The Power They Could Not Ignore

Everybody who saw Jesus perform healings recognized that ‘the power of the Lord [God] was with Jesus to heal the sick.’ Well, can you also recognize this truth? Will you acknowledge that Jesus’ miracles were not from himself, but that they were from God? Can you admit that God worked through Jesus?

The Jewish people, the inhabitants of Israel in the first century, could not ignore Jesus’ many miracles and signs. Being monotheists--believers in One God—there was no question in their mind that miracles, healings, and signs were things no man could do in his own strength.

Jesus' audience knew that natural beings cannot perform supernatural feats without supernatural help. The great majority of the Jewish people who saw Jesus recognized that Jesus was sent by God.

However, a handful of the Jewish leaders dishonored Jesus and said that his power came from the Devil—a completely illogical statement. Why would the Devil cast out demons? Jesus was not easily offended. Rather, he tried to reason with them with logic and facts:

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand (Mark 3:24-25; NASB).

The Power With Jesus

Those were the Jewish leaders, but you and I are different. We have the common sense necessary to pinpoint the source of Jesus’ miracles. We know that Jesus was not using the power of the Devil to cast out demons. We know something the Pharisees refused to recognize: that the power of God was with Jesus.

Yes. God was with Jesus to heal, perform miracles, and cast out demons. We affirm, as Luke did, that Jesus was empowered by God. Luke wrote:

One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick (Luke 5:17).

So, our Lord only healed sick people because God empowered him to do so. And that brings us to the basis of the most exemplary relationship in the Universe, the one between Jesus and God. Upon what basis is that relationship grounded? That Jesus earns his God-given anointing.

Only a person who understands the relationship between God and Jesus will be able to interpret Jesus' actions. Only they will understand the source of his power. Jesus’ supernaturally-charged ministry will only make sense to someone who understands his relationship to God!

Wrong As Two Left Shoes

The proper interpretation of Christ’s miracles and ministry of healing is not that Jesus is “co-equal to God.” The people who affirm this “Trinitarian formula” can’t even explain what the term “co-equal” means. Ask them. We dare you.

No, "co equal" is simply a term today's Trinitarians got from the theologians who made it up around 381 AD, around the time of the Council of Constantinople. They made it up to be able to debate with philosophers. The term was never meant to used by pastors in teaching the Scriptures to believers.

Pay close attention to their wording: Those same theologians would say that Jesus is equal to the Father "in being." When they use the language of philosophers, they say that Jesus is ontologically equal to the Father. With that false premise they force themselves to the greatly mistaken conclusion that Jesus cannot be subordinate to the Father.

But to say that Jesus is not subordinate to the Father is heresy! They've thought themselves into a box, a cage, a theological dungeon.

The “co-equal” explanation of Jesus is the false foundation of a man Catholic and Orthodox traditions consider a “Doctor of the Church” (venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions) Athanasius. But because Protestant and most Evangelical theologians follow the same tradition, they too will deem a “heretic” people like you and me who will not affirm the two false doctrines that Jesus was:

• co-equal, and

• not subordinate to God

Who’s a Heretic?

The promoters of Jesus being "co-equal" and "not subordinate" to God are the actual heretics, but we don't say that lightly. We don't say it to lash out. We don't say it to defend ourselves. We say it based on the facts.

This theological trend contradicts two Basic Realities of Christianity: the One Lord, Jesus, and the One God, the Father. These Realities are based upon the most fundamental doctrine of the Christian Faith: the Doctrine of Christ—which Trinitarians also deny—that Jesus came in the fallen human nature, a.k.a., the flesh of sin (Romans 8:3).

Your recognition of Jesus’ subordination to God is foundational to your understanding of who he is, and consequently, your understanding of who God is. A person who contradicts the subordination of Christ does two horrible things: 1. they undermine Apostolic Doctrine, and 2. they divide Christians.

How so? Well, Christian unity, what Paul calls the unity of the spirit, is based on the Seven Realities. Let's recall how the Apostle Paul presents these to us. He wrote:

Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one Hope when you were called; one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; one God and Father of all… (Ephesians 4:3-6)

Always The Same

Misguided Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and Evangelicals will cling to their co-equal theology and insist that Jesus has always had the divine nature. Some will claim that the fact that he is ‘the same yesterday, and today, and forever’ proves that he is “co-equal” and has always had the divine nature. But they presume that this verse refers to his nature. Here it is:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8; NASB).

Nonetheless, their argument is weak, unfounded, and misguided. The only thing they prove is that they cannot read a passage in context. The context of Hebrews chapter 13 begins in Hebrews 1. A person has to read all of Hebrews to understand the last chapter, chapter 13, especially the parallel passage in Hebrews 1:12.

Speaking of Jesus, the author of Hebrews states early in his epistle, as he establishes a major theme of the letter:

You are the same, and your years will not come to an end (Hebrews 1:12; NASB).

That’s how the epistle starts, and that’s how it ends too. In the last chapter of the epistle, as the apostle exhorts the Hebrew Christians to resist false doctrine, and to follow the example of the Church leaders, he slips in the very beautiful statement:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8; NASB).

