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THE DEITY OF CHRIST — LECTURE 3

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The Angel of the LORD — Pre-Incarnate Manifestations of Deity

THE DEITY OF CHRIST — LECTURE 3

Introduction: A Divine Figure Hidden in Plain Sight

As we continue from the established truth that there is only one God, we now encounter a series of passages in the Old Testament that demand careful attention.

There appears a figure repeatedly identified as “the Angel of the LORD.” At first glance, this may seem to refer to a created angel. However, a closer examination reveals something far deeper.

This figure:

  • Speaks as God
  • Acts as God
  • Receives what belongs only to God

Yet at the same time, He is a person of God

This presents a profound truth:

A divine person, distinct in identity, yet fully identified as God

This lecture will establish that the “Angel of the LORD” is not a created being, but a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ.


I. Defining the Term — What Does “Angel” Mean?

The word “angel” simply means messenger.

  • Hebrew: mal’ak
  • Greek: angelos

It does not automatically mean:

  • A created spirit being
  • Or a lower-ranking being

It refers to function, not nature

Therefore, when we read “Angel of the LORD,” we must not assume identity—we must examine the context.

 

II. Case Study 1 — Genesis 16 (Hagar and the Angel of the LORD)

In Genesis 16, Hagar encounters the Angel of the LORD.

“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly…” (Genesis 16:10)

Observe carefully:

  • The Angel says: “I will multiply thy seed”

This is a divine promise—God alone gives this authority

Then in verse 13:

“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me…”

Notice:

  • The Angel speaks
  • Yet Hagar identifies Him as God

The text does not correct her—it affirms her understanding

 

III. Case Study 2 — Exodus 3 (The Burning Bush)

This is one of the clearest passages.

“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire…” (Exodus 3:2)

But immediately after:

“God called unto him out of the midst of the bush…” (Exodus 3:4)

And further:

“I am the God of thy father…” (Exodus 3:6)

Observe the progression:

  • The Angel appears
  • The speaker is identified as God
  • The speaker declares divine identity

Then comes:

“I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

The Angel of the LORD is not merely representing God—

He is God speaking directly

 

IV. Case Study 3 — Judges 13 (Samson’s Parents)

The Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah and his wife.

During the encounter:

  • Manoah offers sacrifice
  • The Angel ascends in the flame

Then Manoah declares:

“We shall surely die, because we have seen God.” (Judges 13:22)

Key observation:

  • They understood they had seen God
  • They feared death because of divine presence

The text does not correct this conclusion

It confirms it

 

V. Distinction from Created Angels

The Bible clearly distinguishes this figure from ordinary angels.

Created angels:

  • Refuse worship (Revelation 22:8–9)
  • Speak on behalf of God (“Thus saith the LORD”)
  • Do not claim divine authority

Angel of the LORD:

  • Receives reverence
  • Speaks as God (“I will…”)
  • Identified as God

Therefore, He cannot be a created angel

 

VI. CENI — Establishing the Identity

Command (Direct Evidence)

  • The Angel is called God (Exodus 3:6)

Example

  • Worship/reverence is given without correction (Judges 13)

Necessary Inference

  • If He speaks as God, acts as God, and is called God

Then He must be God

Yet:

  • He is sent
  • He appears distinct

Therefore:
He is a distinct person, yet fully divine

 

VII. Apologetic — Why This Matters

Some argue:

  • “This is just an angel representing God”

But representation cannot explain:

  1. Speaking in first person as God
    • Not “God says,” but “I will”
  2. Receiving divine recognition
    • Hagar calls Him God
    • Manoah fears death for seeing God
  3. No correction is given
    • Scripture affirms, not denies

Therefore, this is not representation—it is manifestation

 

VIII. Polemic — Refuting Common Errors

❌ “ The Angel is just a created messenger”

This fails because:

  • Created angels do not speak as God
  • Created angels reject worship
  • Created angels are never called God directly

❌ “ This is symbolic language only”

This fails because:

  • The encounters are historical, not poetic
  • The reactions of people are literal
  • The language is direct and personal

These interpretations collapse under the text itself

 

IX. The Theological Conclusion — Pre-Incarnate Christ

When we align this with New Testament revelation:

  • Christ is the visible expression of God (John 1:18)
  • No man has seen the Father fully

Therefore, the one appearing as God in the Old Testament is:

The Son — before His incarnation

This is not yet Jesus in flesh, but:

Christ revealing Himself before becoming man

 

