We are continuing with our study on the subject, Jesus is God, looking to the bible for our confirmation and finding an abundance therein. I pray you who have doubts and questions about this subject will be open to the Holy Spirits convictions and not harden your hearts. I remember my grandmother telling me after grandpa died; “Please; always tell me the truth, all of it, I can take it.” Based on her request I never held back anything good or bad from her because she had a right to know. I feel the exact same way she did, I want to know all the truth, good or bad, I don’t care if it contradicts what I think or if it offends me, I still want to know. One of the things that is so distressing to me is the unwillingness of some folks to take into account all of the bible to arrive at a proper conclusion, they want to pick a verse here and pick one there to back up what they think, never really searching for the truth and they totally ignore or purposely over-look other verses. I’ve heard some T.V. preachers practice this, they preach about prosperity and God’s favor and all the good things we should have and never mention what Jesus said about denying ourselves, suffering, being hated and persecuted for His name’s sake and taking up our cross. What they preach is in the bible, but they never present, what Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story.” We must take into account the entire bible when we are searching for truth in doctrine, whether it agrees with what we think or with our denomination or not. If there is one thing that I am convinced of above all else, if you want the truth you must go to Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:6; “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. If you want life you must go to Jesus, if you want to know the way you must go to Jesus and if you want the truth you must go to Jesus. Now, I am sure some are saying after reading that verse; “hey, wait a minute what about the Father in that verse, doesn’t that show two different persons?” I’m sure the Apostle Philip thought the same thing and asked Jesus in verse 8, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Verse 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…” In John 10:30 Jesus says; “…I and My Father are one,” and in Deuteronomy 6:4 “HEAR, O ISRAEL: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. This verse is repeated in the New Testament by Jesus and in both instances it is in the singular form, meaning ONE GOD!
The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:5; one Lord, one faith, one baptism and in 1 John 5:7; For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
Even with all this scripture proclaiming that God is one and Jesus claiming that distinction, it is still hard to understand the complexities involved with the three separate entities being one and I know this subject is way over my head, but I so love to search and study subjects like this. Not to say that I don’t have some minor reservations. The important thing to remember is that whether or not you believe this fully or partially it doesn’t change the commands of the bible or the fact that we must believe in Jesus Christ to be saved and receive eternal life. Hebrews 11:6; But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus has all authority
Jesus clearly claims all authority in a person’s life as He explains how a man must be in Christ and Christ in him to do anything.
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Jesus accepts the title of God
One of the least favorite exchanges in the Bible from some other’s perspective is the one that occurred between Jesus and Thomas after Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas, the ever-skeptical disciple, was unconvinced that Jesus had risen from the dead and wanted to see direct proof. However, when the Lord Jesus appeared to him, his only reaction was "My Lord and my God!"
Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:28-29)
What was Jesus' reaction to the title of God? Did Jesus rebuke him for calling Him "God"? No! In fact, Jesus praised Thomas for his belief. And the belief that Thomas exhibited was that Jesus was Lord and God. If Jesus were not God, accepting such a statement for truth would be a grievous sin. Either Jesus is God or He would have to be a sinner!
In conclusion it is true that Jesus never claimed to be God, verbatim, but it is quite clear from all the evidence that Jesus made the claim to divinity and being God constantly, in many different ways and many different verses. If you were to weigh all the verifications, proof and support it would be very transparent that Jesus is who He claimed to be, God!
I encourage you, if you are interested in this subject, to go to www.godandscience.org , click on “Christian Theology” and then click on one of the many different categories that interest you. God bless you as you seek Him.
JESUS IS GOD “2”