The Divinity of Jesus. Yes or No?
Who is Jesus? For the last two thousand years, many a scholar has attempted to answer this question, and sometimes it brings up more questions than answers. At the heart of the debate, one of the major questions asked, if it is not the most important question, is this; Is Jesus God? Without struggling through the whole Trinitarian doctrine, and if we were to use the scriptures as our basis for answering this question, than it is an emphatic yes! Jesus said of the scriptures in John 5:39 that "these are they which testify of Me." Here is a list of verses that show Jesus is in fact God manifested in the flesh. (Make note that this is not a polished essay, but an ongoing study of a doctrine which is set in stone, yet runs deeper than man can reason)
GOD OR JESUS?
The following is a list of verses where God is given credit for something, yet where we also see Jesus is given the credit for doing the very same acts, or for having the exact same attributes. The best way in which each of these can be answered is by confessing the divine Christ. Though there are many verses that can be used for each example, only a couple have been used. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Remember that in John 10: 30, Jesus said, "I and the Father are One". John 6 tells us that anyone who has seen the Son has seen the Father. Better still, in John 14 Jesus says "I am in the Father and the Father is in Me".
Creation:
Gen 1:1- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Is 44:24- Thus says the Lord your redeemer, and He who has formed you from the womb; I am the Lord who makes all things, Who stretches out the Heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself.
OR…
John 1:3- All things were made through [Jesus], and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Col 1:16-17- For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things consist.
The First and the Last:
Is 44:6- Thus says the Lord, King of Israel, and His redeemer, the Lord of Hosts; I am the fist and the last, besides me there is no God.
Is 48:12-13- Listen to me o Jacob, and Israel, my called; I am He, I am the first. I am also the last. Indeed my right hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has stretched out the heavens. When I call to them they stand up together.
OR…
Rev 1:8- "I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end," says the Lord, "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the almighty." (Also repeated in vv11, 17, 18, and 22:12-13
The only Rock:
Is 44:8- Do not fear, nor be afraid. Have I not told you from that time and declared it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed there is no other Rock, I know not one. (See also Deut 32:3-4)
OR…
1 Cor 10:4- …and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
(Just as a side question, what exactly was it that God was declaring from the beginning in Is 44?)
No other Savior:
Is 43:11- I, even I, am the Lord, and besides me there is no Savior. (See also 45:21)
OR…
Acts 4:12- Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Tit. 2:13- …looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Remember that no one can see the face of God and live, so either Jesus is being proclaimed God here, or the hope of eternity will actually be our destrution. The distinction comes when we understand no-one can see the face of the Father and live, but we can see the face of God the Son and live. You decide) (See also Luke 2:11)
The name of our Redeemer:
Is 47:4- As for our Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel.
Is 60:16- …you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Redeemer and your Savior, the mighty one of Jacob
Is 44:22- I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. Sing, o heavens, the Lord has done it!
OR…
(Acts 4:12 is quoted above, see also Tit. 2:14)
Gal 3:13- Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree")
Eph 1:7- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
God shares His glory with no one:
Is 42:8- I am the Lord, that is My name; and my glory I will not give to another, nor my praise to carved images. (See also Is 48:11)
OR…
John 17:5- And now, o Father, glorify Me with yourself, with the glory I had with you before the world was.
2 Cor 4:6- For it is the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 2:8 calls Jesus the Lord of glory)
God justifies:
Is 45:25- In the Lord, all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory. (This is a prophetic passage about Jesus, yet God says He will do it.)
OR…
Gal 2:16-18 (spec. v 17) - But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are also found sinners, is Christ therefore a master of sin? Certainly not!
No God formed after the Father:
Is 43:10- …Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.
OR…
John 20:28-29- And Thomas answered and said "my Lord and my God!" and Jesus said to him "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." (In the greek Thomas is lterally saying "God of me Lord of Me")
Heb 1:8-9 - But to the Son He says, "Your throne o God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom."
God has no equal:
Is 40:25-26- "To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One.
OR…
Phil 2:5-7- Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the very form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men.
Only God can forgive sins:
Is 43:25- I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember you sins.
Jer 31:31-34(spec. v34)- No more shall every man teach neighbor, and every man his brother, saying "know the Lord", for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.
OR…
Luke 5:17-26(spec. v24) - But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins…" (Don't forget the Jews' response to this statement. Note also that He did indeed go on to heal the crippled man.)
Col 1:14- [Jesus]…in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Eph 1:7- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to His riches in grace.
Col 3:13- bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
God was tempted:
Num 21:6-9 (spec v 6-7) - So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Then the people came to Moses, and said "we have sinned against the Lord and against you, pray to the Lord that He might take away the serpents from among us." So Moses prayed for the people. (With verses 9-10 this is a shadow of the New Testament reality of Jesus atoning work. See 2 Cor 5:21. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be the righteousness of God.)
