THE DEITY OF CHRIST

Many cults reject the deity of Christ. But belief in the Deity of Christ is essential to salvation (Rom. 10:9-10). To deny the Deity of Christ is to rob mankind of a Saviour. 

So, today, we want to establish from the Scriptures that Jesus Christ is Deity.

What is a deity? A deity is a personality with divine qualities or nature.

Are there scriptural evidences for the Deity of Christ? Yes! Evidences for the Deity of Christ abound in the Scriptures:

1. He possesses the attributes (characteristics) of Deity. Such characteristics include:

“the whole fullness of deity dwell bodily in Christ.” “For in Him (in Christ) dwelleth ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9).

“For it pleased the Father that in Him (Christ) should ALL fullness dwell” (Col. 1:19). 

Every attribute ascribed to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit can also be attributed to Jesus Christ.

Only in their personal characteristics can the members of the Trinity be distinguished.

2. Eternity and Pre-existence: Christ is declared by the Scriptures as being eternal.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2).

Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58).

Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8).

3. Self-existent: If Christ is eternal, it is obvious that He is self-existent. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Mal. 3:6).

As the creator of all things Jesus Himself must be uncreated.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 ALL things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made” (Jn. 1:1-3).

“For by Him were ALL things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Col. 1:16-17).

4. Omnipresent – present everywhere at the same time. To be omnipresent is a characteristic of God Almighty only; not true of angels or men.

Jesus promised that He will abide with His disciples forever. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:20).

The promise to individual believers would be impossible if Jesus Christ were not omnipresent. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (Jn. 14:18). “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).

In Matthew 18:20 Jesus promises to be anywhere and everywhere all at the same time.

5. Jesus is Omniscient – knows all things. 

“Now we are sure that thou knowest all things…” (Jn. 16:30). Peter declared, “Lord, You know everything.”

Jesus said unto Peter the third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved because he said unto Him the third time, Lovest thou Me? And he said unto Him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep” (Jn. 21:17).

In Acts 1:24 the Bible says, “…Lord, You know the hearts of all men…” 

Christ has foreknowledge of those who would not believe in Him (Jn. 6:64).

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart from this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (Jn. 13:1).

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst” (Jn. 19:28).

Christ is the wisdom of God. “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).

The fact that Jesus knows all things is evident in Mark 11:2-6. 

“And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matt. 9:4)

6. Omnipotent. This means all powerful. It means power without limits. This is another attribute exclusive to God Almighty Himself (Phil. 2:9-11).

The omnipotence of Christ refers to His authority over creation. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).

Jesus Christ has the power to:

1. Forgive sins – only God has the power to forgive sins (Mk. 2:5-11).

2. Over nature/over elements (Mk. 4:35-41).

Jesus walked on water” (Matt. 14:23-32).

3. Over His own life (Jn. 10:17-19).

4. Give eternal life (Jn. 17:2-3).

5. Heal and cast out demons (Mk. 1:23-34; Acts 10:38).

6. Transform (change) the body (Phil. 3:20-21).

7. Do all things (Lk. 1:37; Jer. 32:27).

“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Lk. 1:37).

God said, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jer. 32:27).

7. Immutability: Christ never ever changes. He remains the same forever. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Christ is the unchangeable changer (Ps. 102:25-27). The unchangeableness of Christ applies to all His divine attributes as well as His divine nature and sovereignty.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).

“Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

“And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence” (Col. 1:18).

He is indeed the King of kings and the Lord of lords. “And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16).

Conclusion! A revelation of who the Lord Jesus Christ is will put you permanently on the side of victory.

Watch out for the next Edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

• Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi (Senior Pastor, HOG)