16 - "The word "Logos" describes a devine person"

 

The truth is:

The Old Greek word logos (Hebrew: dâbâr) means, among other things, word, speech, promise, counsel, wisdom, reason. It is used over 300 times in the New Testament and over 1500 times in the Old Testament as a saying or speech of GOD, without any connection to Jesus. Therefore, the Word and Jesus are neither identical nor synonymous. Furthermore, Jesus never refers to himself as "the Word" or "the Word of GOD". Only in the Book of Revelation does this designation appear in direct connection with Jesus; however, in a completely different context than in John 1. In the beginning was the Word (logos ); not the Son (Old Greek: huios). GOD's action always precedes GOD's thought (Isaiah 42,9 / Isaiah 46,9-11). GOD speaks, and it happens (Genesis 1,3 + 6 + 9 + 14 + 20 + 24 + 26 + 29 / Psalm 33,9). Logos is not an abstract term for a pre-existing son called "the Word", but rather describes an act in which GOD decides something and calls it into being out of nothing (Romans 4,17). The same applies to the word speak (Hebrew: 'âmar / Old Greek: legō). Logos represents GOD's plan to reconcile humanity to Himself. The content of this plan is the Messiah, the man Jesus Christ. He already existed in GOD's mind before the creation of the world, but not as a real person. Adam was the first human being GOD created. Jesus is the beginning, the first creature of the new creation (Revelation 3,14), and comes after Adam, not before him. In 1st Corinthians 15,45, Jesus is referred to as the last Adam because he embodies what Adam, or rather humanity, was created for.

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further references:

Mt 4,4 / Mt 7,24 / Lk 8,11 / Lk 11,28 / Joh 8,31 f. + 47 / Joh 17,17 / Acts 6,2 / Rom 10,17 / Eph 6,17 / Phi 2,16 / 1st Thes 2,13 / 2nd Tim 2,9 / 1st Pet 1,23-25 / Heb 3,7 / Heb 4,12 / Heb 11,3

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see commentary on...

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John 1,1-18:

In the beginning was the Word (…) And the Word became flesh

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1st John 1,1-3:

That which was from the beginning (…) concerning the Word of life

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Revelation 19,13:

and his name is the Word of GOD

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17 - "Jesus pre-existed"

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The truth is:

In Hebrew thought, things prophesied about the future can be considered as already existing or fulfilled before they become reality. This expresses divine predestination. Many such prophetic formulations can be found in the Bible. GOD knew David (Psalm 139,16) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1,4) before they existed. Believers were already chosen by GOD, and their names were written in the Book of Life even before any of them existed (Matthew 25,34 / Ephesians 1,4-6 / 2nd Timothy 1,9 / Revelation 13,8). The works of believers were also prepared for them before the creation of the world (Ephesians 2,10). Several prophecies in the Old Testament are also formulated as if they were already reality at that time, even though their fulfillment was to come later (Isaiah 9,5 f. / Psalm 110,1 / Isaiah 53 / Hoshea 11,1). The same applies to GOD's promises regarding events whose fulfillment, from today's perspective, is still pending. For example, it is said that all who believe in Jesus have Eternal life (= life in the coming age), even though they will actually receive it only at the resurrection (Mark 10,30). Furthermore, it is stated that the saints are blessed with all heavenly blessings (Ephesians 1,3 / Ephesians 2,6), which also refers to life in the coming age of the new earth that GOD has promised His children.

 

 The Messiah was already chosen, sacrificed, and glorified in GOD's plan before GOD created the world, even though Jesus was born (into flesh) at a later time (John 1,14) to fulfill the prophecy. In John 17,24, Jesus says that the Father loved him before the foundation of the world. The word loved (Old Greek: agapaō) can also be understood in the sense of "chosen" (Romans 9,13). It does not mean that GOD begot Jesus before the foundation of the world. The concept of the existence of immortal souls originates from Hellenistic mythology. All the apostles and writers of the New Testament, who were all Jews, understood the pre-existence of the Messiah in the Hebrew or ideal sense, and not in the Greek or literal sense. John 1,1-18 deals with GOD's plan to reconcile humanity to himself. The content of this plan is the Messiah, the man Jesus Christ. He already existed in GOD's mind before the creation of the world; however, not as a real person. In John 8,56-58, Jesus explains that he was already (prophetically) destined to be the Messiah before Abraham existed. In John 17,5, Jesus asks the Father to grant him the glory that GOD, in His providence, had already intended for the Messiah even before Jesus existed. Abraham, King David, Daniel, the prophet Isaiah, and other prophets foresaw the glory of the Messiah in visions and dreams. They did not see a real, pre-existing Messiah.  

