Are God and Jesus one and the same or separate?

Find out more at John 1:1-14, Genesis 1:26, 1 Peter 3:21-22, John 3:16 and 1 Peter 1:3

A Twitter friend gave me something to think about recently when they asked about my thoughts on the deity of Christ so this post is inspired by René. As with most views, the opinions of whether God is Jesus and Jesus is God or whether God and Jesus are separate beings is widely debated.

I believe that Jesus is the son of God and they are separate and there are many verses in the bible supporting this. In John 1:1, Jesus is referred to as 'The Word' and this implies that both opinions are correct. However, as we know Jesus to be the Word, John 1:1 tells us that Jesus was with God. It doesn't say God was with God, but Jesus was with God. It goes on to say, 'and the Word was God'. It can be debated over and over but no-one will actually know until we meet Jesus.

I found a really good explanation of John 1:1 written by lifehopeandtruth.com. They quote Herbert W Armstrong, an American evangelist, as explaining a good way to understand it is to view God as a family. Imagine a man named Jack Jones and a family member named John Jones . They are both Jones because it is their family name but they are two distinct individuals who are members of the same family. I'd say that this shows Jesus was with God and was also a part of God.

Genesis 1:26 also indicates that God and Jesus are separate with emphasis on the word 'our'; Then God said, let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. Genesis 1:26

1 Peter 3:21-22 tells us that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him.

Then there is the most well known verse of all, John 3:16; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

There is so much scripture to support this, I could go on and on so I'll leave you with one final verse from in 1 Peter 1:3; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Feel free to share your thoughts and may your day be blessed with love and peace.

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