The Son of God
Created-3fold witness
Posted by Wrench in the Works wrench@visto.com on November 27, 1999 at 09:29:28:
THE
SON OF GOD CREATED-A THREEFOLD WITNESS
"At the mouth of two witnesses or of three every matter must be
established."-
REVELATION 3:14:
(ASV) And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things saith the
Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
(KJV)And
unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: these things saith the
Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
Concerning
the phrase "the beginning of the creation of God". Here
we have 'arche' followed by a genitive phrase "of the creation". The
words “of” or “of the” is characteristic of genitive phrases.Greek has five
cases—nominative, genitive, dative, accusative and vocative. How a word is
spelled can vary depending on the case in which it is used. In Greek as well as
in English the genitive case can mean a number of different relations or
connections that the word in the genitive case has to the person or thing that
it modifies.
Wherever
in scripture, both the NT and the Septuagint OT, arche is followed by a
genitive phrase "of the ...", that which is called the
"arche" is a always a member of the group referred to in the genitive
phrase.
Examples:
Gen. 10:10
And the beginning (arche) of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and
Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Babel,
Erech, Accad and Calneh were PART, the first part of Nimrod's kingdom.
Gen.
49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my
strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Rueben
was the beginning, the first one of Jacob's generative strength.
Deuteronomy
11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the
LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year
even unto the end of the year.
The
beginning of the year was PART, the first part of the year.
Deuteronomy
21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by
giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the
beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
The
firstborn was the beginning, the first one of his generative strength.
Ruth
1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law,
with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they
came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
The
beginning was the first PART of the harvest.
2
Samuel 21:9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they
hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven
together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first
days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
21:10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for
her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water
dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of
the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
The
beginning was the first PART of the harvest.
2
Kings 17:25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they
feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them,
which slew some of them.
The
beginning was the first PART of their dwelling.
Daniel
9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came
forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved:
therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
The
beginning was the first PART of the supplication.
Matthew
24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The
beginning was the first PART of the sorrows.
Matthew
24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
The
beginning was the first PART of the world.
Mark
1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
The beginning was the first PART of the gospel according to Mark.
Mark
10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and
female.
The
beginning was PART of the creation, the first part.
Mark13:8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be
famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
The
beginning was the first part of the sorrows.
Mark
13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the
beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither
shall be.
The
beginning was the first part of creation.
John
2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and
manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
The
beginning was the FIRST miracle., therefore AMONG the miracles of Jesus.
Phillipians
4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel,
when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with
me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
The
beginning was the first PART of the gospel.
Hebrews
3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of
our confidence stedfast unto the end;
The
beginning of their confidence was PART of their confidence.
2
Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation.
The
beginning was the first PART of creation.
***These
examples clearly demonstrate the manner in which the phrase "beginning of
the creation" at Revelation 3:14 should be understood. As in all the other
Biblical examples the "arche" is a part "of the ...". This
therefore establishes Christ as a PART, the FIRST part of the creation of God.
Trinitarians
have tried to defend their position in Revelation 3:14 by claiming that
"arche" can take the meaning of "ruler". Therefore making
Christ the ruler of creation.
Although
"arche" can mean ruler, it must be noted that the Apostle John NEVER
uses "arche" in this manner. He consistently uses "arche"
in the sense of "beginning".
It
should be noted as well that among the times "arche" is used to
designate "ruler" in the NT (which numbers 11 times), 10 of those
occurences the word appears in the plural or is signified to be understood as a
plural by the word "every" or "all" along with it. The 11th
time (Luke 20:20) it is used in a 'genitive' phrase and is a PART of that which
is signified by the genitive.
Any
word study in the Greek will clearly verify what has been stated here.
Trinitarians
have also tried to claim that the word "arche" can mean
"source" or "cause".