X. Spiritual Application — God Has Revealed Himself Clearly

This truth shows us something powerful:

  • God is not distant
  • God is not silent
  • God reveals Himself personally

From the Old Testament to the New:

The same divine person is at work

Therefore:

  • Our faith is not built on mystery alone
  • It is built on revealed truth

 

Conclusion: A Divine Person Revealed Before Bethlehem

The Angel of the LORD is:

  • Not a created being
  • Not merely a messenger
  • Not symbolic

He is:

God Himself, appearing in visible form

Distinct, yet fully divine

This prepares us for the next unavoidable conclusion:

If Christ appeared before His birth,

Then His existence did not begin in Bethlehem

And this leads us directly to the next study:

The eternal nature of Christ

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Ang Anghel ng Panginoon — Mga Pagpapakita ng Dios Bago ang Pagkakatawang-tao

ANG PAGKA-DIYOS NI CRISTO — ARALIN 3


 Panimula: Isang Makapangyarihang Persona na Matagal Nang Nababasa sa Biblia

Ngayong naitatag na natin na iisa lamang ang Dios, makikita natin sa Lumang Tipan ang isang kakaibang persona na paulit-ulit na nagpapakita:

“Ang Anghel ng Panginoon”

Sa unang tingin, parang simpleng anghel lang. Pero kapag sinuri mo nang mabuti, mapapansin mo:

  • Nagsasalita Siya bilang Dios
  • Kumikilos Siya bilang Dios
  • Tinatanggap Niya ang para lamang sa Dios

Pero sa parehong panahon, Siya ay isang persona ng Dios

Dito lumalabas ang isang malalim na katotohanan:

May persona na iba ang pagkakakilanlan, pero tunay na Dios

At ito ang patutunayan natin:

Ang Anghel ng Panginoon ay hindi nilikhang anghel—ito ay pagpapakita ni Cristo bago Siya nagkatawang-tao


I. Ano ang Ibig Sabihin ng “Anghel”?

Ang salitang “anghel” ay ibig sabihin:

mensahero

  • Hebrew: mal’ak
  • Greek: angelos

Hindi ibig sabihin nito agad ay:

  • nilikhang espiritu
  • o mas mababang uri

Ito ay tumutukoy sa gawain, hindi sa kalikasan

Kaya kapag nakita natin ang “Anghel ng Panginoon,” hindi tayo basta mag-aassume—susuriin natin ang konteksto.

 

II. Unang Halimbawa — Genesis 16 (Si Agar at ang Anghel ng Panginoon)

Sa Genesis 16, nakausap ni Agar ang Anghel ng Panginoon.

“...Pararamihin ko na lubha ang iyong binhi…” (Genesis 16:10)

Pansinin:

  • Sinabi Niya: “Pararamihin ko”

Sino lang ang may kapangyarihang gumawa nito?

Dios lamang

Pagdating sa verse 13:

“At tinawag niya ang pangalan ng Panginoon na nagsalita sa kaniya, Ikaw ay Dios na nakakakita…”

Mapapansin:

  • Ang Anghel ang nagsalita
  • Pero tinawag Niya itong Dios

At hindi ito kinorek ng Biblia

Ibig sabihin tama ang pagkakilala niya

 

III. Ikalawang Halimbawa — Exodo 3 (Ang Nagliliyab na Puno)

Isa ito sa pinaka malinaw.

“At ang anghel ng Panginoon ay napakita sa kaniya sa ningas ng apoy…” (Exodo 3:2)

Pero pagkatapos:

“...tinawag siya ng Dios mula sa gitna ng puno…” (Exodo 3:4)

At sinabi:

“Ako ang Dios ng iyong ama…” (Exodo 3:6)

Pansinin ang daloy:

  • Ang Anghel ang nagpakita
  • Pero ang nagsasalita ay Dios
  • At ipinahayag Niya ang Kaniyang sarili bilang Dios

At pagkatapos:

“AKO NGA YAONG AKO NGA.” (Exodo 3:14)

Maliwanag:
Hindi lang Siya tagapagsalita ng Dios

Siya mismo ang Dios na nagsasalita

 

IV. Ikatlong Halimbawa — Hukom 13 (Mga Magulang ni Samson)

Nagpakita ang Anghel ng Panginoon kina Manoah at sa kaniyang asawa.

