Don't say that Jesus is God when you don't actually believe that.
I do believe it.
Do you believe He created the heavens and the earth, as scripture says God did?
Jesus didn't create the heavens and the earth. Jesus was born to the virgin Mary.
Do you believe that He is all powerful and omnipresent, as scripture says God is?
Use your common sense. Jesus isn't all-powerful. If he were, he wouldn't need to call on thousands of angels to protect him. He is not omnipresent because he walks everywhere.
Stop bringing up some council as if I care about that at all.
What is your problem with history?
The Bible defines God as being the creator of all things, as knowing the thoughts of all people at all times, as being all powerful and as being omnipresent.
That's right. I agree with that.
Do you believe that all of those things that describe God describe Jesus?
No. Why should I?
If not, then you do NOT believe He is God as defined in the Bible.
On the contrary, I do believe that Jesus is God as defined in the Bible. The Bible defines Jesus as God incarnate, the image of God, the exegesis of God, and the perfect representation of God's character.
You do not accept what scripture says about Jesus. That is very clear. You pretend as if you do, but you clearly do not.
I clearly do not accept what you say about him, given that I am not influenced by anything or anyone other than scripture.
You say by nature Jesus is only a man. Paul would have a serious problem with you saying that.
Philippians 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Your argument has two MAJOR flaws. First, you hold the theological perspective known as "kenosis, meaning "self-emptying," that Christ voluntarily
set aside certain privileges of His divine nature to embrace human limitations fully. If Christ achieved such a monumental feat, one would expect to see this achievement recorded. But the New Testament is silent on that issue -- not even the sound of a "poof" to mark the occasion.
If we were to consider the possibility that Jesus willingly chose to relinquish aspects of His divine nature in order to fully experience the limitations inherent to being human, it raises significant challenges for your perspective. You cannot simultaneously argue that Jesus possessed the attributes of being omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient while also claiming that He intentionally set these qualities aside to embrace humility and the human condition. This creates a contradiction; one cannot uphold both beliefs without conflict.
Secondly, and most salient, Paul isn't focused on the nature of Jesus. His focus is on the attitude of Jesus. Paul’s primary emphasis is indeed on Jesus’
attitude of humility and selflessness, rather than on the technical details of His divine nature. His goal is to encourage believers to adopt this same mindset—one of
servanthood, sacrifice, and putting others above oneself.
Philippians 2:2-7 Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
It is vital to understand that the difference between God and Man is not solely based on the nature of their existence; often, it revolves around their standing or status. In biblical texts, the term "god" (from the Greek word theos) is frequently employed to convey a sense of royalty or authority. This interpretation becomes particularly clear when we delve into the context and nuances of the language used—especially in passages like John 10:35.
The Apostle Paul's message becomes profound when we grasp the implications of this language. Jesus, in a remarkable act of humility, willingly set aside and relinquished his royal stature, choosing instead to adopt the role of a servant. Despite his rightful place as the king of Israel, he chose a path of humility, demonstrating that true nobility often lies in serving others, rather than in demanding recognition or privilege.
In doing so, Jesus exemplified a powerful lesson for his followers: just as he laid aside his high status to fulfill a greater purpose, they too are called to embrace humility and service in their own lives. This choice to embrace a servant's heart, regardless of one's position, echoes throughout the teachings of Jesus, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.
All of that would be rendered meaningless if Jesus was God by nature.