This
claim however can not be substantiated in the Septuagint or NT. There are no
examples (outside of our verse under discussion) within the scriptures where
"arche" means "cause" or "source". As well, one
should keep in mind, again, that John NEVER used "arche" except in
the sense of "beginning". When John and the other Bible writers
wanted to say "ruler" they used the word "archon". When
they wanted to say "source" or "cause" or
"author" they used "rhiza" or "aitios". They
NEVER used "arche" in the sense of "author" or
"source".
What
this leaves us with is a preponderance of evidence that funnels down to the
conclusion that the Apostle John reckoned Jesus Christ to be a "creation”
of God.
COLOSSIANS 1:15:
(KJV) 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature:
1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are
in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him:
(ASV)15
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in
him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible
and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things have been created through him, and unto him;
The
phrase “firstborn of all creation” is the word “prototokos” followed by a
genitive phrase. The words “of” or “of the” are characteristic of genitive
phrases.
Wherever
in scripture, the Septuagint or the NT, that “prototokos” is followed by a
genitive phrase, the “prototokos” is among the group or class of things
signified in the genitive. For example:
Genesis
4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the
fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his
offering:
The
‘firstlings’ (plural of prototokos) were a part of the flock, the first ones
born.
Exodus 11:5
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first
born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the
firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the
firstborn of beasts.
In
each case the “firstborn” was the one born first of the groups mentioned,
therefore being a part of the group or class.
Exodus 12:29
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the
firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that
sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the
dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
The
result is the same as Exodus 11:5
Exodus 13:15
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the
LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the
firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to
the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the
firstborn of my children I redeem.
The
same result occurs again.
Exodus
22:29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy
liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
The
firstborn is a son among the sons.
Exodus
34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if
thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the
firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear
before me empty.
The
firstling and the firstborn (both prototokos) are among the group.
Numbers
3:40 And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the
males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and
take the number of their names.
The
firstborn was a male.
Numbers
3:46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and
threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel,
which are more than the Levites;
The
firstborn was a child of Israel.
Numbers
3:50 Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a
thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the
shekel of the sanctuary:
The
firstborn was a child of Israel
Numbers
8:16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of
Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the
firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me.
8:17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and
beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt
I sanctified them for myself.
8:18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of
Israel.
The
firtborn were children of Israel.
Numbers
18:15 Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring
unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine:
nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the
firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
The
firstborn was a man as was the firstling a beast.
Joshua 17:1
There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the
firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh,
the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had
Gilead and Bashan.
The
firstborn belong to the same class as Joseph and Manasseh. They are all human.
1
Chronicles 1:29 These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael,
Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
The
firstborn of Ishmael was human as was Ishmael.
1
Chronicles 2:3 The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were
born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the
firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew
him.
Judah’s
firstborn was a human as was Judah.
1
Chronicles 2:25 And the sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were, Ram the
firstborn, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, and Ahijah.
Same
as above.
1
Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and
Jamin, and Eker.
Same
as above.
Nehemiah
10:36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in
the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to
the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of
our God:
The
firstborns were all of the same groups.
Psalm
135:8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
The
firstborn belonged to the group.
***Never once, when the firstborn occurs with the genitive, is it not a part of
the same group or class as the genitive noun that follows. What then are we to
conclude from Colossians 1:15?
An
appeal is made that “prototokos” does not always mean the first one born but
can refer to the “pre-eminent” one. This contention in itself is debatable, but
for the sake of argument, let us say that it can mean “pre-eminent”. The one
who is pre-eminent holds the “first place”. Does that in anyway remove it from
the group of things referenced in the genitive? No. For if I tell you, that you
are the pre-eminent of all men, are you in anyway removed from the class of
men? No.
Once
again, the evidence filters down to the conclusion that the Apostle Paul
reckoned Christ to be among “creation”.
PROVERBS
8:22:
8:22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his
works of old.
Much
of the following information will focus on the word translated here as “possessed”.
It is the Hebrew word “qanah”.
Let
us first see how this word is used in the Hebrew before going further.
