Topical Bible: Christ is God: Acknowledged by his Apostles

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The divinity of Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, and the acknowledgment of Jesus as God by His apostles is a significant aspect of the New Testament narrative. The apostles, who were the closest followers of Jesus, provide numerous affirmations of His divine nature through their teachings, writings, and actions.

1. The Testimony of Thomas

One of the most direct acknowledgments of Christ's divinity comes from the apostle Thomas. After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas initially doubted the reports of His return. However, upon encountering the risen Christ, Thomas declared, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). This exclamation is a profound recognition of Jesus' divine identity, as Thomas addresses Him with titles reserved for God.

2. The Writings of Paul

The apostle Paul, in his epistles, consistently affirms the deity of Christ. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes, "For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). This statement underscores the belief that Jesus embodies the complete nature of God. Additionally, in Titus 2:13, Paul refers to Jesus as "our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," further solidifying His divine status.

3. The Proclamation of Peter

Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, also acknowledges Christ's divine nature. In his second epistle, Peter writes, "To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours" (2 Peter 1:1). Here, Peter explicitly refers to Jesus as both God and Savior, indicating his belief in Jesus' divinity.

4. The Gospel of John

The apostle John provides a theological foundation for the divinity of Christ in the opening of his Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). John identifies Jesus as the "Word" (Logos), affirming His preexistence and oneness with God. Later, John reiterates this in John 1:14, stating, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."

5. The Epistle to the Hebrews

While the authorship of Hebrews is debated, it is traditionally attributed to an apostolic figure. The epistle presents a high Christology, declaring, "But about the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom'" (Hebrews 1:8). This passage, quoting Psalm 45:6, attributes divine kingship to Jesus, affirming His eternal reign.

6. The Revelation of John

In the book of Revelation, John records a vision of the glorified Christ, who declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (Revelation 22:13). These titles, traditionally ascribed to God, are claimed by Jesus, indicating His eternal and divine nature.

The acknowledgment of Christ as God by His apostles is woven throughout the New Testament, providing a consistent and compelling testimony to His divine identity. Through their words and writings, the apostles affirm the foundational Christian belief that Jesus is indeed God incarnate.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 20:28
And Thomas answered and said to him, My LORD and my God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ and his Apostles, Without any Fraud, Deception, or ...
... the doctrine regarding God, pointing out that our Lord Jesus Christ is the ... origin
from a defect, He never would have acknowledged as God, even the God of all ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter v christ and his apostles.htm

The Last Siege of the Jews after Christ.
... in executing vengeance upon them for their wickedness against the Christ of God. ...
at Alexandria, July 1, 69, while Vitellius was the acknowledged emperor in ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v the last siege of.htm

Jesus, Son of God.
... as the Messiah were those who so acknowledged Him proceeded ... He merely claimed to
be the promised Christ, and used the title "Son of God" as equivalent to ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxii jesus son of god.htm

The Lord Acknowledged but one God and Father.
... Against Heresies: Book IV Chapter I."The Lord acknowledged but one God and ... in the
one and true God, and in Jesus Christ the Son of God; and likewise that ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter i the lord acknowledged but.htm

Faustus Recurs to the Genealogy and Insists Upon Examining it as ...
... how is it not read and acknowledged and regarded ... and harmony with them, and when
God's testimony was ... if, to use his own appropriate words, Christ were speaking ...
/.../faustus recurs to the genealogy.htm

The Acts of the Apostles and the Acknowledged Epistles.
... a testimony to all future ages of Christ's abhorrence of ... unto him, preaching the
kingdom of God, and teaching ... The acknowledged books are, the four gospels, the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/chapter v the acts of.htm

He Brings Forward the Witness of God the Father to the Divinity of ...
... witness concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, when He ... is possible for these utterances
of God the Father ... possible announcement caused Him to be acknowledged as His ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xvi he brings forward.htm

The Various Blasphemies Uttered by the Arians against Christ are ...
... His people; "for the kingdom of God consisteth in ... It was acknowledged and established
before sects and ... it rested on the rock of Christ's authority, speaking ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v the various blasphemies.htm

Obedience to God the Way to Faith in Christ.
... the heirs of light, who have followed Christ in His ... be foolishness, and by such
pretenders to God's favour as ... it not; and they then will be acknowledged by Him ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiv obedience to god.htm

The Lord Seen by the Apostles.
... Moses and the prophets, the witness of John the Baptist, whom the Jews acknowledged
as a man of God, the wonderful life of Christ, the supernatural ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lord seen by the.htm