OR…
1 Cor 10:9- … nor let us tempt Christ, as some also tempted, and were destroyed by the serpents.
The searcher of hearts and minds:
Jer 17:10- I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
OR…
Rev 2:23- … and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts, and will give each one according to his works. (v 18 says it is the Son of man talking.)
Judgment belongs to God:
Deut 32:36- The Lord will judge His people…
Is 33:22- For the Lord is your judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.
Ps 135:14- For the Lord will judge His people, and He will compassion on His servants.
OR…
2 Tim 4:1- I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.
V.v. 8- Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give to me on that day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.
(It is Christ who is going to come back and appear before the whole earth, not God. For more verses where Jesus is the ultimate Judge, see 1 Tim 6:14, Matt 25: 31-32, John 5:20-27, 9:39, Acts 10:42, 17:31, and Tit. 2:13 where Jesus is also called God outright.)
The Holy One:
Is 49: 7- Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One…
OR…
Luke 1:35- And the angel answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
The King of Israel:
Is 43:15- I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
Zech 14:9- And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be "the Lord is One" and His name One.
OR…
Matt 27:11-12- Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him saying, "are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him "it is as you say."
Rev17:14- These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings; and those that are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.
The Lord of the Sabbath:
Ex 20:8-10- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.
OR…
Luke 6:5- And He said to them, "The Son of Man is also the Lord of the Sabbath."
The shepherd is:
Psalm 23:1- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (The word for Lord is Yahweh, a.k.a. Jehovah,, one of Gods covenant names.)
OR…
1Pete 5:4- when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (Christ is the One to appear.)
John 10:11- "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep."
The Light:
Psalm 27:1- The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
OR…
John 8:12- I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
Every knee will bow:
Is 45:23- I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow. Every tongue shall take an oath.
OR…
Rom 14:10-11- …for we shall stand before the Judgement seat of Christ, for it is written "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend to Me, and every tongue will confess to God." See also Phil 2:10-11. It says that at the name of Jesus this will all happen.)
God makes peace:
Is 45:6-7- I am the Lord, there is no other. I form the light and create the darkness, I make peace and create calamity, I, the Lord, do all these things.
OR…
John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.
Col 1:20- …and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him whether things on the earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
In Whom we are righteous:
Is 45:24- Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. (Also, Phil 4: 13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.)
OR…
2 Cor 5:21- …that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus-(And how does that happen? By Him who knew no sin becoming sin for us.)
The eternal husband:
Hos 2:16- "It shall be in that day" says the Lord, "that you will call me 'my Husband' and no longer call Me master."
Is 54:5- For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name, and your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
OR…
2 Cor 11:2- For I am jealous for you with Godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ.
Rev 19:6-7- (V.v. 7 is Jesus speaking) Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage supper of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.
Made into His likeness for eternity:
Psalm 17:15- As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness
OR…
2 Cor 3:18- But we all, with unveiled face, behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (See also 1 Cor 15:49)
1 John 3:2- Beloved, we are now children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. From 2:28 on we know that it's talking about Jesus because it mentions the 2nd coming, and His appearing.)
God pierced:
Zech 12:10- …then they will look on Me Whom they pierced. (Remember that all of 12 is God speaking; so when was He pierced?)
OR…
John 19:31-37 (spec. v 36-37) - For the things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled, "not one of His bones shall be broken", and another scripture says "they shall look on Me whom they pierced."
Rev 1:7- Behold He is coming on the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.
God kills and makes alive:
Deut 32:39- Now see that I, even I, am He. And there is no God besides Me. I kill and make alive; I wound and I heal, nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
OR…
John 11:25- I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Rev 1:18- I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and Death.
Plucked out of His hand:
Deut 32:39- Now see that I, even I, am He. And there is no God besides Me. I kill and make alive; I wound and I heal, nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
OR…
John 10:27-28- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. (Read v 29 after…".My Father's hand." They are one)
God never changes:
Mal 3:6- For I am the Lord, I do not change…
OR…
Heb 13:8- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
God's word abides forever:
Is 40:8- The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.
OR…
Matt 24:35- Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
God is without beginning:
Psalm 90:2- Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
Psalm 106:48- Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the Lord!
OR…
Mic 5:2- But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out, of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting. (This is God, the eternal one, calling the Jews to come to another eternal one, their Messiah.)
Adding to God's commands:
Deu 4:2- You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Prov 30:6- Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
OR…
John 13:34- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
(Col 3:16- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Whose word is it anyway?)
Service and worship:
Matt 4:10- "Away with you Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve'" (Taken from Deu 6:13 and 10:20)
OR…
Matt 15:25-26- then she came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord help me!" But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." (See also Matt 8:1-3.Why doesn't He rebuke her here if she's worshipping Him?)
Matt 28:17-18- When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given Me in heaven and on earth." (Here they worship Him, and He responds by telling them He's great. Either He is God, or He is a conceited immoral man.)
John 20:28-29- And Thomas answered and said to Him' "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed." (Thomas even calls Him God, but Christ does nothing to correct him.)
