Faith in Jesus' divine origin is a central tenet of Christian belief, affirming that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. This doctrine is foundational to understanding the nature of Jesus and His role in salvation history. The New Testament provides numerous passages that attest to Jesus' divine nature, His pre-existence, and His unique relationship with God the Father.

Scriptural Basis

1. John 1:1-14: The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration of Jesus' divine origin. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage identifies Jesus as the "Word" (Logos), emphasizing His eternal existence and divine nature. Verse 14 further states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us," underscoring the incarnation of the divine Word in the person of Jesus Christ.

2. Colossians 1:15-20: The Apostle Paul describes Jesus as "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15). This passage highlights Jesus' preeminence and His role in creation, affirming that "in Him all things were created" (Colossians 1:16). Paul further asserts that "God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him" (Colossians 1:19), indicating the complete divine nature present in Christ.

3. Hebrews 1:1-3: The author of Hebrews presents Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God, stating, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3). This passage emphasizes Jesus' divine essence and His role in sustaining the universe by His powerful word.

4. Philippians 2:5-11: In this Christological hymn, Paul speaks of Jesus' humility and exaltation. He writes, "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped" (Philippians 2:6). This passage affirms Jesus' pre-existence and divine status, as well as His voluntary incarnation and subsequent exaltation by God the Father.

Jesus' Self-Identification

Jesus Himself made claims to His divine origin, which are recorded in the Gospels. In John 8:58, Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!" . This statement echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, asserting Jesus' eternal existence and divine identity.

In John 10:30, Jesus states, "I and the Father are one" , further affirming His unity with God. This claim was understood by His contemporaries as a declaration of divinity, as evidenced by their reaction to stone Him for blasphemy (John 10:31-33).

Theological Implications

The belief in Jesus' divine origin is not merely an abstract doctrine but has profound implications for Christian faith and practice. It affirms the uniqueness of Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5) and the sufficiency of His atoning work on the cross. The divine nature of Jesus assures believers of His authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7) and His power to grant eternal life (John 10:28).

Historical Affirmation

Throughout church history, the divine origin of Jesus has been affirmed by ecumenical councils and creeds. The Nicene Creed, formulated in AD 325, explicitly states that Jesus is "true God from true God," affirming His consubstantiality with the Father. This creed has been a cornerstone of orthodox Christian belief, defending the doctrine against various heresies that sought to undermine the full divinity of Christ.

Conclusion

Faith in Jesus' divine origin remains a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, shaping the understanding of His person and work. The New Testament provides a robust witness to this truth, which has been upheld by the church throughout the centuries.