What’s in a name? When it comes to God, everything! In the Bible, God reveals Himself through various names, each shedding light on His character and how He relates to us. Understanding God’s names matters because they aren’t just labels – they’re revelations of who He is. For example, when God calls Himself “Jehovah,” it speaks to His eternal, unchanging nature and faithful presence. When He is known as “El Shaddai,” it highlights His ultimate power and all-sufficiency. By studying these names, we get to know God more intimately. It’s like learning different facets of a diamond: each name reflects a different attribute of God’s nature. In this post, we’ll explore two powerful names of God – El Shaddai (God Almighty) and Jehovah (Yahweh, the “I AM” who keeps His covenants) – and see how Jesus Christ fulfills both. Grab your Bible and let’s dive in, because discovering Jesus in these divine names will deepen your faith and awe for Him!
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Jesus as El Shaddai (God Almighty)
The name “El Shaddai” in Hebrew essentially means “God Almighty.” It’s a name that emphasizes God’s supreme power and His all-sufficiency – in other words, He is the God who is more than enough to meet any need. Shaddai can convey the idea of overwhelming might, the power to destroy or to utterly protect, and even the sense of providing abundant nourishment (as one old interpretation suggests “Shaddai” relates to God’s provision). When God introduced Himself as El Shaddai, He was highlighting that no obstacle can stop His promises. As one commentary notes, “The name ‘God Almighty’ (El Shaddai) conveys God’s supreme power and sufficiency, emphasizing His ability to fulfill His promises despite human limitations”. In other words, El Shaddai tells us God is all-powerful, and He is enough for us. There’s great comfort in that!
Where do we see “El Shaddai” in the Bible? The title appears primarily in the Old Testament, especially in God’s early encounters with the patriarchs. For instance, in Genesis 17:1 God appears to Abram (who was 99 years old at the time!) and says, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.” Here, “God Almighty” is El Shaddai in Hebrew. Imagine hearing that as Abram – an impossible promise of a son was on the horizon, but God was reminding him, “Nothing is impossible for Me. I am Almighty God.” God also used this name when He blessed Abram’s grandson Jacob – “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 35:11). Each time El Shaddai is used, it’s in the context of God making big promises (like countless descendants or covenant blessings) and backing them up with His infinite power. In fact, Exodus 6:3 reflects on this, where God says to Moses: “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name YHWH (the LORD) I did not make myself fully known to them.” It was as El Shaddai – the Promise Maker – that God related to the patriarchs, preparing the way for the fuller revelation of His name to come
Now, here’s the exciting part for us as Christians: Jesus Christ fulfills and embodies “El Shaddai” completely. The New Testament leaves no doubt that the very power of Almighty God is alive in Jesus. He may have come in gentle humility as a man, but Scripture shows that all the fullness of God’s power dwells in Him. Consider a few examples:
- Jesus claimed in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” That’s a bold statement of supreme power – essentially a claim to being Almighty.
- Colossians 1:16–17 says about Christ, “all things were created through Him and for Him… and in Him all things hold together.” Only an all-powerful God could hold the universe together! Jesus isn’t just a prophet or teacher – He is literally sustaining creation every moment.
- Hebrews 1:3 echoes this by saying Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of His power.” Think about that – only God Almighty could uphold the entire universe with just His word! This shows Jesus shares the same omnipotence as El Shaddai.
- In the book of Revelation, Jesus is directly called “the Almighty.” He declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Later He says, “I am the First and the Last” (Revelation 1:17), a title only God can truly claim. The Apostle John clearly identifies Jesus with the Almighty Lord of the Old Testament.
All of these verses drive home the truth that Jesus IS God Almighty. The same God who spoke to Abraham as El Shaddai is speaking to us in the person of Jesus. When we see Christ performing miracles – calming a raging storm with a word, feeding thousands with a few loaves, raising the dead – we are seeing El Shaddai in action. Jesus has power over nature, demons, sickness, and death. No wonder even the winds and waves obeyed Him, and people asked, “What kind of man is this?” The answer: the Almighty God in human flesh! He is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, able to save and satisfy us completely.