1 Cor 4:1- Let a man consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Rev 5:11-12- Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying in a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
No one is like God:
Isaiah 46:9- Remember the former things of old, for I Am God, and there is no other; I Am God, and there is none like me. (Why is it important to remember the things of old? Perhaps because He was trying to tell us something all along. Remember all the language clues from the O/T.)
OR…
Phil 2:6-7- …who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be considered equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (The word here for form is as equally translated nature…)
Col 1:15- He is the image of the invisible God…
Col 2:9- For in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily…
John 1: 1+14- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the word became flesh and dwelt among us. (v 5 says and they did not comprehend the Light. Perhaps that is still the case today for some people, and why this discussion takes place still.)
Heb 1:3- …who being the brightness of His glory and the express image if His person, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high… (express image means an exact copy. Undistinguishable.)
No other God:
Isaiah 44:6-8- Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and His redeemer, the Lord of Hosts 'I am the first and the last, besides me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for me. Since I appointed the ancient people, and the things that are coming and shall come, let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time and declared it? You are my witnesses. Is there a god besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one'.
Isaiah 46:9- Remember the former things of old, for I Am God, and there is no other; I Am God, and there is none like me.
OR…
1 Tim 3:16- …and without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness; God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. (4:1- Now the Spirit says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. This is another reason why people today might deny the divinity of Christ)
Heb 1:8- But to the Son He says "Your throne, o God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom."
V 10- And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of Your hands. (Remember that this is still God saying this to Jesus.)
AT A GLANCE.
This section is a collection of verses from both the Old and New Testaments, which people would normally read over and not even catch what is being said. These are all over the surface of the pages in our bibles, and don't take any digging to find, yet when mused upon they hold some significance into the identity and character of God.
God speaks of Himself in the first person plural:
Gen 1:26-27- Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness"…So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
3:22- Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one Us, to know good and evil.
11:7-8- "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." So the Lord scattered them abroad from there, over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.
John 14:23- Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him.
God shed His blood:
Acts 20:28- Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Eph 1:7- (verse 3 tells us that God is the subject of this verse) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to His riches in grace.
We are ambassadors:
2 Cor 5:20- Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us : we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
If we are ambassadors for Jesus, that would mean we represent Him, so why is God the one pleading through us then? We're speaking on Christ's behalf as the text says. The two are obviously being used interchangeably here.
The throne of…
Rev 22:3- And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
Who are we going to serve? Two are mentioned here. And whose throne is it? It is written in the singular, yet we are to believe that two will occupy it. Again the two are used interchangeably.
The Spirit of…
Rom 8:9- But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
Which Spirit do we then have? They are being used interchangeably again.
Jesus is out-rightly called God:
1) By men-
Matt 3:3(Luke 3:5-6/from Is 40:3) - For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'"
John 1:1+14- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the word became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 20:28-29- And Thomas answered and said to Him' "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed."
Acts 7:59- And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"
Rom 9:5- … of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Col 2:2- that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the mystery of God, both of the father and of Christ. (This flat out says that there is God the father and God the Son)
1 Tim 3:16- …and without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness; God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
Tit. 2:13- …looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
1Pete 1:1- To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This verse is calling Jesus both of these things, it is not referring to two persons.
2) By God-
Is 7:14- Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (This means God with us. See Matt 1:23.)(Note that it's God saying this)
Is 9:6- For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Councilor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Is 54:13- "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children."
Heb 1:8-9 - But to the Son He says, "your throne o God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom."
3) By Jesus Himself-
In Ex 3:14, God shares a covenant name for Himself with Moses. God calls Himself the "I AM". Jesus in many places calls Himself the same thing. Listed below is one case (John 8:58) where the Jews understood what the claim being made was, and wanted to stone Him for it. At the heart of this issue is that according to John 8:24, we will not make it to heaven unless we believe that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh.
John 5:17-18- But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews sought all the More to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
John 8:24- "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am He, you will die in your sins." (It is important to note that any words italicized are not in the Greek, but added by the translators.)
V 28- Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
V 58- Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, that before Abraham was, I AM.'' Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (Christ is pre-incarnate. Read also Is 43:13.)
10:22-33 (spec v 33)- The Jews answered Him saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." (This was in response to Jesus saying [a] they were not His sheep, [b] He gives eternal life, [c] His sheep could not be snatched out of His hand, [d] He and the Father are one and the same.) (Matt 9:2-3/Mark 2:6-7/Luke 5:20-21- Jesus heals and forgives sins, and the Pharisee' accuse Him of blasphemy, because only God can forgive sins. Luke 7: 48-48 He forgives sins. John 5: 18 the Jews hated Him for making Himself equal with God.)
13:19- Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I AM He.
John 18:4b-6- [Jesus] went forward and said to them, " Whom are you seeking?" They answered Him " Jesus of Nazareth". Jesus said to them, " I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
Matt 28:19- Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It doesn't say in the names of, but in the name of, singular.
|
