Divinity of Jesus Christ

The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ’s divinity

Hebrews 1:8 NRSV

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter 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 NRSV

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” 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 NRSV

16 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.

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 NRSV

28 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 NRSV

19 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 NRSV

17 He himself 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 NRSV

58 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell 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 NRSV

62 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 NRSV

3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made 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 NRSV

13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall 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 NRSV

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” 18 For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to 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 NRSV

20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.”

See also Lk 7:47–48

Jesus Christ’s actions imply his divinity

Matthew 8:26–27 NRSV

26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”

See also Mt 12:8; Lk 8:39

Jesus Christ’s resurrection confirms his divinity

Acts 2:36 NRSV

36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

See also Ro 1:4; Php 2:9–11