REF: "And now, O Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was" (Jn.17:5). Many devotees of binitarianism use this passage as a proof-text for the preexistence of Christ.  Neglected is the question that should be put to the text: "What does the passage NOT say?"  It does NOT say that the person of Jesus Christ was with the Father before the world was.  Nevertheless, binitarian devotees assume, without a shred of evidence, that the word "glory" means "godness" or "preexistent divinity" or something similar.

But minimal research shows that the definition of "glory" has nothing to do with Jesus' supposed preexistence as a God-being.  Notice, in the very same prayer of John 17, Jesus gives away his glory, the very same glory he received from the Father! 

"And the glory which you gave me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one" (Jn.17:22).  Did Jesus give his disciples "preexistent divinity"?  No.  So, the word "glory" cannot refer to a preexistent God-being state.  Further, just two verses later, the disciples would actually observe and see the "glory" of Christ.

Q: Who determines the definition of "glory" and who decides that this word means "Preexistent Divine God Status"?  The practitioners of polytheism, of course.

How does one observe or behold "preexistent divinity"?  Divinity or "God status" is an attribute.  Divinity is not an entity that can be seen with the eyes or removed and hung up like an overcoat.

"Father, I desire that they also whom you gave me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which you have given me; for you loved me before the foundation of the world" (Jn.17:24).  Notice that the Father gave "glory" to Jesus.  What was actually given?  That which was given to Jesus was "exaltation" and great honor. 

"This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.  Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the holy spirit" (Acts 2:32-33).  Jesus received the promise of the holy spirit just as believers have and will also receive it.  The word "exalt" in Greek (G5311/5312) means, "to elevate, literally or figuratively, to lift up, to dignify."  And to "dignify" means to invest with honor or rank. To "glorify" is "to make glorious; to give glory to; to exalt in honor and worship, and to extol" (Webster).

Glory Defined: The word "glory" in John comes from the Greek doxa (#1391), which has wide application, meaning "dignity, honor, praise, worship" (see "doxology"). Glory is the condition of highest praise (Webster).

Q: How did Jesus have "glory" before he was born?  He was glorified in the mind of the Father and in the writings of the Old Testament.

 

(8).  JESUS WAS THE BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN--

REF: "Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but my father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (Jn.6:32-33).

"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (Jn.6:38).  "I am the bread of life.  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven" (Jn.6:48-51a).

PBC: "Jesus said, 'I came down.'  And in the context of that statement, it is obvious that he came down from heaven…  Jesus spoke extensively about the 'bread of life.' If one could eat this bread, Jesus said, he would live forever…  'I am the bread of life,' he said.  He went on to say, 'I am the living bread which came down from heaven." 

RESPONSE: Did Jesus himself, bodily, in the flesh, as a baby or as an adult, as a person, actually come down from heaven?  No.  Jesus did not come down from heaven.  Although this appears to be his testimony, that he did come down from heaven in the flesh as the person named Jesus, he did not do so.  Is Jesus made of bread?  This is a very weak and desperate proof-text for preexistence.

Look at the statement, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven."   What came down?  We have to be careful here.  Jesus did NOT say, "he, himself, as Jesus," came down from heaven, although this is what is being implied in the Armstrong Binitarian Camp assertion.

Jesus is saying that he represents spiritual food—the sold food—that comes down from the Father.  It is only a metaphor, folks; it is not a doctrinal statement, nor is this very complex (cf. 1Cor.3:1-3; Heb.5:11-14).  (Continued...)