JOHN 1:1

John 1:1 is unquestionably important because it not only identifies Jesus as God, but the following verses attribute all creation to him. The NWT translates John 1:1 as “the Word was a god.” This is the only modern translation done in this form. The emphasis should not be only on the “god” but also on the "a".

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

The WTS states that their translation of John 1:1 is correct regardless of the fact that  in the original Greek the word “God” is without the article"a", but  they refer to other verses to justify this translation. What we need to understand that in the Greek, when the definite article is used, it often stresses the individual, and, when it is not present, it refers to the nature of the subject. So we can translate John 1:1 as “and the Word was of the nature of God."

  THEOS

 The WTS teaches that God means “power” and anyone or anything that has power is a god. The Greek is very rich in meaning, much more so than English. Now, in the Greek there are many different words for god, but when the biblical writers identify The One True God, the word “Theos” is used. But we must understand that Theos is also used in other applications in which its use is not being reflective of the One True God. {See explanation below.} The NWT is the only Bible translations that Theos appears 2 times as “magistrate;” 10 times as a “god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities;” 7 times as descriptive of things liken unto God; 1152  times as Theos to God without the article of “a”, except in John 1:1 where the WTS translates Theos to “a god.” Why is it that the 1152 times that Theos is used to refer to God and Jesus, the WTS does not translate Theos to “a god?”

BELOW ARE 36 DIFFERENT WORDS FOR GOD THAT ARE USED IN THE GREEK.

                  English Translation                        Original Word                               Transliterated Word

                 God forbid                                 givnomai                               ginomai

                 without God                              a[qeoß                                   atheos

                 god                                          daimovnion                           daimonion

                 gospel of God                            eujaggevlion                         euaggelion

                 godly fear                                  eujlavbeia                              eulabeia

                 blessed (said of God)                 eujloghtovß                           eulogetos

                 godliness                                  eujsevbeia                             eusebeia

                 godly                                        eujsebhvß                             eusebes

                 godly                                        eujsebw'ß                              eusebos

                 goddess                                   qeav                                       thea

                 Godhead                                   qei'oß                                     theios

                 Godhead                                   qeiovthß                                theiotes

                 taught of God                            qeodivdaktoß                       theodidaktos

                 fight against God                       qeomacevw                          theomacheo

                 to fight against God                   qeomavcoß                           theomachos

                 given by inspiration of God          qeovpneustoß                       theopneustos

                 God                                         qeovß                                    theos

                 god                                          qeovß                                    theos

                 godly                                       qeovß                                    theos

                 God-ward                                qeovß                                    theos

                 godliness                                  qeosevbeia                            theosebeia

                 worshipper of God                      qeosebhvß                            theosebes

                 hater of God                              qeostughvß                           theostuges

                 Godhead                                   qeovthß                                 theotes

                 God forbid                                 mhv                                        me

                 I would to God                           o[felon                                   ophelon

                 would to God                             o[felon                                   ophelon

                 Spirit (of God)                            pneu'ma                                pneuma

                 after a godly sort                       ajxivwß                                  axios

                 Son of God                               uiJovß                                    huios

                 lover of God                               filovqeoß                               philotheos

                 God speed                                caivrw                                    chairo

                 be warned of God                      crhmativzw                           chrematizo

                 be admonished of God               crhmativzw                           chrematizo

                 be warned from God                   crhmativzw                           chrematizo

                 answer of God                           crhmatismovß                      chrematismos

                 ungodliness                              ajsevbeia                               asebeia

                 ungodly                                    ajsevbeia                               asebeia

                 live ungodly                               ajsebevw                               asebeo

                 commit ungodly                         ajsebevw                               asebeo

                 ungodly                                    ajsebhvß                                asebes

                 ungodly men                             ajsebhvß                                asebes

                 kingdom (of God)                       basileiva                                basileia

                 King (God or Christ)                   basileuvß                               basileus

THE FOLLOWING IS THE DEFINITION OF THEOS AND WHERE AND HOW MANY TIMES IT IS FOUND IN EACH BOOK OF  THE BIBLE.

