Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  2000 Jesus Christ  »  2003 Jesus Christ, qualities of  »  2006 God, the Son  »  2018 Jesus Christ, divinity of

The equality and identity of Jesus Christ as God is clearly stated in the NT, and is also implied by the words and deeds of Jesus Christ. The OT prophecies also point to the divinity of the coming Messiah.

The NT writers affirm Jesus Christ's divinity

Hebrews 1:8 See also Psalm 45:6; John 1:1-2,18; Romans 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!”; Philippians 2:6; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1

Statements which imply Jesus Christ's divinity

Matthew 1:23 See also Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 2:2,9; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:20

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

Matthew 28:19 See also John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:18,22; Ephesians 3:14-17; Ephesians 4:4-6

Jesus Christ's eternal nature indicates his divinity

Jesus Christ precedes creation

Colossians 1:17 See also Micah 5:2; John 17:5,24; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 1:1; John 2:13

Jesus Christ is everlasting

John 8:58 See also Hebrews 1:12; Psalm 102:27; Hebrews 7:3,24; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 22:13

Jesus Christ's pre-existence indicates his divinity

John 6:62 See also John 3:13,31; John 6:41-42; John 13:3; John 16:28

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

Hebrews 1:3 See also Matthew 17:2 pp Mark 9:2-3 pp Luke 9:29; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4; James 2:1

Jesus Christ's divinity in the OT

The divinity of the coming Messiah

Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 40:3; Jeremiah 23:6; Malachi 3:1

NT passages which apply OT passages about God to Jesus Christ

Romans 10:13 See also Joel 2:32; John 12:40-41; Isaiah 6:10; Romans 9:33; Isaiah 8:14; Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18

Jesus Christ's claims to divinity

He claimed to be one with the Father

John 5:17-18 See also John 10:30-33,36-38; John 12:45; John 14:7,9-11; John 17:11,21

He demonstrated his authority to forgive sin

Luke 5:20-24 pp Matthew 9:2-6 pp Mark 2:5-10 See also Luke 7:47-48

Jesus Christ's actions imply his divinity

Matthew 8:26-27 pp Mark 4:39-41 pp Luke 8:24-25 See also Matthew 12:8 pp Mark 2:28 pp Luke 6:5; Luke 8:39 pp Mark 5:19-20

Jesus Christ's resurrection confirms his divinity

Acts 2:36 See also Romans 1:4; Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus Christ's names and titles point to his divinity

Jesus Christ as judge

John 5:27 In the OT, final responsibility for judgment is assigned to God. See also Matthew 25:31-33; Mark 8:38 pp Matthew 16:27 pp Luke 9:26; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10

Jesus Christ as “I am”

John 11:25 “I am” is the meaning of God's name in the OT (see Ex 3:14). See also John 6:35; John 8:12; John 10:7,11; John 14:6; John 15:1; John 18:5-6

Jesus Christ as Saviour

Acts 5:31 According to the OT, God alone can save. See also Acts 4:12; Ephesians 5:23; Hebrews 7:25

Jesus Christ as Lord

Romans 10:9 “Lord” was equivalent to God's name in the OT. See also Luke 1:43; Luke 2:11; John 13:13; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 19:16

Jesus Christ as creator

Colossians 1:16 See also John 1:3,10; Acts 3:15; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 1:2,10; Psalm 102:25

Jesus Christ as shepherd

Hebrews 13:20 “Shepherd” was a well-known OT name for God. See also John 10:11-16; 1 Peter 2:25; Peter 5:4

Those who recognised Jesus Christ's divinity

The disciples

John 20:28 See also Matthew 16:16 pp Mark 8:29 pp Luke 9:20

The demons

Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41 pp Mark 1:34

The consequences of recognising Jesus Christ's divinity

Jesus Christ is worshipped as God

Luke 24:52 The fact that no-one but God may be worshipped is fundamental to Judaism. See also Matthew 2:11; Matthew 28:9,17; John 9:38; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:5-6; Revelation 5:12-13; Revelation 7:10

Prayer is addressed to Jesus Christ

Acts 7:59-60; Acts 9:13; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20

See also

2024  Christ, glory of
2033  Christ, humanity
2078  Christ, sonship of
2203  Christ, titles of
2206  Jesus, the Christ
2224  Christ, the Lord
2309  Christ as judge
2324  Christ as Saviour
2560  Christ, resurrection
6654  forgiveness, Christ's ministry
8407  confession of Christ
9312  resurrection, significance of Christ's