Deity of Christ (Part 3/3)

Receives Worship

The Lord Jesus Christ is worshiped throughout the New Testament. Only God is to be worshiped; only God is worthy of praise. The Bible abhors idolatry in both testaments. Idolaters have no place in heaven and their worship is always false. Hence, in a book that calls idolatry an abomination and demands that God alone be worshiped and adored, to allow Christ to be worshiped is either blasphemy or Christ is divine and it then becomes proper and necessary to revere him. To not worship Christ then is equivalent to idolatry and blasphemy.

The gospel of Matthew records several instances where Jesus was worshiped. “Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have to come to worship him'... And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him” (Matt. 2:1-2, 11). The disciples worshiped Jesus in a boat after he walked on water and calmed a storm: “And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'” (Matt. 14:33). Then, the women who followed worshiped Jesus after his resurrection. “And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him” (Matt. 28:9).

Jesus is worshiped on a number of occasions in the gospel of John. Jesus himself spoke about receiving honor just as the Father does: “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him” (Jn. 5:22-23). He is then worshiped by a blind man whom he healed. Jesus found the man after he was cast out of the temple and asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. After the healed man discovered Jesus' identity, “He said, 'Lord, I believe,' and worshiped him” (Jn. 9:35-38). And who could forget the enduring words of Thomas, who, at one point, doubted Christ's resurrection. He exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” when Jesus appeared and revealed himself, forever removing any incertitude or disbelief (Jn. 20:27-28).

Paul tells of a day in the future when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). When discussing his own deliverance, Paul bursts forth in praise, asserting, “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever” (1Tim. 1:17).

The author of Hebrews, quoting Deuteronomy, expounds on the supremacy of Christ by proclaiming that he was worshiped. “Let all God's angels worship him” (Heb. 1:6). Peter exhorted his readers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity” (2Pet. 3:18). Finally, the book of Revelation shows us that Jesus is worshiped in heaven by the elders, the living creatures, and all creatures in heaven and earth and the sea (Rev. 5:6-14). Jesus is worshiped; there can be no denying this. He receives honor, glory, and praise that is due to God. People bow before him, love, and adore him. A logical conclusion is that Jesus is God!

Saves Sinners

Not only is Christ identified with God and receives worship, but he does something else only God can do- he saves sinners. He is the sole object of the believer's faith. Without Christ, no one would ever be delivered. He is the Savior, not just because he died to pay the ransom, but also due to the fact that he saves. Salvation is a work of Christ, and if salvation belongs to the Lord (Jonah 2:9), then Jesus is the Lord and therefore God.

Only a few verses of scripture need to be quoted to prove this apparent point; it ought to be evident. Early in Luke's gospel, angels bring good news to shepherds. They say in part, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11). This would not be good news if Christ saved no one. Acts 4:12 further confirms this point, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Paul, as expected, has much to assert regarding this. “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Rom. 5:9). “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). “For God has not destined us for the wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess. 5:9). “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1Tim. 1:15).

Lastly, Hebrews reveals that “he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). And, “he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

Does the Works of God

The evidence is mounting. It is becoming increasingly clear that Jesus is fully divine. He not only is identified with God, receives worship, and saves sinners, but he also does the very works of God.

Scripture discloses that Christ is the Creator. For our purposes, we are interested exclusively in Christ. Creation is attributed to each member of the Trinity, thus proving the deity of both Christ and the Holy Spirit. “All things were made through him [Jesus], and without him was not any thing made that was made” (Jn. 1:3). Paul tells the believers at Corinth that there is “one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1Cor. 8:6). He tells the Colossians, “For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him” (Col. 1:16).

Hebrews tells us that God “has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Heb. 1:2). Later in the same chapter, we read, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands” (Heb. 1:10).

Christ also providentially governs and preserves his creation. Paul told the men of Athens, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). He was referring to Christ. He told the Colossians that Jesus “is before all things, and him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). The Hebrew writer said that “he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3). God alone preserves or upholds his creation. God alone guides, orchestrates, directs, and leads all creation to his desired end. If Christ sustains and governs creation, then it follows that Christ is God.