Original Word Word Origin qeovß of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially)) the supreme Divinity Transliterated Word   Theos   Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech theh'-os Noun Masculine  Definition a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities the Godhead, trinity God the Father, the first person in the trinity Christ, the second person of the trinity Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity spoken of the only and true God refers to the things of God his counsels, interests, things due to him whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way God's representative or viceregent of magistrates and judges

KJV Verse Count  Matthew 46 Mark 44 Luke 116 John 70 Acts 158 Romans 135 1 Corinthians 86 2 Corinthians 65 Galatians 29 Ephesians 32 Philippians 22 Colossians 21 1 Thessalonians 30 2 Thessalonians 14 1 Timothy 21 2 Timothy 12 Titus 12 Philemon 2 Hebrews 64 James 13 1 Peter 35 2 Peter 7 1 John 40 2 John 2 3 John 2 Jude 4 Revelation 90 Total 1172

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THE FOLOWING ARE VERSES FOUND IN JOHN THAT THEOS IS USED.

Greek Word: Qeovß
Transliterated Word: theos
Book to Display: John

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

                                  JOHN 1:1 TRANSLITERAED, UNACCENTED IN THE GREEK.

John 1:1 En arche en ho Logos, kai ho Logos en pros tonTheon, kai theos en ho Logos.

The key part of this verse which we are discussing is the last five words. When translated word for word we make out “ kai theos en ho Logos “ to say “and God was the Word.”  This rough translation only drives in a deeper truth, that Jesus is God.

THE FOLLOWING ARE VERSES WHERE THEOS IS USED IN WHICH IT IS NOT PERTAINING TO ONE TRUE GOD.

Theos is used to imply magistrate. 

John 10:34 “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?”

John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

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 Theos is used to imply a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.

Acts 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

Acts 14:11  And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

Acts 19:26  Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

Acts 19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Acts 28:6  Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

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In the following Theos is used to describe whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way.

 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

 2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

3 John 1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

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  COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE DIETY OF JESUS CHRIST. 

                                                    JOHN 14:28

John 14:28 You heard that I said to you, I am going away and I am coming {back} to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. {NWT}

John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. {KJV}

This is a commonly quoted verse used by the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the WTS to validate their claim that Jesus was never equal to The Father. The term “greater” found in John 14:28 refers to position not nature. The Greek word is “meizon” {Strong’s number 3187} which means greater, larger, elder and stronger. God the Father is greater than Jesus in position. God the Father and God the Son are equal in quality and quantity. Phil 2:5-11 explains the position of Jesus in respect to equality with God, before and after he accepted God’s will and became man.

For scriptural evidence on Jesus deity in relation to John 14:28.

===============================================================                                                   REVELATION 3:14

 The WTS instructs its deciples that Jesus was the first creature created by God. As evidence, the organization quotes Rev. 3:14. If we take the translation of Rev. 3:14 literally, then we can misjudge the interpretation and come to this conclusion.

 Rev. 3:14.  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

 In this verse Jesus refers to himself as the beginning of the creation of God. Beginning is translated from the Greek word “arche.” Arche means “chief in various applications of order, time, place, and rank. It also implies “beginning, corner, magistrate, power, principality, principle and rule.” When applied, it implies “the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause.” {Strong’s Dictionary of Bible Words}.

 From "arche" we derive such words as architect, archbishop, arch angel, archduke, and archpriest. So when used in Revelation 3:14 Jesus is stating that he is God, the point of origin, the active force that brought creation into existence.

