Is belief in the pre-existence of Jesus biblical?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Some of the most well-known verses supporting the pre-existence of Jesus are John 1:1 and 1:14John 1:1 shows Jesus was with the Father from the very beginning and is. This truth is further attested to by the use of “us” in the Genesis 1:26 account of the creation of man. John 1:14 communicates the Father-Son relationship within the Holy Trinity. Also, before Jesus officially began His ministry on earth, John the Baptist references Jesus coming before him even though John was Jesus’ older cousin, which points to Jesus’ pre-existence (John 1:15). John 10:17-18 makes it clear that Jesus is part of the divine Trinity—equal with God. As fully God, Jesus was not created but has always existed (1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 1:15-16). Jesus’ pre-existence shows that He is the sinless Son of God, the only one qualified to die for humanity’s sins.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 1:26 uses the plural “us” in discussing the creation of humankind: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’” Likewise, the accounts of the Fall and the Tower of Babel use plural language when God refers to Himself (Genesis 3:22, 11:7). These and many other instances in the Old Testament show that Jesus existed before He came to Earth incarnate.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 1:1 and verse 14 clearly communicates Jesus' deity as well as His existence since “the beginning” with God. Jesus is the “Word” mentioned in this verse who “became flesh and dwelt among us.”
• In John 1:15, John the Baptist, announced, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'" Since John was six months older than Jesus, John's assertion confirms Jesus existed long before his (or Jesus’) human birth.
• Jesus' deity—and therefore pre-existence—is proven by His miraculous resurrection (John 10:17-18).
• Several Scriptures describe Jesus' direct hand in creation. In fact, Jesus was the Person of the Godhead who actually did the work of creation: "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (Colossians 1:15-16).
• Jesus’ resurrection was an act of power that authenticated His ministry and means He is the living and divine Savior, who now sits at the right hand of God (1 Peter 3:22).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The pre-existence of Jesus has been a reality before we even had what we consider time. While the earth was being created, Jesus worked in perfect harmony with God the Father, the source of creation (1 Corinthians 8:6), and the Holy Spirit, the power behind creation (Psalm 104:30). Then during Jesus’ earthly ministry, His power to do miracles proved His divinity, as He not only raised the dead (Luke 7:11-15; Matthew 9:18-25; John 11:1-44) and healed the sick and disabled, but also had the divine authority to forgive sins (Luke 5:17-25). Even past His ministry, Jesus’ divinity was clearly seen when He was resurrected from the dead (1 Peter 3:22) and later ascended into heaven. Ultimately, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus existed before His incarnation on earth. He is also part of the Trinity and existed as God from all eternity past.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus’ pre-existence is affirmed by His presence at creation.
• Jesus’ divine nature also proves that he has always existed as the Second Person of the Trinity.
• Among many other miracles, the resurrection proves that Jesus is divine, not a created being.

REFLECT

• What are some Bible passages that are especially relevant to helping you understand who Jesus is?
• How do you seek to honor Jesus in your life?
• How is Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins especially significant when you think of who He is?

ENGAGE

• How does the biblical view of Jesus differ from much of the world’s view?
• How can Christians best prove Jesus’ pre-existence in conversations with those who do not believe in the Trinity (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarians, etc.)?
• How can we best ensure that others hear a biblical view of Jesus?