BBI II-A: #9 John the Baptist Testified to Jesus’ Preexistence (Jn. 1:15)
In John 1:1-5 the apostle wrote of Jesus’ preexistence by claiming that He was “in the beginning,” that He was “with God” (external to God), but that He “was God” (using the personal noun “Theos” which always refers to a personal being). In verse 2 He repeated that He was “in the beginning with God.” In verse 3 John stated that everything that exists originated through Him, and nothing originated without Him. In the fourth verse John claimed that what originated IN Him (in contrast with what originated THROUGH Him), was life. Indicating that Logos was the very first “life,” and that this new “Life” (Logos) was the light of men. In vs. 5 Logos, as “Light” (divine revelation to man) illuminated the darkness (ignorance), but that the darkness did not take hold of it. This refers to the Son as “Wisdom” as revealed in Prov. 8, but God’s people Israel ignored this divine wisdom. John then introduced John the Baptist, calling him as a witness to the preexistence of Logos. His testimony was then quoted in verse 15 — “This is the One whom I said, ‘The One coming after me has out-ranked me, because He was (existed) before me.”
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2 thoughts on “BBI II-A: #9 John the Baptist Testified to Jesus’ Preexistence (Jn. 1:15)”
Tim,
You state “In the fourth verse John claimed that what originated IN Him (in contrast with what originated THROUGH Him), was life. Indicating that Logos was the very first “life,” and that this new “Life” (Logos) was the light of men.”
When, in your view, was this new “Life” the light of men? At Genesis Chapter 0 verse 0 or after Jesus’ birth? Or some other time?
The “Word” (Logos) was this first “Life.” He was the “light of men” when He interacted with Ahraham, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua. John called Him “Logos of Life” in 1 John 1:1-3, and that the Apostles heard, saw, and handled Him. In Jn. 1:10 John wrote that “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, but the world did not know Him.” This “Light of men” was only shown to a few. His name was not revealed even to those who asked him His name. (Gen. 32:39; Judges 13:17-18). He was always a “mystery” in the Old Testament, and only revealed as the “Son of God” much later.