Jesus as Jehovah (Yahweh, the Great “I AM”)
Another crucial name of God is “Jehovah”, also pronounced “Yahweh.” This is often shown in English Bibles as “LORD” (in all capital letters). While El Shaddai highlighted God’s power, Jehovah emphasizes God’s personal, covenant-keeping nature and His eternal existence. In fact, when God first revealed this name to Moses, He explained its meaning. In Exodus 3:14, speaking out of the burning bush, God said: “I AM WHO I AM… say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” The name Yahweh literally comes from the Hebrew verb “to be,” so it carries the idea of “I AM” or “the One who is.” In other words, God is the self-existent One, the One who always was, always is, and always will be. How mind-blowing is that? Unlike false gods that come and go, Jehovah is the eternal God who depends on no one and keeps His promises forever.
When God called Himself “I AM,” it was a way of saying, “I’m the real God, the one who exists by My own power, and I will be whatever you need Me to be as I fulfill My covenant with you.” He was assuring Moses and Israel that the God of their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) hadn’t changed – He was the same faithful YHWH ready to deliver them. Later, as we noted, God told Moses that He was known to the patriarchs as El Shaddai, but now He was revealing a deeper aspect of Himself as YHWH (Jehovah). Jehovah is the Promise Keeper side of God’s identity, the God who not only has power, but uses that power to keep His covenant love. No wonder devout Jews held this name in such awe that they wouldn’t even pronounce “Yahweh” aloud. They would say “Adonai” (Lord) instead, because YHWH was considered too holy to utter. That’s how special the name Jehovah is in Scripture.
Now, here’s the remarkable truth of the New Testament: Jesus Christ boldly applies the divine name “I AM” to Himself. He identifies Himself as Jehovah God! This is one of the most unmistakable claims of Christ’s deity in the Bible. In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes several “I AM” statements that echo God’s revelation to Moses. For example:
- In John 8:58, Jesus told the Jewish leaders, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” He didn’t say “I was” – He intentionally said “I AM,” invoking the divine name. His audience understood exactly what He meant, because they immediately picked up stones to execute Him for blasphemy (John 8:59). They realized Jesus was claiming to be the eternal God of Israel, Yahweh Himself, and they thought that was outrageous – unless it was true! As one biblical Q&A insight puts it, Jesus was clearly “identifying Himself with the eternal God of Israel, the self-existent One revealed to Moses,” and His opponents knew it. No sane mere man would say this. But Jesus, the Son of God, could say it because it’s true – He is “I AM.”
- The Gospel of John records seven “I am” statements where Jesus uses metaphors (e.g. “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” “I am the good shepherd,” etc.). Each of these highlights a role of Jehovah in the Old Testament (bread from heaven, guiding light, shepherd of Israel) now fulfilled in Christ. It’s as if Jesus is shining a spotlight on the fact that the God who cared for Israel is standing among them. When He says, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), one can’t help but think of Psalm 23:1, “The LORD (Yahweh) is my shepherd.” Jesus is taking titles that belong to Jehovah and wearing them Himself – on purpose. This isn’t lost on the Bible’s writers; they present Jesus in ways that deliberately echo Jehovah’s descriptions in the Old Testament. For instance, the Old Testament repeatedly says only God is Savior, yet the New Testament calls Jesus our Savior; Isaiah says “I, the LORD, am the first and the last” (Isaiah 44:6), and Revelation shows Jesus saying the exact same words. The message is loud and clear: Jesus is Jehovah. As one scholar succinctly noted, when the New Testament authors quote an Old Testament passage about YHWH and apply it to Jesus, they show clearly what they think of Jesus’ status – that Jesus is Lord (Yahweh).
Perhaps the clearest example is how the New Testament uses Joel 2:32. Joel prophesied, “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD (Yahweh) shall be saved.” Fast-forward to Romans 10:13, and the Apostle Paul quotes this verse to make the point that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” in the context of calling on Jesus for salvation. Paul is intentionally taking a promise about Yahweh and showing that it is fulfilled in Jesus – effectively saying “Jesus is the LORD (Yahweh) on whom we must call”. The first Christians, being monotheistic Jews, didn’t lightly give Jesus the titles of God. But over and over, the New Testament writers do exactly that: they refer to Jesus as Lord in the same way the Old Testament spoke of YHWH. Thomas, upon seeing the risen Christ, even exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus accepted that worship, further affirming His identity as Jehovah God in the flesh.
