The Deity of Christ
The ultimate question that man must answer is the one Jesus Christ spoke
in Matthew 16:13, "Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?"
How a man answers that question will determine his eternal destiny. In this
study, we will see what the Scriptures say about Jesus Christ.
I. The Eternal Pre-existence of Christ
A. Definition: Christ has forever existed as God. He existed in eternity before He became a man on earth.
B. Biblical evidence for His pre-existence
John 1:1-3, 14 John 1: 15, 30 Colossians 1: 16 " For by Him all things
were created... John 8:58 "Before Abraham was born, I AM"
II. The Incarnation of Christ
A. Definition:
The incarnation refers to the Son of God becoming a man ("incarnate " - becoming a human being) -- John 1:14
B. The nature of the incarnation
1. Christ became incarnate through the virgin birth.
Luke 1:26-35 Matthew 1:18-25
2. When Christ became a man, He experienced a change in His position and state as God, but not in His nature.
a. He left His heavenly dwelling place (John 6:38, 42)
b. He left His heavenly possessions (2 Cor. 8:9)
He gave up the throne room of heaven (Rev. 4:1-11 for a "homeless" ministry on earth).
Luke 9:58 "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
c. He became a servant and submitted His will to the will of the Father to redeem man.
John 6:38 John 4:34 Matthew 26:42
d. He temporarily veiled His glory John 17:5 Matthew 17:1-3
1 Timothy 6:16 "who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light"
3. The purpose of the incarnation
To die as a sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26)
III. The Two Natures of Jesus Christ A. Jesus Christ has a divine nature -- He is fully God
NOTE: When the Son of God became a man, He remained the second person of the Trinity, unchanged in His divine nature and unchanged in His essential unity with the Father and the Spirit.
1. The apostles claimed that Jesus is God.
John 1: 1 Titus 2:13 2 Peter 1: 1 Colossians 2:9
2. OT indicates that the messiah would be God become a man
Isaiah 7:14 Jeremiah 23:5-6 Isaiah 9:6
3. Jesus' claims to be God
a. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God.
Mark 14:61-62 John 5:17-18 = "Son of God"
b. Jesus claimed to be one with God the Father.
John 10:30 John 14:6-11
c. Jesus accepted worship as God.
Matthew 4: 10 (Jesus says only God is to be worshipped)
John 20:25-28
d. Jesus has God's titles
1) Savior
Isaiah 43:3, 10-11 Luke 1:47 John 4:42 Titus 1:3-4 2 Peter 1: 1
2) Creator
Isaiah 40:28 Isaiah 42:5 John 1:3 Colossians 1: 16
3) Glory and Honor
Isaiah 42:8 Isaiah 48:11 John 17:1 Matthew 16:27 John 5:19-23 Revelation 5:11-14 Matthew 28:19
4) Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 Psalm 80:1 John 10:11
5) The First and the Last
Isaiah 41:4 Isaiah 44:6 Revelation 1: 17 Revelation 2:8 Revelation 22:12-16
6) King of Kings and Lord of Lords
1 Timothy 6:15 Revelation 17:14 Revelation 19:16
e. Jesus claimed to have God's authority
1) To forgive sins
Matthew 9:6 Exodus 34:6-7
2) To judge
John 5:22, 27 Genesis 18:25
3) To save
John 12:47 Isaiah 43: 11
4) To speak truth
John 5:19, 24, 25 Matthew 7:24-29
B. Jesus Christ has a human nature -- He is fully human. See The Humanity of Christ outline.