The forgiveness of sin, which is a work of God, is attributed to Christ. The second chapter of Mark states that Christ forgave the sins of the paralytic man (Mk. 2:5-12). Luke recounts Jesus' words about the woman that washed his feet with tears and dried them with her hair. He forgave her sins (Lk. 7:41-50). Many more accounts may be given, but these are sufficient to substantiate our claim that Christ is God because he forgives sin.

Jesus gives eternal life. This, again, is a work that only God can accomplish. After feeding five thousand men, Jesus told the crowd, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn. 6:27). He told others, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (Jn. 10:27-28). John encouraged the assurance of his audience when he wrote, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1Jn. 5:20). It is apparent that not only is eternal life found in Christ, but he also bestows this life to his own.

God has appointed Christ as judge. All judgment is reserved for God. So, in imparting judgment to the Son, it becomes unmistakable that Christ is God. “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matt. 16:27). John relates, “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” and “He has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man” (Jn. 5:22, 27).

In Acts, Paul told his listeners that Jesus “is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 11:42). He then tells the Thessalonian Christians that Jesus will be “revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel” (2Thess. 1:7-8). Timothy was told by Paul that Christ is “the righteous judge” (2Tim. 4:8).

Eternal Preexistence

If Christ has always existed- if he is not a created being but eternal, precisely as the Father is- then he is God. If the scriptures bear witness to his eternal preexistence along with the rest of the evidence presented, then it is beyond dispute that Christ is indeed God of very God. Scripture is not silent on this matter.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (Jn. 1:1-2). John explicitly teaches that Christ, the Word, is God and has always existed. God cannot be created. Jesus calls himself “I am” in John 8:58. This is the name that God gave Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3. It speaks of God's self-existence, infinite nature, transcendence, otherness, and his eternal being. All of these apply to Jesus. He addresses himself as the I am, therefore ascribing these divine attributes to himself.

Philippians 2:5-11 teaches Christ's equality with God. Also, he existed with God before “being born in the likeness of men.” Christ, the Son of God, has always existed. These scriptures are more than adequate to prove that Christ existed from eternity, hence manifesting the inescapable truth of his deity.

Other Evidence

As if this chapter did not have enough to convince any honest reader, there are more arguments that cement the truth of the deity of Christ. One such argument is the confession of demons. Throughout the gospel accounts of his earthly life, Jesus confronted and rebuked demons to free the possessed and to demonstrate his power and authority. These demons would often cry out and display that they knew not only Christ, but also his origin and deity. These confessions are some of the most orthodox and sound statements of the divinity of Christ found in scripture. It would appear that the demonic realm knows a great deal about Christ, having once dwelt in heaven and worshiped him before the worlds began. It is also apparent that men have the ability to sin beyond the very devils themselves while on this earth. Even demons know who Christ is!

“And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, 'What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?'” (Matt. 8:28-29). “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 'What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are- the Holy One of God'” (Mk. 1:23-24). “And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, 'You are the Son of God'” (Mk. 3:11). “And demons also came out of many, crying, 'You are the Son of God!'” (Lk. 4:41).

Another line of argumentation is the confessions and testimonies of people. Peter, by revelation from the Father, declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16-17). Then, Nathaniel exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (Jn. 1:49). As mentioned above, Thomas confessed, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:28).

Lastly, perhaps the most revealing and interesting of these examples, is Paul. His life and conversion is possibly the strongest argument for the deity of Christ, apart from scriptural testimony that is. Why? Because Paul was a persecutor of the early church. He opposed Jesus, incarcerated believers in prison, cast his vote to put them to death, and tried to make them blaspheme (Acts 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13). Paul was a monster. Albeit, this persecutor turned into a preacher and missionary. How? Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus, forever changing his heart, soul, and life (Acts 9:1-19; Gal. 1:15-16, 23).

Like so many of the other Jews and Pharisees, Paul did not believe that Jesus was God's Son or divine before his conversion. So, being the Hebrew of Hebrews, Paul sought to destroy the Way because they followed and worshiped Christ. In his mind, God alone was worthy of worship, making any adoration given to Jesus blasphemy. After his conversion, Paul preached Christ and he proclaimed his deity. “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, 'He is the Son of God'” (Acts 9:20). “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ” (Acts 17:3).

