Page 174 - Bible Writers Theology Original

158 ♦ Bible Writers' Theology Chapter Seven
7.9 Being in the form of God He humbled Himself
The Almighty God was known to our patriarchs as both Word and Spirit. For they only heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude (Deuteronomy 4:12). The Word was the only form of God they knew. In Genesis 3:8 it says, "...they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in thegardeninthecooloftheday." IntheNewTestamentdays,Johnvery clearly teaches us that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was withGodandtheWordwasGod"(John1:1). Accordingtothesefacts,Paul gives the true picture of God when he speaks of the Word that became flesh. He is "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15).
The Word of God, which was eternally the creative aspect of His being, was not known as the eternal Son pre-existing apart from God, or as the second person of the Trinity. For the Bible clearly tells us that the Son had ahistoricbeginning:"...thisdayhave1begottenthee"(Hebrews1:5). (Also seeMicah5:2-4.) ThepassageinPhilippians2:6whichsays,"beinginthe form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God," means that when the Word of God became flesh, to be the express image of God the Fatherincarnate,theSonthoughtitnotrobberytobeequalwithGod. He was the same Word of God that had been from everlasting.
BeingGod-Man,Hewasdoingtheworkofaservant. Hewassubjectto the family work in the carpentry shop. When twelve. He humbled Himself toreturntoNazarethwhentoldtodosobyMaryandJoseph. Hewasobe-
ient to the government to pay taxes. He was obedient to the centurion when begged to come and heal his servant. Though He was God-Man, in t e days of his flesh, not for a moment did He act as a king, mighty angel, ora"bigman'.HewashedthefeetofHisdisciples. Hesubjectedhimself to the customs of the Jews, by going to homes when invited and going to
weddings when expected. He lived as an obedient servant man in every way.
Since He was the express image of the Father Qohn 10:30), He was equal withtheFather(Hebrews1:3;John12:44-45;John14:6-10). Philippians2:5- 6 refers then to Christ Jesus, namely to the God-Man, after the Word became flesh, and not to a second divine person (so-called, God the Son) before the incarnation. The central truth and mystery of the Scriptures that was revealed to the disciples is the marvelous revelation that God was manifest
in the flesh to be our Savior. He was the Father incarnate, and not God the Son incarnate.