Did Jesus claim equality with his Father?

[placebofactor]

Did Jesus claim equality with his Father?

It was the day before the cross. In Matthew 26, Jesus is confronted by the Chief priests and elders of the temple. Jesus asserted that he was the “Son of man” that is, literally man; and that he was the Son of God, that is, literally God, as the Jews understood it; and that he would be seen sitting on the right hand of power.” The phrase “Son of God” can be understood in three ways. First, by simple origin, secondly by general likeness, and thirdly, by identity of nature with the Father?

In the Jewish court of law, the Jews understood Jesus to mean “Identity of nature with the Father.” In this sense, for a man to call himself the Son of God would be gross blasphemy. He confirmed to them in the belief that he claimed identity of nature with his Father. It is also evident that he meant to assert his own Supreme Godhead.

On another occasion, Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” Two important questions need to be asked: what impression did his comments make upon the Jewish hearers? and what idea did he convey to them?

Their indignation was so aroused that they “took up stones to stone him.” Jesus understood what was meant by their action; for the blasphemer, according to law, was to be stoned; yet he asked them why. They said, “Because you being a man make yourself God.” This was the impression Jesus words had made on the high priest and elders of the temple.

Did Jesus correct them? No, he did not. In John 5:18, “The Jews sought the more to kill him, because he had not only broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” Jesus never denied this. He said in John 5:23, “that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which hath sent him.”

Jesus denied none of these things. He left upon their minds the burning impression that he claimed to be the eternal God. He could have denied it but did not. They announced to him, that he would be stoned for his blasphemous claims, yet he said nothing.

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #7]

1. Nowhere in the synoptic Gospels (the first Gospels to be written: Matthew, Mark, and Luke) do the family, friends, disciples (or enemies) of Jesus say anything even hinting that they thought he was God (or that he was teaching or claiming that he was God). That such essential new information (if true) should be ignored completely is impossible to believe. Compare all the times Jesus is called the Christ or Messiah. Since these were written many years before the fourth Gospel, they should show the most important news about Jesus: information which is essential for his followers to know.

2. Those Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus dead could have merely said that he claimed to be God (an automatic death sentence). But, although they condemned him to death because he claimed to be the Messiah, they never accused him of being God in the Synoptic Gospels. They even hired false witnesses to lie about him, but even those false witnesses did not accuse Jesus of claiming to be God. - Matthew 26:59 -63.

Why exclude the fourth Gospel?
The synoptic Gospels though did not described Jesus as God but they do contain verses and narratives that imply Jesus' divinity through His actions, claims, and the way others respond to Him. One include His authority to forgive sins.
Where Jewish leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy as God alone can forgive sins.

Mrk 2:5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mrk 2:6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts,
Mrk 2:7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”

Simply, God GAVE Jesus the power and authority that Jesus had. Jesus' actions, claims and the way others respond to him show that he was sent from God and God had given him the power to do many things. Why would you conclude that Jesus is God when he gave all the glory to his Father, and thanked Him for sending him and for giving him power to show that God is the one who is behind all the power that Jesus had demonstrated?

When they removed the stone where Lazarus was laid, Jesus said to his Father: "Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that you sent me.'" (John 11:41,42, NASB) Then he proceeded to use Jehovah's power to raise Lazarus, demonstrating what Jehovah had given him the ability to do.

Jesus said, showing his subservience to the Father: ..."The Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

You interpret it that way maybe because you forgot that Jesus emptied Himself the form of God and take the form of a servant in the likeness of men and become obedient to the Father even to the point of death on the cross.

The Jehovah's Witnesses would never admit to the idea that Jesus emptied himself, and in so doing had to trust the Holy Spirit to finish the work he was sent to accomplish, "even to the point of death on the cross."

[FruitoftheSpirit]

[Replying to onewithhim in post #16]

Capbook wrote: "Why exclude the fourth Gospel?"
..........................................................................
Because for many years the Synoptics were the Gospel teachings for Christians before the 4th Gospel was written. How could we possibly believe that this most important knowledge (if true) was not being clearly and loudly and repeatedly taught from the beginning?

You asked, "How could we possibly believe that this most important knowledge (if true) was not being clearly and loudly and repeatedly taught from the beginning?"

John wrote his gospel 30+ years after the other gospels were written. John had to receive the Book of Revelation first, and its information to write his Gospel. He received it from the Holy Spirit around 96 A.D., THAT'S WHY! Do your homework, you should have known that.

