Topical Bible: Christ is God: As the Object of Divine Worship

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Topical Encyclopedia

The doctrine that Christ is God and the rightful object of divine worship is a central tenet of Christian theology, deeply rooted in Scripture. This belief affirms the full divinity of Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit in the Holy Trinity. The worship of Christ as God is supported by numerous passages throughout the New Testament, which highlight His divine nature and the reverence He receives.

Biblical Evidence of Christ's Divinity and Worship

1. 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." This passage identifies Jesus (the Word) as God, affirming His divine nature from the beginning and His incarnation.

2. Philippians 2:9-11 · "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This text underscores the universal worship and acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord, a status reserved for God alone.

3. Hebrews 1:6 · "And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: 'Let all God’s angels worship Him.'" The command for angels to worship Christ indicates His superiority and divine status, as angels worship only God.

4. Revelation 5:12-14 · "In a loud voice they said: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!'... And the elders fell down and worshiped." The Lamb, a title for Christ, receives worship alongside God, demonstrating His divine worthiness.

5. Matthew 28:9, 17 · "Suddenly Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him... When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted." The disciples' worship of the resurrected Christ reflects their recognition of His divine authority and identity.

Theological Implications

The worship of Christ as God has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is fully God, sharing in the same essence as the Father and the Holy Spirit. This belief is foundational to understanding the nature of God and the work of salvation, as only God can redeem humanity from sin.

Historical and Doctrinal Affirmation

Throughout church history, the divinity of Christ and His worthiness of worship have been affirmed by ecumenical councils and creeds. The Nicene Creed (AD 325) explicitly states that Jesus Christ is "true God from true God," underscoring His divine nature and role in the Godhead. The worship of Christ is not only a biblical mandate but also a historical affirmation of His deity.

Conclusion

The recognition of Christ as God and the object of divine worship is a cornerstone of Christian faith, deeply embedded in Scripture and tradition. Through worship, believers acknowledge His divine authority, celebrate His redemptive work, and participate in the eternal relationship within the Trinity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 7:59
And they stoned Stephen, calling on God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 12:8,9
For this thing I sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
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Hebrews 1:6
And again, when he brings in the first-begotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 5:12
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Worship of God in General
... V. The object is the same as that of the whole of religion, and of the first part
of it, which is faith; and this object is God and Christ, in which the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxvii on the worship.htm

God Distinguished from Idols, that He May be the Exclusive Object ...
... IDOLS, THAT HE MAY BE THE EXCLUSIVE OBJECT OF WORSHIP. ... When Christ repels Satan's
insulting proposal with the words ... to transfer the honour due to God alone to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 god distinguished from.htm

On Theology
... Man * The Church Of God And Of Christ * The Church ... False Sacraments * On The Worship
Of God In General ... Divine Worship In General * On Obedience, Object Of All ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on theology.htm

On the Necessity of the Christian Religion
... one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," it ... of our most glorious
and most gracious God, alone and ... him, or that there should be an object to the ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxii on the necessity.htm

The Works of James Arminius, Vol. 2
... L ON THE CHURCH OF GOD AND OF CHRIST: OR ON THE ... DISPUTATION LXIX ON OBEDIENCE, THE
FORMAL OBJECT OF ALL THE ... LXX ON OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF GOD IN GENERAL. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/

Confession of the Free-Will Baptists. AD 1834, 1868.
... of the universe; the Redeemer, Saviour, Sanctifier, and Judge of men; and the only
proper object of Divine ... Jesus Christ, the Son of God, possesses all ...
/.../confession of the free-will baptists.htm

On the Object of the Christian Religion: And, First, About God ...
... Christ subordinately under God " God per se, Christ as God ... In God, who is the primary
object of the Christian ... every inquiry into the nature of God; for, if ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xiv on the object.htm

The Trinity
... Is God the Father the adequate object of faith? ... Let all the angels of God worship
him.' Hebrews 1:1. How ... therefore is the Socinian, who would rob Christ of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/12 the trinity.htm

A Divine Saviour.
... But what was Christ's object? ... proof is overwhelming, if you will but examine the
Word of God. And then another thing"no good man except Jesus Christ has ever ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter v a divine saviour.htm

The Law and the Liberty of Presbyterian Worship.
... and broader application, of the worship of God which for ... government and practice
of the Church of Jesus Christ. ... The object of public worship must ever be kept ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter i the law and.htm