Topical Encyclopedia
The divinity of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This doctrine is rooted in Scripture and has been a cornerstone of Christian belief since the early church. The Berean Standard Bible provides numerous passages that underscore the divine nature of Jesus, affirming His identity as the Lord from Heaven.
Pre-Existence and EternalityThe Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration of Jesus' divine nature and pre-existence: "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 unity with God. John further asserts, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (
John 1:14), indicating the incarnation of the divine Word in the person of Jesus Christ.
Divine Titles and AttributesThroughout the New Testament, Jesus is ascribed titles and attributes that affirm His divinity. In
Colossians 1:15-17 , Paul describes Jesus as "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights Jesus' role in creation and His sustaining power, attributes that belong to God alone.
In
Hebrews 1:3 , Jesus is described as "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." This verse underscores the divine essence and authority of Jesus, affirming His equality with God.
Divine Works and AuthorityThe works and authority of Jesus further testify to His divinity. In the Gospels, Jesus performs miracles that reveal His divine power, such as calming the storm (
Mark 4:39), walking on water (
Matthew 14:25), and raising the dead (
John 11:43-44). These acts demonstrate His authority over nature, life, and death.
Moreover, Jesus forgives sins, an authority reserved for God alone. In
Mark 2:5-7 , Jesus tells a paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven," prompting the scribes to question, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus' response and subsequent healing of the paralytic affirm His divine authority to forgive sins.
Divine Self-IdentificationJesus explicitly identifies Himself with God, using the divine name "I AM" in
John 8:58 : "Truly, truly, I tell you," Jesus declared, "before Abraham was born, I am!" This statement echoes God's self-revelation to Moses in
Exodus 3:14, where God declares, "I AM WHO I AM." The Jewish audience understood this claim to divinity, as evidenced by their reaction to stone Him for blasphemy.
Worship and Acknowledgment of DivinityThe New Testament records instances where Jesus receives worship, a practice reserved for God alone. In
Matthew 14:33 , after Jesus walks on water, the disciples worship Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." Similarly, Thomas, upon seeing the resurrected Christ, exclaims, "My Lord and my God!" (
John 20:28), acknowledging Jesus' divine identity.
Theological AffirmationThe early church councils, such as Nicaea and Chalcedon, affirmed the divinity of Christ, countering heresies that denied His divine nature. These councils upheld the biblical witness that Jesus is "true God from true God," as articulated in the Nicene Creed.
In summary, the divinity of Jesus Christ is a foundational doctrine supported by Scripture, which presents Him as the eternal Word, the image of God, and the Lord from Heaven. His divine titles, works, authority, and the worship He receives all testify to His identity as God incarnate.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Corinthians 15:47The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Summary view of the Pre-Existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and ...
... of Scripture which speak of his divinity: "In the ... To which she adds: "The Lord created
me in the ... prophets which relate to our Saviour Jesus Christ, and have ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii summary view of the.htm
A Divine Saviour.
... meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. ...
is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter v a divine saviour.htm
How in Christ the Divinity, Majesty, Might and Power have Existed ...
... then remember that whatever you read of Christ you read ... God: whatever you read of
the Lord or Jesus belongs to ... so when you recognize a title of Divinity in all ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vii how in christ.htm
He Brings Forward the Witness of God the Father to the Divinity of ...
... What then does the Evangelist say of the Lord Jesus Christ? ... of which most clearly
show that Christ is God ... Holy Spirit upon Him supports His Divinity, and the ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xvi he brings forward.htm
On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... by which it is possible to establish the divinity of any ... by his resurrection, and
is "the Lord from heaven ... May God grant, through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm
Christ, So Far as He is True Son of God...
... if there is one Son of God, even Christ, Christ is Glory ... Who, at the cry of the blind
men, "Jesus, Thou Son ... the price of the blood of the Lord's Divinity, as it ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii christ so far.htm
The Hypostatic Union Enables us to Ascribe to God what Belongs to ...
... yet in the one Person of the Lord Jesus Christ we can ... You see then that Christ means
the whole Person, and ... past to the manhood as to the Divinity, but because ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xxii the hypostatic union.htm
The Letter of Cyril to John of Antioch.
... the Man from heaven, being perfect in his Divinity and perfect in his Humanity,
and considered as in one Person. For one is the Lord Jesus Christ, although the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the letter of cyril to.htm
As it is Blasphemy to Pare Away the Divinity of Christ, So Also is ...
... and satisfactory witness of our Lord's Divinity which had ... his first call was smitten
from heaven itself, and ... heart the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter v as it is.htm
That There is in Christ but one Hypostasis (IE , Personal Self).
... of lengthened arguments, and that the Divinity added faith ... There is then, he says,
"one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom ... But by Christ, by whom the Apostle said that ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vi that there is.htm
Resources
Who is Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgIs there power in the name of Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus God? Did Jesus ever claim to be God? | GotQuestions.orgJesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus