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Some believe that Jesus divested Himself of the characteristics and qualities of deity and lived on earth as a man.
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One cannot be God without the powers and prerogatives of God.
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Some teach that Jesus had both human and divine attributes, but never used any of His divine attributes while on earth.
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Jesus, while on earth, was fully God and fully man.
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Proof that He was fully man: John 1:14
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Proof that He was fully God: John 10:36
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Proof that He used His own attributes of deity:
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He forgave sins (Mark 2:5
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He received worship (Matthew 8:2
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He gave the apostles power over unclean spirits and to heal the sick (Mark 6:7
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He knew He was the Son of God (John 10:36
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He knew what was in man (John 2:25
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His miracles proved He was the Son of God - deity
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No Holy Spirit empowered apostle could:
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Forgive sins. Jesus did.
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Walk on water, except Peter for a while by the power of Jesus’ word. Jesus did.
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Control the sea. Jesus did.
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Say “I give you power over unclean spirits.” Jesus did.
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Say “I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it again.” Jesus did.
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Say He was in heaven. Jesus did.
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John 20:30-31
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Of what did He empty Himself? Philippians 2:7-8
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He did not empty Himself of authority and power.
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If He did not have the attributes of God He was not fully God.
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Colossians 2:9 - These passages being true, how could anyone think He emptied Himself of any divine attribute?
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Does “all authority hath been given Me” prove that He did not have authority while He worked on earth?
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He did not say this relative to His work on earth, but just before ascending into heaven.
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Ephesians 1:20-22
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Daniel 7:13-14 teaches the same thing by prophecy.
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This is speaking of beginning His reigning as king.
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Acts 2:30-36 - And Peter so applied it.
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What about passages that say the Father or the Holy Spirit did a work by Jesus?
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John 17:20-23 answers this question.
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These passages show harmony, not distinctiveness.
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Creation illustrates this. The Father created the world by His Son.
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Hebrews 1:1-3
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John 16:7 - Jesus talks about the Father sending the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.
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Jesus never used His attributes to overcome trials and tribulations.
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He used the same avenue that are available to us. Matthew 4:1-10
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But when it did not get in the way of His being the servant and example He came to be, He did use His powers to prove that He was whom He claimed to be!
JJ
April 22, 2012
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