“Qanah”
has the basic meaning to “acquire” something, either through buying or receiving
or through creation. It “always” refers to something that was not always “possessed”
without having “acquired” it. In other words, if you “qanah” something, there
was a time when you did not have it.
For
example:
The
following passages translate in the KJV, the word “qanah” as buy, bought or
buyer.
Gen.
25:10
33:19
39:1
47:19,22,23
49:30
50:13
Exodus 15:16
21:2
Leviticus 22:11
25: 15,28,30,44,45,50
27:24
Deuteronomy 28:68
32:6
Joshua 24:32
Ruth 4:4,5,9,10
2 Samuel 12:3
24:24
1 Kings 16:24
2 Kings 22:6
1 Chron. 21:24
Nehemiah 5:16
Proverbs 20:14
Ecclesiastes 2:7
Isaiah 24:2
43:24
Jeremiah 13:2,4
32:7,8,9,,15,25,43,44
Ezekiel 7:12
Zechariah 11:5
13:5
The
following places render “qanah” as obtain, gained, get or gotten.
Gen
4:1
It is rendered as “cause” at Ezekiel 8:3
Psalms 74:2
78:54
Proverbs 1:5
4:5,7
15:3
16:16
17:16
18:5, 22
23:23
Isaiah 11:11
It
is “redeemed” at Nehemiah 5:8
It
is rendered “possessed’ or “possessor” at:
Genesis 14:19, 22
Psalm 139:13
One
can see from those two places that what was “qanah” was not always possessed
but was acquired in some fashion.
***Other
than Proverbs 8:22, what has been given, is every place that the word “qanah”
occurs in the Hebrew text according to THE BIBLE LIBRARAY 3.1 CDROM.
Therefore,
what is spoken of at Proverbs 8:22 can NOT be the “quality” of wisdom, for it
should be apparent to anyone who is a believer in the Almighty God, that he did
not have to “acquire” the quality of wisdom, but ALWAYS POSSESSED it. The
wisdom that was “qanah” in Proverbs 8:22 is one that HAD TO BE OBTAINED in some
fashion according to the consistent meaning of the word.
Therefore,
the question arises. What is the “wisdom” that was acquired by God before the
earth was made according to the context, who was with God as a workman by his
side as the later verses reveal?
Who
do many commentators among the Trinitarians view “Wisdom” to be at this place
in scripture? Who did the early church, ante-nicene fathers view “wisdom” to be
in this passage?
Please
consider the following:
Gray Home Bible Commentary
Citation: PROVERBS CHAPTERS 8-9
Chapter
Headings: INTRODUCTION
Headings:
The Redeemer Anticipating Redemption
Text:
The heading of this paragraph expresses Arnot's conception of
the latter part of the chapter, who says that, "if the terms
are not applied to Christ they must be strained at every
turn." Of course in a book written by Solomon it could not be
said that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and died upon the
cross, but if the Holy Sprit wished to make known something
of the personal history of Christ before His coming, how
could He have done so in plainer terms than these? Quoting
the same in verses 30 and 31: "There three things are set in
the order of the everlasting covenant: (1), the Father well
pleased with His Beloved, 'I was daily His delight;' (2) the
Son delighting in the Father's presence, 'rejoicing always
before Him;' (3), the Son looking with prospective delight to
the scene and subjects of His redemptive work, 'rejoicing in
the habitable part of a His earth; and my delights were with
the sons of men.'"
Gray
Home Bible Commentary
Citation:
PROVERBS CHAPTERS 8-9
Chapter
Headings: INTRODUCTION
Text:
In these chapters we have a public discourse of Wisdom
(personified) (c. 8), and what Lange describes as an
allegorical exhibition of the call of men to a choice of
wisdom or folly, (c. 9). It is really our Lord Jesus Christ
putting forth this voice (8:1), and crying unto men at the
gates of the city (vv. 4, 5). It is He who speaks the
excellent things (v.6), and on whose lips wickedness is an
abomination (v. 7). Of Him alone can it be predicted that
there is nothing crooked (forward) in His mouth (v. 8), or to
be desired in comparison with Him (v. 10-18). It is He whose
fruit is better than gold and who fills our treasuries (vv.
