2. Who is the Creator, God or Jesus?
Creator or Creature?
There is one Creator, and that Creator is God. Every other being comes under the category of “creature” or “creation.”
The Bible says of Jesus Christ: (Colossians 1:15) – Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
This is one of several verses many pastors have tried to say means something it doesn’t state. It does not state, nor is it insinuating, Jesus is God. God was not “born”, nor is God the firstborn of anything. But most importantly God is never called or addressed as being a “creature.” Although God has many titles, “creature” is not one of them.
Most ministries cite (Colossians 1:15) “Who is the image of the invisible God” in an attempt to support their claim that God was incarnated as Jesus.
Several facts need to be made clear:
2. If one thing is the “image” of another thing, then the “image” and the “original” are not the same thing.
When you look at someone standing in front of a mirror you see a reflection of their image. The Father is called “God” in many verses, and that is why there is no verse that calls the Father the image of God.
Words in the Bible must be read and understood in their common or ordinary meaning unless good reason can be given to alter that meaning. In this case, the common meaning of “image” is “likeness” or “resemblance,” and it is used that way every time in the New Testament.
Just as Jesus is called the image of God, we also are called the image of God. (1 Corinthians 11:7) says, “A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God.”
Jesus also became God’s firstborn by his resurrection. This is confirmed in (Colossians 1:18). He is therefore “the first begotten of the dead…the beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 1:5; 3:14). Jesus was the first of a new creation of immortal men and women (not the world), whose resurrection and full birth as the immortal sons of God has been made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus (Ephesians 2:10; 4:23-24; 2 Corinthians 5:17). “In Christ shall all (true believers) be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23). Jesus was the first person to rise from the dead and be given immortality, he was the first of the new creation, and the true believers will follow his pattern at his return.
God Had No Intermediary
One of the attributes that distinguishes God as God is the fact that he alone is the creator of all things. Not only did God alone create all things; God alone was not created.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God had no intermediary or co-creator alongside him when he created the heavens and the earth:
(Isaiah 44:24) – Thus saith the LORD(H3068), thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD(H3068) that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
This means that nothing was created through or by God’s Son (Jesus) or through any other means other than God (Jehovah) himself. (Isaiah 45:12, 48:13; See also: The Name Of God)
This is Very Important!
1. Jesus never, not once, claimed to have created anyone or anything. This is an undisputed fact!
2. The problem however, as you will soon see, stems from the various publishers who determined how the “original” Hebrew and Greek texts would be translated, thereby controlling what wording would or would not be contained in their biblical publications; that which we call the Holy Bible. That is the major reason why various discrepancies seem to appear within the Bible as written. Scriptures should be in harmony, not contradict each other. As we noted earlier (See: What We Believe):
We believe that the original manuscripts were the dictates of “one directing Mind” (God), (2 Peter 1:21).
We do NOT consider the various translations as the Word of God (just the original manuscripts), but that these translations from the original manuscripts have been born out of need for the Word of God to be transmitted to men of different races and languages.
We do NOT claim that these translations are without error; for the translations are the works of mortal men who have made no claims that their works are the products of the inspiration of God or the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and
Worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
(Romans 1:25)
According to (Ephesians 2:20) the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Their testimony is that God created the world and all that it contains.
Testimony of the Apostles:
(Acts 4:24) – And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
(Acts 14:15) – And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
(Acts 17:24) – God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Testimony of the Law & Prophets:
(Genesis 1:1) – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
(Exodus 20:11) – For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
(Nehemiah 9:6) – Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
(Psalms 24:1) – The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
The Greek Words “En” & “Dia”
Yet
Colossians 1:16 (KJV), speaking of the Son, states the following:
“For (hoti) by (en) him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by (dia) him, and for him:”
This translation all hinges on the three words underlined in the text above.
The Greek Word “Hoti”
(Ref. Strongs: G3754)
In (Colossians 1:16) the first Greek word which helps paint the relationship between the Son of God and the creation translated as “For” is “hoti” (Strong’s 3754).
One of the problems with the KJV Bible is its choice of words used in their transliteration. This Greek word “hoti” is often translated (173) as “because“. We will just list a few passages. (Mat 20:7, 15; Mark 1:34, 3:30, 6:34, etc..)
The Greek Word “En”
In (Colossians 1:16) the second Greek word which describes the relationship between the Son of God and the creation (KJV translated as “by”) is “En” (Strong’s 1722).
The implication of this rendering is clear- that it was Jesus who created the things listed. And it is a very comprehensive list indeed.
This rendering however is at odds with the entire scriptural record. It directly contradicts all the passages set out above.
