I don't think that is an assumption. It says it quite explicitly in John 1:1-14. Pretty unmistakable says "In the Beginning was the Logos..." and that "all things that were created were created through him". That happened long before Jesus of Nazareth was born. Then, when he was born, that pre-existent Logos of verse 1, "became flesh and dwelt among us" in verse 14. I'm not sure why you call that view of the Christ as an "assumption", when it says it right there?
Have you ever studied the word LOGOS as used in the N.T.?
At one point Jesus says(speaking of his God about his disciples) that he has given them "YOUR(God's) LOGOS(word)".
What existed in the beginning was God's LOGOS(word). And when Jesus came into existence by being born of a woman, he became God's LOGOS(word).
The hymn in Phil. 2 very much points to a pre-existent Christ. I'll highlight the words which point directly to that.
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
He was "equal to God", became a human in likeness, and died. If you "became" a human, he "made himself" lower than God, then you were something beforehand in order to make yourself something, and appear as something you in your pre-existent state were not.
I think the word "nature" is better than "form", inasmuch as God is Spirit and Spirit does not have "form". But it does say he possessed the nature or being of God in that verse. It also explicitly states that in John 1:1.
Like I said, Paul says nothing about Jesus before he was born. He says nothing about while Jesus was in heaven, or before his coming to earth, or anything like that. Paul was not a Trinitarian. And neither was Jesus.
The "form" Jesus displayed while on earth as a mortal man was like that of God. He spoke the words of God, he did the works of his Father, and he was given the spirit of his Father without measure. Jesus performed many miracles right before their very eyes. None of that did he claim was of himself....."the Father doeth the works" he said. "of myself I can do nothing".
To see Jesus was to see the Father. He even told his disciples that when they asked to see the Father.
This is Paul's idea in Philippians 2.
It's as if he were saying that to see Jesus was to see the Father (the one true God) because Jesus is everything his Father is. The Father can do many miracles. He can raised the dead, heal the sick, calm the waves, turn back the sun, etc. He is the truth. He is wisdom.....all that the Father has he has given to His son.
Jesus had these things before he died and was raised from the dead. But he could not take full advantage of what was given him until he was raised in the glory he now has. He could not take his kingdom as King, nor be a priest of the order of Melchizedek, nor a prophet like Moses. He had to first suffer what he did.
Jesus is no longer a mortal man. He is King of those who will rule with him when his kingdom comes, He is an immortal Priest like Melchizedec, and his prophecy was given to John already.
That's what Paul is saying.
Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
