Topical Bible: Christ is God: As Raising Himself from the Dead

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The doctrine that Christ is God is central to Christian theology, and one of the profound evidences of His divinity is His power to raise Himself from the dead. This concept is rooted in various passages of Scripture that affirm both the deity of Christ and His authority over life and death.

Scriptural Basis

1. John 2:19-21: In this passage, Jesus declares, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews misunderstand Him, thinking He refers to the physical temple in Jerusalem. However, the Apostle John clarifies, "But He was speaking about the temple of His body." This statement is a direct claim to His divine power to resurrect Himself, indicating His authority over His own life and death.

2. John 10:17-18: Jesus further asserts His divine authority over His life and resurrection: "The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father." Here, Jesus emphasizes His voluntary sacrifice and His sovereign power to reclaim His life, underscoring His divine nature.

3. Romans 1:4: The Apostle Paul writes, "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." The resurrection is presented as a powerful declaration of Christ's divine sonship, affirming His identity as God.

Theological Implications

The ability of Christ to raise Himself from the dead is a testament to His divine nature. In Christian theology, only God possesses the power over life and death. By resurrecting Himself, Jesus demonstrates His omnipotence and confirms His identity as God incarnate. This act is not merely a miracle but a profound revelation of His divine essence.

Christ's Resurrection and the Trinity

The resurrection of Christ is also a Trinitarian act, involving the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While Jesus claims the authority to raise Himself, Scripture also attributes His resurrection to the Father (Acts 2:24) and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). This cooperative work of the Trinity highlights the unity and distinct roles within the Godhead, with Christ's self-resurrection serving as a testament to His divine nature and the harmonious operation of the Triune God.

Conclusion

The doctrine that Christ is God, as evidenced by His power to raise Himself from the dead, is a cornerstone of Christian faith. It affirms His divine authority, His role in the Trinity, and His victory over sin and death, providing believers with the assurance of eternal life through Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 2:19,21
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 10:18
No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the ...
... of Elijah and Elisha and those of Christ are so ... generally ascribed to the Messiah
the raising of the ... but the majority of opinions is, that God would Himself ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvi the healing of.htm

The Raising of the Dead.
... Without the raising of the dead, without the rising of the ... could not depose the
schoolmaster that leads unto Christ. ... God has given us room away from himself as ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/viii the raising of the.htm

In the Dead who were Raised by Christ we Possess the Highest Proof ...
... But now Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of ... and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God;" or, on ... [4546] The two miracles of raising the widow's ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiii in the dead who.htm

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... or rather manifestation of it, would be in the raising of Lazarus ... this?' Yea, Lord,
I have believed that thou art the Christ, the Son of God [with special ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

Concerning the Centurion's Faith the Raising of the Widow's Son. ...
... the Creator in that vast manifestation of His glory in this raising of the ... is offended
[4149] when he hears of the miracles of Christ, as of an alien god. ...
/.../chapter xviii concerning the centurions faith.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Life, when the Believer is So ...
... 4.) By raising up the ... believer conceive hope, when he seeth that his physician is
God, to whom ... And Christ being life and the Life, he must be appointed for the ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxi how to make.htm

Raising of Jairus's Daughter. --And of the Widow's Son at Nain.
... that he could, by the power of God within him ... To this period of Christ's ministry,
probably, belongs also a miracle akin to the raising of Jairus's daughter ...
/.../section 134 raising of jairuss.htm

1 John iv. 9-10
... at this particular time, become reconciled to them through Christ. ... To those who are
estranged from God by sin ... then, no man was capable of raising himself out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iv 10-sep.htm

But God the Father was Very Merciful: He Sent his Creative Word...
... first begotten of the dead , and in Himself raising up man ... the glory of the Father:
even as God promised by ... And his our Lord Jesus Christ truly fulfilled, when ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 38 but god the.htm

The Merchant's Son.
... meditations upon different subjects, particularly upon the excellence of Christ. ...
your submission to the will of God." Upon which, raising himself a little ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/the merchants son.htm