by Andrew Corbett
THE
DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST
We have looked at the humanity of Jesus. When He was on the earth, He was totally man. He looked like a man, acted like a man, had the emotions of a man and was accepted as a man. Yet, the teaching of Scripture is that He was more than a normal man. When Jesus Christ was incarnated, He laid aside His glory and voluntarily restricted the use of His divine attributes. According to Hebrews 2:17, He was made to be just like us. Within this identifying with humanity, He at no stage ceased to be God.
THE NAMES ASCRIBED TO CHRIST
1. Read Isaiah 7:14, then Matthew 1:23. What is in these verses that supports the deity of Christ?_____________________________________________________________
It was prophesied that the Christ would be called "God with us". The name of God is a very special thing. As far as we are concerned, a name is simply what we call someone else. As far as God is concerned, a name is what you are and represents your reputation. Many times in the Old Testament, names were given to indicate to others what sort of personality someone had. This is why no-one can possibly have any of the names that God has. When the Bible says that Jesus was called Immanuel, it represents who Jesus is. Jesus literally was "God with us".
2. As well as this title He also received others. Look up the following Scriptures and note the name or title of Christ.
(a) Rev. 1:8_____________________________________________________
(b) John 8:58____________________________________________________
(c) 1 Tim. 6:15__________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Observe how the followers
of Charles Taze Russel have manipulated this passage -
ATTRIBUTES
OF DEITY
3. According to Genesis 1:1,
God is the Creator. What does Col. 1:16-17 ascribe to Jesus?
4. What attributes of God do these Scriptures about Christ state?
(a) Matthew 28:20______________________________________________
(b) Hebrews 13:8______________________________________________
(c) John 8:58________________________________________________
(d) Revelation 19:16_________________________________________
PREROGATIVES OF DEITY
5. What prerogatives of deity did Christ exercise in these verses:(a) Luke 7:48__________________________________________
(b) John 5:22___________________________________________
(c) John 5:21__________________________________________
(d) John 3:36__________________________________________
(e) Acts 4:12__________________________________________
(f) 1 Corinthians 8:6__________________________________
Some might argue that these were only delegated roles given to Christ. But there are ample Scriptures (examples include- Col. 1:16-17; Jn. 1:3, 10; Heb. 1:10; Rev. 3:14) to show that one of the primary offices and prerogatives of Christ is that of Creator. The most logical conclusion to this is that Christ could not have had this delegated to Him, for how could He create himself?
IDENTIFIED WITH DEITY
6. In Isaiah 6:1-5, who is he referring to?_____________________________________________________________
John quotes this passage and says that Isaiah actually saw Jesus in His glory (Jn.12:41). Isaiah also predicted that someone would come in the wilderness who would prepare the way of "the Lord" often referred to as "Jehovah" (Isa. 40:3). In the New Testament this is revealed as John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus (Mtt. 3:3). In Psalm 110, David says that "the LORD said to his Lord, sit at His right hand". Who was David's Lord? In Matthew 22:42-43, Jesus points this verse to Himself.
7. Can you find any references that directly applied to God in the Old Testament and then Jesus in the New?
_____________________________________________________________
MENTIONED AS PART OF THE GODHEAD
Jesus is linked with God the Father in common actions and purposes as only a member of the Godhead could be. In Ephesians 5:5, the Kingdom is described as being Christ's and God's. Matthew 11:27 is just one of the Scriptures that says that the relationship between Jesus and the Father is one of intimate uniqueness.8. Of these four Scriptures, which one best emphasises the unity and similitude between Jesus and the Father?
a.) Matthew 28:19 b). Galatians 1:3 c.) John 14:1 d.) 2 Corinthians 13:14
ACCEPTANCE OF WORSHIP
9. What does John 5:23 say about the idea that Jesus should be worshiped?_____________________________________________________________
10. According to Matthew 4:10, what is the special aspect about worship?
____________________________________________________________
11. What is the one thing that is similar in these verses?
a. Matthew 14:33 b. Matthew 2:11 c. Hebrews 1:6
The Bible strictly forbids the worship of anyone or anything other than the LORD God. When John was caught up to heaven and an angel appeared before him, he fell down and was about to worship him. The angel was immediately halting John from doing so, stating that he, too, was simply a servant of God like John (Rev. 22: 8-9). A similar occurrence happened with Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:26). In fact, the early church was so noted for its worship of Christ that the historian, Pliny (AD. 62-113), wrote -
"They sing in social worship, hymns to Christ as God."
CLAIMS OF DEITY
The whole case for Christ's deity would collapse if Christ Himself openly denied it. Secondly, it would be on shaky ground if Christ never made any such claims Himself.12. What was Jesus claiming in John 10:30?
_____________________________________________________________
13. What does John 14:9 imply about Christ?
_____________________________________________________________
John carefully lists a series of statements from Christ known as the "I am" sayings. In these sayings Christ was saying that He was the sum total of all that any human could need (John 6:35, 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1).
To undermine any aspect of Christ, whether His humanity or deity, will lead to spurious doctrine. If Christ was not a man, then He is unable to relate to us as His creation. This makes the statement in Hebrews 4:15 about Christ a cruel joke. If Christ was not God, then His sacrifice on the cross was ultimate. This means that our salvation is incomplete and we must add to the work of Christ. By accepting that Christ is the eternal Son of God (that is, He has always been God's Son), and that He became a man, without losing any aspect of His deity (apart from temporarily laying aside His glory, John 17:5; Philippians 2:6-7), and that He died and conquered death by being resurrected, He has wrought redemption for His compliant creation.
Amen.
©
1999-2002 Andrew Corbett, Legana, Tasmania
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