Trinity Study Part 3 – Jesus Christ IS God

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this study, we have seen a clear biblical teaching that there is only ONE God and that there are certainly some clues that indicate that there is a possibility that God, though He is ONE God, may exist as more than one “person”.  In this portion of the study, I want to look at the biblical concept of God being the Father of Jesus Christ.  Additionally, we will look at texts that identify Christ as God.  Scriptures quoted will be in NASB unless otherwise stated.  In this section of the study, I will quote the original language (mostly Greek) on several occasions.  These are quoted not with the original characters, but rather with the transliterations (letter by letter translation).  However, many of these transliterations use characters that I do not know how to reproduce with my U.S. English keyboard, so some of these are not perfectly displayed.  An example of this is that often the Greek letter that is translated as a symbol that looks like a “long e” (“e” with a line over it) will often be represented here with just the letter “e”.  Please give me the latitude for this issue, as it is not intended to be misleading, but is, rather, a shortcoming on my part in terms of my ability to reproduce a proper transliteration.  Thanks….

First, let's look at a couple of passages that explicitly state that God is the Father of Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 8:6 – yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

God is the Father
John 17:1 – Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,

Jesus refers to God as his Father and to himself as his Son
John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

There are NUMEROUS references that explicitly state that Jesus is the Son of God (the Father)  
There are many references that use the phrase (or similar) “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2 Corinthians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

1 Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

Each of these 3 verses use exactly the same Greek words.  These are all translated the same way in English.  The word for Father is “Pater”.  This word is used 418 times in the New Testament.  Let's look first at the Strong's Concordance word number 3962.

Short Definition: father, Father, ancestor
Definition: father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior.
3962 patḗr – father; one who imparts life and is committed to it; a progenitor, bringing into being to pass on the potential for likeness.
3962 /patḗr ("father") is used of our heavenly Father. He imparts life, from physical birth to the gift of eternal life through the second birth (regeneration, being born again). Through ongoing sanctification, the believer more and more resembles their heavenly Father – i.e. each time they receive faith from Him and obey it, which results in their unique glorification.
[3962 /patḗr ("father") refers to a begetter, originator, progenitor – one in "intimate connection and relationship" (Gesenius). Just as in the NT, the OT never speaks of universal fatherhood of God toward men

This word, then, is used of God as the Father of Jesus, as our heavenly Father and when referring to Abraham as the Father of the Jews.
Here is a SHORT list of places it is used.  Be aware there are MANY (over 400)

Matthew 5:8, Matthew 6:4, Matthew 6:6, Matthew 10:21-23, Mark 9:24, Mark 11:25, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 11:25, Luke 23:46, Matthew 3:9, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 8:21

God, then, is Father to Jesus.  Because of Jesus, he is Father to us as well.

Jesus Christ is God

• Explicitly stated
• Isaiah 9:6 – For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
• Isaiah 10:20-22 – Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.  A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.  For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return; A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.

   

  • The language of Isaiah 9:6-7 refers to the ideal King of Israel (i.e., the Messianic hope) in terms that can be read as God's Presence embodied on earth.  There are some translators that render “El Gibbor” as “mighty hero” instead of “Mighty God”. This is inconsistent translation of the same word, in that it is referring to the coming Christ in both 9:6 and 10:21 (highlighted above).  Also note that the same word is used in Ezekiel 32:21, but it is not in the same context, as this verse is referring to false gods.  “El Gibbor” (Mighty God) is clearly a title for the Holy One of Israel – The Messiah, Jesus Christ  (See also: Isaiah 10:20-21; Psalm 24:8)
  • The word “pele” in “pele yo'etz” (wonderful counselor) is used in Judges 13:18 regarding the name of the Angel of the LORD (who in verse 22 is identified as God)

     

    • Judges 13:18 – But the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is [a]wonderful?”
    • The footnote here notes "wonderful" could also mean "incomprehensible"
    • Judges 13:22 – So Manoah said to his wife, “We will surely die, for we have seen God.”
  • “Avi'ad” (Eternal Father or Father of eternity) refers to God as “Avinu Malkenu” (For other references see Isaiah 63:16, 1 Chron. 29:10; Psalm 68:5; Mal. 2:10)
  • “Sar Shalom” (Prince of Peace),

     

    • Judges 6:24 refer to "the Name of God as Peace"

       

      • Judges 6:24 – Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it [a]The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

         

        • Footnote: Heb Yahweh-shalom
  • It is clear, that these terms are designations for the LORD God of Israel and not merely that of a human being.
• John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

   

