Is Jesus Divine?
—Four facts that show the Deity of Jesus.
Paul says of Christ, "In him dwells all the fulness of deity in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). This lesson presents four facts that show the divine nature of Christ.
1 Jesus Forgives Sin
- Who blots out sins against God?
God says,"I, even I" (Isaiah 43:25). God alone (Psalms 51:1-4). - Peter could not forgive a man's sin (Acts 8:18-24).
- Yet Jesus did what only God can do (Luke 5:18-26, also Matt 9:2-8, Mark 2:5-12)
2 Jesus Wears God’s Name
- He has "the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9-11).
- "Jesus" is not that unique name. Others were called "Jesus" (Colossians 4:11) which is a Greek form of "Joshua" (Acts 7:44-45).
- God's name is "Lord" (Jehovah) (Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 42:8). Psalm 102 adresses the Son, yet addresses him as Jehovah and God (Hebrews 1:8-12, Psalms 102:1,25-27).
- One of God's names is "the first and the last" (Isaiah 44:6). Jesus called himself by this name (Revelation 1:17-18).
- Similarly, compare two other passages (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3).
- The names of God are worn by the One who was to sit on the throne of David forever, namely Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7, Acts 2:29-32).
3 Jesus Created All Things
- All created things were made by him (Colossians 1:13-20, John 1:1-3).
- Note that a Greek word for "other", such as ετερος heteros (eg Acts 4:12), is not present to modify the term "all things" (Colossians 1:15-20).
- Note also, "firstborn of all creation" does not mean first one created. It refers to his resurrection and ascension as "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18).
4 Jesus is Worshipped
- Note that the following passages have the same Greek word: προσκυνεω proskuneo for "worship". The word means to bow down or prostrate oneself in worship.
- Satan cannot be worshipped (Matthew 4:8-10 ).
- Man cannot be worshipped (Acts 10:24-26).
- Angels cannot be worshipped (Revelation 22:8-9).
- None other than God may be worshipped (Matthew 4:10 quoting Deuteronomy 6:15).
- Yet Jesus was worshipped. Examples: (Matthew 28:1,9, Matthew 2:11, Matthew 8:2, Matthew 9:18-19, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 15:22-28).
- Note that Jesus rebuked no-one for worshipping him.
- One final example, that of Thomas (John 20:26-29).
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