The Godhead

The nature of eternal things makes it difficult to know where to start in our study of Jesus.  The Bible has much to say on the subject, but we are only aware of facts that were known or revealed at the time authors began recording them.  Therefore, it seems the best place to begin is in the opening pages of Genesis.

When it was time for God to create Adam out of the dust, He said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26).  Who was “us”?  We find the same pronoun “us” at Babel when a community of rebellious people tried to usurp the place of God.  God said, “Come, let us go down and confuse their language” (Genesis 11:7).  “Us” must refer to the three-in-one, God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, identified as the “Godhead” or “Deity” in scripture (Colossians 2:9).

It is important we not view the Godhead as a group of three gods in beards and white robes, directing the affairs of heaven and earth like Greek deities on a cloud.  They are one God, distinct in ministry in some ways, yet singular in being.  The Father sent His Son, the Son gave His life, and the Spirit came to live in us, but their presence in the affairs of our lives is interchangeable.  This is why we can say all three live in us, even though the Holy Spirit is technically the promised Comforter who came to abide in our hearts (Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:27, 1 John 3:24).

It is correct, therefore, to say that Jesus existed before mankind, and was a part of the story of redemption throughout history.  This is a biblical fact.  We also know He was there before the first star was hung in place.  In Paul’s letter to the Colossians we told: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Using this Colossian passage as a basis for understanding, we are able to push Jesus’ existence back before the formation of our universe, if He was before “all things”, and a part of the Deity (John 10:30).  It is logical to conclude He is “everlasting to everlasting”, or eternal in every way.  This is why Jesus was able to say, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58)  It also explains why His enemies picked up stones to kill Him when they heard it.  Jesus was claiming to be one with God and as such eternal and supreme over everything.