19-21). Were there any doubt of this identity would it not be
removed by the remainder of the chapter? Who was set up from
everlasting (v. 23)? Or, who was daily God's delight (v. 30)?
And of whom can it be said that to find Him finds life (v.
35)?
Matthew
Henry Concise Commentary
Citation: PROVERBS 8
Synopsis:
Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men. (1-11) | The nature and
riches of Wisdom. (12-21) | Christ one with the Father, in the
creation of the world, and rejoicing in his work for the salvation of
man. (22-31) | Exhortations to hear Christ's word. (32-36)
Text:
Ver. 1-11 The will of God is made known by the works of creation,
and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the
prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend to
instruction. Yet attention to the words of Christ, will guide the
most ignorant into saving knowledge of the truth. Where there is an
understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in
love,wisdom is valued above silver and gold.
12-21 Wisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not
only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence
and skill are from the Lord. Through the redemption of Christ's
precious blood, the riches of his grace abound in all wisdom and
prudence. Man found out many inventions for ruin; God found one for
our recovery. He hates pride and arrogance, evil ways and froward
conversation; these render men unwilling to hear his humbling,
awakening, holy instructions. True religion gives men the best
counsel in all difficult cases, and helps to make their way plain.
His wisdom makes all truly happy who receive it in the love of Christ
Jesus. Seek him early, seek him earnestly, seek him before any thing
else. Christ never said, Seek in vain. Those who love Christ, are
such as have seen his loveliness, and have had his love shed abroad
in their hearts; therefore they are happy. They shall be happy in
this world, or in that which isbeyond compare better. Wealth gotten
by vanity will soon be diminished, but that which is well got, will
wear well; and that which is well spent upon works of piety and
charity, will be lasting. If they have not riches and honour in this
world, they shall have that which is infinitely better. They shall be
happy in the grace of God. Christ, by his Spirit, guides believers
into all truth, and so leads them in the way of righteousness; and
they walk after the Spirit. Also, they shall be happy in the glory of
God hereafter. In Wisdom's promises, believers have goods laid up,
not for days and years, but for eternity; her fruit therefore is
better than gold.
22-31 The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the
creation of the world. How able, how fit is the Son of God to be the
Saviour of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was
ordained, before the world, to that great work. Does he delight in
saving wretched sinners, and shall not we delight in his salvation?
32-36 Surely we should hearken to Christ's voice with the readiness
of children. Let us all be wise, and not refuse such mercy. Blessed
are those who hear the Saviour's voice, and wait on him with daily
reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of the world find time
for vain amusements, without neglecting what they deem the one thing
needful. Does it not show contempt of Wisdom's instructions, when
people professing godliness, seek excuses for neglecting the means of
grace? Christ is Wisdom, and he is Life to all believers; nor can we
obtain God's favour, unless we find Christ, and are found in him.
Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the
soul. Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wise,
wisdom
a
moral rather than an intellectual quality. To be "foolish" is to be
godless (Ps. 14:1; comp. Judg. 19:23; 2 Sam. 13:13). True wisdom
is a gift from God to those who ask it (Job 28:12-28; Prov. 3:13-18;
Rom. 1:22; 16:27; 1 Cor. 1:17-21; 2:6-8; James 1:5). "Wisdom" in
Prov. 1:20; 8:1; 9:1-5 may be regarded not as a mere personification
of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person, "Christ the power
of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:24). In Matt. 11:19 it is the
personified principle of wisdom that is meant.
Wesley's
Explanatory Notes
Proverbs
Chapter 8
Pr
8:1
A recommendation of Divine wisdom, ver. 1-21.
