The question at hand is whether Jesus was created by God the Father, classing him as a creature; or is he a divine being in possession of all the fulness the Godhead. Some groups mistakenly teach that Jesus is a created being, but this understanding overlooks the true meaning of passages like Colossians 1:15 and Revelation 3:14. To grasp the truth, we must comprehend God's plan of salvation and the divine nature of both the Father and the Son.
Scripture reveals that there is only one God, the Father and that this one God has an only begotten Son. This truth is evident in verses such as Genesis 1:26, John 3:16, and 1 Corinthians 8:6. Jesus Christ is the Word through whom the Father created all things. As John 1:1-3, Ephesians 3:9, and Hebrews 1:2 make clear, Jesus played a crucial role in creation. He was with the Father before anything was created, and it is through him that all things were made. He willingly humbled Himself to die and pay the penalty for our sins. His death and resurrection offer us salvation from eternal death.
Some individuals misinterpret Revelation 3:14, which describes Jesus as the "beginning of the creation of God." The issue lies in the translation of the Greek word "
arché," which the KJV and similar translations render as "beginning." However, other translations convey the meaning as "origin" or "ruler" of God's creation. This understanding highlights that Jesus is the Beginner or Originator of creation, not a created being Himself.
Similarly, the interpretation of Colossians 1:15 as suggesting that Christ is part of the created order is flawed. The Greek word "prōtotokos," translated as "firstborn," (from proto, "first" and tikto, "to beget") does not mean creation. Rather, it clearly states that Christ was born. This is emphasized in John 3:16 which calls him the “only begotten Son”. Christ was begotten, not created. The two words do not mean the same thing. Christ was first born before anything was created, and it is through him that all things, including the angels, were created. He is the Father’s only-begotten son, the firstborn of creation. That is why creation finds its beginning in Him.
Those who believe Jesus Christ to be a created being fail to grasp the full scope of God's love and his plan for our salvation. God gave us His very own son, not a creature. Jesus, the divine Word who "was God" (that is, he possessed the God nature inherited from his Father. Hebrews 1:4, Colossians 2:9; 1:19) and "was with God" before creation, will return as the King of kings to take his people to the mansions he’s been preparing for them in his Father’s house (John 14:1-3).
By comprehending the divine nature and real relation of the Father and the Son, we gain a deeper understanding of God's plan of salvation. Jesus Christ, the Word who played a pivotal role in creation, is our Savior. He is God’s only-begotten and divine Son. May we continue to delve into the Scriptures and seek a closer relationship and fellowship with the Father and Son (1 John 1:3).
