Who is Gods first creation?
Somebody once said, "asking the right question is already halfway to the right answer", and when it comes to the age old debate about the trinity, which has existed for over a millenia of whether Jesus is God or not, questions abound on both sides of the issue.
On one side of the camp you have the devout trinitarian convinced that the bible teaches that Jesus is God, that he is one of three persons within the Godhead, and that he is eternal never having been created. The other side believes that Jesus was Gods firstborn creation, and only-begotten son, through which everything was created.
How is it that this debate over the trinity has gone on for so long a time?
Perhaps nobody has been asking the right question.
Instead of trying to prove that Jesus is, or is not God, lets ask a different question. Who is Gods first creation? In doing so, not only do we find some interesting answers, but this question also creates a dilemma that highlights the contradiction of the trinity.
If you believe in the trinity then Jesus cannot be the firstborn creation of God, simply for the reason that he is eternal in your eyes. To believe in the trinity means that Jesus was never created, but has existed as part of the triune Godhead for all eternity. With this in mind Jesus cannot be the firstborn creation of God because he was never born or created in the first place.
Therefore, if Jesus is not the firstborn creation of God, then who is? What creation by God, whether it be an angel, seraphim, the wheelworks, etc... was the very first living creation?
Who is the firstborn?
As noted, for those who believe in the mystery of the trinity, the term 'firstborn' cannot apply to Jesus Christ in regards to a creative nature, as in he was created, so therefore 'firstborn' must apply to another of Gods creations as the first to be born or created.
Is it possible to determine from the scriptures, which creation possesses that unique position, and title, as the firstborn of all creation?
Before the Beginning...
A beginning is a point in time when something starts, and everything that we know has a beginning except God. It is impossible for us to comprehend, yet there was a point in time when nothing else existed except our creator, Jehovah. Before the beginning there was no earth, no universe, no heaven, and even time as we know it did not exist. These are all creations of God, and it all started with his very first creation. At one moment God began to create, and the scriptures tell of this momentous event which is aptly called... the beginning.
““The LORD created me first of all, the first of his works, long ago. I was made in the very beginning, at the first, before the world began." Pro 8:22,23
Notice that this scripture points to a first creation. Who is the 'me' that is speaking in these verses?
Wisdom created?
Proverbs speaks of Wisdom as being personified at Pro 8:12 saying "I wisdom..", and continues on to describe itself as Gods first creation who was made in the very beginning. How can we understand this?
Wisdom is one of Gods four main attributes, along with justice, power, and most certainly love. Because wisdom has always existed as part of God, these scriptures in Proverbs cannont be talking about wisdom itself being created. To say that the attribute of wisdom had a beginning , or was born, would be to say that at one point it did not exist, however we know that cannot be true. That would be like saying that love never existed prior to creation, however because we know that God is love(1 Joh 4:8), love must have always existed. Love, wisdom, justice, and power all existed for an eternity before God began to create as part of Gods characteristics.
These scriptures in Proverbs are talking about Gods first creation, the firstborn. So who is the "I wisdom" at Proverbs 8:12 referring to?
The bible cannot be more clear regarding who wisdom is. All the debates over the trinity revolve around Jesus Christ, and yet the scriptures make it more than abundantly clear that Christ is the wisdom of God.
"...Christ is the...wisdom of God." 1 Co 1:24
There is no mystery here, it really is that clear.
The bible tells us that Wisdom was created first at Proverbs 8:23, that it was the beginning, or start, of all that exists. The bible then clearly states that Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God. This would mean that Jesus Christ was the one speaking at Proverbs 8:12-36 (hover over scriptures).
This means that Jesus IS Gods firstborn son. He is the beginning of all that exists.
If you doubt this, consider more powerful reasoning we can use to firmly establish this fact as truth. It is found in Colossians 1:15-19.
"15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 because by means of him all things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all things and by means of him all things were made to exist, 18 and he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things; 19 because God saw good for all fullness to dwell in him..." Col 1:15-19
Throughout the scriptures, we are told that: (please hover over scriptures for verse)
- Jesus is the beginning(Pro 8:23, 1 Joh 2:13, Rev 3:14)
- Jesus is the firstborn(Pro 8:24, Col 1:15, Heb 1:6)
- Jesus is the only begotten son of God(Joh 1:14,18, Joh 3:16, 1 Joh 4:9)
All these testify to the fact that Jesus Christ is the first creation of God. If you believe in the trinity however, you are being forced to a different conclusion than what the scriptures are telling us. Simply ask yourself...who is Gods first creation? If you believe in the trinity, this simple question eludes an answer.