John found out what Jesus' name was in the book of Revelation. He then revealed it in his Gospel several years later.

Revelation 19:12-13, "He had a name written, that NO MAN KNEW, but he himself. ---- and his name is called the Word of God." Compare with John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (the Father) and the Word (Jesus) was God." So John's gospel had to be written after the book of Revelation.

Back to Revelation 19, all new information for John to reveal to us in his Gospel. the armies of heaven followed him. Out of Jesus mouth goes a sharp sword that he will smite the nations: he will tread the winepress, crushing his enemies: He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. And he will take the antichrist and the false prophet, judge them, and cast them alive into the lake of fire. This was all unknown to John and the rest of the world until 96 or 98 A.D.

Apparently modern scholars reject the traditional view that John and Revelation were written by the same authors.

Anyhow, I wanted to discuss Revelation 19 and John 1 regardless if they were written by the same authors or not.

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called the word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

he had a name written, he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, his name is called the word of God, he hath on his vesture a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

he had a name written

there is one name to which is written and that name is called the word of God and that name that is written, to which is the word of God, is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. At least this is how I read it.

If we properly understand John 1:14 we can then understand John 1:1-2.

Let's get into it!!

The WORD of God to which was most certainly made true in the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth,

Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Yes indeed, God's WORD was made true in the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth when he was filled with the Spirit to then be sent out into the world to speak God's word of truth and perform miracles to which the people would thereby behold his glory.

Do you believe that God did in fact CALL A MAN TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, just as His WORD by the prophet Isaiah declared??

Likewise consider, 1 Chronicles 17:11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

Do you believe this clear truth, that FIRST you have a son of David and THEN YHVH becomes a Father to him?

How does a Son of Man become a Son of God? We are told EXACTLY HOW!!

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

1 John 3: 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is....7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Ezekiel 36: 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

John 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

The word of Ezekiel we likewise hear from Jesus in John 3, “5 verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

What further gospel did Jesus preach, Mark 10:39… “Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

1Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Jesus of Nazareth at the river Jordan was baptized/cleansed with water and was born of the Spirit having been called to righteousness as God’s Spirit came to dwell in him without measure. As the only mortal man to receive God’s Spirit without measure/be born of God, a calling to righteousness, Jesus became God’s only begotten Son. This begotten Son was anointed by God to then be sent out into the world to fulfill all that God asked of him, even going to the cross unto his death.

Jesus died, but then what happened?

Recall Jesus said, one must be born of the Spirit to enter into God’s kingdom and what do we read in Acts 2 and 13? Jesus upon being raised from the dead is exalted to God’s right hand having received the promised Spirit (Acts 2). Jesus upon being raised from the dead God declared Psalms 2 fulfilled, “this day have I begotten thee” (Acts 13).

Scripture directly teaches us that one must be born of God to be righteous and in order to be caused to walk in all of God’s ways (thus be righteous) God must place His Spirit in you, which makes perfect sense considering the fact that the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Could it truly not be more obvious, that to have God's Spirit come to dwell in you to the cause of righteousness is to be born of God, it is to be born of the Spirit?

God's only begotten Son was Jesus because he is the only mortal man to have received the Spirit without measure, the only mortal man to have been called to righteousness to the measure that he would fulfill all of God's will. He died but was resurrected receiving the Promised Spirit which fulfilled Psalms 2 "on this day have I begotten thee". This Jesus became a firstborn of the dead, he is now a firstborn of what will be that of many Sons.

What is our hope, to receive God's Spirit to the cause of righteousness and thus walk in all His ways.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.


John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Word was made flesh (God's Word of the Promised Spirit) came to dwell in the mortal man Jesus of Nazareth and then he was sent out into the world to dwell among the people where they beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son filled with grace and truth having been sent out to speak God's words and perform God's works. The Word becoming flesh is then given to us in verse 32 where the Spirit descends on Jesus and then John declares that THIS is God's Son.

Further, the LIGHT of John 3 IS the Light of Isaiah 42 it is the man who is called to righteousness. Further Isaiah 42 speaks that this is a glory to which YHVH gives to no other man. Those that are righteous have been born of God, Jesus was called to righteousness, a glory only for this mortal man, he as an only begotten Son.

