Christ equal to God as a divine being

“In order to fully realize the value of salvation, it is necessary to understand what it cost. In consequence of limited ideas of the sufferings of Christ, many place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement. The glorious plan of man’s salvation was brought about through the infinite love of God the Father. In this divine plan is seen the most marvelous manifestation of the love of God to the fallen race. Such love as is manifested in the gift of God’s beloved Son amazed the holy angels...... This Saviour was the brightness of His Father’s glory and the express image of His person. He possessed divine majesty, perfection, and excellence. He was equal with God. “It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Col. 1:19). . . .” God’s Amazing Grace p.160

What was the circumstance surrounding the answer Jesus gave the Jews in Jn. 5:1-17, and what was the Jews response? Jn 5:18

“Jesus claimed equal rights with God in doing a work equally sacred, and of the same character with that which engaged the Father in heaven. But the Pharisees were still more incensed. He had not only broken the law, according to their understanding, but in calling God “His own Father” had declared Himself equal with God. John 5:18, R. V. The whole nation of the Jews called God their Father, therefore they would not have been so enraged if Christ had represented Himself as standing in the same relation to God. But they accused Him of blasphemy, showing that they understood Him as making this claim in the highest sense.” Desires Of Ages p.207-8

“Christ was the Son of God, equal with the Father; and yet he was abused, ridiculed, scourged, and crucified. There are many who have thought that the Father had no part in the sufferings of the Son; but this is a mistake. The Father suffered with the Son.” Signs Of The Times, Nov 25, 1889

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, The same was in the beginning with God. Jn 1:1-2

The first time the word God is used in the passage, who does it refer to? It certainly does not refer to Christ(The Word), because it says that, “the Word was with God.” The word therefore could not be the same person he was with. You could not be with somebody and at the same time be the person you are with, that is not logical. So the first time the word ‘God’ is used it referred to a person and the second time it refers to the nature or quality of a person rather than a person.

As all humans are equal, so is Christ equal to God as a divine being.

Jesus is God by nature, as we are humans by nature, but this does not make Jesus the Father of himself, God his Father is greater and higher.