Bible Study

From the Desk of C. Pat Lanyon

Here are the reasons I believe that Jesus Christ is God -- the "Lord of Heaven and Earth" -- at the same time that The Father is Lord of Heaven and Earth.

1. The Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus Christ is God, "the God ," and not merely "a god."

 

Christ is God (is clearly taught in at least 9 passages)

1 Tim. 3:16; Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; Col. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:19; John 12:45; John 10:30; John 14:7-11; John 20:28;

(v. # 1) 1 Tim. 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh ,

Justified in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,

Preached among the Gentiles,

Believed on in the world,

Received up in glory.

a) It is a mystery. b) It was GOD who was manifested, or revealed. c) It was "in the flesh" that He was manifested.

(v. # 2) Matthew 1:22-23

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

[23] "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel ," which is translated, "God with us ."

The passage quoted is:

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel .

a) Jesus Christ's Birth fulfilled a prophecy of Isaiah.

(v. # 3) Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given ;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace.

Another prophecy of Isaiah, Christ was to be called Mighty God, and Everlasting Father. While there is a distinction between the word mighty here, and Almighty found in Gen 17.1, Ezekiel 10.5 and Revelation 19.15 where it refers to the Father; it is important to read the next words: Everlasting Father . Quite emphatically does scripture infer an equality of the Son with the Father -- and not only in this verse only.

(v. # 4) Col. 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

The immediate context:

Col. 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

The fullness of the Godhead can only refer to the fullness of the Father that is now manifested in Christ in a "bodily" form.

(v. # 5) 2 Cor. 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

(v. # 6) John 12:45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me .

This verse can only say that anyone who saw Christ saw His Father, thus Christ said He was His Father! in spite of the irrationality to the human mind.

(v. # 7) John 10:30 I and My Father are one ."

Again, another statement from Christ's own mouth equality with God.

(v. # 8) John 14:7-11

"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

[8] Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."

[9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father ; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

[10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

[11] Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

This passage quite literally speaks for itself.

(v. # 9) John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God! "

Thomas called him both his Lord and his God. What is interesting about this passage is this: Jesus did not rebuke nor correct Thomas for calling Him God and Lord! Christ received worship from people

John 1.1-2; John 8.58; Hebrews 13.8; Colossians 1.17

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[2] He was in the beginning with God .

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM ."

Col. 1:17 And He is before all things , and in Him all things consist.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

3. The Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus Christ is Creator

Hebrews 1.2; Colossians 1.16; 1 Corinthians 8.6; John 1.3

John 1:3 All things were made through Him , and without Him nothing was made that was made.

1 Cor. 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things , and through whom we live.

Col. 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him .

Hebrews 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds ;