There is a great focus on Christ in the Bible and Christianity. While many believe in the deity of Christ, some do not understand it and have no biblical reference. Discussing the deity of Christ is crucial because it is at the center of Christian worship. So, what is the deity of Christ?
The Bible mentions that Christ is God and the creator of everything on heaven and earth. Colossians 1:16-17 says: For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him, all things consist. This verse indicates that Christ is God because only God created everything, as described in Genesis 1.
In this article, we will discuss the deity of Christ and whether the deity of Christ is biblical. We will also give biblical proof of the deity of Christ. You will learn how the deity of Christ is observed, so read on.
Is the deity of Christ biblical?
The deity of Christ is biblical, and the Bible intentionally describes his deity. The Bible places the characteristic of a deity on Jesus Christ. There are direct bible verses that refer to Jesus as God. For instance, the Bible describes him as Immanuel, meaning God with us, everlasting Father, and mighty God. Also, some verses indirectly ascribe him to the nature and characteristics of God. For instance, the Bible describes Christ as immutable, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and eternal. Let us look at biblical proofs of the deity of Christ.
Biblical proofs of the deity of Christ: How is the deity of Christ observed?
The Bible refers to Jesus Christ as God. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6. In this verse, the prophet Isaiah was given a prophecy about the coming of Christ. He gives the name by which Christ would be called. To show his deity, the Bible calls him the mighty God.
The Bible mentions that God is one: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! Deuteronomy 6:4 indicates that Christ is indeed God. The Bible also refers to Christ as the everlasting father in this verse. In the Bible, the term Father refers to the source, the creator, or the life-giver. Therefore, this verse implies that Christ is the God who created the universe. It is excellent proof of the deity of Christ.
When Jeremiah was prophesying about the coming of Christ, he stated that his name would be called the Lord of our righteousness. “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6. This verse suggests that the name of Christ is The LORD our righteousness. The term LORD is the same as Jehovah. So, the verse implies that Christ who was to come was Jehovah.
The same name is used by Isaiah when he is prophesying about John the Baptist and Christ. It says The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3. In this verse, the prophet Isaiah talked about John the Baptist, who was to precede Christ. John was to prepare the way of the LORD. Again, the term LORD, translated as Jehovah, is used to show that Jehovah was the one to come. Jehovah is the name only reserved for God, the creator of heaven and earth. The deity of Christ should therefore be observed as Jehovah.
The Bible calls Christ God in Hebrew 1:8, which is about Psalms 45:6-13. The Bible says: But to the Son, He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Hebrews 1:8-9. The writer of Hebrews implies that the Psalmist in Psalms 45:6-13 was talking about the Son or Christ. The Bible refers to Jesus as God, who sits on the throne forever. According to this verse, the Son, Christ, is the everlasting God.
Another verse that mentions that Jesus is God is 1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, Received up in glory. This verse says that God was manifested in the flesh. The verse talks about Jesus in John 1: 1-18, which describes how Christ took flesh to save humanity. This verse says that it is puzzling that God came as a human into the world. It means that Christ was God in the flesh. Christ’s deity is observed as God.
The Bible also refers to Jesus as God in John 1:1-3 which says that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was at the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. The verses imply that Christ is God and has been God since the beginning. It also denotes that he is the creator since nothing was created without him. Without Christ, there would be no creation, which makes him the creator. Since this verse shows him as the creator, it suggests He is the eternal God of Genesis 1:1 and the one who spoke to Abraham and Moses.
Jesus says that He existed long before Moses. He says: Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM. John 8:57-58. Jesus declared that he was the I AM. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, he identified himself as I AM. It says: Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:13-14. When God was speaking to Moses, He identified himself as I AM, and when Jesus was speaking to the Jews, He identified himself as I AM. Therefore, it suggests Christ is the same God speaking to Moses in the burning bush.
Jesus declared that he was omnipresent, which is an attribute of God. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Jesus implied that he could be at any place at any time and that he could also be in multiple places. Such attributes are only possible with God, who is omnipresent.
Jesus is inferred to hold the same position as the father because he receives worship. For instance, in John 20:28-29, we see Thomas worshiping Jesus and referring to him as God. It says: And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Jesus accepts worship from Thomas, who also calls him God.
Jesus was worshiped as God as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s back. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9. In this verse, Jesus also accepts worship, which implies that he was God. He said that if people refused to worship him, he could have commanded the stones to do it. Accepting worship implies that he was God. Apostles could not accept worship. Jesus’ deity was observed through worship.
The apostles could not accept worship as Jesus did. For instance, In Acts 10:24, when Cornelius fell to worship Peter, he immediately refused and said he was just a man. We also see the apostle vehemently refusing to be worshiped. They tore their clothes to express their opposition to people worshipping them: But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men Acts 14:14-15. So, the apostles could not accept worship because they were not God.
Reference
Don Stewart: In What Sense Is God a Father?
What is the meaning of ‘I AM WHO I AM’ in Exodus 3:14?
The Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence of God
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
