Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1Peter 3.15
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Contents:

Introduction

Scriptural Support

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“For in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form”  Colossians 2:9

 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3
 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we can no longer say to God, “It’s easy for you to be up there, you don’t know how difficult it is from down here.”

Scriptural Basis

Supporting the Fullness of Deity of the Messiah

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INTRODUCTION.  We believe that God Yahweh is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent even though none of these words were ever literally mentioned in the Bible. Why? We believe that because they were implied by the following scriptures:

Omnipotent (all-powerful; almighty)

Omniscient (all-knowing)

Omnipresent (ever- present)  

Job 11:7; 33:4; Acts 17:24-28; Revelation 19:6

Proverbs 15:3; Matthew 10:29,30; Hebrews 4:12-13

Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23,24

Similarly, although the word "Trinity" were never literally said in the Bible, it is nevertheless, implied:  Genesis 1:26; 11:7; Matthew 3:16,17; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Romans 1:7; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3,4. 

On the other hand, the biblical teaching that Jesus is God is explicit. This material is in-exhaustive and will no longer tackle about the humanity of Jesus--Jesus was a man! But we have to understand that he was not just an ordinary man. By comparison we will try to understand the other nature of Jesus which makes him so special than any other religious figures in history, who the Scripture describes as the mystery of God: 

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.   (1 Timothy 3:16)

 

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.  (Colossians 2:2-4)

And in verse 9, “For in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form,”  also in Hebrews 1:3, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” In 1 John 4, two spirits were classified: (1) those who have the Spirit of God who acknowledge that Jesus became a man, and (2) those who have the spirit of the antichrist who do not acknowledge this fact.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.   (1 John 4:2-3)

Now, can any man “come in the flesh?” Isn’t he already in the flesh? How can someone transform into something he already is? This kind of reasoning is pointless! Now, how about those who claim that “in the beginning, Jesus, the Logos in John 1:1, was the expression of God [similar to the words we use to express ourselves]. “That expression,” they contest, “was begotten by God, as in John 1:14, so we have the man Christ Jesus.” You see, this too is self-defeating since, according to the Letter of Paul to the Colossians (1:15-18) this alleged “expression” was a self-existing creator (see also Hebrews 1:1-2):

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT. To help us understand more clearly , let us first differentiate God from Man:

DESCRIPTION

of                    GOD

vs.                             MAN

Everlasting

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’”  (Deuteronomy 33:27)

A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry? All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and flowers fall because the breath of the Lord blows on them.  Surely the people are grass.” (Isaiah 40:6-7, see also Hebrews 9:27).

Holy

And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord [Yahweh] Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  (Isaiah 6:3)

When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you became angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near. (1 Kings 8:46a, see also Romans 3:23)

Good and

Perfect

"No-one is good--except God alone.";  (Luke 18:19b, cf. John 10:14); “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. (Romans 3:9)

Almighty

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26b)

Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"  (Luke 12:26)

Self-Existent

"For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself." (John 5:26)

For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28a); I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

Immortal

...God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproach-able light, whom no-one has seen or can see. (1 Timothy 6:15,16a)

“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction?” (Isaiah 51:12a)

Unchangeable

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man that he should change his mind.  (1 Samuel 15:29)

Chapter 28 of the book of Ezekiel will summarize all these differences:

“‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.  Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you?...Will you then say, “I am a god,” in the presence of those who kill you? You will be a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.’”  (Ezekiel 28:2b-3,8-9)

...and in  Hosea:

“I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God and not man--the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. (Hosea 11:9)

THAT IS, A MERE MAN CANNOT BECOME GOD OR BECOME LIKE A GOD!

While it is true that a man cannot become a god (or become like God) it is also true that God can become a man whenever he wants. In fact, as taught by the Scriptures, He appeared in the flesh not just once and not just to a very few. Besides, how hard can it be for the Creator of the universe? “Is anything hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14).

