The Deity of Jesus (1)

MEMORY VERSE: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 1:1-5,14 (NKJV)

John 1:1-5

1 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 any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

INTRODUCTION: Generally, a ‘deity’ is a ‘god or goddess’ in a polytheistic religion (belief in many gods). Also, a being of divine status, quality, or nature is referred to as a deity. In the context of the Christian faith, the Deity is the Creator and Supreme Being. The argument about the Deity of Jesus Christ is common among people of other major religions (although they teach that Jesus was a prophet, a good teacher or a godly man). However, the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than the three combined (Matthew 16:13-16). Jesus is God. He is Divine.

LESSON OUTLINES

1: HIS DIVINITY

2: REASONS JESUS IS GOD

1. HIS DIVINITY

Here are some of the biblical evidences that Jesus is God:

1. Jesus is a member of the Godhead (Genesis 1:1; 26a) referred to as the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit).
2. The Bible clearly states that the Godhead resides in Jesus Christ bodily (Colossians 2:6-9).
3. God the Father refers to Jesus as God (Hebrews 1:8).
4. Old Testament prophecies of Christ announce His deity as the mighty God (Isaiah 9:6).
5. Jesus says in John 10:30 “I and My Father are one” and “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).

i. Jesus, announcing His identity as “I AM” is a direct application of the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14).

ii. Jesus receives worship several times in the Scripture (Matthew 2:11; 28:9; Luke 24:52). He never rebukes people for worshipping Him.

6. The apostles, through divine inspiration, testify that Jesus is God:

i. For instance, says “…the Word was God.” John 1:1

ii. John 1:14 says “And the Word became flesh…” This indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh.

iii. Thomas the disciple in John 20:28 declares to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” Jesus did not correct him.

iv. Apostle Paul describes Him as, “…the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

v. Apostle Peter says the same, “…of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).

2. REASONS JESUS IS GOD

A. The provision of salvation only works if Jesus is God, hence the divinity of Jesus is the reason why:

1. He is the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
2. Jesus is God incarnate, the eternal Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 22:13).
3. Jesus has the right to forgive sins. This is something only God can do (Acts 5:31; Luke 5:20-24).
4. Jesus will “judge the living and the dead,” (2 Timothy 4:1) and reward all deeds in the flesh (Rev. 22:11-12).

B. Some titles that uniquely belong to Jehovah (the formal name of God) in the Old Testament are used for Jesus:

1. For instance, “Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14; 78:35) is used for Jesus in the New Testament (Titus 2:13-14; Revelation 5:9).
2. Jesus is called Emmanuel- “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

C. Some actions that can be accomplished only by God are credited to Jesus. For instance, He created and sustains the universe (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17).

D. He possesses attributes that only God can have:

i. Eternality (John 8:58).

ii. Omnipresence (Matthew 18:20; 28:20).

iii. Omniscience (Matthew 16:21).

iv. Omnipotence (Luke 7:13-15).

CONCLUSION: Christians should not only believe in the deity of Jesus but must be bold to proclaim and defend it scripturally.

QUESTIONS:

Give some biblical evidences that Jesus is God.

Mention some attributes of Jesus that only God can have.

ASSIGNMENT: Write out five things Jesus did in your life that no man can do. (2×5=10 Marks).