Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal

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The doctrine of Christ's divinity is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is not merely a prophet or moral teacher but is indeed God incarnate. This belief is rooted in the understanding that Christ is Jehovah's fellow and equal, sharing in the divine nature and attributes of God Himself.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament contains prophetic glimpses of the Messiah's divine nature. In Zechariah 13:7, the LORD (Jehovah) speaks of "My Shepherd, the Man who is My Companion," indicating a unique relationship between God and the coming Messiah. The term "Companion" (or "Fellow") suggests equality and shared essence, pointing to the divine nature of Christ.

New Testament Affirmations

The New Testament provides explicit affirmations of Christ's divinity. In John 1:1-3 , it is declared, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as both distinct from and yet fully God, participating in the creation of all things.

Philippians 2:6-7 further elucidates this truth: "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." Here, Paul emphasizes that Christ, though equal with God, willingly took on human form, underscoring His divine status and His humility.

Christ's Own Claims

Jesus Himself made claims to divinity that were understood by His contemporaries as assertions of equality with God. In John 10:30 , Jesus states, "I and the Father are one." This declaration led to accusations of blasphemy from the Jewish leaders, who recognized it as a claim to deity (John 10:33).

In John 8:58 , Jesus proclaims, "Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!" This statement echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God identifies Himself as "I AM." By using this name, Jesus identifies Himself with Jehovah, asserting His eternal existence and divine nature.

Theological Implications

The recognition of Christ as Jehovah's fellow and equal has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons yet one in essence. This understanding is crucial for the Christian faith, as it underscores the belief in one God in three persons, co-equal and co-eternal.

Moreover, the divinity of Christ is essential for the efficacy of His redemptive work. Only as God could Christ offer a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of humanity, bridging the gap between a holy God and fallen mankind. His resurrection further attests to His divine power and authority over life and death.

Worship and Devotion

The acknowledgment of Christ as God demands a response of worship and devotion. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is worshiped and honored as God. In Revelation 5:12-13 , the heavenly hosts proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" Such worship is due only to God, affirming Christ's divine status.

In summary, the scriptural testimony to Christ as Jehovah's fellow and equal is clear and compelling. This truth is foundational to the Christian faith, shaping the understanding of God's nature, the work of salvation, and the call to worship Jesus Christ as Lord and God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, said the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand on the little ones.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Philippians 2:6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Death and Life in Christ
... The sacrifice smokes to heaven; Jehovah smelleth a sweet savor, and is pleased through
Christ the victim to accept the ... Christ lives unto God, for he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... is nothing to the sin-tax of Jehovah's government"that ... those who thus set themselves
in array against God! So Christ has to contend with rumsellers who are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... Behold, Adonai Jehovah will keep Me, who is he that shall ... bow before Him, and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

The Throne of Grace
... as there will be in the rejection of those souls who die impenitent, and are banished
from Jehovah's presence ... The sacrifice of Christ has enabled God to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

The Unbeliever's Unhappy Condition
... takes much to bring the choler into Jehovah's face, yet ... your heart remains at enmity
with Jesus Christ your Lord ... Remember that God has never taken an oath, that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the unbelievers unhappy condition.htm

An Earnest Invitation
... to him, let us rest assured that Jehovah's melting bowels ... and that longs to be saved,
may come to Christ. It God hath convinced thee of sin, and brought thee ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/an earnest invitation.htm

Job's Regret and Our Own
... has completed. Our life is hid with Christ in God, and is safe there;
none can pluck us out of Jehovah's hands. Since we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/jobs regret and our own.htm

The Gospel of John
... the visible and glorious manifestation of Jehovah"was seen ... How this brings out the
Divine sufficiency of Christ! None but God could make such a claim as that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of john.htm

The Introduction: Chapter 1
... Three times we have this periphrasis of Jehovah, and yet it is varied ... that they are
so mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:21, "God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the introduction chapter 1.htm

Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... Blessed was the dream which assured him that Jehovah's wing had covered his stony
bed as really as it guarded his ... But when I see Christ, I see God's new and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jacobs waking exclamation.htm