Forever Faithful

Now, the first chapter of Hebrews compares Jesus to angels, to Moses, and to the Earth. Each of these three points of comparison demonstrates what faithfulness to God is. Angels, Moses, and the Earth are servants to God, but none of them is a perfect examples of obedience. They are examples of faithfulness, but only Jesus provides the perfect model of obedience.

That’s why when the Scriptures say ‘Jesus Christ is the same,’ it means for us to understand that the element of Jesus' life that always remains the same is Jesus' faithfulness to God. In other words, we can 100% count on him to always fulfill the will of God. He's like a clock. Very predictable in that sense.

Even if it costs Jesus his life, he'll do God's will. Jesus is faithful to God. We declare that truth. It's fundamental.

Now, the flip side is that anyone who doesn’t acknowledge Jesus’ subordination to God doesn’t know Jesus. You can say you know him, but if you won’t recognize the guiding principle of his life, you simply don't know him. And what is that guiding principle? Faithfulness to God.

Jesus submits himself to his God, the Father. Do you believe that?

Hierarchy and Headship

All true Christians affirm the hierarchical relationship between God and Jesus. Not only that, every true Christian will apply that hierarachy to their own life. As the apostle taught us:

… Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; NASB).

The divine hierarchy impacts our personal lives. A husband should assume his leadership responsibilities. If he believes in the Father and in the Son, he must wield his authority as the God-ordained head of household. But, that’s just an example. All hierarchies in the Universe are established by God.

God submits to no one--and that’s exactly why he’s the One God. The Father is the unbegotten True God. Nobody ever gave him the authority he has. Even Jesus, as powerful as he is, submits to the Father in everything. So, in Jesus, we have the supreme example of subordination. He is King, but he still submits to the One God.

Examples of Authorities

Won’t we also submit to our authorities? A few examples of the people to whom we must submit include: parents, husbands, bosses, magistrates, and pastors.

Consider these Bible passages:

1. Submit to Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother… (Ephesians 6:1–3; NASB)

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord (Colossians 3:20; NASB).

2. Submit to Husbands

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church... But as the Church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be to their husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:22–24; NASB).

… you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the Word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your pure and respectful behavior…

... with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him 'lord'… (1 Peter 3:1-6; NASB)

3. Submit to Employers

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ (Ephesians 5:21).

[Paul commanded Titus, a pastor, to] Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not talking back... (Titus 2:9; NASB)

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable (1 Peter 2:18; NASB).

4. Submit to Government Authorities

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God (Romans 13:1; NASB).

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him… (1 Peter 2:13–14; NASB)

5.Submit to Pastors (Church Leaders / Elders)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account (Hebrews 13:17; NASB).

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders (1 Peter 5:5; NASB).

Where Do You Fit In?

In conclusion, since Jesus is a model of subordination, and he’s our Lord, every one of us must be subject to, submit, and be obedient to every human institution, in everything, and with all respect. This is the terminology the Bible applies to us.

In case you think this is too demanding, the Scriptures add that we should be subject also to those who are unreasonable. That includes a wife being obedient to her unbelieving husband--and she should do it without a word.

Demanding? Yes. But it’s God’s will. It's Jesus pattern of behavior too. When he was accused by the legal authorities of his day, he didn't open his mouth.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, 'Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?' But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor (Matthew 27:12–14).

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7).

Where do you fit into the hierarchy? We are all subject to someone. Even if your level of leadership is so high that you have no parent, husband, boss, or even a pastor to whom you should submit—then there’s still Jesus.

Subjection to Christ

Submit to Jesus. He has given you an example you have no excuse to ignore. Since he'll be your judge, show his level of submissiveness and humility, or he'll judge you harshly. Fear him. That's why it says:

... subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:21; NASB).

Submit to Jesus the way he subjects himself to the Father. Your reward will be great, just like his was. He is the greatest example of all time.

The greatest leaders are not wasting their time with leadership seminars and books like "The Seven Habits of Great Leaders." They don't have any secrets God hasn't already revealed. The best leaders are simply the best followers.

The people we see as wielding the greatest authority (like Moses or Jesus) are actually the most humble. How so? Well, they simply follow God's orders in life. That's the key to becoming the best leader: Be Jesus' best follower!

Final Advice

Stop striving for equality. We're not equal. That's a lie engrained in Western society. Not even Jesus is equal to the Father, so why do you strive to be equal to others? Accept your place in God's hierarchy.

Be content with who he designed you to be: your age, your family, your ethnicity, your stature, your gender, your place at work.

A young woman should not get married to the man she can best control. The choice of a young woman in marriage is not "Who can I control the best?" but "To whom can I submit?"

Follow these guidelines. If you do, then you'll fulfil one of the most poorly interpreted Bible verses of our generation, one which pastors consistently preach incorrectly-- 'subject yourselves to one another.' Most pastors interpret it to mean that we're all equal and that there is no hierarchy. There is. The paragraphs that follow that verse prove it. Read the context.

... subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:21; NASB).

Take this verse to heart. It means this: You're part of the Body of Christ, but don't think that means we're all equal. We're not. We still need to subject yourself to others who are in that same body--the parents, husbands, bosses, and pastors.

Subject yourself like a hand subjects itself to its head. Your head is Christ. Subject yourself to him. Let Jesus coordinate your life and make you useful for his Kingdom.