This is an important question that many people wonder about. Deuteronomy 6:4 says “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This verse clearly states that God is one. Yet, Christians claim that Jesus is God. How can that be?
To understand this, we need to look at the nature of God as presented in the Bible. The Bible shows that while God is one in essence, He exists in three co-equal and co-eternal Persons – the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. This is called the Trinity. The Trinity is a difficult concept to grasp, but it is important because it shows how the Son can be God while God remains one.
In the Old Testament, there are hints at the plurality within the one God. In Genesis 1:26 when God says “Let us make man in our image,” He uses the plural pronoun “us” and “our.” In Isaiah 9:6, the promised Messiah is called “Mighty God.” But it is not until the coming of Jesus Christ that the concept of the Trinity is fully revealed.
Jesus claimed divinity and equality with God in many ways. He said “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). He accepted worship, even though for a Jewish man this was blasphemy, as only God deserves worship. He claimed authority to forgive sins even though the scribes said only God can forgive sins (Luke 5:20-24). Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus was crucified for claiming equality with God (John 5:18).
Other verses speak of Jesus’ divinity. John 1:1 says “the Word was God” speaking of Jesus. Romans 9:5 calls Jesus “God blessed forever.” Titus 2:13 says we are waiting for the appearing of “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 1:8 says “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” in reference to Jesus. 2 Peter 1:1 calls Jesus “our God and Savior.” 1 John 5:20 says “Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
The Bible also shows that Jesus exhibits attributes that only God has. He is eternal (John 1:1, 8:58), omnipresent (Matt. 18:20, 28:20), omnipotent (Phil. 3:21, Rev. 1:8), immutable (Heb. 13:8), and omniscient (John 2:24-25). He does things that only God can do, like forgive sins (Luke 5:20-24).
In summary, the deity of Jesus Christ is well-attested in Scripture. As God the Son, Jesus can be God and share the divine essence with the Father, while God remains one. The three Persons share the same divine nature and attributes. When Deuteronomy 6:4 says God is one, it is referring to God’s essence, not how many Persons exist within the Godhead. The Trinity is a mystery we cannot fully comprehend, but it is the biblical understanding of God’s nature.
Jesus’ favorite self-designation was the “Son of Man.” But this title in Daniel 7:13-14 applied to the divine-human Messiah. Jesus used it to emphasize His humanity, but the Jews of His day clearly understood His claim to be the divine Messiah (Luke 22:67-70). The Son of Man has a heavenly origin, death and resurrection, and will play a decisive role at the final judgment. So this favorite self-designation of Jesus was also a claim to deity.
Jesus repeatedly referred to Himself as the Son of God. The Jews understood this as a claim to deity. In John 5:17-18, the Jews wanted to stone Jesus for calling God His Father, “making Himself equal with God.” In John 10:30-33, they wanted to stone Him for claiming to be one with the Father. They accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. The Jews understood that the title Son of God implied equality with God the Father.
The Apostles also understood that Jesus was God. Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Paul calls Jesus the “great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13). Peter calls Jesus “our God and Savior” (2 Peter 1:1). The inspired New Testament writers worshiped Jesus as God. They would never have done this if He were not divine.
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus performs works that only God can do. He raises the dead (John 5:21, 11:38-44). He exercises authority over nature (Luke 8:24-25). He knows the hearts of men (John 2:25). He gives eternal life (John 10:27-28). Such divine works testify that Jesus is God.
In summary, the deity of Christ is affirmed through direct statements, divine names, divine attributes, divine works, and worship. Jesus claimed to be God in word and action. The Apostles understood Him as God. The title Son of God implies deity. No mere man could claim such honors. Jesus shares the divine identity with the Father. As God the Son, Jesus can be God while God remains one.
The Oneness of God and the Trinity
As mentioned above, Deuteronomy 6:4 teaches that God is one. How can this be reconciled with the Trinity – one God existing in three Persons? There are several points to consider:
- The word for “one” in Deuteronomy 6:4 does not mean a single, solitary number. It is the Hebrew word “echad” which means a compound, united one. It is the same word used in Genesis 2:24 where the husband and wife become “one flesh.” They are still two distinct persons while being one in their union.
