Topical Encyclopedia The doctrine of Christ as God, specifically as God the Word, is a foundational tenet of Christian theology, affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ as the eternal Logos. This concept is rooted in the prologue of the Gospel of John, which provides a profound theological exposition of Christ's divine nature and preexistence.Scriptural Foundation The primary scriptural basis for understanding Christ as God the Word is found in John 1:1-14. The passage begins with the 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 eternal existence of the Word (Logos) and its distinct yet unified relationship with God. The Word is not a created being but is co-eternal with the Father, sharing in the divine essence. John 1:14 further elucidates the incarnation of the Word: "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 underscores the mystery of the incarnation, where the divine Word took on human nature without ceasing to be God. Theological Implications The identification of Christ as the Word (Logos) carries significant theological implications. In the context of Hellenistic thought, the Logos was understood as the rational principle that orders the universe. By identifying Christ as the Logos, the Gospel of John asserts that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, the one through whom all things were made (John 1:3). This affirms His role in creation and His authority over it. Furthermore, the divinity of Christ as the Word is essential for understanding the nature of salvation. Only one who is truly God could bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. As the God-man, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be the mediator of the New Covenant, offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice for sin. Christological Affirmations Throughout the New Testament, various passages affirm the deity of Christ, reinforcing the concept of Christ as God the Word. In Colossians 1:15-17, Paul describes Christ 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" . This passage highlights Christ's preeminence and active role in creation, attributes that belong solely to God. Hebrews 1:3 further attests to Christ's divine nature: "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word" . Here, the Son is depicted as the perfect imprint of God's being, sustaining the universe by His word, a clear indication of His divine authority and power. Historical Creeds and Confessions The early church recognized the importance of affirming Christ's divinity in the face of various heresies. The Nicene Creed, formulated in AD 325, explicitly declares the Son as "true God from true God," emphasizing His consubstantiality with the Father. This creed was a response to Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ, and it remains a cornerstone of orthodox Christian belief. Conclusion The doctrine of Christ as God the Word is central to Christian faith, affirming that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. This understanding is not only rooted in Scripture but also upheld by the historical creeds of the church, which articulate the mystery and majesty of the incarnate Word. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Greek 1694. Emmanouel -- "God with us," Immanuel, a name of Christ ... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Immanuel Definition "God with us," Immanuel, a name of Christ NASB Word Usage Immanuel (1). Emmanuel. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1694.htm - 6k 4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness 5215. humnos -- a hymn 2320. theotes -- deity 27. agapetos -- beloved 2128. eulogetos -- well spoken of, ie blessed 203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision 4730. stenochoria -- narrowness of space, fig. difficulty 5428. phronesis -- understanding, practical wisdom 1553. ekdemeo -- to be away from home, absent Library Topic viii. If any one Affirms that Christ is Perfect Man and Also ... That the Same Christ is the Word of God. The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the ... Christ, as to his Divine Nature, as the Word of God, Became Flesh ... Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ... Thanks to God for Your Faith. An Exhortation to Love God "That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious ... God in Christ God's Testimony Concerning Man Resources What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.org Christ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Character of Christ: Altogether Lovely Character of Christ: Benevolent Character of Christ: Compassionate Character of Christ: Forgiving Character of Christ: Guileless Character of Christ: Long-Suffering Character of Christ: Lowly in Heart Character of Christ: Obedient to God the Father Character of Christ: Resisting Temptation Character of Christ: Righteous Character of Christ: Saints are Conformed To Character of Christ: Self-Denying Character of Christ: Subject to his Parents Christ is God: Acknowledged by his Apostles Christ is God: Acknowledged by the Old Testament Saints Christ is God: As Creator of all Things Christ is God: As Discerning the Thoughts of the Heart Christ is God: As Entitled to Equal Honor With the Father Christ is God: As Giver of Pastors to the Church Christ is God: As God Over All Christ is God: As God the Word Christ is God: As God, he Presents the Church to Himself Christ is God: As God, he Redeems and Purifies the Church to Himself Christ is God: As God, the Judge Christ is God: As Having Power to Forgive Sins Christ is God: As Husband of the Church Christ is God: As Jehovah of Glory Christ is God: As