What's the Scripture...?

Question

that states that at no time did Jesus try to take God's position (or something similar). I know it's further back in the Bible, but for the life of me, I can't find it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

no such statement

John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

1 John 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  

Answer 2

The verse that says that Jesus thought....

Philippians 2:5, 6:

KJ reads: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (Dy has the same wording. JB reads: “he did not cling to his equality with God.”) However, in NW the latter portion of that passage reads: “who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure [Greek, har‧pag‧mon′], namely, that he should be equal to God.” (RS, NE, TEV, NAB convey the same thought.)

Which thought agrees with the context? Verse 5 counsels Christians to imitate Christ in the matter here being discussed. Could they be urged to consider it “not robbery,” but their right, “to be equal with God”? Surely not! However, they can imitate one who “gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” (NW) (Compare Genesis 3:5.) Such a translation also agrees with Jesus Christ himself, who said: “The Father is greater than I.”—John 14:28.

The Expositor’s Greek Testament says: “We cannot find any passage where [har‧pa′zo] or any of its derivatives [including har‧pag‧mon′] has the sense of ‘holding in possession,’ ‘retaining’. It seems invariably to mean ‘seize,’ ‘snatch violently’. Thus it is not permissible to glide from the true sense ‘grasp at’ into one which is totally different, ‘hold fast.’”—(Grand Rapids, Mich.; 1967), edited by W. Robertson Nicoll, Vol. III, pp. 436, 437.

Gregory?

1 John 5:7 For there are three witness bearers, 8 the spirit and the water and the blood, and the three are in agreement.

John 10:30, the Greek word translated 'one' means unity.

Check out John 17:20-26.

See what Jesus meant, when he says, 'I and the father are one..;

John 17:20 “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word; 21 in order that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me forth. 22 Also, I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one. 23 I in union with them and you in union with me, in order that they may be perfected into one, that the world may have the knowledge that you sent me forth and that you loved them just as you loved me. 24 Father, as to what you have given me, I wish that, where I am, they also may be with me, in order to behold my glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the founding of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world has, indeed, not come to know you; but I have come to know you, and these have come to know that you sent me forth. 26 And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.”

Obviously, the word 'one; means unity, not that they are the same.

This is further explained when the Apostle Paul said "I and Apollos are one..."

And, when God pronounced that "the two must become one flesh..."

Do people who are married literally become ONE?

Or is the implication that for the success of the relationship, they must be singular in purpose and direction?

Answer 3

While I have a deep respect you and your beliefs, I do disagree with your understanding of the passage you are looking for. This is due, in part, to variance of your preferred translation (New World Translation) from others, such as the KJV.

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:6-8 KJV)

The Son, while in submission to the Father, is still equal and still fully God.  However, He laid down the glory and honor that He rightfully deserved as our Creator, and lowered Himself to become man.

Since this has become a discussion regarding the Deity of Christ, I will share my "usual" list of scriptures that have not lost their meaning in the New World translation, so that, at the very least, you can see why the matter is not as clear-cut as one may presume it to be....

Hebrews 7:3 - Jesus had no beginning, nor end

Micah 5:2 - From early times, from the days of time indefinite

(Compare with Habakkuk 1:12 and Psalm 93:2 about Jehovah.)

Hebrews 9:11-12 - Not of this creation

John 1:3 All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.

Hebrews 3:3-4 - Jesus/God created everything.

Rev. 1: 17,18 - Jesus is the First and the Last (Compare with Rev 22:13 - Jehovah is the First and the Last. How can there be more than one First? more than one Last?)

Phil 2:6 He was existing in God’s form.

(Compare with Isaiah 43:10)

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

(NOT an angel turned man turned back to angel.)

Hebrews 2:5 - It is not to angels that He has subjected the earth to

Hebrews 1:6 - All the angels did obeisance/worshipped Jesus

(so then did He do obeisance/worship Himself?)

Isaiah 9:6 - Mighty God, Eternal Father

Isaiah 7:14/Mt 1:23 - Immanuel: God With Us

John 20:28 - Jesus is "the Lord of me and the God of me."

John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are one.

Edit:  In answer to some valid arguments that "the Bard" stated, here is something to consider: The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, making them united with God.  Just as the Holy Spirit unites The Father and Son:

"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: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:20-26 KJV)