- The Old Testament contains glimpses of the plurality within the one God, using plural pronouns for God and mentioning the Angel of the Lord as a divine person distinct from the Father.
- God’s oneness refers to His nature or essence. He is one being. The three Persons share one divine nature. This is very different from three separate gods.
- The Persons of the Trinity are united in their character, purposes, and actions. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). They have an inseparable unity.
- God is a higher being than we are and exists outside of time. It’s difficult for us as finite human beings to grasp the concept of the eternal Trinity. But God has chosen to reveal Himself in this way in Scripture.
- At times, one Person of the Trinity is emphasized more than the others. In the Old Testament, it was often God the Father. The Father speaks in Deuteronomy 6. But now the Son has become flesh (John 1:14) and the deity of all three Persons is clearly revealed.
In summary, God’s oneness in essence is not opposed to the divine tri-unity. God is three co-equal, co-eternal Persons who are perfectly united in will and purpose. The Trinity is beyond human reason, but is clearly taught in Scripture. When understood properly, the Trinity upholds both the oneness of God and the full divinity of the Father, Son and Spirit.
How Can God Become a Man?
The doctrine of the Incarnation – that God the Son became man in Jesus – raises questions in many people’s minds. How can the divine become human? Did Jesus give up His divinity? Was He part God, part man? Let’s consider some biblical truths about the Incarnation that help explain it.
- The Incarnation was voluntary. Jesus willingly laid aside the outward display of His glory to take on humanity (Philippians 2:5-8). But He did not cease to be God.
- When God the Son took on humanity, He added sinless human nature to His divine nature, but remained one divine Person. Jesus is fully God and fully man in an incomprehensible union.
- Jesus did not give up any of His divine attributes by becoming man. He voluntarily chose not to use some of them at times. But He remained omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, etc.
- The limitations Jesus took on were part of His human nature, not His divine nature. For example, His human body got tired or hungry, but His divine nature is untiring and without needs.
- There were times when Jesus’ divine nature acted through His human body, such as in His miracles. At other times, He chose to limit the use of His divine abilities.
- Jesus was capable of sinning only with respect to His human nature, but not His divine nature. His divine nature kept His human nature from actually sinning (Hebrews 4:15).
- There is an element of mystery to the hypostatic union of the divine and human natures of Christ. It is a truth revealed in Scripture that we accept by faith.
In summary, while fully God, Jesus added sinless human nature to Himself at the Incarnation. He retained all His divine qualities and voluntarily limited His use of them at times. This allowed Him to fully identify with humanity as the perfect God-Man and Mediator.
Bible Verses Supporting the Deity of Christ
Here is a selection of Bible verses that teach the deity of Jesus Christ:
- Isaiah 9:6 – A child will be born who will be called “Mighty God.”
- John 1:1 – “The Word was God.” The Word refers to Jesus.
- John 5:17-18 – Jesus claimed equality with God and the Jews sought to kill Him for it.
- John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was born, I am.” Jesus claimed to be the eternal I AM.
- John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”
- John 20:28 – Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God.”
- Romans 9:5 – Paul calls Jesus “Christ, who is God over all.”
- Philippians 2:5-8 – Jesus was “in very nature God” but took on humanity.
- Colossians 2:9 – “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
- Titus 2:13 – “…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
- Hebrews 1:8 – “About the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever.'”
- 2 Peter 1:1 – “Our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
- 1 John 5:20 – “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
These verses provide powerful and clear evidence that Jesus Christ is God. They reflect the understanding of Christ held by the apostles and the early church.
Objections to the Deity of Christ Answered
Despite ample biblical testimony to Christ’s divinity, some still object. Let’s look at some common objections:
- Jesus never claimed to be God. This is false. Jesus repeatedly claimed divine names and attributes for Himself (John 8:58, 10:30, etc.). His claims were so clear that the Jewish leaders sought to kill Him for blasphemy.