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see commentary on...

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Genesis 1,2:

and the Spirit of GOD was hovering over the waters

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Genesis 1,26:

Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness

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Proverbs 8,22-31:

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works

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Proverbs 30,4:

What is his name, and what is the name of his son?

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Isaiah 9,5 f.:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

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Daniel 3,24 f.:

and the fourth looks like a son of the gods

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Daniel 7,13 f.:

and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven

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Daniel 10,4-9:

I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold

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Micah 5,1-3:

whose origins are from the beginning and from eternity

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Zechariah 12,10:

They will look on me, the one they have pierced

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John 1,1-18:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD (…) And the Word became flesh

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John 1,29 f.:

A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me

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John 3,13:

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man

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John 3,27-35:

The one who comes from above / from heaven is above all

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John 6,61 f.:

Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before

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John 8,23:

You are of this world; I am not of this world

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John 8,56-58:

before Abraham was, I am

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John 12,37-41:

Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him

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John 16,28:

now I am leaving the world and going to the Father

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John 17,5:

And now, Father, glorify me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began

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Romans 10,6:

‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down)

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1st Corinthians 1,30 f.:

Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from GOD

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1st Corinthians 10,1-4.:

the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ

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1st Corinthians 10,9

We should not test Christ

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Ephesians 3,9:

which for ages past was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things through Jesus Christ

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Philippians 2,5-11:

Who, being in the form of GOD, did not consider equality with GOD something to be grasped; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant

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Colossians 1,15-20:

the firstborn over all creation

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Hebrews 7,1-3:

Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life

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Hebrews 11,26:

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt

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Hebrews 13,8:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever

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1st Peter 3,18-20:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison

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1st John 1,1-3:

That which was from the beginning (…) concerning the Word of life

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Revelation 1,8:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord GOD, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty”

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Revelation 1,17 f.:

I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One

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Revelation 3,14:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of GOD’s creation

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18 - "Jesus is (co-)creator of the earth"

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The truth is:

Wherever the first creation, described in Genesis 1, is mentioned, the words heaven and earth are used. In connection with Jesus, the words all things are used. Nowhere is it literally stated that Jesus created heaven and earth or that heaven and earth were created through Jesus. This expression is used exclusively in connection with GOD, the LORD / the Father. It means that all things were made by (Old Greek: ex) GOD, the Father, through (Old Greek: dia) or in (Old Greek: en) Jesus. This does not mean that Jesus was a creator who actively created, but rather expresses that everything is related to Jesus. GOD appointed him King and heir of His kingdom (Hebrews 2,5). If Jesus were GOD or part of an eternal and inseparable Trinity, the formulation that GOD created everything through Jesus would be superfluous. Instead, it would suffice to state that Jesus is GOD and therefore the creator of all things.

 

Furthermore, none of the apostles in their letters connects Old Testament statements about the creation of heaven and earth with Jesus, as they do in many places in the New Testament in other contexts concerning the Messiah. All things can therefore refer to the Gospel or the New Covenant: this includes the redemptive work on the cross, the victory over Satan, the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, the new creation in Christ, and the age of the Church. Phrases like through him (1st Corinthians 8,6) or in him (Colossians 1,15) express that Christ is the model for the new creation. Both the Old and New Testaments testify that GOD made the first creation solely through His Word (His command / plan / wisdom) and by His hand.

 

further references:

Gen 1,3 + 6 + 11 + 15 + 14 + 20 + 24 / Ps 33,9 / Ps 148,5 / Isa 66,2 / Heb 11,3 / 2nd Pet 3,5-7 / Rev 4,11 / Rev 14,7 / Rev 15,3 f.