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 COLOSSIANS 1:15

Colossians 1:15.  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

In this verse Jesus Christ is referred to as the “first born” of all creation. The WTS sites this verse as proof that Jesus Christ is not God, but the first creation of God. Biblically “first born” is used to signify a position of importance, instead of “first to be born” or “first created.” By stating that Jesus Christ is the first creation of God, the WTS is reading something into the text that is not there. If Jesus was created, the text should read “creation’s first born” instead of “first born of creation.”  The title of “first born” refers to Jesus’ preeminent position and sovereignty over creation. In Paul’s time the first born had rights and status of supremacy over the rest of the offspring. There is scriptural reference to “first born” referring to position and not birth.

Psalm 89:20-27 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.  The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.  And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.  I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.  He shall cry unto me, thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.  Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

1Samuel 16:11-13 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

As noted in 1 Samuel 16:13 David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. Obviously he was not Jesse’s first born. But in Psalm 89 God elevates David to the position of first born. God did not change the order in which Jesse’s children were born. Instead God uplifts and makes David’s rank superior among the kings of the earth. But is there scriptural evidence to prove that Jesus was not a creation but existed before all things were created?  1 Col 1:16-17 states that Jesus created all things, and all things exist because of him.

1 COLOSSIANS 1:16-17

 1 Colossians 1:16-17  For by him 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:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. {KJV}

In these verses Paul states that Jesus is the creator of all things. All things include everything, there is nothing excluded. If Jesus was a creation of God then he would be part of “all things” and this verse would be in error by stating the Jesus created all things.

  1 Colossians 1:16-17 because by means of him all {other} things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All {other} things have been created through him and for him. Also he is before all {other} things and by means of him all {other} things were made to exist, {NWT}

Notice that the WTS inserted “other” in this text to imply that Jesus is part of “all things created.” There no legitimate reason found in the Greek text to do this. No reputable Greek scholar would insert “other" into the text. The Greek word for all things is “panta .” The Greek word for “other things” is “loipoy” [see below for meaning.] Note that it is not found in the Greek translation below.

 Colossians 1:16 ho’tien autoo' ekti'sthee ta' pa'nta en toi's ouranoi's kai' epi'tee's gee's, ta' horata' kai' ta' ao'rata, ei'te thro'noi ei'teKurio'teetes ei'te achai' ei'te exousi'ai, ta' pa'nta di autou'kai' eis auto'n e'ktistai.

Colossians 1:17  Kai' auto's estin pro' pa'ntoon kai' ta' pa'nta en autoo'sune'steeken.

 Below is the Greek translation for “other things.” Note that this word is not found in the translation of Col 1:16, 17 nor in the entire book of Colossians.  

Original Word Word Origin loipovß masculine plural of a derivative of Transliterated Word   Loipoy   Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech loy-poy'  Adverb  Definition remaining, the rest the rest of any number or class under consideration with a certain distinction and contrast, the rest, who are not of a specific class or number the rest of the things that remain

KJV Verse Count  Matthew 3 Mark 2 Luke 6 Acts 5 Romans 2 1 Corinthians 4 2 Corinthians 2 Galatians 1 Ephesians 2 Philippians 2 1 Thessalonians 2 1 Timothy 1 2 Peter 1 Revelation 8 Total 41

 With the above evidence, we conclude that Jesus created all things and not all “other” things, which will make him part of all things, and is in accord with Col 1:18 which states that he is the head of the church and the first born from the dead. This is for the purpose that he might have pre-eminence.

 Col 1:18.  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 Is there any scriptural evidence found in the NWT to prove that Jesus created all things?

 Yes John 1:3 reads; “All things came into existence through him, and apart form him not even one thing came into existence.”{NWT}

The NTW itself testifies that by Jesus all thing came into existence. It is simple that when “all” is used, it includes everything. “Not even one thing” states that everything is included in “all things.”

John 1:3  Pa'nta di autou' ege'neto, kai' choori'sautou' ege'neto oude' he'n ho' ge'gonen.{Greek translation}

 Here the word panta {which means “all things”} is used again. Note that the WTS translates panta here as all things, and not all "other" things.  In John’s gospel, Jesus created all things, and there is nothing that was created that was not created by Jesus. Notice how John drives home the fact. Jesus created ALL things, and there is NOTHING that was created that was NOT created by him.  Thus by the evidence it is logical to conclude that Jesus created all things.

