Divinity of Jesus Christ

The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ’s divinity

Hebrews 1:8 HDNT (ESV)

But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever , the scepter of uprightness is 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 HDNT (ESV)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name 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 HDNT (ESV)

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were 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 HDNT (ESV)

Thomas answered 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 HDNT (ESV)

Go therefore 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 HDNT (ESV)

And 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 HDNT (ESV)

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, 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 HDNT (ESV)

Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending 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 HDNT (ESV)

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

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 HDNT (ESV)

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 HDNT (ESV)

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because 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 HDNT (ESV)

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— he said to the man who was paralyzed— “I say to you, rise , pick up your bed and go home.”

See also Lk 7:47–48

Jesus Christ’s actions imply his divinity

Matthew 8:26–27 HDNT (ESV)

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

See also Mt 12:8; Lk 8:39

Jesus Christ’s resurrection confirms his divinity

Acts 2:36 HDNT (ESV)

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

See also Ro 1:4; Php 2:9–11