The Deity of Christ

The deity of Christ is a doctrine that is absolutely vital to those who are born again and who are living with the hope of eternal life purchased with His precious Blood. At the same time, however, it is a doctrine that offends just about everyone who is not in that number. Not only do the religions of the world reject this teaching, but many so called “Christians” are embarrassed when they hear the people of God make the declaration of orthodox Christianity that “There is One God consisting of Three Persons in the Godhead, The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit!” The problem is closely connected with the companion doctrine that tells us that Jesus is the only Name wherein we are able to find salvation. I can understand the none Christian religions rebelling against both teachings, since to accept them would leave them no alternative but to believe in Jesus for their salvation. But how anyone who thinks they are putting their faith for eternal life in the Gospel of Christ can deny or even question the deity of Christ is beyond me. 

In this article I will look at some of the passages in the Bible that give irrefutable and indubitable proof that Jesus Christ and God the Father are more than just Divine. They are also more than just equals in the sense that both are God! In fact, according to the Bible, they are equal to each other! This is a concept that is unknown and unknowable among humans except by metaphor or analogy. This is what we find in such illustrations as the relationship between married men and women being referred to as “one flesh” or when several family members may be considered individually and also as representing the “family”. But these illustrations “limp”, as do all illustrations that attempt to define things that are Divine! Christ is distinct from God the Father, but he is in some mysterious way equal to Him. God and Christ are One! Needless to say that if we succeed in establishing the Deity of Christ, then the Deity of the Holy Spirit naturally (or Supernaturally) follows. Let us search the Scriptures to see if Christ is indeed IMMANUEL! “God with us.” Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

One of the many names of God in the O.T. serves as the special and peculiar Name by which He was known to the Israelites.

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the 
children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of
your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to
me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God
said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt
thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

                                                            Exodus 3:13,14

The declaration by God that His name is “I AM” represents the Hebrew word HAYAH, Strong’s #1961 and is actually the verb to be. And means “to exist”, “to be” or “become”, and is the most likely root from which “JEHOVAH” developed. (see the endnote for more on the Divine Name)  

The first thing we notice is that in the New Testament Christ is clearly represented as having qualities that specifically belong to Jehovah God in the Old Testament. This Name of God for instance is sometimes joined in the O.T. with an additional descriptive word to express some facet of His revelation to man. We can see how each of these exclusive names for God is ascribed to Christ in the N.T.

(I quote from the 1901 American Standard Version of the Bible because of their decision to incorporated “Jehovah” in the text rather than the euphemistic “LORD” the current quotes are from: The Holy Bible American Standard Version Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc., all rights reserved.)

1. JEHOVAH MEKADDASCHEM             “The LORD our Sanctifier”

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you   Ex. 31:13 From the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV).

To be compared with:

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  1 Cor. 1:30, 31 (ASV)

2. JEHOVAH TSIDKENU                            “The LORD our Righteousness”

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness  Jer. 23:6 (ASV)

And also: 

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  1 Cor. 1:30, 31 (ASV)

3.  JEHOVAH SHAMMAH                         “The LORD is present”

It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about: and the name of the city from that day shall be, Jehovah is there. Ezek. 48:35 (ASV)

To be compared with:  

To whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  Col. 1:27 (ASV)   (see Eph. 2:5)

4.  JEHOVAH SHALOM                              “The LORD is our Peace”

Then Gideon built an altar there unto Jehovah, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Judges 6:24 (ASV)

To be compared with:

For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition. Eph. 2:14 (ASV)

5.  JEHOVAH NISSI                         “The LORD our Banner” (Victory) 

And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi  Ex. 17:15 (ASV)

To be compared with:                                                           

But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Cor. 15:57 (ASV)

6.  JEHOVAH RAPHA                     “The LORD our Healer”                 

And he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee. Ex 15:26 (ASV)

To be compared with:

But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. …   Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole. Acts 3:6, 4:10 (ASV)

No sane person could insinuate that these New Testament Jews would make such comparisons if they believed that God was distinct from Jesus or that Jesus somehow had a lesser status than God the Father. It would have been blasphemy for them to do so. They could only speak this way if they were convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that to say “God the Father” or “Jesus Christ” was to say exactly the same thing.

In addition to the specific attributes that are revealed in His Names, we also find many exclusive statements in the OT  that clearly refer to God alone and yet they are applied to Christ. Take for instance the words of  Jer. 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. There is no boasting, except in the LORD, which remember is none other than JEHOVAH. And yet Paul can say to the Corinthians,"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." II Cor. 10:17  Clearly referring in context to Christ. 

One verse that guarantees the complete identification of Jehovah and Christ is Phil 2:10,11 where Paul says That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Which is of course a quote of  Isaiah 45:23-25 where there can be no question about Whom reference is made. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

In Romans 14:11,12 Paul is equally bold in his speech when he says that It is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Here also we are informed that this bowing of the knee to the LORD is in fact a bowing to GOD! Eternal praise to His matchless Name!

Along with John 3:16, every Christian should also be armed with the ability to quote at least Isaiah 45:23 and Philippians 2:10,11 quoted above and never be ashamed of the Deity of Christ. Remember that our LORD said Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38

Meditate!                                                                   To be continued ….