Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Possessed of the Fulness of the God Head

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Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine of the deity of Christ is central to Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is fully God, possessing the fullness of the Godhead. This belief is rooted in Scripture and has been a cornerstone of orthodox Christian faith throughout history. The New Testament provides numerous passages that attest to the divine nature of Christ, emphasizing His equality with God the Father and His possession of divine attributes.

Scriptural Evidence

1. Colossians 2:9 · "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form." This verse explicitly states that the entirety of the divine nature resides in Christ. The term "fullness" (Greek: plērōma) signifies the complete presence of God's essence, indicating that Jesus is not merely a reflection or part of God but fully embodies the divine nature.

2. John 1:1, 14 · "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The prologue of John's Gospel identifies Jesus (the Word) as both distinct from and yet fully God. The incarnation, where the Word became flesh, underscores the mystery of the divine and human natures united in Christ.

3. Philippians 2:6 · "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." This passage highlights Christ's pre-existence and His divine status. The phrase "form of God" (Greek: morphē theou) indicates His essential nature as God, affirming His equality with the Father.

4. Hebrews 1:3 · "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." Here, Christ is described as the perfect imprint of God's being, reflecting His glory and sustaining the universe, roles that only God can fulfill.

5. John 10:30 · "I and the Father are one." Jesus' declaration of oneness with the Father points to a unity of essence and purpose, further affirming His divine identity.

Theological Implications

The belief in Christ's possession of the fullness of the Godhead has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, where God exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully and equally God. This understanding is crucial for the Christian faith, as it underscores the nature of salvation, the authority of Christ, and the worship due to Him.

Historical Affirmation

Throughout church history, the deity of Christ has been affirmed by ecumenical councils and creeds. The Nicene Creed (AD 325) was formulated to combat Arianism, a heresy that denied Christ's full divinity. It declares Jesus as "true God from true God," emphasizing His co-equality and co-eternity with the Father.

Conclusion

The doctrine that Christ possesses the fullness of the Godhead is foundational to understanding His divine nature and role in the Godhead. It is a truth that has been consistently upheld by Scripture and the historic Christian faith, affirming that Jesus is indeed fully God, worthy of worship and adoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 2:9
For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Out of his Fulness.
... His fulness grace upon grace, the Son of God had to ... Christ died for us; He who knew
no sin was made ... He, who possessed eternally all fulness, who came to this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/out of his fulness.htm

Man Summoned by God's Glory and Energy
... His whole self, and work on in the fulness of His possessed gift. ... then, 'This is
life eternal, to know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/man summoned by gods glory.htm

On the Incarnation of Christ.
... inasmuch as, being incessantly heated, it possessed immutability from ... gladness, ie,
with the word of God and wisdom ... and its odour another, so also Christ is one ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter vi on the incarnation of.htm

All Fulness in Christ
... must necessarily fail to compass the personal fullness of Christ as God; therefore
we do ... He achieved by suffering as well as possessed by nature a wondrous ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/all fulness in christ.htm

Whether the Gratuitous Graces were in Christ?
... of God, inasmuch as He is the Eternal Son of God. ... says (Rom.15:8): "I say that Christ
Jesus was ... 3944]Q[10], A[2]). Nor was this knowledge uselessly possessed. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gratuitous graces were.htm

Proofs from the Apostolic Writings, that Jesus Christ was one and ...
... descended, who was also termed Pan, [3571] because He possessed the names ... is of God;
and every spirit which separates Jesus Christ is not of God, but is of ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi proofs from the apostolic.htm

The Being of God
... We read of many possessed of the devil. ... Christ's body in heaven, though glorified,
is not deified; it is ... Use four: If God be infinite, filling heaven and earth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

The Benefits of Christ Made Available to us by the Secret ...
... 1. We must now see in what way we become possessed of the blessings which God has
bestowed on ... to is, that so long as we are without Christ and separated ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the benefits of.htm

Christ's Humiliation in his Incarnation
... breathe forth nothing but revenge, or like those two men in the gospel, possessed
with devils ... In this let us be like Christ, zealous for God's truth and ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/6 christs humiliation in his.htm

'The Measure of Grace'
... of the grace of God, which is possessed by each ... have received our own proper gift
of God, that which ... not the individual members which represents Christ to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the measure of grace.htm