Titus 1: 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Romans 8: 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was WITH the Father, and was manifested unto us) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

According to Isaiah 46, God declared the END from the BEGINNING and that WORD from the beginning was that of a man to whom YHVH calls and brings forth righteousness and salvation. Jesus was raised from the dead and received the Promised Spirit and a body that can no longer die. Jesus preached that a man must be born of the Spirit to enter into God's kingdom.

The WORD from the beginning is the Promised Spirit where it brings forth righteousness and eternal life. The WORD OF LIFE declared from the beginning is THE PROMISED SPIRIT.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was With God and the Word was God.

In the beginning was the WORD (The Promised Spirit) and the WORD was With God (With the Father from the beginning was The Promised Spirit just as Eternal Life was WITH the Father from the beginning according to 1 John 1 and these go hand in hand) and the WORD was God (God Himself is Spirit and He is Life).

Then we read,
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The man to whom God would call to bring forth righteousness and salvation was declared by God from the beginning according to Isaiah 46. This man receives God's Spirit, is called to righteousness to be for a light.

All things were created by YHVH ALONE according to Isaiah 44 and He did so by reason of and for the Son of Man who would be exalted to His right hand and return in YHVH's glory to then reward his faithful giving them of the Promised Spirit.

Without he who would bring forth reconciliation YHVH would not have created anything at all. YHVH's entire purpose was for the earth to be inhabited with humans walking in all of His ways, which by Jesus Christ we know is accomplished through YHVH's Promised Spirit coming to dwell in man.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #7]

1. Nowhere in the synoptic Gospels (the first Gospels to be written: Matthew, Mark, and Luke) do the family, friends, disciples (or enemies) of Jesus say anything even hinting that they thought he was God (or that he was teaching or claiming that he was God). That such essential new information (if true) should be ignored completely is impossible to believe. Compare all the times Jesus is called the Christ or Messiah. Since these were written many years before the fourth Gospel, they should show the most important news about Jesus: information which is essential for his followers to know.

2. Those Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus dead could have merely said that he claimed to be God (an automatic death sentence). But, although they condemned him to death because he claimed to be the Messiah, they never accused him of being God in the Synoptic Gospels. They even hired false witnesses to lie about him, but even those false witnesses did not accuse Jesus of claiming to be God. - Matthew 26:59 -63.

Why exclude the fourth Gospel?
The synoptic Gospels though did not described Jesus as God but they do contain verses and narratives that imply Jesus' divinity through His actions, claims, and the way others respond to Him. One include His authority to forgive sins.
Where Jewish leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy as God alone can forgive sins.

Mrk 2:5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mrk 2:6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts,
Mrk 2:7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”

Simply, God GAVE Jesus the power and authority that Jesus had. Jesus' actions, claims and the way others respond to him show that he was sent from God and God had given him the power to do many things. Why would you conclude that Jesus is God when he gave all the glory to his Father, and thanked Him for sending him and for giving him power to show that God is the one who is behind all the power that Jesus had demonstrated?

When they removed the stone where Lazarus was laid, Jesus said to his Father: "Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that you sent me.'" (John 11:41,42, NASB) Then he proceeded to use Jehovah's power to raise Lazarus, demonstrating what Jehovah had given him the ability to do.

Jesus said, showing his subservience to the Father: ..."The Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

You interpret it that way maybe because you forgot that Jesus emptied Himself the form of God and take the form of a servant in the likeness of men and become obedient to the Father even to the point of death on the cross.

How did I indicate that I "forgot?"

[FruitoftheSpirit]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #7]

1. Nowhere in the synoptic Gospels (the first Gospels to be written: Matthew, Mark, and Luke) do the family, friends, disciples (or enemies) of Jesus say anything even hinting that they thought he was God (or that he was teaching or claiming that he was God). That such essential new information (if true) should be ignored completely is impossible to believe. Compare all the times Jesus is called the Christ or Messiah. Since these were written many years before the fourth Gospel, they should show the most important news about Jesus: information which is essential for his followers to know.

2. Those Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus dead could have merely said that he claimed to be God (an automatic death sentence). But, although they condemned him to death because he claimed to be the Messiah, they never accused him of being God in the Synoptic Gospels. They even hired false witnesses to lie about him, but even those false witnesses did not accuse Jesus of claiming to be God. - Matthew 26:59 -63.

Why exclude the fourth Gospel?
The synoptic Gospels though did not described Jesus as God but they do contain verses and narratives that imply Jesus' divinity through His actions, claims, and the way others respond to Him. One include His authority to forgive sins.
Where Jewish leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy as God alone can forgive sins.

