Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: Divinity of Emmanuel

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Introduction

The divinity of Jesus Christ, also known as Emmanuel, is a central tenet of Christian theology. The name "Emmanuel," meaning "God with us," signifies the belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This entry explores the biblical basis for the divinity of Jesus, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible and examining key scriptural passages that affirm His divine nature.

Old Testament Prophecies

The anticipation of a divine Messiah is rooted in the Old Testament. Isaiah 7:14 prophesies, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy is foundational in understanding the divine nature of Jesus, as it foretells the coming of God in human form.

Isaiah 9:6 further elaborates on the divine attributes of the Messiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The titles "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" underscore the divine identity of the coming Savior.

New Testament Affirmations

The New Testament provides explicit affirmations of Jesus' divinity. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as preexistent and divine, co-equal with God.

John 1:14 continues, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse emphasizes the incarnation, where the divine Word took on human form, revealing God's glory.

In John 10:30, Jesus Himself declares, "I and the Father are one." This statement asserts His unity with the Father, a claim that was understood by His contemporaries as a declaration of divinity, as evidenced by their reaction in John 10:33: "We are not stoning You for any good work," they replied, "but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God."

Apostolic Testimonies

The apostles consistently affirmed the divinity of Christ. In Colossians 2:9, Paul writes, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form." This verse encapsulates the belief that Jesus embodies the complete nature of God.

The author of Hebrews also testifies to the divine nature of Jesus, stating, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3). This passage highlights Jesus as the perfect image of God, sustaining the universe by His divine power.

Divine Works and Authority

Jesus' divine authority is demonstrated through His works and teachings. He exercised authority over nature, as seen in the calming of the storm (Mark 4:39), and over life and death, as evidenced by the raising of Lazarus (John 11:43-44). His ability to forgive sins, as in the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:5-12), further attests to His divine prerogative, as only God can forgive sins.

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus proclaims, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This comprehensive authority underscores His divine sovereignty over all creation.

Worship and Acknowledgment

The worship of Jesus by His followers is another testament to His divinity. In Matthew 14:33, after Jesus walks on water, the disciples worship Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." The acceptance of worship, which is due to God alone, affirms His divine status.

Thomas' confession in John 20:28, "My Lord and my God!" upon seeing the resurrected Christ, is a direct acknowledgment of Jesus' divine identity, which Jesus does not refute but accepts.

Conclusion

The divinity of Jesus, the Christ, is a foundational doctrine supported by prophetic anticipation, New Testament affirmations, apostolic testimonies, His divine works and authority, and the worship He receives. These elements collectively affirm that Jesus is indeed Emmanuel, "God with us."

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Proofs from the Apostolic Writings, that Jesus Christ was one and ...
... the passage: "Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come ... those who
wished to separate the humanity of Christ from His divinity, and that ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi proofs from the apostolic.htm

The Letter of Cyril to John of Antioch.
... a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, which being ... Man from heaven, being perfect
in his Divinity and perfect ... For one is the Lord Jesus Christ, although the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the letter of cyril to.htm

Christ's Kingly Office
A Body of Divinity. ... he rules; as the law of faith; believe in the Lord Jesus:' and
the ... God in the midst of all the combinations of the enemy, that Christ is king ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 christs kingly office.htm

Christ, to Perform the Office of Mediator, Behoved to Become Man.
... Son of God behoved to become our Emmanuel, the God ... a way, that by mutual union his
divinity and our ... Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus," (1:Tim ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 christ to perform.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... 'And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being ... them that had it, to hope for
the glory that was to be revealed at the appearing of Jesus Christ, which is ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Follows up the Same Argument with Passages from the Old Testament.
... said that He should be called Emmanuel, so here he ... testimonies follow our Incarnate
Lord Jesus Christ from the ... point prejudice dignity of His Divinity, nor the ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter iii follows up the.htm

Brief Memoir of Thomas Watson
... was the reason that this single College of Emmanuel, in Cambridge ... a visible
representation of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the ... work was a body of divinity, in ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/brief memoir of thomas watson.htm

Marcion Rejected the Preceding Portion of St. Luke's Gospel ...
... and so far of the Creator also, without premising the doctrine of a different and
rival divinity. ... xv., on the name Christ; and in chap ... xvi., on the name Jesus. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vii marcion rejected the preceding.htm

Eleventh Proposition of Arminius
... in the distinction used in schools of Divinity, Christ is Mediator ... Hence, also, he
is called Emmanuel in a ... world to come," but unto Christ Jesus primarily, and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/eleventh proposition of arminius.htm

Letter xiv. --(For 342. ) Coss. Augustus Constantius iii, Constans ...
... diligence to the feast, trusting that it is Jesus who calleth ... is His glory, this
the miracle of His divinity, that He ... For Christ is the end of the law to every ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xiv for 342 coss augustus.htm