The past tense, when describing a future action as being accomplished in the present, is often used to state that Jesus was alive before his birth. However, this is a figure of speech that emphasizes the certainty now that a future event will indeed happen. Further, the holy spirit is called a gift from God, not a third person of the Trinity, and is often omitted in epistolary salutations when God and Jesus are mentioned.
Verses: Luke 1:30-35; John 6:62; 8:58; 17:5; Rev. 13:8; Luke 24:49
Teacher: Don Snedeker
