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Foundations of Faith – The Deity and Person of Christ
Please read (John 8:21-25); “Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?” And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Then they said to Him, “Who are You?“ And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.”
Jesus makes a powerful statement to the people and Pharisees that were there. And then the Pharisees ask a most important question. So important is this question that the Lord Jesus Christ tells them that their eternity depends on whether they get the answer right and believe it.
“Who Art Thou?”
Even after almost 2,000 years, the majority of the world does not know. Many are even confused as to who Jesus really is. Some say He was just a man, or just a prophet. The Truth is, He is much more than that! The only way the Pharisee’s and the world’s question can be answered is through God’s Holy Word. Let’s dig deeper through the points labeled 1 through 7.
1 • Who In the Beginning?
(Genesis 1:1), “In the beginning God (Elohiym) created the heaven and the earth.”
- When God inspired Moses to write the book of Genesis, God inspires Moses to use the Hebrew word, “Elohiym”.
- What would seem so unusual about this is;
The Hebrew word “Eloah” is the word for God in the (singular) sense meaning only one.
The Hebrew word “Elohiym” is the (plural) of “Eloah.” In the ordinary sense, “Elohiym” refers to more than two!
2 • God’s Word Continues to Build Upon That Very First Verse
- Now stop and think about Genesis 1:26… (Genesis 1:26); “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…”
Who was God talking to in Genesis 1:26? He wasn’t talking to the angels, because the angels cannot create. And nowhere in God’s Word does it teach that the angels helped God create anything!!
By using the words “US” and “OUR” expresses two or more. God’s Word from the very start expresses that there is ONE God, but within the Godhead, there are three individuals. The truth that God is a “trinity” that is proclaimed throughout Scripture, begins right here in the very first verses of God’s Word.
- God’s Word teaches that only THREE have the power to create something from nothing, and all THREE were part of creating the heavens and the earth.
Father (1 Corinthians 8:6a)
Son (1 Corinthians 8:6b)
Spirit (Job 33:3-4)
- God’s Word teaches that all three were part of creating the heavens and the earth. But it also tells us something more wonderful about these three.
(1 John 5:7) “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
- God inspired Matthew to tell us to baptize people in the name of all three:
(Matthew 28:19), “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Concerning the Trinity, the Scriptures absolutely compel us to believe that there are three distinct persons, and the being of each person Is equal to the whole being of God.
- God is three persons
- Each person is fully God
- There is one God
3 • Jesus Is Equal With God
Some reject Scripture’s clear proclamation that Jesus Christ is God. Often they think that Jesus is not EQUAL with God because he is the “Son” of God. During the time of the gospels, according to Jewish culture, the people of Israel knew that to proclaim to be the “Son” of God is nothing short than proclaiming to be equal with God;
(John 5:18), “Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”
In today’s culture, some may not see it that way. Regardless whether they do or not, God’s Word proclaims that the Son of God is EQUAL with the Father.
(Philippians 2:5-8), “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Some people such as the Watch Tower society (commonly known as Jehovah’s Witnesses) will deny the deity of Jesus. Here is one verse they might state.
(Colossians 1:15), “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
They will tell you that this verse means that Jesus was the first person that was ever created. But that is not what this verse is implying. Just look further only three more verses and God’s Word will tell you what it is really saying;
(Colossians 1:18), “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead…”
It does NOT say that Jesus was the first one created by God. It says that Jesus was the firstborn FROM THE DEAD. Jesus was the first one that rose alive from the dead (Matthew 28:1-7).
Also, just one verse past verse 15, scripture boldly proclaims the deity of Jesus Christ. It states that Jesus created all things for HIMSELF and not for some other god. This shows that He absolutely is God
(Colossians 1:16), “For by Him (Jesus) 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.”
Here is another key verse the Watch Tower society (commonly known as Jehovah’s Witnesses) will use to reject the deity of Jesus.
(Matthew 27:46), “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
They will also often say something like “If Jesus is God, how can He say these words?” Here are three ways that you can use help them understand the truth.
- Jesus was both God and man. God became man made in flesh as we know it.
(Philippians 2:5-8), “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
- While on the cross, something so shocking and terrible happened to Jesus, that we will never be able to come even close to comprehending it. Jesus, who was holy, pure and perfect, became our sin!
(Corinthians 5:21), “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
While on the cross God felt His own divine rejection. During that moment God who knew no sin, became our sin to pay the cost due for our violation of the moral law. Being an infinitely just and holy God, He could not allow the penalty for our sin to be left unpaid. He was able to do all of this because He, Jesus, is God!