To put it simply, Jesus is Jehovah. He is the great “I AM.” He has no beginning or end, just as Jehovah is eternal. He keeps covenant promises, just as Jehovah is the faithful God. In Revelation 22:13, Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” which is another way of expressing the “I AM” eternal nature of God. He even adds, “the First and the Last” – a direct quote of Jehovah’s words in Isaiah. No wonder Jesus could also say, “Before Abraham was born, I AM,” because as Jehovah, He existed from everlasting to everlasting. This truth was progressively revealed during His ministry (with hints and clues, like His authority over the Sabbath, His forgiveness of sins, His use of divine titles). By the end of the New Testament, there is no ambiguity: Jesus Christ is truly one with Yahweh, fully divine and worthy of all the names of God.
Progressive Revelation of Jesus Throughout Scripture
By now, we’ve seen Jesus identified as both El Shaddai (the Almighty) and Jehovah (the Great I AM). But if that’s the case, you might wonder: “Why wasn’t this made clear from the very beginning? Why didn’t people in the Old Testament times call Jesus by those names?” That’s where the idea of progressive revelation comes in. God, in His wisdom, chose to gradually unveil the identity of the Messiah over the centuries. Like a dimmer switch that slowly turns up the light, Scripture starts with broad strokes about the Savior and then fills in details as history moves toward Christ. By the time we reach the New Testament, the light is on full blast – and we can see that Jesus has been there all along!
In the Old Testament, Jesus is foreshadowed and anticipated in many ways:
- The Promise in Eden: Right after humanity fell into sin, God gave a mysterious promise that “the seed of the woman” would one day crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). This is the first hint of a coming Savior – and Christians understand this “seed” to be Jesus, born of a woman, who defeated Satan at the cross. It’s a veiled prophecy of Christ given at the dawn of history.
- The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: When God interacted with the patriarchs, those experiences often foreshadowed Jesus. The “Angel of the LORD” who appeared to Abraham and others spoke as God Himself – many believe these were appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ, giving a preview that the Son was active even then. Jesus later said, “Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56), suggesting that Abraham had some prophetic glimpse of Christ’s future work.
- Types and Shadows: The Old Testament is full of symbols that point to Jesus. The sacrificial Passover lamb, for instance, was a picture of Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The rock that gave water in the wilderness was a symbol of Christ, providing spiritual drink (1 Corinthians 10:4). Even the name “Yehoshua” (Joshua) – which in Greek is “Jesus” – of the man who led Israel into the Promised Land, hints at Jesus leading us into salvation (the name means “The LORD is salvation”). These connections were not fully understood by people at the time, but in hindsight we can see they all point to Jesus.
- Prophecies of the Messiah: As history progressed, God spoke more explicitly about the coming Savior through the prophets. Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah said a virgin would conceive a son called Immanuel (meaning God with us – Isaiah 7:14), and also that this child would be called “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6). Micah foretold the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and that His origin is “from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2), again implying this ruler is eternal. Jeremiah spoke of a coming king from David’s line who would be called “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5–6), literally giving the Messiah the name YHWH. These are astonishing prophecies that only make full sense once Jesus arrives, because He fulfills them to the letter. He was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, as the eternal Son of God, the Lord our righteousness! God was step by step painting a portrait of who the Savior would be, so that when He came, those with eyes to see would recognize Him.
By the end of the Old Testament era, faithful Jews were living in expectation of this promised Messiah – though they didn’t yet know His name Jesus. There was a growing realization that the Messiah would be more than just a human leader: hints of His divinity were there (as in “Mighty God” in Isaiah 9:6). This is why Jesus could tell the religious scholars, “Hey, go back and read your Scriptures – they testify about Me” (see John 5:39). And on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, Jesus gave two of His disciples the Bible study of all Bible studies: “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). How amazing would that have been! Essentially, Jesus walked them through the entire Old Testament and showed, step by step, prophecy by prophecy, how it all pointed to Him.
