Page 420 … In the beginning was the Word
“As one with God, [Jesus] was present from the beginning of creation”
Well my Friend, this might very well be true, and yet Jesus himself didn’t believe so – at least not in the sense that you are implying. Yes, he did make it clear that he was indeed a living representative of how it looked to walk hand in hand with the Will of the heavenly Father … and he also made it extremely clear that we all had this exact same capability; that we could all re-become Children of God just like him – if we but humbly & courageously emulated his Way!
“Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also DO the works that I do — and, in fact, will do even greater works than these … And on that day you will know that I am in my Father, and that you are in me, and that I am in you.” ~ Jesus Christ (John 14:12 & 14:20)
P.S. As far as Colossians 1:16-17 is concerned, this passage has Paul either once again mistakenly referring to Jesus Christ as God (a belief that Jesus himself repeatedly repudiated & renounced – see Mark 10:18, John 5:41, John 7:16, John 12:44, John 8:50-54 etc etc etc), or more accurately referring to God the Father – not to Jesus Christ.
P.P.S. Nowhere in John 1:1-13 does it say that Jesus himself was with us from the beginning. What that passage does say is that “the Word” was with us from the beginning – a term (Logos in the ancient Greek – see Strong’s # 3056) which was commonly understood to represent the Spark of Life (or consciousness; or the Soul; or Divine Wisdom; or the conscience; or the Holy Spirit; or “the Advocate Within” – see John 14:20-26) that inhabited – and that still inhabits – every single sentient being on Earth!
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