JESUS CHRIST THE SAME FOREVER!
J. C. O’Hair
Many Christians have been considerably confused as to the meaning of the statement that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8).
In Colossians 2:9 we read that in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. In John 1:1 to 4 and Colossians 1:15 to 17 and Philippians 2:5 and 6, we read, that Christ, before His incarnation, was in the form of God, ‘that He was God,’ that He was the Creator. As the preexistent uncreated Christ and in His humility, death, exaltation, as to His eternal, and essential Deity, truly He is forever the same.
In John 1:14 and in Hebrews 2:14, we read, that God became flesh, a partaker of flesh and blood. In Luke 24:39 Christ said, “a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.”
Is there a difference between a body of flesh and blood and a body of flesh and bones? What kind of a body did Christ have before God prepared for Him that body mentioned in Hebrews 10:5? When Christ was in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18) Christ had God’s form, but not a human body. Later He was made in “the likeness of sinful flesh.” (Philippians 2:5 to 9 - Romans 8:3).
Was not Christ on earth “the King of Israel” “the King of the Jews”? (John 1:49 - Matthew 2:2). Is He not now the Head of the Church in which there is neither Jew nor Gentile, as such? (Ephesians 1:19 to 23 - Ephesians 2:16 to 21).
We read in Galatians 4:4 and Romans 15:8 that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision made under the law. Is Christ now under the law? God’s people are under grace and Christ is dealing with Jews and Gentiles under the dispensation of grace. (Romans 6:14 - Ephesians 3:1 to 4). Is Christ now a minister of Israel as He was here on earth, sent only to Israel? (Matthew 15:24).
Now compare Acts 2:22 with Colossians 1:27; for the Holy Spirit instructs believers to test things that differ. Jesus of Nazareth in the midst of Israel, here on earth as a Man, witnessing with miracles, His credentials, is quite different from Christ in the Gentiles, the hope of glory, a mystery by revelation.
When God gave the full revelation of the great mystery then His program of miracles ceased. Read II Corinthians 5:16. Different gifts were given unto believers. Compare I Corinthians 12:8 to 11 and Ephesians 4:9 to 13.
While Christ had a body of flesh and blood He was God. (Hebrews 1:8). When Christ had a body, of flesh and bones Thomas said, “my Lord and my God”. (John 20:28). Christ was God before He had either body. His essential and eternal Deity never changes.
So Christ is the same as to His Deity. But think of the difference between Christ now in heaven as a Priest after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:1 to 3) and as He was in heaven before He became Jesus of Nazareth.
Christ is the same but He changes as to His form and His
ministry. He is now far above all heavens on His Father’s throne while God is
building the Church, or Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:9 to 13). After the Body
has been completed Christ will return and build again the tabernacle of David
and sit, as Prince of Peace, on the throne of His glory, as King and Judge.
(Amos 9:11 to 15 - Isaiah 9:6 and 7) (Matthew 25:31 to 35).
When Christ came the first time He submitted Himself unto the judgment of men. When He comes the second time, apart from sin, (Hebrews 9:28), He will do the judging of men. (Acts 17:31 - II Thessalonians 1:7 to 10).
So we should think how Christ changes in form and ministry when we read Hebrews 1:12 and Hebrews 1:8 and Hebrews 13:8.
Jesus Is The One True God
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