  • Even if Jesus is here called "a god" (as some have argued), since there is only one God, Jesus is that God.  However, the "a god" rendering is incorrect. Other passages using the Greek word for God (theos) in the same construction are always rendered "God":

     

    • Mark 12:27 -He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.
    • Luke 20:38 – Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.
    • John 8:54 – Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’;
    • Philippians 2:13 – for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
    • Hebrews 11:16 – But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
  • Passages in which a shift occurs from “ho theos” ("the God") to “theos” ("God") never imply a shift in meaning  An example of this shift is found in John 3:2 – this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

     

    • In the original language the words rendered as "come from God" are "apo theou elelythas" (literally "from God you have come").  The second time the words rendered as "..unless God is with him" are "ho theos met' autou" (literally "God with him").  Both instances are translated as "God" – a masquline singular noun as in a name.
    • Other examples can be found in John 13:3; Rom. 1:21; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:14; 1 Peter 4:10-11
• John 1:1 in a literal translation reads thus:  "In beginning was the word, and the word was with the God, and God was the word."

   

  • "In beginning was the word . . . " (en arche en ho logos)

     

    • The Word existed in the beginning
  • "and the word was with the God . . . " (kai ho logos en pros ton theon)

     

    • That same Word was with God
  • "and God was the word." (kai theos en   ho  logos)

     

    • This same Word was God.
    • The correct English translation is " . . . and the Word was God" and not "and God was the word."  

       

      • This is because if there is only one definite article ("ho"="the") in a clause where two nouns are in the nominative ("subject") form ("theos" and "logos"), then the noun with the definite article ("ho"="the") is the subject.
      • In this case "ho logos" means that "the word" is the subject of the clause. Therefore, " . . . the Word was God" is the correct translation and not "God was the Word."
• John 1:18 – No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

   

  • The word “monogenes” (Strong's word 3439) is frequently rendered "only-begotten," actually means "one of a kind," "unique," though in the NT always in the context of a son or daughter.  Even if one translates "only-begotten," the idea is not of a "begotten god" as opposed to an "unbegotten god", rather it is a reference to the uniqueness of the object discussed. 
• John 20:28-29 – Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

   

  • Note that Christ's response indicates that Thomas' acclamation was not wrong.
  • The literal translation of Thomas' statement is "The Lord of me and the God of me" ("ho kyrios mou kai ho theos mou")

     

    • Compare Rev. 4:11 –  “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

       

      • The same construction is used in the plural ("our") instead of the singular ("my"). "ho Kryios kai ho theos hemon" translated as "our Lord and Our God"
    • Compare John 20:17 – Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"

       

      • This does show that the Father was Jesus' "God" (due to Jesus becoming a man), but the words "my God" as spoken by Thomas later in the same chapter must mean no less than in v. 17. Thus, what the Father is to Jesus in His humanity, Jesus is to Thomas (and therefore to us as well).
• Acts 20:28 -Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

   

  • The New World Translation (Jehovah's Witness translation referred hereafter as "NWT") translates the latter portion of this verse as: "…to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son", but these words do not appear in the original language (the reference to the Son).

     

    • Original language is: "poimainein" (to shepherd) "ten" (the) "ekklesian" (church) "tou theou" (of God) "hen" (which) "periepoiesato" (he purchased) "dia" (with) "tou haimatos" (blood or "the blood") "tou" (the) "idiou" (own)
    • Original (without inline English): "poimainein ten ekklesian tou theou hen periepoiesato dia tou haimatos tou idiou"
    • Word by word English translation: "to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with blood the own”
    • Any rendering that includes a reference to the blood of the son is an attempt to evade the startling clarity and meaning of this passage.
• Titus 2:13 – looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus

   

  • Another possible rendering of "our great God and Savior" would be "the great God and our Savior"  In either rendering this is one of the strongest proof-texts for the deity of Christ.
  • It is important to understand Granville Sharp's first rule of Greek Exegesis to properly understand why the translation “our” is correct and why both "great God" and "Savior" both refer to the same person, Christ Jesus.  This is a key to understanding WHY this text leaves no doubt that Paul believed Jesus Christ was God.

