Jesus pre-existed as 'the Word'; creator of all things; the God of the Old Testament
Armstrongism affirms that Jesus Christ pre-existed before His incarnation as the Word (Logos) of God. As the pre-incarnate Word, He was the active agent of creation—all things were made through and for Him. The God who appeared to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets in Old Testament theophanies was Jesus Christ, not the Father.
This pre-incarnate role establishes Jesus' full divinity and His central position in God's redemptive plan throughout history. The pre-existent Christ is not subordinate to the Father in essence but distinct in role and function. His pre-incarnate activity demonstrates His eternal nature and His authority as the God revealed in the Old Testament before becoming human in the New Testament.
Key Distinctions
- Preexistence affirmed:
- affirmed — the Word (Jesus) pre-existed eternally as the second member of the divine Family
- Ot identity:
- the God who dealt with Israel in the OT was the pre-incarnate Jesus (the Word), not the Father
Scripture References
Sources
- Herbert W. Armstrong, Mystery of the Ages
- United Church of God doctrinal papers