We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Was Jesus the Archangel Michael?


Both the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists claim that the Archangel Michael was Jesus prior to Jesus’ birth. Of course we know that isn’t true, since Jesus is God incarnate and Michael was just a created angel.  However, Ron Rhodes, in his book, Angels Among Us: Separating Truth from Fiction, gives the following evidence against the JW/SDA claim (pgs 92-95):

Now, a controversial question that comes up from time to time relates to the claim that appearances of Michael in the Bible were actually appearances of Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune Godhead. Is this a possibility, or does Scripture forbid such interpretations? I believe there are at least five biblical arguments that make such an interpretation impossible. Let us briefly consider these arguments.

1. The archangel Michael does not have the authority himself to rebuke Satan. Jude 9… By contrast, Jesus rebuked the Devil on a number of different occasions (see, for example, Matthew 4:10 and 16:23). Since Michael could not rebuke the Devil in his own authority and Jesus could (and did) rebuke the Devil in His own authority, Michael and Jesus cannot be the same person. … 

2. In Daniel 10:13 Michael is called “one of the chief princes.” Whether or not there is more than one archangel, the fact that Michael is “one of” the chief princes indicates that he is one among a group of chief princes. …[and] proves that he is not utterly unique. By contrast, the Greek word used to describe Jesus in John 3:16 in monogenes—which means “unique,” “one of a kind.” Jesus is never called “chief prince” in the Bible. In fact, He is called the “King of kings and Lord of lords” in Revelation 19:16. This is a title that indicates absolute sovereignty and authority. A King of kings/lLord of lords is much higher in authority than a mere “chief prince” (who is one in a group of princes). …

3. Hebrews 1:5 tells us that no angel can ever be called God’s son.  Since Jesus is the Son of God, and since no angel can ever be called God’s son, then Jesus cannot possibly be the archangel Michael.

4. Hebrews 1:6 tells us that Christ is worshiped by the angels. This is the exact same word (Greek: proskuneo) used of worshiping Jehovah God in the Bible. Christ is worshiped with the same kind of worship rendered to the Father. … There is no getting around this fact. Jesus is not an angel; He is worshiped by the angels.

5. We are explicitly told in Hebrews 2:5 that the world is not (and never will be) in subjection to an angel. Certain angels…have various ranks and, under God, exercise imperial authority in different ways. But no angel is ever said to rule the world or God’s kingdom. … If no angel can rule the world…, then Christ cannot be the archangel Michael since Christ is said to be the ruler of God’s kingdom over and over again in Scripture. …

2 comments:

Jesse Albrecht said...

This article is relevant:

https://rationalchristiandiscernment.blogspot.com/2018/04/is-jesus-michael-archangel.html

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Jesse,

Yep, that's a good post.