Paul was a persecutor turned preacher. This is remarkable because of the reason Paul opposed Christians- they referred to Jesus as God and worshiped him as such. Paul lost everything to follow Christ. This proved that his “religion” before Christ was worthless- rubbish. But, he gained Christ, and by gaining Christ, he gained everything (Phil. 3:4-11).

Let it be known that much more could be said and many more verses could be referenced to prove the deity of Christ. What has been written is sufficient. No matter how many passages are quoted or arguments compiled, if the truth is not revealed by God, sinners will remain blind and hardened. A supernatural work must be done by God in order for people to acknowledge, believe, and trust that Christ is who the scriptures say he is.

Why is the deity of Christ so important? Why all the verses of scripture and arguments? Simply put, if Jesus is not fully God, then he is unable to save us. Our very salvation depends on his person- his deity. As will be explored at a later time, sinners need Christ because he is the God Man. Christ, God's Son, took on flesh to bear our guilt and punishment. The divine nature sanctified the human, making his sacrifice sufficient to turn away the Father's wrath and satisfy his justice in order to make atonement for sin. Oh, this is rich! This is precious truth!

 

Excerpt from the author's book The Unsearchable Riches of Christ vol. 1: The Person of Christ

The Deity of Christ (Part 2)

Attributes

That Jesus is called by the identical names given to God, proving him to be God, is beyond dispute. But, that is not the only evidence that identifies him with God- Christ possesses all of the attributes ascribed to God throughout scripture.

Christ is preeminent. Traditionally, this is usually not included among the attributes of God. But, it pertains to Christ; he is superior and above everything. Christ is supreme and transcends or surpasses all things. Similarly, because of who he is and his work, all of history revolves around him and finds its end and purpose in him. History exists for him; it is God directing and orchestrating everything for his glory. Everything!

What saith the scriptures? “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all” (Jn. 3:31). “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Col. 1:18).

The opening verses of Hebrews makes this point considerably well. It reads, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs” (Heb. 1:1-4). Wow! These verses could not be any clearer- Christ is superior, he is preeminent, above all, and fully reveals God. Christ is God.

Christ is self-existent. Unlike creation, God is not dependent on anything for his existence. He exists uncontingently- in and within himself. He is uncreated. Jesus, too, has life within himself; he is life. As such, Christ is independent and uncreated. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (Jn. 1:4). “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself” (Jn. 5:26).

Jesus shares another attribute with God- they are eternal. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1). “Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am'” (Jn. 8:58). “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13). These verses distinctly teach that Christ was eternal; he always existed with the Father.

Jesus is also immutable. This means that he does not change. God cannot change because he is perfect; he cannot grow, learn, or anything else-perfection cannot be improved upon. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Alluding to the Son, the author of Hebrews also says, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end” (Heb. 1:10-12). Christ will not change. When everything else wears out, dies, withers, and grows old, Christ remains the same.

Christ is even omnipresent. He is right now at the Father's right hand ruling and reigning. Yet, he is with his redeemed. He hears their cries, prayers, praise, jubilance, etc. Not only so, he ministers to his sheep. That is what is so amazing; Christ can comfort me while, at the same time, rejoice with you. God alone is ever present, and if Christ is present everywhere, then it is logical to conclude that he is God.

Two passages in Matthew establish this. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them” (Matt. 18:20). At the end of his gospel, Matthew records the disciples' commission. Near the end, Jesus states, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). We know that there are multiple gatherings and that the disciples went different directions. In order for Christ to be among and with his people in different places, he must be omnipresent.

Christ possesses omniscience. He has perfect and complete knowledge of all things. In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus knows that a fish will have a coin in its mouth which Peter is to use to pay the temple tax. Matthew 21:1-7 shows that Jesus knew that a donkey and her colt would be tied in the village. His disciples were to untie them and lead them back to Christ in order that he may enter Jerusalem triumphantly. Luke tells of an instance where Jesus again sent disciples into a city to prepare the Passover. They were instructed to follow a man carrying a jar of water (Lk. 22:7-13). Jesus also predicts Peter's denials (Jn. 13:36-38). These are just a few examples; many more could be produced to show that Christ is omniscient.