     

    • Here is the rule: "When the copulative kai connects two nouns of the same case, [viz. nouns (either substantive or adjective, or participles) of personal description respecting office, dignity, affinity, or connection, and attributes, properties, or qualities, good or ill,] if the article ho, or any of its cases, precedes the first of the said nouns or participles, and is not repeated before the second noun or participle, the latter always relates to the same person that is expressed or described by the first noun or participle: i.e. it denotes farther description of the first-named person"
  • The original Greek is as follows: “tou megalou theou kai soteros hemon Christou Iesou”
  • Literal translation (word for word): “of the great God and Savior of us Christ Jesus”

     

    • Here, “tou” is a form of the definite article “ho” and this precedes “megalou theou kai soteros” – two nouns of the same case.  The word “hemon” means “of us”.  Following Sharp's first rule, then, would render this phrase “of our Great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” AND it means that without doubt, both “Great God” and “Savior” refer to the same person, “Christ Jesus”.
  • Note also that Paul always uses the word "manifestation" ("appearing") of Christ: 2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2. Tim. 1:10; 4:1, 8
  • As a sidebar to Sharp's rule, Daniel Wallace modified the rule to read, “In native Greek constructions (i.e., not translation Greek), when a single article modifies two substantives connected by καί (thus, article-substantive-καί-substantive), when both substantives are (1) singular (both grammatically and semantically), (2) personal, (3) and common nouns (not proper names or ordinals), they have the same referent”. Even with this modification to the rule, Titus 2:13, still fits the form described in the rule.
• Hebrews 1:8 – But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.

   

  • NWT renders "Your throne, O God.." as "God is your throne,", but this does not make sense at all.  God is not a throne, He is the one who sits on the throne! If you take "God is your throne," to mean God is the source of one's rule, this could be said about any angelic ruler – but Hebrews 1 is arguing that Jesus is superior to the angels.  The NWT rendering is confusing at best and misleading at worst, whether this is intentionally misleading or not.
• 2 Peter 1:1 – Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

   

  • The same construction is used here as in Titus 2:13
  • Also 2 Peter 1:11 –  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
  • And 2 Peter 2:20 – For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
  • And 2 Peter 3:2 – that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
  • And 2 Peter 3:18 – but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
• 1 John 5:20 – And we know 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, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

   

  • Note that the most obvious antecedent for "this" is Jesus Christ.
  • Also note that the "eternal life" is Christ, as can be seen from 1 John 1:2.

     

    • 1 John 1:2 – and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

There are MANY more references to Jesus Christ as God in the New Testament.  Here I have listed and studied only a few of these.  From just these few verses, it is clear that Paul, Peter and John believed in the deity of Jesus Christ.  Let's look at a few further details for who the bible says Jesus is:

Jesus is Jehovah/Yahweh

• Rom. 10:9-13 -9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

   

  • Note the repeated "for," which links these verses closely together. The "Lord" of 10:13 must be the "Lord" of 10:9, 12
• Philippians 2:9-11 – 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

   

  • In context, the "name that is above every name" is "Lord" (vs. 11), i.e., Jehovah
  • The word used here of Christ is “KYRIOS”, translated as “Lord”.  

     

    • The meaning of this word in the original Greek paints a much stronger picture than the English translation.  This word used of Jesus indicated his special place as Messiah, in which he is an owner of mankind.  
    • Note, also, that the word is used by Thomas in John 20:28 when he refers to Jesus as “the Lord of me..”.  Thomas was recognizing that Jesus death and resurrection had purchased himself (Thomas) and that Thomas' right of ownership had passed to the risen Lord and God.
• Heb. 1:10 – And, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands;

   

  • Here God the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," (continued from Hebrews: 1:8) in a quotation from Psalm 102:25 (cf. 102:24, where the person addressed is called "God").

     

    • Psalm 102:24-25 – 24 I say, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, Your years are throughout all generations.  25 “Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
  • Since here the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," this cannot be explained away as a text in which a creature addresses Christ as God/Lord in a merely representational sense
• 1 Peter 2:3-8 – 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.  4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

   

  • Verse 3 is a reference to Psalm 34:8a, “O taste and see that the Lord is good:”, where “Lord” is Jehovah.
  • A careful reading of verses 4-8 make it clear that “the Lord” in verse 3 is Jesus.

Texts where Jesus is spoken of as the "one Lord"

• Jesus quotes Deut. 6:4 in Mark 12:29 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”
• 1 Corinthians 8:6 – yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
• Ephesians 4:4-6 – There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
• Romans 10:12 –  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
• 1 Corinthians 12:5 – And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
• There is only one God in the scriptures and his name is Jehovah.  There are numerous references to Jesus as Lord and these references are clear references to the “one Lord” (Jehovah).  He is even addressed by God as “Lord”, which clearly indicates exactly who Jesus is.

Jesus is given the titles of God
Titles that rightfully belong only to God

• The first and the last

   

  • Revelation 1:17 – When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

     

    • This passage is clearly referring to the risen Jesus Christ
  • Revelation 22:13 – I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

     

    • Jesus speaking of himself as the first and the last
  • Isaiah 44:6 – "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.