Mrk 2:5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mrk 2:6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts,
Mrk 2:7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”

Simply, God GAVE Jesus the power and authority that Jesus had. Jesus' actions, claims and the way others respond to him show that he was sent from God and God had given him the power to do many things. Why would you conclude that Jesus is God when he gave all the glory to his Father, and thanked Him for sending him and for giving him power to show that God is the one who is behind all the power that Jesus had demonstrated?

When they removed the stone where Lazarus was laid, Jesus said to his Father: "Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that you sent me.'" (John 11:41,42, NASB) Then he proceeded to use Jehovah's power to raise Lazarus, demonstrating what Jehovah had given him the ability to do.

Jesus said, showing his subservience to the Father: ..."The Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

You interpret it that way maybe because you forgot that Jesus emptied Himself the form of God and take the form of a servant in the likeness of men and become obedient to the Father even to the point of death on the cross.

I would say that there are many false interpretations given to passages that then of course the actual truth therein is destroyed.

No passage I would say has been more butchered, with the profound truth therein being destroyed, than with Philippians 2.

False interpretations often come with giving no heed at all to the context of the surrounding scriptures and as well come with not applying at all the simple truths of other passages that are of no need for interpretation.

Philippians 2,

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The context here is to BE LIKE MINDED WITH THE ANOINTED OF THE SPIRIT, JESUS OF NAZARETH.

We are being presented with the MIND OF AN ANOINTED MAN. We are being presented with the thoughts that came unto THE ANOINTED MAN.

We are NOT being presented with the thoughts of some pre-existing being.

It's amazing how often proclaimed Christians give neglect to the Holy Spirit, whereby this neglect works in changing the very image of our Messiah.

Men are to have in their OWN MIND what is said below, just as it was in the mind of the anointed Jesus when he became the anointed. These aren't just any men, they are men to whom God gave His Spirit to where they too like Jesus were sent out to preach, to perform miracles, to bring people into faith in God and in His Son, the anointed Jesus.

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Does the Spirit of God given unto a man WITHOUT MEASURE truly not mean anything to you? He who was in the form of God is he who received the Spirit without measure, Jesus of Nazareth.

Could you imagine being given all of God's Spirit and power, it would make a man feel equal to God now wouldn't it? But this man was called to do God's will and not his own, so he with the fullness of the Spirit and Power we see that he made himself a servant of God, never using those powers for himself. He made no reputation of himself with those powers, not only did he never serve himself with those powers, he gave all credit to God.

the anointed Jesus who had the fullness of the Spirit in him was made in the likeness of men, what does that mean, what is this speaking of? What else does Paul say elsewhere?

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

All men have sinned, if God made him to be sin for us, did not the anointed of the Spirit Jesus thus find himself in likeness of a man?

Surely he found himself in the likeness of man when he was numbered with transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

He found himself in the fashion as a man when he was numbered with transgressors. He had the power of the Spirit where he could save himself, but he was a servant which left him to be in the fashion of a man as he was numbered with transgressors, whereby he was humbled in dying on the cross with transgressors though he himself knew no sin.

Be like minded with this anointed Jesus is Paul's message.

Those needing to be like minded with him received God's Spirit too, though by measure. They were sent out into the world too and they would be persecuted too. They needed to be like minded, not with some pre-existing being giving up some form of God to come to earth and enter into Mary's womb, they needed to be like minded with the man that was in the form of God through God's Spirit. As he laid down his life, they too needed to be of like mind and lay down their lives.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

They were to be like minded with the anointed Jesus who was willing to preach God's words and perform God's miracles unto his own persecution and death for the sake of his brethren where he did so also believing in God's word that he would be resurrected.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #7]

1. Nowhere in the synoptic Gospels (the first Gospels to be written: Matthew, Mark, and Luke) do the family, friends, disciples (or enemies) of Jesus say anything even hinting that they thought he was God (or that he was teaching or claiming that he was God). That such essential new information (if true) should be ignored completely is impossible to believe. Compare all the times Jesus is called the Christ or Messiah. Since these were written many years before the fourth Gospel, they should show the most important news about Jesus: information which is essential for his followers to know.

