Divinity of Jesus Christ

The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ’s divinity

Hebrews 1:8 NIV

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

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 NIV

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God 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 NIV

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been 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 NIV

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

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 NIV

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

He is before all things, and in him all things hold 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 NIV

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was 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 NIV

Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!

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 NIV

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty 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 NIV

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 NIV

In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, 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 NIV

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

See also Lk 7:47–48

Jesus Christ’s actions imply his divinity

Matthew 8:26–27 NIV

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

See also Mt 12:8; Lk 8:39

Jesus Christ’s resurrection confirms his divinity

Acts 2:36 NIV

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

See also Ro 1:4; Php 2:9–11