In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed in many ways:
In the New Testament, the veil is fully pulled back. The Gospels present Jesus openly as the Son of God. Each miracle He performed, each authoritative teaching, each fulfillment of prophecy was like God putting a giant arrow pointing at Jesus saying, “This is Him! This is the One you’ve been waiting for!” By the time we reach the Gospel of John, Jesus is plainly saying “I AM” and the writers don’t shy away from calling Him God. The progressive revelation is complete – Jesus is revealed as both Lord and Christ, fully human (the Son of David) and fully divine (the Son of God). What was hinted in Genesis is clear by Revelation: Jesus Christ is the central figure of Scripture and history, the Almighty Jehovah made flesh to be our Savior. As one Bible teacher neatly summarized, “The New Testament is in the Old concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New revealed.” When we understand this, reading the Bible becomes a thrilling treasure hunt for seeing Jesus on every page!
What This Means for Us Today
Okay, so we’ve gone deep into theology – El Shaddai, Jehovah, progressive revelation – how does this impact your life and mine right now? What does knowing Jesus as “God Almighty” and “Jehovah, the Great I AM” do for our daily faith as believers? Here are a few practical takeaways to encourage you:
- We can face any challenge with confidence in Jesus’ power. Remember, Jesus is El Shaddai, God Almighty. That means no problem in your life is too big for Him to handle. Whether you’re dealing with illness, financial struggles, or emotional pain, you can pray to Jesus knowing He is all-powerful and able to do above and beyond what we ask (Ephesians 3:20). Just as El Shaddai promised Abraham a son despite impossible odds, Jesus can bring forth miracles in hopeless situations. “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37) – those words apply to Jesus just as much as to the Father. Let that strengthen your faith when you pray!
- We can rest in God’s care because Jesus is all-sufficient. El Shaddai doesn’t just mean mighty; many take it to also mean “All-Sufficient One.” If Jesus is our El Shaddai, it means He is enough for you. You don’t have to look elsewhere to have your needs met – not for your identity, your salvation, or your deepest longings. Colossians 2:10 says, “You are complete in Him.” Human friends and family might fail us, but Christ’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). In a world that often makes us feel inadequate or lacking, we can find true satisfaction in Jesus.
- We can trust Jesus’ guidance and promises completely. Knowing Jesus as Jehovah means knowing that He is faithful and unchanging. Jehovah is the covenant-keeping God – He kept His promises to Israel, and He will keep His promises to you. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). That’s Jehovah language! It means the Jesus who loved, healed, and helped people in Scripture is the very same Jesus who is with us now by His Spirit. His character does not change. If He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” you can bank on that promise every day. When He promises forgiveness, He means it. When He offers eternal life to those who believe, He will surely deliver. Our modern world is constantly changing, but our Lord Yahweh-Jesus is a rock-solid foundation. You can trust His word and build your life on it.
- We have assurance that God’s big plans are still on track. Understanding Jesus as El Shaddai and Jehovah also gives us confidence in God’s overall plan for Israel and the Church. God’s promises to Israel – to be their God, to preserve them, and ultimately to save a remnant through the Messiah – have not been forgotten. In fact, Jesus, as the covenant-keeping Lord, guarantees those promises. The Apostle Paul in Romans 11 explains that God has an unfolding plan for Israel’s restoration because “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Why? Because Jehovah never breaks a promise. Likewise, for the Church (all of us who have trusted in Christ), Jesus’s role as Jehovah means He will be faithful to His covenant with us (the New Covenant in His blood). He said, “I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” – and for 2,000 years He has kept that promise! We can be sure that all God’s promises in Scripture will come to pass. Every prophecy about Jesus’ return as King of Kings will be fulfilled by our Almighty, promise-keeping Savior. In uncertain times, we know who holds the future – it’s Jesus, the Alpha and Omega. This gives us unshakeable hope.
- Our worship and love for Christ grow deeper. Ultimately, seeing Jesus as both El Shaddai and Jehovah should stir our hearts to worship Him with awe and intimacy. We marvel at His omnipotence – He is the Lord of the universe! – and at the same time we draw near to His personal love – He is the “I AM” who knows me by name and invites me into covenant relationship. How amazing that the Almighty God would also call Himself our Friend and Shepherd. When we pray to Jesus, we’re praying to the one true God. It means all the attributes we adore about God (His holiness, love, power, mercy, eternality) are found in Christ. So as we sing hymns or worship songs, we can do so with a richer understanding. The name above all names that we praise (Philippians 2:9-11) includes El Shaddai and Jehovah. There’s a beautiful old song called “El Shaddai” that worships God with both those names – it reminds us that in Jesus, “Age to age You’re still the same, by the power of the name.” That power and consistency of Jesus give us reason to rejoice daily.
