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Question: Did Jesus perform his miracles as a man, through the power of the Holy Spirit, while on earth, or did he perform these miracles as God? There has been some discussion about the scripture in Philippians 2: 6-8. Some at our Church say that this scripture means Jesus operation as a man on the earth and his miracles were a result of the power of the Holy Sprit, not because he was God.

Answer: Philippians 2:6-8 has been considered one of those "difficult passages" of Scripture. I realize that there are varying opinions concerning this subject. Please allow me to share my thoughts.

Did Christ retain His essential Godhead, or did He lay aside the glory of Divine majesty? In fact, both statements are true. Being first in the form of God, He took on the attributes of humanity. In taking on the qualities and characteristics of mankind He never ceased to be God. As God, He is forever the same and changes not. It should be understood that He assumed His human attributes in addition to His Deity. He became man while He was God. He became a servant while He was Lord of all.

Consider this: He was perfect God; He became perfect Man...hence the title the God-Man. From eternity past He was (in the language of the Nicene creed) "very God of very God." (See Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4.)

His becoming man was undertaken solely for the sake of others in the establishment of the new covenant where Christ became God's Servant (Isaiah 42:1). It was from His eternal position in glory He began His pilgrimage to save us. It was a voluntary obedience. (Please note John 10:18). The thought that He laid aside His Divinity for a season and became man instead should not be entertained even for a moment.

In response to your initial question, I believe He performed His miracles as God. Philippians 2:7 says that He "was made in the likeness of men," having taken on the form of a servant. The incarnation of Christ was His becoming all we are, except without sin. When He sent His disciples to buy meat, it was because He was really hungry. When He asked for a drink of water from the woman of Samaria, it was because He was really thirsty.

When He fell asleep in the midst of the storm, it was because He truly was physically exhausted. And yet when He cursed the fig tree, He spoke with authority as God. When He demanded that the man stretch forth his withered hand, he again had the authority of being God. As He came to the tomb of His friend Lazarus, Jesus used the title of Jehovah God when He said, "I am the Resurrection and the life." When He approached Legion near the country of the Gadarenes, the demons immediately recognized Him and pleaded with Him as having power and authority over them. Jesus once demonstrated His Divine power to forgive sins by showing His power to heal the man sick of the palsy (Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10).

In short, He submitted Himself in those limitations of human hungering, thirsting and weariness, etc. He very naturally grew in stature as a man (Luke 2:52). He could only be in one place at a time. He submitted His will to the will of the Father as His Servant unto death, even the death of the cross. But He never ceased to be God.

Now consider this as a means of further study: He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12).

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