The Divinity of Christ

Is Christ God? Does the Bible justify His divinity? Is Christ just a "Son of God" but as to it not a "God the Son"?

Let us look at some of the verses in the Bible that provides evidences on the divine nature of our Lord as a TRUE GOD.

First, from the prophecies of the Old Testament Prophets, Christ was already declared on His Godly divinity.

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, His name shall be called Emmanuel (i.e., God with us)" (Is. 7, 14 [Douai]);

"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is. 9, 6);

These verses clearly speaks of a child to be born by a virgin, and deny it or not, we know that the Bible tells us that the VIRGIN who GAVE BIRTH to CHILD was no other than the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY and the child was JESUS Himself (see the gospels).

A virgin shall bear a child and that child shall be called, "EMMANUEL" or "GOD IS WITH US", it is not only figuratively speaking that God has favored the "child" that it means His presence but physically, GOD IS WITHBUS, since the child that was born, who is Jesus was God. That for God so loved the world, He GAVE his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.. (John 3:16).

In the next verse from the prophet Isaiah, it is more definitive and descriptive, as the child to be born or has been born (projecting a visionary promulgation of word) was entitled with the following characteristics:

1. Authority rest on His shoulders - and we all know that Christ was vested the authority in both heaven and earth, the authority to perform miracles by Himself and to forgive sins.
Matthew 28:18 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

2. A wonderful counselor-Jesus had been a great counselor, His words of enlightenment were powerful.

In fact, Jesus demonstrated His wonderfulness in various ways when He was on the earth, and even beginning with His conception in the womb of our Blessed Mother (Matthew 1:23). He showed He is the “wonderful”, One in His power to heal (Matthew 4:23), He has amazing teaching (Mark 1:22), He has a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15), and His resurrection from the dead was a wonderful miracle(Mark 16:6). Jesus taught many wonderful things that are counterintuitive to the human mind: “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4). “Rejoice and be glad” in persecution (Matthew 5:11–12). “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). Jesus’ kind of wonderful is awe-inspiring and superior to any other kind, for He is perfect in every way (Matthew 5:48). Thus, it is a clear manifestation that Jesus was a WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, we cannot deny that evidence.

3. Mighty God - all of these verses later shall comform to this description of the child, that JESUS is GOD as the child was to be called a "MIGHTY GOD".

4. Everlasting Father-I am the Father are one . . . know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father. (John 10:30, 38)
Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? (John 14:9–10a)

5. And Prince of Peace- the Bible clearly speaks that Christ is peace, source of peace,
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Now, these are just the small but broad implications that Christ was revealed in a Godly premise.

But some will claim that Jesus was just a creation and that He did not existed from the beginning not until His conception, others said that at first He was just a plan, a concept, etc, but the Bible is clear that Jesus (the word) was already existing.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us" (St. John 1, 1-14);

Take a look, actually John wrote his gospel the way it would counter heresies most especially about the divinity of Christ,

In the BEGINNING was the WORD, the WORD was WITH GOD, and the WORD was GOD.

Let us examine these text manually, it says, IN THE BEGINNING was the WORD, (note that the Word was a proper noun starting from a CAPITAL W, not w or word which may pertains to an entity) this now proves that the WORD(Christ) was already existing, but can we prove it? Yes, the Bible also states that,

Proverbs 8:22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[a][b]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly[c] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

The Bible verses above are clear and self explanatory of the existence o Christ from the start, (God was speaking with a companion during His creation, and through Christ, all things were made) and how did a MAN existed even before the world? They should think of that.

THE WORD was with GOD, since He (Christ) was given to us (John 3:16) by (GOD) it means that HE CAME FROM GOD, more exactly from the bosom of the Father:

John 1:18 "No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known"

Clearly the Bible justify it.

And the WORD was GOD. But who is the Word? From the book of Revelation, the verse is talking about Jesus: He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13). And to support this the greatest evidence is that, when the WORD became FLESH (MAN) and DWELT AMONG US(also pertaining to the Apostles that time-testifying words.)

In this verse, the apostle is talking about Jesus whom they were able to live with during His time with them.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

This was also supported by Philippians 2:6-9 where Jesus was said to have been humbled in the form of man.

Now, is it proper to conclude that since Jesus did not declare Himself as a God then He is by all means NOT A GOD? In the following verse an understanding is needed to know that people around Jesus understand the situation that Jesus is manifesting Himself as a God.

