Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Jehovah, Above All

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The doctrine of the deity of Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is not merely a prophet or a moral teacher but is indeed God incarnate. This belief is rooted in the understanding that Christ is Jehovah, the self-existent, eternal God, and is above all creation. The Berean Standard Bible provides numerous passages that support this doctrine, revealing the divine nature and authority of Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding Christ as Jehovah. In Isaiah 9:6 , the prophet declares, "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 prophecy points to the coming Messiah as "Mighty God," indicating His divine nature.

Furthermore, in Isaiah 7:14 , it is written, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." The name "Immanuel" means "God with us," signifying that the Messiah would be God dwelling among His people.

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament explicitly reveals the deity of Christ. In John 1:1-3 , the apostle John writes, "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." Here, "the Word" (Logos) is identified as Christ, who is both distinct from and yet fully God, involved in the creation of all things.

In John 8:58 , Jesus Himself declares, "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 declares, "I AM WHO I AM." By using this name, Jesus identifies Himself with Jehovah, the eternal God.

The apostle Paul also affirms the deity of Christ in Colossians 1:15-17 : "The Son is 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, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage emphasizes Christ's preeminence and His role as the sustainer of all creation.

Christ's Authority and Worship

Christ's divine authority is further demonstrated through His power over nature, sin, and death. In Matthew 28:18 , Jesus proclaims, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This comprehensive authority is indicative of His divine status.

Moreover, Christ receives worship, which is due only to God. In Matthew 14:33 , after Jesus walks on water and calms the storm, "those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God.'" The acceptance of worship by Jesus underscores His identity as God.

Theological Implications

The recognition of Christ as Jehovah, above all, has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, where God exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—yet is one in essence. This understanding is crucial for the Christian faith, as it shapes the believer's relationship with God, the nature of salvation, and the worship of Christ as Lord and Savior.

In summary, the scriptural evidence from both the Old and New Testaments consistently affirms that Christ is God, Jehovah, above all. His divine nature, authority, and the worship He receives are integral to the Christian understanding of who Jesus is and His role in the divine plan of redemption.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 97:9
For you, LORD, are high above all the earth: you are exalted far above all gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God in Christ
... fixed, as it now does, on spiritual things, and above all on the ... Of Jesus Christ? ...
After that he is called the Lord God, Jehovah Elohim, which means properly ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon i god in christ.htm

Jehovah
... If we believe in Christ at all, we are shut up ... believing this, for this is His name,
"God with us ... Both these names then, Jehovah-shammah and Emmanuel, mean the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 6 jehovah.htm

Jehovah Nissi
... may the only inscription on the stone that covers us be 'Jehovah Nissi: the ... 'Thanks
be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/jehovah nissi.htm

The Unity of God
... they being touched with compassion, say the like to God for us as the disciples
did to Christ for the ... If the Lord Jehovah be the only true God, it reproves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/11 the unity of god.htm

Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... before the world, could only have referred to God, who does ... Abraham was," or began
to be, says Christ, "I am ... himself with the infinite majesty of Jehovah in one ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/christs own testimony concerning himself.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... [1074] But all these things fitly apply to Christ. ... no son, and concerning this that
we call Him God, the Son of God, King, and ... The Hebrew has "Jehovah Sabaoth ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

Christ's Resurrection Song.
... Nations will see it and fear and trust Jehovah. ... in Him and sing "the new song." How
happy we ought to be as linked with Him, the blessed Christ of God. ...
/.../gaebelein/the lord of glory/christs resurrection song.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... in his Church is effectually powerful in its action; "He shall feed in the strength
of Jehovah." Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm

The Sabbath
... that ye may know that I am Jehovah your God ... which will ever characterize the true
worshiper of God. Again Christ reiterated the truth that the sacrifices were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 29 the sabbath.htm

Kept by the Power of God
... Leave your heart, and look into the face of Christ, and listen to ... deep restfulness
of a man who rests on the living God, the omnipotent Jehovah"and try ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/kept by the power of.htm