Divinity of Jesus Christ

The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ’s divinity

Hebrews 1:8 NLT

But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.

See also Ps 45:6; Jn 1:1–2; Jn 1:18; Ro 9:5 NIV footnote has alternative translations: “Christ who is over all. God be for ever praised!” Or: “Christ. God who is over all be for ever praised!”; Php 2:6; Tt 2:13; 2 Pe 1:1

Statements which imply Jesus Christ’s divinity

Matthew 1:23 NLT

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”

See also Is 7:14; Lk 1:35; Col 1:15; Col 2:2; Col 2:9; 1 Ti 1:17; 1 Jn 5:20

Jesus Christ’s names and titles point to his divinity

Jesus Christ as judge

Jn 5:27 In the OT, final responsibility for judgment is assigned to God.

See also Mt 25:31–33; Mk 8:38; Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16; 2 Co 5:10

Jesus Christ as “I am”

Jn 11:25 “I am” is the meaning of God’s name in the OT (see Ex 3:14).

See also Jn 6:35; Jn 8:12; Jn 10:7; Jn 10:11; Jn 14:6; Jn 15:1; Jn 18:5–6

Jesus Christ as Saviour

Ac 5:31 According to the OT, God alone can save.

See also Ac 4:12; Eph 5:23; Heb 7:25

Jesus Christ as Lord

Ro 10:9 “Lord” was equivalent to God’s name in the OT.

See also Lk 1:43; Lk 2:11; Jn 13:13; 1 Co 12:3; 2 Co 4:5; Re 19:16

Jesus Christ as creator

Colossians 1:16 NLT

for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

See also Jn 1:3; Jn 1:10; Ac 3:15; Ro 11:36; 1 Co 8:6; Heb 1:2; Heb 1:10; Ps 102:25

Jesus Christ as shepherd

Heb 13:20 “Shepherd” was a well-known OT name for God.

See also Jn 10:11–16; 1 Pe 2:25; 1 Pe 5:4

Those who recognised Jesus Christ’s divinity

The disciples

John 20:28 NLT

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

See also Mt 16:16

The demons

Mk 3:11; Lk 4:41

The consequences of recognising Jesus Christ’s divinity

Jesus Christ is worshipped as God

Lk 24:52 The fact that no-one but God may be worshipped is fundamental to Judaism.

See also Mt 2:11; Mt 28:9; Mt 28:17; Jn 9:38; 2 Ti 4:18; 2 Pe 3:18; Re 1:5–6; Re 5:12–13; Re 7:10

Prayer is addressed to Jesus Christ

Ac 7:59–60; Ac 9:13; 1 Co 16:22; Re 22:20

Jesus Christ’s unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead

Matthew 28:19 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

See also Jn 14:16; 2 Co 13:14; Eph 1:13–14; Eph 2:18; Eph 2:22; Eph 3:14–17; Eph 4:4–6

Jesus Christ’s eternal nature indicates his divinity

Jesus Christ precedes creation

Colossians 1:17 NLT

He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

See also Mic 5:2; Jn 17:5; Jn 17:24; 2 Ti 1:9; 1 Pe 1:20; 1 Jn 1:1; 1 Jn 2:13

Jesus Christ is everlasting

John 8:58 NLT

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!”

See also Heb 1:12; Ps 102:27; Heb 7:3; Heb 7:24; Heb 13:8; Re 1:8; Re 5:13; Re 22:13

Jesus Christ’s pre-existence indicates his divinity

John 6:62 NLT

Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?

See also Jn 3:13; Jn 3:31; Jn 6:41–42; Jn 13:3; Jn 16:28

Jesus Christ’s manifestation of God’s glory indicates his divinity

Hebrews 1:3 NLT

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

See also Mt 17:2; Jn 1:14; 1 Co 2:8; 2 Co 4:4; Jas 2:1

Jesus Christ’s divinity in the OT

The divinity of the coming Messiah

Is 9:6; Is 40:3; Je 23:6; Mal 3:1

NT passages which apply OT passages about God to Jesus Christ

Romans 10:13 NLT

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

See also Joe 2:32; Jn 12:40–41; Is 6:10; Ro 9:33; Is 8:14; Eph 4:8; Ps 68:18

Jesus Christ’s claims to divinity

He claimed to be one with the Father

John 5:17–18 NLT

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.

See also Jn 10:30–33; Jn 10:36–38; Jn 12:45; Jn 14:7; Jn 14:9–11; Jn 17:11; Jn 17:21

He demonstrated his authority to forgive sin

Luke 5:20–24 NLT

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

See also Lk 7:47–48

Jesus Christ’s actions imply his divinity

Matthew 8:26–27 NLT

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

See also Mt 12:8; Lk 8:39

Jesus Christ’s resurrection confirms his divinity

Acts 2:36 NLT

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

See also Ro 1:4; Php 2:9–11