(The Jews)"For we stone you for no good work but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God" (St. John 10, 33);

It is clear, the Jews are aware of Jesus being such in a way of "pretending to be a God" and or of committing blasphemy. As a Christian, is Jesus pretending to be a God? If that's the case Jesus is a liar and not reliable He is against God if that's the case which the Jews are trying to show, or it is He committing blasphemy? Seriously you will agree, He's not! So this comes with a wrong presumption and conclusion coming from.the Jews who misunderstood Jesus and His ministry. And from the scene itself, we can derive that it is clear that Jesus manifested a "God like" character.

Now, how about the Apostles? Is there any one of them who superbly exalt Jesus as God? The answer is yes, there is, and he was no other than Thomas, the apostle who once doubted Jesus.

So he said:
(St. Thomas)"My Lord and my God" (St. John 20, 28);

This was one of the greatest confession of faith in the Bible, a perfect doxology. But others will still disregard such and will desperately argue that Thomas was just SHOCKED! He was shocked in amazement that he was being in a state of doubt expressed it as it is! Others intellectually argued that it was a two separate clauses based on its original greek translations.

But examining the verse and the verses around it which means the events succeeding and before it, we will understand the context of the whole event.

First, it is not reasonable to conclude that Thomas was shocked since before it happened Jesus and Thomas was in was a stable conversation already, Jesus actually challenged Thomas to touched Him.

Second, Jesus always reprimand or correct His apostles every time they commit mistakes, surprisingly, He did not upbraided Thomas for his remarks, considering that it would turn into a blasphemy (is Jesus is really not God).

Third, some argues that, the LORD and GOD there were separate entities (Christ being the Lord, and the Father being the God) however it is not against it it since the LORD is GOD, and GOD is LORD. And Christ claimsed to be one with His Father.

So, therefore, the testimony of St. Thomas was as concrete as any other sound evidences.

Another verses says so:

"...to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen" (Rom. 9:5);

Note hat the texts expressed that the MESSIAH comes according to the FLESH (Being incarnate.)

But why? Is a God put the burden to Himself to become a human? It is because of humility.

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited" (Phil. 2:5-6);

The concluding verses of 7-9 explains the wholesome humility of Christ. But now let us examine the veese above, it says, CHRIST was IN A FORM OF GOD....... DID NOT REGARDED HIS EQUALITY WITH GOD (as something TO BE EXPLOITED) Some says that He was just in the form but not in substance. But it's harfer forthem to refute that in the verse, CHRIST has an (INTENDED) EQUALITY WITH GOD (BUT HE DID NOT REGARD IT) so meaning to say, even He is to be said as just a man, and since God is powerful and no one is equal to Him, THEN WHY IS IT THAT THERE WAS AN EQUALITY OF HIM (BY CHRIST) WHOM CHRIST BY MEANS OF HUMILITY DID NOT REGARD? Would GOD allow ANYONE to be in a state of EQUALITY in Him? Seriously not.

In addition, Christ wasbthe image of God, since God was described as invisible tho a part(THE INVISIBLE GOD) so, THERE MUST BE A VISIBLE GOD-Christ!

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers - all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Col. 1, 15-17);

Point 1: According to the verse, CHRIST was the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE GOD. This manifest that Jesus executesthe Godliness of His Father as He expounded:

John 14:9
"Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

Point 2: Firs born of all creation-this does not mean that He was also a creation thus the concluding verses explains it.

Point 3: because ALL THINGS were MADE/CREATED THROUGH HIM(JESUS) but why? What was the reason why all things were created created through Him? Is GOD NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH?

The answer is that, GOD IS POWERFUL ENOUGH but why He created THROUGH JESUS? It is because CHRIST IS THE POWERR AND WISDOM OF GOD!

1 Corinthians 1:24 "but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Clear! How can God create without power and wisdom? So if GOD is GOD, then HIS POWER AND WISDOM are of a GOD.

This next verse supports thee first verses of Philippians 2:6-9 and John 1:1 and John 1:14.

CHRIST BECAME MAN, THE WORD BECAME FLESH!

"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Col. 2, 9);

In a REVERSE PRESENTATION, THE FULLNESS OF BEING A DEITY (God, Divine) DWELLS( housed, staying) BODILY (in an entity, body).

Now, the next verse would be very astounding since it is the only verse in the Bible wherein the FATHER testifies to the DIVINITY of the of SON.

"But of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom" (Heb. 1, 8).

In the said verse from Hebrews, the Father was talking to the Son.

Moreover, Lord Jesus constantly applied or identified Himself the title, "Son of God," and accepted it from His followers without question meaning to say without reproof or correction:

(St. Peter) "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (St. Matt. 16:16);

(The High Priest) "Then the high priest said to him, I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have said so" (St. Matt. 26:63-64);

(St. John the Baptist) "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!...And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God" (St. John 1:29-34);

(The Blind Man) "...Dost thou believe in the Son of God? He answered, and said: Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him? And Jesus said to him: Thou hast both seen him; and it is he who talketh with thee. And He said: I believe, Lord. And falling down, he adored Him" (St. John 9:35-38 [Douai]);

(St. Martha) "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world" (St. John 11:27).