The scriptures display Christ's omnipotence as well. All power belongs to Christ. He is able to do whatever he pleases in heaven or on earth. Jesus demonstrated his omnipotent power when he created. “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (Jn. 1:3). “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him” (Col. 1:16). Ponder also Hebrews 1:2 and 1 Corinthians 8:6.

Not only is creation ascribed to Christ, providence or the governing and sustaining of creation is likewise. “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). “He upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3). That is power- creating the entire universe and then upholding everything and guiding it to its end.

Christ has power to judge. It takes tremendous power to judge, but to carry out that judgment is something only God can do. God alone has the ability to uphold his judgments and punish offenders. “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matt. 16:27). Jesus will be “revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2Thess. 1:7-8). There will be a day when “God judges the secrets of men by Jesus Christ” (Rom. 2:16).

Jesus even has the power to save and forgive sin. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 2:20-21). “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). “When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb. 10:12-14).

John's gospel reveals that Christ has the ability to raise himself from the dead. That's power! “Jesus answered them [the Jews], 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' The Jews then said, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?' But he was speaking about the temple of his body” (Jn. 2:19-21). “'For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again'” (Jn. 10:17-18).

Jesus, as it has been seen, is identified with God throughout the New Testament. This confirms his deity; Christ is God. Only God is preeminent, self-existent, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Simply put, only God has the attributes of God. Scripture is not silent, it speaks and testifies to the deity of Christ. Scripture is replete with examples, as has been demonstrated, that show the divinity of Christ. Nonetheless, there is more evidence. 

 

Excerpt from the author's book The Unsearchable Riches of Christ vol. 1: The Person of Christ

 

The Deity of Christ (Part 1)

The New Testament seems to assume the deity of Christ, but that is not the end. There are also many texts and several arguments that prove that Christ is God without a doubt. The arguments and evidence that we will focus on are: Christ is identified with God, he receives worship that is due to God alone, he saves sinners, does the works of God, existed eternally, and bears the testimony of man and demon alike that he is God.

Identified with God

Christ is identified with God. This is seen in names and attributes that are ascribed to him.

Names

The names and titles given to Christ throughout the New Testament are both illuminating and revealing. In a number of passages, Christ is directly referred to as God. Individually they build a convincing case, a foundation. Notwithstanding, when considered together, they form an impressive structure that will defend against attack while comforting and securing those whom seek refuge within its mighty walls.

Matthew refers to Jesus as God. He wrote, quoting Isaiah, “'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' [which means, God with us]” (Matt. 1:23). This was given by vision to Joseph who readily obeyed. Jesus is called God- he is God with us.

The apostle John penned some of the most beautiful and theological words about Christ and his divinity, thus equating him with God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1). Jesus, the Word, was/is God. He later records the testimony of Thomas, one of Christ's disciples. Thomas is known for his doubting of the resurrection of Christ. Christ arose and then revealed himself to his closest followers, among others. Overcome with belief instead of uncertainty, Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” in reference to the risen Christ (Jn. 20:28).

In his first epistle, John again offers clear and unmistakable evidence of the fact that Jesus is God. He wrote in order to assure his audience of their salvation. Their salvation, incidentally, hinged on Jesus being fully God. John said, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1Jn. 5:20). The argument is astounding; John's readers were to be assured of their salvation, of their eternal life. He told them that Christ was their life eternal and solidified his argument by adding that Christ is God. He alone saves. Christ, in his person, is life. So, John called Jesus God directing the reader's attention to his ability to save. Only God has life in himself. Only God gives life to his creatures. Only Christ bestows eternal life on his children.

Another New Testament disciple and author disclosed staggering evidence on Christ's deity. Peter, writing to persecuted believers dispersed throughout the known world (2Pet. 3:1, which harkens back to his first epistle), addresses Jesus as God. “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet. 1:1). What could be clearer? So far, these three men testified that Jesus is God. These men were disciples of Christ. They lived with him for three years and witnessed his many miracles, heard his teaching, and saw him die on a Roman cross, but they also were eye witnesses to his resurrection and ascension. Christ is God- but there is more.