     

    • Here, Yahweh (Jehovah) claims the title of the first and the last for himself and his Redeemer (the Christ).
    • It is important to note that in this text, Jehovah (“LORD”) refers to himself in terms that includes Jesus (“his Redeemer”) and claims the title of “first and last” in singular terminology (“I am…”).
• King of kings and Lord of lords

   

  • 1 Timothy 6:14-15 – 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

     

    • Here, Paul assigns the title to Jesus Christ of “the blessed and only Sovereign…”
  • Revelation 17:14 – These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

     

    • Here, the angel that was speaking to John called “the Lamb” (Jesus) Lord of lords and King of kings
  • Revelation 19:16 – And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

     

    • Here, the title is inscribed upon the garments of Jesus as he goes forth on a white horse
• Titles which belong only to God in the ultimate sense

   

  • Savior

     

    • Luke 2:11 – for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
    • John 4:42 – and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
    • 1 John 4:14 –  We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
    • Titus 2:13 – looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
    • Titus 2:10 –  not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
    • Isaiah 43:11 – “I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me.

       

      • Although the New Testament calls Christ the savior, here, Jehovah makes the claim that there is no savior besides himself.  This can only mean that either Christ is God or that one of them cannot be the savior.
    • Isaiah 45:21-22 – “Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the Lord?  And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me.  “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.

       

      • Again, Jesus MUST be God in order to be given the title of Savior.
    • 1 Timothy 4:10 – For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
• Jesus is the source of salvation

   

  • Hebrews 5:9 – And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,
  • Exodus 15:2 – “The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.
  • Psalm 118:14,21 – 14 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.   21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my salvation.
  • New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ is the source of salvation.  Old Testament teaches that Jehovah is the source of salvation.  It must be true, therefore, that Jesus and Jehovah are the same God.
• Shepherd

   

  • John 10:11 –  “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

     

    • Jesus speaking of himself as the good shepherd
  • Hebrews 13:20 – Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

     

    • Here the author of Hebrews (likely to be Paul) speaks of Jesus as the great Shepherd
  • Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

     

    • David referring to Jehovah as shepherd
  • Isaiah 40:11 – Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

     

    • In verse 9, Isaiah is directed to say to Israel, “Here is your God!”.  This comparison of God as a shepherd follows this declaration.
• Rock

   

  • 1 Corinthians 10:4 – and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.

     

    • A footnote indicates that “Christ” is the Messiah.
  • Isaiah 44:8 – ‘Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses.  Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock?  I know of none.’”

     

    • Verse 6 begins this statement from God with “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:”
  • 1 Corinthians 10:4 and Isaiah 44:8, when taken together, indicate that the Messiah is, indeed, God

Jesus received the honors due to God alone

• Honor:

   

  • John 5:23  –  so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
• Love:

   

  • Matthew 10:37 – “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
• Prayer:

   

  • John 14:14 – If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

     

    • Some have speculated that this verse does not say we are to pray to Jesus.  However, it is Jesus speaking these words:

       

      • ean (if) ti (anything) aitesete (you ask) me (me) en (in) to (the) onomati (name) mou (of me) ego (I) poieso (will do [it]).
      • Greek original: ean ti aitesete me en to onomati mou ego poieso
      • English word by word: if anything you ask me in the name of me I will do [it].
      • A proper English translation would be: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
    • From the text, it is clear that it is Jesus who answers the prayer, even if it is not 100% clear the prayer is directed AT Jesus (though it is clear to me that it is)
  • Acts 7:59-60 – They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”  Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

     

    • This is a very specific instance in which Stephen prayed directly to Jesus.
    • Also note that the word “kurios” is the word translated as Lord.  The particular form of the word used here is always used when addressing a prayer to God.  The particular part of speech for this word in context is a Masculine Noun in the Vocative case.  In other words, Stephen is addressing God, however, this is a continuation of his conversation with Jesus.
    • Luke 23:34 – But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

       

      • The language structure here is completely different than that which is found in Acts 7:60, as Jesus called on his Father (“pater”).  The reason I included this verse is that here, Jesus is asking for his father to forgive their sin.  Which is what Stephen asked of Jesus.
    • Luke 23:46 – And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

       

      • Again, the language here is different than that used by Stephen.  In both Luke 23:34 and 23:46, Jesus addressed the Father, which Stephen was addressing Jesus in both instances in his prayer.
  • Romans 10:12-13 – For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

     

    • This is a continuation of the teaching that begins in verse 9 where Jesus is the subject of the conversation
    • Verse 13 is a quote from Joel 2:32 where “Lord” is Yahweh.  Paul is quoting this verse and naming Christ to be Yahweh as well
    • “call on Him” and “call on the name of…” is an instruction to pray to him for salvation
  • 1 Corinthians 1:2 – To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

