Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 2000 Jesus Christ » 2003 Jesus Christ, qualities of » 2006 God, the Son » 2018 Jesus Christ, divinity of
The equality and identity of Jesus Christ as God is clearly stated in the NT, and is also implied by the words and deeds of Jesus Christ. The OT prophecies also point to the divinity of the coming Messiah.
The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ's divinity
Hebrews 1:8See alsoPsalm 45:6;John 1:1-2,18;Romans 9:5NIV footnote has alternative translations: “Christ who is over all. God be for ever praised!” Or: “Christ. God who is over all be for ever praised!”;Philippians 2:6;Titus 2:13;2 Peter 1:1
Statements which imply Jesus Christ's divinity
Matthew 1:23See alsoIsaiah 7:14;Luke 1:35;Colossians 1:15;Colossians 2:2,9;1 Timothy 1:17;1 John 5:20
Jesus Christ's unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead
Matthew 28:19See alsoJohn 14:16;2 Corinthians 13:14;Ephesians 1:13-14;Ephesians 2:18,22;Ephesians 3:14-17;Ephesians 4:4-6
Jesus Christ's eternal nature indicates his divinity
Jesus Christ precedes creation
Colossians 1:17See alsoMicah 5:2;John 17:5,24;2 Timothy 1:9;1 Peter 1:20;1 John 1:1;John 2:13
Jesus Christ is everlasting
John 8:58See alsoHebrews 1:12;Psalm 102:27;Hebrews 7:3,24;Hebrews 13:8;Revelation 1:8;Revelation 5:13;Revelation 22:13
Jesus Christ's pre-existence indicates his divinity
John 6:62See alsoJohn 3:13,31;John 6:41-42;John 13:3;John 16:28
Jesus Christ's manifestation of God's glory indicates his divinity
Hebrews 1:3See alsoMatthew 17:2 ppMark 9:2-3 ppLuke 9:29;John 1:14;1 Corinthians 2:8;2 Corinthians 4:4;James 2:1
Jesus Christ's divinity in the OT
The divinity of the coming Messiah
Isaiah 9:6;Isaiah 40:3;Jeremiah 23:6;Malachi 3:1
NT passages which apply OT passages about God to Jesus Christ
Romans 10:13See alsoJoel 2:32;John 12:40-41;Isaiah 6:10;Romans 9:33;Isaiah 8:14;Ephesians 4:8;Psalm 68:18
Jesus Christ's claims to divinity
He claimed to be one with the Father
John 5:17-18See alsoJohn 10:30-33,36-38;John 12:45;John 14:7,9-11;John 17:11,21
He demonstrated his authority to forgive sin
Luke 5:20-24 ppMatthew 9:2-6 ppMark 2:5-10See alsoLuke 7:47-48
Jesus Christ's actions imply his divinity
Matthew 8:26-27 ppMark 4:39-41 ppLuke 8:24-25See alsoMatthew 12:8 ppMark 2:28 ppLuke 6:5;Luke 8:39 ppMark 5:19-20
Jesus Christ's resurrection confirms his divinity
Acts 2:36See alsoRomans 1:4;Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus Christ's names and titles point to his divinity
Jesus Christ as judge
John 5:27In the OT, final responsibility for judgment is assigned to God.See alsoMatthew 25:31-33;Mark 8:38 ppMatthew 16:27 ppLuke 9:26;Acts 17:31;Romans 2:16;2 Corinthians 5:10
Jesus Christ as “I am”
John 11:25“I am” is the meaning of God's name in the OT (see Ex 3:14).See alsoJohn 6:35;John 8:12;John 10:7,11;John 14:6;John 15:1;John 18:5-6
Jesus Christ as Saviour
Acts 5:31According to the OT, God alone can save.See alsoActs 4:12;Ephesians 5:23;Hebrews 7:25
Jesus Christ as Lord
Romans 10:9“Lord” was equivalent to God's name in the OT.See alsoLuke 1:43;Luke 2:11;John 13:13;1 Corinthians 12:3;2 Corinthians 4:5;Revelation 19:16
Jesus Christ as creator
Colossians 1:16See alsoJohn 1:3,10;Acts 3:15;Romans 11:36;1 Corinthians 8:6;Hebrews 1:2,10;Psalm 102:25
Jesus Christ as shepherd
Hebrews 13:20“Shepherd” was a well-known OT name for God.See alsoJohn 10:11-16;1 Peter 2:25;Peter 5:4
Those who recognised Jesus Christ's divinity
The disciples
John 20:28See alsoMatthew 16:16 ppMark 8:29 ppLuke 9:20
The demons
Mark 3:11;Luke 4:41 ppMark 1:34
The consequences of recognising Jesus Christ's divinity
Jesus Christ is worshipped as God
Luke 24:52The fact that no-one but God may be worshipped is fundamental to Judaism.See alsoMatthew 2:11;Matthew 28:9,17;John 9:38;2 Timothy 4:18;2 Peter 3:18;Revelation 1:5-6;Revelation 5:12-13;Revelation 7:10
Prayer is addressed to Jesus Christ
Acts 7:59-60;Acts 9:13;1 Corinthians 16:22;Revelation 22:20
See also
2024 Christ, glory of
2033 Christ, humanity
2078 Christ, sonship of
2203 Christ, titles of
2206 Jesus, the Christ
2224 Christ, the Lord
2309 Christ as judge
2324 Christ as Saviour
2560 Christ, resurrection
6654 forgiveness, Christ's ministry
8407 confession of Christ
9312 resurrection, significance of Christ's
