Topical Encyclopedia
The divinity of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus is not only the Son of God but is God Himself. This doctrine is rooted in various scriptural passages and is foundational to the understanding of the nature of Christ within the Christian faith.
Old Testament ForeshadowingThe Old Testament contains several passages that Christians interpret as foreshadowing the divinity of the Messiah.
Isaiah 9:6 prophesies, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This verse attributes divine titles to the coming Messiah, suggesting His divine nature.
New Testament AffirmationsThe New Testament provides explicit affirmations of Jesus' divinity. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (
John 1:1). This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as God, establishing His preexistence and divine nature.
In
John 8:58, Jesus Himself makes a significant claim to divinity: "Truly, truly, I tell you," Jesus declared, "before Abraham was born, I am!" This statement echoes God's self-identification to Moses in
Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM," thus equating Himself with Yahweh.
Apostolic WitnessThe apostles also bear witness to the divinity of Christ. In
Colossians 2:9, Paul writes, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form." This verse underscores the belief that Jesus embodies the complete nature of God.
Thomas the Apostle, upon seeing the resurrected Christ, exclaims, "My Lord and my God!" (
John 20:28). This confession is a direct acknowledgment of Jesus' divine identity.
Christ's Divine Attributes and WorksJesus' divine attributes and works further affirm His deity. He possesses authority over nature, as demonstrated when He calms the storm in
Mark 4:39. He exercises authority to forgive sins, a prerogative of God alone, as seen in
Mark 2:5-7. Jesus also accepts worship, which is due only to God, as seen in
Matthew 14:33, where the disciples worship Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
Theological ImplicationsThe doctrine of Jesus' divinity is integral to the understanding of the Trinity, which posits one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This belief is encapsulated in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (
Matthew 28:19).
ConclusionThe belief in Jesus as God is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, supported by scriptural evidence and theological reflection. It affirms that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, a mystery that lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
Topical Bible Verses
John 10:30-33I and my Father are one.
Topicalbible.orgJohn 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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1 Corinthians 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
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John 1:2
The same was in the beginning with God.
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Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
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Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
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John 1:18
No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
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John 8:24
I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.
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Greek
935. basileus -- a king... As King,
Jesus Christ has unqualified jurisdiction over all creation --
also
being God the Creator. (cf. Jn 1:1-3,49). See 932 ().
...3686. onoma -- a name, authority, cause
... in" means to pray () , bringing revelation that flows out ofbeing .... Praying inJesus'
name" therefore... Therefore, in the case of theGod, it is specially sacred...
4561. sarx -- flesh
... as for the sinless human body ofJesus (Jn 1... the () part of us -- ie what is transformed
byGod.... morally) and passions), or (specially), a humanbeing (as such...
3781. opheiletes -- a debtor
... For the , 3781 ("being a ") where Christ paid .... Indeed, the blood ofJesus removes
all the... a delinquent; morally, a transgressor (againstGod) -- debtor, which...
Library
Jesus Christ,Being the Only Son ofGod, is at the Same Time Man.
... Chapter 35."Jesus Christ,Being the Only Son ofGod, is at the Same Time
Man. Wherefore ChristJesus, the Son ofGod, is both...
"But," Continues Celsus, "What Great Deeds didJesus Perform as...
... "But," continues Celsus, "what great deeds didJesus perform asbeing aGod?... "But,"
continues Celsus, "what great deeds didJesus perform asbeing aGod?...
Proofs ofJesus Christ
... the rich,Jesus Christ as Doctor and Priest in priests,Jesus Christ as Sovereign
in princes, etc. For by His glory He is all that is great,being God; and by...
Jesus Christ an Example of Prayer
... The Bible record of the life ofJesus Christ gives but a... But even in this record
we see Him asbeing much in... Alone in the desert and in the darkness withGod!...
Thanks toGod for Your Faith.
... in love through the blood of Christ,being fully persuaded, in very truth, with
respect to our LordJesus Christ, that He was the Son ofGod, "the first-born...
Introduction.
... For a man is not required to believe in them save as believing inJesus.... And if he
is a grandGod, aGod worthy ofbeing God, yea (his metaphysics even may...
Pray for Me.
... Yet it is not I, but the LordJesus through me; for whose sakebeing bound, I fear
the more, for I am not yet perfect. But your prayer toGod shall make me...
The Christian Man
...Jesus Christ, the manifestation ofGod the Father, is the SpiritualBeing through
whom man can receive forgiveness for sin (Luke 5:23,24; Acts 2:38; 13:38,39...
Things Omitted from John's Gospel.
... Mark refers to the LordJesus being baptized by his forerunner, and Matthew and
Luke each... Because John is presenting Christ asGod the Son, and "God cannot be...
Fragment i. I Give Thanks to AlmightyGod and Our LordJesus...
... thanks to AlmightyGod and our LordJesus Christ, who... and more illustrious, so that
now, peacebeing granted to... in sight of the unbelieving, andGod your Father...
Resources
Questions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.orgIs the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar biblical? | GotQuestions.orgJesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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