Topical Encyclopedia The divinity of the Son, Jesus Christ, is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirmed through numerous scriptural testimonies. These passages underscore His divine nature, eternal existence, and unity with the Father, providing a foundation for understanding the Son as fully God.1. The Word Became Flesh John 1:1-14 is a foundational passage affirming the divinity of the Son. The opening verse declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage identifies Jesus as the eternal Word, coexistent with God and Himself God. Verse 14 further reveals, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us," emphasizing the incarnation of the divine Word. 2. The Preexistence and Eternality of Christ Colossians 1:15-17 speaks to the preexistence and creative role of Christ: "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" . This passage affirms Christ's preexistence and His active role in creation, attributes of divinity. 3. The Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9 states, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" . This verse explicitly affirms that the entirety of divine nature resides in Christ, underscoring His complete divinity. 4. The Son's Equality with the Father In John 10:30, Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one" . This statement asserts the unity and equality of the Son with the Father, a claim that led to accusations of blasphemy from His contemporaries, who understood it as a claim to divinity (John 10:33). 5. The Son's Role in Judgment and Worship John 5:22-23 reveals the Son's divine authority in judgment: "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father" . The call to honor the Son as the Father is honored indicates His divine status, as worship is due only to God. 6. The Son's Self-Identification as "I AM" In John 8:58, Jesus proclaims, "Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!" . This declaration echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God identifies Himself as "I AM." By using this name, Jesus identifies Himself with the eternal God. 7. The Son's Authority Over Life and Death In John 11:25, Jesus states, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies" . This claim to possess authority over life and death is a divine prerogative, further affirming His deity. 8. The Son's Role in Creation and Sustenance Hebrews 1:2-3 describes the Son as the one "through whom [God] made the universe" and who "sustains all things by His powerful word" . These roles in creation and sustenance are divine functions, highlighting the Son's divine nature. 9. The Son's Divine Titles Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is referred to with titles that affirm His divinity, such as "Lord" (Philippians 2:11), "God" (John 20:28), and "Savior" (Titus 2:13). These titles, used in a context of worship and reverence, reflect His divine identity. These scriptural testimonies collectively affirm the divinity of the Son, presenting Him as fully God, coequal with the Father, and worthy of worship and adoration. |