Who Is Christ?

We have shown that there are two Beings in the Godhead. However, much confusion about the Person of Christ still abounds—both about who He really is and what He taught. Seemingly, no two denominations agree on what He taught—and there are many differing ideas, even within the trinity doctrine, as to the true nature of Christ’s relationship with the Father. We have already seen that the Holy Spirit is the power by which the Father and Christ work.

When solving a mystery, one must start by getting the facts. Only when all the facts are known is the truth of a matter easily recognized. But most people (including most professing Christians) do not take the time to discern, to prove, the information they are given. They seem willing to “leave the thinking to the experts,” and these are the people who have created the mass confusion and disagreement so prevalent among today’s churches.

But looking beyond the surface of all the religious-sounding rhetoric, and peering directly into God’s Word, reveals a clear picture. In the process, we will more thoroughly prove that Christ was the God of the Old Testament.

Let’s look at several verses to disprove the trinitarian notion that in Old Testament times, God manifested Himself as the Father, and in the New Testament era, He manifested Himself as Christ. Recall that ancient Israel “…drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:4), proving that Christ was the God of the Old Testament.

Now, couple that verse with Christ’s own words in Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto you, that you are Peter, and upon this Rock [Christ Himself] I will build My Church.” Other of our literature and my books prove that this does not mean that the Church was built on Peter, but rather on Christ, with Peter being likened to a small stone.

Also, examine the following Old Testament passage prophesying Christ’s First Coming: “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 3:1). From what we have read above, it is plain that Christ was prophesying His own coming.

But some other questions remain. In Genesis, there is a reference to Melchizedek, to whom Abram paid tithes (Gen 14:18-20). Many have wondered who Melchizedek was.

The book of Hebrews sheds light on who fulfilled this role. Let’s read: “For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him” (Heb 7:1). It is important to note that Melchizedek hadtwo other titles—King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God.

Paul went into greater detail in Heb 7:2 and 3: “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.”

Here, Paul is describing one who existed for eternity. This proves that Melchizedek could not have been a human king. In fact, because it describes Him as not having “beginning of days,” He also could not have been an angel. Only God has existed for eternity. This leaves only two Beings able to fulfil the role of Melchizedek—God the Father or Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 5:1-14 removes any doubt: “So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an High Priest; but He that said unto Him, You are My Son, today have I begotten You. As He says also in another place, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec” (vs. 5-6). The Moffatt translation best renders “after the order of Melchizedec” as “with the rank of Melchizedec.” Christ held the rank of Melchizedec during the time of Abraham—and, as the God of the Old Testament, is the Being who is referred to as Melchizedec in Genesis.

Hebrews 4:15 offers even more proof: “For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus Christ is the only human being who ever lived a completely sinless life (Rom. 3:23). Christ showed who the Most High God is when He said, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28).

When one lets the Bible interpret the Bible, the meaning of any subject comes clear. In just a few verses, we have seen that Jesus Christ was both the God of the Old Testament and the One called Melchizedec. It was impossible for this to have been the Father. It required Christ’s First Coming to show the true identity of the Father.