THE SON OF GOD, HIS BEGOTTEN AND ONLY SON (not us who were created) must be LIKE HIS FATHER - GOD. A dog can't produce a dove, and a cat can't bear cows.

Jesus did not only accepted the title Son of God but also gave appraisal to those who entitled or gave it to Him and he even took it before the councils, leaders and tribunals during His time and by claiming to be Son of God, the meek, humble and holy Lord Jesus Christ had placed Himself above all creatures in both heaven and earth: and greater or above the greatest fathers and prophets of the Israelites, Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, St. John the Baptist, and even all the angels; affirming His eternal existence before the creation of the world:

"Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am" (St. John 8:58).

And we know that God identified Himself as the I AM to Moses where He shall know by all generations.

Christ Jesus also assumed all the functions, acts, and the necessary and supreme attributes and characteristics of God:

"The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands" (St. John 3:35);

This has something to say with supreme authority. Jesus was given all the authority just as the above verse said at the beginning.
Same as tge next verse affirms Jesus works as that of His father.

"...whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise" (St. John 5:19);

"The Father and I are one" (St. John 10:30);

And in John 10:30, He made it clear, Jesus was not only talking about their oneness in works and deeds but as in nature with His Father.

This next verse will give a great blow to those oppp who oppose Jesus's divinity:

"If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father" (St. John 10:37-38);

Looking at the verses, the the last part clearly explains that Jesus is in communion with His Father, THE FATHER IS IN ME(WITH HIM, IN HIM, CONTAINED, UNITED, CONSUBSTANTIAL) and He (JESUS) IS ALSO IN THE FATHER). This explains how the Father and Son unites with each other as ONE.

And He added:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (St. John 14, 1);

This was expressed in a sentence directing double understanding, but since if you reject Christ you are also rejecting the one who sent Him, then so does how this verse goes.

The following passages also clearly manifest the relationship of the Father and the Son most especially when it comes to the authority and works of Jesus:

"...I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it" (St. John 14:13-14);

"Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" (St. John 14:23);

"All that the Father has is mine" (St. John 16:15).

In the Old Testament, the Father was called "the God of glory" (Ps. 29 [28], 3). While in the New Testament , the resurrected Lord is "Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:8).

The Lord’s thoughts cannot be directed or dictated(Is. 40:13), so to, no one can instruct or dictate the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). The Lord God (identified as the Father) owns the world and all her fullness and abundance (Ps. 24 [23], 1), likewise does the Lord Jesus Christ His Son (1 Cor. 10:26).

It is also eminent that while others performed miracles in the name of God, the Lord Jesus Christ gave His commands as Supreme Master, meaning with HIS OWN DICTATIONS and AUTHORITY.

Jesus commanded a dead girl even not using the name of God:
"Little girl, I say to you, arise" (St. Mark 5: 41);

So with the young man and Lazarus:
"Young man, I say to you, rise" (St. Luke 7: 14);
"Lazarus, come out" (St. John 11:43).

And just like God, He forgives sins, that's why His enemies questioned Him, since they are aware THAT ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS:

"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...Stand up, take your bed and go to your home" (St. Matt. 9:6).

In the case of St. Mary Magdalene, He forgives her with all her sins against God, as a debt contracted towards Himself. Thus people around Him especially His enemies became much furious.

Though many heretics argued that, if Christ was God, then who raised Him from the dead? They use the verses saying that GOD raised Him and so IF A GOD DID (RAISING) IT TO JESUS, THEN THERE COULD BE NO WAY THAT JESUS WAS GOD SINCE A GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD AND A GOD CANNOT DIE. BUT, Christ also declared :

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (St. John 2:19);

We know that the Temple here being referred by Christ was not the temple in Jerusalem but His body, and was manifested when He rose again after three days.

"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again" (St. John 10:18).

An John 10:18 says how Jesus had the freewill and control.

Now It is true and obvious that certain verses an passages of Scripture seem to suggest that the Son of God is inferior or lower to the Father - eg., "the Father is greater than I" (St. John 14:28) - but also we must remember that Our Lord has two natures: Jesus Christ is INFERIOR to the Father according to His HUMAN NATURE, but EQUAL to Him inn accordance to His DIVINE NATURE.

Take note: Jesus said: John 8:24 "That's why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE that," I Am who I Am."