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Furthermore, the Greek word dia, which is usually translated as through in connection with Jesus, can also mean for someone's sake. This changes the meaning of the statement. This translation is consistent with all other statements where Jesus is described as both the heir and the central figure in GOD's plan of salvation. Thus, Jesus would not be the person through whom GOD the Father created heaven and earth, but rather the reason for and the goal of creation. GOD created all things to give them to His Son Jesus as an eternal inheritance.

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The first creation was by GOD / Yahweh (the Father)

 

further references:

Gen 1,1 / Exo 20,11 / Ps 33,6 / 2nd Kng 19,15 / 2nd Chr 2,12 / Isa 37,16 / Isa 44,24 / Isa 45,12 / Jer 32,17 / Mt 11,25 / Mk 10,6 / Acts 17,24 / Rom 1,20 / Rom 11,36 / Eph 3,9 / Rev 10,5 / Rev 14,7

 

 

The second (new) creation was brought about by Jesus Christ

 

further references:

2nd Cor 8,6 / Eph 2,10 / Col 1,16 / Jam 1,18

 

 

see commentary on...

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Genesis 1,26:

Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness

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Proverbs 8,22-31:

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works

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John 1,1-18:

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made

 

Epheser 3,9:

which for ages past was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things through Jesus Christ​

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Colossians 1,15-20:

 

all things have been created through him

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Hebrews 1-12:

through whom also he made the universe (...) In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands

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19 - "Jesus literally comes "from heaven""

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The truth is:

The phrases from heaven, from above, and sent by GOD mean that Jesus came on GOD's behalf to proclaim the Father's heavenly / divine message, which brings eternal life to all who accept it. In John 17,18 and John 20,21, Jesus uses the same expression for his disciples when he says that he is sending them into the world, just as the Father sent him into the world. This means that Jesus commissioned or appointed the believers, just as GOD commissioned and appointed the Messiah for his mission. John the Baptist was also sent by GOD (John 1,6). Just like Moses and the prophets, Jesus received his instructions and revelations directly from GOD (symbolically, from heaven / from above), but on a far greater scale than any human being before him. James 1,17 states that every good gift is from above. GOD promised people His blessing if they gave Him their tithes, saying that He would open the floodgates of heaven and pour out His blessing (Malachi 3,10). This doesn't mean that GOD literally drops things from heaven, but that He is the source of all blessings. GOD gives people His Son to bless them in Him (Acts 3,26) and to grant them eternal life through faith in Him (John 3,16 f.).

 

In Matthew 21,25, Jesus asks the Pharisees whether John's baptism was from heaven or from men. Here, too, the phrase from heaven means that John's baptism was given by GOD. Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 15,47 that the first (mortal) man is from the earth, while the second (glorified) man is from heaven. Because Jesus, as the only human being conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Father in the womb of Mary, comes symbolically from above / from heaven / from GOD. Jesus is GOD's seed and therefore GOD's Son. In John 3,32, John the Baptist explains that Jesus saw (Old Greek: horaō) and heard (Old Greek: akouō) things and testified to them. A similar phrase is found in John 8,40. This does not mean that Jesus was in heaven as GOD before his birth. Rather, this expression is used for people to whom GOD has revealed certain insights that are not accessible to ordinary people. Remarkably, the phrase from heaven is not used by any other apostle anywhere in the New Testament in reference to Jesus.

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further references:

Exo 4,22 / Ps 89,27 / Mt 25,34 / Joh 8,56 / Joh 15,19 / Joh 17,14-16 / Joh 20,17 / Eph 1,3 f. / Eph 2,10 / Heb 4,3 / 2nd Tim 1,9 f. / 1st Pet 1,20 / Heb 4,14 / Rev 17,8​

 

 

see commentary on...

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Daniel 7,13 f.:

 

and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven

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John 3,13:

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man

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John 3,27-35:

The one who comes from above / from heaven is above all

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John 6,61 f.:

Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before

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John 8,23:

You are of this world; I am not of this world

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John 16,28:

 

now I am leaving the world and going to the Father

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Romans 10,6:

‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down)

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