Jehovah of Hosts Christ is God: As Jehovah, Above All Christ is God: As Jehovah, for Whose Glory all Things Were Created Christ is God: As Jehovah, Our Righteousness Christ is God: As Jehovah, the First and the Last Christ is God: As Jehovah, the Messenger of the Covenant Christ is God: As Jehovah, the Shepherd Christ is God: As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal Christ is God: As King of Kings and Lord of Lords Christ is God: As Lord of the Sabbath Christ is God: As One With the Father Christ is God: As Owner of all Things, Equally With the Father Christ is God: As Possessed of the Fulness of the God Head Christ is God: As Raising Himself from the Dead Christ is God: As Raising the Dead Christ is God: As Sending the Spirit, Equally With the Father Christ is God: As Supporter and Preserver of all Things Christ is God: As the Eternal God and Creator Christ is God: As the Great God and Saviour Christ is God: As the Holy One Christ is God: As the Lord from Heaven Christ is God: As the Mighty God Christ is God: As the Object of Divine Worship Christ is God: As the Object of Faith Christ is God: As the Only-Begotten Son of the Father Christ is God: As the Source of Grace, Equally With the Father Christ is God: As the True God Christ is God: As Unchangeable Christ is God: As Unrestricted by the Law of the Sabbath, Equally With The Christ is God: As Unsearchable, Equally With the Father Christ is God: His Blood is Called the Blood of God Christ is God: Invoked As Jehovah Christ is God: Saints Live to Him As God the Head of the Church Christ: Appointed by God the Head of the Church Christ: As his Mystical Body the Head of the Church Christ: Commissioned his Apostles the Head of the Church Christ: Declared by Himself the Head of the Church Christ: Has the Pre-Eminence in all Things the Head of the Church Christ: Imparts Gifts the Head of the Church Christ: Instituted the Ordinances the Head of the Church Christ: Perverters of the Truth do not Hold the Head of the Church Christ: Predicted the Head of the Church Christ: Saints are Complete In the High Priest Christ is of Unblemished Purity the High Priest Christ: After the Order of Melchizedek the High Priest Christ: Appointed and Called by God the High Priest Christ: Appointment of, and Encouragement to Steadfastness the High Priest Christ: Blesses the High Priest Christ: Consecrated With an Oath the High Priest Christ: Entered Into Heaven the High Priest Christ: Faithful the High Priest Christ: Has an Unchangeable Priesthood the High Priest Christ: His Sacrifice Superior to all Others the High Priest Christ: Intercedes the High Priest Christ: Made Reconciliation the High Priest Christ: Needed No Sacrifice for Himself the High Priest Christ: Obtained Redemption for Us the High Priest Christ: Offered Himself a Sacrifice the High Priest Christ: Offered Sacrifice But Once the High Priest Christ: On his Throne the High Priest Christ: Superior to Aaron and the Levitical Priests the High Priest Christ: Sympathises With Those Who are Tempted the High Priest Christ: Typified: Aaron the High Priest Christ: Typified: Melchizedek the King Christ is King of Zion the King Christ: Acknowledged by His Followers the King Christ: Acknowledged by Nathanael the King Christ: Acknowledged by The Wise Men from the East the King Christ: Declared by Himself the King Christ: Has a Righteous Kingdom the King Christ: Has an Everlasting Kingdom the King Christ: Has an Universal Kingdom the King Christ: His Kingdom not of This World the King Christ: Kings Shall do Homage To the King Christ: Saints Receive a Kingdom From the King Christ: Saints Shall Behold the King Christ: Saints, the Subjects of the King Christ: Shall Overcome all his Enemies the King Christ: Sits in the Throne of God the King Christ: Sits on the Throne of David the King Christ: The Jews Shall Seek To the King Christ: Typified: David the King Christ: Typified: Melchizedek the King Christ: Typified: Solomon the King Christ: Written on his Cross the Mediator Christ in Virtue of his Atonement the Mediator Christ of the Gospel Covenant the Mediator Christ: The Only One Between God and Man the Mediator Christ: Typified: Aaron the Mediator Christ: Typified: Moses the Prophet Christ: Abounded in Wisdom the Prophet Christ: Alone Knows and Reveals God the Prophet Christ: Anointed With the Holy Spirit the Prophet Christ: Declared his Doctrine to be That of the Father the Prophet Christ: Faithful to his Trust the Prophet Christ: Foretold Things to Come the Prophet Christ: God Commands Us to Hear the Prophet Christ: God Will Severely Visit Our Neglect of the Prophet Christ: Meek and Unostentatious in his Teaching the Prophet Christ: Mighty in Deed and Word the Prophet Christ: Preached the Gospel, and Worked Miracles the Prophet Christ: Typified: Moses the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Calls the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Cherishes Tenderly the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Feeds the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Gathers the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Gives Eternal Life To the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Guides the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Knows the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Laid Down his Life For the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Protects and Preserves the Shepherd Christ: The Chief the Shepherd Christ: The Great the Shepherd Christ: Typified: David Related Terms Strengthened (113 Occurrences) Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) |
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