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.