June 24, 2010
The Arian doctrine is still around us in various sects, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses (which is also called the watchtower bible and tract society) and also with Mormonism, which deny the eternal pre-existence of the Son by teaching that the Son was a created being, created by the Father. The watchtower society teaches that Jesus is the arch angel Michael.
| Hebrews 1:5 | For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? |
| Hebrews 1:6 | And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. |
Jesus was never an angel. Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The significance of Jesus being the “firstbegotten” over all creation means that while he is still fully 100% God, he also came as a man, and in eternity, he was always the Son of God and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
When Michael the archangel contended with the devil over the body of Moses, he couldn’t do it on his own; he needed the help of the Lord. If Michael the archangel was the Lord, then he would be able to rebuke the devil in his own name.
| Jude 1:9 | Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. |
In light of the watchtower claim that Jesus is the arch angel Michael, and the claim that Jesus is not eternal, let’s look to the scriptures to see if this claim is biblical. God’s nature is first revealed in the Old Testament, and nothing about it changes as the New Testament adds more light. The attribute of being immutable, which means not susceptible to change, is an attribute that is only ascribed to God. As we study scripture, we see this attribute is applied to both God the Father and to Jesus.
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- Immutability (Not capable of or susceptible to change)
Father in immutable: Psalm 102:25-27; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17
| Malachi 3:6 | For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. |
| Psalm 102:25 | Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. |
| Psalm 102:26 | They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: |
| Psalm 102:27 | But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. |
When we read that passage in Psalm 102, it tells us that God is the creator, and that God does not change. But when Psalm 102:25-27 is quoted in the Hebrews 1:10-12, it is attributed to Jesus thus showing that Jesus is God the creator, and that Jesus is God in His attribute of being immutable. When speaking of Jesus, and quoting Psalm 102:25-27, Hebrews 1:10-12 reads:
Son is immutable: Hebrews 1:10-12; Hebrews 13:8
| Hebrews 1:9 | Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. |
| Hebrews 1:10 | And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: |
| Hebrews 1:11 | They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; |
| Hebrews 1:12 | And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. |
| Hebrews 1:13 | But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? |
Jesus is the creator of Heaven and earth, and Jesus does not change.
| Hebrews 13:8 | Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. |
Jesus was never an angel. Angels are NOT to be worshipped. Even John, the beloved apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote concerning an angel in Revelation 19:10:
| Revelation 19:10 | And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. |
And Revelation 22:8-9:
| Revelation 22:8 | And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. |
| Revelation 22:9 | Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. |
If we are only to worship God, and Hebrews 1:6 tells us, “And let all the angels of God worship him,” then Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
All the disciples worshipped Jesus in Matthew 28:17 and none of them were rebuked for worshipping Him.
| Matthew 28:16 | Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. |
| Matthew 28:17 | And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. |
| Matthew 28:18 | And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. |
| Matthew 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: |
| Matthew 28:20 | Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. |
Jesus is worthy of that worship. And again; none of the disciples were rebuked for worshipping Him. On the other hand, there is a penalty for worshiping angels:
| Colossians 2:18 | Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, |
| Colossians 2:19 | And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. |
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