What do you Say that I AM?

I had a conversation with an acquaintance about certain doctrines with which they were having difficulty. The usual suspects came up- hell and the trinity - as well as some less common, peripheral ones. I explained that their belief in ultimate universalism (ie everyone gets saved in the end) was certainly desirable but contrary to the overwhelming witness of scripture. The objections to the trinity were better supported, but no less incorrect. It is true that the Lord Jesus prays to ‘God’ (which is surely shorthand for God the Father) and that the Bible teaches there is but one God. I asked my friend about what ‘species’ of being Jesus was. If not God, then what? An angel, such as the Watchtower teaches? A prophet, such as proclaimed by Mecca? Is He another type of god, such as the leaders at Salt Lake affirm? My friend had little answer. False teaching and dodgy theology always rob the Lord Jesus of His glory and rightful pre-eminence. Says John in his gospel, chapter one verse one:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

There we have it. The Word- the Lord Jesus- was distinct from God (the Father) and yet God Himself (the Son).

The third verse of that chapter explains:

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

If Christ was a created creature, how could He have made all created things? The trinity is no easy doctrine, but it is supported by scripture. And if it is not true, what or who is Jesus Christ?

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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. Colossians 1:15-17