2. Those Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus dead could have merely said that he claimed to be God (an automatic death sentence). But, although they condemned him to death because he claimed to be the Messiah, they never accused him of being God in the Synoptic Gospels. They even hired false witnesses to lie about him, but even those false witnesses did not accuse Jesus of claiming to be God. - Matthew 26:59 -63.

Why exclude the fourth Gospel?
The synoptic Gospels though did not described Jesus as God but they do contain verses and narratives that imply Jesus' divinity through His actions, claims, and the way others respond to Him. One include His authority to forgive sins.
Where Jewish leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy as God alone can forgive sins.

Mrk 2:5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mrk 2:6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts,
Mrk 2:7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”

Simply, God GAVE Jesus the power and authority that Jesus had. Jesus' actions, claims and the way others respond to him show that he was sent from God and God had given him the power to do many things. Why would you conclude that Jesus is God when he gave all the glory to his Father, and thanked Him for sending him and for giving him power to show that God is the one who is behind all the power that Jesus had demonstrated?

When they removed the stone where Lazarus was laid, Jesus said to his Father: "Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that you sent me.'" (John 11:41,42, NASB) Then he proceeded to use Jehovah's power to raise Lazarus, demonstrating what Jehovah had given him the ability to do.

Jesus said, showing his subservience to the Father: ..."The Son can do nothing of himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

You interpret it that way maybe because you forgot that Jesus emptied Himself the form of God and take the form of a servant in the likeness of men and become obedient to the Father even to the point of death on the cross.

I would say that there are many false interpretations given to passages that then of course the actual truth therein is destroyed.

No passage I would say has been more butchered, with the profound truth therein being destroyed, than with Philippians 2.

False interpretations often come with giving no heed at all to the context of the surrounding scriptures and as well come with not applying at all the simple truths of other passages that are of no need for interpretation.

Philippians 2,

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The context here is to BE LIKE MINDED WITH THE ANOINTED OF THE SPIRIT, JESUS OF NAZARETH.

We are being presented with the MIND OF AN ANOINTED MAN. We are being presented with the thoughts that came unto THE ANOINTED MAN.

We are NOT being presented with the thoughts of some pre-existing being.

It's amazing how often proclaimed Christians give neglect to the Holy Spirit, whereby this neglect works in changing the very image of our Messiah.

Men are to have in their OWN MIND what is said below, just as it was in the mind of the anointed Jesus when he became the anointed. These aren't just any men, they are men to whom God gave His Spirit to where they too like Jesus were sent out to preach, to perform miracles, to bring people into faith in God and in His Son, the anointed Jesus.

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Does the Spirit of God given unto a man WITHOUT MEASURE truly not mean anything to you? He who was in the form of God is he who received the Spirit without measure, Jesus of Nazareth.

Could you imagine being given all of God's Spirit and power, it would make a man feel equal to God now wouldn't it? But this man was called to do God's will and not his own, so he with the fullness of the Spirit and Power we see that he made himself a servant of God, never using those powers for himself. He made no reputation of himself with those powers, not only did he never serve himself with those powers, he gave all credit to God.

the anointed Jesus who had the fullness of the Spirit in him was made in the likeness of men, what does that mean, what is this speaking of? What else does Paul say elsewhere?

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

All men have sinned, if God made him to be sin for us, did not the anointed of the Spirit Jesus thus find himself in likeness of a man?

Surely he found himself in the likeness of man when he was numbered with transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

He found himself in the fashion as a man when he was numbered with transgressors. He had the power of the Spirit where he could save himself, but he was a servant which left him to be in the fashion of a man as he was numbered with transgressors, whereby he was humbled in dying on the cross with transgressors though he himself knew no sin.

Be like minded with this anointed Jesus is Paul's message.

Those needing to be like minded with him received God's Spirit too, though by measure. They were sent out into the world too and they would be persecuted too. They needed to be like minded, not with some pre-existing being giving up some form of God to come to earth and enter into Mary's womb, they needed to be like minded with the man that was in the form of God through God's Spirit. As he laid down his life, they too needed to be of like mind and lay down their lives.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

They were to be like minded with the anointed Jesus who was willing to preach God's words and perform God's miracles unto his own persecution and death for the sake of his brethren where he did so also believing in God's word that he would be resurrected.

Yes, like-minded as Jesus who showed his humility, his "lowliness of mind," when he came to the earth to do God's will. A humble person would not consider himself to be equal to Almighty God. That is what Paul was getting across---how humble Jesus was, and this would be incongruous if he was thinking of himself as equal to God.