Affirms
Eternal Son; pre-existed before incarnation as the divine Word (Logos)
The Church of God (Cleveland) affirms that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who existed before his incarnation. He is identified with the Logos (Word) of John 1:1-3, through whom all things were created. His incarnation was not the beginning of his existence but the entrance of the eternal Son into human history and nature.
This pre-existence affirms Jesus's full divinity and explains his unique role as Creator and Redeemer. It grounds the Church's understanding of Jesus as true God, not merely a human who became divine at some point. The incarnation is the supreme act of love by which the eternal Son entered creation to redeem it.
Key Distinctions
- Preexistence affirmed:
- eternal Son; always divine; not created
- Eternal nature:
- entry of eternal Word into human nature; not beginning of existence
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of God in Christ Jesus Book of Doctrines and Discipline
- Church of God (Cleveland) teaching on the nature and divinity of Christ