In summary, digging into these names of God is far from an academic exercise – it’s fuel for your faith. Jesus as El Shaddai assures you of His mighty power on your behalf. Jesus as Jehovah assures you of His eternal presence and faithfulness toward you. The same Jesus who died for you on the cross is Almighty God and Everlasting Lord. And incredibly, He calls you into relationship with Himself. This should strengthen our trust in Him during trials, increase our confidence in His promises, and ignite our hearts in worship.
As you continue your journey as a Bible student, keep exploring the names and titles of God, and notice how all of them find their fullest meaning in Jesus. The more you see who Jesus truly is, the more your trust in Him will grow. He is Jesus, our Lord God Almighty, our great I AM. And because He is both El Shaddai and Jehovah, He is able to save us completely and love us eternally.
Let’s hold onto that truth and live in the light of it – with faith unshakable, hope unsinkable, and hearts full of praise for our Lord Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever! Do you trust Him as your El Shaddai and Jehovah today?
For deeper study about Jehovah
- Names of God in Judaism — Rabbinic Judaism describes seven names which are so holy that, once written, should not be erased: YHWH [Englacised as Yahweh or Jehovah] and six others which can be categorized as titles are El (“God”), Eloah (“God”), Elohim (“Gods”), Shaddai (“Almighty”), Ehyeh (“I Will Be”), and Tzevaot (“[of] Hosts”)
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary : Jehovah — The meaning of the word appears from Exd 3:14 to be “the unchanging, eternal, self-existent God,” the “I am that I am,” a covenant-keeping God. (Mal 3:6; Hsa 12:5; Rev 1:4, 8.)
- Theopedia : Yahweh — The Tetragrammaton (Greek meaning word with four letters) is the usual reference to the Hebrew name for God, which is transliterated from the Hebrew as YHWH — four consonants with no vowels; it is the distinctive personal name of the God of Israel. It is often written as YHWH, Yahweh, Jehovah, or LORD (in all-caps).
- Theopedia : Revelation of God — The term revelation deals with how God has revealed himself to humanity, or in other words, how he has made himself known as Elohim, Shaddai, Jehovah, and Jesus Christ
- Be Delivered (Exodus): Finding Freedom by Following God (The BE Series Commentary) by Warren W. Wiersbe — Freedom is a central theme in our world. It’s become a rallying cry for people, groups, even entire nations. But freedom without boundaries can be costly. Based on the book of Exodus, this study offers an eye-opening look at the pitfalls of deliverance without discipline, and shares the freedom found through a loving submission to God and His will for us.
- Be Comforted (Isaiah): Feeling Secure in the Arms of God (The BE Series Commentary) by Warren W. Wiersbe — For anyone who thinks that comfort is equivalent to pity and that it is only priceless to those who need an emotional crutch, best-selling author Warren Wiersbe applies the words of the prophet Isaiah to prove that God’s comfort is no such thing. The word comfort actually translates “to repent” in Hebrew; our English translation, however, adds another dimension to the word since it originated from two Latin words meaning “with strength.”
- Be Right (Romans): How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others (The BE Series Commentary) by Warren W. Wiersbe — It can be argued that no book of the Bible has had a greater effect on Christianity than the book of Romans. Martin Luther described it as “the most important piece in the New Testament,” and wrote; “It is well worth a Christian’s while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul.”
You present a puzzle. You want us to believe the “doctrines” of Augustine and Calvin without questioning how these things can be. Augustine and Calvin left a few things out. For example, I believe in the Trinity, but if we had a trinity to start, it would be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Why did Jesus have to be born human, as He must have already been human? (Fully God and fully man.) There were no humans in the beginning, there was nothing. God the Father was evidently (in my childish mind) speaking to El Shaddai in Gen 1:26, as He was the Logos of John 1:1. The Man in our image of Gen 1:26 is Jesus. Col 1:15.
