He was in the beginning with God.
- Why does God repeat Himself here? – For emphasis, to make sure we get it. As a mother, I am prone to repeat the things that I fear may result in injury or trouble for my child if she forgets them. So it is with God. He knows that we have this propensity to want to deny Him, His role in creation, Him as the point of origin for our lives, our very breath. To help us get it, He repeats Himself.
- What does this verse tell us about the relationship between Jesus and God? – It tells us that they are co-equals. Jesus was not created. He pre-existed creation as God, the Father, did.
- What did Jesus say about this? – “O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” (John 17:5)
- Why is this important? – Most cults include as part of their teaching that Jesus was not a co-equal with God, that He is something less than God. This is a heresy. Knowing what God has said in His word will allow us to answer those who lie about the deity of Christ.