The Deity of Christ

[The following blogpost is re-edited from a post originally published on 7/23/10. The first part of this post is the outline I used for the 7/22/10 devotion at the pre-work prayer meeting that I had with my friends from UPS on Thursdays.]

The Deity of Christ

I. Jesus is identified as God by His own words: John 10:30-31; 14:8-9.

II. Jesus is identified as God by His actions: Mark 2:1-12.

-NOTE: The above points need only assume that the Gospel records are accurate eyewitness testimony (or, in the case of Luke, based upon careful investigation of several eyewitnesses [Luke 1:1-4]), as they claim to be: John 19:35. By these points we know, if we have any sure historical knowledge of Jesus at all, that it is beyond a reasonable doubt that Jesus considered Himself divine.

III. Jesus is identified as God by theological statements made by the apostles: John 1:1; Colossians 2:9.

IV. Jesus is identified as God by titles used for Him by the apostles:

A. Savior: 2 Timothy 1:10 [Isa 43:11];

B. Lord: 1 Peter 3:15.

-NOTE: The above points assume that the apostles' teaching, recorded as New Testament Scripture, comes from God: John 14:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:15-16. By the teaching of the New Testament regarding the deity of Christ, we know that Jesus is to be worshiped and served in a way that befits Him as God.
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In their book Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2007), Robert Bowman and Ed Komoszewski give the acronymn HANDS to help readers remember the biblical evidence for the deity of Christ. HANDS stands for: Honors, Attributes, Names, Deeds, and Seat. [More examples could be given for each lettered sub-point that follows.]

I. Jesus deserves the Honors only due to God

A. Whereas worship is to be given to God alone, Exo 34:14; Deut 6:13,

B. Jesus receives worship, Matt 2:11, 28:9-10, 17; John 5:23, 9:35-39).

II. Jesus shares the Attributes that only God can possess

A. Eternity, Isa 9:6; John 1:3;

B. Immutability, Psa 102:25-27; Heb 1:10-12; 13:8.

III. Jesus is given Names that can only be given to God (as noted above)

A. Savior: 2 Timothy 1:10 [Isa 43:11];

B. Lord: 1 Peter 3:15.

IV. Jesus performs Deeds that only God can perform

A. Jesus reads thoughts and forgives sin: Mark 2:1-12.

B. Jesus created everything: John 1:3; Col 1:15-16; Heb 1:2.

C. Jesus sustains everything: Col 1:17; Heb 1:3.

V. Jesus possesses a Seat on the throne of God (Rev 3:21)