1.13.8 Calvin begins 1.13.8 sending us a warning regarding those who appearing to admit the deity of Christ, "secretly rob him of his eternity." They ascribe a beginning to Christ at the time when God spoke into being the creation of the world. But this would mean a change even in God in whom there is NO variableness. James 1:17.
For Jesus can rightly pray: ""Now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was," (John 17: 5.) How careful and precisely are these subjects dwelt with in throughout section 13. The word was in the beginning, with God and was God. "We, therefore, again conclude, that the Word was eternally begotten by God, and dwelt with him from everlasting. In this way, his true essence, his eternity, and divinity, are established."
1.13.9 Rick Phillips over at Ref 21 advises "It would be good if we all knew these verses so as to demonstrate from the Old Testament the deity of Jesus." I really enjoy how Calvin biblically defends the truths he sets forths. I am reminded as I read Institutes how much my own thinking has been informed through my previous reading of Institutes.
The eternal ruler from Psa 45 " "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever,"
Or Isa. 9:6 where "Christ is introduced both as God, and as possessed of supreme powers one of the peculiar attributes of God"
Jer 23:6 he is named as "The Lord our Rightousness."
Isa 42:8 "My glory will I not give to another," Note compare this verse with John 17.5 as Jesus prays restore unto me the Glory which I had with you before the world was. What a testimony to the deity of Christ. I remember the wonderful testimony of a former leader amongst the Jehovah Witnesses who said these two verses were the key to free him from that false doctrine. For how could Christ pray such a prayer when the Glory of God is not shared with another? Unless he is indeed God manifest in the flesh. 1Ti 3:16.
1.13.10 Who is the Angel of The Lord? see also the REF 21 blog.
Judges 6:7: Judges 13:16-23
"This Angel claims for himself the name of the Eternal God. "
The angel orders the sacrifice to be offered to himself - no servant of God would ever ask such a thing.
Manoah says "we shall die, we have seen the Lord." Judges 13:22
And the angel's words "Why do ye ask my name, which is wonderful?" Judges 13:18
The words of Hosea after describing Jacob wrestling with the Angel: "Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial" Hos 12:5
Jacob's own words: "I have seen God face to face." Gen 32:30
Calvin describers Paul's own words to mean "that Christ led the people in the wilderness." 1Co 10:4
Reference was made to SEE CALVIN on Act 7:30. His comments being so informative I give them to you here:
The angel of the Lord appeared unto him. It is first demanded who this angel was? and, secondly, why he appeared in such a form? For after that Luke had called him an angel, he bringeth him in immediately speaking thus: I am the God of Abraham, etc. Some answer, As God doth sometimes attribute and impart unto his ministers those things which are most proper to himself, so it is no absurd or inconvenient thing, if they have his name given them; but seeing this angel affirmeth manifestly that he is the eternal God, who alone is, and in whom all things have their being, we must needs restrain this title unto the essence of God; for it can by no means agree to the angels. It might be said more fitly, that because the angel speaketh in the name of the Lord, he taketh upon him his person, as if he declared his commandments word for word, as out of the mouth of God, which manner of speaking is usual in the prophets; but when Luke shall say afterwards, that this was the same angel through whose assistance and guiding Moses delivered the people: and Paul, in the 10th chapter of the First to the Corinthians, (1Co_10:4) doth affirm that Christ was that guide, there is no cause why we should now wonder that the angel taketh to himself that which is proper to God alone.
Therefore, let us, first of all, set down this for a surety, that there was never since the beginning any communication between God and men, save only by Christ; for we have nothing to do with God, unless the Mediator be present to purchase his favor for us. Therefore, this place doth plentifully prove the divinity of Christ, and teacheth that he is of the same essence with the Father. Furthermore, he is called an angel, not only because he had the angels always to bear him company, and to be, as it were, his apparitors:426 but because that deliverance of the people did shadow the redemption of us all, for whose sake Christ was to be sent of his Father, that he might take upon him the shape of a servant together with our flesh. It is certain, indeed, that God did never appear unto men as he is, but under some shape agreeable to their capacity; notwithstanding, there is another reason why Christ is called by this name, because he being appointed by the eternal counsel of God to be unto men the minister of salvation, doth appear unto Moses to this end. Neither is that contrary to this doctrine, which is written in the 2nd chapter to the Hebrews, (Heb_2:16) that Christ never took the angels, but the seed of Abraham; for although he took upon him the shape of an angel for a time, yet did he never take the nature of angels, as we know that he was made very man.
For another proof of the divinity of Christ and that he is that Angel of the Lord, Calvin advises us to compare Zec 1:9 ff with Zec 2.3 ff
and "it will be seen that the angel who sends the other angel is immediately after declared to be the Lord of hosts, and that supreme power is ascribed to him."
Then for a stronger yet proof and most powerful see Mal 3:1.
Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger (angel), and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger (also angel) of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. By which Calvin concludes: "The temple certainly was dedicated to Almighty God only, and yet the prophet claims it for Christ. Hence it follows, that he is the God who was always worshipped by the Jews."
1.13.11 The divinity of Christ in the New Testament: witness of the apostles
Isa 8:14 Rom. 9: 33
Psa 68:18 Eph 4:8
John 12:41 Isa 6:4
Heb 1:10 Heb 1:6
John 1:14
2Co 5:10
1Ti 3:16
Phil 2:6
1Jo 5:20
1Co 8:5-6
John 20:28
1.13.12 The divinity of Christ is demonstrated in his works
My Father worketh hitherto, and I work
1.13.13 The divinity of Christ is demonstrated by his miracles
Please add your comments describing your own gleanings and thoughts as you read this weeks assignment. Time prevents me at the moment from completing through section 25.
Hoping to come back and provide additional summary.
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