If He (Jesus) was the Spirit in the beginning, which would make sense, then He must have been the Holy Spirit. Exodus 23:20 shows that the word Angel is not as men think of Angels, Heb 1:14, but a Spirit Being known as El Shaddai. He was God in a Spirit body from the very beginning, and if anyone has seen God the Father, it was Him. El Shaddai tells us that He was always a possession of the Father in Proverbs 8:22. You have already shown that El Shaddai has been seen (12 people). God the Father tells Moses His name is in Him; Ex 23:21, Matt 12:31. El Shaddai is the tabernacle of God just as Jesus is. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and baby Jesus was conceived as human. Essential for the salvation of mankind. He is the atonement for our sin, not just what we do but why we sin. See Rom 7. This is how the power of sin was broken.
God the Father is an invisible Spirit. John 4:24, John 6:46. No man has seen Him. To learn, we need to question. Paul said he would rather have 5 words he could understand than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue. 1 Cor 14:19. (little by little.)
Jesus is now the tabernacle of God the Father; John 14:9. Rev 21:3. The Father still dwells in El Shaddai, and HE is the resurrected Christ. John 15:26. The Father is in Jesus, and Jesus is in us. John 14:17.
I hope I have not offended anyone. I am not opposed to learning truth based on the Word of God. We need to understand what we believe and why. I think it’s called growing in grace.
Thanks for your thoughtful question! You’re asking great things—and the Bible encourages us to search the Scriptures and understand what we believe and why (Acts 17:11, 1 Thess. 5:21). Let’s walk through some of your points in a way that sticks to Scripture and makes sense.
Was Jesus Always Human?
Jesus has always existed as God the Son—fully divine—but He didn’t become fully human until He was born in Bethlehem (John 1:1, 14; Phil. 2:6–8). He didn’t have a human body before the incarnation. He became flesh to live among us and die for our sins. That’s how He could be our perfect substitute.
Who Did People See in the Old Testament?
You’re right to say no one has seen God the Father (John 1:18, 6:46). So when people did see “God” in the Old Testament—like Abraham or Moses—they were likely seeing a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus (often called a “Christophany”). He appeared as “the Angel of the LORD,” but not like a created angel—this “Angel” spoke as God and was worshiped (Ex. 3, Judg. 13).
So Jesus didn’t become human until the New Testament, but He did appear in visible form before then.
Was Jesus the Holy Spirit Before the Incarnation?
No—they are two separate Persons of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God, but they’re not the same Person. John 15:26 shows them all working together. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit from the Father. That means Jesus isn’t the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit isn’t the Father.
What About Proverbs 8?
Proverbs 8 talks about “wisdom” as if it were a person. Some people have connected this with Jesus, because the New Testament says He is the wisdom of God (Col. 2:3). But in Proverbs, “wisdom” is used poetically—it’s not directly talking about Jesus. Still, it’s okay to see a connection, just not a one-to-one match.
Is Jesus the Tabernacle of God?
Yes—and this is beautiful! John 1:14 says the Word became flesh and “dwelt” among us. That word means He tabernacled—pitched His tent—just like God did in the Old Testament tabernacle. Jesus is the visible presence of the invisible God. Revelation 21:3 says in eternity, God will dwell with us forever, and we’ll see Him through Jesus.
Bottom Line:
Keep studying, keep asking, and test everything by the Word. You’re doing exactly what a growing believer should do. Let me know if you want help digging deeper into any part of this!
I’m going to have to disagree with some of your conclusions. We agree on most things, but not how we got there.
You seem to ignore the Angel of His Presence in Exodus and Isaiah 63:9-10, which clearly identifies this “Angel” as “God” since His name is in Him, which makes the “Angel” God’s tabernacle. Isaiah 63:10 says He is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was conceived when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary. Jesus could not send the Holy Spirit until He returned to the Father. Jesus told the woman at the well that He would give her rivers of living water, the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Father are one yet two. The goal of “make man in our image” is Jesus becoming human.
What did Jesus give up in Phil 2:5-11 that He got back after the resurrection?
How does the Father and the Holy Spirit (Jesus) in the beginning mess up your grasp of the Bible? We still end up with a trinity view of God. You seem to be explaining things away just like the seminarians. Do you not take the Bible as the literal Word of God? If not, then I’m not learning anything.
When Paul said Christ is that Spirit, he was presenting exactly that. Jesus is El Shaddai, the Holy Spirit. Isaiah meant that in Is 63:10. Thank you for your comments.
Greetings Samuel,
I really appreciate your commitment to taking the Bible literally and your desire to understand the nature of God more deeply. You’re absolutely right to emphasize the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—Scripture is clear that all three are fully God, and they work together as one.