The unknown author of the book of Hebrews weighs in. Being carried along by the Spirit of God, he wrote, “But of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore, God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions” (Heb. 1:8-9). It is apparent; the author's main purpose is to prove that the Old Testament was fulfilled in and by Christ. To do this, the first chapter proves his deity while the second demonstrates his humanity. In our verses, he is describing Christ and calls him God when alluding to his throne or kingship and sovereignty.

Lastly, as we would expect, Paul suggests on a number of occasions, to different recipients, and in several contexts that Jesus Christ is most definitely God. To the Roman Christians, he wrote, “To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen” (Rom. 9:5). To the saints at Philippi, when discussing Christ's humiliation and death, Paul said that Christ “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped...” (Phil. 2:6). Jesus is God over all and equal with God.

Then, in 1 Timothy, Paul burst into praise. He could not help but to worship after telling of Christ's amazing salvation. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1:17). Finally, he wrote to Titus that believers were to wait “for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13). It is apparent that the men who penned the New Testament, the very men who lived with him and witnessed his death and resurrection, believed Jesus to be God. They beheld his glory, heard the Father's voice from heaven, believed his testimony, and saw the risen Savior. These men were eyewitnesses of his majesty and his deity.

In addition to Christ being called God, he is referred to as the Son of God, identifying him with deity. As God's Son, Jesus shares God's nature. Just as Adam had a son and they had the same nature, the Father and Son have the very same nature. It isn't similar or comparable, but it is of the same substance.

Matthew records Peter's confession of Christ: “Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'” Jesus then tells Peter that the Father revealed that very truth to him (Matt. 16:16-17). Earlier in the gospel account, the Father speaks from heaven and proclaims Jesus to be his Son. The Father thunders, “'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'” (Matt. 3:17). Later in Matthew's gospel, the Father says the same thing as Christ is transfigured on the mount (Matt. 17:5). When asked by the high priest if he was the Son of God, Jesus answered “You have said so” (Matt. 26:64).

Mark begins his gospel, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk. 1:1). Luke documents the angel's conversation with Mary, the mother of Jesus. “The angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God'” (Lk. 1:35).

John validates the claim further. He shares the Baptist's and Jesus' own testimony. “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (Jn. 1:34). Jesus said, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (Jn. 3:18). Reference also 5:18 and 10:36-37 in John's gospel. In his first epistle, John stakes a person's salvation on the sonship of Christ. “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (1Jn. 4:15).

If these verses are not enough, consider Saul [Paul] preaching in Damascus. He declared, “He [Jesus] is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). The author of the book of Hebrews warns his audience of the danger of sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of truth. He combated false assurance and did so by cautioning them to think of the severe punishment that is deserved by those who have “spurned the Son of God” (Heb. 10:26-29). Consider too Luke 3:38, 22:70, John 1:14, 18, 3:16, and 1John 4:9 for more verses that call Jesus the Son of God or only begotten Son.

One final name attributed to Jesus that proves to any reasonable, Spirit-indwelt reader that he is indeed God is Lord. This is significant, because this is the very title given to God thousands of times on hundreds of pages of scripture. Passages could be multiplied, but a handful will be sufficient to substantiate the point. An angel, when speaking to shepherds of Jesus' birth, announced, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11). “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am” (Jn. 13:13). “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1Cor. 1:9). “Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1Cor. 8:6). Likewise, the interested student may look at John 12:37-41 with Isaiah 6, Ephesians 4:5, Philippians 2:9-11, and 1Peter 3:14-15.

The titles Son of God and Lord, along with being directly referred to as God, prove that Christ is God. He is not simply a god, a son of God, or a lord. Christ is the Son of God, the Lord, and, therefore, God. If he is anything less than God, scripture could not be trusted, we would be in our sins, hell would be our home, and Christ himself would be the most notorious con man who ever lived.

Excerpt from the author's book The Unsearchable Riches of Christ vol. 1: The Person of Christ