Jesus is God...Part 2

In the first part of this discussion on the Deity of Jesus Christ, much Scriptural evidence has been examined in coming to the conclusion that Jesus is in fact God. With Scripture as the foundation, there are also several ramifications of the Christian faith if this crucial doctrine is not true...

1. The Authority of Scripture is compromised. If Jesus Christ is not God Himself in flesh, then the authority of Scripture is largely compromised. In addition to the many passages and claims discussed in the former discussion, the Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). The Word is a recurring title of Christ by John (1 John 1:1). Paul also writes in his letter to the Colossians, “For in Him [Christ], all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9) These passages are very clear in their teaching. The deity of Christ is not an implication, but rather a declaration by the words of Scripture. If Jesus is not God, then the veracity of the Bible is compromised and illegitimatized.

2. Jesus Christ died for a lie. When Jesus is standing before the Sanhedrin after His arrest, the High Priest Caiaphas asks Jesus to assert His identity. After Jesus answers with an affirmation of Deity, Caiaphas becomes indignant and replies, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses. Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” (see Matthew 26:59-65). Just in case we may want to think that maybe Jesus really did not assert Himself as being God, the religious leaders and Jewish people certainly took Him at His Word. In a separate exchange, the Jews replied to him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make yourself out to be God” (see John 10:22-33). During this time, blasphemy was a crime of utmost punishment and it is essentially for this crime that Jesus is put to death on the cross. So, if Jesus is truly not God, then He died for a lie.

3. Our salvation is nullified. The need for salvation rests upon mankind being in improper relationship with God because He is infinitely holy and we are entirely sinful—and holiness cannot have relationship with sin. Therefore, mankind’s only hope of salvation is that someone reconciles those two parties. As a result, the salvation bearer must be able to speak to mankind on behalf of God and advocate for mankind before God. Only one who is both entirely human and Deity can make this happen. That is why Paul says, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Moreover, if Jesus is just a special man, than essentially means that salvation stems from man rather than from God.

4. The Bible teaches idolatry. This is probably the most serious of all ramifications of denying Christ’s Deity. Listen to the resounding words of God Himself. “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship or serve them…” (Exodus 20:3) He also says, “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images” (Isaiah 42:8). Yet, Jesus says, “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5). Then, at that final culmination, John records for us in the Revelation this picture of worship: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever’” (Revelation 5:12-13).

Jesus is worthy of praise, worship, and adoration because God is worthy of it. He did not die for a lie and Scripture is not a fallible document subject to the interpretation of mortal mankind. He is indeed God Almighty who has existed since the beginning and humbled Himself by coming to Earth in order to live as we live in order to sympathize with our every weakness and buy for us our redemption through His death and resurrection and is the same yesterday, today, and forever.