By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Introduction
The pre-existence of Jesus Christ is one of the central doctrines of Christian theology. It affirms that Jesus did not begin to exist at His human birth in Bethlehem but existed eternally with God the Father before the creation of the world. This belief forms the foundation of the doctrine of the divinity of Christ — that Jesus is truly God and not a created being.
Biblical Foundation
In the Gospel of John 17:5 (KJV), Jesus Himself makes a profound declaration:
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
This verse is a direct statement from Jesus acknowledging His divine existence prior to creation. The expression “the glory which I had with thee before the world was” signifies that Jesus shared divine majesty and eternal fellowship with the Father before time began. Such glory can only belong to God Himself, affirming the divinity of Jesus.
Furthermore, John 1:1–3 (KJV) provides a theological explanation of Jesus’ eternal existence:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
The Apostle John identifies Jesus as “the Word” (Logos), who both was with God (distinct in person) and was God (equal in essence). The creative role attributed to Him — “all things were made by Him” — establishes His eternal existence and divine power over creation.
Theological Interpretation
The pre-existence of Christ is consistent throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 1:16–17 (KJV):
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible… all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Here, Paul confirms that Jesus existed before all things and sustains creation through His divine power. The phrase “by him all things consist” (Greek: synistēmi) indicates that the universe is held together by Christ Himself — a quality that belongs only to God.
Similarly, in Philippians 2:5–7 (KJV), Paul describes Christ’s divine nature and voluntary incarnation:
“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…”
This passage reveals that Jesus existed in the form of God before taking human form, underscoring His eternal divinity.
Scholarly and Historical Support
Early Christian theologians upheld the doctrine of Christ’s pre-existence as fundamental to the faith:
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Athanasius of Alexandria (4th century), in On the Incarnation, argued that only one who is fully divine could become incarnate to redeem humanity.
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Justin Martyr (2nd century), in Dialogue with Trypho, affirmed that Jesus appeared as the “Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament, pre-existing before His earthly birth.
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Augustine of Hippo wrote that Christ “was before all times, through whom all times were made.” (Confessions, Book XI).
These affirmations reflect the consistent understanding that Jesus’ existence precedes creation and that He is co-eternal with the Father.
Conclusion
John 17:5 stands as one of the clearest declarations by Jesus of His pre-existent divinity. When He prayed, “Glorify thou me… with the glory which I had with thee before the world was,” He revealed His eternal unity with the Father — an existence that transcends time and creation. The biblical evidence, supported by apostolic teaching and early church theology, demonstrates beyond doubt that Jesus Christ is God and existed before the foundation of the world.
Bibliography
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The Holy Bible, King James Version.
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Athanasius, On the Incarnation. Translated by John Behr. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2011.
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Augustine of Hippo, Confessions. Translated by Henry Chadwick. Oxford University Press, 1991.
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Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho. Translated by Thomas B. Falls. Christian Heritage Press, 1965.
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Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
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Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Baker Academic, 2013.
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute – Department of Christology and Biblical Theology
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