John 10:18
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power/authority to lay it down and power/authority to take it up again.
All scripture is true. So it all must harmonize.
Phil 2:6-7
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Let's say you're the son of a king. "Prince Cameron."
All authority is sourced in your father, the king. All must obey the king.
The king tells the world you are his son who he loves immensely, and because you obey he tells you to ask him anything and he will do it.
So essentially, you have been given the power to do anything by virtue of being Prince Cameron, beloved son of the king, even though you can do nothing of your own power...simply ask him and it will be done.
Christ emptied Himself becoming like us in substance when He came here...but He was still "The Son of The Living God & Creator God" in Class/Status who the Father told the world - from the cloud - was His beloved. So Christ could ask ANYTHING of the Father, saying "all authority of heaven and earth is given to me".
No one could randomly kill Him...and when He chose to die the Father would give back His life because He previously asked.
This is how I understand the passage.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power/authority to lay it down and power/authority to take it up again.
All scripture is true. So it all must harmonize.
Phil 2:6-7
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Let's say you're the son of a king. "Prince Cameron."
All authority is sourced in your father, the king. All must obey the king.
The king tells the world you are his son who he loves immensely, and because you obey he tells you to ask him anything and he will do it.
So essentially, you have been given the power to do anything by virtue of being Prince Cameron, beloved son of the king, even though you can do nothing of your own power...simply ask him and it will be done.
Christ emptied Himself becoming like us in substance when He came here...but He was still "The Son of The Living God & Creator God" in Class/Status who the Father told the world - from the cloud - was His beloved. So Christ could ask ANYTHING of the Father, saying "all authority of heaven and earth is given to me".
No one could randomly kill Him...and when He chose to die the Father would give back His life because He previously asked.
This is how I understand the passage.
Do you believe Jesus is God?
I'm familiar with the arguments on both sides. I'm merely interested in which you believe, not why.