Who is the firstborn of God?
Jesus is God
When parents have a son/daughter, the child reflects half their father, and half their mother. In fact, it is a common saying to hear that "you are certainly your fathers son" to a boy because they often not only look, but act just like their father does. The same can be said of a daughter. With that in mind, consider that Jesus was solely created directly by his father. Therefore, he is the exact representation, or image, of him. Thus in that sense he is God, yet he is also Gods first creation.
Paul tells us this very thing at Hebrews 1:1-3 that Jesus Christ is a reflection of God, an exact representation of his very being. This harmonizes with Colossians 1:15 which says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
“. . .by means of a Son...through whom he made the universe. 3 He is the reflection of Gods glory and the exact representation of his very being. . .” Heb 1:2-3
"15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation...All things have been created through him and for him." Col 1:15-16
When you look at Jesus Christ you see God, because he reflects Gods image perfectly. Ask yourself, what happens when you look in the mirror? You see yourself don't you? God created Jesus Christ as an exact image, or reflection, of himself. In doing so all things would flow through him to us. We see God through Jesus Christ, it is the only way.
“. . .there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.”1 Cor 8:6
This is all very easy to understand when we consider that mankind too was made in Gods image(Col 1:15)? Yet are we God? Of course not, but we can reflect the glory of God, just as Jesus does. We too have that opportunity to share with Jesus his reflection of Gods glory(2 Cor 3:18)
Jesus told us this very thing when he prayed to the Father in heaven.
“. . .Also, I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one. I in union with them and you in union with me, in order that they may be perfected into one, that the world may have the knowledge that you sent me forth and that you loved them just as you loved me.” Joh 17:22-23
Consider what is being said by Jesus to his father. The same glory that makes son and father "one", is the same glory that makes his followers "one". They are in union with each other. Jesus doesn't mean that he and the Father are "one" God, as in a trinity, but that they are one, in union, with each other. (Joh 17:11)
Why does this even matter?
So whats the big deal anyways? So what if Jesus is a trinity, or isn't, why does it even matter as long as I'm a good person? Jesus tells us the following regarding his Father and those who worship him:
“. . .the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.. . .” Joh 4:22-24
If you are a true worshiper then our God and Father requires pure worship. He requires that his worshipers know him in truth, and in spirit. This was the very reason that he sent Jesus to us, so that we could get to know the Father, through Jesus Christ, so that our worship would be in truth.
“. . .Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If YOU men had known me, YOU would have known my Father also. . .” (Joh 14:6-7)
If the trinity is true, then we are placing Jesus in an eternal position and are elevating our worship to him, as well as the Father. However, if Jesus is Gods first creation, then all worship goes to the Father, through the son. The very first commandment by God says:
“I am Jehovah your God, ...You must not have any other gods against my face.” Ex 20:2-3
To believe in a trinity doesn't create just one more God, but two more. Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, are considered to be God as well as the Father. Any true Christian should want to worship God the way he intended for us to worship him, and in his true nature. That is why this is so important, because it comes down to truth.
“Is it not one father that all of us have? Is it not one God that has created us? . . .” Mal 2:10
The Trinitarian Mystery
In conclusion, if you are a trinitarian and have made it this far, there is one more question that you must answer when taking all that has been shown into account. If you worship a trinity, which is a mystery to be sure, how is it possible to worship it?
Gods First Creation
Jesus told his followers:
“. . .I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. . .” Joh 10:14-15
During his time on earth, Jesus spent all his time devoted to representing his Father, and teaching the truths regarding the coming Kingdom of God. His followers came to know him, and through him, they came to know his Father and what kind of God he was. It was the very essence of his teachings to his followers.
And it is this very reason why it is so important to know who Gods First Creation is. Because if you don't know who the firstborn is, then how can you possibly know who the Father is?
“. . .Therefore they went on to say to him: “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered: “YOU know neither me nor my Father. If YOU did know me, YOU would know my Father also.”. . .” Joh 8:19
If you are a trinitarian, and I ask you who God is, can you answer this simple question, or is it a mystery? How about, do you know the father and his name? If the Father is Jehovah, and the son is Jesus Christ, and the holy spirit is the third part of God, then what is Gods name as a whole(father, son, holy spirit)?
I have asked many people who believe in the trinity who the firstborn creation of God is, and everyone of them, once they actually think about it says there is no way to know. Even though the bible clearly states that Jesus is the firstborn son of God, his only begotten son, they cannot comprehend that. Why? What is holding them back from seeing the obvious truth regarding the God that they claim to worship? Jehovah is holding them back, and to find the answer why, read here
Who is the firstborn of God?