You made some great points about the Angel of His Presence and the connection to God’s name being in Him. In the Old Testament, this often points to Christ (the pre-incarnate Son), and in Isaiah 63:10, we see a specific reference to the Holy Spirit grieving. This distinction shows us that while Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one in essence (both fully God), they are distinct in personhood.
It’s also helpful to look at places where all three Persons of the Trinity are active simultaneously. For example:
Regarding the phrase “Christ is that Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17), Paul is emphasizing that the Spirit represents the presence and work of Christ in believers. It doesn’t mean that Jesus and the Spirit are the same person but that the Spirit brings the presence and power of Christ into our lives. Similarly, in Romans 8:9, the Spirit of Christ refers to the Holy Spirit who indwells believers, not a fusion of Jesus and the Spirit into one person.
I think your passion for truth is awesome! The Trinity is a profound mystery, and it’s something that believers have humbly sought to understand for centuries. It might be a good idea to study John 14-16. But we might have to wait until heaven to come to complete agreement on these details.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
With love in Christ,
David
Remember that we were given the story of Abraham and Isaac as a picture of the Messiah. Jesus is the Son. John 4:24-No man has seen God. Ex 23:20-23. These verses speak of an angel that talked with Moses. Companion bible calls Him El Shaddai. He is not the Father He is the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 8:22-23 tells us that He, (Holy Spirit), was with the Father from the beginning. There was no Jesus until Mary gave birth. Until then there was only the Father and the Holy Spirit. See Gen 1:26. Who was God talking to? Who was the “man in our image?” Col 1:15 should answer. The trinity came into being with the birth of Jesus. Only then could God bring about the salvation of mankind. It was His blood that saved us.
Greetings Samuel,
Thanks for taking the time to write. Please consider that the Bible says the three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are eternal and have always existed. In John 1:1, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This tells us that Jesus, the Word, was with God from the very beginning and is Himself God. The idea that Jesus began to exist only when Mary gave birth contradicts what Scripture clearly teaches.
1. The Eternal Word:
John 1:1–3 makes it clear that Jesus, the Word, is eternal and was actively involved in creation:
2. The Word Became Flesh:
John 1:14 explains,
3. The Trinity Is Eternal:
The Bible shows us that the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, yet all three are one God. There is no scriptural support for the idea that the Trinity “came into being” with Jesus’ birth. Instead, we see in passages like John 1:1 and Colossians 1:15 that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” and has a divine nature that is co-eternal with the Father. The Holy Spirit is also present from the beginning, as seen in various passages throughout Scripture (for example, in the creation account in Genesis, where the Spirit of God is active).
4. Jesus is Not a Liar
The false doctrine of Jesus as a created being would make Jesus a liar in passages like John 8 and John 10.
5. Abraham and Isaac as a Picture of the Messiah:
While the story of Abraham and Isaac (see Genesis 22) does point forward to the ultimate sacrifice of God’s Son, it does not imply that Jesus was created at a later point. Instead, it serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of the sacrifice that Jesus, who is eternally God, would make on the cross for our salvation.
In summary, the biblical record shows that:
Therefore, the claim that the Trinity came into being with the birth of Jesus is not supported by Scripture. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are co-eternal, co-equal, and have always been God—working together in perfect unity to bring salvation to mankind through Jesus’ sacrificial blood.
This is the biblical truth we hold, based on the full authority of the Word of God.
You are right in your presentation but one of us doesn’t understand what the Lord Jesus was saying about Who the “I AM” was with Abraham.
He was an angelic being as described in Ex 23:20-23. He was the burning bush, He was Melchizedek.
That angelic being is El Shaddai, the Holy Spirit. He could be anything He wanted to be. He is the Holy Spirit in which God dwelt. El Shaddai is the temple in which God the Father dwelt. See 2 Cor 3:17. The Lord Jesus could not be human before His birth as a human just like we could not be.
This is what God the Father was saying to El Shaddai in Genesis 1:26. This was the man to be made in God’s image, according to Col 1:15.
Please don’t accuse people of calling God a liar when they disagree with you. It doesn’t bode well for the discussion.
