Topical Encyclopedia
The doctrine of the deity of Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming that Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God but is God Himself, sovereign over all creation. This belief is rooted in numerous scriptural affirmations that ascribe to Christ divine attributes, titles, and roles that are reserved for God alone.
Divine Titles and AttributesThe New Testament explicitly refers to Jesus Christ as God, attributing to Him titles that underscore His divine nature. In
Romans 9:5, the Apostle Paul writes, "Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen." This passage clearly identifies Christ as "God over all," emphasizing His supreme authority and eternal nature.
In the Gospel of John, the deity of Christ is a prominent theme.
John 1:1-3 declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." Here, Christ, referred to as the Word, is not only with God but is God, participating in the creation of all things, a role that signifies His omnipotence and preexistence.
Worship and Divine HonorThe worship of Christ further attests to His deity. In
Revelation 5:12-13, the heavenly hosts proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" The Lamb, a title for Christ, receives worship alongside God the Father, indicating His equality with God and His worthiness to receive divine honor.
Moreover, in
Philippians 2:9-11, Paul describes how God exalted Christ, "and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The universal acknowledgment of Christ as Lord, with every knee bowing to Him, is an act of worship that affirms His divine status.
Christ's Sovereign AuthorityChrist's authority over all creation is a testament to His deity. In
Colossians 1:16-17, Paul writes, "For in Him all things were created, things 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. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights Christ's role as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, attributes that belong to God alone.
Furthermore, in
Matthew 28:18, Jesus Himself declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This comprehensive authority underscores His sovereign rule over all realms, affirming His position as God over all.
Eternal Existence and ImmutabilityThe eternal existence and immutability of Christ are further evidence of His deity.
Hebrews 13:8 states, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." This declaration of Christ's unchanging nature aligns with the divine attribute of immutability, a characteristic unique to God.
In
Revelation 1:8, Christ is identified with the divine title, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." This title, used for both God the Father and Christ, signifies His eternal existence and omnipotence.
ConclusionThe scriptural testimony to Christ as God over all is abundant and clear. Through divine titles, worship, sovereign authority, and eternal attributes, the Bible affirms the deity of Christ, establishing Him as the God who reigns supreme over all creation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 45:6,7Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of your kingdom is a right scepter.
Torrey's Topical TextbookRomans 9:5
Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Greek
935. basileus -- a king ... As King, Jesus
Christ has unqualified jurisdiction
over all creation --
also being
God the Creator. (cf. Jn 1:1-3,49). See 932 ().
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/935.htm - 7k4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Heb 11:6). But a personal encounter with Christ (a true ... Faith however is always from
God and is (2 Thes 1 ... your faith," "their faith" (which occur over 30 times ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k
Library
Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... of Adam, He brought him forth and gave him authority over all his creation ... will be
convinced, that it is nothing strange that we call Christ the Son of God. ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm
The God of all Comfort
... And over the whole land would be fulfilled the apostle's prayer for the
Thessalonians: "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 3 the god of.htm
By Death I Shall Attain True Life.
... to die for the sake of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends ... soul?" I long
after the Lord, the Son of the true God and Father, even Jesus Christ. ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter vi by death i shall.htm
The Question Whether Christ be Come Taken Up.
... For who could have reigned over all nations but Christ, God's Son, who was
ever announced as destined to reign over all to eternity? ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter vii the question whether christ.htm
Christ all and in All.
... When God sends a true messenger his words will find a ... under the rod is no proof that
Christ does not ... The poor stricken parents went over to great Britain, and ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter viii christ all and.htm
Meditation on God
... flesh, for I believe that I shad learn more of God and more of ... Should Christ His
residence remove. ... the assembly; they are very glad when all is over, and they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/meditation on god.htm
"That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious ...
... have fastened, as the rocks on the sea-shore are covered over with sea ... who in Christ's
stead thus entreats: "Taste and see that Christ is God?" [973] Faith ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ix that those grievously sin.htm
Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation
... make the once-for-all decision to exalt Him over all. ... In them God finds a theater
where He can display His exceeding kindness toward us in Christ Jesus ...
/.../tozer/the pursuit of god/viii restoring the creator-creature relation.htm
Of Love to God
... The spouse keeps the key of the garden, that none may come there but Christ. (vii.)
Love to God is permanent. ... True love boils over, but does not give over. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/of love to god.htm
God's World
... and becomes dry land; and seeds float thither over the wide ... sow, and multiply, and
raise churches, and worship the God of heaven, and Christ, the blessed ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon i gods world.htm
Resources
Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgIs there a difference in meaning between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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