Sa pangyayari:

  • Naghandog si Manoah
  • Umakyat ang Anghel sa apoy

Pagkatapos sinabi ni Manoah:

“Tayo’y walang pagsalang mamamatay, sapagka’t tayo’y nakakita ng Dios.” (Hukom 13:22)

Pansinin:

  • Alam nila na Dios ang kanilang nakita
  • Natakot sila dahil sa presensya ng Dios

At hindi ito kinontra ng Biblia

Pinagtibay pa ito

 

V. Pagkakaiba sa Karaniwang Anghel

Malinaw ang pagkakaiba.

Karaniwang anghel:

  • Tumatanggi sa pagsamba (Apocalipsis 22:8–9)
  • Nagsasalita para sa Dios
  • Hindi inaangkin ang kapangyarihan ng Dios

Anghel ng Panginoon:

  • Tinatanggap ang karangalan
  • Nagsasalita bilang Dios
  • Tinatawag na Dios

Kaya malinaw:

Hindi Siya nilikhang anghel

 

VI. CENI — Paano Natin Pinapatunayan

Utos (Direct Evidence)

  • Tinatawag Siyang Dios (Exodo 3:6)

Halimbawa

  • Tinatanggap ang karangalan (Hukom 13)

Kinakailangang Konklusyon

  • Kung Siya ay nagsasalita bilang Dios
  • Kumikilos bilang Dios
  • At tinatawag na Dios

Siya ay Dios

Pero:

  • Siya ay sinugo
  • Siya ay may pagkakaiba

Kaya ang konklusyon:

Isang persona na hiwalay sa pagkakakilanlan, pero iisang Dios sa kalikasan

 

VII. Apologetics — Bakit Mahalaga Ito

May nagsasabi:

“Kinakatawan lang niya ang Dios”

Pero hindi sapat ang explanation na iyon dahil:

  1. Nagsasalita Siya bilang Dios (hindi “sabi ng Dios”)
  2. Tinatawag Siyang Dios ng mga tao
  3. Walang correction mula sa Kasulatan

Kaya ito ay hindi representation

Ito ay manifestation ng Dios

 

VIII. Polemics — Pagtutuwid sa Maling Paniniwala

❌ “ Nilikhang anghel lang Siya”

Hindi ito tama dahil:

  • Hindi nagsasalita ang anghel bilang Dios
  • Hindi tumatanggap ng pagsamba
  • Hindi tinatawag na Dios

❌ “ Simboliko lang ito”

Hindi rin ito tama dahil:

  • Totoong pangyayari ito
  • Totoong reaksyon ng mga tao
  • Direktang usapan ito, hindi simbolo

Kaya masusunog ang mga maling paliwanag na ito

 

IX. Teolohikal na Konklusyon — Si Cristo Bago Siya Magkatawang-tao

Kapag inugnay natin ito sa Bagong Tipan:

  • Si Cristo ang nagpapahayag ng Dios (Juan 1:18)
  • “Walang taong nakakita kailan man sa Dios; ang bugtong na Anak,”

Kaya ang nakikitang Dios sa Lumang Tipan ay:

Ang Anak — bago Siya naging tao

Hindi pa Siya si Jesus na nasa laman

Pero Siya ay si Cristo na nagpapakita

 

X. Praktikal na Aplikasyon — Ang Dios ay Nagpapakilala

Makikita natin dito:

  • Ang Dios ay hindi malayo
  • Ang Dios ay hindi tahimik
  • Ang Dios ay nagpapakilala

Mula Lumang Tipan hanggang Bagong Tipan:

May isang personang kumikilos

Kaya ang pananampalataya natin:

Hindi haka-haka

Kundi nakabase sa kapahayagan ng Dios

 

Pangwakas: Isang Persona ng Dios Bago ang Bethlehem

Ang Anghel ng Panginoon ay:

  • Hindi nilikhang anghel
  • Hindi simpleng mensahero
  • Hindi simbolo

Siya ay Dios mismo na nagpapakita

May pagkakaiba sa persona

Pero iisang kalikasan bilang Dios

At dito tayo dadalhin sa susunod:

Kung si Cristo ay nagpapakita na bago Siya ipanganak,

Ibig sabihin hindi doon nagsimula ang Kaniyang pag-iral

At ito ang susunod nating patutunayan:

Ang walang hanggang kalikasan ni Cristo

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#DeityOfChrist #AngelOfTheLORD #PreIncarnateChrist #Christology #BibleStudy #KJV #BiblicalTruth #OldTestament #Theophany #JesusIsGod #Pangaral #Biblia #Katotohanan #SalitaNgDiyos #AralNgBiblia

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