I appreciate your sincere desire to understand these deep truths. Let’s look at what the Bible clearly teaches:
Scripture tells us that the Word was with God in the beginning and was God (John 1:1–2; Colossians 1:16–17). The eternal Son is not a created angelic being; He is the eternal Word who became flesh at the proper time (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4). This means that before His incarnation, the Son existed in glory and power, distinct from any angelic being.
In Exodus 3:14, God reveals Himself as “I AM WHO I AM.” This is not an angel speaking but God Himself. While there are instances in the Old Testament (like the appearances in the burning bush) where God’s presence is revealed in a visible way, these are theophanies—temporary, visible manifestations of the one true God—not separate created beings. The angel mentioned in Exodus 23:20 has a specific role in guiding Israel, but he is not the full revelation of the eternal Son who is active in all of creation.
You mentioned Melchizedek. In Hebrews, Melchizedek is presented as a type of Christ—a foreshadowing of the eternal priest-king (Hebrews 7). He points us to Jesus, who is the true fulfillment of the priesthood and kingship that Melchizedek symbolized. Again, this type does not mean that Melchizedek was the eternal Son, but rather that certain Old Testament figures and events point us forward to Christ.
While the Bible does speak of the Holy Spirit and His work (as in 2 Corinthians 3:17), the Spirit is not the same as the eternal Son. The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, guides us, and glorifies the Lord, but He is a distinct person of the Trinity. The manifestations of God in the Old Testament should be understood in light of the full revelation of the Triune God revealed in Scripture.
Our hope is always to stick to what the Bible plainly teaches. The eternal Son of God, who later took on human flesh, is clearly set apart from created beings like angels. I encourage us to continue this discussion in love, seeking clarity from God’s Word. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, I’d be happy to discuss it more.
The phrase “Now the Lord is that Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17) tells us that Jesus Christ is not only our Lord but also the very Spirit who brings life and freedom to God’s people. Here’s what that means:
As Barnes’ Notes explain, when Paul calls Jesus “the Spirit,” he means that Christ is the life and power behind the Gospel. The Old Testament, with all its types, figures, and prophecies, pointed to Him. In Christ, all these things find their true meaning. In other words, Jesus is the sum and substance of what the Law was meant to reveal.
As noted by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown and others, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” This liberty means that when believers receive Christ (and His Spirit), they are freed from the strict, binding requirements of the written Law. They are no longer slaves to a system that condemns but are liberated by a Spirit that enlightens, comforts, and sanctifies.
Paul contrasts the old way—the “letter” of the Law, which brings death—with the living Spirit of Christ that brings life and freedom (see 2 Corinthians 3:12–18). The “veil” that once covered the hearts of the people is removed by the Spirit, allowing them to see the truth of God clearly. This freedom is not just about breaking free from legalistic bondage; it’s about enjoying a full, vibrant relationship with God through Christ.
With the Spirit of Christ in our hearts, we are given boldness and clarity in speaking God’s truth. This freedom contrasts sharply with the fear and obscurity that come from trying to live under the old written law. Instead, we have direct access to the living God, who empowers us to share His message without fear.
In summary, when Paul writes “Now the Lord is that Spirit,” he is teaching that Jesus Christ is the living, dynamic power behind the Gospel. He is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament pointed to in the Law and the Prophets, and through His Spirit, believers experience true freedom from the bondage of legalism, enabling them to live boldly for God. But he is not redefining the Trinity, which is always God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Please read: Types, shadows, patterns, and figures in the Bible – The study of types, shadows, and figures in the Bible can be rewarding. Here are 3 basic types and shadows and 3 easy ways to know they are legit.
Please see Jesus Christ is the Rock of Israel – Jesus Christ is Elohim the creator, the Rock of Israel, the Passover Lamb, the Redeemer, The Lord Adonai the promise maker, and Jehovah the promise keeper.
Warnings from Israel’s Past
(Numbers 16:41–50; Numbers 25:1–5)
1 Corinthians 10:1-13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.
These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.c
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
How can Jesus be God when no man has ever seen God?
Greetings Tim,
There are many people who have seen God. Please read 12 eyewitness accounts from men who saw God
But there seems to be something special going on in the account of Exodus 33:20. I really like the explanation in the The Moody Bible Commentary.
And the instruction from Paul to Timothy is referring to God the Father as described in the BE Series by Warren Weirsbe.