The praise of the Son of God, the eternal Wisdom of the Father,
ver. 22-31.
An exhortation to hearken to him, ver. 32-36.
V. 1. Wisdom -It is a great question what this wisdom is. Some
understand it of the Divine wisdom; others of the second person in the
Godhead: and it cannot be denied that some passages best agree to the
former, and others to the latter opinion. Possibly both may be joined
together, and the chapter may be understood of Christ considered partly
in his personal capacity, and partly in regard of his office, which was
to impart the mind and will of God to mankind.
Geneva
Study Bible
Proverbs
Chapter 8
Pr 8:22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, k before his works of old.
(k)
He declares by this the divinity and eternity of this wisdom, which he
magnifies and praises through this book: meaning by this the eternal Son of
God,
Jesus Christ our Saviour, whom John calls the Word that was in the beginning.
John 1:1.
The Liberty Bible Commentator
Contributions of 15 Baptist theologians, Jerry Falweell, Executive Editor
In
the Proverbs Introduction, paragraph 6
“The
description of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-31 leads to the conclusion that Jesus
Christ is the ultimate embodiment of the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1:24,30) Wisdom
is eternal (8:22-26), the Creator of all things (8:27-29) and the Beloved of
God (8:30-31), (see John 1:1-2; Col. 1:15-19)”
The
footnote of the NAB at Proverbs 8:22 identifies Wisdom with Christ.
The
footnote of the Jerusalem Bible at Proverbs 8:22 identifies Wisdom with Christ.
The
Scofield reference Bible at Proverbs 8:22 identifies Wisdom with Christ
The
New Bible Commentary at Proverbs 8 identifies Wisdom with Christ.
The above Trinitarians, although not recognizing the consequences of their
conclusions, agree that the “wisdom” of Proverbs 8:22 is Jesus Christ in his
pre-human existence in heaven as the Son of God.
As
well, nearly every ante-nicene father applied the words of Proverbs 8 to Jesus
Christ. One is hard pressed to find one, if any, who doesn’t. Even Athanasius
himself knew the words to apply to Christ.
Those
facts, coupled with that the fact the Greek scriptures as well, identify Christ
as the Wisdom of God personified.
For
example:
1
Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ
the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Luke
11:49 On this account the wisdom- of God also said, 'I will send fort
to them prophets and apostles, and they will kill and persecute some
of them.
Compare
this with what is said at Matthew 23:43
34
For this reason, here I am sending- forth to YOU prophets and
wise men and public instructors.-- Some of them YOU will kill- and
impale,- and some of them YOU will scourge- in YOUR synagogues and
persecute from city to city.
Those
words were stated by Jesus whom Luke’s account identifies as “wisdom”.
***The
most common objection to this understanding is the fact that “wisdom” is
feminine noun in Hebrew and the feminine pronoun is used in reference to “wisdom”.
They contend that since the Son of God is masculine in gender, it can not
therefore be a personification of him because the genders do not match.
This
is a strange objection considering the fact that the “Holy Spirit”, the
supposed third person of the Trinity, is also a feminine noun in Hebrew.
Gender, in many languages, is not a determiner of male or female, but simply
belongs to the word. For instance, in Spanish, the word for house is “casa”,
which is a feminine noun. It has nothing to do with whether or not the house is
a female. As well, in the Christian Greek scriptures we are told that God IS
love. God is the epitome and personification of love. The love spoken of here
in the Greek is a feminine noun. If love, which is feminine, can be used as a
personification for God, which is masculine, then how could there be an
objection to “wisdom” being used as a personification for the Son of God, even
though being feminine in gender?
Once
again, the conclusion filters down to the fact that Jesus was “acquired” by God
in some fashion, that fashion being creation as is attested to from Revelation
3:14 and Colossians 1:15.
What
has been presented is a threefold Biblical witness that testifies to the
conclusion that the Son of God is a created being.
Agape,
Wrench
Wrench@visto.com
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