THE TRUE DEITY OF CHRIST

By Gary Ray Branscome

The words, “In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” tell us that Christ is God (John 1:1). The book of John goes on to tell us that, “All things were created by Him; and apart from Him nothing was created that was created” (verse 3), and that, “The Word [the Creator] was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (verse 14). The Bible goes on to testify to Christ’s deity by ascribing to Him:

a) The Name God. — The words, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government will be on His shoulders: and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father,” tell us that Christ is, “God” (Isaiah 9:6). So do the words, “We are in the one who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God, and eternal life” (1John 5:20). The words, “Peter answered and said, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” tell us that Christ is the “Son” of God. And, the words, “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,” tell us that Christ is not an adopted son of God, but is the “only begotten” Son (John 1:14). In the book of Hebrews we read, “To which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son, today I have begotten you?… But to the Son He says, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Hebrews 1:5,8). And, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God said, “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, when I will raise to David a righteous Branch… and this is the name by which He will be called, JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

b) Divine attributes. — The words, “Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I tell you, Before Abraham was, I am,” and the words, “O Father, glorify me at your side with the glory that I had with you before the world was,” ascribe to Christ the divine attribute of eternity (John 8:58 and 17:5). Peter’s words, “Lord, you know all things,” ascribe to Christ the attribute of omniscience (John 21:17). And, the words, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give to them eternal life; and they will never perish, neither will any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than anyone; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one,” ascribe omnipotence to Him (John 10:28-30).

c) Divine works. — The words, “For all things in heaven and earth, both visible and invisible, were created by him,” tell us that Christ is the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16). The words, “Just as the Father raises the dead, and gives them life; even so the Son gives life to whomever He will” and the words, “The hour is coming, in which all who are in the graves will hear His [Christ’s] voice, and will come out;” tell us that Christ raises the dead (John 5:21 and 28). And, the words, “This the first of miracles was performed by Jesus,” tells us that Jesus has the power to perform miracles (John 2:11).

d) Divine adoration and worship. — The words, “Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God,” tell us that Thomas honored Christ as God (John 20:28). The words, “The Father does not judge anyone, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him,” tell us that we should honor Christ in the same way we honor God (John 5:22-23). The words, “God has also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,” tell us that God wants us to bow before Christ (Philippians 2:9-10). And, the words, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being by nature God, did not see equality with God as something to be used for self-glorification, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the nature of a servant, and was born as a man,” tell us that Christ is by nature God (Philippians 2:5-7).