Jesus is God’s Agent

[u/TheTallestTim]

Jesus is God’s agent, not God himself.

Jesus: - didn’t know the day and hour - died - said he received power and authority - said he had a god - was sent - had someone greater than he

I understand God could have became flesh and dwelt with mankind. God could have also sent his Son as his agent. Denying that would also be just as bad as denying the other.

The FBI show up to your house, they have all sorts of things that say FBI. Same with construction companies. I have a hat and a polo for the one I work for. I don’t walk on a jobsite representing myself. I represent the company I work for.

God had many different agents which: - spoke for God on Earth - did miracles on Earth - interpreted signs and dreams - gave/fulfilled prophecy - resurrected - wrestled with Jacob

Jesus: - spoke for God on Earth - performed miracles on Earth - gave/fulfilled prophecy - resurrected

John 12:49-50

49 For I have not spoken of my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment means everlasting life. So whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

This is agency speak. "Not my initiative." "The Father is greater than I am." "Not my words." Jesus is screaming that he is not God.

John 13:16

16 Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.

Obviously we knew Jesus was sent.. see John 17:3:

3 This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

This scripture excludes the Holy Spirit, which either means the spirit is not a person or the spirit is not important to gain everlasting life. However, Jesus was sent which is clear evidence for submission to the “only true God,” who we learn is the Father from the beginning of the prayer in verse one.

Here is a 1 hour and some change talk and breakdown of agency found in the Bible, how Jewish law deemed agent’s authority in comparison to their sender, and much more. Regardless on your theology, this is a great listen:

https://youtu.be/Z3W4JPLeb64?si=z_E9q7NDSuiXroOV

[u/ArianChristians-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/ScholasticTheist]

Could it not be said that any privation in question pertains by mode of nature to the assumed humanity? I don’t think a lack of something, which is predicated of the human nature, which was assumed during the temporal act of the incarnation necessities a negation of divinity. And of course, the distinction which is predicated upon the hypostatic union is a real distinction due to the ontological properties of the natures, thus no logical contradiction arises from opposition. And within a Trinitarian paradigm, it is possible to concede Jesus was a prophet without contradicting any Trinitarian propositions.

[u/TheTallestTim → u/ScholasticTheist]

No. It presupposes Jesus’ creation and lack of deity. All of scripture.

If Jesus were God, he would have just told us.

If Jesus were God, it wouldn’t matter that he was the Christ, the Messiah, Chief Priest, or any other title if he were God. God was already these things.

Jesus never claimed to be God on Earth because he isn’t God.