(Acts 20:28), “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
(1 John 3:16 kjv), “Hereby perceive (to know; understand) we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
- Even though Jesus said those words on the cross, it does not eliminate all the many verses that clearly show Jesus is God.
(Isaiah 9:6), “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
(John 1:1-3,14), “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 20:26-28), “And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
When Moses went up Mount Sinai to see God, he asked God what His name was;
(Exodus 3:14), “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.”
Now watch who Jesus claimed to be;
(John 8:58-59), “Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
The “I AM” that Moses met on Mount Sinai was Jesus. Now watch carefully; This “I AM” gave Moses the 10 Commandments. The very first commandment that this “I AM” gave, was that He was God, and Moses, nor any other, were to have no other gods before Him! (Exodus 20:1-3)
WOW! You cannot get any clearer than that!
As you read this portion of Zechariah, it is clear that this is God talking to Israel;
(Zechariah 12:10-13:6kjv) – (*This is the Lord God talking), “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn…. And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”
Now watch when, how, and by whom this prophecy was fulfilled:
(John 19:17-37), “And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center…For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
Over and over again, the Scriptures boldly proclaim that Jesus is indeed God and God is indeed a “Trinity”. When you have the time, please see these other verses in God’s Word that show us Jesus is God! (1 Timothy 3:16) (Hebrews 1:5-10) (Zechariah 14:16) (John 14:6-9) (Matthew 1:23)
4 • Jesus as Messiah
As we continue our thought on “Who is Jesus?”, it is very important that we see Him as the Messiah that the nation of Israel is looking for and Whom the world so desperately needs. God’s Word throughout the Old Testament promised a Deliverer to come to save Israel and all of mankind. Without this Messiah, the world has no hope.
Throughout history, nations have terribly failed to establish a lasting peace that the world cries out for. In the Old Testament, God’s Word told of a coming Messiah and showed clearly Who this great Deliverer and Savior will be. The Word did this by creating something absolutely impossible for anyone to accomplish other than the true Messiah, so that we would recognize Him with complete assurance. This was done by declaring hundreds of prophecies that the Deliverer must fulfill.
Because Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled every single one of them, our hearts can safely trust that He is the One! Many of Israel have long rejected Jesus as the Messiah, but they are now going to the Scriptures to see for themselves. They are finding out that the one they had crucified about 2000 years ago, is indeed their Messiah. Those who seek the truth are turning to Him in repentance and trust.
5 • Jesus as Teacher
As you journey through the gospels, you will find Jesus constantly teaching the people wherever He went. People found hope and comfort in what He taught. He helped them understand the Old Testament Scriptures. His words powerfully exposed the false teachings of the religious leaders of that day and still do to this day.
What Jesus taught was so powerful and pure, that Pontius Pilate, after examining Him, stood before the angry crowd that wanted Jesus crucified, and boldly proclaimed that he found no fault in Him. As you journey on through your studies of His teachings, may your heart constantly remind you, that we can find no fault in anything He has taught.
Let us all pray that we will have complete confidence in Him as our Teacher. That we will find strength, hope and guidance which will prosper us. That through all the good He has instore for us, we embrace and apply His words to our lives.
6 • Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?
Let’s have Jesus answer this question Himself.
A. Jesus was on a mission to come to save fallen mankind who was lost in trespasses and sin. He came to save us from death, hell and the curse of the law.
(Luke 19:10), “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(Romans 6:23), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
B. He did this by offering Himself up as a sacrifice. He did this because He loved us so very much. Our sin is against an infinite God. He knew that only He was sufficient to become the infinite payment for all our sins.
(Mark 10:45), “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
(John 14:6), “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
C. He came to earth because He knew what the end results would be for those of us who would choose to love Him and trust Him.
(John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
D. In the midst of all the confusion that mankind has plunged himself into, Jesus came to earth to bear witness of the truth and set the record straight.
(John 18:37), “Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
E. Jesus came to earth to do all this that we might have life, and life more abundantly.
(John 10:10), “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
7 • Where is Jesus now, and what is He up to?
Jesus has returned to heaven but will come to earth a second time.
(Acts 1:9-11), “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
While up in Heaven, He’s preparing a place for us beyond our comprehension.
(John 14:2-3), “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. “
(Revelation 21:2-3), “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Here on earth, His Spirit is actively involved in our lives.
(John 14:26-27), “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Jesus is so much involved in our lives in so many ways:
“Who Art Thou?”
The Deity and Person of Christ!
BUILDING A FOUNDATION THAT WILL NEVER CRACK!