Do you think that many people attend a JW service? I never have. I would never go where Jesus is seen only as a man. I may as well go to a Mosque...
JW’s don’t see Jesus as only a man, I’m not a JW but even I am not that naive. You need to stop reading the propaganda posted on the internet by those opposed to the JW’s.
JW’s believe as do Bible Students that our Lord in his pre-human existence was the Logos, the Word of God (
John 1:1), “
the first born” (
Col 1:15), “
the beginning of the creation of God” (
Rev 3:14). “
The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (of the direct creation of God).”
Note in contrasts it is stated of the Father that he is without beginning of days nor ending, He has always been). God did not continue to create things himself, but he told his "
first-born" what to do and he did it. He has been the agent of Jehovah in all that has since been done.
“
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
1 Cor 8:5, 6
“
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
John 1:3
These scriptures are pretty steadfast and clear in their implications and to dispute them is to dispute Gods own testimony on this matter.
Another title our Lord carried along with that of the Logos in his pre-human existence was
Michael (meaning "
Who as God," or "
Who is like God")
the Archangel (the
GREAT PRINCE,
the Chief messenger, the Word of God).
But he left this former glory to become a
ransom (Greek:
anti-lutron, i.e. a corresponding price) for Adam and all his seed in him. He laid aside the glory of spiritual nature and "
was made flesh”.
“
Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [something to be held onto to be equal] with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men”
Phil 2:6, 7 NKJV
The Diaglott, Interlineary renders it thusly, “
Who, though being in God’s form, YET did not mediate a usurpation TO BE like God…” The idea here is the very opposite of equality, as conveyed in the Authorized translation: Jesus did not claim equality, nor aspire to a usurpation of God's authority.
That was Satan's claim and effort. (
Isa 14:12-15) "
I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High."
Our Lord as the Logos in his pre-human existence was indeed in the “
form”
of God, that is he was in
the spirit nature or condition, a spirit being, just as God is a spirit being accept that he (the Father) is of the very highest order of spirit being, the “
Divine”. And when at the appointed time, the Lord “
made (volunteered)
himself of no reputation” “divesting himself of all his former glory and honor, he took upon himself the form of a servant (Bondsman), and
was made in the likeness (“
form”, earthly nature)
of man. (
Heb 2:16)
Thus our Lord Jesus was indeed at one time a mere man, flesh and blood, howbeit a perfect man, for in order for him to a ransom,
a corresponding price he must of needs be
exactly the equivalent of the first man who sinned, father Adam. Was Adam part human and part god, no he was not, he was created a perfect man and that alone.
God’s law is very exacting, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, life for life. It was a perfect man who sinned therefore it would require a perfect man’s sacrifice to satisfy justice. A perfect man for a perfect man, no more no less. It was as an actual
human being that he gave himself a ransom for mankind. (
1 Tim. 2:6; Heb. 10:4, 5; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22)
Following Calvary and the successful completion of his sacrifice he has hence forth been
highly exalted even above his former glory which he held prior to becoming man’s sacrifice, to the very nature of God,
the divine nature.
It is manifest that the Son, in his pre-human existence, did not enjoy divine life, he was mortal as are all angels and men. Only by being mortal was he able to do his Father’s will (
Heb. 10:9). Only by being mortal could he give up his spiritual existence in heaven, become and earthly being (
Rom. 8:3), and then
die as a man.
"
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor" (
2 Cor 8:9)
After being "
made perfect" (
Heb. 2:10; 5:9), after proving his worth (
Rev. 5:9), the Father gave to the Son to have
life in himself, inherent life, immortality (
John 5:26)
"
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name." (
Phil. 2:9)
Jesus was resurrected not as a human, not as an angel, but as a
divine being; and so, death hath no more dominion over him (
Rom. 6:9), for He is no longer mortal, but immortal.
Thus neither the JW’s nor do we ourselves (Bible Students)
deny the deity of Christ (that is following his high exaltation to the divine nature),
but boldly proclaim it.
