I just converted a Muslim cleric who is in bed next to mine in the hospital and I need to answer some questions raised by him. 1. What is the relationship between Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1? 2. Which comes first, THE WORD or THE LORD in the beginning? 3. Can we call Jesus Jehovah? 4. Who then is Jesus calling MY FATHER?
The word “God” in Genesis 1:1 is the Hebrew ‘elohiym (el-o-heem’), which is plural and indicates the plurality of persons in the Godhead (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9). The plural pronoun “us” in Genesis 1:26 referring to God also indicates the plurality of persons in the Godhead. A couple of New Testament passages that identify the three persons in the Godhead are Matthew 3:16-17 and 28:18-20. In both instances, we find therein God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. “In the beginning” of Genesis 1:1 refers to when the creation of the universe occurred. “In the beginning” of John 1:1-3 also refers to creation, and “the Word” is cited as preceding and participating in creation. “The Word” is a figurative reference to God the Son who came to the earth and took on the form of a human being (John 1:14).
The Godhead, including Jesus Christ Who in John 1:1 is referred to as “the Word,” is eternal, i.e., having no beginning. It is not a matter of whether “the Word” or “the Lord” came first in the beginning since they are references to the same person in the Godhead.
The name, “Jehovah,” is applied in Scripture to Jesus Christ on some occasions. Compare Isaiah 40:3 and Matthew 3:3. “The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3 ASV). “For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:3 ASV). That Jesus Christ is appropriately styled, “Jehovah,” is confirmed by six-way inspiration, that of John the Baptist and the apostle Matthew (Matthew 3:3), Mark (1:2-11), Zacharias and Luke (Luke 1:76) and the apostle John (1:23, 29). New Testament passages apply Isaiah 40:3 about Jehovah to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is properly Jehovah. In addition, Jeremiah 23:5-6 identifies the reference, “righteous Branch,” which refers to our Savior, Jesus Christ, as “Jehovah.” Verse 7 further states that this Jehovah was with the children of Israel from their deliverance from Egypt through their wilderness wandering.
Jesus calling upon His “Father” is a reference to God the Father (John 11:41; Matthew 26:29, 42). There is one God or essence of Deity, but there are three persons in that Godhead. All earthly examples to illustrate a triune or tri-unity God are imperfect because we do not have anything on earth that perfectly mirrors that circumstance. However, consider this illustration: Try as one will, he cannot raise one finger above his head without also raising his hand. To raise two or three fingers also necessitates raising one’s hand. One, two or three fingers raised above one’s head are nevertheless part of the hand – three fingers, but one hand, much like three divine persons in one Godhead.
In the words of 2 Corinthians 3:16, when one truly turns to the Lord Jesus Christ, a great veil of confusion will be removed from before his eyes respecting the Word of God. May we all handle correctly the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15 ASV; 2 Peter 3:16).
