Topical Encyclopedia
IntroductionJesus Christ, central to Christian theology, is recognized as the incarnate Son of God, the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, and the Savior of humanity. His divinity is a cornerstone of Christian belief, affirming that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This entry explores the divinity of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His unity with Jehovah, the God of Israel, and His supreme authority over all creation.
Old Testament ForeshadowingThe Old Testament contains numerous prophecies and typologies pointing to the coming Messiah, who would embody divine attributes.
Isaiah 9:6 proclaims, "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." This passage highlights the divine nature of the coming Messiah, attributing to Him titles that belong to God alone.
New Testament AffirmationThe New Testament unequivocally affirms the divinity of Jesus Christ. 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 verse establishes the pre-existence and divine nature of Christ, identifying Him as the Word made flesh (
John 1:14).
In
John 10:30, Jesus Himself declares, "I and the Father are one," asserting His unity with God the Father. This statement was understood by His contemporaries as a claim to divinity, as evidenced by their reaction to stone Him for blasphemy (
John 10:31-33).
Divine Attributes and WorksJesus possesses attributes that are unique to God, such as omniscience, omnipotence, and eternality. In
Matthew 28:18, Jesus proclaims, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me," underscoring His sovereign power. His ability to forgive sins, as demonstrated in
Mark 2:5-7, further attests to His divine authority, as only God can forgive sins.
The miracles performed by Jesus, including calming the storm (
Mark 4:39), walking on water (
Matthew 14:25), and raising the dead (
John 11:43-44), reveal His mastery over nature and life itself, affirming His divine identity.
Worship and AcknowledgmentThroughout the New Testament, Jesus receives worship, which is due to God alone. The Magi worship Him at His birth (
Matthew 2:11), and after His resurrection, His disciples worship Him, declaring, "Truly You are the Son of God" (
Matthew 14:33). In
Revelation 5:12-13, Jesus is worshiped alongside the Father, receiving honor and glory from all creation.
Theological ImplicationsThe divinity of Jesus Christ is foundational to the doctrine of the Trinity, which posits one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery of faith is encapsulated in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His followers to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (
Matthew 28:19).
ConclusionThe divinity of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Christian faith, affirming His identity as Jehovah incarnate, the eternal Word, and the Savior of the world. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the fullness of God's nature and His redemptive plan for humanity.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 97:9For you, LORD, are high above all the earth: you are exalted far above all gods.
Nave's Topical IndexJohn 3:31
He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Objections to the Narrative Drawn from the Subsequent Dispositions ...
... attention to the proofs of his Divinity which were ... is likely that the supernatural
generation of Jesus was so ... omission of the ac count of Christ's ascension as ...
/.../section 11 objections to the.htm
On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... kind by which it is possible to establish the divinity of any ... him." (Psalm 89:21.)
But God hath made Jesus of Nazareth Lord and Christ, (Matthew 2:2, 6 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm
Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... Jesus, moreover, repeatedly represents himself as the ... not a triumphant vindication
of Christ's character, and ... to acknowledge his divinity, without destroying ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/christs own testimony concerning himself.htm
The People's Christ
... I leave our survey of the reasons for the election of Christ Jesus. ... was exaltation
enough for the body of Christ to be exalted into union with the divinity. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm
The Founder of Christianity.
... It would take more than a Jesus to invent a Jesus. We are shut up then to the
recognition of the divinity of Christ; and reason itself must bow in silent ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm
The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... Gospel history, and yet denying his Divinity, they must ... and calls himself equal with
the great Jehovah. ... Jesus Christ is the most certain, the most sacred, and ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm
The New Testament view of the Old Testament
... That from which he proved the divinity of his mission ... man who is controlled by the
spirit of the Christ. If Jesus has given to the world the highest revelation ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter i the new testament.htm
Conclusion.
... and to accept it as attributing divinity to Christ. ... Lord, applying to Him the title
of Jehovah, and who ... was God""the Word who became flesh in Jesus Christ. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxvi conclusion.htm
Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... 5. For the name of Divinity is given for the ... [1074] But all these things fitly apply
to Christ. ... and Son, just as Israel (was called); and Jesus (Joshua), just ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm
The Sabbath
... world," "even His everlasting power and divinity." Gen.2:3 ... Christ would teach His
disciples and His enemies ... Jesus then crowned His argument by declaring Himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 29 the sabbath.htm
Resources
Questions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.orgIs the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar biblical? | GotQuestions.orgJesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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