The deity of Christ doctrine

(Part I)

IJesus Christ God? Is Jesus Christ the Son of God? Is Jesus Christ Lord? These questions have been dividing people of various races through the ages. There are people who think or believe that Jesus Christ was just a prophet or a teacher. In other words, there are people who think or believe that Jesus Christ was just a man. There are also other people who think or believe that Jesus Christ was more than just a prophet or teacher. To them, Jesus Christ was God; He is the Son of God. He is Lord. Those who adhere to the latter view believe in the doctrine of the “deity of Christ.”

The word Jesus come from the Greek form of the name Jeshua or Joshua which means “Savior” or the “Lord saves” (see Matt. 1:21). Christ in Greek is Christos which means the “anointed one” and is equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiah (Messiah). On the other hand, the term Lord denotes sovereignty of Christ (See Acts 10:36; Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9; 1 Coir. 8:6; Philippians 2:11). In the Holy Bible, the word God is not formally defined although His being and attributes as God are seen in the passages of the Bible.

Who did Jesus Christ claim to be? Unlike other religious leaders like Buddha, Mohammed, and Confucius, Jesus claimed to be God. He made the claim that He is the only way to God and the only avenue to salvation. He claimed to be able to forgive sins. For these astounding claims, Jesus was put on trial.

one time during the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem, when Jesus was walking in the temple area, the Jews asked Him: “If you are Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus’ answer was simple: “I and the Father are one.” The Jews started picking up stones to stone Jesus. Jesus asked them for which miracles He performed are they stoning Him. “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claims to be God.” (John 10:22-23)

What does the Holy Bible say of the claim to the deity of Jesus Christ? There are plenty of references in the Holy Bible: a) presenting Christ as God, b) attributing to Jesus characteristics that are true only of God, c) giving Jesus honor and worship that only God should receive, and d) showing the exercise by Jesus of prerogatives that belong only to God. Let me cite some of the Biblical passages:

• “. . .while we wait for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness. . .” (Titus 2:13)

• “. . . In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us” (John 1:1 & 14)

• “Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!” (Romans 9:5)

• “We know also 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 – even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (John 5:20; see also Hebrews 1:8)

• “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; Jesus represented as self-existent).

• “Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”. (Matthew 28:18, showing omnipotence) – see also Matt. 8:26-27; Revelation 1:8; Luke 4:39-55; Luke 7:14-15.

• “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20), showing omnipresence)

• “I will be with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, showing omnipresence).

• “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.” (John 5:23, see also Hebrews 1:6 and Revelation 5:8)

In one occasion, Jesus asked Simon Peter, one of his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man but my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17) Remember doubting Thomas? The disciple who refused to believe that Jesus had been seen by the disciples after his death? When Jesus reappeared through locked doors, Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus did not question Thomas’ acknowledgement of him as God. (John 20:24-29) (1987)

(To be continued)

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