     

    • “…call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” is prayer to Jesus
  • 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 – 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

     

    • Paul "…implored the Lord..", who is clearly Jesus from the text in verse 9.
  • There are numerous other examples of prayer directed to Jesus in the New Testament.  This prayer is clearly acceptable to him, and is even commanded.
• Worship (proskuneo): The word “proskuneo” means “worshiper” or “adorer”

   

  • Matthew 28:16-17 – 16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

     

    • Greek: kai idontes auton proekynesan hoi de edistasan
    • English literal: and having seen him they worshiped some however doubted
    • Proekynesan is the Strong's word 4352
      proskuneó: to do reverence to
      Original Word: προσκυνέω
      Part of Speech: Verb
      Transliteration: proskuneó
      Phonetic Spelling: (pros-koo-neh'-o)
      Short Definition: I worship
      Definition: I go down on my knees to, do obeisance to, worship.

       

      From “pros” and a probable derivative of “kuon” (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore) — worship.

  • Hebrews 1:6 – And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.”

     

    • Psalm 97:7 – Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, Who boast themselves of idols; Worship Him, all you gods.

       

      • Note that the last word “gods” here is not calling angels as gods.  Rather, it is a poetic reference to how they name themselves as “gods”
    • Deuteronomy 32:43 – "Rejoice, O nations, with His people;For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people."
    • It is unclear whether the writer of Hebrews was referring to Psalm 97:7 or Deuteronomy 32:43 in this quote.  

       

      • Some of the original texts of Deuteronomy include 2 lines before the above quote.  These 2 lines are, “Rejoice with him, you heavens, and let all of God’s angels worship him.”  
      • The Masoretic Text does not include these 2 lines, however the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date much earlier than the Masoretic Text, DOES include these lines.
  • Matthew 4:10 – Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"

     

    • Although Jesus accepted the worship of the disciples and angels, as seen above, worship of God alone is the scriptural edict.  The only way to resolve this seeming contradiction is to understand Jesus is God.
• Faith

   

  • John 3:16 –  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
  • Here, as in the following verses, we are told that we are to place our faith in Christ.  Faith is something reserved for God alone.  Another indicator that Jesus is, himself, God
  • John 14:1 – Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

     

    • Original Greek: Mē tarassesthō hymōn hē kardia pisteuete eis ton Theon kai eis eme pisteuete
    • Word for word: not let be trouble of you the heart you believe in God also on me believe

       

      • The words Jesus spoke to the Disciples on this occasion are carefully chosen.  He is instructing them to believe (have faith) in Himself (Jesus) in the same manner that they believe (have faith) in God.  This is one of the most clear claims of Jesus that he is equal with God in every respect

In this section, we have begun to dig into the scriptures that make the claim that Jesus Christ is God.  We have looked at the language chosen by just 3 New Testament authors (John, Peter and Paul) and those language choices make it abundantly clear that THEY believed Jesus and God were one in the same.  It should be noted that this is the primary reason that Paul was chased out of the temples in so many cities (this belief and preaching this truth).  This is the key “heresy” (from the perspective of the Jewish rulers) that Paul was guilty of.  Furthermore, we have compared some Old and New Testament claims of Jehovah and the Christ and found them to be the same claims.  Not only titles, but also honors  due to God alone, are given to Jesus Christ.  In the next section, we will dig a bit deeper into the idea of Jesus Christ as God.

This is the last installment of this series for a while.  This is, for me, one of the most fascinating studies I have ever done.  It is certainly the most in-depth study I have ever done.  There is SO MUCH MORE to learn about my loving Savior, Jesus Christ.  The deeper I go, the more I realize just how little I truly understand about him. To date, I have included a LOT of information about God, the Father as well as God, the Son.  While there are several bits of "proof" that I have not, yet, covered, just this portion should help you to understand exactly who Jesus is.  

Some of the things I have learned from this study are:

• The bible is VERY clear in it's teaching that there is ONLY ONE GOD
• The bible is VERY clear in it's teaching that God is three unique persons
• The authors of both old and new testament letters/books make it clear from their word choices that THEY believed in a triune God
• I have learned that by looking at original language, while VERY difficult for an untrained laymen like me, will give me a MUCH deeper understanding of the meaning of God's word

I have learned a new way to study God's word and am thankful that God called me to study about the nature of who he is in this way.  I pray that my findings are a blessing to you as well.  Be sure to share this study with anyone who you think may find it useful.

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