- Jesus was just a good moral teacher. C.S. Lewis said this is not possible. If Jesus falsely claimed to be God, He could not be a good moral teacher. His claims to divinity were unmistakable.
- Jesus was only a man whom God adopted. This adoptionist view contradicts many passages speaking of Jesus’ eternal divine nature and His equality with the Father (Phil. 2:5-8, Col. 1:15-20, etc.).
- Jesus was a lesser god or angel. This view demeans Christ’s clear claims to divinity. It was also condemned as the heresy of Arianism in the fourth century. Angels and lesser gods are created beings, but Jesus is the uncreated eternal Son.
- The deity of Christ was invented centuries after Jesus. This is false. The early church fathers strongly defended Christ’s divinity against heresies. And the New Testament was complete by the end of the first century.
In summary, all major objections to Christ’s deity contradict explicit biblical testimony about Jesus. We must accept the biblical presentation of Christ as God the Son who added humanity to His deity.
The Purpose and Significance of Christ’s Deity
Given that Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is God, why does Christ’s divinity matter? Here are some reasons:
- It testifies to the authority and truthfulness of Jesus’ teaching. He spoke on earth with the full authority of God.
- It gives value to Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. Only a perfect and infinite God could bear the sins of the world.
- It shows that God understands our human struggles, having experienced them firsthand. Jesus is the compassionate high priest who intercedes for us (Hebrews 4:15-16).
- It inspires awe and worship. The Creator of the universe loves us enough to become one of us and die for us! This elicits praise.
- It means we can have confidence in Christ’s power. He has power over sickness, sin, death, and everything through His divine authority.
- It gives assurance of our future resurrection. Because He lives forever, He has authority to grant eternal life to believers (John 11:25).
- It enables us to have a relationship with God. Jesus is Emmanuel – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). He is God in the flesh who we can know personally!
Christ’s deity is vital to the gospel. As God the Son incarnate, Jesus is an all-sufficient Savior. Recognizing Him as Lord and God elicits faith, worship, and obedience to His Lordship.
Practical Implications of Believing in Christ’s Deity
Recognizing the deity of Christ should transform how we think and live. Here are some practical implications:
- We worship Jesus as Lord because He is God (John 20:28). We pray to Him and honor Him as we would the Father.
- We have reverent fear of Jesus because He is God. We dare not use His name loosely or ignore His commands.
- We trust in Christ’s power and rely on His grace every day. He is able to help, save and sustain us through anything because He is all-powerful.
- We obey Christ’s teachings with joy and willingness. We can fully trust the words of the perfect, all-wise God.
- We make Christ the absolute Lord of our lives in everything. He is the rightful Lord as God and we submit all to Him.
- We are devoted to Christ’s glory and not our own. He alone deserves all glory, honor and praise as our Creator and Redeemer.
- We have boldness and confidence before God because of Christ. We come to the Father through the mediation of His Son.
- We share the gospel boldly because it is the only way to know the true God. No one comes to the Father but through the Son (John 14:6).
Recognizing Christ as God impacts every area of life. It humbles us, emboldens our faith, increases devotion, and encourages sharing our faith. Worship and obey Jesus as Lord and God!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible presents Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man. While God is one in essence, He exists eternally as three co-equal divine Persons – the Father, Son, and Spirit. Jesus claimed equality with God, possessed divine attributes, and received worship as God. His earliest followers believed Christ to be God. This was foundational to the growth of the early church.
Believing in Christ’s deity has enormous significance. It gives authority to His teachings, value to His atonement, assurance of our resurrection, and enables us to know God personally. Jesus can be our all-sympathetic High Priest and all-powerful Lord. Recognizing the deity of Jesus impacts how we live, worship, trust God, and share the gospel.
So in summary, while the Trinity is hard to fully comprehend, Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is God. When we accepted Christ’s divinity, we gain an understanding of God and salvation that enables us to live victoriously for God’s glory.