Book 1 — Chapter 2 — The Pre-existence and Divinity of Yahushua the Anointed
Eusebius argues that the history of Yahushua cannot begin merely with his birth under Augustus. He distinguishes the human manifestation from the pre-existent Word and Wisdom of Elohim. Drawing especially upon Yochanan, Mishlei, Tehilliym, Bereshiyt, and the prophetic writings, he identifies the Word who was with Elohim before creation as the agent through whom the ordered world came to be. He interprets the plural language of the creation of Adam, the appearances to Avraham and Yaaqov, the captain of the host seen by Yehoshua, and the divine figure who speaks with Mosheh as manifestations of this pre-existent Word rather than appearances of the unbegotten Father in bodily form. Ordinary messengers, he argues, are called messengers; these passages instead use divine titles and authority. He also cites Wisdom as existing before the ordering of the world and assisting the Creator. The chapter establishes the theological premise governing the History: the Anointed proclaimed in Eusebius's own age is, in his reading, the same divine Word known through earlier scriptural manifestations.