[165]As further evidence of Jesus’ prehuman existence, we have his own words:  “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me”. (John 6:38) “I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” (John 8:42) Again:  “Before Abraham was, I am”. (John 8:58) Again:  “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world:  again, I leave the world, and go to the Father”. (John 16:28) “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:5) Again Jesus said:  “I am the beginning of the creation of God”.  (Revelation 3:14) Furthermore, the apostle Paul under inspiration states:  “God ... hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds”.  (Hebrews 1:1,2) And again he states:  “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich”. (2 Corinthians 8:9) He was in the form of God before he became a man.  “Who, though being in God’s form, yet did not meditate a usurpation to be like God, but divested himself, taking a bondman’s form, having been made in the likeness of men.”—­Philippians 2:6,7, Diaglott.

[166]Some have earnestly believed that Jesus was God himself.  But such a conclusion is not warranted by the Scriptures.  John said:  “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand”. (John 3:35) Again Jesus said:  “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:  that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.  He that honoreth the Son honoreth the Father which hath sent him....  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5:22, 23, 26) Again Jesus said:  “It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.  I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” (John 8:  17, 18) Thus Jesus definitely fixes the fact that he and the Father are separate and distinct beings.

[167]Again Jesus said:  “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.” (John 10:29,30) It may be asked, Does this not prove that they were one being?  Our answer is that it does not; but that it does show, in connection with the other Scriptures quoted, that Jesus and the Father, Jehovah, are one in spirit, one in purpose, one in harmonious action; just as Jesus subsequently prayed to the Father that the church, his followers, might be made one with him, when he said:  “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:  that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17:20-22) Thus Jesus definitely shows what is meant by being one with the Father.