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.... So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”  (Genesis 32:24,30; see also Genesis 35:1-3; 9-13)

 

The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. (Genesis 18:1,2)

God appeared to Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abiju, and the seventy elders of Israel (Exodus 24:9-11) and also to  Gideon (Judges 6:12) and then both to Manaoah and Zorah (Judges 13:6). We need to be reminded though, that in these occasions, God did not appear in a dream (as in Genesis 28:12; 1 Kings 3:5) nor in his absolute glory--otherwise they could have died (cf. Exodus 33:7-23 and Isaiah 6). See also Genesis 22:15 and 1 Corinthians 10:9 and Hebrews 11:24-26 of the New Testament regarding the pre-existence of Christ.

There are reasons why He had to be a man (without ceasing to be God), let me enumerate a few: (1)To purchase us with his own blood (Acts 20:28); (2) to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8); (3) to sacrifice himself unblemished to cleanse our consciences so that we can serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14); (4) to be a sin offering so that the just requirement of the Law--death--might be fully met in us (Romans 8:3,4); and, (5) so that we may become spiritually “rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). For further readings turn to Hebrews 10. This time, though, Jesus took the form of humanity permanently so He is still God-man.

You see, there is no contradiction in saying, “GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH.”  And at the same time saying “GOD IS SPIRIT.”

By comparing how the Bible describes God and Jesus we will understand further:

ATTRIBUTES

Of GOD

And of JESUS

Everlasting [Heb. Olam or Owlam]

..from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.  (Psalm 90:2, NASB)

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth From long ago, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2, NASB; cf. Matthew 2:6)

Holy

But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness. (Isaiah 5:16)

 

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35; cf. Acts 3:14; Leviticus 20:8; Exodus 31:13; Hebrews 2:11; Revelation 15:4; John 8:46) 

Sinless

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4a;  see also 1 John 3:9,10)

“Can any of  you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” (John 8:46; cf. Ephesians 4:26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) 

Mighty

[Heb.El Gibbor]

A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. (Isaiah 10:21; cf. Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 9:32; Psalm 24:8)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, MightyGod, Ever-lasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6)

The only Savior

I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11); ...that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:10)

...while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13); “...now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.”  (John 4:42)

First and the Last

(Alpha and Omega)

I, the Lord, am the first and with the last I am He. (Isaiah 41:4b, NASB; see also Revelation 1:8)

“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last.” (Revelation 1:17, NASB; see also Revelation 22:12-16)

Omnipresent

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:23,24)

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b); “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Omniscient

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave--what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.” (Job 11:7-9)

 ...the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3; Also in John 16:30-31)

The only  One

worthy of all our

praise and

worship

“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.”  (Isaiah 42:8); Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10)

...that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son  does not honor the Father, who sent him. (John 5:23; cf. Matthew 28:16-17; Luke 24:51-52; Revelation 5:8-14; Hebrews 1:6)

Immutable (unchangeable)

“I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6a)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, cf. Psalm 102:27)

CONCLUSION. We are all responsible. You and I are responsible that God has to come down and become just like us (but not in the sense like we are sinners). I am glad though; glad that it was He who took the initiatives. You see, that was the only way that we may be redeemed. “Without the shedding of blood,” the Bible says, “there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:7-28).”  No matter how hard we climb the ladder of self-righteousness to try to reach God and please Him, He will still prove himself HOLY and that our self-righteousness, because of wrong understanding of him, “leads to death (Proverbs 14:12).” Without His initiatives we will not be spared from the consequence of our disobedience and sin (Romans 6:23a). ALSO, without God becoming human like us:

  1. The broken hearted might never know that God can empathize with him;

  2. The abandoned might not approach a God who was not rejected;

  3. We’ll never know that God felt our thirst and our hunger for affection;

  4. Those who were betrayed might not understand that God was betrayed too.  

Now we can be assured that, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:15,16).” Now we can no longer say to God, “It’s easy for you to be up there, you don’t know how difficult it is from down here.”  

 

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I am confused, are Jesus and God the Father one and the same?

Further readings On the Trinity and Jewishness and the Trinity

Take another look at the Trinity

 

Notes: 

Unless otherwise stated all Scriptures taken from the The HOLY BIBLE,  NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission.