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QUESTION 4:
One translation of John 1:1 says that the Word was a "god" implying that Jesus was a created "god." Is this true?

ANSWER:
This translation is in the "New World Bible" and is only used by a particular group.

Those who use it teach that Jehovah created Jesus as a lesser "god" than Himself. To support this they pervert this verse. The Bible teaches the opposite. It teaches that He was the Creator God and not a created being, John 1:3. "For by Him (Christ) 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 him and for him:" Colossians 1:16. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1.

There are three distinct things said here about Christ:

• His pre-existence: "in the beginning WAS the Word..."
  
• His co-existence: "...was WITH God."
  
• His co-equality. "...WAS God.
  

These truths are found throughout the Scriptures. There came a time when He "made Himself of no reputation," and He became man. This is clearly stated in Philippians 2:7. He never ceased to be what He always was. "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Timothy 3:16.

The above translation of John 1:1, where they translated "God" in the first part and a "god" in the second is a poor rendering. In the first part the Greek word "Theos" is used of God who has not revealed Himself yet, seeing this was way back in the very beginning. In the latter part, the word "Theos" has a little mark by it. The Greek scholars are telling us it means a God that has revealed Himself.

To add to their confusion this same mark is on the word "Theos" in John 3:16, where they translated it "God." To be consistent they would say: "For a 'god' so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son..." This would hardly make very good sense. The "Word" in John 1:1, "was made flesh, and dwelt among us," in John 1:14, is telling us He is the Eternal Son of God manifested in human form. He came to die that we might live. He gave His life so we might have life. "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28.

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen