Christ's Deity Defended

Grace to You.org ^ | 1997 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“[Christ] existed in the form of God” (Philippians 2:6).

Scripture makes clear that Christ is God.

The deity of Christ is the heart of the Christian faith. Inevitably when people attack the Christian faith, they attack the deity of Christ. Scripture makes clear, however, that such attacks are unfounded. The apostle John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he began his Gospel by affirming the deity of Christ. John further declared Christ’s deity when he wrote, “All things came into being through [Christ], and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men” (vv. 3-4). In John 8:58 Jesus said, “Before Abraham was born, I AM.” Jesus appropriated to Himself the name of God, who said, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3:14).

In Colossians 1:15-17 the apostle Paul wrote of Christ’s deity: “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Christ is God, the Creator. The writer of Hebrews says, “[Christ] is the radiance of [God’s] glory and the exact representation of His nature” (1:3). Christianity begins with the recognition that Jesus Christ is in essence the eternal God.

Whenever someone confronts you by attacking the deity of Christ, be sure to defend the faith, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching” (Titus 1:9).

Suggestions for Prayer

At the core of defending God’s Word is an accurate interpretation of Scripture. Ask Him to help you interpret His Word accurately (see 2 Tim. 2:15).

For Further Study

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word,” which undoubtedly reminded John’s readers of Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” What do the following verses demonstrate about Christ: 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:19; Hebrews 1:1-2?

[Mr. M.J.B.]

By the way, there is no greater connection to HaShem than a Jew praying *directly* to Him.

Israel and the nations.

Jerusalem.

etc.

Usurpation and replacement and additions can not and never will, alter that.

[Zuriel]

I guess that means that you really don’t believe that the Father is literally in Christ doing the works.

But that is how Jesus Christ is the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

[MHGinTN]

Did you understand the post at #58?

[Zuriel]

Me thinks that you do too much interpreting.

Jesus told Nathanael that he would see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. Later, Jesus would explain to his disciples that the Father was in him, giving him all power.

[MHGinTN]

JESUS, not MHG, said that when you have seen Him you have seen the Father, at least all of the Father that is seeable in our spacetime coordinate system.

[boatbums]

Hope springs eternal! ;o)

[Zuriel]

Jesus also said to his disciples that the Father was dwelling IN him doing the works.

I’m just going to take his testimony to be just what he said. When you hear his words (that are from the Father) and you see his works (that are from the Father) you are seeing all you are going to see of the Father, for God is Spirit (John 4:24,25)

[editor-surveyor]

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Does any Rabbi exist?

Not in the realm of yehova!

Every Rabbi is the figment of the imagination of a foolish man.

Yehova authorized no “great men.”

He authorized the Aronic priesthood for a particular time, but that rime ended when Yeshua made the perfect sinless sacrifice.

Today there is nothing but Torah written on the hearts of the elect, and confession of the Son among men.

It appears that you have neither.
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