website at www.watchtower.org. also there are many on here that slander us who have turned there back on Jehovah or know nothing about us and will tell you lies. as you see from some of the answers here. if is Jehovah the Father, Jesus Christ the son, and Jehovah's Active Force. they are not one and the same. Jesus never said he was God. yes he said you seen me you seen the Father, he was with Jehovah for billions of years before he came to earth. who resurrected Jesus. you cannot resurrect yourself.
2007-07-25 17:28:53 · answer #6 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Jehovah is the father of Jesus you have that right
Jesus came down to the earth as Ransom, Jehovah resurrected Jesus as a spirit back to the heavens. Jehovah created the heavens beforee he created Jesus and befor god created humans. I hope this answers you questen some.
2007-07-25 22:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by away_mama 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Before you believe any information posted on a site like this as representing the beliefs of any religion, I suggest speaking to someone in person. I wouldn't take anything on these sites as trustworthy.
2007-07-25 18:57:30 · answer #8 · answered by whosethatgirl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You'll never figure it out using a bible that has replaced the tetragrammaton YHWH with the word "Lord". Get a New World Translation and read it along with your current bible and you will get the sense of it.
2007-07-25 18:53:06 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
John 17:3, RS: “[Jesus prayed to his Father:] This is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God [“who alone art truly God,” and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (Notice that Jesus referred not to himself but to his Father in heaven as “the only true God.”)
John 20:17 “Jesus said to her [Mary Magdalene], ‘Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (So to the resurrected Jesus, the Father was God, just as the Father was God to Mary Magdalene. Interestingly, not once in Scripture do we find the Father addressing the Son as “my God.”)
1 Cor. 8:5, 6, RS: “Although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (This presents the Father as the “one God” of Christians and as being in a class distinct from Jesus Christ.)
1 Pet. 1:3, RS: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Repeatedly, even following Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the Scriptures refer to the Father as “the God” of Jesus Christ. At John 20:17, following Jesus’ resurrection, he himself spoke of the Father as “my God.” Later, when in heaven, as recorded at Revelation 3:12, he again used the same expression. But never in the Bible is the Father reported to refer to the Son as “my God,” nor does either the Father or the Son refer to the holy spirit as “my God.”)
If Jehovah and Jesus are the same person, why would Jesus say at John 14:28: "The Father is greater than I am"?
If God and Jesus are the same, why does 1 Cor. 11:3 say: "The head of the Christ is God"?
Jehovah and Jesus are entirely different persons.
BTW, can God die?
2007-07-25 16:57:35 · answer #10 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