Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: Divinity of Acknowledged by Old Testament Saints

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The divinity of Jesus Christ, while fully revealed in the New Testament, is also foreshadowed and acknowledged by Old Testament saints through prophetic insights and typological representations. These anticipations and acknowledgments underscore the continuity of God's redemptive plan and the unity of Scripture.

Abraham's Encounter with Melchizedek

Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, is a significant typological foreshadowing of Christ's divine priesthood. Melchizedek's unique role as both king and priest prefigures the dual offices of Jesus. In Genesis 14:18-20, Melchizedek blesses Abraham, and Abraham gives him a tenth of everything, recognizing his superior status. The author of Hebrews later expounds on this, stating, "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time" (Hebrews 7:3). This eternal priesthood points to the divine nature of Christ.

Moses and the Angel of the LORD

Moses' encounters with the Angel of the LORD reveal a divine presence that many scholars and theologians identify as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In Exodus 3:2-6, the Angel of the LORD appears to Moses in a flame of fire from within a bush. The text states, "When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses, Moses!'" (Exodus 3:4). The interchangeability of the Angel of the LORD and God in this passage suggests a divine identity, which Christians understand as a Christophany, an appearance of Christ before His incarnation.

David's Messianic Psalms

King David, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned several psalms that prophetically acknowledge the divinity of the coming Messiah. In Psalm 110:1, David writes, "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet'" . Jesus Himself cites this verse in Matthew 22:44 to demonstrate His divine lordship, as David refers to the Messiah as "my Lord," indicating a recognition of His superior and divine status.

Isaiah's Vision of the Suffering Servant

The prophet Isaiah provides profound insights into the divine nature of the Messiah through his depiction of the Suffering Servant. In Isaiah 9:6, he proclaims, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" . The titles "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" ascribed to the child indicate His divine nature and eternal existence, pointing to the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Daniel's Vision of the Son of Man

The prophet Daniel's vision of the "Son of Man" further acknowledges the divinity of Christ. In Daniel 7:13-14, he describes, "I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him" . The divine attributes and universal reign granted to the Son of Man align with the New Testament revelation of Jesus as the divine King and Judge.

These Old Testament acknowledgments of Christ's divinity, through typology, prophecy, and direct encounters, provide a rich tapestry that points to the fulfillment of God's promise in the person of Jesus Christ. The saints of old, through the Spirit's revelation, glimpsed the divine nature of the coming Messiah, affirming the eternal plan of salvation through Jesus, the Christ.

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Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.
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Genesis 48:15,16
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long to this day,
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Genesis 32:24-30
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
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Hosea 12:3-5
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
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Judges 6:22-24
And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
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Judges 13:21,22
But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.
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Job 19:25-27
For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth:
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Library

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... before the new moral creation of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth ... and unbelievers
to account for the character of Christ without admitting his Divinity. ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

The Five Books Against Marcion
... Then, Allowing Their Divinity, Denies This Diversity. ... He Whom the Demon Acknowledged
Was the Creator's Christ. ... from the Same Chapter, that Jesus, Who Preached ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/

The Founder of Christianity.
... It would take more than a Jesus to invent a Jesus. We are shut up then to the
recognition of the divinity of Christ; and reason itself must bow in silent ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... communicated; but our attempt will prove abortive, unless the Divinity of these ... These
things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ," &c ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 2 on the sufficiency.htm

The Confession of the Waldenses. AD 1655.
... that Church has always approved and acknowledged to be ... We acknowledge the divinity
of these sacred books ... par sa misericorde en son Fils Jesus Christ, y laissant ...
/.../the confession of the waldenses.htm

The Four Gospels.
... to produce such a character as the historical Jesus of Nazareth. ... and he speaks of
our Lord's divinity as no ... Christ the cource, these streams forth sending; ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 78 the four gospels.htm

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... The Ethiopian eunuch frankly acknowledged his ignorance; and instead ... is delivered
in express terms, "Jesus Christ is the Son of God." The divinity of the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... that the carnal doubt of the divinity of Christ should ... from you, since you have already
acknowledged that your ... of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, uttered by ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Some of them supposed their divinity was a spirit residing ... man into a herd of swine,
acknowledged Jesus to be ... any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

The Transfiguration
... ever afterwards took part with those who acknowledged the divinity of Christ ... let
us lift up our hearts to Jesus, and say ... "Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ! ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the transfiguration.htm