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After my article involving the “Mystery of the Trinity”,which got quite a number of views and comments, I was asked to write about the “Deity of Christ”. Every religious persuasion whether it be a false religion, alternative thought or cult (as defined in Christian Theology), attacks four basic tenet’s of the Christian faith: the virgin birth (incarnation), the deity of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity and the bodily resurrection of Christ. The doctrine of Christ’s deity is essential to understanding both the virgin birth and the mystery of the trinity. These are but a few of the proofs of His deity in the scriptures.
First, who does Jesus say He is? What was Christ’s own self-concept? It must be admitted that Jesus never defines His place in the Trinity in theological language. However He made many statements about Himself that would not only be inappropriate, but blasphemous if He was nod God in the flesh. In Matthew, He calls both the angels and the kingdom of God His. Elsewhere angels are called “the angels of God” and the Kingdom of God is found written throughout the scriptures. Matthew 13:41, Jesus says, “ The Son of Man will send His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and evildoers.”
Mark 2:5 A paralytic is lowered through the roof by his friends, for Jesus to heal. Jesus first response was to say that the man’s sins were forgiven. The Scribes knew the implications of that statement for only God can forgiven sins. Jesus relies, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Tour sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise up take up your pallet and walk? “ To confirm His authority to forgive sins, Jesus healed the man, who rose, picked up his pallet and walked home.
John 14:9, Jesus tells Thomas, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” And in John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” At this statement the Jew picked up stones to stone Him. Jesus said, “Many good works have I shown you from My Father. For which of these good works do you stone me? 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.” They all understood exactly what He was saying.
John 8:58, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” Some believe this is His strongest claim to deity. The Jews responded by picking up stones again to stone Him for declaring Himself God. Jesus recognized the phrase, “I am” as one not only referring to God but used by God in the Old Testament as His name given to Moses in Exodus 3:14.
In John 5:21 and 11:25, Jesus claims to have authority over life itself, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will”. His use of the self referential “Son of God” title point to unique power and authority and His essential equality with God.
Second, What do the His followers say who He is?
John 1:1 “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… speaking of Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:16, “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..”
John20:28, Thomas who sees Jesus after His resurrection from the dead, and touches His hands and the wound in His side, falls to his knees and says, “ My Lord and My God.”
The writer of Hebrews writes plainly of Christ’s deity as the chapter starts out, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.”
The passage also states that Jesus is not an angel or a priest. In Colossians 1:15, Paul adds, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, For by Him (Jesus) all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
The belief in Jesus Christ being of the same essence as God the Father began with Jesus Himself, was taught to His Apostles, who in turn handed down this belief to the early church fathers and apologists. Christ’s deity is the foundation upom which the Christian faith rests.
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Posted by journeyman on 2008-01-22 04:33:20 | Rating: | Views: 174
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That brings the question as to whether he was the son of god, or was god himself. There is a bit of a difference.
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Posted by GreyDragon
on 2008-01-23 05:59:10
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Actually, regarding the "only begotten Son of God", we are talking about "God manifested in human flesh" (1 Tim 3:16). I have different titles...that overlap. I am a father, a son, an uncle and a brother. Jesus is both the Son of God, God the Son and the son of man. Some titles refer to his humanity as Messiah and His lineage to the throne of David...others to His divinity. He is one third of the Godhead, yet "if you have seen Him...you have seen the Father". As He said, "I and my Father are one". He took upon Himself human form...laying aside His robe of majesty and girded Himself with the towel of humanity.., and yet by Him and through Him, all things were created. While on earth...fully God and fully human.,,,reconciling the world unto Himself.
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Posted by journeyman
on 2008-01-23 08:51:07
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Could it be that when he says "I and my Father are one" that he was referring to their unity? The Bible also talks about man and woman becoming one flesh, but we know it isn't literal - but refers to their union.
Your thoughts?
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Posted by 50gumbyss
on 2008-01-23 20:43:17
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In my article "The Mystery of the Trinity", we see that the word in hebrew for one "echad", refers to a plurality in unity. Adam and Eve..basar echad..one flesh. Many times when Jesus speaks it is multi-faceted. Jesus who is one with the Father...
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Posted by journeyman
on 2008-01-23 22:38:46
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