Chapter 1—Deity and Nature of Christ
Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was One with the
eternal Father,—one in nature, in character, in purpose,—the only
being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. “His
name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (
Isaiah 9:6
). His “goings forth
have been from of old, from everlasting” (
Micah 5:2
).—
Patriarchs and
Prophets, 34
.
The Jews had never before heard such words from human lips,
and a convicting influence attended them; for it seemed that divinity
flashed through humanity as Jesus said, “I and My Father are One.”
The words of Christ were full of deep meaning as He put forth the
claim that He and the Father were of one substance, possessing the
same attributes.—
The Signs of the Times, November 27, 1893, p. 54
.
Yet the Son of God was the acknowledged Sovereign of heaven,
one in power and authority with the Father.—
The Great Controversy,
495
.
To save the transgressor of God’s law, Christ, the One equal with
the Father, came to live heaven before men, that they might learn to
know what it is to have heaven in the heart. He illustrated what man
must be to be worthy of the precious boon of the life that measures
with the life of God.—
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 179
.
The only way in which the fallen race could be restored was
through the gift of His Son, equal with himself, possessing the at-
tributes of God. Though so highly exalted, Christ consented to assume
human nature, that He might work in behalf of man and reconcile to
God His disloyal subject. When man rebelled, Christ pleaded His mer-
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its in his behalf, and became man’s substitute and surety. He undertook
to combat the powers of darkness in man’s behalf, and He prevailed,
conquering the enemy of our souls, and presenting to man the cup of
salvation.—
The Review and Herald, November 8, 1892, p. 690
.
The world was made by Him, “and without Him was not anything
made that was made.” If Christ made all things, He existed before
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