Is Jesus Christ Eternal

In the last two posts I’ve looked at the subject of forgiveness, and  how it applies to the future sins of a Christian as well as those from the past. You can read part one and part two here. 

This post is a bit different from the previous two. I haven’t attempted to write out the theology of this doctrine in full at this time. I have simply collected and collated every relevant verse I could find on the subject. Bearing in mind that this was originally for an audience of Jehovah Witnesses, who believe that Jesus is the arch-angel Michael, I have kept the commentary to a minimum, letting the text do the talking. All of my commentary is in italics. 

This is obviously not an exhaustive list, and if you can think of any other relevant verses, feel free to drop them into the comments section. Also as a practical theological exercise, feel free to articulate this aspect of Christ’s nature in biblical theological terms, and share your results with us on the comments page.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-4, 14

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. John 8:56-59

Note Jesus is claiming that He was older than Abraham, indeed using the same term as in Exodus 3, He describes Himself as ‘I am.’ Realizing that Jesus is claiming to be the eternal God, they pick up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, but Jesus hides Himself and leaves.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Note that one of Christ’s names prophecied in this verse is Everlasting Father, key word everlasting.

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.   John 17:5

Note that in this prayer, Jesus describes how He and the Father had glory before the world existed.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

In Genesis 1 God uses the plural “let us” implying the presence of at least one more person. Other verses teach us the concept of the Trinity, but when you couple this verse with John 1:3, which says that nothing was made except that was made through Jesus.

Two Truths About The Person And Work Of Jesus Christ

For Jehovah’s Witnesses

Part 1: Forgiveness Of Sin Is For Sin Past, Present And Future Part 01

Part 2: Forgiveness Of Sin Is For Sin Past, Present And Future Part 02

Part 3: Is Jesus Christ Eternal?

Gareth Palmer

Sinner saved by grace, proclaiming Him