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Examine the Verse - John 1:30
Consider the verse in detail in order to find out the true message or meaning.
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Examine the Verse
John 1:30
This verse is claimed to imply support to the Trinitarian belief in the the
pre-existence and/or divinity of Jesus Christ.

  This is He of whom I said,
‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’

(John 1:30, New King James Version)
 
  Trinitarian Belief in God and Jesus Christ:
 Trinitarians believe in the Trinity, that God is the "Triune God"
existing as three persons
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, but one being. All three are
eternal with no beginning. M
embers of the Trinity are co-equal and co-eternal,
one in essence, nature, power, action, and will.
Trinitarians believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal second person "God the Son",
who took on a human body and nature and became both man and God. 
Thus is Jesus is fully man and fully God simultaneously.
 
  Apostle's admonition, warning and unique way of teaching:
1. No prophecy of scripture is a matter of personal interpretation. (II Pt. 1:20, NAB)
2. Do not go beyond  what is written. (I Cor. 4:6, NIV)
 3. We do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit,
using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. (1 Cor. 2:13, NLT)
 
  Points to Consider:  
  1.  Notice that in the above verse, John the Baptist is talking about Jesus, and he said:  "After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me".  Thus, it is very clear that John the Baptist did not say that "Jesus, a Man, pre-existed as God".  
2.  How can Trinitarians explain that the above verse mean that "Jesus Christ, a man, pre-existed as God" or say that "God changed to a man or God-man", when it is contrary to the truth written in the Bible that "God never change or does not change", and that "God is not a man nor a son of man"?. Is that not going beyond what is written in the verse?
  Descendants of Jacob, I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I never change. . . . . . . (Malachi 3:6, CEV)

Every good gift and perfect present comes from God, the Creator of heavenly lights, who does not change (James 1:17, TEV)

"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19, NKJV)


3. So, why did John the Baptist say that: "After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me"?
For explanation, please click link to Interesting Questions #13.
 
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  John 1:30  in other versions of the Bible:  
 

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
(King James Version)

This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 
(English Standard Version)

This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’  
 (New International Version)

You may use other version or translation of the Holy Bible.

 

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Bible Study Suggestion:
  • Search the internet for the Trinitarian explanation of the above verse.

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