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             JESUS IS GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

 The following are verses that refer to God in the Old Testament. The themes of these verses are echoed in the New Testament, but in the New Testament they refer to Jesus Christ as God.

  WHO CREATED ALL THINGS?

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

  Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

When John 1:3 is quoted as proof that Jesus created all things the WTS rebuttals is that John 1:3 implies that God created Jesus and afterward Jesus created everything else. They teach that Jesus brought creation forth under the direction of God the Father. Jesus was the creator, and God the Father was the architect. But in Isaiah God says that he made all things; He stretched the heavens and spread the earth by himself.   This hypothesis is not supported by Isaiah 44:24. Please note the verbs used in Isaiah convey the action of “hands on creation,” not of planning, drawing or directing the act of creation.

WHO’S THRONE IS FOREVER AND EVER?

Ps 10:16.  The Lord is king for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

Ps. 45:6 Thy throne O God, is for ever and ever, the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Heb.1:8 But unto the son he saith,”Thy throne O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.

Hebrews 1:8 pro’s de' to'n Huio'n,"Ho thro'nos sou ho Theo's eis to'n aioo'na tou' aioo'nos, kai'hee ra'bdos tee's euthu'teetos ra'bdos tee's basilei'as sou. {Greek Translation}

 The Old Testament author is inspired to inscribe that God’s throne is "forever and ever" and God’s scepter is "righteous."  In the Hebrew, God the Father addresses Jesus as “God” and tells him that his {Jesus} throne is for ever and his {Jesus} scepter is righteous. How could both the Father and the Son posses the same everlasting throne and righteous scepter? It is because both the Old Testament and the New Testament asserts that Jesus and God are the same.

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         DOES GOD THE FATHER REFER TO JESUS AS GOD?

Hebrews 1:9  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Hebrews 1:9  Eega'peesas dikaiosu'neen kai' emi'seesas anomi'an, dia' tou'toe'chrise'n se ho Theo's ho Theo's sou e'laion agallia'seoos para'tou's meto'chous sou."{Greek Translation}

In Hebrews 1:9 God the Father addresses the Son as God. The Greek word used for God in reference to the Son is Theos. This word is found in the NWT to be in capital form, not in small case. If the writers of the NTW are to stay true to their interpretation of John 1:1, then they should have translated Theos to god {lower case} instead of God {capitol}.

Hebrews 1:7-9 Also, with reference to the angels he says: “And he makes his angels spirits and his public servants a flame of fire.”But with reference to the Son: “God is your throne forever, and {the} scepter of your kingdom is the scepter of uprightness.  You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with {the} oil of exultation more than your partners.”{NWT}

Hebrews 1:7-9  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.{KJV}

In Hebrews 1:7 God the Father “mentions” or “refers” to the angels. In verse 8 and 9, God the Father speaks directly to the Son and addresses him as God. Now note the error in the translation of the NWT. According to the NWT,  God the Father “mentions” or “speaks” in reference to the angels and the Son. This is done to distance the relationship between God the Father and Jesus.

According to Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word "reference" was not used. This word was inserted by the writers of the NWT.

                         WHO CAME FIRST AND WHO WILL BE LAST?

Isa 44:6.  Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isa. 48:12.  Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

Rev 1:17-18.  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Rev. 22:12-13 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

                            DID GOD CREATE ANY LESSOR GODS?

The WTS teaches that the definition of “God” is power. They allege that anyone that has power or is in the position of power is “a god.” The organization claims that Jesus and Satan are lower level “gods” because of their possession of power, and that God the Father is the Almighty Everlasting God. If this is true, then the Scriptures should reveal this.

 Det. 32: 39.  See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

Isa. 44:8.  Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

 It is universally agreed upon that God is omniscient, and that anything God states is all truth. He created all, and knows all his creation. God clearly states that He knows of no other “god” in existence, for he created non