It even contradicts Jesus himself who whenever making mention of the creation, always attributed it solely to God:
(Mark 10:6) – But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
(Mark 13:19) – For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
(Matthew 11:25) – At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
But this is not the only way the word “en” can be rendered
(Ref. Strongs: G1722)
As you can see, depending upon context, it can also be translated “because of”:
(Mark 14:27) – And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
It would have been ridiculous for the translators to have interpreted Jesus as saying that all the disciples would be offended by him on the night of his betrayal!
Let’s see how this translation (because of) harmonizes with the rest of the Bible:
(Colossians 1:16) – For because of him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers…
Could it really be that God’s motive and plan for the entire creation centered around Christ?
Consider the following:
(Ephesians 3:10-11) – To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
According to this passage of scripture, when God created “the principalities and powers in heavenly places”, he had one purpose in mind. It was to show forth his manifold wisdom to the church and through Christ.
So as God subsequently created the heavens and the earth, it was with Jesus in mind. Not just in mind- but as the very centerpiece and focal point of his plan.
In creating man and allowing him to be tempted knowing he would fall and be separated from God he also knew he would one day reveal his purpose and gather all things back together in Christ.
In allowing Adam and Eve to sin and so bring the curse of death upon the entire human race, God knew he would eventually show forth the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Jesus Christ.
(Romans 11:32) – For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
(Romans 5:8) – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
It was not just the prophets of the Old Covenant that ached with curiosity and desired to see the mysterious plan of God revealed:
(1 Peter 1:10) – Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
(Ephesians 2:7) – That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
The creation of all things “because of” Jesus Christ also harmonizes with scripture. All glory should go to God our Creator through Christ Jesus our Lord.
In view of all this, for Jesus to say: Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58) becomes more harmonious when those scriptures that indicate Jesus was also slain from the foundation of the world.
(Revelation 13:8) – And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The Greek Word “Dia”
(Ref. Strongs: G1223)
We have a similar issue found in the second clause of (Colossians 1:16) “…….. all things were created by (dia) him, and for him”
In this case, the word rendered “by” is “Dia” in the Greek. “Dia” can also be rendered as “because of” or “for”
If we applied this translation to Colossians 1 it would be rendered as “…….. all things were created dia (because of ) him, and for him”
The meaning of “dia” is very flexible, it can mean (for whom / for the sake of / on account of, etc.)
Examples where this is found:
- The scripture were written dia “for our sake” – not by us (1 Corinthians 9:10)
- Cold and wet people made a fire dia, “for the sake of” (or because of), the rain and cold (Acts 28:2). They didn’t make a fire ‘by’ the rain and cold.
Other examples of where “Dia” is rendered differently are:
(Mark 2:27) – And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
(Matthew 27:19) – When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
(John 12:11) – Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Unfortunately, this same conflicting translation problem (by – dia) is reflected in 3 other New Testament scriptures, instead of the more correct and harmonious choice of wording – “because of” or “for”.
(Ephesians 3:9) – And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by (because of) Jesus Christ:
(1 Corinthians 8:6) – But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by (for) whom are all things, and we by (because of) him.
(Hebrews 1:2) – Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by (for) whom also he made the worlds;
Note: This correct understanding is furthermore supported and made more evident in the next chapter of Hebrews;
(Hebrews 2:7) Thou [God] madest him [Jesus] a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him [Jesus] over the works of thy hands [God’s creation]:
The creation is more harmonious and better rendered as saying:
1 Jesus was the reason God created (“because of” as explained above)
or
2 The creation was made for Jesus, in the sense that a parent may prepare a room for a baby in anticipation of its birth
Worded either way would be appropriate and in line with the Old Testament accounting of the creation.
NOTE: This is the very reason why various translations (as written) at times appear to stand in direct opposition to the testimony of Jesus, the Apostles and the Prophets – primarily because of the rendering of 2 Greek words found in only 4 verses of the New Testament.
This is why:
We do NOT consider the various translations as the Word of God (just the original manuscripts), but that these translations from the original manuscripts have been born out of need for the Word of God to be transmitted to men of different races and languages.
We do NOT claim that these translations are without error; for the translations are the works of mortal men who have made no claims that their works are the products of the inspiration of God or the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
NOTE: The best transliteration of this particular passage (Colossians chp1) that I have been able to find most in-line and in harmony with that of the apostles belief, teachings and understanding as contained in their “original writings” is given in:
The Book of Yahweh (pg.925) which reads as follows:
16 Because (hoti- G3754) before (en- G1722) Him all things were created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or rulerships, or principalities, or powers; all things were created on account of (dia- G1223) Him, and for Him.
17 And He is over all things, and all things have been placed together under Him.
18 For He is the Head of the body, the called out ones, Who is the beginning of the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence.
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